A drive cycle controller includes a drive cycle switching unit and an output state determination unit. The drive cycle switching unit switches a drive cycle of a microcomputer, which monitors an output of a device, from a first drive cycle to a second drive cycle that is shorter than the first drive cycle if the microcomputer detects a change in an output of the device at an activation timing in the first drive cycle. The output state determination unit determines an output state of the device if the microcomputer confirms that the output has remained changed at an activation timing in the second drive cycle.

An inductive sensor is proposed which comprises at least one resonant circuit, an evaluation device which in a measuring phase evaluates oscillations of the at least one resonant circuit for generating sensor signals, an energy storage device, and a transfer device which in a relaxation phase of the at least one resonant circuit stores oscillation energy of the at least one resonant circuit in the energy storage device.

Piezoelectric elements are attractive for systems in which both sensing and actuating is required because a single element, i.e. the piezoelectric actuator, can be used that act as both a sensor and an actuator. In conventional systems combining both actuating and sensing functionality, active circuitry is required to read the sensor, and that circuitry requires static and/or dynamic current from a few microamps to a few milliamps. In systems where buttons are used a few times a day, this requirement for current leads to a significant amount of wasted power. Accordingly, a wake-up circuit is provided that does not draw power when no force is applied to the piezoelectric actuator but is capable of detecting pressure applied to the piezo actuator, generate a power-up signal to the actuating circuit, and initiate a haptic feedback with low-latency.

An operation input device includes a detection unit configured to sense a detection value changing according to a distance to a detection target object and a controller configured to detect input operation in a case where the detection value is equal to or greater than a first threshold. The controller stands by in a sleep mode in which a power consumption is reduced as compared to a normal standby mode in a case where the detection value is less than a second threshold, which is smaller than the first threshold, as a threshold indicating that the distance between the detection target object and the detection unit is equal to or shorter than a second distance longer than the first distance, and stands by in the normal standby mode in a case where the detection value is equal to or greater than the second threshold.

A capacitive sensor device is provided. The capacitive sensor device may include a clock module configured to generate a clock signal, a sensor module configured to generate a reference signal and a sense signal, and sample a difference between the reference signal and the sense signal according to the clock signal, and a current supply module configured to selectively generate a bias current according to the clock signal, and charge each of the clock module and the sensor module based on the bias current and according to the clock signal.

Provided are a magnetic sensor, which is capable of accurately determining abnormalities, such as disconnection and a short circuit, of wiring of a magnetic sensor device, and the magnetic sensor device. An output control circuit of the magnetic sensor includes a voltage divider circuit, which is connected to an output terminal of the magnetic sensor, and an amplifier, which is configured to control a gate voltage of a MOS transistor, which is connected to the output terminal of the magnetic sensor, so that a voltage of the voltage divider circuit and a reference voltage become equal to each other, with the result that an output voltage of the magnetic sensor is determined by the reference voltage and a voltage dividing ratio of the voltage divider circuit.

A method (500) for activating a hand-held electronic device (10) includes the steps of: providing (510) a hand-held electronic device comprising a body portion (12) and a proximity sensor (50), wherein the proximity sensor comprises a capacitor; determining (520), via the capacitor, a baseline capacitance of the proximity sensor; detecting (530), via the capacitor, an approaching target object (52) before the target object touches the body portion, wherein the approaching target object increases capacitance of the proximity sensor to a first capacitance; comparing (540) the first capacitance to the baseline capacitance; and activating (550) the hand-held electronic device if the first capacitance exceeds the baseline capacitance.

Provided are a magnetic sensor, which is capable of accurately determining abnormalities, such as disconnection and a short circuit, of wiring of a magnetic sensor device, and the magnetic sensor device. An output control circuit of the magnetic sensor includes a voltage divider circuit, which is connected to an output terminal of the magnetic sensor, and an amplifier, which is configured to control a gate voltage of a MOS transistor, which is connected to the output terminal of the magnetic sensor, so that a voltage of the voltage divider circuit and a reference voltage become equal to each other, with the result that an output voltage of the magnetic sensor is determined by the reference voltage and a voltage dividing ratio of the voltage divider circuit.

An inductive sensor is proposed which comprises at least one resonant circuit, an evaluation device which in a measuring phase evaluates oscillations of the at least one resonant circuit for generating sensor signals, an energy storage device, and a transfer device which in a relaxation phase of the at least one resonant circuit stores oscillation energy of the at least one resonant circuit in the energy storage device.

Disclosed are devices and methods for detecting activation of an electronic device, including a biomedical and biometric device. The electronic device can operate in a low-power mode until it is determined that the electronic device is in close proximity to or in contact with a body, and activated. The electronic device can include a first sensor including a first capacitance sensor, a second sensor, and a controller coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor. The controller can receive a first signal from the first sensor and determine that the electronic device is in close proximity to or in contact with a body based on the first signal, and receive a second signal from the second sensor and determine that the electronic device is activated based on one or both of the first signal and the second signal. The electronic device can transition from the low-power mode to an active mode in response to determining that the electronic device is activated.