Abstract: A force sensing module is provided. The force sensing module includes: a first flexible circuit board, a substrate, and a second flexible circuit board stacked in sequence. The substrate includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and the first surface is provided with a first groove. A first force sensing resistor and a second force sensing resistor are disposed on a first side of the first flexible circuit board facing the first surface. A third force sensing resistor corresponding to the first force sensing resistor and a fourth force sensing resistor corresponding to the second force sensing resistor are disposed on a second side of the second flexible circuit board facing the second surface. The four resistors form a Wheatstone bridge structure. The force sensing module includes a detection circuit, configured to detect a differential voltage of the Wheatstone bridge structure.

Abstract: Methods, computer-readable media, systems and apparatuses for home maintenance monitoring and rewarding users for completion of various home maintenance tasks are provided. The systems may receive data associated with a home, such as a plurality of systems and/or devices associated with the home. Based on the received information, the systems may generate a maintenance task list for the home including a plurality of maintenance tasks. Data related to maintenance performed on the home may be received and, based on the received maintenance data, a determination may be made as to whether one or more tasks on the maintenance task list have been completed. Upon completion of a task, a reward, such as points, discounts on future maintenance, insurance premium discounts, etc., may be deposited in an account of the user. In some arrangements, the points may be redeemed as payment on future maintenance, payment on insurance premiums, or the like.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor chip includes a substrate including a first main surface, and a magnetoresistive element having a magnetosensitive direction parallel or substantially parallel to the first main surface. The magnetoresistive element includes a reference layer, an intermediate layer, and a free layer stacked in a stacking direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first main surface. A direction of magnetic anisotropy of the free layer where no external magnetic field acts on the magnetic sensor chip is parallel or substantially parallel to the stacking direction and perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the magnetosensitive direction. When a stress acts on the substrate predominantly in a first direction parallel or substantially parallel to the first main surface, a direction of stress-induced magnetic anisotropy in the free layer is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the magnetosensitive direction and the stacking direction.

Abstract: Temperature sensors, pressure sensors, methods of making the same, and methods of detecting pressures and temperatures using the same are provided. In an embodiment, the temperature sensor includes a ceramic coil inductor having a first end plate and a second end plate, wherein the ceramic coil inductor is formed of a ceramic composite that comprises carbon nanotubes or, carbon nanofibers, or a combination of carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers thereof dispersed in a ceramic matrix; and a thin film polymer-derived ceramic (PDC) nanocomposite disposed between the first and the second end plates, wherein the thin film PDC nanocomposite has a dielectric constant that increases monotonically with temperature.

Abstract: A pressure sensor has a stem in which a pressure introduction hole into which a pressure medium is introduced and a diaphragm deformable according to the pressure of the pressure medium are formed, and a strain detecting element which is arranged on the diaphragm via an insulating film and being configured to output a detection signal according to the deformation of the diaphragm. The strain detecting element is configured to have a portion made of polysilicon. A low doping layer having a higher electrical resistivity than polysilicon and a higher crystallinity than the insulating film is arranged between the insulating film and the strain detecting element.

Abstract: A method comprising receiving data from a sleep sensor integrated in a mattress system, the sleep sensor coupled via a cord to a data collection unit, analyzing the data at the data collection unit, and providing results of the analyzed data to a user mobile device via a wireless connection, for display to the user.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a flexible integrated array sensor and manufacturing methods thereof. The array sensor includes a silicon wafer, a readout circuit layer, a sensing array layer, and a polymer substrate layer disposed on the silicon wafer. The manufacturing method includes: preparing a silicon wafer; fabricating a plurality of function arrays, each including m*n function units, on a surface of the silicon wafer; etching one or more deep grooves on the surface of the silicon wafer between the arrays; fabricating a thinning support; and thinning a bottom surface of the silicon wafer to a target thickness so that the arrays are separated from each other. The etching depth for etching the one or more deep grooves is equal to or greater than the thickness of the silicon wafer after thinning.

Abstract: An energy conversion system for use in a rifle with a barrel and a handguard includes an interface with a curved surface that conforms substantially to a curvature of the barrel such that the curved surface receives heat from the barrel. The interface further includes a substantially flat mounting surface and a heat-conducting material disposed between the curved surface and the substantially flat mounting surface to conduct the heat from the curved surface to the substantially flat mounting surface. Moreover, a spring is positioned to be between the interface and the handguard to apply a force to the interface so that the curved surface substantially maintains contact with the barrel. A thermoelectric generator is secured to the substantially flat mounting surface and includes a positive lead and a negative lead.

Abstract: A sensing device includes a resonant member that is movable in a first mode and a second mode, and an electrode. The resonant member has a capacitive surface portion that faces and is capacitively coupled to a capacitive surface portion of the electrode. Displacement for each point along the capacitive surface portion of the resonant member in the first mode is substantially tangent to the point.

Abstract: An integrated electrode structure can comprise a catheter shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the catheter shaft defining a catheter shaft longitudinal axis. A flexible tip portion can be located adjacent to the distal end of the catheter shaft, the flexible tip portion comprising a flexible framework. A plurality of microelectrodes can be disposed on the flexible framework and can form a flexible array of microelectrodes adapted to conform to tissue. A plurality of conductive traces can be disposed on the flexible framework, each of the plurality of conductive traces can be electrically coupled with a respective one of the plurality of microelectrodes.

Abstract: An acoustic wave device includes a piezoelectric material substrate, an intermediate layer on the piezoelectric material substrate and composed of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of silicon oxide, aluminum nitride and sialon. A bonding layer is on the intermediate layer and is composed of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of tantalum pentoxide, niobium pentoxide, titanium oxide, mullite, alumina, and a high resistance silicon and hafnium oxide. A supporting body is composed of a polycrystalline ceramic and is bonded to the bonding layer by direct bonding, and an electrode is on the piezoelectric material substrate.

Abstract: An electronic component includes a support member, a piezoelectric film, and an interdigital transducer. The support member includes silicon as a primary component. The piezoelectric film is provided directly or indirectly on the support member. The interdigital transducer includes a plurality of electrode fingers. The plurality of electrode fingers are provided side by side separately from each other. The interdigital transducer is provided on the principal surface of the piezoelectric film. The film thickness of the piezoelectric film is about 3.5 ? or less, where ? denotes the wavelength of an acoustic wave determined by the electrode finger pitch of the interdigital transducer. In the support member, the high-impurity-concentration region is further from the piezoelectric film than the low-impurity-concentration region.

Abstract: An assembly arrangement for connecting a membrane of a vibration sensor with a drive unit such that vibrations of the drive unit are transmitted to the membrane and vibrations of the membrane are transferred to the drive unit, wherein the assembly arrangement is formed as a cylindrical sleeve, having on one end a fastening section for indirectly or directly fastening to the membrane or an element connected with the membrane, and an insertion opening for the drive unit on the other end.

Abstract: A magnetic detection sensor for being installed at an end of a cable with a pair of signal wires to detect a magnetic field from magnetic poles. The sensor includes a magnetic sensor including a detection section and a pair of lead frames, the detection section including a magnetic detection element for detecting the magnetic field from the magnetic poles, and the lead frames extending from the detection section and configured to output a detection signal of the detection section, a housing portion that houses the magnetic sensor, and a capacitor that is provided separately from the magnetic sensor and is housed in the housing portion. First joining portions respectively joining the pair of lead frames to the pair of signal wires and second joining portions respectively joining the pair of lead frames to a pair of lead wires of the capacitor are located inside the housing portion.

Abstract: An acceleration measuring device includes a piezoelectric system, a seismic mass, and a base plate. The seismic mass exerts onto the piezoelectric system, a force that is proportional to the acceleration. The piezoelectric system responds to the force by generating piezoelectric charges that are electrically transmitted as acceleration signals. The seismic mass includes a first mass element responsible for generating positive piezoelectric charges. The seismic mass includes a second mass element responsible for generating negative piezoelectric charges.

Abstract: An acceleration measuring device includes a piezoelectric system, a seismic mass, and a base plate. During acceleration of the device, the seismic mass exerts onto the piezoelectric system a force that is proportional to the acceleration of the device. The force causes the piezoelectric system to generate piezoelectric charges that can be electrically processed as acceleration signals. The piezoelectric system includes two system elements, and the seismic mass correspondingly includes two mass elements. The device includes a preloading assembly that mechanically preloads the system elements against the mass elements.

Abstract: A sensor including at least one sensor element, at least one signal processing circuit, and at least one housing inside which the sensor element and the signal processing circuit are arranged. The sensor further includes an electronic identification device.

Abstract: A piezoelectric transducer for measuring a force includes a base element; a pre-loading element; at least one effective main seismic mass aggregation of pre-loaded parts capable of producing the force when being accelerated; a main piezoelectric ceramic element including a first piezoelectric ceramic; at least one compensation seismic mass aggregation of pre-loaded parts capable of producing a compensation force when being accelerated; a compensation piezoelectric ceramic element including a second piezoelectric ceramic. The first piezoelectric ceramic has a thermal sensitivity shift smaller than the second piezoelectric ceramic. The main piezoelectric ceramic element is oriented with respect to the force to be measured and the compensation piezoelectric ceramic element is oriented with respect to the compensation force such that the main electric charge and the compensation electric charge are opposite in polarity.

Abstract: An electronic device comprises a carrier, an emitter, a detector, a separation wall and a light shielding layer. The emitter is disposed on a first portion of the top surface of the carrier. The detector is disposed on a second portion of the top surface of the carrier. The separation wall is disposed on the top surface of the carrier between the emitter and the detector. The light shielding layer disposed adjacent to the top surface of the carrier and extends from the separation wall to the second portion of the carrier.

Abstract: A vibration sensor is electrically isolated from the mounting surface of the device or equipment to which it is attached. The isolation provides protection from excess voltages present on the mounting surface that could damage the internal components of the vibration sensor or auxiliary equipment attached to the vibration sensor. The isolation is provided by a non-conductive amorphous solid or crystalline material between the mounting base and the case and between the case and the sensing element to protect the sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, devices, and other implementations, including a radio frequency identification (RFID) device that includes a sheet comprising a middle strip section separable from a remainder of the sheet, and two side strips flanking the separable middle strip section, with the middle strip section including an attachment structure. The RFID device further includes a radio frequency circuit configured to receive RF transmissions and to transmit reply RF signals. The middle strip section is initially attached to the two side strips in a non-separated configuration, and is configured to be partly separated from the two side strips flanking the middle strip section, and to be attached to at least one of the two side strips at a corresponding at least one attachment point such that the middle strip section, when attached, protrudes relative to a plane defined by the remainder of the sheet to form an arched structure.

Abstract: Acoustic sensing systems having improved vibration cancelation, and methods of achieving improved vibration cancelation. In one example, an acoustic sensing system includes an acoustic sensor configured to produce a sensor output signal representative of a response of the acoustic sensor to acoustic excitation and vibration excitation, at least one accelerometer configured to provide an acceleration signal responsive to the vibration excitation, and a controller, including an adaptive digital filter, coupled to the acoustic sensor and to the at least one accelerometer, and configured to receive the acceleration signal and to adjust coefficients of the adaptive digital filter so as to minimize coherence between a residual signal and the acceleration signal, the residual signal being a difference between the sensor output signal and a filter output signal from the adaptive digital filter.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods having or using an improved implantable middle ear transducer for driving an ossicular chain bone to assist in aiding hearing. One embodiment of the present invention is a transducer assembly for converting electrical signals to mechanical vibrations which can be coupled, for example, to the stapes to provide audible frequency vibrations to the cochlea. One transducer assembly includes a pair of fins or gussets coupled to opposite sides of a transducer in the direction of unwanted movement of the transducer. The base of the transducer may be coupled to a base member while the fins have free edges that are near to but not coupled to the base member. Some fins are triangular shaped. The fins may not substantially inhibit vibration in the preferred plane, but can inhibit unwanted vibrations in a plane orthogonal to the preferred direction which can substantially include a plane containing the fins.

Abstract: A linear electromagnetic device, such as an inductor, transformer or the similar device, may include a core in which a magnetic flux is generable. The device may also include an opening through the core. The device may additionally include a primary conductor received in the opening and extending through the core. The primary conductor may include a substantially square or rectangular cross-section. An electrical current flowing through the primary conductor generates a magnetic field about the primary conductor, wherein substantially the entire magnetic field is absorbed by the core to generate the magnetic flux in the core.

Abstract: An electro-acoustic driver comprises a sleeve having a first end and a second end; a first wire exit opening at a first position of the sleeve; a second wire exit opening at a second position of the sleeve; a voice coil within the sleeve; a magnetic assembly in magnetic communication with the voice coil in the sleeve between the first end and the second end; and a conductive wire of the voice coil having a first region at the first wire exit opening, a second region at the voice coil, and a third region between the first and second regions configured as a helix about the acoustic assembly. The third region of the conductive wire is substantially unsupported between the voice coil and the first wire exit opening.

Abstract: A power steering apparatus for a vehicle includes a column shaft, a column pipe rotatably supporting the column shaft through a plurality of bearings, and a torque sensor for detecting torque generated on the column shaft by using magnetism. The column pipe is composed of a steel pipe. The torque sensor includes a magnetically variable portion and a magnetic change detector. The magnetically variable portion is disposed on the column shaft and has a magnetic permeability that varies with the torque generated on the column shaft. The magnetic change detector is configured to detect a change in the magnetism of the magnetically variable portion. The magnetic change detector is attached to the column pipe by being inserted in an axial direction through an opening at an axial end of the column pipe.

Abstract: A method for producing a disk resonator gyroscope includes providing a base substrate and a handle wafer with a release hole, bonding a release wafer to the handle wafer, bonding a resonator wafer to the release wafer, etching the resonator wafer to form a disk resonator with a central pillar, and sense and drive electrodes, selectively applying a conductive film onto the disk resonator on a side of the disk resonator opposite the release wafer, on the outer edge of the disk resonator, and on the surfaces of the sense and drive electrodes facing the outer edge of the disk resonator, bonding the sense and drive electrodes and the central pillar of the disk resonator to the base substrate, and releasing the handle wafer by introducing a dry release agent into the release hole to undercut the release wafer.

Abstract: A reddish collimated beam and a greenish collimated beam respectively emitted from one and another light emitters are separately radiated to different conversion regions of a phase modulation array. In the phase modulation array, phases of components of light are converted through a plurality of pixels, thereby obtaining a modulated beam that is an interfered beam. An image of the modulated beam is formed on a screen to generate a holographic image. The one light emitter and the other light emitter are each configured as a separate block, stacked one on top of another on a reference base, and separately positioned and secured.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes an endoscope connector for connecting any given one of a plurality of working assemblies to an imaging assembly.

Abstract: An oscillation circuit includes a terminal XO which is connected to one end of a resonator, a terminal XI which is connected to the other end of the resonator, an oscillation unit which is electrically connected to the terminal XO and the terminal XI, a control voltage generation circuit, and a switch. The oscillation unit includes a variable capacitive element having one end which is connected to the terminal XO or the terminal XI. The switch controls electrical connection between the other end of the variable capacitive element and an output terminal of the control voltage generation circuit.

Abstract: An oscillation circuit includes: an oscillation unit which includes a first terminal and a second terminal connected to a resonator, a third terminal, a fourth terminal to which at least one of a power supply potential and a signal for inspecting the resonator is applied, a first switching unit which switches modes of electrical connection between the first terminal and the third terminal, and a second switching unit which switches modes of electrical connection between the second terminal and the fourth terminal.

Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to a marine display device. In one implementation, a marine display device may include a housing and a display panel disposed in the housing, where the display panel is configured to project one or more images relating to marine electronics data. The marine display device may also include an infrared filter coupled to the display panel and configured to block light from being applied to the display panel.

Abstract: An implantable sensor is provide which can be used for determining a concentration of at least one analyte in a medium, in particular a body tissue and/or a body fluid. The implantable sensor has a layered construction with at least one insulating carrier substrate and at least two electrodes which are arranged in at least two different layer planes of the implantable sensor and are electrically isolated from one another by the at least one insulating carrier substrate. The electrodes have electrode areas which face the medium when the sensor has been implanted, and are in contact with the medium over a large area and substantially uniformly, directly or via a generally analyte-permeable membrane layer.

Abstract: A cold cathode ionization vacuum gauge includes an extended anode electrode and a cathode electrode surrounding the anode electrode along its length and forming a discharge space between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. The vacuum gauge further includes an electrically conductive guard ring electrode interposed between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode about a base of the anode electrode to collect leakage electrical current, and a discharge starter device disposed over and electrically connected with the guard ring electrode, the starter device having a plurality of tips directed toward the anode and forming a gap between the tips and the anode.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a flat panel detector such that the surface on the side of a fluorescent body layer of a scintillator panel which has the fluorescent body layer comprising a column crystal on the supporting body, is coupled to the planar light receiving element surface of a light-receiving element, comprising: a step of manufacturing the scintillator panel which has a larger area than that of the planar light receiving element surface; a step of trimming the edges of the scintillator panel, obtained by the step of manufacturing the scintillator panel, to correspond to the area of the planar light receiving element surface; and a step of coupling the edge-trimmed scintillator panel to the planar light receiving element surface, thus providing a flat panel detector which has an excellent productivity and that can be made small in size without non-image area.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing an inertial sensor using a polling method of a piezoelectric element performing a polling after packaging the piezoelectric element, the method of manufacturing an inertial sensor including: forming a driving electrode and a sensing electrode on a flexible substrate on which a piezoelectric material is deposited; electrically connection the driving electrode and the sensing electrode; packaging the flexible substrate; polling by applying voltage and heat to the driving electrode and the sensing electrode; and electrically separating the driving electrode from the sensing electrode by applying heat to the driving electrode and the sensing electrode.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sensor network is described which includes stretching a silicon substrate over a desired area, and generating a plurality of nodes fabricated on the stretchable silicon substrate. The nodes include at least one of an energy harvesting and storage element, a communication device, a sensing device, and a processor. The nodes are interconnected via interconnecting conductors formed in the substrate.

Abstract: A device for measuring impedance of biological tissue may include electrodes and a voltage-to-current converter coupled to the electrodes to drive an alternating current (AC) through the tissue and sense an AC voltage. The converter may include an amplifier having first and second inputs and an output, a first voltage divider coupled to the first input, a second voltage divider coupled to the second input, a filter capacitor coupled between the output and the second voltage divider, a current limiting resistor coupled between the second input the second voltage divider, and a bypass capacitor coupled to the second input of the amplifier and in parallel with the resistor. A single-ended amplitude modulation (AM) demodulator may demodulate the AC voltage and generate a corresponding baseband voltage representing the impedance. The device may also include an output circuit to generate output signals representative of DC and AC components of the baseband voltage.

Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical microphone and manufacturing method thereof are provided. The micro-electro-mechanical microphone includes a diaphragm, which is formed on a surface of one side of a semiconductor substrate, exposed to the outside surroundings, and can vibrate freely under the pressure generated by sound waves; an electrode plate with air holes, which is under the diaphragm; an isolation structure for fixing the diaphragm and the electrode plate; an air gap cavity between the diaphragm and the electrode plate, and a back cavity under the electrode plate and in the semiconductor substrate; and a second cavity formed on the surface of the same side of the semiconductor substrate and in an open manner The air gap cavity is connected with the back cavity through the air holes of the electrode plate The back cavity is connected with the second cavity through an air groove formed in the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe manufactured using graphene or graphite, and a manufacturing method thereof, the ultrasonic probe including a matching layer, a transducer layer provided at a rear surface of the matching layer, and a backing layer provided at a rear surface of the transducer layer, wherein the ultrasonic probe further includes at least one sheet that is formed of graphene and provided on at least one of a front surface of the matching layer, in between the matching layer and the transducer layer, in between the transducer layer and the backing layer, a rear surface of the backing layer, and lateral sides of the matching layer, the transducer layer and the backing layer.

Abstract: A current sensing device and method of manufacturing a sensing device are disclosed. The current sensing device can include at least two current sensors, implemented in an openable ring-shaped support, and wherein the at least two current sensors can be arranged in a chain-like arrangement on the ring-shaped support, and wherein the at least two current sensors are electrically connected in series.

Abstract: A temperature probe comprises a thermocouple with a cross-section having flattened sides and rounded ends, and a method of manufacturing a thermocouple for a temperature probe comprising the step of flattening a round thermocouple wire.

Abstract: Inertial sensor having a body with first and second cavities on opposite sides thereof, a sensing element in the first cavity, electronic circuitry in the second cavity, electrical conductors interconnecting the sensing element and the circuitry, and leads connected electrically to the circuitry and extending from the body for mounting the sensor and making connections with the circuitry.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided for measuring the supply of a consumable product/energy source, such as electrical power, to a facility over time and analyzing the measurements to determine the consumption or supply of the product by one or more loads and/or sources in the facility, and to determine induced and residual heat flow through the facility's envelope. Various aspects compare the measured supply of the consumable product to a database of consumption signatures, which characterize access to the consumable product by particular users. Operating conditions and facility characteristics, such as temperatures, load factors, insulation factors, etc., may be further considered in determining a particular user's access of the consumable product. To aid in the controlling of energy use, thermal resistance factors of the building are determined, which are based on the induced and residual heat flow through the facility.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a fluid flow measuring device are provided. In an embodiment of the present invention, shields are disposed to prevent or reduce circulating electrical currents from causing a voltage difference that would adversely affect the measured voltage difference between two adjacent electrodes. Groups of sensors, e.g., two or more, may be placed within the shield. The shields may have any cross-section shape. A magnetic field source is disposed proximate the electrodes such that the magnetic field source is oriented to generate a magnetic field substantially orthogonal to an imaginary line intersecting each pair of electrodes. A voltage measuring circuit is electrically coupled to the plurality of electrodes and configured to measure a voltage difference between each pair of electrodes.

Abstract: A side lobe in a capacitive transducer is reduced. Provided is a capacitive transducer including an element including a plurality of cells supported such that a vibrating membrane including one of a pair of electrodes formed with an gap inbetween is capable of vibration, wherein a distance between cells in an end portion of the element is greater than a distance between cells in a middle portion of the element.

Abstract: Provided is a capacitive transducer including an element including a plurality of cells supported such that a vibrating membrane including one of a pair of electrodes formed with an gap inbetween is capable of vibration, wherein a distance between a pair of electrodes of a cell in an end portion of the element is greater than a distance between a pair of electrodes of a cell in a middle portion of the element.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing radiation tomography apparatus in this invention includes a step of fixing a detector array to a holding member by adjusting relative positions of the detector array and the holding member the base by spacing a scintillator apart from a base through contact of the scintillator of the detector array to a supporting device. Such configuration may realize provision of radiation tomography apparatus with higher spatial resolution by manufacturing a group of detectors having the scintillators of suppressed deviation in arrangement and being arranged regularly upon arranging radiation detectors for forming the group of detectors.

Abstract: An electromechanical transducer includes a first electromagnetic element and a second electromagnetic element, such as electrodes, disposed opposite to each other with a sealed cavity therebetween. The sealed cavity is formed by removing a sacrifice layer and then performing sealing. A sealing portion is formed by superposing a film of a hardened second sealing material that has fluidity at normal temperature on a film of a first sealing material that does not have fluidity at normal temperature.

Abstract: An insert apparatus for installing a transducer assembly in a sensor port of a flow cell is disclosed. The transducer assembly is installed in the cavity of the insert body without the use of glues or adhesives to bond the transducer assembly to the cavity.