Abstract: In summary it is described a column for a piece of furniture as well as a piece of furniture with at least one movable member (1, 2, 31), wherein said part is adapted to be moved relative to the rest of the furniture in a non-manual way. Further, there is provided a device for detecting collisions of the automatically movable member with obstacles, an automatic drive mechanism (5, 6) which is adapted to move the movable member, a control device adapted to control the automatic drive mechanism (5, 6), and at least one sensor (4) adapted to detect a collision during the motion of the movable member (1, 2, 31) with an obstacle and to transmit this incident to the control device wherein the at least one sensor (4) comprises a force-sensitive sensor (41).

Abstract: An electrical switch includes a housing and at least two electrical terminals. A pivoting toggle is provided within the housing for controlling the electrical connection between the two terminals. A light source is mounted to the housing in a fixed position and a length of optically conductive material extends from within the toggle to adjacent the light source, such that, when the light source is on, light is visible through the toggle via the optically conductive material.

Abstract: A respiratory system and method includes a filling unit for filling a portable bottle of respiratory gas and a conserver for mounting on such a bottle. A battery on the conserver may be recharged when the bottle is placed on the filing unit. The conserver may include electric timing circuitry operative to control the timing of pulsed flow of respiratory gas from the conserver, and an external electrical coupler to enable adjustment of the timing of the pulsed flow. The conserver may include at least one sensor operative to sense the reversal of flow between exhalation and inhalation, the conserver being operative to commence a respiratory gas delivery pulse in response to the sensing of the reversal of flow.

Abstract: A motor and brake assembly includes a mounting member. A stator winding assembly, a brake assembly, a hub, and a rotor magnet assembly. The stator winding assembly is mounted to the mounting member. The brake assembly is operably connected to the mounting member. The hub is rotatably coupled to the mounting member. The rotor magnet assembly is mounted to an inside of a radially outer wall of the hub. The brake assembly is operable to move a component of the brake assembly between an engaged position where the component engages the inside of the radially outer hub wall and a disengaged position where the component is spaced apart from the inside of the radially outer hub wall.

Abstract: A respiratory system and method includes a filling unit for filling a portable bottle of respiratory gas and a conserver for mounting on such a bottle. A battery on the conserver may be recharged when the bottle is placed on the filing unit. The conserver may include electric timing circuitry operative to control the timing of pulsed flow of respiratory gas from the conserver, and an external electrical coupler to enable adjustment of the timing of the pulsed flow. The conserver may include at least one sensor operative to sense the reversal of flow between exhalation and inhalation, the conserver being operative to commence a respiratory gas delivery pulse in response to the sensing of the reversal of flow.

Abstract: An electrical switch includes a housing and at least two electrical terminals. A pivoting toggle is provided within the housing for controlling the electrical connection between the two terminals. A light source is mounted to the housing in a fixed position and a length of optically conductive material extends from within the toggle to adjacent the light source, such that, when the light source is on, light is visible through the toggle via the optically conductive material.

Abstract: A motorized wheelchair includes left and right drive wheels, left and right motors, rate-of-turn sensor, first and second speed sensors, and controller arranged to combine signals from the sensors in a manner that detects drift. Alternatively, the motorized wheelchair includes left and right drive wheels, left and right motors, first and second rate-of-turn sensors, and controller arranged to combine signals from the sensors in a manner that compensates for voltage offset errors. In another arrangement, the motorized wheelchair includes left and right drive wheels, left and right motors, first and second rate-of-turn sensors, input device, and controller arranged to combine signals from the sensors and input device in a manner that controls the motors using an integrated turn rate error. Several methods for controlling each wheelchair configuration are also provided. These methods process signals associated with desired, expected, or actual turn rate to determine if the wheelchair is off course.

Abstract: A motorized wheelchair includes left and right drive wheels, left and right motors, rate-of-turn sensor, first and second speed sensors, and controller arranged to combine signals from the sensors in a manner that detects drift. Alternatively, the motorized wheelchair includes left and right drive wheels, left and right motors, first and second rate-of-turn sensors, and controller arranged to combine signals from the sensors in a manner that compensates for voltage offset errors. In another arrangement, the motorized wheelchair includes left and right drive wheels, left and right motors, first and second rate-of-turn sensors, input device, and controller arranged to combine signals from the sensors and input device in a manner that controls the motors using an integrated turn rate error. Several methods for controlling each wheelchair configuration are also provided. These methods process signals associated with desired, expected, or actual turn rate to determine if the wheelchair is off course.

Abstract: An electrical switch includes a housing and at least two electrical terminals. A pivoting toggle is provided within the housing for controlling the electrical connection between the two terminals. A light source is mounted to the housing in a fixed position and a length of optically conductive material extends from within the toggle to adjacent the light source, such that, when the light source is on, light is visible through the toggle via the optically conductive material.

Abstract: A motorized wheelchair includes left and right drive wheels, left and right motors, rate-of-turn sensor, first and second speed sensors, and controller arranged to combine signals from the sensors in a manner that detects drift. Alternatively, the motorized wheelchair includes left and right drive wheels, left and right motors, first and second rate-of-turn sensors, and controller arranged to combine signals from the sensors in a manner that compensates for voltage offset errors. In another arrangement, the motorized wheelchair includes left and right drive wheels, left and right motors, first and second rate-of-turn sensors, input device, and controller arranged to combine signals from the sensors and input device in a manner that controls the motors using an integrated turn rate error. Several methods for controlling each wheelchair configuration are also provided. These methods process signals associated with desired, expected, or actual turn rate to determine if the wheelchair is off course.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting a desired pressure in a positive airway pressure (PAP) device are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes: a) providing breathing gas under positive pressure to a patient via a PAP device based on current desired pressure, b) monitoring a characteristic of the breathing gas, patient, or PAP device indicative of respiration, c) creating a breathing cycle signal having a first level associated with inhalation and a second level associated with exhalation, the signal being based on the monitored respiration characteristic, d) performing an abnormal breathing check based on the monitored respiration characteristic and the breathing cycle signal, and e) if abnormal breathing is detected, increasing the current desired pressure until a maximum desired pressure is reached, otherwise, decreasing the current desired pressure until a minimum desired pressure is reached. Several embodiments of an apparatus associated with the method are also provided.

Abstract: A compact wall-mountable load control device for controlling the power delivered to an electrical load from an AC power source includes: a controllably conductive device coupled in a series electrical connection between the AC power source and the load, the controllably conductive device including a control input; a control circuit operatively coupled to the control input of the controllably conductive device, the control circuit operable to control the conductivity of the controllably conductive device, the control circuit including a timer; a timer adjustment selector operatively coupled to the control circuit; a visual indicator operatively coupled to the control circuit; and a switch operatively connected to the control circuit to provide a user the ability to operate the control circuit using the integral switch. The control circuit includes a timed ON setting, an OFF setting, and an ON setting that bypasses the timer. The timed ON setting may be user adjustable.

Abstract: A motor and brake assembly includes a mounting member. A stator winding assembly, a brake assembly, a hub, and a rotor magnet assembly. The stator winding assembly is mounted to the mounting member. The brake assembly is operably connected to the mounting member. The hub is rotatably coupled to the mounting member. The rotor magnet assembly is mounted to an inside of a radially outer wall of the hub. The brake assembly is operable to move a component of the brake assembly between an engaged position where the component engages the inside of the radially outer hub wall and a disengaged position where the component is spaced apart from the inside of the radially outer hub wall.

Abstract: An electrical switch includes a housing and at least two electrical terminals. A pivoting toggle is provided within the housing for controlling the electrical connection between the two terminals. A light source is mounted to the housing in a fixed position and a length of optically conductive material extends from within the toggle to adjacent the light source, such that, when the light source is on, light is visible through the toggle via the optically conductive material.

Abstract: A motorized wheelchair includes left and right drive wheels, left and right motors, rate-of-turn sensor, first and second speed sensors, and controller arranged to combine signals from the sensors in a manner that detects drift. Alternatively, the motorized wheelchair includes left and right drive wheels, left and right motors, first and second rate-of-turn sensors, and controller arranged to combine signals from the sensors in a manner that compensates for voltage offset errors. In another arrangement, the motorized wheelchair includes left and right drive wheels, left and right motors, first and second rate-of-turn sensors, input device, and controller arranged to combine signals from the sensors and input device in a manner that controls the motors using an integrated turn rate error. Several methods for controlling each wheelchair configuration are also provided. These methods process signals associated with desired, expected, or actual turn rate to determine if the wheelchair is off course.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device and a method for recognizing collision of automatically moveable parts of furniture with obstacles by detecting a change in bend or a change in acceleration. This is carried out by a device for recognizing collisions of automatically moveable parts of furniture with obstacles, comprising a piece of furniture with at least one moveable part (1, 2, 31), wherein this part is a adapted to be moved relatively to the rest of the furniture in a non-manual manner, an automatic driving mechanism adapted to move the moveable part, a controller adapted to control the automatic driving mechanism, and a sensor (4) adapted to detect a collision with an obstacle during the movement of the moveable part and to transmit the collision to the controller, wherein the sensor is adapted to detect a change in bend or a change in acceleration of the moveable part.

Abstract: Structures and methods for fabrication of an under bump metallization (UBM) structure having a metal seed layer and electroless nickel deposition layer are disclosed involving a UBM structure comprising a semiconductor substrate, at least one final metal layer, a passivation layer, a metal seed layer, and a metallization layer. The at least one final metal layer is formed over at least a portion of the semiconductor substrate. Also, the passivation layer is formed over at least a portion of the semiconductor substrate. In addition, the passivation layer includes a plurality of openings. Additionally, the passivation layer is formed of a non-conductive material. The at least one final metal layer is exposed through the plurality of openings. The metal seed layer is formed over the passivation layer and covers the plurality of openings. The metallization layer is formed over the metal seed layer. The metallization layer is formed from electroless deposition.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting a desired pressure in a positive airway pressure (PAP) device are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes: a) providing breathing gas under positive pressure to a patient via a PAP device based on current desired pressure, b) monitoring a characteristic of the breathing gas, patient, or PAP device indicative of respiration, c) creating a breathing cycle signal having a first level associated with inhalation and a second level associated with exhalation, the signal being based on the monitored respiration characteristic, d) performing an abnormal breathing check based on the monitored respiration characteristic and the breathing cycle signal, and e) if abnormal breathing is detected, increasing the current desired pressure until a maximum desired pressure is reached, otherwise, decreasing the current desired pressure until a minimum desired pressure is reached. Several embodiments of an apparatus associated with the method are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device and a method for recognizing collision of automatically moveable parts of furniture with obstacles by detecting a change in bend or a change in acceleration. This is carried out by a device for recognizing collisions of automatically moveable parts of furniture with obstacles, comprising a piece of furniture with at least one moveable part (1, 2, 31), wherein this part is a adapted to be moved relatively to the rest of the furniture in a non-manual manner, an automatic driving mechanism adapted to move the moveable part, a controller adapted to control the automatic driving mechanism, and a sensor (4) adapted to detect a collision with an obstacle during the movement of the moveable part and to transmit the collision to the controller, wherein the sensor is adapted to detect a change in bend or a change in acceleration of the moveable part.

Abstract: Solder bump structures, which comprise a solder bump on a UBM structure, are provided for operation at temperatures of 250° C. and above. According to a first embodiment, the UBM structure comprises layers of Ni—P, Pd—P, and gold, wherein the Ni—P and Pd—P layers act as barrier and/or solderable/bondable layers. The gold layer acts as a protective layer. According to second embodiment, the UBM structure comprises layers of Ni—P and gold, wherein the Ni—P layer acts as a diffusion barrier as well as a solderable/bondable layer, and the gold acts as a protective layer. According to a third embodiment, the UBM structure comprises: (i) a thin layer of metal, such as titanium or aluminum or Ti/W alloy; (ii) a metal, such as NiV, W, Ti, Pt, TiW alloy or Ti/W/N alloy; and (iii) a metal alloy such as Pd—P, Ni—P, NiV, or TiW, followed by a layer of gold. Alternatively, a gold, silver, or palladium bump may be used instead of a solder bump in the UBM structure.