Abstract: A power supply apparatus includes a converter to convert AC power into DC power, an SMPS to convert the DC power into DC powers desired by loads, a capacitor to interconnect the converter and the SMPS, a PTC element connected to the converter, a first switch connected in parallel with the PTC element, and a second switch connected in series with the first switch. The method includes turning on the second switch to start charging of the capacitor, turning on the first switch to charge the capacitor to a target voltage level, and turning off both the first switch and second switch if a voltage across the capacitor rises over the target voltage level, to discharge the voltage across the capacitor so as to lower the voltage across the capacitor to the target voltage level or lower.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric circuit configuration for switching an electrical load (3), particularly a solenoid valve, by means of at least one switching means (5) associated with the consumer (3), particularly a transistor. The circuit configuration comprises at least one analysis circuit comprising at least one measuring resistor (17) connected in series with the switching means (5), at least one first analysis means (23) for determining a parameter corresponding to the short-circuit current, and at least one second analysis means (25) for determining a parameter corresponding to the consumer current. The circuit configuration is characterized in that the first analysis means (23) is connected in parallel with the measurement resistor (17).

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer readable media for providing AC power over a computer network (e.g., Ethernet) are disclosed.

Abstract: A line break detection system for detecting a break in a conductor (1.004), the system including a first return signal generator (1.020) proximate a first end of a segment of the conductor, the first return signal generator being adapted to apply a first return signal to the conductor, the system including a first return signal detector (1.016) proximate a second end of the segment of the line, the second end being upstream of the first end, the first detector being adapted to receive the first return signal from the line, wherein the first return signal generator ceases to generate the first return signal if the line is broken.

Abstract: To provide a power supply relay controller and an electric power steering apparatus capable of appropriately preventing contact failure of relays. When abnormal conduction between relay contacts occurs, a power supply relay circuit is opened and closed while a predetermined potential difference is applied between the relay contacts. At this time, an operation for turning on the relay contacts is performed while the charge of an electrolytic capacitor by a precharge circuit is limited. In this way, an ice layer between the relay contacts is removed by thermal energy of an arc that is generated between the contacts by a potential difference between the relay contacts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting circuit operation in response to physical orientation of an integrated circuit (IC) coupled to a host site via direct soldering or a socket. The IC can be installed in a correct orientation or rotated and installed in an incorrect orientation. The IC may have a square, substantially symmetric footprint and the incorrect orientation may correspond to 90 or 180 degree rotation of the IC from the correct orientation. The orientations may be discerned by sensing electrical characteristics of the installed IC. For example, the IC may ground a detection line when installed in the correct orientation, while the detection line may be floating when the IC is installed in an incorrect orientation. The IC may be switchably connected to other components such as a power supply only when it is detected as being installed in the correct orientation.

Abstract: A proximity switch assembly and method are provided having wrong touch feedback. The switch includes a plurality of proximity switches each including proximity sensors providing a sense activation field. Control circuitry processes the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation, detects an allowed activation of one of the proximity switches and further detects an attempted activation that is not allowed. The switch further includes an output coupled to a device to perform a function when an allowed activation is detected. The switch includes one or more user perceived feedback devices for generating user perceived feedback when an attempted activation that is not allowed is detected.

Abstract: An electrical circuit for bi-directional power control between two devices, including a mobile communication card, an electronic device that connects to the communication card, the electronic device being either (i) a host device that operates independently of the communication card and also interoperates with the communication card, or (ii) a jacket for the communication card, wherein the jacket is a passive device that does not operate independently of the communication card, and circuitry connecting the mobile communication card with the electronic device, including a device on/off button operative to power the electronic device on and off, and a switch, wherein the circuitry uses a single connection line connecting the communication card, the electronic device, the device on/off button, and the switch, to enable the electronic device to automatically power the communication card on and off using the switch, in response to the electronic device being respectively powered on and off.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor element including a first element portion having a first gate and a second element portion having a second gate, wherein the turning on and off of the first and second element portions are controlled by a signal from the first and second gates respectively. The semiconductor device further includes signal transmission means connected to the first gate and the second gate and transmitting a signal to the first gate and the second gate so that when the semiconductor element is to be turned on, the first element portion and the second element portion are simultaneously turned on, and so that when the semiconductor element is to be turned off, the second element portion is turned off a delay time after the first element portion is turned off.

Abstract: A method and a device for preventing inadvertently touch of an electronic device are provided, the method includes: receiving an operating motion by a button switch; determining whether the button switch is triggered by receiving the operating motion; determining whether a human body is closing to the button switch; if the human body is closing to the button switch and the button switch is triggered, sending a button switch signal corresponding to the button switch to the electronic device to perform a function corresponding to the button switch.

Abstract: A solid state contactor assembly includes at least one solid state switch electrically connected to a first bus bar via at least one conductive plate. The solid state switch controls a flow of current between the first bus bar and a second bus bar. A current sensor is formed along a cross section of one of the first or second bus bar such that the current sensor separates its associated bus bar into two separate bus bar portions, and such that a flow of current between the two separate bus bar portions passes through the current sensor. A switch control is operable to control the solid state switch. The switch control is in communication with the current sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for regulating the state of charge of a battery. An exemplary electrical system includes a fuel cell coupled to a bus and a battery coupled to the bus via a switching arrangement coupled to a capacitor. An exemplary method for operating the electrical system involves operating the switching arrangement such that a voltage of the battery is substantially equal to a voltage of the fuel cell when a state of charge of the battery is greater than a lower threshold value and less than an upper threshold value, and operating the switching arrangement to couple the capacitor electrically in series between the battery and the bus when the state of charge of the battery is not between the lower threshold value and the upper threshold value.

Abstract: A power source generation circuit includes a regulator circuit which receives an external power source voltage VDDA from an external power source, and generates a predetermined internal power source voltage on a given terminal VDD; and a charging circuit which connects the external power source and the given terminal when the external power source voltage VDDA supplied from the external power source is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold voltage.

Abstract: An electronic circuit comprising an ACRF comprising an active component, an energy storage unit, an input port and an output port. The electronic circuit comprises a control unit to control the ACRF. A detector detects a short circuit at the input port or the absence of an energy supply at the input port. The control unit controls the ACRF to function as an ACRF if the detector detects a power supply connected to the input port or that there is no short circuit at the input port, and controls the ACRF to stop functioning as an ACRF and to discharge energy from its energy storage unit to its output port if the detector detects a short circuit at the input port or no power supply connected to the input port.

Abstract: A method for disconnecting a generator from a power system when the generator and the thereto connected power system are non-synchronized. The method includes the steps of: determining that there is a loss of synchronization between the generator and the power system, which loss of synchronization provides an amplitude variation of an electrical parameter associated with the generator. The method further includes determining when a minimum amplitude of the electrical parameter will occur, wherein when the occurrence of the minimum amplitude has been predicted, providing a command signal for disconnecting the generator from the power system, wherein the command signal is provided prior to the minimum amplitude of the electrical parameter is attained, and disconnecting the generator from the power system approximately when the determined minimum amplitude of the electrical parameter occurs. It is also presented a protection system for a generator in a power system.

Abstract: A three-way or four-way switching circuit for lighting, and the like, is described. One three-way switch is replaced with an electronic switch. Both legs of the switching circuit are powered all the time and current is sensed in the legs to determine when one of the three-way or four-way switches has been switched. This information is used to turn the light on and off.

Abstract: A circuit includes an electronic switch with an isolated gate, a measuring device for determining a charge at the isolated gate, and an energy supply for providing charge to the isolated gate based on the charge determined by the measuring device.

Abstract: A fabric product with a low powered activation device and a conductive arrangement, which includes a body having an outer covering which is soft and flexible to providing an outer skin surface and an inner skin surface, and defines a body receiving cavity. The low powered activation device is an electronic unit received inside the body receiving cavity which comprises a casing, a power source, an activation circuit, and an operator which is activated through the activation circuit. The conductive arrangement electrically connects between the electronic unit and the outer skin surface, which includes one or more conductive threads affixed on the inner skin surface, each having one end portion defining an activation control which penetrates through the inner skin surface to the outer skin surface, thereby when the activation control is contacted by a user, the activation circuit is activated to activate the operator of the electronic unit.

Abstract: A safety switching apparatus for switching on or off a technical installation has a failsafe control/evaluation unit with an input for receiving an input signal. The failsafe control/evaluation unit is designed to process the input signal in order to produce an output signal for switching on or off the technical installation at a defined output signal time. The failsafe control/evaluation unit has a first output for transmitting the output signal to an electromechanical switch. The electromechanical switch has an operating contact for switching a load circuit of the technical installation and has a positively guided auxiliary contact in an auxiliary contact current path. The auxiliary contact can be used to carry a current for checking the switching position of the operating contact. A switching element is arranged in the auxiliary contact current path.

Abstract: A power supply circuit for an electrical appliance, including a turning-on stage configured for determining a transition from a turned-off state, in which the power supply circuit is off and does not supply electric power, to a turned-on state of the power supply circuit. The turning-on stage includes a transducer of the remote-control type configured for triggering the transition in response to the reception of a wireless signal.

Abstract: A network device including a power supply, a communication port and a power line between the power supply and the communication port. A controller is to turn on a switch so that power can be delivered to the communication port along a second power line parallel to the first power line, before sending a power down signal.

Abstract: An integrated service center has an outward facing wall. A first and second section are recessed from the outward facing wall, each with a plurality of walls and a lower end, which forms an opening in the lower end and extends to the outward facing wall. The first section has a fluid access point disposed at an angle between 30 and 60 degrees below a reference plane. The second section has an electrical access point. A door assembly is mounted to move between an open and closed, which abuts the outward facing wall and covers the first section when closed.

Abstract: A method is employed by an electronic device for managing power used by an associated accessory device attached to the electronic device. The method includes applying a current to the accessory device and in response to the applied current, at least one of first and second identifier resistances are identified in the accessory device. The method determines whether the accessory device is connected to a power supply in response to the at least one of identified first and second identifier resistances and applies power to the accessory device in response to a determination the accessory device is not connected to the power supply.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for powering and/or controlling a plurality of model devices, including at least one model vehicle. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system includes an adjustable transformer in communication with at least a model train. The adjustable transformer is configured to convert an AC voltage into first and second AC output voltages based, respectively, on positions of first and second input devices. The adjustable transformer includes a processor configured to receive input signals from the input devices, and to generate corresponding control signals, which are used by drive circuits to convert an AC voltage into first and second outputs. The processor is further configured to display data concerning the first output on a display, and to replace the data concerning the first output with data concerning the second output if a signal is received from a sensor, indicating that the user has interacted with the second input device.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus including: a load device which performs a copy function, a scan function, a print function and the like; and a power saving mode such as a standby mode and a sleep mode. When the image forming apparatus is in the power saving mode, electric charge charged in an electric storage device such as an electrolytic capacitor which is a low voltage power source is used to execute the power saving mode. When an electric potential of the electric storage device is lower than a predetermined threshold, the electric storage device is charged by a commercial power source.

Abstract: A system and method to monitor and control a battery string in an uninterruptible power supply unit is provided. The present system and method aids in the prevention of thermal runaway conditions which may lead to battery damage and fire. Battery parameters are measured and compared to a given standard to determine if the measured parameter deviates from a range of acceptable standard range. A time delay is initiated if the measured parameter is outside the acceptable standard range and the battery parameter is remeasured. If the measured parameter is still outside the acceptable standard range, than an alarm is activated, which may include disconnecting the battery string from the charger and producing a perceptible alarm. False alarms are reduced and true runaway scenarios can be prevented at an early stage with the present system and method.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein include an intelligent energy-saving power supply system which conserves energy by recognizing when a chargeable electronic device, such as a cellular telephone, has been detached from its battery charger and by then cutting off power to the battery charger to prevent energy from being consumed while not serving the useful function of charging the chargeable electronic device. In addition, these systems may optionally include a device which turns off the receiver circuit of an electronic device to additionally save power and an interface which displays the amount of energy conserved by using the energy-saving power supply system.

Abstract: A method for adaptive load control by an electronic device is described. The method includes determining a wiring mode. The method also includes determining a frequency of a power source. The method further includes capturing a voltage waveform. The method additionally includes capturing a current waveform. The method also includes determining a load type of a load based on the voltage waveform and the current waveform. The method further includes determining a power factor based on the voltage waveform, the current waveform and the wiring mode. The method additionally includes operating the load based on the load type, the power factor and the frequency.

Abstract: A router module is arranged in a housing of a smart television. The router module is externally connected to a modem for surfing the Internet. The router module is electrically connected to a micro processing unit of the smart television. Therefore, the smart television is connected to the Internet through the router module. A wireless transmission chip of the router module is configured to process Internet signals. An antenna module is configured to wirelessly transmit the Internet signals, so that wireless network is shared to outside.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electric power consumption control system for a factory where a plurality of machine tools (Mi, Mp1, Mp2) are installed. A machine tool (Mi) is provided with a control device (10) whereby either the rotational acceleration/deceleration (Pi) for the motor for the machine tool and/or the rotational speed (Si) thereof is controlled on the basis of information regarding electric power consumption (Wt) in the factory so that electric power consumption will not exceed a specified value (We). This electric power consumption control system is also provided with electric power detection instruments (11, 12, 13) and an electric power monitoring instrument (20) which measure the electric power consumption of all the machine tools installed in the factory, thereby obtaining the electric power consumption of the factory, and provide information regarding the electric power consumption to the control device of the machine tool equipped with the control device.

Abstract: A domestic appliance having a control device to control device components of the domestic appliance during execution of a program, wherein the device components have electrical loads. The domestic appliance also has a switch to at least partly de-energize the control device after the program has finished executing.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods, apparatus, systems and means for determining a type of microphone button of a headset plugged into a device jack are described. In some embodiments, a type of microphone button or headset is determined from a plurality of button or headset types based on whether or not a headset plug is detected in a headset jack of a device and whether or not a signal received at a first contact of the headset jack includes overcurrent or an undercurrent. In some embodiments, the behavior of the device may be controlled based on the type of microphone button or headset determined. For example, a predetermined circuit, a predetermined algorithm, or a predetermined process may be selected to signal process the audio signal of the microphone, based on the type of microphone button or headset. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Systems and methods (“utility”) are provided for reducing the no-load (standby) power of power devices such as chargers for electronic devices and power converters for electronic devices. The utility may include a controllable switch that is operative to decouple circuitry of the power device from a power source under certain no-load conditions. In one embodiment, the utility provides a switch control module that is operative to sense when an electronic device is coupled to the power device, and in response, to control the switch to couple the power device to the power source. The switch control module may also be operative to detect a condition when the electronic device is no longer drawing power from the power device, and in response, to control the switch to decouple the power device from the power source.

Abstract: A system and method for developing an intrusion detection zone substantially surrounding mobile components of a robot, training a model of the robot to accept selected intrusions into the intrusion detection zone, and, during application operations, triggering an application interrupt upon detecting an unexpected intrusion.

Abstract: A device for producing a current pulse includes supply terminals for providing a power supply voltage, and a switch which is situated in a control current branch between the supply terminals, which switch is configured to switch a control current through the control current branch as a function of an actuation signal. The device also has a current mirror having a control transistor and a signal transistor, the control transistor being situated in series to the first switch in the control current branch, and the signal transistor being configured to provide the current pulse as a function of the control current through the control transistor.

Abstract: A turbine farm comprises a plurality of individual turbines each having an auxiliary component circuit. The farm further comprises; a master transformer arranged to be coupled between each of the plurality of individual turbines and an electrical grid and an auxiliary transformer coupled between the sub-station transformer and the auxiliary component circuit in each of the individual turbines. When in use power is transmitted from the sub-station transformer back to each auxiliary component circuit.

Abstract: An electronic system is disclosed for an associated electrical apparatus, the system having at least a binary input adapted to receive one or more candidate signals; at least an electronic active load having one or more electronic active devices and operatively connected to the binary input; and a controller operatively associated to the binary input and to the active load. The controller can detect application of a candidate signal to the binary input and electrically drive the active load upon such detection; and after absorption of a predetermined amount of energy, validate the candidate signal if its residual content of energy exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A system having voltage regulator bypass means provides a means for preventing a voltage regulator to be bypassed in a power system when the difference between a load side voltage of the voltage regulator and a source side voltage of the voltage regulator is not below a certain threshold or substantially small. A voltage regulator controller can also prevent the voltage regulator from being bypassed when a tap changer of the voltage regulator is not in a neutral position.

Abstract: An additional miniature switch or jumper switch to be integrated within the power connector of any device that is using transformer but that does not need to be connected to it all the time. The energy saving switch will disconnect the primary winding of the transformer from the voltage source when the device does not need to be powered. The energy saving switch could also be integrated within the turn-on/off circuit of any devices that is using transformer continuously plugged to a voltage source to power the device that may be turned-off either with an interrupter (mechanical or even electronically with remote control). The energy saving switch operates when a transformer is not in use but still wasting energy while connected to a voltage supply. The energy saving switch will simply disconnect the primary winding of the transformer when no device is connected or when the device is turned-off.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing input component assemblies for dome switches are provided. In some embodiments, an input component assembly may include a contact area coupled to a circuit board for a switch, a conductive covering for enclosing the circuit board, and a dome positioned over the conductive covering, where the dome is operative to close at least one circuit of the switch when the dome is depressed towards the conductive covering.

Abstract: A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of proximity switches each having a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation. A pliable material overlays the proximity sensors. The control circuitry monitors the activation field and determines an activation of a proximity switch based on a signal generated by the sensor in relation to a threshold when a user's finger depresses the pliable material. The pliable material may further include an elevated portion and an air gap between the elevated portion and the sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing input component assemblies for dome switches are provided. In some embodiments, an input component assembly may include a first conductive contact pad coupled to a first board of a switch, a second conductive contact pad coupled to a second board of the switch, and a layer of conductive adhesive between the first conductive pad and the second conductive pad, where the layer is operative to provide a seal for the switch.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing input component assemblies for dome switches are provided. In some embodiments, an input component assembly includes a switch, a button positioned over the switch, where the button is operative to close at least one circuit of the switch when the button is depressed towards the switch, an actuator positioned underneath the button to at least partially enclose at least one switch element, where the actuator is operative to deform when the button is depressed, and a weld plate welded to an underside surface of the button with at least one sonic weld joint to create a seal around the actuator and the at least one switch element, where a portion of the actuator is secured between the underside surface of the button and the weld plate.

Abstract: A method for switching on and off electric current includes detecting a verification condition, switching on the electric current responsive to the detected verification condition, establishing a communication via a communication network after switching on the electric current, detecting a switch-off condition via the established communication, and switching off the electric current responsive to the detected switch-off condition. An apparatus and a system are described for controlling switching on and off electric current.

Abstract: A switch controller is provided that uses one or more capacitors to generate a slow turn on/slow turn off switch control signals to suppress audible switching noise in an audio switch. In some embodiments, an analog inverter and a capacitor are used to generate the switch control signals, while in other embodiments two capacitors are used to generate the switch control signals. To conserve power between switching states, routing logic is provided that ties the switch control signals to respective voltage rails and disables selected portions of the switch controller.

Abstract: A display device includes a display panel including at least one electrode, and a panel driving unit configured to drive the display panel. The display device further includes a power storage unit configured to store received power, and a switching unit configured to electrically connect the at least one electrode to one of the panel driving unit and the power storage unit.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus is provided. The electronic apparatus includes a controller, a first trigger circuit, a switch unit and a logic circuit. The controller provides a setting signal. The first trigger circuit provides a trigger signal according to at least one of first trigger situations. The switch unit is connected to a power input terminal. The logic circuit adjusts a switching signal according to the setting signal and the trigger signal. The switch unit decides whether to provide an input voltage at the power input terminal to the electronic apparatus according to the switching signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a family of multi-way switches that can be configured to output an input signal to any combination of n output signal lines. Certain embodiments of the present invention employ a memristive junction between the input signal and each output signal line, the state of which is configured by one or more control signal lines. The memristive junction between the input signal line and each output signal can be switched between a stable, low-conductance state and a high-conductance state. A wide variety of different types of multi-way switches may be fabricated according to various embodiments of the present invention.

Abstract: A power off delay circuit includes a first diode with an anode receiving input power and a boost transformer circuit connected to a cathode of the first diode. The boost transformer circuit outputs power signals to a load circuit, and includes a capacitor, a primary winding, a first secondary winding, and a second secondary winding. The capacitor is charged when an input power is on, and discharges when the input power is off. The first secondary winding boosts power flowing through the primary winding and the first switch branch to charge the capacitor via the third switch branch when the input power is on. The capacitor discharges via the second secondary winding and the fourth switch branch when the input power is off, and the primary winding boosts discharging power of the capacitor, and outputs boosted discharging power to the load circuit via the second switch branch.

Abstract: A method of detecting an interruption of grid electrical power at an output of an inverter power train coupled to an electrical grid includes generating a reference waveform representing a power train output current waveform with a current control loop. An out-of-phase control signal is generated, which is synchronized and out-of-phase with a grid voltage waveform, with a voltage control loop coupled to the output of the inverter power train, the voltage control loop having a gain proportional to an inverter power train load impedance. The reference waveform and the out-of-phase control signal are combined to generate a power train control signal for producing a small phase difference between the inverter power train output current waveform and the grid voltage waveform.