Abstract: A vibration-driven energy harvesting element includes: a pair of fixed electrode portions that have a plurality of fixed comb teeth and are arranged such that the plurality of fixed comb teeth face each other; and a movable electrode portion that is arranged between the pair of fixed electrode portions and has a pair of a plurality of movable comb teeth being inserted between the fixed comb teeth of the respective fixed electrode portions, wherein: the vibration-driven energy harvesting element has a three-terminal structure in which the fixed comb teeth and/or the movable comb teeth are electretized; a gap dimension of a clearance region between the fixed comb teeth and the movable comb teeth is smaller than 20 ?m; and an aspect ratio being a ratio of a dimension of the clearance region in a comb tooth height direction to the gap dimension of the clearance region, is 20 or more.

Abstract: There is disclosed in an example, a pourable smart matter having a plurality of compute nodes, the compute nodes having: a mechanical structure having a plurality of faces, the faces having abutting face detectors; a network interface; and one or more logic elements comprising a positional engine to: identify a neighbor compute node abutting at least one of the faces; and build an individual positional profile based at least in part on the identifying. The pourable smart matter may be used, for example, to determine the geometry or volume of a container.

Abstract: A vibration energy harvester includes: a first electrode; and a second electrode that can be displaced relative to the first electrode along a predetermined vibrating direction. At least either of a surface of the first electrode and a surface of the second electrode facing opposite each other is electrically charged. Power is generated as the second electrode becomes displaced causing a change in electrostatic capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode. A range having included therein at least a vibrational center of the second electrode, over which the electrostatic capacitance remains unchanged even as the second electrode is displaced, is set.

Abstract: A hearing aid may utilize a companion microphone, separate from the hearing aid itself, for improving the understanding of speech spoken by a particular person or produced by a particular sound source. The companion microphone is a battery-powered hearing aid accessory device that picks up ambient sound and transmits corresponding radio signals to the hearing aid. Described herein are schemes help to preserve battery life in a companion microphone by using adaptive radio transmission power control.

Abstract: A system including a sensor and an electrical cable including electrical conductors, which are provided with an electrically insulating sheathing, the sensor being accommodated in a housing, the conductors of the cable are exposed from the sheathing at certain locations and the housing is fastened in an integrally bonded or form-fitting manner on the conductors of the cable at the exposed locations in the sheathing, and an electrically insulating sheathing is provided, which encloses the housing in a form-fitting manner and covers at least the cable in the area of the housing.

Abstract: An electronic device including a processor, at least one sensor in communication with the processor, wherein the processor is configured to determine an orientation of the device and drop event based on input from the at least one sensor. The electronic device further includes a motor in communication with the processor and a mass operably connected to the motor. The processor is configured to drive the motor when a drop event is determined and the mass is configured to rotate with respect to the motor to alter the orientation of the device.

Abstract: A memristor-based oscillator can be fully implemented without any reactance element.

Abstract: A memristor-based emulator including a memristor circuit for use in digital modulation that includes a first current feedback operational amplifier (CFOA) having multiple terminals in communication with a capacitor Cd and in further communication with a resistor Ri. A second CFOA having multiple terminals is in communication with the first CFOA and is adapted to be in further communication with a voltage vM to provide an input current iM for integration by a capacitor Ci. A nonlinear resistor is in communication with the second CFOA. A third CFOA having multiple terminals is in communication with the nonlinear resistor and is in further communication with the first CFOA and a resistor Rd. The third CFOA and the resistor Rd act as an inverting amplifier associated with the nonlinear resistor to increase a current gain to increase a difference between ON and OFF values of a resistance of a realized memristor.

Abstract: Signal-processing devices having memristors are described for performing frequency-discrimination functions, amplitude-discrimination functions, and time-oriented functions. In each case, the time-domain behavior of the memristors described herein enables these functions to be performed. In one embodiment, memristance of an arrangement of memristors of a device is, after an initial transitional period, predominantly at a first level if frequency of an input signal of the device is less than a first frequency and predominantly at a second level if the frequency of the input signal is greater than a second frequency.

Abstract: Patient monitoring systems can include a system for transmitting information from a patient parameter sensor to a patient monitor. The system can include an analog-to-digital converter close to the patient parameter sensor and can transmit digital signals through a cable to the patient monitor.

Abstract: The present invention provides an operation device which has a stable operation feeling with a simple configuration and has a high reliability and an excellent operability. An electrode terminal portion which is arranged just below an operation region on a top plate made of a material having an electric insulating property, and serves as an electrostatic capacity type touch switch has a detection portion which comes into close contact with a back surface of the operation region, a spring portion which has an elastic force pressing the detection portion to the back surface of the top plate, and a slide portion which is movably retained in the guide holder.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus fixes a level to a level set by a level setting member when a detection unit detects that a lock member is operated to be brought into a lock state, and invalidates setting of the level made by the level setting member. After the detection unit detects that the lock member is operated to release the lock state, at the time the level setting member is operated, releases the fixation of the level.

Abstract: An exemplary apparatus for measuring characteristics of a circuit board includes an embedded controller, a first resistor, and a second resistor. The embedded controller includes an A/D (analog to digital) conversion terminal. The A/D conversion terminal receives a DC (direct current) voltage via the first resistor. The A/D conversion terminal is grounded via the second resistor. Resistances of the first resistor and the second resistor indicate different characteristics of the circuit board. The A/D conversion terminal detects a voltage value of a connection point between the first resistor and the second resistor. The embedded controller analyzes characteristics of the circuit board according to the voltage value.

Abstract: There is provided a transparent conductor including conductive nanoparticles and at least one of (a) a fluorinated acid polymer and (b) a semiconductive polymer doped with a fluorinated acid polymer. The nanoparticles are carbon nanoparticles, metal nanoparticles, or combinations thereof. The carbon and metal nanoparticles are selected from nanotubes, fullerenes, and nanofibers. The acid polymers are fluorinated or highly fluorinated and have acidic groups including carboxylic acid groups, sulfonic acid groups, sulfonimide groups, phosphoric acid groups, phosphonic acid groups, and combinations thereof. The semiconductive polymers comprise homopolymers and copolymers derived from monomers selected from substituted and unsubstituted thiophenes, pyrroles, anilines, and cyclic heteroaromatics, and combinations of those. The compositions may be used in organic electronic devices (OLEDs).

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas-insulated high-voltage switchgear, comprising at least one bus bar with three phase conductors, whereby each phase conductor is connected to the input of a respectively provided bus bar section. The phase conductor and the bus bar section are arranged in a three-phase bus bar module with three single-phase power switches, each arranged in a separate power switch housing and each bus bar section is connected at the output therefrom to a respectively provided power switch.

Abstract: A method of forming a device on a substrate comprising creating a depository and at least one attached capillary; the depository being of millimeter scale; providing a liquid containing particles in the range 1 nanometer to 1 millimeter; depositing into the depository the liquid containing particles which flows into at least one capillary by capillary action; evaporating the liquid such that the particles form an agglomerate beginning at the end of the at least one capillary with a substantially uniform distribution of the particles within the agglomerate; which is used to form a device. A microelectronic integrated circuit device comprising a substrate; a depository coupled to said substrate, the depository being formed by at least one wall adjacent to the substrate; at least one capillary channel coupled to at least one depository that is formed by walls adapted to be filled with a liquid (by capillary action) comprising nanoparticles.

Abstract: Signal-processing devices having memristors are described for performing frequency-discrimination functions, amplitude-discrimination functions, and time-oriented functions. In each case, the time-domain behavior of the memristors described herein enables these functions to be performed. In one embodiment, memristance of an arrangement of memristors of a device is, after an initial transitional period, predominantly at a first level if frequency of an input signal of the device is less than a first frequency and predominantly at a second level if the frequency of the input signal is greater than a second frequency.

Abstract: A discharge device and a test system having the same are provided. The test system comprises at least one power supply module, a test instrument and a discharge device. The power supply module supplies power to a device under test. The test instrument is connected to the device under test. The test instrument performs a plurality of on-power test procedures on the device under test. The discharge device comprises at least one first constant current discharge unit disposed in the test instrument, at least one second constant current discharge unit disposed in the power supply module and a control module. The control module controls the first and the second constant current discharge units to drain a constant current from the device under test and the power supply module to perform a discharge process when each one of the on-power test procedures is finished.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a semiconductor device that includes a transistor device having a first, a second, and a third node; and an interconnect structure having at least one wire and the wire having a first and a second end with the first end of the wire being connected to one of the first, the second, and the third node of the transistor device. The wire is conductive and adapted to provide an operating current in a first direction during a normal operating mode, and adapted to provide a repairing current in a second direction opposite to the first direction during a repair mode of the semiconductor device. In one embodiment the transistor device is a bipolar transistor with the first, second, and third nodes being an emitter, a base, and a collector of the bipolar transistor. The wire is connected to one of the emitter and the collector. Method of operating the semiconductor device and current supplying circuit for the semiconductor device are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus fixes a level to a level set by a level setting member when a detection unit detects that a lock member is operated to be brought into a lock state, and invalidates setting of the level made by the level setting member. After the detection unit detects that the lock member is operated to release the lock state, at the time the level setting member is operated, releases the fixation of the level.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas-insulated high-voltage switchgear, comprising at least one bus bar with three phase conductors, whereby each phase conductor is connected to the input of a respectively provided bus bar section. The phase conductor and the bus bar section are arranged in a three-phase bus bar module with three single-phase power switches, each arranged in a separate power switch housing and each bus bar section is connected at the output therefrom to a respectively provided power switch.

Abstract: A system and method for protecting devices from impact damage is provided. Prior to impact between a surface and a device, a determination of a risk of damage to the device is made. If the risk of damage to the device exceeds a threshold, a protection system is activated to reduce or substantially eliminate damage to the device.

Abstract: There is provided a transparent conductor including conductive nanoparticles and at least one of (a) a fluorinated acid polymer and (b) a semiconductive polymer doped with a fluorinated acid polymer. The nanoparticles are carbon nanoparticles, metal nanoparticles, or combinations thereof. The carbon and metal nanoparticles are selected from nanotubes, fullerenes, and nanofibers. The acid polymers are fluorinated or highly fluorinated and have acidic groups including carboxylic acid groups, sulfonic acid groups, sulfonimide groups, phosphoric acid groups, phosphonic acid groups, and combinations thereof. The semiconductive polymers comprise homopolymers and copolymers derived from monomers selected from substituted and unsubstituted thiophenes, pyrroles, anilines, and cyclic heteroaromatics, and combinations of those. The compositions may be used in organic electronic devices (OLEDs).

Abstract: The invention relates to a display unit comprising a flexible display having a depicting side for depicting visual information. The flexible display is deformable between a storage state wherein the flexible display is in a deformed position, and a depicting state wherein the depicting side of the flexible display is substantially flat, visible from an exterior point of view and it is possible to control visual information content on the depicting side. Further, the display unit is arranged such that the flexible display is deformable between the storage state and the depicting state to at least one additional state wherein a part of the depicting side of the flexible display is substantially flat, visible from the exterior point of view and it is possible to control visual information content on that part of the depicting part.

Abstract: An electronic device including electronics arranged in an electronics compartment and having electronic and/or electromechanical components. The device automatically detects and/or monitors wear of its electronic and/or electromechanical components and includes an apparatus for detecting and/or monitoring wear of the electronic and/or electromechanical components. Included is at least one element arranged in the electronics compartment. This element is independent of the electronics and has at least one physical property, which changes irreversibly as a function of wear of the element. The apparatus further includes a circuit for measuring the physical property, and an evaluating unit, which, based on the measured physical property, detects and/or monitors wear of the element and makes available a wear-dependent output signal.

Abstract: A method for controlling an SCR-type switch, comprising applying to the switch gate several periods of an unrectified high-frequency voltage, the power of one HF halfwave being insufficient to start the SCR-type switch.

Abstract: This invention uses the new concept of converting RCA or YCbCr to your computer monitor (SCSI). Although all computers are different, the connection for the computer monitor may differ depending on the computer brand.

Abstract: An electronic ballast system controls one or more ballasts of HID or fluorescent lamps, which are controlled in an “on/off” manner by a ultra low power controller that is isolated for a primary power circuit or derives its very low switch power from the ballast itself. The on/off control provides a near lossless control system. This system may be applied to electronic ballast for operates at fractional power levels corresponding to different lighting intensities and with conventional occupancy sensors. The system may also be applied to other electronically compatible end-use devices and applications.

Abstract: A linear feedback device for an actuator comprises: a coiling belt, a return gear wheel, a driven member, and a sensing feedback device. The sensing linear feedback device serves to feedback the displacement data of the driven member that is moveable along a predetermined rail after engaging with the return gear wheel. The return gear wheel is coaxial with the coiling belt, and the coiling belt unwinds or retracts along with the actuator and drives the return gear wheel to rotate. The gear ratio between the return gear wheel and the driven teeth is used to adjust the back and forth moving distance of the probe. The linear feedback device can be installed in a small external hanging type body and offer an absolute position sensing function while preventing the error accumulation.

Abstract: A method and system of generating multipolar electromagnetic energy from bipolar electromagnetic energy, comprising supplying bipolar electromagnetic energy to plural cascades in a bipolar electromagnetic circuit such that at least a portion of said bipolar energy is converted into multipolar energy therein and separating said multipolar energy from other forms of energy produced by said circuit.

Abstract: A flexible film interposer for stacking a flip chip semiconductor die onto a second (bottom) semiconductor die, semiconductor devices and stacked die assemblies that incorporate the flexible film interposer, and methods of fabricating the devices and assemblies are provided. The incorporation of the flexible film interposer achieves densely packaged semiconductor devices, without the need for a redistribution layer (RDL).

Abstract: Composite media having simultaneous negative effective permittivity and permeability over a common band of frequencies. A composite media of the invention combines media, which are either themselves separately composite or continuous media, having a negative permittivity and a negative permeability over a common frequency band. Various forms of separate composite and continuous media may be relied upon in the invention. A preferred composite media includes a periodic array of conducting elements that can behave as an effective medium for electromagnetic scattering when the wavelength is much longer than both the element dimension and lattice spacing The composite media has an effective permittivity &egr;eff(&ohgr;) and permeability &mgr;eff(&ohgr;) which are simultaneously negative over a common set of frequencies. Either one or both of the negative permeability and negative permittivity media used in the invention may be modulable via external or internal stimulus.

Abstract: Extruded shapes, profiles and parts in general based on an ethylene, alpha-olefin elastomeric polymer are manufactured utilizing a tailored approach to polymerization, leading to a polymer that delivers all of the benefits of metallocene based polymers, but without the drawbacks. Additionally, the ethylene, alpha-olefin elastomeric polymer has a broader molecular weight distribution than generally available from metallocene catalyzed elastomeric polymers.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification tag system (10) utilizes a radio frequency identification tag (16) that includes stored tag information. The tag includes an antenna element (30) and a common electrode (28). The antenna element electrostatically receives an exciter signal (34) from a proximately-located electrostatic exciter (12). Upon receiving the exciter signal, the tag becomes energized, thereby causing it to generate a read signal (36) based on the stored tag information. The antenna element then electrostatically sends the read signal to a proximately-located reader (14), which detects the stored tag information. In addition, exactly one of the tag common electrode and the tag antenna element is arranged to magnetically store tag state information. The tag state information represents exactly one state of two possible states and is read by a proximately-located magnetic reader (18).

Abstract: A radio frequency identification tag system (10) utilizes a radio frequency identification tag (16) that includes stored tag information. The tag includes an antenna element (30) and a common electrode (28). The antenna element electrostatically receives an exciter signal (34) from a proximately-located electrostatic exciter (12). Upon receiving the exciter signal, the tag becomes energized, thereby causing it to generate a read signal (36) based on the stored tag information. The antenna element then electrostatically sends the read signal to a proximately-located reader (14), which detects the stored tag information. In addition, exactly one of the tag common electrode and the tag antenna element is arranged to magnetically store tag state information. The tag state information represents exactly one state of two possible states and is read by a proximately-located magnetic reader (18).

Abstract: A backshell construction for an electrical connector which allows multiple cable exits, multiple cable exit directions and multiple cable sizes. A conductive ferrule having a fixed size clamp portion is utilized as an adaptor for different size cables. The backshell is constructed of a pair of duplicate hermaphroditic conductive bodies wherein the rear and side walls may have one or more cable cutouts with engagement structure for gripping the ferrule on each of the cables.

Abstract: A tubular shaped device for insulating an electrical component such as, but not limited to, a dry film capacitor. Along one edge of the device is a rectangular shaped cutout for receiving radially extending leads of the electrical component. The electrical component is secured within the device by spreading the device open, placing the electrical component within the spread-open device, positioning the leads of the electrical component within the cutout and finally permitting the device to once again assume its tubular shape.

Abstract: A dielectric strength tester is disclosed for use with high-voltage, high-volt amperage electrical equipment. The step-up transformer has a high-voltage secondary winding which is connected through first and second primary windings of a sensing transformer to first and second test terminals. If an operator should contact the second test terminal, which is at high voltage, this would cause a fault-to-ground current, which is an imbalance on the two primary windings, and hence supply an output on the secondary winding of the sensing transformer. This voltage is rectified and passed through a set point resistor means to trigger a thyristor into conduction. This thyristor is connected to de-energize a triac in series with the primary of the step-up transformer. The sensing is rapid because it is carried out in the high voltage secondary, yet the control is in the lower voltage primary of the step-up transformer.

Abstract: In order to protect a cable, which can be laid in the soil and the conductors of which are electrically conductively connected with a plurality of electrical circuit units, which are arranged distributed at spacings along the cable in the interior of the cable core (2), which is surrounded by a sheath, which comprises a layer of high electrical conductivity and an outer layer for protection against chemical influences, reliably against electrical and magnetic disturbances coming from outside, the sheath additionally displays an inner layer of a material of high magnetic permeability. Beyond that, the outer layer can possess an electrical conductivity, the value of which lies between the conductivity values of the surrounding soil and the middle layer. In order to be able to produce such a cable as simply as possible, the circuit units are first electrically conductively connected with the conductors and then embedded together with these in the inner protective layer of the cable, for example by extruding-in.

Abstract: A wire detector for semi-automatic wire stripper which responds to capacitance changes caused by sensing a capacitive object such as an exposed wire end and includes signal processing through an oscillator and amplifier circuit providing timer control for activating a relay driver circuit for an adjustable duration time period. The wire touch sensor circuit relay driver is then coupled through a mercury wetted relay which provides electrical isolation from external (switched) voltages to an air solenoid which, when actuated, allows the pneumatic mechanism of the wire stripper to cycle through its functions of wire stripping.

Abstract: An electrostatic shield for an induction coil of a short-wave diathermy unit in the form of radial conductors arranged in a plane with a common point at their center which is grounded. The shield is positioned perpendicularly to the axis of the induction coil between the patient and coil.

Abstract: This invention deals with an improved electrostatic shield which is adapted to be mounted on the applicator of a conventional diathermy apparatus between the radiating electrode thereof and the patient receiving treatment. The shield is comprised of a first and a second plurality of electrically conductive strips which form the body portion of the shield and which encircle the current carrying coil of the radiating electrode. The strips likewise form the face portion of the shield and define a plane which is generally parallel to the plane formed by the current carrying coil.Each strip of the face portion is preferably coupled with one of the strips of the body portion. However, the face portion strips of the shield extend generally radially inward from the outer periphery of the surface defined by the face of the shield. These strips then terminate within the inner portion of the area defined by the shield such that the terminating end of the strips are electrically insulated from each other.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for minimizing or preventing the deleterious skin heating effects associated with conventional short wave diathermy treatment. The disclosed method includes attenuation of the electrostatic field transmitted by the applicator head and transcutaneous transmission of the radiated electromagnetic energy substantially unimpeded to the deep body tissues to be treated. The attenuation of the electrostatic field is performed by an electrostatic shield, which is adapted to be positioned on the diathermy applicator head between the radiating electrode and the patient receiving treatment. However, the radiated electromagnetic field, which is primarily responsible for the therapeutic generation of heat in relatively deep body tissues, passes through the shield substantially unimpeded. The shield comprises a plurality of narrow, preferably metallic, spaced apart strips and an electrically conductive loop which surrounds the strips and is coplanar therewith.