Switch operating device (100) with: a presence sensor operating a switch (103) in response to presence of a heat emitting part. The presence has an approach phase (31) during which the part approaches the presence sensor, a remaining phase during which the part remains proximate to the sensor, and a withdrawal phase (41) during which the part is moved away from the sensor. The sensor detects heat emitted by the part with at least one pixel and outputs a signal (51 to 54) with signal deflections (56, 57) corresponding to a temporal intensity curve of heat detected by the pixel. A signal processing unit (101) determines the approach and withdrawal phases from the temporal succession and the shape of the signal deflections. An actuator (104) is controlled by the signal processing unit and operates the switch when the approach phase, the remaining phase and/or the withdrawal phase is determined.

An example embodiment includes a playback device comprising a wireless communications interface including a radio frequency (RF) antenna, a capacitive proximity sensor comprising a grounding plane that is coupled to the RF antenna, one or more processors, and a data storage having stored therein instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the playback device to perform operations. The operations include operating the playback device in a first power state, detecting that an object is in proximity to the capacitive proximity sensor, and in response to detecting the object, adjusting operation of the playback device from the first power state to a second power state.

An example embodiment includes a playback device comprising a wireless communications interface that includes an RF antenna, a capacitive proximity sensor comprising a grounding plane that is coupled to the RF antenna, one or more processors, and a data storage having stored therein instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the playback device to perform operations. The operations include detecting that an object is in proximity to the capacitive proximity sensor and responsively preparing the playback device to play back audio.

An electronic device includes a rotation operation unit including a rotation operation member, and a finger placing portion configured so that a finger is placed on it when the electronic device is gripped. The rotation operation unit and the finger placing portion are located in close proximity to each other on a surface on a user side of the electronic device. The rotation operation unit is tilted with respect to the electronic device toward the finger placing portion.

A method for automated dispensing of a fluid. The method includes providing a light pulse to a location proximate a dispensing outlet from which said fluid will be dispensed, sensing a light received from that location, where the sensed light includes at least one of an ambient light or a reflection of said light pulse, generating a signal corresponding to the sensed light, generating a transistor-transistor logic (TTL) signal if the reflection of the light pulse is determined and pumping a fluid to the dispenser outlet in response to said TTL signal.

A method for automated dispensing of a fluid. The method includes providing a light pulse to a location proximate a dispensing outlet from which said fluid will be dispensed, sensing a light received from that location, where the sensed light includes at least one of an ambient light or a reflection of said light pulse, generating a signal corresponding to the sensed light, generating a transistor-transistor logic (TTL) signal if the reflection of the light pulse is determined and pumping a fluid to the dispenser outlet in response to said TTL signal.

A wireless switching circuit includes a charging capacitor, a voltage converter, an infrared sensor unit, a single chip microcomputer (SCM), a zero trigger circuit, and a thyristor. The charging capacitor is used to store and supply power. The voltage converter is used to convert alternating current (AC) voltage into direct current (DC) voltage to charge the charging capacitor. The infrared sensor unit is used to output control signals according to sensed infrared signals. The SCM outputs a trigger signal according to the control signals from the infrared sensor unit. Input ends of the zero trigger circuit are connected to the SCM to receive the trigger signal. An anode and a cathode of the thyristor is connected to a power supply line for the socket. A control end of the thyristor is connected to an output end of the zero trigger circuit.

An example embodiment includes a playback device comprising a wireless communications interface including a wireless (e.g., a radio frequency (RF) antenna), a capacitive sensor comprising an electrode that is coupled to the RF antenna, one or more processors, and a data storage having stored therein instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the playback device to perform operations. The operations include operating the playback device in a first power state, detecting that an object is in proximity to the capacitive sensor, and in response to detecting the object, adjusting operation of the playback device from the first power state to a second power state.

An example embodiment includes a playback device comprising a wireless communications interface including a wireless (e.g., a radio frequency (RF) antenna), a capacitive sensor comprising an electrode that is coupled to the RF antenna, one or more processors, and a data storage having stored therein instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the playback device to perform operations. The operations include operating the playback device in a first power state, detecting that an object is in proximity to the capacitive sensor, and in response to detecting the object, adjusting operation of the playback device from the first power state to a second power state.