Abstract: A occupancy sensor device comprising an occupancy sensor to output a detection signal, the detection signal including one or more pulses, the one or more pulses comprising one or more characteristics indicative of either detection of a motion or detection of a disturbance; a controller coupled with the sensor to receive the detection signal, the controller programmed to compare the one or more characteristics of the one or more pulses against a predetermined characteristic threshold, and based on the comparison, determine whether the one or more pulses indicate detection of the motion or detection of the disturbance. A machine readable-medium to comprise code for the controller. And, a device comprising an occupancy sensor and a vibration sensor to correlate vibrations with an output from the occupancy sensor to prevent false triggers.

Abstract: Implementations relate to capacitive sensing of hand presence at a control input device. In some implementations, a control input device includes a support structure, a handle moveable in one or more degrees of freedom with reference to the support structure, and a capacitive sensor circuit electrically coupled to the handle. The handle is isolated from electrical ground and is an antenna for the capacitive sensor circuit.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a system is provided that includes a sensor, a computer memory, and a processor. The sensor is configured to be disposed on a vehicle, and is configured to obtain sound or vibration data for the vehicle. The computer memory is configured to store a plurality of known signatures pertaining to a plurality of different types of vehicle theft events. The processor is configured to: compare a signature of the data with the plurality of known signatures stored in the computer memory; and determine whether a vehicle theft event is occurring based on the comparing of the signature of the data with the plurality of known signatures.

Abstract: A proximity sensor includes a light source, an optical sensing element, and an integration circuit. The light source is turned on and off several times during a measurement time interval. When the light source is turned on and off, the optical sensing element senses the surrounding light to generate a first current and a second current, respectively. The integration circuit integrates the first current and the second current to generate a first integration signal and a second integration signal respectively for determining whether an object is approaching. When the light source is turned on, the present second integration signal is stored, and a stored first integration signal is used as a starting value to integrate the first current. When the light source is turned off, the present first integration signal is stored, and the stored second integration signal is used as a starting value to integrate the second current.

Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed herein are configured to provide security to a vehicle. A system includes a point measurement device inside a space of a vehicle. The system identifies a threat if points that differ from a calibrated set of points are localized in an area of the space.

Abstract: An elevator door sensor arrangement including: a position sensor configured to determine a configuration of an elevator door of an elevator car; an auxiliary sensor configured to monitor for an object in a sensing region outside of the elevator car, the region being an approach to the elevator car; and a door sensor controller configured to output a signal to a door controller indicating that an object has been sensed by the auxiliary sensor in the sensing region, wherein the sensing region is altered in size and/or location based on the configuration of the elevator door as determined by the position sensor.

Abstract: Examples described herein relate to apparatuses and methods of providing automated teller machine (ATM) security. A method includes detecting, by the ATM, an intruder proximate the ATM using sensed detection information, determining intruder type information based on the sensed detection information, transmitting the intruder type information to a provider computing system, receiving an instruction to use a level of security defense measure based on the intruder type information, using the level of security defense measure, monitoring a movement of the intruder in response to the level of security defense measure, and in response to the movement of the intruder, determining whether to use an increased level of security defense measure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a potential object for a powered door of a vehicle. The system includes an electronic control unit and a noncontact sensor, the noncontact sensor having a field-of-view substantially including an obstacle detection zone defined for a powered door. The electronic control unit is configured to receive data from the noncontact sensor, determine, based on the data received from the noncontact sensor, an object located at a position within the field-of-view of the noncontact sensor, determine whether the position of the object is within the obstacle detection zone defined for the powered door, and in response to the position of the object being within the obstacle detection zone for the powered door, perform an automatic action with respect to the powered door before the powered door contacts the object.

Abstract: An inductive power outlet operable to transfer power to an inductive power receiver includes a driver wired to a primary inductive coil and operable to provide a driving voltage across the primary inductive coil. The primary inductive coil is configured to form an inductive couple having a characteristic resonant frequency with at least one secondary inductive coil wired to an electric load, the secondary inductive coil being associated with the inductive power receiver. The driving voltage oscillates at a transmission frequency substantially different from the characteristic resonant frequency of the inductive couple.

Abstract: Geiger mode avalanche photo diodes are solid state photodetectors that are able to detect single photons. Such Geiger mode avalanche photo diodes are also referred to as single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs). An array of SPADs can be used as a single detector element in an active sensing system, but camera/sensor systems based on SPAD arrays have at least two shortcomings due to ambient light. First, solar background light can hamper the ability to accurately determine depth. Second, ambient light impacts the reflectivity precision because of challenges differentiating between reflected light and ambient light. Embodiments enable active sensors that remove the ambient signal from a sensor's optical input. Other embodiments produce sensor intensity values that have higher precision than typical SPAD array devices. Further embodiments produce sensor depth values that have higher precision than typical SPAD array devices.

Abstract: A system and method for detection and identification of an Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) employs a radar system to detect and identify the UAS based on the rich Doppler spectrum generated by one or more rotors and associated motors onboard the UAS. UAS have a low radar cross sections (RCS), relatively low speed, and possess a unique Doppler signature providing data for the system to discriminate once the system detects the quadcopter UAS. The system and method functions as a traditional radar, yet analyzes the micro-Doppler signature, including the RCS and radial speed, to detect and identify the UAS. Based on the signature analysis, the system and method are able to distinguish one model from other types of UAS.

Abstract: Aspects of systems, method, and computer-readable storage media are described herein that are configured to provide operator fleet performance benchmarking and analytics. A fleet analytics system may include user-friendly front end client application with which a non-technical user may interface, and a back end analytics and visualization system that is deployed on the cloud and offered as a service to determine a subset of ‘like operators’ to utilize as a baseline in a benchmark analysis, to benchmark a target operator's performance against the subset of like operators, determine analytics resulting from the benchmark analysis, and to generate visualizations of the analytics for display to the user/operator.

Abstract: Requests to perform activity with respect to a customer account can be monitored to attempt to detect fraudulent activity due to compromised customer credentials or other unauthorized access. The unauthorized party can request actions such as to create a new account, mount a snapshot of customer data, and exfiltrate the customer data. Various embodiments monitor such requests and permissions granted to accounts not directly owned by a customer, and can apply automatic mitigations for suspicious activity in order to reduce the risk of exposing data to unauthorized accounts. Such an offering determines mitigations to perform, such as to block, alert, rate limit, or terminate the linked or non-linked account based on account reputation. The detection mechanism can use various heuristics to make mitigation decisions, as may consider factors such as account age, geolocation, access history, device fingerprint, network domain, payment type, prior suspicious activity, and the like.

Abstract: A system for distinguishing target metal objects from each other in close proximity to each other. The method includes transmitting a first sinusoid signal via a first transmit coil to a first receive coil in close proximity to the first transmit coil; transmitting a second sinusoidal signal at a second frequency and amplitude different from the first frequency and amplitude to a second receive coil arranged in close proximity to the second transmit coil and in close proximity to the first receive coil such that received signals in the first and second receive coils include first and second frequency signals from the other of the first and second transmit coils. The received signals are separated via frequency domain multiplexing. The signals are compared to detect a presence of the target having a signal magnitude different from the first received signal and the received second signal and a known reference point.

Abstract: A point of sale (POS) security system includes a POS device including a non-transitory memory, one or more hardware processors, and one or more environment sensors. A plurality of POS instructions are located on the non-transitory memory in the POS device and executable by the one or more hardware processors in the POS device to provide a POS engine that is configured to receive and transmit payment information for conducting a payment transaction associated with a purchase. A plurality of security instructions are located on the non-transitory memory in the POS device and are executable by the one or more hardware processors in the POS device to provide a security engine that is configured to receive environment signals from the one or more environment sensors in the POS device and analyze those environment signals to determine a security breach.

Abstract: A monitoring system comprising a transmitter and a receiver, the transmitter including a laser transmitter assembly selectively securable to a transmitter post between a transmitter proximate position adjacent a base end of the post and a transmitter distal position adjacent a distal end of the post, the laser transmitter assembly including a laser source arranged to project a laser beam from the transmitter, the receiver to be located a transmission distance from the transmitter and including a laser receiver assembly selectively securable to a receiver post between a receiver proximate position adjacent a base end of the post and a receiver distal position adjacent a distal end of the post to be aligned with the laser transmitter assembly to receive the laser beam, the laser receiver assembly including a detector to detect the laser beam and generate a signal in response to a laser beam interruption event.

Abstract: A time-of-flight (TOF) sensor device includes: an illumination component that emitting a light beam toward a viewing space; a receiving lens element receiving reflected light and directing the reflected light to a photo-receiver array; and a processor. The processor is configured to generate distance information for a pixel corresponding to an object in the viewing space based on time-of-flight analysis of the reflected light; record a variation of an intensity of the reflected light from the object over time to yield intensity variation information; record a variation of the distance information for the pixel corresponding to the object over time to yield distance variation information; and apply a correction factor to the distance information in response to a determination that the intensity variation information and the distance variation information do not conform to an inverse-square relationship.

Abstract: A radio communication apparatus according to an exemplary aspect includes: a detection unit configured to detect an object flying in the vicinity of a propagation path of directional radio waves; a distance calculation unit configured to calculate a distance between the propagation path of the radio waves and the object detected by the detection unit; a change amount determination unit configured to determine a change amount of a transmission power value used in performing transmission of the radio waves in accordance with the distance calculated by the distance calculation unit; and a signal control unit configured to control the transmission power value based on the change amount determined by the change amount determination unit. The change amount determination unit adopts a positive value as the change amount when the calculated distance is equal to or smaller than the prescribed distance.

Abstract: A computer assisted method for processing output from a mmWave sensor to derive a more reliable count of people in a room, zone or space being monitored by the sensor. In some examples, damping is applied to a varying “people count” signal from the sensor. The damping reduces volatility of the people count and avoids counting anomalous false positive detections. When the people count value decreases, damping may be applied more heavily to disregard intermittent false negatives where the sensor momentarily fails to detect an actual person. In some examples, the mmWave sensor provides point clouds representing the approximate shape and location of detected apparent objects, some of which may be people. Some example methods define digital targets corresponding to the point clouds. The targets are deemed to represent real people if the objects and their corresponding targets have sufficient lifespan and exhibit movement within a predetermined normal range.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial system (UAS) detection device includes a sensor having programmed instructions to cause the sensor to scan energy in an electromagnetic spectrum; process the energy in the electromagnetic spectrum into bursts; determine whether the bursts are valid UAS bursts based on burst criteria; and correlate the bursts into a single signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to controlling a vehicle security system for a vehicle configured for habitation. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to selectively activating one of a first security mode and a second security mode, wherein the first security mode is configured to allow the vehicle to be used as a domicile.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for initializing a dimensioning system based on a location of a vehicle carrying an object to be dimensioned. An example method disclosed herein includes receiving, from a location system, location data indicating a location of a vehicle carrying an object; responsive to the location data indicating that the vehicle is approaching an imaging area, initializing, using a logic circuit, a sensor to be primed for capturing data representative of the object; receiving, from a motion detector carried by the vehicle, motion data indicating a speed of the vehicle; and triggering, using the logic circuitry, the sensor to capture data representative of the object at a sample rate based on the speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: An assist apparatus for assisting a user or an occupant of a vehicle to get out of the vehicle, the assist apparatus configured to be capable of opening a door of the vehicle automatically upon a request operation for opening the door by the user.

Abstract: Exterior lighting on vehicles and buildings is typically used to illuminate scenes for better vision. The same exterior lighting can be used as part of an active sensor at discrete times during the sensor's active imaging cycles. In embodiments, an intelligent control module enables emitter output in accordance with the imaging system during active imaging cycles and enables emitter output in accordance with the non-imaging lighting control unit during non-imaging cycles. Embodiments of intelligent control modules can be used in security applications, in Automatic Driving Alert Systems and Autonomous Control Systems for commercial and passenger vehicles, and in low-altitude aircraft applications.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that, in some aspects, provide an opening mechanism comprising an interior and an exterior door handle and sensors to detect movement of each door handle. A door position sensor may be provided. An alarm module for generating an alarm may be connected to at least one of the sensors. A method may include receiving a door handle actuation signal, determining whether the door handle actuation signal is from an inside door handle or an outside door handle and performing a function. One or more methods include determining an event, including an attempted entry, a forced entry and an incomplete entry.

Abstract: A crane control system for controlling a plurality of cranes is provided. The crane control system in some embodiments includes a master controller unit, at least one computer readable memory for storing a plurality of tokens, each token from the plurality of tokens associated with a respective crane from the plurality of cranes, and a processing unit responsive to commands inputtable by an operator of the master controller unit to send the commands to individual cranes from the plurality of cranes, wherein the processing unit associates the commands with respective tokens to control the cranes associated with those tokens. The crane control system in some embodiments also includes a processing unit that is responsive to a signal indicative of a synchronization loss to issue a command to bring the plurality of cranes into a safe condition, such as an emergency stop, or a corrective action.

Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure, voltage sensing techniques using a voltage sensing device are employed to identify sources of electromagnetic radiation and provide warnings to a user about high levels of electromagnetic radiation. By way of example, the voltage sensing device may be a wearable device and may provide auditory, visual, and tactile alerts to a user.

Abstract: Systems for personalized intent prediction may perform a process including receiving image data depicting the behavior of a person on approach toward a secure location, generating intent data including data representing a current trajectory of the person on the current approach, comparing the intent data with a personal statistical model for the person that includes data representing trajectories associated with historical approaches by the person toward the secure location and respective result data indicating whether the historical approach resulted in the person entering the secure location, determining, dependent on the comparing, a personalized intent score representing a likelihood that the person intends to enter the secure location on the current approach, and pre-emptively enabling, or refraining from pre-emptively enabling, entry to the secure location prior to the person reaching the secure location based on whether the personalized intent score meets or exceeds a predetermined minimum confidence t

Abstract: A microwave sensor device is for detecting activity and for sending and/or receiving a communications signal to/from a second microwave sensor device. A microwave transceiver is used for transmitting a microwave transmit signal and for receiving a microwave receive signal. For motion detection, the microwave receive signal is a reflected version of the microwave transmit signal and the signals are processed to identify first signal characteristics. For communication, the microwave transmit signal is a communications signal for detection at another sensor device. The transmit and microwave receive signals are processed to identify second characteristics. This sensor device detects motion and also transmits and/or receives a communications signal using the same transceiver. In particular, the communications signal is designed to be detected by a remote sensor device in the same way as for motion detection.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying an object in one space monitored by at least one radar transceiver. The method comprises storing intervals of critical distance values (10) associated with the position of a fixed object upon which a time-varying radio signal shadow may be generated, which may be confused with a moving object. Through successive radar detections, the signals are processed and generate a measurement range profile (40), from which a background range profile (41) is extracted to obtain an object range profile (50). The distance of a possible detected object (60) is determined from the analysis of the object range profile. If the distance of the object (4) is external to the critical intervals (51), the object is classified as valid (55). If the distance is internal to the intervals, the detected object may be a shadow and unless further checks are performed, its presence is not indicated.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems comprising: a transmitter background; a receiver background; a plurality of transmitter units affixed on the transmitter background, each transmitting an encoded electromagnetic wave (EM), wherein the electromagnetic wave is transmitted as a wide beam; and a plurality of receiver units affixed on the receiver background, wherein each of the plurality of the transmitter units is in electromagnetic communication with at least one of the receiver units.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment the present invention relates to a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) covert terrain following outdoor perimeter security sensor that can detect, locate and categorize intruders as they move in proximity to buried sensor cables. This MIMO cable guided radar utilizes parallel standard leaky coaxial cables with uniform aperture(s) in the outer conductor. RF transmissions from both ends of one cable setup an invisible electromagnetic detection field which couples into parallel receive cables. When an intruder moves within the coupled electromagnetic fields the amplitude and phase of the multiple received signals are altered. Signals received from both ends of each receive cable are processed jointly to detect and locate intruders along the length of the sensor cables. The joint processing of the responses seen from both ends of the cable(s), referred to as End-to-End correlation provides uniform sensitivity along the length of cables without the need for expensive “graded” cables.

Abstract: A detection apparatus includes: a transmitter transmitting an electric wave toward an inside of a vehicle; a receiver receiving the transmitted electric wave each time the transmitter transmits the electric wave, and performing output in accordance with reception strength of the received electric wave; and a determination portion, based on the reception strength of the electric wave received by the receiver, comparing a change mode of the electric wave received by the receiver changing over time to a predetermined reference mode and determining whether a person is present between the receiver and the transmitter.

Abstract: A processing device according to the present invention includes an object identification unit that generates, based on data measured by sensors, an object identification information that is information indicative of a state of an object, and a reliability degree determination unit that determines a reliability degree of the object identification information using at least one of individual information of the sensors, environmental information obtained when the sensors have performed the measurement, and time information that is a time at which the sensors have performed measurement.

Abstract: A wearable electric field detector configured to be worn by a wearer in an environment includes inner and outer housings which are movable relative to each other between a closed position and an open position. When in the closed position, a body of the inner housing is concealed within the outer housing, and when in the open position, the body is partially visible to visually indicate that the detector is open. The detector includes field detection circuitry which is configured to detect voltage in an electric field in the environment around the wearer. The circuitry is in communication with at least one of a speaker and a light source which are configured to be activated by the field detection circuitry.

Abstract: Real-time detection and alerting for swimming pool safety includes obtaining signals from sensor devices installed in a swimming pool area having a swimming pool, ascertaining, based on the obtained signals, that an individual has entered the swimming pool and identifying, based on the obtained signals, characteristics of the individual who has entered the swimming pool, determining whether to raise an alert about the individual having entered the swimming pool, the determining being based at least in part on location of one or more other individuals relative to the swimming pool area and on checking pre-configured parameters for alerting, and performing processing based on the determining whether to raise an alert.

Abstract: A biosensitive perimeter includes a support, an excitation wire, an induction wire, a lead wire, a pulse signal generator, a triode, a step-up transformer, a processor, and an alarm; wherein, said excitation wire and said induction wire pass through a plurality of supports in parallel, and said excitation wire is used to form an induced electric field, and said induction wire is located in said induced electric field to sense the change information of said induced electric field caused by the biological magnetic field of a human body, and to transmit the sensed information of the induced electric field to the processor that is used to receive the information of the induced electric field sensed by the induction wire, and to determine whether the alarm is required to be activated; and said excitation wire and said induction wire are arranged in parallel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques for affecting the resolution of an optical scanning system. More specifically, a receiver of the optical scanning system includes a set of photodetectors and an optical beam directing subsystem. The optical beam directing subsystem is configured to, in each scan step of a plurality of scan steps, receive light reflected from a target region illuminated by a scanning beam and including a plurality of areas, and direct light reflected from each area of the plurality of areas to a corresponding photodetector in the set of photodetectors. Each photodetector of the set of photodetectors receives light reflected from a corresponding area of the plurality of areas to generate a detection signal.

Abstract: An image processing system with a camera system and a processing system analyzes a series of images of a scene to assess an optical property of an object in the scene. A surface of an object that is differentiable from other objects and has a common point that can be identified and analyzed in the series of images captured from different distances of the camera system to the object and different angular orientations of the camera system relative to the object. A set of characteristic values of the image pixels corresponding to the common point is determined that include a point intensity value, a distance from the camera system to the common point, a normal vector for the common point, and an angular orientation between an optical path of the image pixel and the normal vector. The set of characteristics values are used to create an optical profile of the common point that is compared to a set of predefined characteristic profiles to identify the object.

Abstract: A camera-based surveillance system operates to detect presence of unauthorized individuals in digital images taken by a camera unit at a venue visited by individuals that are either authorized or unauthorized. A control unit in the surveillance system obtains, from a positioning system, a position parameter for each authorized individual located at the venue, processes each digital image for detection of one or more individuals, and detects presence of one or more unauthorized individuals in the digital image as a function of the individual(s) detected in the digital image and the position parameter(s) for the one or more authorized individuals. The positioning system may comprise a base station for receiving authorized data transmissions generated by wireless communication devices located at said venue, and a positioning module for determining the position parameter of the respective communication device with respect to the base station based on a respective authorized data transmission.

Abstract: Incontinence management systems, methods, and sensors are provided that alert the caregiver when a patient's brief has been soiled. A resonant circuit includes a polyaniline/carbon black (PANI/CB) composite chemiresistor which undergoes a large impedance change upon exposure to the vapor or ‘smell’ of urine or feces. Due to the impedance change of the PANI/CB resistor, characteristics of the resonant circuit change when the sensor is exposed to urine or feces vapor. The sensor responds to an interrogating signal with a signal based least in part on the sensor's impedance and indicates the condition of the brief as soiled or clean.

Abstract: Various devices and methods detect obstacles and/or people and then communicate that information to a user. One mobile device senses people and their relative angle orientation. Then it communicates the angle to the user. An apparatus uses a sensor component to detect heat sources within a field of view. In response to an object being detected, a processing component determines whether the object is a heat source; and, if the object is a heat source, a feedback component alerts the user. One method includes receiving a notification that an object is in a field of view of a device and a temperature of the object. A determination is made as to whether the object is a person based on the temperature. In response to determining that the object is a person, a user is alerted.

Abstract: A system for scanning a form of interest, while the form of interest is in motion, is provided. The system comprises a first detector panel-pair, comprising a first detector panel and a second detector panel, spatially offset from the first detector panel by a first continuous passageway for the motion of the form of interest. A second detector panel-pair comprises a third detector panel and a fourth detector panel, spatially offset from the third detector panel by a second continuous passageway for the motion of the form of interest, and a location-tracking device adapted to monitor the location of the form of interest.

Abstract: A hydroelectric power generation device is structure to utilize water flowing to generate electrical power that could be supplied to a bathroom installation and is generally made up of a functional main body, a battery assembly, and a power generation module. The functional main body has two opposite sides each including a mounting end formed thereon. The functional main body forms therein a receiving chamber. The power generation module includes a stator and a rotor. The rotor is coupled, in a manner of being rotatable, to an axle, which is coupled to a vane wheel. Water flowing into the device drives the vane wheel and the rotor to rotate simultaneously so that magnetic interaction between the rotor and the stator generates electrical power that is supplied to a sensor controlling supply of water flow. A sleeve is fit over the axle for correcting and stably supporting the axle in rotation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an access control system for use in restricted areas (400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900) and industrial environments comprising at least one controlled electrostatic field sensor (100) connected to at least one antenna (1); wherein said antenna (1) is configured as a single electrode, such that said sensor (100) measures the disturbances in the electrostatic field around said antenna (1) in a particular direction, and wherein the controlled electrostatic field sensor (100) is configured for detecting a disturbance in the electrostatic field generated by its own antenna (1). The sensor (100) is connected to a control device (40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90).

Abstract: An active camera system images successive frames of a scene utilizing an array of detectors configured to produce a response having a linear relationship to a number of incident photons. Multi-frame capture is utilized with differentiated frame illumination for successive frames. Frame processing allows the camera to produce, at the pixel level, different image intensities representing maximum signal intensity, ambient signal intensity, and object signal intensity. The linearized response of detectors in the lighting-invariant image sensor is used to establish non-attenuated signal strength that enables shadow removal and glare removal for one or more of the image signals. Embodiments of a lighting-invariant image sensor may be used in Autonomous and Semi-Autonomous Vehicle Control/Assist Systems.

Abstract: A display system for use in a vehicle is disclosed including a camera configured to capture frames corresponding to a field of view. The camera is in communication with a processing unit configured to receive data representative of objects within the captured frames from the camera. A display is in communication with the processing unit which is configured to display objects based on the data representative of the captured frames received by the processing unit. Multi-frame capture is utilized with differential inter-frame illumination to provide low-visibility object detection and display. Adverse environmental conditions whereby image display is enhanced include fog, rain, snow, dust, nighttime, and high-glare scenarios.

Abstract: The present invention provides a three-dimensional electric field sensor for hard hats, the sensor having a stand-alone structure and constructed of polymeric and hydrophobic materials, and intended for three-dimensional measurement of the electric field in energized powerlines by its disposition on hard hats. The three-dimensional sensor of the present invention has an outer shell with a base attaching to the hard hat and a cover attaching to the base, an inner shell functioning as a capacitive sensor as well as protecting an internal electronic board, a battery and adapter assembly as a power supply, and a warning buzzer, in order to provide complete optimization procedures to alert electric utility linemen of exceedingly close proximity to medium voltage conductors in powerlines.

Abstract: A content detection device is provided. The content detection device includes a first sensor and a controller. The first sensor is disposed near a space. The controller is coupled to the first sensor and detects a state of the first sensor. The controller performs a determination operation to determine whether an object is disposed in the space according to the detected state of the first sensor.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and apparatus for increased sensitivity of a capacitive proximity sensor. The method and apparatus may comprise additional external capacitors coupled in parallel with internal variable capacitors to increase the effective capacitance of a detection circuit allowing for a larger sensing element, and therefore a stronger sensing field, without increasing the applied voltage or the internal capacitance of the proximity sensor. In alternative embodiments, the methods and apparatus may be configured to operate as one of a transmission electrode and a reception electrode to increase the strength of the sensing field.