A hybrid MEMS microfluidic gyroscope is disclosed. The hybrid MEMS microfluidic gyroscope may include a micro-machined base enclosure having a top fluid enclosure, a fluid sensing enclosure and a bottom fluid enclosure. The hybrid MEMS microfluidic gyroscope may include a plurality of cantilevers disposed within the bottom semi-circular portion of the micro-machined base enclosure or a single membrane disposed within the bottom semi-circular portion of the micro-machined base enclosure.

Devices, systems and methods for automatic calibration of rate gyroscope sensitivity are described. One exemplary method includes receiving a first plurality of measurements from a gyroscope and a second plurality of measurements from at least another sensor including at least one accelerometer, generating an orientation estimate of the device and a plurality of orientation corrections based on the first and second plurality of measurements, generating an estimate of a sensitivity of the gyroscope based on the orientation estimate, the plurality of orientation corrections and the first plurality of measurements, and calibrating at least the gyroscope based on the estimate of the sensitivity. In an example, the at least another sensor may include an accelerometer and/or a magnetometer.

Devices, systems and methods for automatic calibration of rate gyroscope sensitivity are described. One exemplary method includes receiving a first plurality of measurements from a gyroscope and a second plurality of measurements from at least another sensor including at least one accelerometer, generating an orientation estimate of the device and a plurality of orientation corrections based on the first and second plurality of measurements, generating an estimate of a sensitivity of the gyroscope based on the orientation estimate, the plurality of orientation corrections and the first plurality of measurements, and calibrating at least the gyroscope based on the estimate of the sensitivity. In an example, the at least another sensor may include an accelerometer and/or a magnetometer.

A washing machine appliance includes a wash basket rotatably mounted within a wash tub and supported by a front bearing and a rear bearing. A method of operating the washing machine appliance includes rotating the wash basket within the wash tub at a basket speed and obtaining first and second displacement amplitudes of the wash tub. Bearing forces at the front and rear bearings are obtained based on the basket speed and the displacement amplitudes. The determined bearing force at the front bearing is compared to a front limit. The determined bearing force at the rear bearing is compared to a rear limit. If the determined bearing force value at either of the front bearing or the rear bearing is greater than or equal to the respective limit, an operating parameter of the washing machine appliance is adjusted to limit bearing forces resulting from out-of-balance loads.

A washing machine appliance includes a wash basket rotatably mounted within a wash tub and supported by a front bearing and a rear bearing. A method of operating the washing machine appliance includes rotating the wash basket within the wash tub at a basket speed and obtaining first and second displacement amplitudes of the wash tub. Bearing forces at the front and rear bearings are obtained based on the basket speed and the displacement amplitudes. The determined bearing force at the front bearing is compared to a front limit. The determined bearing force at the rear bearing is compared to a rear limit. If the determined bearing force value at either of the front bearing or the rear bearing is greater than or equal to the respective limit, an operating parameter of the washing machine appliance is adjusted to limit bearing forces resulting from out-of-balance loads.

A whispering gallery mode inertial sensor includes a whispering gallery mode resonator; an evanescent coupler configured to couple with an evanescent field of the resonator so that light is transmitted to and received from the resonator by the coupler; a displacement sensor configured to determine a displacement of the resonator according to the light received from the resonator by the coupler; a controller configured to determine an acceleration and/or rate of rotations experienced by the resonator based on the displacement of the resonator, the controller being further configured to apply a restoring force to the resonator in a closed feedback loop based on the displacement of the resonator in order to maintain a predetermined mechanical state of the resonator; and a timing sensor configured to determine a timing signal based on an optical frequency comb produced by the resonator.

An embodiment system includes: a first motion sensor configured to generate first sensor data indicative of a first type of movement of an electronic device; a first feature detection circuit configured to determine at least one orientation-independent feature based on the first sensor data; and a classifying circuit configured to determine whether or not the electronic device is located on a stationary surface based on the at least one orientation-independent feature.

An embodiment system includes: a first motion sensor configured to generate first sensor data indicative of a first type of movement of an electronic device; a first feature detection circuit configured to determine at least one orientation-independent feature based on the first sensor data; and a classifying circuit configured to determine whether or not the electronic device is located on a stationary surface based on the at least one orientation-independent feature.

A gyro sensor includes: a spring having an inner span beam connected to an outer span beam via a turnaround beam; and a fixed driver that laterally faces the outer beam. A first beam is provided to the structure side of the outer beam so as to face the outer beam. T1 is a width of a space between the outer beam and the structure, T2 is a width of a space between the inner and outer beams, and T2<T1.

A gyro sensor includes: a spring having an inner span beam connected to an outer span beam via a turnaround beam; and a fixed driver that laterally faces the outer beam. A first beam is provided to the structure side of the outer beam so as to face the outer beam. T1 is a width of a space between the outer beam and the structure, T2 is a width of a space between the inner and outer beams, and T2<T1.