835results about "Magnetic/electric field switches" patented technology

Robotic surgical tools, systems, and methods for preparing for and performing robotic surgery include a memory mounted on the tool. The memory can perform a number of functions when the tool is loaded on the tool manipulator: first, the memory can provide a signal verifying that the tool is compatible with that particular robotic system. Secondly, the tool memory may identify the tool-type to the robotic system so that the robotic system can reconfigure its programming. Thirdly, the memory of the tool may indicate tool-specific information, including measured calibration offsets indicating misalignment of the tool drive system, tool life data, or the like. This information may be stored in a read only memory (ROM), or in a nonvolatile memory which can be written to only a single time. The invention further provides improved engagement structures for coupling robotic surgical tools with manipulator structures.

The invention relates to an electronic device and a method of managing a virtual keyboard of the electronic device. The device comprises a touch pad (106), a processing unit (600) and a feedback unit (612), which provides tactile feedback unit (612) for the user. The processing unit (600) is configured to determine a virtual keyboard (104) for the touch pad (106) and a tactile appearance of the keyboard (104), receive information generated by the pressing of a keyboard (104) key and identify the key that was pressed on the basis of the information. The processing unit (600) is further configured to collect information on the key presses and carry out an analysis of them, and re-determine the tactile appearance of the keyboard (104) on the basis of the collected information and the analysis carried out so as to make the keyboard more ergonomic for the user, which makes it easier to use the keyboard (104) and / or the pressing of a wrong key less likely.

A capacitance detecting proximity sensor forms a proximity detection range in a spatially open region, avoids the effects resulting from peripheral objects outside the detection target, and enables proximity detection with few malfunctions. The proximity sensor includes: a first detection electrode and a second detection electrode that are disposed to have a predetermined range difference h with respect to a detection direction Y in which a detection subject comes into proximity to the proximity sensor and are independent from a ground potential; and a proximity detection circuit that outputs, as a proximity detection output, the difference between a capacitance to ground Ca formed by the first detection electrode and a capacitance to ground Cb formed by the second detection electrode.

Robotic surgical tools, systems, and methods for preparing for and performing robotic surgery include a memory mounted on the tool. The memory can perform a number of functions when the tool is loaded on the tool manipulator: first, the memory can provide a signal verifying that the tool is compatible with that particular robotic system. Secondly, the tool memory may identify the tool-type to the robotic system so that the robotic system can reconfigure its programming. Thirdly, the memory of the tool may indicate tool-specific information, including measured calibration offsets indicating misalignment of the tool drive system, tool life data, or the like. This information maybe stored in a read only memory (ROM), or in a nonvolatile memory which can be written to only a single time. The invention further provides improved engagement structures for coupling robotic surgical tools with manipulator structures.

A rain sensor for use with an irrigation control system includes a position sensing element. A moisture absorptive element is supported for receiving rainfall. An actuating element is mechanically connected to the moisture absorptive element for movement adjacent the position sensing element as the moisture absorptive element expands and contracts to thereby induce a change in the position sensing element that can be used to generate an interrupt signal without any mechanical connection between the moisture absorptive element and the position sensing element.

A capacitive touch screen is described with a touch area including a substantially transparent conductive polymer. The capacitive touch screen also includes circuitry connecting the conductive polymer of the touch area to a power source, where the circuitry is configured to determine a location of a capacitive coupling on the touch area.

The object of the invention is a device, intended for a multifunctional, hand-held tool machine, for example, an electric combination hammer, for the ON / OFF switching or changeover of individual system functions when changing the processing mode, for example, from “hammer drilling” to “chiseling”. Pursuant to the invention, the changeover device, which is to be actuated by the user, is coupled with a mechanical driving mechanism, by which a bistable switch, comprising two mutually oppositely movable elements, is actuated. In a combination hammer, the invention guarantees that, when the chiseling operation is selected, certain functions of the system, such as a monitoring of the reaction moment, are interrupted or changed over.

A switch which is magnetic pole insensitive is described. The switch includes a Hall effect sensor coupled to a threshold circuit which provides an output signal indicative of the proximity of a magnet, and hence a magnetic field, to the Hall effect sensor regardless of the orientation of the magnet to the Hall effect sensor.

An input device has a housing having an operation hole formed therein, an operation member supported in a slidably moving manner in multi-directions within the operation hole, and at least two magnetic sensors, arranged at a periphery of the operation member, for detecting change in magnetic property by displacement of the operation member. The operation member includes a holder having a circular ring-shaped magnet incorporated in a fit-in hole and a central push button having a disc plate made of magnetic material integrated at a lower surface. The central push button is fitted in the circular ring-shaped magnet to adsorb, in a separable manner, the disc plate to the circular ring-shaped magnet and position-regulate the central push button.

The invention relates to an electronic device and a method for managing the keyboard of the electronic device. The electronic device comprises a keyboard and a processing unit connected to the keyboard over a data transmission connection, the processing unit being configured to determine the appearance of the keyboard, receive information generated by pressing of a keyboard key and identify the key that was pressed on the basis of the information. The processing unit is also configured to collect information on the key presses and carry out an analysis of them, and to re-determine the appearance of the keyboard on the basis of the collected information and the analysis carried out so as to make the keyboard more ergonomic for the user, which makes the use of the keyboard easier and / or the pressing of a wrong key less likely.

A control member of the capacitive type for controlling at least one functional member in particular of a motor vehicle, the control member including a rigid support structure, at least one capacitive touch-sensitive detection cell located on or close to one of the faces of the support structure, and at least one control operating zone located on or close to the other face of the support structure in registration with the capacitive touch-sensitive detection cell, wherein the control operating zone includes an elastically deformable part.

A motor starter is provided. The motor starter includes micro-electromechanical system switching circuitry. The system may further include solid state switching circuitry coupled in a parallel circuit with the electromechanical switching circuitry, and a controller coupled to the electromechanical switching circuitry and the solid state switching circuitry. The controller may be configured to perform selective switching of a load current from a motor connected to the motor starter. The switching may be performed between the electromechanical switching circuitry and the solid state switching circuitry in response to a load current condition appropriate to an operational capability of a respective one of the switching circuitries.

A hybrid sensor is formed by stacking a plurality of flexible sheets each provided with electrode patterns. The hybrid sensor includes a contact pressure sensor which has switches turning on or off by a pressure load, and an electrostatic capacitance sensor which detects a nearby object without contacting the object. The electrode patterns include a switching electrode pattern as the switch of the contact pressure sensor and a detecting electrode pattern as the detecting electrode of the electrostatic capacitance sensor. The detecting electrode is formed to cover substantially the entire area other than the area on which the switching electrode pattern is formed.

The current invention provides an improved security system sensor assembly. The sensor assembly of the current invention reduces installation costs when adding a security system. to an existing structure by eliminating the need to install magnets on existing doors. The sensor assembly of the current invention allows the security system to monitor the locked or unlocked status of each monitored door by sensing when a deadbolt lock is in the locked position. Additionally, the sensor assembly will alert the security system when a deadbolt lock is moved from the locked position without authorization.

An object (130), e.g. a human finger or a stylus, is sensed with a plurality of conductors (120, X1, . . . XN). The conductor processing times (TX1, TX2, . . . TXN) but are shifted relative to one other.

The manual control device for executing functions of an electronic watch (1) particularly a diary watch, includes a certain number of sensors (C1 to C7) wherein one touch sensitive pad of each sensor is placed for example on an internal face of the crystal (4). When a user's finger (20) is placed on the watch crystal in a determined zone of the sensitive pad of a sensor to be activated, it causes an electronic circuit (14) of the device to execute an instruction or a function. In a first mode selected by the electronic circuit, at least two sensors are grouped such that the electronic circuit executes the same operation when a finger is placed on the crystal in a determined zone of the sensitive pad of one sensor or the other. However, in a second mode selected by the electronic circuit, each sensor (C1 to C7) activated by the finger (20) provides measuring signals to the electronic circuit (14) for the execution of a different specific operation for each sensor.The sensitive pads of the sensors are distributed on the internal face of the crystal for the purpose of allowing data to be entered into the watch, pre-stored data to be consulted or different function menus to be consulted.

A method for indicating the relative fluid level of a personal hydration bladder, and for alerting the user that the bladder has been depleted to a predetermined level or levels. A non-invasive sensor detects changes in the bladder geometry and transmits the information to a indicating unit worn by the user.

A trackball device of the present invention includes an operating ball, multiple rollers which rotate by contacting the ball while it is rotated, multipole permanent magnets which co-rotate with these rollers, and a reed switch disposed in a position where it turns on and off as a result of changes in magnetic flux caused by the rotation of the permanent magnets so as to provide tactile feedback when the ball is rotated. The trackball device is configured to make an attractive force generated between the reed switch and permanent magnet affect the rotation of the rollers.

Provided are a capacitance type touch member which has a flexible or stereoscopic shape and has a light transmissive detection electrode, and a method for producing the same; and a capacitance type touch detection device provided with the capacitance type touch member. A capacitance type touch member (10) comprised of a film-like or plate-like support element (1) composed of an insulating material, which has a flexible or stereoscopic shape; a detection electrode (2) which is disposed on at least a part of one surface of the support element (1), and is composed of a light transmissive conductive layer containing a carbon nano linear structure such as a carbon nanotube; and a lead wire (3) drawn from the detection electrode (2), is produced. A capacitance type touch detection device is comprised of the touch member (10) and a capacitance detection circuit (60) which is electrically connected to the detection electrode (2) via the lead wire (3), to detect the change of the capacitance due to the access or contact of a human body to a touch surface (4). The detection electrode (2) may be coated with a protection film, and the surface of the protection film may be used as a touch surface.

The present invention provides an apparatus with surface information displaying, wherein a skin unit comprising a flexible display is covered on the surface of a moving object of the apparatus such that the surface of the apparatus is capable of displaying the information such us color, pattern or text immediately by software control. Meanwhile, the flexible display further has a layer of tactile sensing unit for detecting input of interacting signal. In addition, the moving object further integrates an environmental sensing device, an information identifying device or a combination of both and uses the environmental status, text information or audio / video, which are generated from the environmental sensing device or information identifying device, as an input signal through cable or wireless technology so as to generate responsive action through the flexible display or mechanism of the apparatus so that interactivities of the apparatus can be increased.

A rotary manipulation type input device obtains a specified output by detecting intensity changes of magnetic field due to rotation of an operating element by a detecting element disposed on a substrate beneath a base, using a ring-shaped magnet disposed at the lower side of the operating element disposed rotatably on the base. By rotary manipulation of the operating element, an attractive and repulsive force is generated between the ring-shaped magnetic and the magnetic disposed on the base, so that an operation contact click-feeling is obtained, and therefore the rotary click-feeling and signal output can be synchronized easily, and deterioration of rotary click-feeling is very rare.

In an embodiment of the invention it is possible to create an operating unit (11) with a rotary toggle (14), which has an integrated bearing device (15) with which the operating unit (11) can be magnetically fixed to a cover (12). The operating unit (11) has a control means (23) with a microprocessor for evaluating magnetic signalling means (19), which detect a rotation of the rotary toggle (14) relative to the bearing device (15). Through a first transformer (26) in the operating unit (11) and a second transformer (29) on the underside of the cover (12), it is possible to have both a signal transmission and a power transmission between the operating unit (11) and the electrical appliance.

A polisher has a polishing disc on a shaft driven by a brushless DC motor driven by a motor controller mounted spaced from the polisher and adjacent a ground fault interrupt circuit and a power plug. Power and control wires form a cord that provides communication between a speed control switch, and a speed set switch, mounted on a handle of a polisher housing, which is a magnetic field sensor responsive to a movable magnet. The speed set switch sends a signal to the motor controller either to maintain the current speed of the motor or to allow the speed of the motor to vary in accordance with the output of of the speed control switch. The speed control switch is a variable output switch which can be an optical potentiometer constructed by reflecting light from a light source off a reflective surface forming part of a spring loaded trigger.

A control member of the capacitive type for controlling at least one functional member in particular of a motor vehicle, the control member comprising a rigid support structure, at least one capacitive touch-sensitive detection cell located on or close to one of the faces of said support structure, and at least one control operating zone located on or close to the other face of said support structure in register with said capacitive touch-sensitive detection cell, wherein the control operating zone includes elastically deformable means.

An object of the present invention is to provide an input apparatus and input key capable of reducing the number of operations on the input key for input of symbols and permitting a user to designate a symbol to be inputted, by a simpler operation. An input key 10a to which a plurality of symbols or marks are assigned, has a key top 30a to be pushed, a sensor part 32 for detecting a push position on a surface of the key top 30 by a finger or the like used to push the key top 30a, a moving direction detector 34 for detecting a change of the push position of the finger or the like detected by the sensor part 32 and for detecting a moving direction of the finger or the like during movement thereof on the surface of the key top 30, and a switch 40a to change a state with a push on the key top 30, and has a converter 50 for converting a state of the switch 40a and the moving direction detected by the moving direction detector 34, into symbol information.

An electromagnetic opening / closing device A1 includes a detector 5 for detecting an opened or closed state of a contact unit 1; a malfunction determination unit 6 configured to determine presence or absence of malfunction based on the opened or closed state of the contact unit 1 detected through the detector 5 and an opened or closed state of the contact unit 1 corresponding to an exterior command; and an output unit 8 configured to supply an exterior with a determination result by the malfunction determination unit 6.

Operation equipment for a vehicle includes a display having a touch switch with a touch sensor for detecting an operation of a passenger or a driver of the vehicle; an electronic control unit; and a driving sensor for detecting the vehicle moving or stopping. The display displays the touch switch corresponding to a predetermined function. The electronic control unit determines that the predetermined function is allowed to perform when the driving sensor detects the vehicle stopping. The electronic control unit determines that the predetermined function is allowed to perform when the touch sensor detects the operation of the passenger.