An apparatus for transmitting ultrasonic waves, the apparatus including a microchip (300) for driving a resonant circuit and a resonant circuit which is at least one of an inductance (L) capacitance (C) circuit (LC tank), an antenna and a piezoelectric transducer. The microchip (300) is a single unit which includes a plurality of interconnected embedded components and subsystems including at least an oscillator (315), a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal generator subsystem (329), an analogue to digital converter (ADC) subsystem (318) and a digital to analogue converter (DAC) subsystem (327).

An apparatus may include a vibration member and a vibration device configured to vibrate the vibration member. The vibration device may be configured to comprise a first vibration portion and a second vibration portion which is different from the first vibration portion.

An apparatus may include a vibration member and a vibration device configured to vibrate the vibration member. The vibration device may be configured to comprise a first vibration portion and a second vibration portion which is different from the first vibration portion.

The document describes systems and methods for handling local (legacy) devices. A local cloud gateway comprises a plurality of interface connectors of different types to physically connect a plurality of these legacy devices to the cloud, comprising a plurality of distant servers. Developments describe the step of extracting the functional messages out of messages stemming from local legacy devices (e.g. protocol translators), secure communications, logical representations of legacy devices in the cloud (“twins”), administration options, various user interfaces (e.g. buzzer) for seamless configuration and use, the use of one or more actuators (retroactions on the physical world), etc. Software and/or hardware embodiments are described.

The document describes systems and methods for handling local (legacy) devices. A local cloud gateway comprises a plurality of interface connectors of different types to physically connect a plurality of these legacy devices to the cloud, comprising a plurality of distant servers. Developments describe the step of extracting the functional messages out of messages stemming from local legacy devices (e.g. protocol translators), secure communications, logical representations of legacy devices in the cloud (“twins”), administration options, various user interfaces (e.g. buzzer) for seamless configuration and use, the use of one or more actuators (retroactions on the physical world), etc. Software and/or hardware embodiments are described.

A compact directional acoustic sensor having an improved signal-to-noise ratio is disclosed. The disclosed directional acoustic sensor includes a first sensing device configured to generate different output gains based on different input directions of external energy, and configured to generate at least one first output signal having a first polarity based on external energy received from an input direction; a second sensing device configured to generate different output gains based on different input directions of external energy, and configured to generate at least one second output signal having a second polarity, that is different than the first polarity, based on the external energy received from the input direction; and at least one signal processor configured to generate at least one final output signal based on the at least one first output signal and the at least one second output signal.

A compact directional acoustic sensor having an improved signal-to-noise ratio is disclosed. The disclosed directional acoustic sensor includes a first sensing device configured to generate different output gains based on different input directions of external energy, and configured to generate at least one first output signal having a first polarity based on external energy received from an input direction; a second sensing device configured to generate different output gains based on different input directions of external energy, and configured to generate at least one second output signal having a second polarity, that is different than the first polarity, based on the external energy received from the input direction; and at least one signal processor configured to generate at least one final output signal based on the at least one first output signal and the at least one second output signal.

Provided are a resonator, a method of manufacturing the resonator, and a strain sensor and a sensor array including the resonator. The resonator is provided to extend in a lengthwise direction from a support. The resonator includes a single crystal material and is provided to extend in a crystal orientation that satisfies at least one from among a Young's modulus and a Poisson's ratio, from among crystal orientations of the single crystal material.

A contact sensor for the repeatable detection of small, high frequency mechanical vibrations in external systems is presented herein. The sensor includes a metal housing with an attachment device at one end and an output at the other end. Inside the metal housing is a core assembly that includes a piezo transducer assembly suspended or isolated between an actuator and a biasing device. The actuator may be in the form of a ceramic sphere that sits at least partially within a recess on the inside of the housing and is in physical contact with the piezo transducer assembly. The biasing device may be in the form of a spring that causes the piezo transducer assembly to be pressed against the actuator at a contestant and known amount of tension.

A contact sensor for the repeatable detection of small, high frequency mechanical vibrations in external systems is presented herein. The sensor includes a metal housing with an attachment device at one end and an output at the other end. Inside the metal housing is a core assembly that includes a piezo transducer assembly suspended or isolated between an actuator and a biasing device. The actuator may be in the form of a ceramic sphere that sits at least partially within a recess on the inside of the housing and is in physical contact with the piezo transducer assembly. The biasing device may be in the form of a spring that causes the piezo transducer assembly to be pressed against the actuator at a contestant and known amount of tension.