An accelerometer without internal mechanical attachments. Three parallel cylindrical magnets are fixed within a housing. Each cylindrical magnet has a long axis extending through the housing and a cylindrical cross-section. The cylindrical cross-sections of the cylindrical magnets are organized to form a triangular formation. The magnetization of the cylindrical magnets is tangential to the triangular formation. A diamagnetic mass object levitates within the three cylindrical magnets by the magnetization of the cylindrical magnets at an equilibrium position near the center of the triangular formation and near a central axis of the three parallel cylindrical magnets when no external force is applied. Sensors detect the location of the diamagnetic mass object when the diamagnetic mass object is displaced from the equilibrium position near the center of the triangular formation and the three parallel cylindrical magnets by an external force to the housing.

An accelerometer without internal mechanical attachments. Three parallel cylindrical magnets are fixed within a housing. Each cylindrical magnet has a long axis extending through the housing and a cylindrical cross-section. The cylindrical cross-sections of the cylindrical magnets are organized to form a triangular formation. The magnetization of the cylindrical magnets is tangential to the triangular formation. A diamagnetic mass object levitates within the three cylindrical magnets by the magnetization of the cylindrical magnets at an equilibrium position near the center of the triangular formation and near a central axis of the three parallel cylindrical magnets when no external force is applied. Sensors detect the location of the diamagnetic mass object when the diamagnetic mass object is displaced from the equilibrium position near the center of the triangular formation and the three parallel cylindrical magnets by an external force to the housing.

This invention describes a magnetoresistive inertial sensor chip, comprising a substrate, a vibrating diaphragm, a magnetic field sensing magnetoresistor and at least one permanent magnet thin film. The vibrating diaphragm is located on one side surface of the substrate. The magnetic field sensing magnetoresistor and the permanent magnet thin film are set on the surface of the vibrating diaphragm displaced from the base of the substrate. A contact electrode is also arranged on the surface of the vibrating diaphragm away from the base of the substrate. The magnetic field sensing magnetoresistor is connected to the contact electrode through a lead. The substrate comprises a cavity formed through etching and either one or both of the magnetic field sensing magnetoresistors and the permanent magnet thin film are arranged in a vertical projection area of the cavity in the vibrating diaphragm portion. A magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet thin film changes in the sensing direction of the magnetic field sensing magnetoresistor of magnetoresistive inertial sensor chip, which changes the resistance valve of the magnetic field sensing magnetoresistor, thereby producing a change in an output electrical signal. This magnetoresistive inertial sensor chip uses the high-sensitivity and high-frequency response characteristics of a magnetoresistor to improve the output signal strength and frequency response, thereby facilitating the detection of small and high frequency pressure, vibration, or acceleration changes.

A system and method wherein ball spin rate and axis orientation are determined according to an electronic circuit that includes a magnetometer spin sensor module and, in the alternative, an electronic circuit that includes a spin sensor module with a plurality of accelerometers.

A system and method wherein ball spin rate and axis orientation are determined according to an electronic circuit that includes a magnetometer spin sensor module and, in the alternative, an electronic circuit that includes a spin sensor module with a plurality of accelerometers.

A sensor, comprised of various mechanical components and electromechanical components, that measures/detects the relative position between two (2) or more objects and can measure/detect relative acceleration of one (1) or more objects, using fundamental natural physical forces, e.g. magnetism, electrostatics. More particularly, this invention relates to a sensor that can measure/detect the relative position of two or more objects and/or measure/detect the acceleration of one or more objects. Specifically, this invention uses fundamental physical forces in combination with mechanical components to actuate electro-optical-mechanical signal devices, e.g. electrical switches, optical switches, magnetic switches.

According to one embodiment, a sensor includes a first support portion, a first movable portion, a first piezoelectric element, and a first magnetic element. The first movable portion extends in a first extension direction and is connected to the first support portion. The first piezoelectric element is fixed to the first movable portion. The first piezoelectric element includes a first electrode, a second electrode provided between the first electrode and the first movable portion, and a first piezoelectric layer provided between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first magnetic element is fixed to the first movable portion. The first magnetic element includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a first intermediate layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer.

According to one embodiment, a sensor includes a first support portion, a first movable portion, a first piezoelectric element, and a first magnetic element. The first movable portion extends in a first extension direction and is connected to the first support portion. The first piezoelectric element is fixed to the first movable portion. The first piezoelectric element includes a first electrode, a second electrode provided between the first electrode and the first movable portion, and a first piezoelectric layer provided between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first magnetic element is fixed to the first movable portion. The first magnetic element includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a first intermediate layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer.

In one of aspects, a mobile electronic device that is configured to determine transportation thereof comprises at least one controller that is configured to, while a predetermined vibration is being detected, determine that the transportation is a train when a predetermined change in magnetic field strength is detected within a predetermined period of time. On the other hand, the at least one controller is configured to determine that the transportation is an automobile when the predetermined change in the magnetic field strength is not detected within the predetermined period of time. The at least one controller is further configured to determine that, when predetermined information regarding rotation of the mobile electronic device is detected, the transportation is an automobile even when the predetermined change in the magnetic field strength has been detected within the predetermined period of time.

In one of aspects, a mobile electronic device that is configured to determine transportation thereof comprises at least one controller that is configured to, while a predetermined vibration is being detected, determine that the transportation is a train when a predetermined change in magnetic field strength is detected within a predetermined period of time. On the other hand, the at least one controller is configured to determine that the transportation is an automobile when the predetermined change in the magnetic field strength is not detected within the predetermined period of time. The at least one controller is further configured to determine that, when predetermined information regarding rotation of the mobile electronic device is detected, the transportation is an automobile even when the predetermined change in the magnetic field strength has been detected within the predetermined period of time.