Systems and methods associated with modular computing environments are provided. For instance, a modular computing environment can include a control entity including one or more processing devices. The modular computing environment can include one or more modular components directly or indirectly coupled to the control entity. The one or more modular components can be configured to receive a module specifying one or more instructions to be performed by an external device. The one or more modular components include one or more processing devices. Each modular component is configured to determine state data associated with the modular component based at least in part on the received module and to provide the state data to the control entity. The state data includes an identification signature of the received module and a configuration context of the modular component within the modular computing environment.

The present invention relates to a moving equipment, such as in a medical examination system. In order to provide a facilitated way of moving equipment with high accuracy, a driving device (10) for moving equipment is provided, comprising a motor-driven positioning unit (12), a central processing unit (14), and a user interface (16) with at least one sensor unit (18). The motor-driven positioning unit is configured to carry out a movement (M) of movable equipment. Further, the central processing unit is configured to control the movement of the equipment provided by the motor-driven positioning unit. The at least one sensor unit comprises at least one touch sensitive area (20), and the at least one sensor unit is configured to provide control signals (22) to the central processing unit in dependency from a force (F) applied by a user to the at least one touch sensitive area. Still further, the at least one sensor unit is configured to be fixedly attached to the movable equipment.

The present invention relates to a moving equipment, such as in a medical examination system. In order to provide a facilitated way of moving equipment with high accuracy, a driving device (10) for moving equipment is provided, comprising a motor-driven positioning unit (12), a central processing unit (14), and a user interface (16) with at least one sensor unit (18). The motor-driven positioning unit is configured to carry out a movement (M) of movable equipment. Further, the central processing unit is configured to control the movement of the equipment provided by the motor-driven positioning unit. The at least one sensor unit comprises at least one touch sensitive area (20), and the at least one sensor unit is configured to provide control signals (22) to the central processing unit in dependency from a force (F) applied by a user to the at least one touch sensitive area. Still further, the at least one sensor unit is configured to be fixedly attached to the movable equipment.

A switch is envisaged in the present disclosure. The switch includes a plunger that has one of a push action and a slide action to actuate the switch. The plunger is at least partially attached to a conductive pill. The switch includes a pair of sense electrodes, each having a first operative surface to which a dielectric film is attached forming an operational capacitor, and a second operative surface which is in electrical contact with the operational capacitor. The operational capacitor has a parallel relationship with an external capacitor when the conductive pill makes contact with the dielectric film resulting in discharge of the external capacitor. The microprocessor includes an internal capacitor that discharges on discharge of the external capacitor. Charge across the internal capacitor is monitored and compared with a pre-defined threshold value by the microprocessor to activate/deactivate the switch.

A switch is envisaged in the present disclosure. The switch includes a plunger that has one of a push action and a slide action to actuate the switch. The plunger is at least partially attached to a conductive pill. The switch includes a pair of sense electrodes, each having a first operative surface to which a dielectric film is attached forming an operational capacitor, and a second operative surface which is in electrical contact with the operational capacitor. The operational capacitor has a parallel relationship with an external capacitor when the conductive pill makes contact with the dielectric film resulting in discharge of the external capacitor. The microprocessor includes an internal capacitor that discharges on discharge of the external capacitor. Charge across the internal capacitor is monitored and compared with a pre-defined threshold value by the microprocessor to activate/deactivate the switch.

A sensor comprises conductive elements arranged and connected for proximity sensing. The conductive elements are formed of an ionically conductive polymer. The sensor may also include conductive elements arranged and connected for touch sensing. The conductive elements may be connected to an alternating-current (AC) source. Another sensor comprises one or more conductive elements arranged and connected for touch sensing by detecting resistivity changes in the one or more conductive elements. A flexible and transparent sensor is also provided, which comprises a layer of a piezoelectric polymer and conductive elements in contact with the layer for transmitting an electric signal generated by compression of the layer. Methods and processes for using such sensors are also provided.

A sensor comprises conductive elements arranged and connected for proximity sensing. The conductive elements are formed of an ionically conductive polymer. The sensor may also include conductive elements arranged and connected for touch sensing. The conductive elements may be connected to an alternating-current (AC) source. Another sensor comprises one or more conductive elements arranged and connected for touch sensing by detecting resistivity changes in the one or more conductive elements. A flexible and transparent sensor is also provided, which comprises a layer of a piezoelectric polymer and conductive elements in contact with the layer for transmitting an electric signal generated by compression of the layer. Methods and processes for using such sensors are also provided.

A plain-face switch according to an embodiment is the mounted-type plain-face switch that is mounted into an opening, it includes a base unit that is provided at the back of the opening, a sensor module that has a flat sensor surface facing the side of the opening and that is supported by the base unit, and a securing unit that secures the base unit to the bottom surface, which is located at the back of the opening, and the securing unit is capable of adjusting the position or the tilt of the sensor module in the depth direction with respect to the opening such that the edge surface of the sensor module at the side of the opening enters a predetermined state with respect to the opening.

A plain-face switch according to an embodiment is the mounted-type plain-face switch that is mounted into an opening, it includes a base unit that is provided at the back of the opening, a sensor module that has a flat sensor surface facing the side of the opening and that is supported by the base unit, and a securing unit that secures the base unit to the bottom surface, which is located at the back of the opening, and the securing unit is capable of adjusting the position or the tilt of the sensor module in the depth direction with respect to the opening such that the edge surface of the sensor module at the side of the opening enters a predetermined state with respect to the opening.

A rotary actuator assembly includes a rotary actuator having a rotary body on a capacitively-sensing detection surface of the touch panel. A sensor ring coupled to the rotary body includes on a first ring surface includes alternately arranged contact surfaces and insulating surfaces and on a second ring surface includes a circumferential metal surface that is electrically connected to the contact surfaces. A sliding contact includes a contact pad and a contact spring connected together. The contact pad forms an electrical contact point fixed at a position of the detection surface. The contact spring contacts the contact surfaces and the insulating surfaces in alternation as the sensor ring rotates with rotation of the rotary body whereby a variable electrical signal is generated at the contact point. The electrical signal is detectable by the touch panel and the touch panel includes a mutual capacitance touch sensor assembly.