Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for hands-free liftgate activation. An example method may include receiving a liftgate activation signal. The example method may also include receiving first data from a sensor of a vehicle at a first time and second data from the sensor at a second time. The example method may also include determining that a first difference between a second value associated with the second data and a first value associated with the first data is greater than a first threshold amount. The example method may also include disabling, based on the determination that the first difference is greater than the first threshold amount, activation of a liftgate of the vehicle. The example method may also include receiving third data from the sensor. The example method may also include determining that a second difference between a third value associated with the third data and the first value is less than a second threshold amount.

Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle having at least one surface region designed to come into direct contact with a user, and at least one sensor to register a direct contact between the at least one surface region and the user. The method includes registering the beginning of a use of the vehicle by the user, registering direct contacts of the user with the at least one defined surface region by using the at least one sensor, registering the end of the use of the vehicle by the user, evaluating the registered direct contacts of the user with the at least one surface region, wherein the surface region is classified with respect to a potential degree of soiling of the surface region caused by the direct contacts during the use, and outputting a notification on the potential degree of soiling of the surface region.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods to reduce leakage current are presented. The includes a switch circuit configured to power a circuit block; a delay circuit configured to delay enabling the switch circuit powering the circuit block and to be powered down; and a bypass circuit configured to bypass the delay circuit to disable the switch circuit powering the circuit block. The method includes powering, by switch, a circuit block; powering down a delay circuit; and bypassing, by a bypass circuit, the delay circuit to disable the switch circuit powering the circuit block.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for recovering heat from a liquid medium, including a heat exchanger having heat exchanger cells, which are thermally separate from each other, for receiving the liquid medium, each of the cells has a sensor for determining temperature of the liquid medium located therein; a pipeline for conducting drinking water and/or heating water, which pipeline extends through at least one of the cells; a supply line wherein the liquid medium is conducted; controllable flaps through which the liquid medium can be selectively fed from the supply line to the cells; a sensor for measuring temperature of the liquid medium in the supply line, the flaps are controlled in an open-loop and/or closed-loop manner such that the liquid medium is supplied from the supply line to the heat exchanger cell that has a current temperature which is the least colder than the gray water in the supply line.

Abstract: A wireless communication device includes a first wireless communication circuit, a first terminal, and a processor. The first wireless communication circuit executes receiving first image information by a first wireless communication method, and transmitting wireless connection destination information. The processor executes adding information representing that communication is performed by the first wireless communication method to the wireless connection destination information, when the first terminal is coupled to a display device, and not adding the information representing that communication is performed by the first wireless communication method to the wireless connection destination information, when the first terminal is not coupled to the display device.

Abstract: An electronic device has a first circuit, a second circuit, and an isolation circuit, the isolation circuit having an input and an output, the first circuit including a signal generator having an output, the output of the signal generator coupled to the input of the isolation circuit. The second circuit includes a rectifier circuit and a signal detector circuit, the rectifier circuit having a rectifier input coupled to the output of the isolation circuit, and the signal detector circuit having an input coupled to the output of the isolation circuit.

Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB) including: a negative thermal coefficient (NTC) thermistor which provides an electrical signal received from outside the PCB, wherein an electrical resistance of the NTC thermistor varies according to a negative thermal coefficient; and a heating pattern which receives the electrical signal from the NTC thermistor, wherein the heating pattern includes a positive thermal coefficient (PTC) thermistor with an electrical resistance that varies according to a positive thermal coefficient, wherein the PTC thermistor has a first thermal coefficient of resistance at a first critical temperature or below and changes to a second thermal coefficient of resistance above the first critical temperature, and the NTC thermistor has a third thermal coefficient of resistance at a second critical temperature or below and changes to a fourth thermal coefficient of resistance above the second critical temperature.

Abstract: A tactile sensor includes a support member with a curved surface, a sensor body disposed on the support member, and a buffer member with which the sensor body is coated, the buffer member being configured to, in response to contacting an object, transfer a force applied from the object to the sensor body. The sensor body includes an insulating layer, multiple first resistive portions of which a longitudinal direction is directed to a first direction of each and that are juxtaposed on one side of the insulating layer, multiple second resistive portions of which a longitudinal direction of each is directed to a second direction intersecting with the first direction and that are juxtaposed on another side of the insulating layer, and a pair of electrodes provided at both end portions of each of the first resistive portions and the second resistive portions.

Abstract: A Boost DC-DC switching converter, having a safety protection method for a short circuit to ground during normal Boost operations, is described. A short circuit protection mechanism, to be used at startup, is also described. A low current capability active clamp is activated, during a soft or hard short circuit condition, and an isolation switch is turned off. An input of the switching converter is isolated from an output of the switching converter, and the Boost switching converter is able to safely discharge high energy stored in its coil, with no external components and minimum extra silicon area.

Abstract: A load sensing assembly for a spinal implant includes a set screw having a central opening that extends from a first end of the set screw toward a second end of the set screw. The second end of the set screw is configured to engage with an anchoring member. The load sensing assembly includes an antenna, an integrated circuit in communication with the antenna, where the integrated circuit is positioned within the central opening of the set screw, and a strain gauge in connection with the integrated circuit. The strain gauge is located within the central opening of the set screw in proximity to the second end of the set screw.

Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet. A door is coupled to the cabinet. The door is operable between a closed position and an opened position. A microphone assembly is coupled to the door. The microphone assembly is configured to receive a voice command. A microcontroller is coupled to the door. The microcontroller is operably coupled to the microphone assembly and the microcontroller. A proximity sensor is coupled to the microphone assembly. The proximity sensor defines a sensor field that extends outward from the door.

Abstract: A load control device coupled between an AC power source and an electrical load may operate in a three-wire mode or a two-wire mode based on whether the load control device is connected to a neutral side of the AC power source. The load control device may further comprise first and second zero-cross detect circuits to be respectively used in the two-wire mode or the three-wire mode, and a neutral wire detect circuit configured to generate a neutral-wire detect signal indicating whether the load control device is connected to the neutral side of the AC power source. A control circuit of the load control device may determine whether the load control device should operate in the two-wire mode or in the three-wire mode in response to the neutral-wire detect signal.

Abstract: A universal wireless charging receiver for an electronic device is provided. The universal wireless charging receiver includes a base casing, a first magnetic shielding element, a power supply module and an induction coil. The first magnetic shielding element, the power supply module and the induction coil are installed in the base casing. The power supply module is located over the first magnetic shielding element. A magnetic field is shielded by the first magnetic shielding element. Consequently, an eddy current is not generated by the power supply module through the magnetic field.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for flexible renewable energy power generation. The present disclosure also provides systems and methods for firming power generation from multiple renewable energy sources.

Abstract: An electrical receptacle contains a plug outlet that has a pair of contacts for electrical connection to respective hot and neutral power lines. A controlled switch, such as a TRIAC, is connected in series relationship between the outlet contact and the hot power line. Sensors in the receptacle outputs signals to a processor having an output coupled to the control terminal of the controlled switch. The processor outputs an activation signal or a deactivation signal to the controlled switch in response to received sensor signals that are indicative of conditions relative to the first and second contacts.

Abstract: There are provided methods for associating an adapter controller with a device, among a plurality of devices, for instance a Power over Ethernet device or its controller, each device of the plurality being connected to a controller interconnected to other controllers by a power-over-data linear bus to which an item of power source equipment is also connected. The methods comprises an exchange of a pairing message comprising a unique identifier of the device to be paired with, wherein only said device from which is the pairing message receives power at the time of receiving the pairing message by the controller among the plurality of devices.

Abstract: A multi-function biometric scanner is provided. The multi-function biometric scanner includes a housing that includes a dome-shaped or semi-dome shaped user interface, the user interface including a capacitive film for fingerprint capture that is disposed along an outer-surface of the housing and a plurality of biometric sensors that are disposed within the housing and that are configured to concurrently retrieve a plurality of biometrics from a user, each sensor being configured to measure a respective biometric of the plurality of biometrics. Fingerprints and the plurality of biometrics are compared to threat information in one or more threat databases to identify a person of interest.

Abstract: A system for providing power from an AC power supply to an external load. The system includes a current limiter circuit, connected to an input of a switched-mode power supply. The system includes the switched-mode power supply that provides a first voltage signal and a second voltage signal. The system includes a supervisor circuit that is connected to the first output of the switched-mode power supply and coupled to a relay control circuit. The supervisor circuit monitors the first voltage signal and enables the relay control circuit. The relay control circuit provides a first voltage corresponding to the first voltage signal to a first voltage rail and provides a second voltage corresponding to the second voltage signal to a second voltage rail. A relay powered by a connection to the first voltage rail or the second voltage rail connects the AC power supply to an external load.

Abstract: A power supply device, provided with: a battery; a capacitor connected in parallel to a load; and a main switching unit capable of switching between a state of connection and a state of disconnection between the battery and the capacitor. The power supply device is provided with a precharge circuit for reducing the current from the battery and supplying the current to the capacitor. A control unit of the power supply device first supplies electric power from the precharge circuit to the capacitor, then sets the main switching unit from a state of disconnection to a state of connection, and stops the supply of electric power from the precharge circuit while the state of connection is established.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present BOP control systems include a system controller configured to actuate a first BOP function by communicating one or more commands to one or more nodes of a functional pathway selected from one or more available functional pathways associated with the first BOP function, each node comprising an actuatable component configured to actuate in response to a command received from the system controller, each node having one or more sensors configured to capture a first data set corresponding to actuation of the component and a processor configured to analyze the first data set to determine a useful life remaining of the component and/or compare the first data set to a second data set corresponding to a simulation of actuation of the component.

Abstract: An eavesdropping arrangement for acquiring a measured physiological variable of an individual includes a receiver and a communication interface in a housing separate from the receiver. The communication interface is positioned along a communication link between a first sensor, which is configured to measure aortic blood pressure and to provide a signal representing measured aortic blood pressure, and a central monitoring device configured to monitor the measured aortic blood pressure. The communication interface includes a connection to the communication link that permits the communication interface to eavesdrop on the signal representing measured aortic blood pressure such that information representing measured aortic blood pressure is sent to the receiver while allowing the central monitoring device to receive and use the signal representing measured aortic blood pressure.

Abstract: A load control device may be used to control and deliver power to an electrical load. The load control device may comprise a control circuit for controlling the power delivered to the electrical load. The load control device may comprise multiple actuators, where each of the actuators is connected between a terminal of the control circuit and a current regulating device. The number of the actuators may be greater than the number of the terminals. The control circuit may measure signals at the terminals and determine a state configuration for the actuators based on the measured signals. The control circuit may compare the state configuration to a predetermined dataset to detect a ghosting condition.

Abstract: A device, a system, a configuration process, and an operating procedure are provided for the electric control of at least one real electric consumer of a motor vehicle. In order to design in a more flexible manner the electric control of at least one electric consumer of a motor vehicle, the device is implemented as a configurable device. Correlations between a plurality of actions and operating settings of a plurality of hypothetical electric consumers are stored. At least one action is selectable depending on the at least one input signal (I), and the at least one electric output of the device allocable to the at least one real electric consumer can be activated depending on the operating setting of the at least one hypothetical electric consumer allocated to the selected action.

Abstract: An electronic push button for a motor vehicle door handle, including an activation pattern supported by a membrane that is flexible in the direction of an electric switch carried by a printed circuit board, the activation pattern defining an activation surface that is pressed by an operator's finger in order to push the activation pattern in the direction of the electric switch. The activation pattern is made up of a set of studs that extend parallel to one another away from the electric switch, with the majority of the studs being spaced apart from one another, the set of studs discontinuously delimiting an outer contour of the activation surface of the electronic push button.

Abstract: A wireless battery-powered daylight sensor for measuring a total light intensity in a space is operable to transmit wireless signals using a variable transmission rate that is dependent upon the total light intensity in the space. The sensor comprises a photosensitive circuit, a wireless transmitter for transmitting the wireless signals, a controller coupled to the photosensitive circuit and the wireless transmitter, and a battery for powering the photosensitive circuit, the wireless transmitter, and the controller. The photosensitive circuit is operable to generate a light intensity control signal in response to the total light intensity in the space. The controller transmits the wireless signals in response to the light intensity control signal using the variable transmission rate that is dependent upon the total light intensity in the space. The variable transmission rate may be dependent upon an amount of change of the total light intensity in the space.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for flexible renewable energy power generation. The present disclosure also provides systems and methods for firming power generation from multiple renewable energy sources.

Abstract: A sound-enabled detection system responds to a wakeup sound, and notifies a central server. Based on which wakeup sound is detected; the system's configuration is modified accordingly. More particularly, at least one sensor in the system has its wakeup sound reconfigured to “wake up” upon detection of a second wakeup sound when the first wakeup sound is detected.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes: a foldable housing comprising a hinge structure, and a first and a second housing structures connected to the hinge structure; a flexible display, a wireless communication circuit disposed inside the foldable housing; a grip sensor disposed in the foldable housing; at least one sensor disposed inside the foldable housing; a processor disposed inside the first housing structure or the second housing structure and operatively connected to the flexible display, the wireless communication circuit, the grip sensor, and the at least one sensor; and a memory, operatively connected to the processor, storing instructions that cause the processor to: measure an angle between the first and the third surface and/or an angle between the second and the fourth surface; detect a distance between the foldable housing and an external object; and control transmission power of the wireless communication circuit.

Abstract: A ceiling-mounted sensing unit includes (i) one or more air temperature sensors; (ii) an infrared sensor having a field of view oriented towards a floor of the room; and (iii) a microcontroller receiving readings from both the air temperature sensors and the infrared sensor, the microcontroller providing an estimated temperature at a predetermined distance above the floor of the room based on a model of the room. The model may be based on a double-exponential smoothing function obtained by matching a Kalman filter model. Alternately, the model may be itself a Kalman filter model or a machine learning trained linear model obtained using a linear regression technique, such as L2 regularization. The Kalman filter model uses a state vector that includes both the estimated temperature and a rate of change in the estimated change in temperature. The machine-trained model may be verified using a k-fold cross-validation technique.

Abstract: A powered wheelchair is operated by sensor-based control pads that include force transducers to produce a variable output signal that is proportional to a varying force applied. The control pad provides an analog-type output that provides a variable speed signal to a controller to operate the wheelchair at a variable speed in both forward/reverse directions and in right or left turning directions.

Abstract: A control device includes a button assembly having one or more buttons and a button carrier that includes a plurality of resilient, independently deflectable spring arms. The control device may be configured as a wall-mounted keypad to control a load control device, or as a thermostat to control a temperature regulation appliance. The button carrier may be configured to prevent interference between the buttons during operation of the control device. The button assembly may be captured between a faceplate of the control device and a housing that is attached to a rear side of the faceplate. The control device may include one or more button retainers that are attached to the buttons and that are configured to align respective outer surfaces of the buttons relative to each other, and relative to the faceplate of the control device, when the buttons are in respective rest positions.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to improve the accuracy of detection of the metallic foreign object. A metallic foreign object detector includes a sensor part having at least one antenna coil that receives a magnetic field or current to generate a vibration signal, an integration circuit that acquires the integral value of a waveform of a signal corresponding to the vibration signal, and a determination circuit that determines the presence/absence of a metallic foreign object approaching the antenna coil based on the integral value and a criterion integral value which is the integral value obtained in the absence of the approaching metallic foreign object. The integral value and the criterion integral value are obtained by integrating the waveform having the same wavenumber.

Abstract: A press system includes a detection unit configured to detect occurrence of an abnormality during press working for a workpiece, and an abnormality determination unit configured to determine an abnormality level, based on the abnormality detected by the detection unit and a stoppage period for which a pressing operation is stopped after occurrence of the abnormality.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving data from one or more sensors associated with a vehicle; and receiving a message from a first processor. The message from the first processor includes a first control command for an actuator of the vehicle and a first certificate function. The method also includes receiving a message from the second processor. The message from the second processor includes a second control command for the actuator of the vehicle and a second certificate function. The method also includes computing a first certificate based on the first certificate function and the data; computing a second certificate based on the second certificate function and the data; determining a valid control signal based on an accuracy of the first second control command and second control command relative the first certificate and second certificate; and transmitting the valid control signal to the actuator of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electrostatic protection circuit, a circuit board, and an electrostatic protecting method. The electrostatic protection circuit includes a first relay and a second relay, wherein a control terminal of the first relay and a control terminal of the second relay are configured to be connected to a power supply of a system circuit respectively, and wherein the first relay and the second relay are connected in series between the system circuit and a ground terminal to form a charge release path, and the first relay is switched from an open circuit state to a short circuit state when the system circuit is powered off, and the charge release path is in a turn-on state after the first relay is switched to the short circuit state, thereby releasing an electrostatic charge in the system circuit.

Abstract: A measurement method for an aviation-specific inductive proximity sensor (IPS for short) includes steps of: 1) building a measurement circuit, wherein an IPS comprises an internal resistance r and an inductance L; 2) building a look-up table, wherein the step 2) specifically comprises steps of: sampling a first voltage measured value U1 corresponding to a first constant delay time T1 with the ADC; sampling a second voltage measured value U2 corresponding to a second constant delay time T2 with the ADC; then obtaining voltage discharge formulas U1(T1, R, r, L) and U2(T2, R, r, L) of an r-L circuit; and 3) compressing the look-up table, utilizing the compressed look-up table for calculation during measurement. The present invention ensures that the system works within a standard temperature range, and improves measurement stability, reliability, and real-time performance. Furthermore, there is no floating point calculation, which saves CPU or MCU hardware resources.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic watch allowing data to be received, comprising: An electrical energy source A control member arranged to be supplied with power by the electrical energy source A receiver module comprising: An optical sensor capable of detecting a sequence of light pulses modulated by data, and of converting said sequence into a digital signal An energy storage element arranged to store electrical energy generated by the optical sensor A demodulator arranged to be supplied with power by the energy storage element, capable of extracting the data from the digital signal Transmission means capable of transmitting the extracted data to the control member.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing operations based on acoustic locationing are described. An example device includes one or more microphones configured to sense sound waves propagating in an environment. The example device also includes one or more processors and one or more memories coupled to the one or more processors. The one or more memories store instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the device to recover sound wave information from the sensed sound waves, detect a presence of one or more persons in the environment based on the received sound wave information, determine an operation to be performed by one or more smart devices based on the detected presence of one or more persons, and instruct the one or more smart devices to perform the operation.

Abstract: A power storage adapter for portable information handling systems may include a separate battery and intelligent power management functionality. The power storage adapter may be equipped with fewer voltage regulators and boosted charging for improved efficiency. The power storage adapter may output power to a variable power bus, such as USB Type-C.

Abstract: A method for charging an electric bicycle from the power supply of a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle is coupled via an electrical trailer connection and an electrical adapter to the battery of the electric bicycle. In order to provide anti-theft protection, the motor vehicle sends the battery a query signal relating to identification data of the battery via a communication channel. Subsequently, the motor vehicle listens in on the communication channel upon transmission of the identification data of the battery. For the case in which the motor vehicle receives incorrect identification data or no identification data from the battery, an alarm signal is output.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter electrically connects a line terminal to a load terminal in a closed condition and electrically disconnects the line terminal from the load terminal in the open condition. A controller includes a fault detector configured to detect a fault in an electrical signal in a load circuit, such that when a fault is detected on the load circuit, the fault detector causes actuation of the interrupter to the open condition. The controller is adapted to receive an off command, and in response to the off command, generate a simulated fault in the load circuit, such that the fault detector causes actuation of the interrupter to the open condition, such that one and the same interrupter is employed for both fault tripping and commanded tripping.

Abstract: An ultralong time constant time measurement device includes elementary capacitive elements that are connected in series. Each elementary capacitive element is formed by a stack of a first conductive region, a dielectric layer having a thickness suited for allowing charge to flow by direct tunneling effect, and a second conductive region. The first conductive region is housed in a trench extending from a front face of a semiconductor substrate down into the semiconductor substrate. The dielectric layer rests on the first face of the semiconductor substrate and in particular on a portion of the first conductive region in the trench. The second conductive region rests on the dielectric layer.

Abstract: The occupancy status of a building space may be determined by sensing an indication of motion in the building space, in response to sensing the indication of motion in the building space, starting an occupied time period having a length during which the building space is indicated as being occupied, determining a measure related to a number of subsequent sensed indications of motion in the building space during the occupied time period, and selectively adjusting the length of the occupied time period based on the measure related to the number of subsequent sensed indications of motion in the building space during the occupied time period.

Abstract: A temperature monitoring device of the present invention includes: a current value acquisition portion (50) that acquires a current value supplied for the motor; a calorific value inference portion (20) that infers a calorific value through a first thermal model indicating a relationship between the current value and a calorific value of a servo driver (2); and an anomaly judgment portion (10) that compares the calorific value with a threshold, so as to judge whether there is heating anomaly.

Abstract: An electric motor communication system for use with a fluid moving system and using at least one wireless sensor network is provided. The electric motor communication system includes an electric motor that includes a motor management device configured to transmit and receive input signals via the wireless sensor network, and a processing device coupled to said motor management device and configured to control said electric motor based at least in part on input signals received at said motor management device. The electric motor communication system also includes at least one external device configured to collect data and to transmit said input signals, via the wireless sensor network, to said electric motor.

Abstract: A high reliability AC load switching circuit is disclosed. In some embodiments, the AC load switching circuit includes a high-speed switch connected between the load and the voltage source, a cutoff switch connected between the load and the voltage source in parallel with the high-speed switch, and a level detector connected to the voltage source and to a control input of the high-speed switch. The high-speed switch may be a solid-state switch, for example, a TRIAC or a bidirectional switch, and the cutoff switch may be an electromechanical switch, for example, a relay. In some embodiments a snubber is connected in parallel with a solid-state switch. In some embodiments a microcontroller is connected to an electromechanical switch and the level detector. In some embodiments, both a first cutoff switch and a second cutoff switch are used.

Abstract: An angle sensor includes a plurality of composite magnetic field information generation units and an angle computing unit. The plurality of composite magnetic field information generation units detect, at a plurality of detection positions, a composite magnetic field of a magnetic field to be detected and a noise magnetic field other than the magnetic field to be detected, and thereby generate a plurality of pieces of composite magnetic field information including information on at least the direction, out of the direction and the strength, of the composite magnetic field. At each of the plurality of detection positions, the magnetic field to be detected varies in direction according to an angle to be detected. The angle computing unit generates a detected angle value using the method of least squares on the basis of the plurality of pieces of composite magnetic field information.

Abstract: An autonomous system for managing power distribution to an electrically-powered device that includes a power controller module that includes power input and power output abilities and operably connected power switching abilities, wherein the power switching is configured for actuation by an integral power management module operably connected thereto, the integral power management module including integral actuation signal detection and actuation abilities configured for, in accordance with commands and operational parameters, upon detection of an actuation signal, actuation the integral power switching to alter power output through the power output from a first output level to a second output level.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining an Authenticated Location of a GRL Device using a Smart Gateway. The GRL Device may include a Miniature Atomic Clock along with other components that can receive process and communicate information to enable locating, identifying, and tracking physical Assets and data contained within the Assets. More specifically, the present disclosure presents methods and apparatus of deploying a Global Resource Locating (GRL) device adhered to or inserted into packaging for an Asset. The Smart Gateway, either as stand-alone architecture or as a Smart Phone app, may be used to transmit and receive UUIDs from a GRL-enabled asset.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to diagnose an abnormality detecting circuit that detects an abnormality, such as an overcurrent of a power semiconductor, with the number of insulating elements to be additionally provided, inhibited from increasing. There are provided: a drive circuit configured to output a gate signal to a power semiconductor; an abnormality detecting circuit configured to detect an abnormality of the power semiconductor; and a diagnosis signal applying circuit configured to apply a diagnosis signal to the abnormality detecting circuit. The diagnosis signal applying circuit applies the diagnosis signal, on the basis of the gate signal output by the drive circuit.