An optical sensing system includes a transmitter side and a receiver side, and is configured to be positioned below a display of an electronic device. The transmitter side includes a light emitter. The receiver side includes an array of photodiodes. The light emitter of the transmitter side and the array of photodiodes of the receiver side are optically coupled via a waveguide. As a result of this construction, the optical sensing system can be operated as an interferometric optical sensor.

A method and apparatus for ranging finding of signal transmitting devices is provided. The method of signal reception is digitally based only and does not require receivers that are analog measurement devices. Ranging can be achieved using a single pulse emitting device operating in range spaced relation with a minimum of a single signal transmitter and a single digital receiver and processing circuitry. In general a plurality of transmitting pulsed emitters may be ranged and positioned virtually simultaneously in 3-dimensions (XYZ coordinates) using a configuration of a plurality of digital receivers arranged in any fixed 3-dimensional configuration. Applications may involve at least one single transmitter to receiver design to determine range, or at least one transmitted reflecting signal off from an object to determine range.

In a relay unit, a sensor-side communication controller acquires setting information from a synchronization line and stores the acquired setting information in a storage unit in response to reception of a backup instruction from a communication master by a master-side communication controller. The sensor-side communication controller outputs the setting information stored in the storage unit to the synchronization line via a branch line in response to reception of a restoration instruction from the communication master by the master-side communication controller. The sensor-side communication controller periodically or aperiodically compares the setting information transmitted through the synchronization line with the setting information of the storage unit so as to detect presence or absence of a difference. The master-side communication controller outputs a notification signal to the communication master in response to detection of the difference.

A light switch network comprises a plurality of light switch units, each comprising a gesture interface to sense a user gesture by receiving at least one gesture signal from a sensing zone, and configured to exchange one or more gesture status signals with at least one other switch unit in the network in relation to the received gesture signal; each switch being enabled, on receiving the gesture signal: in a first mode, to change a designated switch mode and/or state in response to the gesture signal; or in a second mode, to not change the designated switch mode and/or state according to one or more conditions associated with the status signals received from the other switch unit.

An actuation device for a public transport vehicle to avoid transmission of bacteria during the actuation. The device can be actuated by a predefined contactless actuation gesture, the device having a sensor unit that measures without contact and an evaluation unit, which is connected to the sensor unit. The sensor unit can generate a sensor signal transmit the sensor signal to the evaluation unit when an object, in particular a finger or a hand of a person, performs, within a detection space of the sensor unit, a movement at a distance from the actuation device, the signal being dependent on the movement sequence of the movement. The evaluation unit can check whether the movement is a predefined contactless actuation gesture, by which the actuation device can be actuated. If the movement is such an actuation gesture, a control signal is generated for a device of the vehicle.

A configuration is implemented that can adjust a stroke of an operation section of a switch required to cause predetermined processing to be executed. The present disclosure includes an operation section that can move in a predetermined direction from an initial position by a user operation, a position adjustment section that adjusts, in the predetermined direction, an amount of movement of the operation section from the initial position to a detection position, a position detection section that detects a position of the operation section with respect to the detection position, and a control section that controls execution of processing corresponding to the detection position based on a detection result from the position detection section.

Touchless control panel systems and methods are disclosed. A touchless control panel may include a housing and one or more user inputs. The individual user inputs can include an aperture extending through the housing, a primary sensor disposed to detect objects inserted a first distance into the housing through the aperture and to generate a first signal when an object is detected, and a haptic device configured to provide haptic feedback to objects inserted through the aperture. Processing circuitry in communication with the one or more user inputs can be configured to, for each of the one or more user inputs, receive the first signal from the primary sensor, transmit a control signal based on the first signal, and cause the haptic device to provide haptic feedback based on the first signal. The disclosed touchless control panels may be installed as elevator control stations.

Safety systems for operating equipment have a source of visible light, a first signal light transmitter, a first signal light receiver, preferably a second signal light transmitter and second signal light receiver. A fiber optic bundle with at least one section of illuminated cable emits the visible light and carries the signal light. The signal light follows an optical circuit through the fiber optic bundle from the signal light transmitters to the signal light receivers. The signal light receivers are connected to suitable controls of the system such that if a predetermined light signal is not received by the signal light receiver(s), the operating equipment will stop and/or alarms will be generated. The fiber optic bundle is connected to optical pull switches which interrupt the light circuit if a person applies a predetermined pull force to the optical fiber bundle.

A method and apparatus for ranging finding of signal transmitting devices is provided. The method of signal reception is digitally based only and does not require receivers that are analog measurement devices. Ranging can be achieved using a single pulse emitting device operating in range spaced relation with a minimum of a single signal transmitter and a single digital receiver and processing circuitry. In general a plurality of transmitting pulsed emitters may be ranged and positioned virtually simultaneously in 3-dimensions (XYZ coordinates) using a configuration of a plurality of digital receivers arranged in any fixed 3-dimensional configuration. Applications may involve at least one single transmitter to receiver design to determine range, or at least one transmitted reflecting signal off from an object to determine range.

In a relay unit, a sensor-side communication controller acquires setting information from a synchronization line and stores the acquired setting information in a storage unit in response to reception of a backup instruction from a communication master by a master-side communication controller. The sensor-side communication controller outputs the setting information stored in the storage unit to the synchronization line via a branch line in response to reception of a restoration instruction from the communication master by the master-side communication controller. The sensor-side communication controller periodically or aperiodically compares the setting information transmitted through the synchronization line with the setting information of the storage unit so as to detect presence or absence of a difference. The master-side communication controller outputs a notification signal to the communication master in response to detection of the difference.