A force sensor device includes a first structure component, an optical sensor, and a flexible structure component. The optical sensor is disposed on the first structure component. The flexible structure component has a convex portion, and the flexible structure component is assembled with the first structure component to form a chamber in which the optical sensor is disposed. The optical sensor senses light ray transmitted from the flexible structure component to at least one pixel unit to generate at least one differential image and then detects a user's control force applied for the flexible structure component according to the at least one differential image. Differential image is temporal differential image, generated from successive pixel values of a single pixel unit, or is spatial differential image, generated based on temporal differential images of at least two neighboring pixel units.

A color temperature switching scheme for an LED lighting device is disclosed. The color temperature switching scheme comprises a plurality of different color temperature performances correspondingly generated by a plurality of different paired combinations of a first electric power allocated to a first LED load emitting a light with a first color temperature and a second electric power allocated to a second LED load emitting a light with a second color temperature such that a mingled color temperature between the first color temperature and the second color temperature can be generated thru a light diffuser. For tuning the mingled color temperature of the LED lighting device a reverse yet complementary power adjustment process for distributing a total electric power T between the first LED circuit and the second LED circuit is required such that a total light intensity remains unchanged while the mingled color temperature is being adjusted.

A theory and a technical foundation for building a technical framework of a color temperature tuning technology are disclosed, composing a power allocation algorithm and a power allocation circuitry, wherein the power allocation algorithm is a software for designing a process of dividing and sharing a total electric power between at least a first LED load emitting light with a first color temperature CT1 and a second LED load emitting light with a second color temperature CT2 to generate at least one paired combination of a first electric power X allocated to the first LED load and a second electric power Y allocated to the second LED load to create at least one mingled light color temperature CTapp thru a light diffuser according to color temperature tuning formulas CTapp=CT1.Math.X/(X+Y)+CT2.Math.Y/(X+Y) and X+Y=constant; and the power allocation circuitry is a hardware designed for implementing the process.

A theory and a technical foundation for building a technical framework of a color temperature tuning technology are disclosed, composing a power allocation algorithm and a power allocation circuitry, wherein the power allocation algorithm is a software for designing a process of dividing and sharing a total electric power between at least a first LED load emitting light with a first color temperature CT1 and a second LED load emitting light with a second color temperature CT2 to generate at least one paired combination of a first electric power X allocated to the first LED load and a second electric power Y allocated to the second LED load to create at least one mingled light color temperature CTapp thru a light diffuser according to color temperature tuning formulas CTapp=CT1.Math.X/(X+Y)+CT2.Math.Y/(X+Y) and X+Y=constant; and the power allocation circuitry is a hardware designed for implementing the process.

A color temperature switching scheme for an LED lighting device is disclosed. The color temperature switching scheme includes a plurality of different color temperature performances correspondingly generated by a plurality of different paired combinations of a first electric power allocated to a first LED load emitting a light with a first color temperature and a second electric power allocated to a second LED load emitting a light with a second color temperature such that a mingled color temperature between the first color temperature and the second color temperature can be generated thru a light diffuser. For tuning the mingled color temperature of the LED lighting device a reverse yet complementary power adjustment process for distributing a total electric power T between the first LED circuit and the second LED circuit is required such that a total light intensity remains unchanged while the mingled color temperature is being adjusted.

A photodetection device according to the present disclosure includes: a light-receiving element; a load circuit connected to the light-receiving element; a switch circuit connected to the light-receiving element; and a feedback circuit configured to operate the switch circuit in accordance with an output from the light-receiving element. The feedback circuit has a delay circuit. A distance measurement device according to the present disclosure includes: a light source configured to radiate light toward a measurement object; and a photodetection device configured to detect light reflected by the measurement object, wherein the photodetection device configured as described above is used as the photodetection device.

An apparatus for an electrical control assembly having at least one control member that is electrically connected to an electrical component, the at least one control member supported by an attachment assembly, which is disposed in a cavity of the electrical control assembly and includes a recess, the at least one control member movable between a first position and a second position is disclosed. The apparatus includes a structural assembly that is removably insertable in the recess of the attachment assembly, a through-beam emitter having an emitter member that is attached to a first end portion of the structural assembly and a receiver member that is attached to a second end portion of the structural assembly, the emitter member aligned to emit a light beam along a straight line of sight to the receiver member, and an electrical circuit.

An example of a system for touchlessly dispensing ice into a receptacle includes a dispense chute configured to direct dispensed ice therethrough to a dispense area. A visual feedback device is configured to present a visual indication of an operational status of the system. A sensor is configured to produce a beam within the dispense area and to provide a signal indicative of a proximity of an object within the beam to the sensor. A controller is configured to receive the signal and to determine the proximity of the object to the sensor from the signal. The controller is configured to operate the system to initiate a dispense of ice through the dispense chute based upon the determined proximity of the object. The controller is configured to operate the visual feedback device to present a visual indication of the initiated ice dispense.

An example of a beverage dispenser includes a nozzle and a valve coupled upstream of the nozzle. A sensor is operable to detect an object within a detection zone and provide a signal representative of a distance between the object and the sensor. A controller is configured to receive the signal from the sensor. The controller is configured to determine a sub-zone from a plurality of sub-zones within the detection zone in which the object is located. The valve is controlled between an open condition to dispense the substance through the nozzle and a closed condition based upon the determined sub-zone.

A control circuit for an input device including a micro-switch is provided. The control circuit includes an input circuit, a receiver circuit, a control unit, and a detecting unit. The input circuit includes a first contact and a second contact for electrically connecting to the micro-switch. The receiver circuit includes a third contact and a fourth contact for electrically connecting to the micro-switch. The control unit is electrically connected to the first contact and the third contact for providing an input signal via the first contact to the micro-switch and receiving a switching signal from the micro-switch via the third contact. The detecting unit detects a voltage of the second contact to generate a detecting signal. The control unit receives the detecting signal to determine a type of the micro-switch.