A sensor including at least one sensor element configured for measuring an external parameter and outputting one or more results representative for the external parameter, an output buffer configured for receiving the one or more results or a processed version thereof and for applying an analog signal representative for the result or a time multiplexed sequence of analog signals representative for the results on a sensor terminal, and a control circuit configured for obtaining an ID of the sensor, and for receiving a trigger signal, and for determining whether the trigger signal matches the ID of the sensor, and for enabling the output buffer during a predefined period when the trigger signal matches the ID of the sensor.

A sensor including at least one sensor element configured for measuring an external parameter and outputting one or more results representative for the external parameter, an output buffer configured for receiving the one or more results or a processed version thereof and for applying an analog signal representative for the result or a time multiplexed sequence of analog signals representative for the results on a sensor terminal, and a control circuit configured for obtaining an ID of the sensor, and for receiving a trigger signal, and for determining whether the trigger signal matches the ID of the sensor, and for enabling the output buffer during a predefined period when the trigger signal matches the ID of the sensor.

A method for detecting an open line (10) of a receiver coil (17; 18) of a resolver (16) comprisesproviding a pull-up resistor (R.sub.1; R.sub.3) and a pull-down resistor (R.sub.2; R.sub.4) at the terminals (7a, 7b; 8a, 8b) on a control device (1) for the signal lines (13a, 13b; 14a, 14b) of the receiver coil (17; 18);measuring the voltage between the two signal line terminals (7a, 7b; 8a, 8b) of the receiver coil at two sampling times provided symmetrically at the middle of the excitation period;calculating an offset value by calculating an average value that comprises the measured values measured at the two sampling times in an excitation period; andidentifying an open line (10) if the offset value exceeds a threshold value.

A method for detecting an open line (10) of a receiver coil (17; 18) of a resolver (16) comprisesproviding a pull-up resistor (R.sub.1; R.sub.3) and a pull-down resistor (R.sub.2; R.sub.4) at the terminals (7a, 7b; 8a, 8b) on a control device (1) for the signal lines (13a, 13b; 14a, 14b) of the receiver coil (17; 18);measuring the voltage between the two signal line terminals (7a, 7b; 8a, 8b) of the receiver coil at two sampling times provided symmetrically at the middle of the excitation period;calculating an offset value by calculating an average value that comprises the measured values measured at the two sampling times in an excitation period; andidentifying an open line (10) if the offset value exceeds a threshold value.

A method for counting electricity consumption includes obtaining a plurality of groups of electricity parameters. Each of the groups of electricity parameters includes a reading of a smart electricity meter and corresponding statuses of smart switches connected to the smart electricity meter. The method also includes determining an average power of at least one of the smart switches according to at least one of the plurality of groups of electricity parameters, determining a working period of the at least one of the smart switches within a set counting period, and determining an electricity consumption of the at least one of the smart switches in the counting period according to the working period and the average power of the at least one of the smart switches.

A method for counting electricity consumption includes obtaining a plurality of groups of electricity parameters. Each of the groups of electricity parameters includes a reading of a smart electricity meter and corresponding statuses of smart switches connected to the smart electricity meter. The method also includes determining an average power of at least one of the smart switches according to at least one of the plurality of groups of electricity parameters, determining a working period of the at least one of the smart switches within a set counting period, and determining an electricity consumption of the at least one of the smart switches in the counting period according to the working period and the average power of the at least one of the smart switches.

A modified version of a MEMS self-test procedure is presented that can be used to detect the amplitude and frequency of an external vibration from an ambient environment. The method implements processing circuitry that correlates an output sense signal, s(t), with a plurality of periodic signal portions and a plurality of shifted periodic signal portions to generate a plurality of correlation values. A frequency associated with the external vibration is determined based on the plurality of correlation values.

The present invention includes a retractable stringed musical instrument; specifically a stringed musical instrument having a tailpiece, a body coupled to the tailpiece, a neck coupled to the body and a fingerboard coupled to the neck. The fingerboard and the neck extends and retracts relative to the body. The retractable stringed instrument further comprises a mechanism to maintain tension on the strings of the instrument regardless if the neck is in the extended or retracted position.

A method and apparatus for determining positioning information for driver compliance. The apparatus comprising a an electronic processor connected to an electronic control unit and a transceiver and configured to receive the vehicle data from the electronic control unit, determine whether the apparatus includes a local source of positioning information, determine whether a positioning information from the local source of positioning information meets or exceeds an accuracy threshold and an availability threshold, if the apparatus includes the local source of positioning information, and send a request to the portable communication device for additional positioning information if the apparatus does not include the local source of positioning information, or the positioning information from the local source of positioning information does not meet or exceed the accuracy threshold, the availability threshold, or both.

A method and apparatus for determining positioning information for driver compliance. The apparatus comprising a an electronic processor connected to an electronic control unit and a transceiver and configured to receive the vehicle data from the electronic control unit, determine whether the apparatus includes a local source of positioning information, determine whether a positioning information from the local source of positioning information meets or exceeds an accuracy threshold and an availability threshold, if the apparatus includes the local source of positioning information, and send a request to the portable communication device for additional positioning information if the apparatus does not include the local source of positioning information, or the positioning information from the local source of positioning information does not meet or exceed the accuracy threshold, the availability threshold, or both.