A method of operating a milk frothing device that includes at least one processor operatively associated with one or more actuators. The method is performed by the at least one processor and includes calculating a number of the actuators activated by way of contact with an underside of a vessel, determining a presence or an orientation of the vessel based on the calculated number of the activated actuators, and controlling an operation mode of the milk frothing device based on the determined presence or orientation of the vessel.

Axis orientation compensation is provided in a system in which movement of a controlling device is used to control navigational functions of a target appliance by determining which one of plural sides of the controlling device is an active side of the controlling device and by causing navigational functions of the target appliance made relative to at least one of an X, Y, and Z axis of the target appliance to be dynamically aligned with movements of the controlling device made relative to at least one of an A, B, and C axis of the controlling device as a function of the one of the plural sides of the controlling device that is determined to be the active side of the controlling device.

A sensor assembly for determining a temperature and an orientation of a jug having a bottom surface to rest on the assembly, the sensor assembly comprising: a temperature sensor for producing a temperature signal indicative of the temperature of the bottom surface, the temperature sensor being urged to move in a first direction; a diaphragm, the diaphragm being sealingly engageable with the temperature sensor and a platform supporting the jug, such that the temperature sensor extends through the platform to engage the bottom surface; a retainer, the retainer being connected to the temperature sensor and limiting movement of the temperature sensor in the first direction; and a signal generator for producing a signal when the temperature sensor is moved against the urge to move in the first direction.

Axis orientation compensation is provided in a system in which movement of a controlling device is used to control navigational functions of a target appliance by determining which one of plural sides of the controlling device is an active side of the controlling device and by causing navigational functions of the target appliance made relative to at least one of an X, Y, and Z axis of the target appliance to be dynamically aligned with movements of the controlling device made relative to at least one of an A, B, and C axis of the controlling device as a function of the one of the plural sides of the controlling device that is determined to be the active side of the controlling device.

Axis orientation compensation is provided in a system in which movement of a controlling device is used to control navigational functions of a target appliance by determining which one of plural sides of the controlling device is an active side of the controlling device and by causing navigational functions of the target appliance made relative to at least one of an X, Y, and Z axis of the target appliance to be dynamically aligned with movements of the controlling device made relative to at least one of an A, B, and C axis of the controlling device as a function of the one of the plural sides of the controlling device that is determined to be the active side of the controlling device.

Axis orientation compensation is provided in a system in which movement of a controlling device is used to control navigational functions of a target appliance by determining which one of plural sides of the controlling device is an active side of the controlling device and by causing navigational functions of the target appliance made relative to at least one of an X, Y, and Z axis of the target appliance to be dynamically aligned with movements of the controlling device made relative to at least one of an A, B, and C axis of the controlling device as a function of the one of the plural sides of the controlling device that is determined to be the active side of the controlling device.

A compact fall detection sensor includes a case. A magnet is housed in the case. A reed switch with a pair of reeds are integrally positioned around the central axis of the case at the bottom of the case. In an upright state, the magnet is gravitationally positioned in the longitudinal direction of the reed switch around the central axis of the curved surface of the case, each magnetic pole magnetizing the corresponding reed of the reed switch, allowing one of the reeds to be magnetized to N pole and the other reed to S pole to turn on the switch. When inclined from the upright state, the magnet slides along the curved surface of the case and deviates from the central axis, to position only one of the magnetic poles of the magnet around the central axis to turn off the reed switch.

Axis orientation compensation is provided in a system in which movement of a controlling device is used to control navigational functions of a target appliance by determining which one of plural sides of the controlling device is an active side of the controlling device and by causing navigational functions of the target appliance made relative to at least one of an X, Y, and Z axis of the target appliance to be dynamically aligned with movements of the controlling device made relative to at least one of an A, B, and C axis of the controlling device as a function of the one of the plural sides of the controlling device that is determined to be the active side of the controlling device.

Axis orientation compensation is provided in a system in which movement of a controlling device is used to control navigational functions of a target appliance by determining which one of plural sides of the controlling device is an active side of the controlling device and by causing navigational functions of the target appliance made relative to at least one of an X, Y, and Z axis of the target appliance to be dynamically aligned with movements of the controlling device made relative to at least one of an A, B, and C axis of the controlling device as a function of the one of the plural sides of the controlling device that is determined to be the active side of the controlling device.

A sensor switch includes a base unit having bottom, top and intermediate layer assemblies cooperating with each other to define a chamber. The intermediate layer assembly has an intermediate layer inner peripheral surface. A conducting unit includes a plurality of inner and outer conducting elements. Each inner conducting element has a first conducting section. The first conducting sections of the inner conducting elements are disposed on the intermediate layer inner peripheral surface in an angularly spaced apart manner. Each outer conducting element is connected to the first conducting section of a corresponding inner conducting element. A conductive member is rollably disposed in the chamber.