The semiconductor device includes a magnetic switch provided to a semiconductor substrate. The magnetic switch includes: a horizontal Hall element including first electrodes and second electrodes arranged at positions perpendicular to the first electrodes; a switch circuit configured to select a drive current direction of the Hall element from four directions; an SH comparator configured to alternately perform a first operation for sampling a signal transmitted from the Hall element and a second operation for sending a signal which is based on a result of comparing a value of the sampled signal and a reference value; a latch circuit configured to hold this sent signal and send the held signal as a latch output signal; and a control circuit configured to select the drive current direction in each of a period for the first operation and a period for the second operation based on the latch output signal.

A switch device includes an operating knob on which a tilting operation is performed, a detected portion that tilts with the tilting operation of the operating knob, a detection portion that detects movement of the detected portion, and a substrate on which the detection portion is arranged. The detection portion is aligned in an in-plane direction of the substrate and performs a switching operation upon detection of movement of the detected portion in the in-plane direction.

A position sensor including: a power supply terminal to which a power supply voltage is applied; a ground terminal to which a ground voltage is applied; an output terminal that outputs a signal; a detection portion that operates based on the power supply voltage and the ground voltage, and detects a position of a detection target by a magnetic resistance element whose resistance value changes according to a movement of the detection target; and a signal processing portion that operates based on the power supply voltage and the ground voltage, and processes a signal input from the detection portion.

The present invention concerns an environmental sensor circuit for a portable connected wireless device, the circuit including a capacitive proximity sensor configured to determine whether a user is in proximity with its body to the portable connected wireless device, by sensing variation in the capacitance of an electrode in electric connection with the environmental integrated circuit, a magnetic field probe, providing a signal proportional to a magnetic field strength, wherein the integrated circuit has an analogue/digital converter configured to produce proximity digital values representative of the capacitance of the electrode and magnetic field digital values representative of the magnetic field strength, the integrated circuit further comprising a digital processor configured for suppressing unwanted noise and drift components from the proximity digital values and from the magnetic field digital values.

One embodiment provides a method, including: detecting, using a sensor of an information handling device, a change in a magnetic field associated with the information handling device; determining, using a processor, whether the change in the magnetic field corresponds to a known command; and performing, responsive to determining that the change in the magnetic field corresponds to the known command, a function dictated by the known command. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Electronic headphones that are operational when worn or placed on the head of a wearer and are non-operational when the electronic headphones are not worn. In exemplary embodiments, one or more sensors in the electronic headphones may detect this change of position of the earcups/pivot arms of the headset which indicates the wearer is no longer wearing the electronic headphones and put the electronic headphones in a non-operational state. Correspondingly, when placed on the head of a wearer, the sensor(s) detect the change of position of the electronic headphones which indicates the wearer is wearing the electronic headphones and puts the electronic headphones in an operational state.

A magnetic sensing system includes a sensor and three magnets. The sensor is located within an appliance housing, the appliance having three moving components. The first magnet is disposed in a first orientation adjacent the first moving component, with the position of the first magnet changing in concert with movement of the first moving component. The second magnet is disposed in a second orientation adjacent the second moving component, with the position of the second magnet changing in concert with movement of the second moving component. The third magnet is disposed in a third orientation adjacent the third moving component, with the position of the third magnet changing in concert with movement of the third moving component. The sensor detects displacement of the first moving component, the second moving component, or the third moving component.

The technology provides for an extension member configured to direct a magnetic field from a magnet to a Hall Effect sensor to facilitate detection of magnetic field. By varying the dimensions of the extension member, which may be any arbitrary shape, the relative positions of the magnet and the Hall Effect sensor may be less constrained by the reach of the magnetic field of the magnet, thereby allowing more design possibilities. The extension member may be used in a case, where the extension member may facilitate detection of whether the case is open or closed, the extension member may further provide magnetic attraction to keep the case closed.

A device menu controls connector for a process automation field device include a field device part and a removable knob assembly. The field device part includes one or more Hall effect sensors, and the knob assembly includes one or more magnets. When the knob assembly is attached to the field device part, the knob may be rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise, or may be pushed or pulled. The interaction of the magnets and Hall effect sensors allow the field device to sense the rotation and the pushing and pulling of the knob. The programming of the field device allows the device menu controls connector to simulate <Up>, <Down>, <Right>, <Left>, <Enter>, and <Esc> key presses of a user interface. A field device having such a device menu controls connector is also disclosed.

One embodiment provides a method, including: detecting, using a sensor of an information handling device, a change in a magnetic field associated with the information handling device; determining, using a processor, whether the change in the magnetic field corresponds to a known command; and performing, responsive to determining that the change in the magnetic field corresponds to the known command, a function dictated by the known command. Other aspects are described and claimed.