Abstract: A system for detection of a target sound in an environment of a vehicle, includes an audio sensor, a computer processor, and a memory storing digital target sound templates produced by converting samples of the target sound in accordance with conversion parameters. The computer processor receives the sample sound signal from the audio sensor, converts the sample sound signal to a digital sample vector in accordance with the conversion parameters, compares the vector to each of the templates to determine if a degree of similarity of the vector to any one of the templates exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and notifies a user or a vehicle control system if the threshold value is exceeded.

Abstract: One example discloses a breach sensor, comprising: a substrate including an integrated circuit; a passivation layer coupled to the substrate; a breach sensing element coupled to the circuit; wherein the breach sensing element is on a first side of the passivation layer and the substrate is on a second side of the passivation layer; a barrier configured to separate the breach sensing element from an ambient environment; wherein the breach sensing element is responsive to barrier damage.

Abstract: One example discloses a substance detection device, including: a substrate configured to carry a substance; wherein the substrate has a length and a substance loss along the length of the substrate; a test region coupled to the substrate and configured to bond to at least a portion of the substance; a sensor coupled to the substrate at a fixed location along the length and having a sensing signal output; an integration circuit coupled to the sensor and configured to integrate, over a time interval, a signal from the sensing signal output; and a detection circuit coupled to the integration circuit and configured to output a substance detected signal if the integrated sensing signal output signal deviates from the substance loss corresponding to the fixed sensor location.

Abstract: A method for operating a navigation system, in particular in a motor vehicle, comprising the following steps: determining an upcoming waypoint of a route, which is planned by the navigation system, with respect to which an item of navigation information is to be output to a user, ascertaining surroundings data relating to the surroundings of the waypoint, ascertaining at least one reference object, which is located in the surroundings of the waypoint, from the surroundings data, assigning a verbal designation to the reference object, preparing the navigation information comprising the designation, and acoustically outputting the navigation information.

Abstract: There is provided a lateral flow immunoassay test device. The test device comprises a test strip. The test strip comprises a test membrane having a translucent section including a control zone and a test zone. The device is adapted to house the test strip such that at least the translucent section is exposable to ambient light. The device comprises a backing structure for backing the test strip which comprises a first optical detector for detecting ambient light which has passed through the test zone, and a second optical detector for detecting ambient light which has passed through the translucent section in a further zone outside of the test and control zones. Using the detector outputs an amount of analyte in a test liquid may be calculated.

Abstract: One example discloses a substance detection device, including: a substrate configured to carry a substance; wherein the substrate has a length and a substance loss along the length of the substrate; a test region coupled to the substrate and configured to bond to at least a portion of the substance; a sensor coupled to the substrate at a fixed location along the length and having a sensing signal output; an integration circuit coupled to the sensor and configured to integrate, over a time interval, a signal from the sensing signal output; and a detection circuit coupled to the integration circuit and configured to output a substance detected signal if the integrated sensing signal output signal deviates from the substance loss corresponding to the fixed sensor location.

Abstract: One example discloses a breach sensor, comprising: a substrate including an integrated circuit; a passivation layer coupled to the substrate; a breach sensing element coupled to the circuit; wherein the breach sensing element is on a first side of the passivation layer and the substrate is on a second side of the passivation layer; a barrier configured to separate the breach sensing element from an ambient environment; wherein the breach sensing element is responsive to barrier damage.

Abstract: A method for operating a navigation system, in particular in a motor vehicle, comprising the following steps: determining an upcoming waypoint of a route, which is planned by the navigation system, with respect to which an item of navigation information is to be output to a user, ascertaining surroundings data relating to the surroundings of the waypoint, ascertaining at least one reference object, which is located in the surroundings of the waypoint, from the surroundings data, assigning a verbal designation to the reference object, preparing the navigation information comprising the designation, and acoustically outputting the navigation information.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and a method of making the same. The integrated circuit includes a semiconductor substrate having a major surface. The integrated circuit also includes a thermal conductivity based gas sensor having an electrically resistive sensor element located on the major surface for exposure to a gas to be sensed. The integrated circuit further includes a barrier located on the major surface for inhibiting a flow of the gas across the sensor element.

Abstract: A method of characterizing an LED, as well as an integrated circuit using this method, based on a so-called characteristic resistance, in which the LED is operated at a first, relatively low, operating current and then at a second, relatively high, operating current. From the ratio between the difference between the forward voltages at these two operating currents, and the difference between the operating current, the characteristic resistance is determined. The characteristic resistance is measured at two or more moments during the operational lifetime of the device, and a prediction or estimate is made in relation to the total operational lifetime of the devices, from the evolution or change of the characteristic resistance.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and a method of making the same. The integrated circuit includes a semiconductor substrate having a major surface. The integrated circuit also includes a thermal conductivity based gas sensor having an electrically resistive sensor element located on the major surface for exposure to a gas to be sensed. The integrated circuit further includes a barrier located on the major surface for inhibiting a flow of the gas across the sensor element.

Abstract: A lighting system uses interior and exterior light sensors for detecting lighting level and color. A lighting unit has a controlled color and intensity so that a color match zone can be defined where the interior space lighting has color temperature based on the exterior lighting conditions.

Abstract: A receiver circuit comprising first and second antennas; an input amplification stage comprising first and second input amplifier circuits for amplifying first and second signals received at the first and second antennas respectively; a switching stage comprising first and second transconductance components connected respectively to the first and second input amplifier circuits and to a common output, and a switching mechanism arranged to selectively turn on and off the first and second transconductance components so that only one of the first and second transconductance components is in an on state at any time, the first and second transconductance components further amplifying the first and second signals respectively when in an on state; and an output amplification stage connected to the common output of the switching stage and comprising an output amplifier circuit for further amplifying the first and second signals when they are outputted via the common output.

Abstract: An electronic device incorporating a randomized interconnection layer. In one example, the device includes a randomized interconnection layer having a randomized conductive pattern formed by etching of a heterogeneous layer; and a sensing circuit, electrically coupled to the randomized interconnection layer to detect the randomized conductive pattern. In another example, a method of fabricating the device includes forming a set of electrodes proximate to a silicon substrate; depositing a heterogeneous layer of elements onto the substrate; etching the heterogeneous layer to form a randomized conductive pattern; and electrically coupling the electrodes to a sensing circuit and the randomized conductive pattern.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of detecting an LED failure in a series-connected string of LEDs using a parameter indicative of a voltage difference between a voltage across the string at a predetermined relatively high current and a voltage across the string at a predetermined relatively low current. The disclosure extends to controllers configured to detect an LED failure in a string of LEDs, to LED lighting units comprising such controllers, and to lighting subsystems, for instance automobile lighting subsystems.

Abstract: There is provided a lateral flow immunoassay test device. The test device comprises a test strip. The test strip comprises a test membrane having a translucent section including a control zone and a test zone. The device is adapted to house the test strip such that at least the translucent section is exposable to ambient light. The device comprises a backing structure for backing the test strip which comprises a first optical detector for detecting ambient light which has passed through the test zone, and a second optical detector for detecting ambient light which has passed through the translucent section in a further zone outside of the test and control zones. Using the detector outputs an amount of analyte in a test liquid may be calculated.

Abstract: An electronic device incorporating a randomized interconnection layer. In one example, the device includes a randomized interconnection layer having a randomized conductive pattern formed by etching of a heterogeneous layer; and a sensing circuit, electrically coupled to the randomized interconnection layer to detect the randomized conductive pattern. In another example, a method of fabricating the device includes forming a set of electrodes proximate to a silicon substrate; depositing a heterogeneous layer of elements onto the substrate; etching the heterogeneous layer to form a randomized conductive pattern; and electrically coupling the electrodes to a sensing circuit and the randomized conductive pattern.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a biosensor semiconductor device in which copper electrodes at a major surface of the device are modified to form Au—Cu alloy electrodes. Such modification is effected by depositing a gold layer over the device, and then thermally treating the device to promote interdiffusion between the gold and the electrode copper. Alloyed gold-copper is removed from the surface of the device, leaving the exposed electrodes. The electrodes are better compatible with further processing into a biosensor device than is the case with conventional copper electrodes, and the process windows are wider than for gold capped copper electrodes. A biosensor semiconductor device having Au—Cu alloy electrodes is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sensor for sensing an analyte includes capacitive elements, each having a pair of electrodes separated by a dielectric wherein the dielectric constant of the dielectric of at least one of the capacitive elements is sensitive to the analyte, the sensor further including a comparator adapted to compare a selected set of capacitive elements against a reference signal and to generate a comparison result signal, and a controller for iteratively selecting the set in response to the comparison result signal, wherein the sensor is arranged to produce a digitized output signal indicative of the sensed level of the analyte of interest. An IC comprising such a sensor, an electronic device comprising such an IC and a method of determining a level of an analyte of interest using such a sensor are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a biosensor semiconductor device in which copper electrodes at a major surface of the device are modified to form Au—Cu alloy electrodes. Such modification is effected by depositing a gold layer over the device, and then thermally treating the device to promote interdiffusion between the gold and the electrode copper. Alloyed gold-copper is removed from the surface of the device, leaving the exposed electrodes. The electrodes are better compatible with further processing into a biosensor device than is the case with conventional copper electrodes, and the process windows are wider than for gold capped copper electrodes. A biosensor semiconductor device having Au—Cu alloy electrodes is also disclosed.