Abstract: Apparatus, including a probe having a proximal end and a distal end, the probe being configured to be inserted into an organ of a human patient and defining a probe axis. At least two conductors are positioned on the probe at the distal end. The apparatus includes at least two flexible conductive splines, each conductive spline having a first termination and a second termination, the first terminations being electrically connected together at a region on the probe axis beyond the distal end, each second termination being electrically connected to a respective one of the conductors, the splines being configured to bend into respective arcuate forms that encompass a volume. The apparatus also includes a processor configured to receive voltages induced on the splines via the conductors and to calculate a position and orientation of the volume in response to the received voltages.

Abstract: A method for locating a buried casing stub may include a) identifying a target region, b) providing at each of a plurality of survey points in the target region a casing stub locator that includes a vector magnetometer, c) measuring the magnetic field at each of the survey points using the vector magnetometer so as to generate a plurality of magnetic field measurements, d) using the magnetic field measurements to generate a model of the magnetic field of the target region, e) fitting the model generated in step d) to a selected model of a magnetic anomaly created by the casing stub so as to generate model fit information (MFI), and f) locating the casing stub using the MFI. At each survey point, an expected Earth magnetic field can be subtracted from the measured magnetic field. A total station can measure the position and/or the azimuth of the package.

Abstract: Disclosed is a localizer system. The localizer system may be incorporated into a navigation system for tracking a tracking device. Generally, the localizer may include a transmitting coil array and a field shaping assembly.

Abstract: A measuring system and an associated measuring method for measuring a stator of a gearless wind power installation, wherein the measuring system has an air gap measuring unit and a position determination unit, wherein the air gap measuring unit has a holding apparatus and a distance sensor, wherein the holding apparatus is set up to mount the air gap measuring unit on a rotor of the wind power installation, wherein the distance sensor is set up to provide a signal which is indicative of an extent of an air gap between the stator and the rotor, wherein the position determination unit is set up to be mounted on the rotor of the wind power installation and to capture the signal from the distance sensor during a rotation of the rotor at a plurality of revolution positions. The measuring system and the associated measuring method make it possible to measure a stator in a simplified manner.

Abstract: A method of playing media content including an advertising period at a playback device. The method includes: storing the media content in the playback device for playback to a user of the playback device; storing an indication of the playback time of the advertising period relative to the playback time of the media content; storing a plurality of candidate adverts for playing in the adverting period of the media content; playing the stored media content to the user; identifying, on playing of the stored media content, a point in time corresponding to the playback time of the advertising period; applying, responsive thereto, playback rules to determine an advert to be played from the candidate adverts; and playing the determined advert at the playback time of the advertising period.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying a position of a sliding sleeve. The system may comprise an outer housing, a sliding sleeve within the outer housing, one or more magnetic switches, and a magnet. A method may comprise closing a switch within a magnetic switch disposed with a magnet, wherein the magnetic switch is disposed downhole, and transmitting an electric current into a first electric branch, wherein the electric current traverses through first electric branch, through the magnetic switch, to a second electric branch, and to a node. The method may further comprise measuring the electric current or voltage at the node and identifying a position of a sliding sleeve in an outer housing from the measurement. The method may further comprise calibrating a linear resistor position sensor assembly based at least in part on the measurement.

Abstract: A downhole tool having an indexing apparatus for actuating the downhole tool from the surface by applying a pre-determined number of hydraulic pressure signals to the downhole tool. The downhole having an outer tubing that has an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining an inner region of the outer tubing. The downhole tool includes a sliding sleeve positioned within the inner region of the outer tubing, the sliding sleeve being slideable relative to the outer tubing. The sliding sleeve including a first magnet and a second magnet that are positioned in an opposing orientation relative to one another for providing a reference point detectable via a magnetometer at a surface of a wellbore. An indexing position of the downhole tool being determined by comparing a location of the reference point on the sliding sleeve to a location of a fixed point on the outer tubing.

Abstract: A rotation angle sensor system for an optical system and/or a LIDAR system having a rotor and a stator for determining a rotation angle and/or an orientation between the rotor and the stator, which has a coil system that is stator-based and rotatably fixedly attached or attachable to the stator as a sensor element for receiving a magnetic alternating field, and, having a target that is rotor-based and rotatably fixedly attached or attachable to the rotor for generating a magnetic alternating field, and in which the coil system and the target are attached or are attachable to the stator and to the rotor so that different overlaps and/or spatial proximities occur between the coil system and the target as a function of the rotation angle and/or of the orientation between stator and rotor with a correspondingly different influence of the magnetic alternating field of the target on the coil system.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device for transmitting data comprises a memory storing the data, a processor, and a coil. The processor may perform controls to detect a data receiving device configured to detect a magnetic field corresponding to the data and apply a voltage or a current corresponding to the data to the coil in response to the detection of the data receiving device.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for in-line inspection of a pipe using a dynamic pulsed eddy current probe system that includes of a remote computer, a dynamic pulsed eddy current probe, a data acquisition system, and a delivery apparatus used for nondestructive examination of pipelines.

Abstract: A borehole resistivity distribution system includes a cable having an array of transmitters along a shared conductive loop. Each of the transmitters is coupled to a corresponding frequency-dependent material or device. An application of a first drive signal to the cable excites the transmitters, to obtain a first measurement, the first drive signal having a first frequency and a first amplitude. An application of a second drive signal to the cable excites the transmitters, to obtain a second measurement, the second drive signal having a second frequency and a second amplitude. At least the first frequency is different from the second frequency, or the first amplitude is different from the second amplitude. The system further includes a processor coupled to receive the first and second measurements, to derive, based at least in part on the measurements, a resistivity distribution around a borehole.

Abstract: A security method for monitoring an optical module and a three-dimensional sensor using the same apply electromagnetic induction to the three-dimensional sensor to monitor the optical module and a light source module. Two inductive coils corresponding to each other are arranged on the light source module and the optical module. An alternative current is inputted to one of the inductive coils and another of the inductive coils generates an inductive current. The value of the inductive current is continuously detected. When the value of the inductive current varies, the abnormality of the optical module is determined to shut down the light source module, thereby completing the security mechanism of the three-dimensional sensor.

Abstract: An active damping circuit of dead time oscillation includes a damping unit, a main switch, a voltage biased unit, an auxiliary switch, and a voltage determining unit. The main switch is coupled to the damping unit. The voltage biased unit is coupled to the damping unit and the main switch, and the voltage biased unit provides a drive voltage to the main switch. The auxiliary switch is coupled to the voltage biased unit. The voltage determining unit is coupled to the auxiliary switch, the voltage biased unit, and the damping unit, and the voltage determining unit provides a threshold voltage. When a voltage across two ends of a winding of a transformer is less than the threshold voltage, the auxiliary switch is turned off so that the drive voltage turns on the main switch and enable the damping unit to suppress the dead time oscillation.

Abstract: A method of measuring a Q-factor in a wireless power transmitter includes charging a capacitor in a LC tank circuit that includes a transmission coil to a voltage; starting a Q-factor determining by coupling the LC tank circuit to ground to form a free-oscillating circuit; monitoring the voltage across the capacitor as a function of time as the LC tank circuit oscillates; and determining the resonant frequency and the Q-factor from monitoring the voltage.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus for detecting a target object is provided, together with a corresponding method for operating the sensor apparatus. The sensor apparatus comprises a transmitter device which is operated by periodic excitation signals at a basic frequency, a receiver device which couples to the transmitter device, wherein the coupling is dependent on a relative position of the target object with respect to the receiver device, and the receiver device delivers signals at the basic frequency which are dependent on the relative position of the target object with respect to the receiver device. A threshold value checking device checks whether signals lie within or outside a threshold value range. A linking device acts on signals from the receiver device or signals derived therefrom in such a way that signals or signal combinations are shifted into the threshold value range insofar as they previously lay outside this range.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a magnetic field generated by a magnetic field source located in a circuit. A magnetometer array generates data regarding an activity of the source. A computing device executes a magnetic beamforming data processing program including a hybrid model which receives data generated by the array and detects the magnetic field generated by the source. The hybrid model is based on a weighted sum of contributions to the magnetic field, which include a first modelled magnetic field contribution generated by a current dipole aligned with an axis of the source, and a second modelled magnetic field contribution generated by a loop current flowing around the axis. Weighting factors are applied to the modelled fields, and then the weighted modelled fields are summed to produce the hybrid model. The weighting factors can be adjusted to emphasize the contribution of one modelled field over the other.

Abstract: The present invention features a unique system of interdependent methods to greatly improve data acquired via the Differential Target Antenna Coupling (“DTAC”) method, which transmits electromagnetic (“EM”) fields and measures the primary EM field and the secondary EM fields generated in subsurface targets. These new data correction techniques provide improvements, in orders of magnitude, to the measured DTAC response accuracy. This improvement allows for greater depth of investigation, improved target location, and enhanced target characteristics.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a magnetometer body and a three-axis Induction Magnetometer (IM) using the same. The magnetometer body comprises: a magnetic core structure with an H-shaped longitudinal section, having a middle portion being an elongated rod-shaped magnetic core and two end portions being disk-shape magnetic flux concentrators; and an induction coil evenly wounded around a perimeter of the magnetic core in the magnetic core structure. In the present disclosure, disk-shape magnetic flux concentrators are fixed on two ends of the elongated magnetic core to collect magnetic flux, which is equivalent to increasing a length-diameter ratio of the magnetic core, thereby breaking through a noise limit of a conventional IM in a limited space.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a magnetic field generated by a magnetic field source located in a circuit. A magnetometer array generates data regarding an activity of the source. A computing device executes a magnetic beamforming data processing program including a hybrid model which receives data generated by the array and detects the magnetic field generated by the source. The hybrid model is based on a weighted sum of contributions to the magnetic field, which include a first modelled magnetic field contribution generated by a current dipole aligned with an axis of the source, and a second modelled magnetic field contribution generated by a loop current flowing around the axis. Weighting factors are applied to the modelled fields, and then the weighted modelled fields are summed to produce the hybrid model. The weighting factors can be adjusted to emphasize the contribution of one modelled field over the other.

Abstract: Proximity switches include a hermetically sealed unit that can be used in harsh environments and under significant pressures, such as underwater and in nuclear power facilities, without having any parts that would require replacement or periodic maintenance. The proximity switches are preferably switches actuated by physical movement of a contact in response to changing magnetic forces. The switches are preferably disposed in a body tube optionally including a hermetic seal assembly to seal an open end of the body tube and/or a ferrule that prevents electrical wires attached to the switch inside the body tube from being pulled away from the switch. Further, the switches preferably maintain a contact pressure between electrical contacts sufficient to withstand acceleration seismic testing of 10 g with no contact discontinuity.

Abstract: A proximity sensor core for a proximity sensor is provided. The core has a head portion extending across a width of the sheet of material and the head has a first length. First and second leg portions extend for a second length from the same edge of the head portion. Each of the first and second leg portions extend across a portion of the width of the head portion. First and second foot portions extend for a third length from the respective first and second leg portions. The first and second foot portions have the same width as the respective leg portions. The core has a first bend between each of the first and second foot portions and the respective first and second leg portions so that the first and second foot portions extend generally perpendicular to the respective first and second leg portions.

Abstract: Provided is a method for adapting the sensitivity of a sensor system, in particular of a capacitive sensor system, which provides a sensor signal, wherein a first lower threshold value is adapted, if the sensor signal fulfills a first switching threshold criterion, a first upper threshold value is adapted, if the sensor signal fulfills a second switching threshold criterion, and at least one switching threshold value is adapted such that the switching threshold value has a predetermined first distance from the first upper threshold value and/or a predetermined second distance from the first lower threshold value.

Abstract: A detection method and detection device of buried metal which are capable of detecting singular points, in horizontal and vertical directions, of metal tubes, telecommunication cables, and electric power cables, or the like buried in the ground. A magnetic field component of the direction of 3 axes of a XYZ axis is detected by two or more magnetic sensors installed in the detectable direction, and detects a magnetic field induced to buried metal. While carrying out synchronous detection of these magnetic field components and calculating for each amplitude and each phase of a magnetic field component of the direction of 3 axes, image processing is carried out and it is outputted to a display. While calculating for the position of a singular point, a singular point distinguishes whether it is an over-crossing state, it is an under-crossing state, or it is a branched state from these image data.

Abstract: A locator device for generating buried asset data is disclosed. The device includes an elongated housing accommodating at least two sensors, wherein each sensor is for reading analog radio frequency (RF) signals from a buried asset, wherein the at least two sensors having a known distance between them, and wherein the housing may be oriented either horizontally or vertically, a sensing device for sensing an orientation of the elongated housing, and a processor for reading RF signals from the buried asset, applying an orientation filtering process to the signals based on the orientation, converting the signals into buried asset data having depth data, position data and electrical current data for a buried asset, and, a display unit for displaying the buried asset data in a graphical user interface, wherein the buried asset data corresponds to the RF signals that were read.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor has a plurality of magnetic field sensing elements and operates as a motion detector for sensing a rotation or other movement of a target object.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an electronic device, particularly for detecting and control the environment of an animal housing, such as a cage, thus being able to automatically detect and control animal's immediate environment. Furthermore, the present invention also concerns a system comprising such device or a plurality of devices, and a method for automatic detection of cage condition and presence. The device, the system and the method according to the present invention allow to detect the presence and several parameters of the cage environment without interfering with the inside of the cage.

Abstract: A computer-implemented user interface method and apparatus are disclosed. A user input signal corresponding to a drawn gesture is received and sampled. If the input signal is orientation invariant, the sampled, spaced points are rotated in accordance with an indicative angle to generate an input vector. If the input signal is orientation sensitive, the sampled, spaced points are rotated to align with a base orientation to generate the input vector. The gesture is recognized based on a comparison of the input vector to a plurality of templates.

Abstract: A distance measurement system includes a tank circuit including a transmit coil coupled to a transmit capacitor, a distance calculation circuit coupled to the transmit coil, and a target resonant circuit including a receive coil coupled to a receive capacitor. The receive coil is to receive a magnetic field generated by the tank circuit. The distance calculation circuit is to determine a reflected admittance. The reflected admittance includes a real component and an imaginary component. The distance calculation circuit is to determine a distance between the transmit and receive coils based on the imaginary component of the reflected admittance.

Abstract: An automatic recognition method includes the calculation of an error representative of the difference between an estimate of the values of the magnetometer measurements when the positions, orientations and amplitudes of the magnetic moments of the P dipoles are equal to those determined, and the values of the magnetometer measurements taken. There is the selection of another system of equations linking each measurement of a triaxial magnetometer to the position, orientation and amplitude of the magnetic moment of P? magnetic dipoles. The method includes the calculation of at least one distinctive feature of the object presented from the position, orientation, or amplitude of the magnetic moment of each dipole determined with the system of equations that minimizes the error calculated. The method includes the recognition of the magnetic object presented if the calculated distinctive features correspond to those of a known object, otherwise the lack of recognition of this object.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of distributing targeted merchant electronic messages to a merchant's remote computer, comprising: receiving traveler information at a targeting messages application; receiving merchant information at the targeted messages module; receiving merchant preference information; determining which merchants to notify by comparing the merchant information and the merchant preference information to the traveler information to determine whether any travelers that have an interest in any products or services provided by the merchants are currently near or projected to be near any of the merchants; electronically transmitting merchant electronic messages to the merchant's remote computer; auditing expense reporting information for the travelers to determine whether at least one of the travelers complete a transaction with the merchant in response to a targeting prompted by the merchant electronic messages; and in response to determining that the at least one traveler completed the transactio

Abstract: A magnetic field measuring device includes a first semiconductor body having a surface formed in a first x-y plane, the first semiconductor body having two magnetic field sensors, spaced a distance apart on the surface, and the magnetic field sensors each measuring one z component of a magnetic field. A first magnet has a planar main extension surface formed in a second x-y plane, the direction of magnetization changing from a north pole to a south pole along the main extension surface on a symmetry surface of the magnet. One of the two magnetic field sensors being disposed in the vicinity of the north pole and the other of the two magnetic field sensors being situated in the vicinity of the south pole, so that signals having opposite polarities with respect to each other are formed in a z component of the magnetic field.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes magnetoresistive elements and a soft magnetic body. The magnetoresistive elements have multi layers including a magnetic layer and a nonmagnetic layer on a substrate, and exert a magnetoresistance effect. The soft magnetic body is electrically disconnected with the magnetoresistive elements, and converts a vertical magnetic field component from the outside into a magnetic field component in a horizontal direction so as to provide the magnetoresistive elements with the horizontally converted magnetic field component. The magnetoresistive elements have a pinned magnetic layer having a fixed magnetization direction and a free magnetic layer having a variable magnetization direction. The free magnetic layer is stacked on the pinned magnetic layer with a nonmagnetic layer interposed between the free magnetic layer and the pinned magnetic layer. The magnetization directions of the pinned magnetic layers of the magnetoresistive elements are the same direction.

Abstract: Techniques for visual integration of meeting spaces within a calendar system are presented. A meeting room can be viewed via a map and selected for scheduling a meeting. The map depicts the location of the meeting room within a facility of an enterprise. A meeting scheduler visually sees the meeting room within the map and can select the meeting room and acquire details about the meeting room.

Abstract: An impedance analyzer is provided. The analyzer includes a signal excitation generator comprising a digital to analog converter, where a transfer function of the digital to analog converter from digital to analog is programmable. The impedance analyzer further includes a receiver comprising a low noise amplifier (LNA) and an analog to digital converter (ADC), where the LNA is a current to voltage converter; where the programmable digital to analog transfer function is implemented by a direct digital synthesizer (DDS) and a voltage mode digital to analog converter, or a digital phase locked loop (PLL), or both. Further, a multivariable sensor node having an impedance analyzer is provided. Furthermore, a multivariable sensor network having a plurality of multivariable sensor nodes is provided.

Abstract: A circuit for generating a modulated signal is disclosed. The circuit includes a constant current source. The circuit further includes a first switch that is coupled to the constant current source. The circuit also includes a second switch that is coupled to the first switch and a ground. The first switch and the second switch are coupled to a third switch. The third switch is coupled to a first integrated circuit pad. The first integrated circuit pad is defined to be used for coupling the third switch to a resonance circuit.

Abstract: A wireless power receiver for receiving power from a wireless power transmitter using resonance according to the embodiment includes a reception resonant coil resonance-coupled with a transmission resonant coil of the wireless power transmitter for receiving the power, a reception induction coil coupled with the reception resonant coil for receiving the power, and a connecting unit, and the reception resonant coil includes at least one conductive line having one end and an opposite end being open with each other, and the connecting unit couples the one end and the opposite end of each conductive line with each other so that the reception resonant coil forms a closed loop.

Abstract: A sensor assembly configured to sense a position of a seat in a vehicle includes a housing defining a cavity and having an open end. The sensor assembly may also include a carrier removably disposed in the housing cavity via the open end, wherein a permanent magnet may be disposed within a magnet cavity defined in the carrier, wherein the permanent magnet may establish a magnetic field. The sensor assembly may further include a single pole disposed within a pole cavity defined in the carrier and spaced from the permanent magnet and positioned in the magnetic field. In addition, the sensor assembly may include a magnetic sensor element affixed to a printed circuit board (PCB) and positioned in the magnetic field and adjacent to an end of the single pole. The magnetic sensor element and PCB may be at least partially disposed within the cavity.

Abstract: A card reader for use with a card having magnetic data recorded thereon may include a magnetic head for carrying out at least one of reading the magnetic data recorded in the card and recording the magnetic data into the card; a card insertion part where an insertion slot for inserting the card is formed; a metal sensor structured to detect a foreign object, which contains a metallic material, having been installed around the card insertion part; and a control unit. The control unit may be structured to calculate the amount of change in an output value of the metal sensor, whenever a predetermined reference time period has passed, and judge that the foreign object has been installed around the card insertion part if the amount of change exceeds a predetermined reference value.

Abstract: A tracking system is provided for tracking an objects. A first and a second trackable member each have an inertial sensor unit producing at least orientation-based data. A processing unit receives the orientation-based data from the trackable members. The processing unit has an orientation calculator calculating an orientation of the second trackable member with respect to the first trackable member from the orientation-based data of both said trackable members, whereby the processing unit calculates an orientation of the objects. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A proximity sensor includes a relatively simple temperature compensation circuit, and includes a variable gain oscillator, a temperature sensor circuit, and a proximity determination circuit. The variable gain oscillator has a gain that varies with the proximity of a target to a sensor coil, generates an oscillating electrical signal having a substantially constant amplitude magnitude, and generates an energy signal representative of the electrical energy needed to sustain oscillations. The temperature compensation circuit senses proximity sensor temperature and supplies a temperature signal representative thereof, and the proximity determination circuit, based on the energy signal, supplies a proximity signal representative of target proximity to the sensor coil. The proximity determination circuit includes a comparator and a fixed resistor network. The comparator circuit supplies the proximity signal.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to an antenna assembly for providing wireless coupling to a remote antenna. The antenna assembly comprises a first antenna and a second antenna. The second antenna is fixedly attached to a mount spaced by a distance along a first direction from the first antenna. The first antenna is configured to provide the wireless coupling along the first direction via transceiving of a time-varying field. The second antenna is configured to provide the wireless coupling by setting-up a decay of the time-varying field along the first direction. The interface is connected to an electric circuitry configured for controlling the transceiving. The second antenna is configured to operate as a passive electrical element.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes an endoscope having an insertion part capable of being be inserted into the interior of a living body; an extracorporeal device configured to be installed outside the living body, a first extracorporeal signal connection part having a second electrode electrically connected to the extracorporeal device, and a first scope-side signal connection part that has a first electrode electrically connected to the endoscope, is engaged with the first extracorporeal signal connection part, and has a tubular shape. The insertion part includes an observation part capable of observing a distal end side thereof. When engaged with the first scope-side signal connection part, the first extracorporeal signal connection part is at least partially disposed in an inner cylindrical space of the first scope-side signal connection part, and the second electrode and the first electrode are subjected to capacitive coupling.

Abstract: Inductive sensor module comprising a coil arrangement and a carrier, on which electronic components are arranged, wherein the coil arrangement is arranged on a first side of the carrier and the electronic components are arranged on a second side of the carrier directed away from the first side.

Abstract: A proximity probe device for detecting rotating shaft deviation, wherein a rigid body has a pair of flat magnets for forcibly seating against a substantially flat surface area of a shaft bearing housing of magnetizable material, a threaded bore through the body for holding a proximity probe having a mating threaded casing, an angle indicator for assisting in placing the body on the surface area and a pair of spaced shoulders on a proximate edge surface of the body, wherein a sight plane for each of the shoulders is substantially tangential to the surface of a shaft in the shaft bearing housing to aid in aiming the probe at a desired location on the shaft surface.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for effectively sensing rotational position of an object. In certain embodiments, a rotational position sensor can include a shaft configured to couple with the rotating object. The shaft can be configured to couple with a magnet carrier such that rotation of the shaft yields translational motion of the carrier. A magnet mounted to the carrier also moves longitudinally with respect to the axis of the shaft, and relative to a magnetic field sensor configured to detect the magnet's longitudinal position. The detected longitudinal position can be in a range corresponding to a rotational range of the shaft, where the rotational range can be greater than one turn. In certain embodiments, the rotational position sensor can include a programmable capability to facilitate ease and flexibility in calibration and use in a wide range of applications.

Abstract: A device for detecting metal elements in slab form such as metal plates or sheets, includes an emission coil powered by suitable control elements and generating a magnetic field, a reception coil placed so as to enable generation via induction of a voltage across the terminals of the coil under the action of the magnetic field, and elements for processing and evaluating the voltage signal delivered by the at least one reception coil, enabling delivery of an information signal indicating the absence or presence of one or more metal elements near the coils. The emission coil (3) and the reception coil (5) are both mounted in a housing or a sensor head having an active detection face having an associated detection region, and are positioned at a defined inclination one relative to the other and relative to the face.

Abstract: A device for visually indicating a change in the operational state of a proximity sensor. The device includes a transparent housing having a cavity and a magnet device for generating a magnetic field. In addition, a sleeve is attached to the housing. The magnet device is concealed within the sleeve in a first position to indicate a first operational state. When a target is positioned adjacent the sensor end, magnetic attraction occurs between the target and the magnet device due to the magnetic field to cause movement of the magnet device to a second position within the cavity wherein the magnetic field does not act on the proximity sensor to change the operational state from the first operational state to a second operational state. Further, the magnet device is visible in the second position to indicate the second operational state.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to xMR sensors, in particular AMR and/or TMR angle sensors with an angle range of 360 degrees. In embodiments, AMR angle sensors with a range of 360 degrees combine conventional, highly accurate AMR angle structures with structures in which an AMR layer is continuously magnetically biased by an exchange bias coupling effect. The equivalent bias field is lower than the external rotating magnetic field and is applied continuously to separate sensor structures. Thus, in contrast with conventional solutions, no temporary, auxiliary magnetic field need be generated, and embodiments are suitable for magnetic fields up to about 100 mT or more. Additional embodiments relate to combined TMR and AMR structures. In such embodiments, a TMR stack with a free layer functioning as an AMR structure is used. With a single such stack, contacted in different modes, a high-precision angle sensor with 360 degrees of uniqueness can be realized.

Abstract: A sensor device is provided. The sensor device includes a sensor pad for detecting an object in a detection area by measuring the impedance variation of the sensor pad, the sensor device further including a back focus plate disposed behind the sensor pad relative to the detection area and a first surrounding focus plate arranged around the sensor pad. The sensor device includes a signal generator that drives the sensor pad and the focus plates with a first set of signals having a predetermined constant phase, frequency and voltage amplitude. The sensor device further comprises at least a second surrounding focus plate arranged around the first surrounding focus plate, the second surrounding focus plate being driven with a second set of signals that are different from the first set of signals feeding the sensor pad.

Abstract: A control device is provided configured to provide user control signals. The control device comprises a magnetic flux sensing unit configured to provide two-dimensional angular orientation information with respect to a magnetic field acting on the magnetic flux sensing unit, and the user control signals are dependent on the two-dimensional angular orientation information. The control device further comprises a magnet arrangement comprising at least two permanent magnets configured to generate the magnetic field. The magnet arrangement and the magnetic flux sensing unit are arranged to be reoriented relative to one another within a predetermined range of movement, and the at least two permanent magnets are arranged relative to the magnetic flux sensing unit such that the magnetic field experienced by the magnetic flux sensing unit is substantially uniform throughout the predetermined range of movement.