Cable-actuated position sensors are described that employ multiple block and tackle arrangements to measure displacement of a draw wire or flexible cable. The disclosed sensors are relatively small and inexpensive. The disclosed sensors may also be used as part of a servo motor, or in conjunction with gear motors to provide positional information for operation of the gear motor.

A method for determining the length of a line involves determining a length of a first electrical line, determining an identifier of the first electrical line, determining a length of a second electrical line, which is intended for installation in an electrical installation assembly, based on the length of the first electrical line and a starting length determined by means of the identifier.

An electronic device with a two-dimensional capacitance sensing area, a camera, one or more processors and memory detects a predefined capacitance distribution of an object that is placed on or near the two-dimensional capacitance sensing area. The object includes a predefined visual pattern on the object. The device, in response to detecting the predefined capacitance distribution of the object that is placed on or near the two-dimensional capacitance sensing area, performs a first predefined operation in accordance with first information encoded by the predefined capacitance distribution of the object. The device detects the predefined visual pattern on the object using the camera, and performs the first predefined operation in accordance with second information encoded in the predefined visual pattern detected using the camera.

A method for determining a length of a span of electrically conductive material, comprising a first voltage measurement across the entire span, and a second voltage measurement across a constant-length segment of the span. The dual measurements allow the calculation of the span length in a manner that is robust to many disturbances including ambient temperature, material temperature, and material stress and fatigue.

A devise that will increase an inductive proximity sensor's detection distance and detection position. The devise uses a housing in combination with a sensor and axially magnetized magnet and a target magnet to achieve the increased detection distance and position. The devise can be defined as universal because it allows different manufacturers and sizes of sensors to be used and calibrated. A treaded end section of the devise allows connection of standard conduit fittings.

The present invention will provide a measuring device embedded within an elastic garment that will provide detect bodily movement by deforming a conductive material and measuring the change in electrical quantities within the conductive material as it deforms. Furthermore, the present invention will provide a measuring device configured to incorporate machine learning algorithms to estimate physiological, kinematic, dynamic, psychological, physical, biological, or other health parameters based upon the variations in electrical quantities within the conductive material as it deforms. This is accomplished through an elastic textile, a conductive element embedded within the elastic textile, and an electronic device configured to measure electrical quantities of the conductive element. These elements work in conjunction to detect and monitor movement in the human body.

The present invention will provide a measuring device embedded within an elastic garment that will provide detect bodily movement by deforming a conductive material and measuring the change in electrical quantities within the conductive material as it deforms. Furthermore, the present invention will provide a measuring device configured to incorporate machine learning algorithms to estimate physiological, kinematic, dynamic, psychological, physical, biological, or other health parameters based upon the variations in electrical quantities within the conductive material as it deforms. This is accomplished through an elastic textile, a conductive element embedded within the elastic textile, and an electronic device configured to measure electrical quantities of the conductive element. These elements work in conjunction to detect and monitor movement in the human body.

An object detection system includes a reader waveguide (101) formed as an open transmission line, an RFID tag (102) placed above the reader waveguide (101), a signal strength acquisition unit (103) that acquires signal strength of a read signal read from the RFID tag (102) by electromagnetic coupling through the reader waveguide (101), and an object detection unit (104) that detects physical characteristics of an object (105) corresponding to the acquired signal strength based on a relationship between a plurality of (three or more values of) signal strength of the read signal and physical characteristics of the object to be detected.

An object detection system includes a reader waveguide (101) formed as an open transmission line, an RFID tag (102) placed above the reader waveguide (101), a signal strength acquisition unit (103) that acquires signal strength of a read signal read from the RFID tag (102) by electromagnetic coupling through the reader waveguide (101), and an object detection unit (104) that detects physical characteristics of an object (105) corresponding to the acquired signal strength based on a relationship between a plurality of (three or more values of) signal strength of the read signal and physical characteristics of the object to be detected.

Measuring distance along a wire rope, by steps that include moving the wire rope across a sensor head; counting rotations of a rotary encoder driven by the moving wire rope; detecting a first distance marker crossing the sensor head at a first position of the wire rope; detecting a second distance marker crossing the sensor head at a second position of the wire rope; and establishing calibration parameters for producing a calibrated distance measurement corresponding to any output of the rotary encoder, based at least on correlating a known distance between the first and second distance markers to a counted number of pulses of the rotary encoder between the first and second positions of the wire rope.