A switching device includes a header, first and second magnets, first and second inductors, and a first magnetic sensing element aligned with the first magnet and the first inductor and a second magnetic sensing element aligned with the second magnet and the second inductor. The switching device further includes a printed circuit board (PCB) including an upper face on which are mounted the first and second magnetic sensing elements and a lower face on which are mounted the first and second inductors. When the switching device is operated, the header is pressed towards the PCB, the first and second magnets get closer respectively to the first and second magnetic sensing elements, which increases the magnetic flux through the magnetic sensing elements and changes the status of the switching device when a threshold is reached. The PCB further includes first and second microcontrollers configured to determine a state of the switching device.

A surgical instrument is disclosed comprising a control system and a strain gage circuit. The operation of the control system is modifiable by an input from the strain gage circuit.

A device for detecting an intention of a user to lock or unlock an opening element of a motor vehicle includes a capacitive sensor and incorporates an inductive sensor with an amagnetic metal target moving under the action of the hand of the user on the handle or the frame, the target being associated with a coil placed in an oscillating circuit being connected to an inductive measurement circuit detecting the intention of the user to lock or unlock the opening element. The intention is only confirmed when detected by both the capacitive and inductive sensors, the target of the inductive sensor being borne by the electrode of the capacitive sensor and a member supporting the electrode being elastically deformable under the action of the user on the handle or the frame, the inductive and capacitive measurement circuits being independent of each other.

An interactive control unit is disclosed. The interactive control unit includes an interactive touchscreen display, an interface configured to couple the control unit to a surgical hub, a processor, and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to receive input commands from the interactive touchscreen display located inside a sterile field and transmit the input commands to the surgical hub to control devices coupled to the surgical hub located outside the sterile field.

A keyboard device and a key depression information detecting method are provided. The keyboard device includes: a coil generating a magnetic field; a displacement member having an outer surface and displaced at a position facing the coil during key depression; and a conductor provided on the displacement member. The conductor includes: a facing portion covering the outer surface of the displacement member to face the coil during key depression; and a front surface portion connected to the facing portion and covering an outer surface of the displacement member which is directed to a front side in a displacement direction of the displacement member.

A surgical instrument is disclosed comprising a plurality of drive systems and one or more shifting systems. The functionality of the surgical instrument is controlled by the shifting systems.

A remote key fob for a vehicle, includes a communications and control device, at least one transmit/receive device and a microcontroller. At least one control surface is arranged on an outer shell of a housing of the remote key fob and is coupled to the communications and control device. A printed circuit board held in the housing is placed beneath the control surface. The control surface is mechanically coupled to a metal detection section. Pressure actuation of the control surface from the outside results in a deformation or change of position of the detection section. A detection coil is located on the printed circuit board, wherein the detection coil is coupled to the communications and control device for forming an inductive proximity switch. The communications and control device determines an actuation of the control surface as a function of the inductivity or quality of the detection coil.

A disclosed apparatus includes a sensor housing. First and second magnets may be disposed in the sensor housing. A magnetic field sensor may be disposed between the first and second magnets. A sensor element may be positioned in a vicinity of the sensor housing, the sensor element to cause a magnetic field between the first and second magnets to substantially bypass the magnetic field sensor. The sensor housing may be coupled to a movable rail. The sensor element may be coupled to a fixed rail. The movable rail may be engaged with the fixed rail and movable relative to the fixed rail.

A method for detecting the intention of a user to lock or unlock a motor-vehicle door with a detection device integrated into a handle. The method includes continuously measuring the resonant frequency of the detection device and successively comparing the measured resonant frequency to a first threshold representative of the approach of the user and to a second threshold, higher than the first threshold, representative of the contact of the user, the intention of the user to lock or unlock the door of the vehicle being validated only if a duration between the passage of the resonant frequency below the first threshold and the passage of the resonant frequency above the second threshold is shorter than a preset duration. An associated detection device is also disclosed.

A trigger assembly, for use with a power tool having an electric motor, includes a trigger, a conductor coupled for movement with the trigger, and a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board has an inductive sensor thereon responsive to relative movement between the conductor and the inductive sensor caused by movement of the trigger. An output of the inductive sensor is used to activate the electric motor.