Abstract: A network-controlled charge transfer device for transferring charge between a local power grid and an electric vehicle is mounted to a street light. The charge transfer device includes the following: an electrical receptacle to receive an electrical connector for connection to the electric vehicle; an electric power line that couples the power grid to the electrical receptacle through a wiring box; a control device to switch the receptacle on and off; a current measuring device to measure current flowing through the electric power line; and a controller to operate the control device and to monitor output from the current measuring device.

Abstract: The electronic apparatus includes a portable electronic device and a charger for capacitively charging the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is temporarily placed adjacent the charger. The portable electronic device includes a device data communication unit and an associated battery, and a pair of device capacitive electrodes, defining a device conductive footprint, to receive a charging signal to charge the battery. The charger includes a base having an area larger than the device conductive footprint and able to receive the portable electronic device thereon in a plurality of different positions, and an array of charger capacitive electrodes carried by the base. A charger controller selectively drives only the charger capacitive electrodes within the device conductive footprint with a charging signal to capacitively charge the battery.

Abstract: An electrical device (100) includes a housing (102), a battery receiving region (104), device electrical circuitry (112), an energy converter (110), and an energy limiter (108). The battery receiving region (104), the circuitry (112), the energy converter (110) and the energy limiter (108) are located within the housing (102). The energy converter (110) has an input dynamic range for supplied electrical energy and converts the energy to a level suitable for powering the device circuitry (112). The energy limiter (108) limits the supplied electrical energy.

Abstract: A portable inductive power source, power device, or unit, for use in powering or charging electrical, electronic, battery-operated, mobile, and other devices is disclosed herein. In accordance with an embodiment the system comprises a pad or similar base unit that contains a primary, which creates an alternating magnetic field by means of applying an alternating current to a winding, coil, or any type of current carrying wire. A receiver comprises a means for receiving the energy from the alternating magnetic field from the pad and transferring it to a mobile or other device. In some embodiments the receiver can also comprise electronic components or logic to set the voltage and current to the appropriate levels required by the mobile device, or to communicate information or data to and from the pad. Embodiments may also incorporate efficiency measures that improve the efficiency of power transfer between the charger and receiver.

Abstract: An integrated radiofrequency circuit (1) is provided that includes an antenna (2) for receiving radiofrequency signals, a rechargeable battery (3) and a battery charger (5) using the radiofrequency signals to charge said battery. The circuit is characterized in that the battery charger is integrated in the same substrate as the integrated radiofrequency circuit and in that the battery charger includes a calibrating mechanism, a current source calibrated by the calibrating mechanism and delivering a charge current of constant maximum intensity drawn from the received radiofrequency signals, and a comparator between a reference quantity representative of the end of battery charge level and a variable quantity representative of the battery charge level supplying at output a control signal (batchend) for charging or not charging the battery.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for transferring power without requiring direct electrical conductive contacts. There is provided a primary unit having a power supply and a substantially laminar charging surface having at least one conductor that generates an electromagnetic field when a current flows therethrough and having an charging area defined within a perimeter of the surface, the at least one conductor being arranged such that electromagnetic field lines generated by the at least one conductor are substantially parallel to the plane of the surface or at least subtend an angle of 45° or less to the surface within the charging area; and at least one secondary device including at least one conductor that may be wound about a core. Because the electromagnetic field is spread over the charging area and is generally parallel or near-parallel thereto, coupling with flat secondary devices such as mobile telephones and the like is significantly improved in various orientations thereof.

Abstract: A vehicle charging station that includes a power receptacle compartment that includes a power receptacle to receive an electrical plug. The vehicle charging station also includes a door that is hingedly coupled with the power receptacle compartment to cover the power receptacle when the door is closed. The vehicle charging station includes a first locking means for locking and unlocking the door from a closed position without consuming power to control access to the power receptacle compartment such that the door remains locked in the closed position if the vehicle charging station loses power. The vehicle charging station also includes a second locking means for locking and unlocking the door from a charging position to control access to the electrical plug. The second locking means allows the door to be unlocked from the charging position if the vehicle charging station loses power.

Abstract: A method and system for battery protection. In some aspects, a battery pack configured to be interfaced with a power tool includes a housing, a cell, a controller, and a circuit. The circuit is operable to enable the controller to operate when the voltage supplied by the cell to the controller is below an operating voltage threshold of the controller.

Abstract: The present invention provides an assembled battery total voltage detection and leak detection apparatus which is reduced in size and is reduced in manufacturing costs. Detection of a total voltage is performed at a measurement time of a total voltage of an assembled battery 1 by connecting an output of a positive electrode resistance voltage dividing circuit composed of resistors 9 and 10 to + input of a differential amplifier 20 and connecting an output of a negative electrode resistance voltage dividing circuit composed of resistors 12 and 11 to ? input of the amplifier 20, and it performs leak detection at a leak detection time by connecting an output of a positive electrode resistance voltage dividing circuit to + input of the amplifier 20 and connecting + input of the amplifier 20 to the minus input of the differential amplifier 20 to measure an output voltage of the amplifier 20.

Abstract: A multi-battery charging system comprises a computing device having a controller configured to control a plurality of power regulators, each of the plurality of power regulators for regulating charging power to a respective battery, at least one of the power regulators disposed external to the computing device.

Abstract: A system and methods for an avionics system are provided. The avionics system includes an enclosure, a recording device positioned within the enclosure, and an energy storage device positioned within the enclosure wherein the energy storage device electrically coupled to the recording device to supply electrical power to the recording device for a time period of greater than thirty seconds.

Abstract: A protection circuit is provided for protecting a secondary battery from overcharging and excessive discharge current by a simple circuit. The protection circuit is provided with a connection terminal (T3) for connecting the secondary battery (6); a connection terminal (T1) for connecting a charging device for charging the secondary battery (6) and/or a load device driven by a discharge current from the secondary battery (6); a bimetal switch (SW1) that is provided between the connection terminals (T1, T3) and turned off in the case of exceeding a specified temperature set beforehand; a heater (R2) for heating the bimetal switch (SW1); and an integrated circuit (IC1) for turning the bimetal switch (SW1) off by causing the heater (R2) to generate heat if a voltage applied to the connection terminal (T3) by the secondary battery (6) exceeds a preset reference voltage.

Abstract: A controlled frequency generating system (CFG) may be constructed with a main generator and an exciter driven by a common shaft. Excitation power may be provided from the common shaft; as distinct from prior-art systems which may require independent excitation power sources. While controlling the output voltage and frequency of the main generator, the bi-directional controller extracts power from a main generator output and may supply the extracted power to supplement excitation power when needed at certain rotational speeds. The controller may extract power from the exciter when, at other rotational speeds, the exciter produces excess power. The extracted excess power may be delivered to the output of the main generator to maintain a desired level of output power at a desired frequency, irrespective of speed of rotation of the CFG.

Abstract: A voltage generator arrangement which comprises a voltage converter (40) and a polarity detection circuit (10). The voltage converter (40) is coupled to a supply voltage terminal (9) and an output terminal (7) and comprises a first mode of operation (P1) for a positive supply voltage (VIN) and a second mode of operation (P2) for a negative supply voltage (VIN). The polarity detection circuit (10) is coupled to the supply voltage terminal (9) and a control input terminal (47) of the voltage converter (40), for providing a first pilot signal (SP1) depending on the polarity of the supply voltage (VIN).

Abstract: A circuit (1) is described for determining the current (Iload) in a load (6), the circuit having a main transistor (2) and a sense transistor (3), each transistor having a main current path (4, 5) and a control terminal (9, 10), the main current paths each operably connected in parallel between the load and a ground terminal (7) and the control terminals being connected together. Means is provided for setting the voltage across the main current path (5) of the sense transistor (3) to a voltage level substantially equal to a predetermined portion of the voltage across the main current path (4) of the main transistor (3).

Abstract: A DC-DC converter includes a series circuit of a switch element Q1 and a switch element Q2 connected to a DC power source, a series circuit of a primary winding P1 of a transformer and a capacitor connected in parallel with one of the switch elements, a rectifying-smoothing circuit of a voltage generated by a secondary winding (S1, S2) of the transformer, a controller to alternately turn on/off the switch elements according to an output of the rectifying-smoothing circuit, first and second timing detectors to detect ON/OFF states of the switch elements, and an ON time storing part to operate in response to a detection signal from the second timing detector and store an ON time of the switch element Q1 based on an OFF time of the switch element Q2. The controller turns on the switch element Q2 only during the stored ON time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a power converter for converting a first electrical power signal into a second electrical power signal having an output voltage Vout with a DC component comprising a control circuit (320) arranged for measuring the output voltage Vout and controlling the operation of the power converter in dependence thereof. The control circuit (320) comprises voltage level shifting means (326) for generating a measurement voltage signal V2 by adjusting the DC component of the output voltage Vout.

Abstract: The present invention provides a DC/DC up-converter (100) that is implemented in form of a switching regulator (100). The DC/DC converter (100) makes use of a switching transistor (104) that controls a charging current for a capacitive element (112). Moreover, the DC/DC converter (100) provides control means (106, 140) to realize an accurate switch-off of the switching transistor (104) at a point of time when the charging current equals zero. Deviations of a first control means (106) are detected by means of a second control means (140) and a corresponding offset control signal (142) is generated for reducing the first control means' offset in a successive duty cycle.

Abstract: A switching voltage regulator circuit includes, in part, a latch, a pair of switches, a sensing circuit, an amplifier, a digital control block, and a comparator. The switches are responsive to the latch, and the sensing circuit is responsive to a current flowing through the switch that is on. The amplifier is responsive to a reference voltage signal and a voltage feedback signal to generate a first intermediate voltage signal. The digital control block receives the reference voltage signal and the voltage feedback signal and generates a second intermediate voltage signal operative to cause the difference between the voltage feedback signal and the reference voltage signal to be less than a predefined value. The first and second intermediate voltages define a threshold value. The comparator is adapted to receive the output of the sensing circuit and the threshold value and to change the state of the latch in response.

Abstract: A disclosed boost DC/DC converter includes a direct-current power source, of which a negative terminal is connected to ground; an inductor connected to a positive terminal of the direct-current power source; a first switching element connected between the inductor and ground and having a control node for controlling an on-resistance thereof; a second switching element connected in series to the inductor and having a control node for controlling an on-resistance thereof; a smoothing capacitor connected between the second switching element and ground; a switching circuit configured to select a voltage of the direct-current power source during a start-up phase, and to select an output voltage of the smoothing capacitor after the start-up phase; and a control unit configured to cause the switching circuit to apply the voltage selected by the switching circuit to the control node of each of the first and the second switching elements at a predetermined cycle.

Abstract: A synchronous rectifying drive type semiconductor circuit wherein voltages between drains and sources of power switching elements are detected, temporarily held and compared with a reference voltage. First control signals are generated for turning on the power switching elements depending on comparison result and dead times for the power switching elements are minimized by ORing first control signals and second control signals inputted at input terminals. The first control signals cause the power switching elements to be in “on” state for a constant time until the second control signals as “on” control signals arrive at the input terminals, and then the first control signals as “on” control signals are terminated before the second control signals as “off” signals arrive at the input terminals, thereby swiftly turning off the power switching elements by the second control signals arriving at the input terminals.

Abstract: A gate driver circuit arranged to supply a DC/DC converter with a switching voltage. Both the gate driver circuit and the DC/DC converter include at least one transistor and at least one further component. The DC/DC converter is arranged to convert an input voltage to an output voltage and to supply to a load. A power converter includes the gate driver circuit and the DC/DC converter. The gate driver circuit can be designed such that the transistors are in the form of transistors being suitable for being manufactured in an MMIC-process or an RFIC-process.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of controlling operating states of multi-stable electronic circuits are disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a bandgap reference circuit having an operating state and a latched off state. The bandgap reference circuit includes an amplifier to provide a bandgap reference voltage when the bandgap reference circuit is in the operating state. A state control circuit is also included and is coupled to sense an output signal of the bandgap reference circuit. The state control circuit is also coupled to provide a drive signal to an input of the amplifier in response to the sensed output signal. The drive signal is coupled to cause the bandgap reference circuit to avoid the latched off state.

Abstract: A constant current source apparatus is provided that includes a complementary switching section that selectively outputs a reference voltage or a driving voltage according to a control signal and a constant current source circuit that causes a constant current determined by the reference voltage to flow to a load in a case where the reference voltage is received from the complementary switching section and cuts off the current flowing to the load in a case where the driving voltage is received from the complementary switching section.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) and corresponding method for measuring a current (10) in which a charge integrating circuit (2) integrates charge from the current to be measured (10) and applies a resulting change in voltage to a comparator circuit (4) that compares the input voltage (12) with a threshold voltage level (Vthreshoid) and provides an output (14) responsive thereto to a logic circuit (6) that generates a feedback signal (16) dependent upon the comparator output (14) and provides the feedback signal (16) to the charge integrating circuit (2) that integrates charge from the received feedback signal (16) in opposition to the integrating of the charge from the current to be measured (10). The logic circuit (6) generates an output signal (18), based upon the comparator circuit output (14) and dependent upon the level of the current to be measured (10), for example a pulse (50) of a width (TOUT) dependent upon the level of the current (10).

Abstract: A frequency characteristic measuring apparatus measures a device under test in which the frequency of an input signal and the frequency of an output signal differ from each other, simplifying the configuration of a tracking generator and peripheral circuits associated with the tracking generator, and simultaneously measuring the characteristics of the input signal and the output signal of the device under test. A spectrum analyzer has mixers, local oscillators and IF sections as first and second measuring units for measuring frequency characteristics of two input signals by performing frequency sweep in correspondence with a first or second frequency range, a mixer and an oscillator as a tracking generator section which operates by being linked to the frequency sweep operation in the first measuring unit, and a section which generates a trigger signal designating measurement start timing.

Abstract: A current determiner comprising a first input conductor and a first current sensor, formed of a p.lurality of magnetoresistive, anisotropic, ferromagnetic thin-film layers at least two of which are separated from one another by a nonmagnetic layer positioned therebetween, and both supported on a substrate adjacent to but electrically isolated from one another with the first current sensor positioned in those magnetic fields arising from any input currents. A first shield/concentrator of a material exhibiting a substantial magnetic permeability is positioned between the substrate and the first input conductor. The substrate can include a monolithic integrated circuit structure containing electronic circuit components of which at least one is electrically connected to the first input conductor. Magnetically permeable material can be provided in supporting structures.

Abstract: A method for estimating the magnetization level of one or more permanent magnets established in one or more permanent magnet rotors of a wind turbine generator includes the steps of: establishing one or more magnetization sensors at the stator of the generator, connecting the one or more magnetization sensors to a measuring mechanism, processing measured data in the measuring mechanism, and establishing values of magnetization. Furthermore the invention also relates to a wind turbine.

Abstract: A vibration detection circuit. The circuit includes an accelerometer, a combining filter, an amplifier, and an analog to digital converter. The accelerometer generates one or more signals indicative of movement along an axis. The combining filter filters a component of the one or more signals not associated with movement and combines the components of the one or more signals indicative of movement to create a combined signal. The amplifier amplifies the combined signal and creates an amplified signal. The analog to digital converter converts the amplified signal into a digital value.

Abstract: A method of assembling an eddy current probe for use in nondestructive testing of a sample is described. The method includes positioning at least one substantially planar spiral drive coil within the eddy current probe, such that the drive coil is at least one of adjacent to and at least partially within a flexible material. The method further includes coupling at least one unpackaged solid-state magnetic field sensor to the at least one drive coil.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for harvesting energy from the environment and/or other external sources and converting it to useful electrical energy. The harvester does not contain a permanent magnet or other local field source but instead relies on the earth's magnetic field of another source of a magnetic field that is external to the sensing device. One advantage of these new harvesters is that they can be made smaller and lighter than energy harvesters that contain a magnet and/or an inertial mass.

Abstract: A circuit including Hall plates and an amplifier. The Hall plates are configured to provide Hall voltages in a homogenous magnetic field such that a first Hall plate has a first positive voltage and a first negative voltage and a second Hall plate has a second positive voltage and a second negative voltage. The amplifier is configured to receive the Hall voltages and provide a first output voltage that corresponds to the first positive voltage and the second positive voltage and a second output voltage that corresponds to the first negative voltage and the second negative voltage.

Abstract: Coil sensitivity of a receive coil to a gradient null location is measured and, from the measurements, a coil calibration value is determined and used to modify the MR data acquired with that receive coil to reduce the adverse effects of gradient nulling on MR images. Coil sensitivity values are determined for each coil of a coil array and the data for each coil is respectively weighted. An image that is substantially free of gradient null artifacts or ghosting is then reconstructed from the weighted data.

Abstract: An instrument locally measuring mobility of a protic solvent in a sample 115 based on the gradient magnetic field NMR method has a sample stage 116 on which the sample 115 is placed, a magnet 113 applying a static magnetic field to the sample 115, a G coil 151 and a G coil 153 applying a gradient magnetic field to the sample 115, a small-sized RF coil 114 smaller in size than the G coil 151 applying an oscillating magnetic field for excitation and acquiring an NMR signal corresponded to the oscillating magnetic field for excitation and the gradient magnetic field; a pulse control unit 108 allowing application of the gradient magnetic field and oscillating magnetic field for excitation to be executed according to a predetermined pulse sequence; and an operation unit 130 calculating the mobility at the specific position of the G coil 151, based on information of the NMR signals acquired corresponding to different gradient magnetic fields.

Abstract: A method for estimating values of a field map to generate a magnetic resonance display image with species separation is provided. A set of MR images is acquired based on an applied magnetic resonance excitation. A set of feasible field map values for each pixel in a field map are determined from the set of MR images. Estimated values of the field map for each pixel are chosen from the set of feasible field map values using a combinatorial optimization algorithm that includes a smoothness constraint. The combinatorial optimization algorithm includes iteratively communicating, between neighboring pixels in the field map, sum-product belief messages that include likelihoods for feasible field map values. Field map values are fixed to most likely field map values if the pixel satisfies the smoothness constraint with its neighboring pixels. A magnetic resonance display image with species separation is generated using the estimated field map.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for imaging multiple substances, such as contrast agents and metabolites in vivo, with selective excitation frequencies. A first substance is excited with a frequency selective pulse, then a second substance is excited with another frequency selective pulse. The signals resulting from these pulses are acquired in an order reversed from the order in which the pulses were applied. In some embodiments, more than two substances may be imaged. The system and method thus provide for quick and efficient utilization of the magnetization of multiple substances for spectral-spatial imaging.

Abstract: An MR imaging apparatus is disclosed, wherein the MR imaging apparatus includes a plurality of gradient coils positioned about a bore of a magnet, and an RF transceiver system controlled by a pulse module to transmit RF signals to an RF coil assembly. The MR imaging apparatus also includes a controller coupled to the plurality of gradient coils and the RF transceiver system and programmed to obtain MR image signals at different echo times from a subject containing metabolites having known characteristics. The controller is further programmed to reconstruct images of the metabolites in a selected region of interest (ROI) using a probabilistic mathematical expression based on known information regarding an image acquisition process and using a spatial distribution of the metabolites to account for artifacts in the images.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reconstructing multi-spectral 3D MR images includes a magnetic resonance (MRI) apparatus that includes an MRI system having a plurality of gradient coils positioned about a bore of a magnet, and an RF transceiver system and an RF switch controlled by a pulse module to transmit RF signals to an RF coil assembly to acquire MR images. The MRI apparatus also includes a computer programmed to acquire a plurality of three-dimensional (3D) MR data sets, wherein each 3D MR data set is acquired using a central transmit and receive frequency set to an offset frequency value that is distinct for each 3D MR data set. The computer is also programmed to simultaneously generate a composite image and a magnetic field map based on the plurality of 3D MR data sets.

Abstract: A method and receiver system for identifying a location of a magnetic field source using two horizontally displaced tri-axial antennas. In a preferred embodiment two tri-axial antennas are positioned at opposite ends of a receiver frame. Each antenna detects in three dimensions a magnetic field from a source or transmitter. The receiver is maintained in a horizontal plane and the receiver is moved in the horizontal plane until a flux angle measured at each of the two points is zero so that the receiver is in the vertical plane perpendicular to the axis of the source. The depth and location of the source in three dimensions relative to the receiver is determined using the detected field values. The receiver is moved in a direction defined by a line containing the two points of the receiver until a magnitude of the magnetic field detected at each of the two points is substantially the same so that the receiver is positioned above the source.

Abstract: Multi-component induction measurements are made using a resistivity logging tool in an anistropic earth formation. The X-signal (quadrature) is insensitive to borehole eccentricity. A subset of the multi-component measurements are inverted to first determine horizontal resistivities. Using the determined horizontal resistivities and another subset of the multi-component measurements, the vertical resistivities are obtained. Results of using the in-phase signals are comparable to those obtained using multifrequency focusing of quadrature signals.

Abstract: First and second resistors are provided between a first input/output terminal and a power supply terminal, and between a second input/output terminal and the power supply terminal, respectively. Third and fourth resistors are connected to the second and first input/output terminals, respectively. First and second current-switching switches couple either the first input/output terminal side or the second input/output terminal side with a first current source and a second current source, respectively, according to the value of pattern data. A level shift circuit shifts the electric potentials at the second terminals of the third and forth resistors by a predetermined level. A comparator circuit compares the electric potentials at the second terminals of the third and fourth resistors level-shifted by the level shift circuit with those at the second terminals of the fourth and third resistors, respectively, and generates first and second comparison signals according to the comparison results.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting defects in a wire or wire harness includes a pair of sensors wrapped around the wire or harness, a data acquisition device for monitoring pulses in the signal produced by the sensors around the wires, and a diagnostics engine. The diagnostics engine includes an analysis module to determine features of the signals captured by the data acquisition device and a decision module for determining whether the pulse represents a defect in the wire, and the location of the defect. The system operates passively and can be used to monitor the wires while they are in use for carrying signals or current and does not require disconnecting the wires to be monitored.

Abstract: Provided is a test apparatus that tests a device under test, including a power supply that generates supply power supplied to the device under test; a transmission path that transmits the supply power generated by the power supply to the device under test; a high-capacitance capacitor that is provided between the transmission path and a ground potential; a low-capacitance capacitor that has a lower capacitance than the high-capacitance capacitor and that is provided between the transmission path and the ground potential at a position closer to the device under test than the high-capacitance capacitor is to the device under test; an intermediate capacitor that is provided between the transmission path and the ground potential at a position between the high-capacitance capacitor and the low-capacitance capacitor; and a current measuring section that measures current flowing through the transmission path between the intermediate capacitor and the low-capacitance capacitor.

Abstract: A device for measuring the loss factor and/or measuring the phase angle between a voltage and a current and/or recording a voltage decay and/or current decay and/or recording partial discharge processes and/or measuring the propagation time on test objects that are to be tested, includes a housing in which at least one measuring circuit is arranged for measuring and/or recording purposes. A terminal adapter (12) is provided on the housing (9) to connect the test object that is to be tested directly to the housing (9).

Abstract: Issuance of work orders in response to monitoring signal egress from shielding integrity flaws in a cable communication system by detecting received signal strength from a mobile receiver only during rising trends in received signal strength when the mobile receiver is in motion and tracking the maximum received signal strength peak during each rising trend. Rising trends are detected by computing two rolling averages of received signal strength sample of different lengths and offset from each other and applying a threshold to the difference between the rolling averages to provide hysteresis in switching between rising and falling trend detection. Reported peaks are then compared by proximity to each other and their circle of influence determined in accordance with respective signal strengths to determine if newly reported peaks are duplicates of previously reported peaks and duplicate reported peaks are removed or discarded.

Abstract: A power noise detecting device includes a plurality of power lines, and a power noise detecting part configured to detect power noise by rectifying voltages of the plurality of power lines and converting the rectified voltages into effective voltages.

Abstract: A plurality of through-hole vias connected to conductor layers is disposed with gaps left between these vias around opening parts disposed in the conductor layers in a printed board in which these conductor layers are disposed parallel to each other so as to sandwich a dielectric layer in between. Furthermore, through-hole vias used for excitation are disposed in the opening parts of the conductor layers and regions of the dielectric layer matching these opening parts in a non-contact manner with the conductor layers. When the complex dielectric constant is measured, a high-frequency power is applied to the through-hole vias, and the power loss between the through-hole vias and the conductor layers is measured by the S parameter method.

Abstract: A capacitive touch sensor providing an automatic switch-off function for an apparatus in which the sensor is incorporated is provided. The sensor includes a sensing element coupled to a capacitance measurement circuit for measuring the capacitance of the sensing element. A control circuit is operable to determine from the capacitance measurement whether an object is in proximity with the sensor. The determined presence of an object may he used to toggle a function of the apparatus. Furthermore, when it is determined that an object has not been in proximity with the sensor for a predetermined time duration, an output signal for switching off the apparatus is provided. The predetermined time duration may be selected from a number of predefined time durations, or may be programmed using a resistor-capacitor network. Pulses may be applied to the control circuit to override features of the automatic switch-off functionality.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to a sensor are discussed herein. The sensor can include a sensing element having a sensing path, the sensing element coupled to a sensing channel, and a processor configured to interpret a signal generated by the sensing channel indicative of a capacitance between the sensing path and a system ground. The processor can have a first mode configured to set a parameter to a desired value. The desired value can be related to a first position of an object sensed along the sensing path and a range of parameter values mapped to a length of the sensing path. A second mode can adjust the parameter based on a displacement of the object along the sensing path.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for measuring a diode chip are provided. The diode chip is placed on a thermal conductive element. The apparatus measures an instant starting current and a first temperature, which is associated with the instant starting current, of the thermal conductive element. After the diode chip operates, the apparatus adjusts the temperature of the thermal conductive element to a second temperature, such that the current of the diode chip is adjusted to be equal to the instant starting current. The apparatus calculates a property of the diode chip according to a real power of the diode chip and a difference between the first temperature and the second temperature.