A system and method of minimizing the time between opening a hot water valve and hot water reaching a point of use by temporarily diverting the water to another point of use. The system and method embody a thermally sensitive valve arranged so as to permit the flow of cool water from a hot water supply line to be diverted to a point of use that is insensitive to the temperature of the water provided. Embodiments of the invention may also comprise timers that function to limit the amount of time that water may flow to a point of use that is insensitive to the temperature of the water provided. Such embodiments may operate without user intervention or may require that a user or other device provide a signal that causes the invention to divert water to a point of use that is insensitive to the temperature of water provided.

A molecular diagnostics apparatus which is adapted to perform DNA chain replication to one sample is provided, including a bracket, a central control module, a central control module coil, a rotational carrier, a detection module and a detection module coil. The central control module is disposed on the bracket. The central control module coil is coupled to the central control module. The rotational carrier is adapted to be rotated relative to the bracket, wherein the sample is disposed on the rotational carrier. The detection module is disposed on the rotational carrier. The detection module coil is coupled to the detection module. In a charging mode, the central control module makes the central control module coil provide an induced electromotive force. The detection module coil generates an induced current according to the induced electromotive force. The induced current is supplied to the detection module.

A method for providing a thermal feedback performed by a feedback device is disclosed. The method includes: applying an operating power to a thermoelectric element to start a thermoelectric operation for outputting a thermal feedback; stopping the application of the operating power to terminate the thermoelectric operation; and when the application of the operating power is stopped, applying a buffering power to the thermoelectric element to reduce a temperature returning speed of a contact surface so that a thermal inversion illusion is prevented. The thermal inversion illusion being opposite to the outputted thermal feedback.

A method for providing a thermal feedback performed by a feedback device is disclosed. The method includes: applying an operating power to a thermoelectric element to start a thermoelectric operation for outputting a thermal feedback; stopping the application of the operating power to terminate the thermoelectric operation; and when the application of the operating power is stopped, applying a buffering power to the thermoelectric element to reduce a temperature returning speed of a contact surface so that a thermal inversion illusion is prevented. The thermal inversion illusion is a sensation felt by the user when a temperature of the contact surface returns to an initial temperature due to the termination of the thermoelectric operation, the thermal inversion illusion being opposite to the outputted thermal feedback.

A method for providing a thermal feedback, includes executing a virtual reality application providing a virtual space that includes a virtual area to which an area temperature attribute is assigned, and a virtual object to which an object temperature attributed is assigned. An area event that reflects that a player character enters the virtual area is detected. A feedback device is controlled to output thermal feedback associated to the area temperature attribute when the area event is detected, the feedback device outputting the thermal feedback using a thermoelectric element performing a thermoelectric operation. An object event reflecting the player character is influenced by the virtual object is detected. The feedback device is controlled to override the thermal feedback associated to the area temperature attribute and output thermal feedback associated to the object temperature when the object is detected while the player character is in the virtual area.

A method for providing a thermal feedback, performed by a feedback device. The feedback device outputs the thermal feedback, by transmitting a heat generated by a thermoelectric element, to a user via a contact surface contacting with a body part of the user. The method may include obtaining a feedback start message including a type of the thermal feedback, and when the type of the thermal feedback is a thermal grill feedback, outputting the thermal grill feedback by performing a thermal grill operation in which a heat generating operation and a heat absorbing operation is combined. The outputting of the thermal grill feedback may include applying a forward power to the thermoelectric element to perform the heat generating operation, applying a reverse power of which a current direction is opposite to the forward power to the thermoelectric element to perform the heat absorbing operation, and repeating the applying the forward power and the applying the reverse power alternatively.

A method for providing a thermal feedback. The method may include executing a virtual reality application providing a virtual space, the virtual space including a virtual area to which an area temperature attribute is assigned, and a virtual object to which an object temperature attribute is assigned; detecting an area event, the area event reflecting that a player character enters the virtual area; controlling a feedback device to output a thermal feedback associated to the area temperature attribute when it is determined that the area event occurs, the feedback device outputting the thermal feedback using a thermoelectric element performing a thermoelectric operation; detecting an object event, the object event reflecting that the player character is influenced by the virtual object; and controlling the feedback device to override the thermal feedback associated to the area temperature attribute and output a thermal feedback associated to the object temperature attribute when it is determined that the object event occurs while the player character is in the virtual area.

An electronic device may have electrical components that produce heat during operation. An electronic device may also be heated by sunlight incident on the device. A thermal management model may take into account device structures such as housing materials in modeling the thermal behavior of the device. Temperature sensors in the device may be used to measure internal temperatures. The model may use temperature measurements and other data such as environmental data measured with sensors in predicting temperatures for one or more regions in a device. In response to prediction of a temperature greater than a predetermined threshold, the device may take remedial action to avoid overheating. Remedial action may include adjusting electrical components so that they produce less heat, activating a heat blocking component such as an electronic shutter, and reducing communications activity levels and other software activity levels.

This temperature control device is provided with: an endothermic/exothermic unit that heats or cools a subject to be subjected to temperature control; a temperature detection unit that detects the first temperature of the periphery of the subject; a control unit that controls the endothermic/exothermic unit on the basis of a variable target temperature; and a variable target temperature setter that sets the variable target temperature to a first variable target temperature on the basis of the first temperature and target temperature information indicating the target temperature. With such temperature control device, since the target temperature changes to a suitable value as needed, a time needed until the temperature of the subject reaches the target temperature can be shortened.

An electronic device includes one or more deformable interfaces which are able to pressurize a part of a user operating, in an actual environment, an operation target moving in a different environment and of which shapes are changeable; and one or more temperature changing units which are able to change a temperature perceived by the part of the user. A feedback system includes the electronic device; an actuator control unit configured to control an operation of an actuator that changes the shape of the deformable interface based on a change in a tactile sensation estimated to be obtained by the operation target; and a temperature control unit configured to control the temperature of the temperature changing unit capable of changing a temperature perceived by the part of the user based on a change in temperature estimated to be perceived by the operation target.