A manual operating device (100) for providing a first and a second control signal in accordance with a user's operation, e.g. for controlling electronic musical instruments, stage/theatre equipment and/or audio/video studio equipment. The manual operating device (100) comprises a linear position sensor device (110), providing the first control signal (120), representing a linear position of a longitudinally slidable element (130), and a rotary position sensor device (140), having a body attached to the longitudinally slidable element (130) and providing the second control signal (150) representing the rotary position of a rotatable shaft (160) to be manually operated by the user. A MIDI controller device (210) may include at least one such manual operating device (100). Converting the positions parameters to advanced studio equipment MIDI control signals and/or to legacy MIDI synthesizer tone control.

An electrical resistor element, system, and method related thereto, wherein the electrical resistor element includes a tunable resistance. The electrical resistor element comprises a first contact electrode, a second contact electrode and a ferroelectric layer arranged between the first contact electrode and the second contact electrode. The ferroelectric layer comprises a first area having a first polarization direction and a second area having a second polarization direction. The first polarization direction is different to the second polarization direction. The ferroelectric layer further comprises a domain wall between the first area and the second area. The electrical resistor element further comprises a first pinning element configured to stabilize the first polarization direction of the ferroelectric layer. The electrical resistor element further comprises a control circuit configured to tune the resistance of the electrical resistor element by applying electrical pulses to the ferroelectric layer such that the ferroelectric domain wall is moved.

An electrical resistor element, system, and method related thereto, wherein the electrical resistor element includes a tunable resistance. The electrical resistor element comprises a first contact electrode, a second contact electrode and a ferroelectric layer arranged between the first contact electrode and the second contact electrode. The ferroelectric layer comprises a first area having a first polarization direction and a second area having a second polarization direction. The first polarization direction is different to the second polarization direction. The ferroelectric layer further comprises a domain wall between the first area and the second area. The electrical resistor element further comprises a first pinning element configured to stabilize the first polarization direction of the ferroelectric layer. The electrical resistor element further comprises a control circuit configured to tune the resistance of the electrical resistor element by applying electrical pulses to the ferroelectric layer such that the ferroelectric domain wall is moved.

A potentiometric sensor, comprising: a potentiometer track; a collector track opposite the potentiometer track; a conductive magnetic cushion slider coupled to the potentiometer track and the collector track; and a sealed body housing the potentiometer track, the collector track, and the conductive magnetic cushion is disclosed. The potentiometric sensor may provide a variable output voltage indicative of a level of liquid in a container. The output voltage of the potentiometric sensor may be based on a position of a magnet, which may determine a position of the conductive magnetic cushion or a ferromagnetic spring. The magnet may be outside of the sealed body. As the sensor will be more cost effective and less space consuming, the totally sealed sensor incorporating the conductive magnetic cushion or a ferromagnetic spring may replace many applications that allow a hysteresis of less than 1 mm. Additionally, these applications may be used on rotary systems.

An impedance circuit includes a first poly-resistor and a second poly-resistor. The first poly-resistor has a first terminal coupled to a first node, and a second terminal coupled to a second node. The second poly-resistor has a first terminal coupled to the first node, and a second terminal coupled to the second node. The resistance between the first terminal and the second terminal of the first poly-resistor is determined according to a first control voltage. The resistance between the first terminal and the second terminal of the second poly-resistor is determined according to a second control voltage. The first control voltage and the second control voltage are determined according to a first voltage at the first node and a second voltage at the second node.

An impedance circuit includes a first poly-resistor and a second poly-resistor. The first poly-resistor has a first terminal coupled to a first node, and a second terminal coupled to a second node. The second poly-resistor has a first terminal coupled to the first node, and a second terminal coupled to the second node. The resistance between the first terminal and the second terminal of the first poly-resistor is determined according to a first control voltage. The resistance between the first terminal and the second terminal of the second poly-resistor is determined according to a second control voltage. The first control voltage and the second control voltage are determined according to a first voltage at the first node and a second voltage at the second node.

A frequency-dependent resistance element includes an element assembly composed of a sintered magnetic material and a coil conductor embedded in the element assembly. The sintered magnetic material is composed of a primary component containing Fe, Zn, Ni, and Cu and a secondary component containing Co. In the primary component, on a percent by mole basis, the Fe content is 46.79 to 47.69, the Zn content is 12.60 to 24.84, and the Ni content is 19.21 to 32.36 in terms of Fe.sub.2O.sub.3, ZnO, and NiO, respectively. The molar ratio (Ni:Zn) of Ni to Zn is (1X):X, where X is from about 0.28 to about 0.56. The content of Co in terms of Co.sub.3O.sub.4 is 1.0 to 10.0 parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of the primary component containing Fe, Zn, Ni, and Cu in terms of Fe.sub.2O.sub.3, ZnO, NiO, and CuO, respectively.

A frequency-dependent resistance element includes an element assembly composed of a sintered magnetic material and a coil conductor embedded in the element assembly. The sintered magnetic material is composed of a primary component containing Fe, Zn, Ni, and Cu and a secondary component containing Co. In the primary component, on a percent by mole basis, the Fe content is 46.79 to 47.69, the Zn content is 12.60 to 24.84, and the Ni content is 19.21 to 32.36 in terms of Fe.sub.2O.sub.3, ZnO, and NiO, respectively. The molar ratio (Ni:Zn) of Ni to Zn is (1X):X, where X is from about 0.28 to about 0.56. The content of Co in terms of Co.sub.3O.sub.4 is 1.0 to 10.0 parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of the primary component containing Fe, Zn, Ni, and Cu in terms of Fe.sub.2O.sub.3, ZnO, NiO, and CuO, respectively.

This invention discloses a type of noncontact linear potentiometer; the potentiometer comprises a slider, a rotating shaft, a guide rod, a tunneling magnetoresistive sensor, a permanent magnet, a printed circuit board, and two support structures. In this configuration the slider moves along the guide rod and the rotating shaft, causing the rotation of the rotating shaft; the permanent magnet is attached to an end of the rotating shaft, and it therefore rotates as the shaft rotates. A tunneling magnetoresistive sensor is located adjacent to the permanent magnet, soldered onto a printed circuit board, and it is used to measure the angle of rotation of the permanent magnet. The guide rod constrains the sliding direction of the slider, and the two support structures are located at the opposite ends of the guide rod and rotating shaft, and they are used to support the rotating shaft and guide rod. Located between the slider and rotating shaft is a ball bearing, a pin and a leaf spring assembly. This potentiometer has several advantages, including a compact structure, easy fabrication, long service life, in addition to providing smooth slider motion that provides a pleasing user experience.

This invention discloses a type of noncontact linear potentiometer; the potentiometer comprises a slider, a rotating shaft, a guide rod, a tunneling magnetoresistive sensor, a permanent magnet, a printed circuit board, and two support structures. In this configuration the slider moves along the guide rod and the rotating shaft, causing the rotation of the rotating shaft; the permanent magnet is attached to an end of the rotating shaft, and it therefore rotates as the shaft rotates. A tunneling magnetoresistive sensor is located adjacent to the permanent magnet, soldered onto a printed circuit board, and it is used to measure the angle of rotation of the permanent magnet. The guide rod constrains the sliding direction of the slider, and the two support structures are located at the opposite ends of the guide rod and rotating shaft, and they are used to support the rotating shaft and guide rod. Located between the slider and rotating shaft is a ball bearing, a pin and a leaf spring assembly. This potentiometer has several advantages, including a compact structure, easy fabrication, long service life, in addition to providing smooth slider motion that provides a pleasing user experience.