A MEMS optical device and an array composed thereof are disclosed herein, wherein the MEMS optical device comprises a light absorbing element, a deforming element, and a magnetic detector, wherein the magnetic detector comprises a magnetic source and a magnetic sensor.

A control knob assembly for a consumer appliance is provided. The control knob assembly provides a compact means for determining the angular position of the control knob and illuminating a plurality of indicators to communicate that angular position to a user of the appliance. More specifically, the control knob assembly includes an optical encoder disc that defines a plurality of teeth that are in operable communication with a plurality of optical sensors. The position of the sensors and the spacing of the plurality of teeth are configured to generate signals as the control knob is rotated that allow for the precise determination of the angular position of the control knob. Moreover, the optical encoder disc may fit inside a lighting assembly and may have a low profile, resulting in a compact control knob assembly that may easily fit within the area underneath the control knob and control panel.

A method operates a hand-guided processing device having a user-activated operating sensor device with a plurality of different detection positions. The method involves the steps: a) detecting a sequence of activations of the operating sensor device at different detection positions of the plurality of detection positions, and b) when the detected sequence corresponds to a given sequence, calibrating the operating sensor device for at least one detection position of the plurality of detection positions based on at least one of the activations of the detected activations.

A method operates a hand-guided processing device having a user-activated operating sensor device with a plurality of different detection positions. The method involves the steps: a) detecting a sequence of activations of the operating sensor device at different detection positions of the plurality of detection positions, and b) when the detected sequence corresponds to a given sequence, calibrating the operating sensor device for at least one detection position of the plurality of detection positions based on at least one of the activations of the detected activations.

A joint (10) with first and second joint components (12, 26; 19) are movably connected to one another. The first joint component (12, 26) has a spherical joint body (14, 28) and the second joint component (19) rotatably and pivotably holds the joint body (14, 28). A sensor device, for determining the position of the first and second joint components (12, 26; 19) relative to one another, is arranged on the joint (10). The sensor device has at least one sensor element (21, 31) which can be integrated in a housing (18) that is produced by an assembly overmolding process. The joint housing (18) forms the second joint component (19) in which the joint body (14, 28) is directly supported.

A joint (10) with first and second joint components (12, 26; 19) are movably connected to one another. The first joint component (12, 26) has a spherical joint body (14, 28) and the second joint component (19) rotatably and pivotably holds the joint body (14, 28). A sensor device, for determining the position of the first and second joint components (12, 26; 19) relative to one another, is arranged on the joint (10). The sensor device has at least one sensor element (21, 31) which can be integrated in a housing (18) that is produced by an assembly overmolding process. The joint housing (18) forms the second joint component (19) in which the joint body (14, 28) is directly supported.

An alignment device may obtain a set of analog-to-digital converter (ADC) signals provided by an angle sensor operating in a homogeneous test mode. The set of ADC signals may be associated with a rotation of a target magnet relative to the angle sensor. The alignment device may identify a maximum ADC signal value based on the set of ADC signals. The alignment device may selectively position, by the alignment device, at least one of the angle sensor or the target magnet based on the maximum ADC signal value.

An alignment device may obtain a set of analog-to-digital converter (ADC) signals provided by an angle sensor operating in a homogeneous test mode. The set of ADC signals may be associated with a rotation of a target magnet relative to the angle sensor. The alignment device may identify a maximum ADC signal value based on the set of ADC signals. The alignment device may selectively position, by the alignment device, at least one of the angle sensor or the target magnet based on the maximum ADC signal value.

A position detection device detects a position of a lens holder in an X-axis direction based on a change in an output value of a first magnetic sensor, a position of the lens holder in a Y-axis direction based on a change in an output value of a second magnetic sensor, and a position of the lens holder in a Z-axis direction based on the changes in the output values of the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor.

A position detection device detects a position of a lens holder in an X-axis direction based on a change in an output value of a first magnetic sensor, a position of the lens holder in a Y-axis direction based on a change in an output value of a second magnetic sensor, and a position of the lens holder in a Z-axis direction based on the changes in the output values of the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor.