Abstract: A sensing device includes a sensing module configured to obtain a measurement data of an object to be measured, a first processing module coupled to the sensing module and configured to receive the measurement data of the object to be measured from the sensing module, and a power module coupled to the sensing module and the first processing module. The power module is configured to produce a supply voltage based on a magnetic field generated by an electromagnetic device to power the sensing module and the first processing module.

Abstract: Several embodiments include a cooking instrument having: a housing frame defining a slot to fit a food item; a heater mechanically coupled to the housing frame and adapted to produce electromagnetic waves to heat the food item; one or more optical feedback components configured to measure light intensity at one or more regions in the slot perpendicular to an opening of the slot; and a controller configured to control the heater based on an output of the optical feedback components.

Abstract: A household appliance device includes an integer number N of row switching elements at a row position i, wherein i is an integer number 1?i?N, an integer number M of column switching elements at a column position j, wherein j is an integer number 1?j?M, a heating matrix including at least N×M heating matrix elements having positions (i,j), with N+M>2, wherein a heating matrix element at the position (i,j) includes at least one inductor at the position (i,j) and is connected to both the i-th row switching element and the j-th column switching element. At least one switching diode connects at least one of the row switching elements or at least one of the column switching elements to at least one reference potential.

Abstract: A heating element for a cooking appliance includes terminals that act as electrically conductive contact points. One or more buses are arranged between the terminals, and connect one or more heating element segments in a zig-zag configuration. The heating element segments are connected in series and are arranged parallel with one another. Each heating element segment includes a plurality of cutouts linked together and having an elliptical shape. The terminals, heating element segments, and buses are a continuous single sheet of conductive material. A method of making the heating element includes forming a pattern into the sheet of conductive material by etching the pattern into the conductive sheet using photolithography.

Abstract: A sensing system may comprise a deployment device having an optical fiber cable with a predetermined curvature or an intrinsic curvature. The sensing system may be deployed into a location that is remote or difficult to navigate, for example, a large vessel or a borehole of a well. A deployment device may deploy the optical fiber cable and a tension control tool may maintain the deployment device along with the optical fiber cable in a straight or non-curved shape until the optical fiber cable has reached a predetermined location or position. A force may then be applied to the optical fiber cable to cause a portion of the optical fiber cable to contact an interior wall of the area or location, for example, a borehole or the deployment device. Measurements may be retrieved from the optical fiber cable, for example, measurements used in distributed acoustic sensing in vertical seismic profiling.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an oven. The oven includes a case having a cooking chamber therein, a door unit connected to the case, configured to open or close the cooking chamber, and having a transparent portion configured to enable a user to see the inside of the cooking chamber, a handle protruding from the door unit to the outside, and a camera module configured to photograph the inside of the cooking chamber, and disposed to be biased toward one end of the handle from the center in longitudinal direction of the handle.

Abstract: An ice-protection system has first and second zones of a leading edge of an aerodynamic or streamlined aerodynamic component, each zone having a de-icing apparatus and an ice-detection sensor positioned behind an elongated convex window as to be aero-conformal with the leading edge. The ice-detection sensor is in the form of a module and has a sensor head having a front face and abutments at ends of the window. The ice-detection sensors may have a central light emitter and a plurality of sensor elements peripheral to the light emitter. The ice-protection system also has a control system responsive to the ice-detection sensors to control the respective de-icing apparatus, and may activate automatically a sequence of operation.

Abstract: A catalytic reactor is provided comprising a plurality of first flow channels including a catalyst for a first reaction; a plurality of second flow channels arranged alternately with the first flow channels; adjacent first and second flow channels being separated by a divider plate (13a, 13b), and a distributed temperature sensor such as an optical fiber cable (19). The distributed temperature sensor may be located within the divider plate, or within one or 10 more of the flow channels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing foodstuff, the apparatus comprising a receiving portion for receiving foodstuff; a heating source for processing the foodstuff so as to effect a change of a chromatic property of first and second surface areas of the foodstuff; wherein the apparatus is arranged to obtain information that is indicative of the chromatic property of the first surface area of the foodstuff, and control the change of the chromatic property of the second surface area of the foodstuff using the obtained information and predetermined calibration data.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an electronic device may include a processor that may iteratively simulate candidate control trajectories using upper confidence bound for trees (UCT) to control an environmental control system (e.g., an HVAC system). Each candidate control trajectory may be simulated by selecting a control action at each of a plurality of time steps over a period of time that has the highest upper bound on possible performance using values from previous simulations and predicting a temperature for a next time step of the plurality of time steps that results from applying the selected control action using a thermal model. The processor may determine a value of each candidate control trajectory using a cost function, update the value of each control action selected in each candidate control trajectory, and select a candidate control trajectory with the highest value using UCT to apply to control the environmental control system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the claimed subject matter are directed to methods and systems that allow tracking and accounting of wear and other aging effects in integrated circuits and products which include integrated circuits over time, and the dynamic adjustment of operating conditions to increase or decrease wear in response to the accumulated wear relative to the expected wear during the lifetime of the circuit and/or product.

Abstract: A thermostat may include first and second solid-state switching elements coupled to a call relay wire connector and a power return wire connector. The switching elements may be configured to operate in a first state to make a connection between the call relay wire connector and the power return wire connector, and a second state in which the connection is interrupted. The thermostat may also include power monitoring circuitry configured to cause the switching elements to operate in the first state to actuate an environmental control function, receive an indication that the switching elements should transition to the second state, at a first time after receiving the indication, turn off whichever of the first switching element and the second switching element receives AC current from the environmental control system at the first time; and at a second time after the first time, turn off the other of the switching elements.

Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring heliostat reflectivity with a control processing unit configured to receive an image of a heliostat, receive an image of the Sun, process the received images, and determine a reflectivity estimate based on a comparison of the processed images.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory apparatus includes a bank; a temperature sensor configured to generate a temperature voltage of which voltage level is changed according to a temperature variation of the bank; and a timing control block configured to control a timing of a signal to be inputted to the bank, according to the voltage level of the temperature voltage.

Abstract: Radiant energy from a semiconductor wafer which is determined from the theoretical value of black body radiation and the actually measured result of an output from a photodiode are brought into correspondence with each other, and a table showing a correlation therebetween is acquired and stored on a magnetic disk. When a semiconductor wafer to be treated is irradiated with flashes of light from flash lamps, the photodiode receives radiant light emitted from the semiconductor wafer. A controller determines, from the output from the photodiode, the radiant energy emitted per unit time from the semiconductor wafer irradiated with flashes of light, based on the acquired table. The controller further determines the surface temperature of the semiconductor wafer from the determined radiant energy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stretch-resistant light-emitting or heat-emitting structure. The wirelessly-chargeable stretch-resistant light-emitting structure includes a woven member, conductive twisted cables, a light-emitting element, and a receiver circuit. The woven member is mounted to the article. Each conductive twisted cable includes a stretch-resistant wire and a electrically conductive wire twisted together. The conductive twisted cables are woven in the woven member. The light-emitting element, which is arranged inside the woven member, includes a light emission section and two conductive pins. The conductive pins are respectively and electrically connected to the electrically conductive wires of the conductive twisted cables.

Abstract: An intake air heating system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed and includes an electric heater that heats the intake air and a control module that switches a voltage to the electric heater based on a control signal. The control module includes a gate drive module that includes a bootstrap charge pump module and generates a gate drive signal based on the control signal and that is referenced to the voltage. The control module also includes a power module that switches the power to the electric heater based on the gate drive signal.

Abstract: A thermal processing apparatus is provided in accordance with some embodiments. The thermal processing apparatus includes a heating source for transmitting incident radiation to a work piece having a circuit pattern formed on a front surface; a radiation sensor configured to receive light radiated from the front surface of the work piece; and a controller coupled to the radiation sensor, the controller being designed to control the heating source to reduce temperature variation of the work piece.

Abstract: A heater system includes a heater assembly, an imaging device and a control system. The heater assembly includes a plurality of heating zones. The imaging device acquires an image of the heater assembly. The control system determines variations in the plurality of heating zones based on the thermal image.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention describe thermostats that use model predictive controls and related methods. A method of controlling a thermostat using a model predictive control may involve determining a parameterized model. The parameterized model may be used to predicted ambient temperature values for an enclosure. A set of radiant heating system control strategies may be selected for evaluation to determine an optimal control strategy from the set of control strategies. To determine the optimal control strategy, a predictive algorithm may be executed, in which each control strategy is applied to the parameterized model to predict an ambient temperature trajectory and each ambient temperature trajectory is processed in view of a predetermined assessment function. Processing the ambient temperature trajectory in this manner may involve minimizing a cost value associated with the ambient temperature trajectory.

Abstract: A dual resistance heater for a phase change material region is formed by depositing a resistive material. The heater material is then exposed to an implantation or plasma which increases the resistance of the surface of the heater material relative to the remainder of the heater material. As a result, the portion of the heater material approximate to the phase change material region is a highly effective heater because of its high resistance, but the bulk of the heater material is not as resistive and, thus, does not increase the voltage drop and the current usage of the device.

Abstract: An illuminating device coupled with sensors or an image acquisition device and a logical controller allows illumination intensity and spectrum to be varied according to changing user needs. The system provides illumination to areas according to the principles of correct lighting practice for the optimal performance of visual tasks in the most efficient, cost effective manner. Aspects of the invention include: lighting fixtures which adapt to ambient lighting, movement, visual tasks being performed, and environmental and personal conditions affecting illumination requirements at any given instant. Lighting fixtures have spatial distribution of spectrum and intensity, providing both “background” room lighting, and “task” lighting.

Abstract: A method is provided for interconnecting a single electrical heating element of a hot water heater to first and second AC electrical power sources. Typically, these first and second AC electrical power sources include a utility provided electrical power source and a renewable power source that generates AC power from DC power. The method includes operating a controller that selectively connects and disconnects the first and second power sources. If sufficient electrical power is available from the renewable power source, the utility provided electrical power source may be disconnected to preferentially utilize renewable energy.

Abstract: A photodiode excellent in responsivity receives flashes of light emitted from flash lamps in the process of heating a semiconductor wafer by irradiation with flashes of light, and the waveform of the intensity of the flashes of light versus time is acquired using voltage data obtained from an output from the photodiode. Then, a temperature calculating part performs a heat conduction simulation using the acquired data to calculate the temperature of the semiconductor wafer irradiated with the flashes of light from the flash lamps. The temperature of the semiconductor wafer is computed using data corresponding to the intensity of the flashes of light obtained from the output from the photodiode. This allows the determination of the surface temperature of the semiconductor wafer irradiated with the flashes of light, irrespective of the waveform of the emission intensity of the flash lamps.

Abstract: A heater control device comprising: a storage unit that stores therein a turn-on pattern of a heater specified in units of a predetermined control cycle including a plurality of half-wavelengths of an alternating-current voltage supplied to the heater so as to prevent flickering; a color temperature detecting unit that detects a color temperature of light emitted from a filament of the heater; and a heater control unit that, while operating in a standby mode in which power supplied to the heater is reduced, causes the heater to be fully turned ON at every first period, and then turns ON the heater in the turn-on pattern when the color temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold after the heater is fully turned ON.

Abstract: A toasting appliance includes a toasting chamber, a heating element for heating a foodstuff located within the toasting chamber, an optical system having a first light source for illuminating the foodstuff with light having a first wavelength and an optical receiver for detecting light reflected from the foodstuff. A second light source is provided for illuminating at least the optical receiver with light having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength. A controller varies the intensity of the light emitted from the second light source during a toasting operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an operation device which has a stable operation feeling with a simple configuration and has a high reliability and an excellent operability. An electrode terminal portion which is arranged just below an operation region on a top plate made of a material having an electric insulating property, and serves as an electrostatic capacity type touch switch has a detection portion which comes into close contact with a back surface of the operation region, a spring portion which has an elastic force pressing the detection portion to the back surface of the top plate, and a slide portion which is movably retained in the guide holder.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention describe thermostats that use model predictive controls and related methods. A method of controlling a thermostat using a model predictive control may involve determining a parameterized model. The parameterized model may be used to predicted ambient temperature values for an enclosure. A set of radiant heating system control strategies may be selected for evaluation to determine an optimal control strategy from the set of control strategies. To determine the optimal control strategy, a predictive algorithm may be executed, in which each control strategy is applied to the parameterized model to predict an ambient temperature trajectory and each ambient temperature trajectory is processed in view of a predetermined assessment function. Processing the ambient temperature trajectory in this manner may involve minimizing a cost value associated with the ambient temperature trajectory.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for remotely detonating explosives. According to the present disclosure, the device includes: a heat source in the form of an electric generator for generating a thermal infrared signal, capable of producing two heating zones and mounted in a casing; and a mobile supporting structure bearing the casing at the front and connected to a vehicle at the rear.

Abstract: A semiconductor device that may include temperature sensing circuits is disclosed. The temperature sensing circuits may be used to control various parameters, such as internal regulated supply voltages, internal refresh frequency, a word line low voltage, or the like. In this way, operating specifications of a semiconductor device at worse case temperatures may be met without compromising performance at normal operating temperatures. Each temperature sensing circuit may include a selectable temperature threshold value as well as a selectable temperature hysteresis value. In this way, temperature performance characteristics may be finely tuned. Furthermore, a method of testing the temperature sensing circuits is disclosed in which a current value may be monitored an temperature threshold values and temperature hysteresis values may be thereby determined.

Abstract: An electrothermal transfer device includes a substrate, a plurality of electrothermal components and a heating circuit. The electrothermal components are disposed on a surface of the substrate and arranged in a pattern. The heating circuit is electrically connected to the electrothermal components. In an electrothermal transfer method, at first, a transfer substrate is disposed on a workpiece substrate. Then, the electrothermal transfer device is disposed on the transfer substrate so that the electrothermal components contact with the transfer substrate. Thereafter, the heating circuit is used to heat the electrothermal transfer components so that the transfer substrate is heated to be transferred to the workpiece substrate. The electrothermal transfer device and the electrothermal transfer method can reduce cost.

Abstract: There is provided an induction cooker capable of detecting failures in an infrared ray sensor with excellent accuracy.

Abstract: An electronic temperature-sensing probe comprises a shell, a control base plate, a probe and a key group, wherein the control base plate is placed inside the shell; the probe with one end extending outside of the shell and the other end connected to the control base plate electrically is mounted in the shell; the key group with their inner ends connected to control contacts of the control base plate are depressibly mounted on the surface of the shell; the key group comprises a power switch key, temperature-adjusting keys and a high temperature switch key; the control base plate controls the power on/off of the heating element based on the temperature control signals provided by the temperature-adjusting keys and the high temperature switch key and the temperature signal provided by the probe and the switch control signal provided by the power switch key.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control device (1) for controlling hue (H) and saturation (S) of light (L) emitted by a light source (2). The device comprises a body (20) with a surface (21) containing a visible representation (10,11,12,13) of a plurality of selectable combinations of hue and saturation available for said light source. The device further has means (26) for generating at least one selection signal in response to a selection of a combination of hue and saturation on said surface, said selection signal comprising said selected hue and saturation, and means (27) for communicating said selection signal to said light source to control said hue and saturation of said light in accordance with said selected combination of hue and saturation. The control device (1) is simple and user intuitive.

Abstract: An automated de-icing system for a low power lighting device having a light emitting face. The system includes one or more detectors for detecting conditions under which ice, frost or snow are likely to occur on the light emitting face. The system further includes a heat transfer system for transferring heat to the light emitting face and a controller for receiving data from the detector(s) and determining a likelihood of ice, frost or snow forming on the light emitting face. The controller engages the heat transfer system if the likelihood of ice, frost or snow forming on the light emitting face exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A toasting appliance includes a toasting chamber, a heating element arranged to heat a foodstuff located within the toasting chamber, and an optical system for optically illuminating the foodstuff and detecting light reflected from the foodstuff. Before the foodstuff begins to change color as a result due to the heating thereof by the heating element, a controller varies the illumination of the foodstuff by the optical system so that the intensity of the light reflected from the foodstuff is at or around a set value. The controller subsequently terminates the toasting operation when the intensity of the light reflected from the foodstuff has reduced, due to toasting thereof, from the set value by an amount depending on a desired degree of toasting of the foodstuff.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a light source, a substrate, a temperature-based controller and an insulator. The light source is mounted to the substrate. The temperature-based controller is electrically coupled to the light source and causes the light source to provide a relatively constant light output. The insulator is positioned proximate the temperature based controller.

Abstract: A portable heating or lighting unit may comprise a housing, a handle, a shield or grid, a source of electric energy, a rectifier, an electrical device adapted to use electrical energy from the source of electric energy, and a control system comprising control hardware and embedded software, where the control system may be adapted to automatically control the electric heating element. A source of electric energy may comprise a battery adapted to store energy and to output stored energy as electrical energy, a fuel cell, a thermoelectric component, or a plug adapted to draw electrical energy from a wall outlet or other source of electrical energy. A battery may be at least partially enclosed by the housing. A thermoelectric component may comprise a thermoelectric material or a thermoelectric generator. An electrical device may comprise a resistive heating element adapted to emit thermal energy.

Abstract: A semiconductor device that may include temperature sensing circuits is disclosed. The temperature sensing circuits may be used to control various parameters, such as internal regulated supply voltages, internal refresh frequency, a word line low voltage, or the like. In this way, operating specifications of a semiconductor device at worst case temperatures may be met without compromising performance at normal operating temperatures. Each temperature sensing circuit may include a selectable temperature threshold value as well as a selectable temperature hysteresis value. In this way, temperature performance characteristics may be finely tuned. Furthermore, a method of testing the temperature sensing circuits is disclosed in which a current value may be monitored and temperature threshold values and temperature hysteresis values may be thereby determined.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrically conductive adhesive that includes an electrically conductive powder, a heat-curable silicone resin, and a solvent.

Abstract: An intake air heating system for an internal combustion engine includes an electric heater that heats the intake air, a control circuit that switches a voltage to the electric heater based on a control signal and an over-temperature signal, a temperature sensor that generates a temperature signal based on a temperature of the control circuit, and a temperature sensing circuit that generates the over-temperature signal based on the temperature signal and a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A domestic appliance device with a light signal unit, a control unit, which is designed to interact with the light signal unit for outputting information by means of a light signal, and a carrier unit for supporting the light signal unit.

Abstract: A thermal processing apparatus (1) comprises a chamber body (6), a holding part (7) for holding a substrate (9) inside the chamber body (6), a light emitting part (5) for heating the substrate (9) through light irradiation and a light measuring part (2) for measuring light energy. The light measuring part (2) comprises a calorimeter (24) disposed outside the chamber body (6), a light guide structure (20) for guiding the light inside the chamber body (6) to the calorimeter (24) and a calculation part (25) for performing computations on the basis of an output of the calorimeter (24). In the thermal processing apparatus (1), by measuring the light from the light emitting part (5) by the calorimeter (24), it is possible to measure the energy of light emitted from the light emitting part (5) during thermal processing inside chamber body (6) and obtain a surface temperature of the substrate (9) by the calculation part (25).

Abstract: An electrically operated diffuser has a fragrance-emitting element (8) for facilitating diffusion of an active material, and at least one light emitting diode (7). The at least one light emitting diode (7) serves as a nightlight and has a luminous intensity rating of at least about 5000 mcd at 20 mA. Also, the at least one light emitting diode (7) may be positioned at a back surface of the diffuser, such that when an active material is received in the compartment the at least one light emitting diode (7) shines through the active material. The diffuser may include a remote-use assembly to supply power to the diffuser from a wall socket remote from the diffuser. The diffuser may also include a light controller to change one or more of the color and the intensity of the at least one light emitting diode (7).

Abstract: An operating device and an electrical appliance provided with said operating device is disclosed. The electrical appliance comprises light barriers mounted on a frame that rests on a worktop. The light barriers can detect whether a finger is placed on one or more of the control panels for operation or controlling of said operating device or said electrical appliance. The control panels are arranged along one line in front of the light barriers. The control panels are provided at the top thereof with corresponding identifications, for example in the form of symbols. By moving the control panels away from the actual housing of the electrical appliance it is possible to provide larger heated surfaces for the cooking places.

Abstract: An array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) located in or on an article for attracting attention are energized over respective time increments of a predetermined duty cycle with peak power pulses having an amplitude substantially equal to their rated forward voltage VF and a current no larger than their rated maximum current IMAX.

Abstract: A novel apparatus for producing combined presentation of light and aroma to produce a desired overall sensory effect. The includes a fragrance dispenser (31), a light source (42), an audio system (52), and a microprocessor (99). The fragrance dispenser (31) is refillable and controllable, so as to adjust the rate at which the fragrance dispenser dispenses a fragrance. The light source (42) comprises a plurality of LEDs (40a-40c) of at least two different colors and is controllable so as to adjust the operation of the plurality of LEDs (40a-40c). The audio system (52) controls sounds to be emitted from the apparatus. The microprocessor (99) controls the rate at which the fragrance dispenser (31) dispenses fragrance and the operation of the light source (42) and audio system (52).

Abstract: The thermostat includes a housing having at least a portion thereof illuminated by a light that changes color via a manual input. The light illuminates the display for easy readability while the variable color of the light allows a user to match the appearance of the thermostat to best complement the surrounding décor. User input elements provide for the manual adjustment of one or more characteristics of the light, such as visible color of the light. The light source comprises at least one LED for displaying a plurality of colors. In this case, to change the color of the light illuminating the translucent portion of the housing or backlighting the display, electronics within the thermostat control the drive signals to the LED in order to operate the LED to provide the desired color. The invention also contemplates filtering the light and manually adjusting the filtering to provide the desired aesthetics.

Abstract: An apparatus includes electrical contacts coupled to a LED. The apparatus further includes a positive temperature coefficient resistor in operative thermal communication and electrically in series with the LED. A resistance of the PTC resistor varies as a function of a temperature of the LED.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus using barcodes, including: a barcode reader which reads a barcode including cooking information recorded in the barcode; a cooking information calculator which analyzes the basic cooking information based on an analysis rule for analyzing the cooking information and calculating a final cooking condition based on the analyzed cooking information; and a controller which controls elements of the cooking apparatus to perform cooking so as to achieve the final cooking condition.