Fault detection techniques for control of sensor systems. A sensor control integrated circuit (“IC”) may include a fault detection system for coupling to the sensor supply lines. The system may detect faults for each of the sensor supply lines. The fault detection system may level shift sensor supply line signals from a first voltage domain to a second voltage domain appropriate for the fault detection system of the controller IC. The fault detection system may level shift source potential voltages from the first voltage domain to the second voltage domain to detect predetermined fault types. The fault detection system may compare the second domain voltages from the sensor supply lines to voltages representing predetermined fault types and may generate fault status indicators based on the comparison.

A sensor apparatus includes an interface circuit to which one of a digital sensor and an analog sensor is connected as a sensor that generates an electric signal corresponding to a physical quantity of a detection target and a CPU that calculates the physical quantity of the detection target based on the electric signal generated by the sensor. The interface circuit has a first power supply circuit, a second power supply circuit, a receiver including a receiver circuit, and an operation determination circuit. The first power supply circuit generates an operating voltage of the sensor. The second power supply circuit generates a synchronizing signal for the digital signal. The receiver circuit receives an electric signal generated by the digital sensor. The operation determination circuit stops an operation at least of the second power supply circuit when the analog sensor is used.

A method and apparatus for controlling an electronic device using a rotary control. The method includes receiving, by an electronic processor from an inductance sensor, a first inductance. The method further includes comparing, by the electronic processor, the first inductance to a first threshold. The method further includes, determining, by the electronic processor, a location for the rotary control when the first inductance exceeds the first threshold, the method further includes activating, by the electronic processor, a control function based on the location. The method further includes receiving, by the electronic processor from the inductance sensor, a second inductance. The method further includes determining, by the electronic processor, a delta based on the first inductance and the second inductance. The method further includes adjusting, by the electronic processor, the control function based on the delta.

Electronic devices and methods for providing location information are provided, of which a representative method includes: generating sensor readings corresponding to sensed motion of the electronic device; determining a reference location information; computing a GPS-fused location information based on the reference location information and the sensor readings; generating a GPS-required event based on a change of the GPS-fused location information; generating a GPS-not-required event responsive to the reference location information being determined; receiving the GPS-fused location information and one of either the GPS-required event or the GPS-not-required event; responsive to the GPS-required event being received, operating the GPS receiver in a location information-acquiring mode during which the GPS receiver generates geographical location readings; and responsive to the GPS-not-required event being received, operating the GPS receiver in a power-saving mode during which the GPS receiver is deactivated.

A method is provided for determining temperature changes of an optical fibre having Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) patterns provided in at least one portion (Portion 1) of the optical fibre. The optical fibre is connected between a first detector arrangement and a second detector arrangement. Light is emitted into the optical fibre in a first direction from the first detector arrangement, which receives reflections from the FBG patterns of the emitted light. The reflections are processed for determining a current temperature change related to the optical fibre. On the basis of predetermined criteria, light is emitted into the optical fibre in an opposite second, direction from the second detector arrangement. The second detector arrangement receives reflections from the FBG patterns of the light emitted in the second direction and the reflections are processed for determining a current temperature change related to the optical fibre.

A method is provided for determining temperature changes of an optical fibre having Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) patterns provided in at least one portion (Portion 1) of the optical fibre. The optical fibre is connected between a first detector arrangement and a second detector arrangement. Light is emitted into the optical fibre in a first direction from the first detector arrangement, which receives reflections from the FBG patterns of the emitted light. The reflections are processed for determining a current temperature change related to the optical fibre. On the basis of predetermined criteria, light is emitted into the optical fibre in an opposite second, direction from the second detector arrangement. The second detector arrangement receives reflections from the FBG patterns of the light emitted in the second direction and the reflections are processed for determining a current temperature change related to the optical fibre.

A terminal device has measurement sensors for measuring physical quantities of measurement targets. A storage unit stores information determining a mode for activating the measurement sensors. Based on the information stored in the storage unit, a control unit switches all or part of the measurement sensors from a non-activated state to an activated state when the measurement sensors are to be activated. An activation unit includes an activation sensor driven on the basis of environmental changes. The activation unit is configured to activate the control unit on the basis of detection results from the activation sensor when a physical quantity correlated with the physical quantity of the measurement target satisfies a given activation condition.

A terminal device has measurement sensors for measuring physical quantities of measurement targets. A storage unit stores information determining a mode for activating the measurement sensors. Based on the information stored in the storage unit, a control unit switches all or part of the measurement sensors from a non-activated state to an activated state when the measurement sensors are to be activated. An activation unit includes an activation sensor driven on the basis of environmental changes. The activation unit is configured to activate the control unit on the basis of detection results from the activation sensor when a physical quantity correlated with the physical quantity of the measurement target satisfies a given activation condition.

An adjustable security sensor device is described. The device comprises a magnetic field sensor, a user input element, and a processor. The magnetic field sensor measures and samples magnetic fields from a magnet external to the device. The magnetic field sensor generates a first range of magnetic fields measurements sampled based on a first position of the magnet relative to the magnetic field sensor. The user input element identifies a second range of magnetic fields measurements based on a second position of the magnet relative to the magnetic field sensor. The device generates a sampling of magnetic fields measurements using the magnetic field sensor, compares the sampling of magnetic fields measurements with the first range of magnetic fields measurements and the second range of magnetic fields measurements, and identifies a position of the device relative to the magnet based on the comparison.

A report interval mode is selected from one of multiple selectable report interval modes in cases where the preferred sensor sample intervals of multiple applications are different. By using multiple selectable report interval modes some of the problems that occur when a single fixed report interval mode is used can be avoided.