RFID Sensing Accesses Door Lock

Touch sensing was demonstrated as an alternative to commonly used magnetic key sensing for authorizing access to a locked door in a previous Sensor Tips video. At the Hospitality Design Expo, at the Sands Convention Center in Las Vegas, May 19-21, Jon Nevison demonstrates another option using RFID technology for authorizing access. The implication from these two alternative technologies replacing a well-established approach is rather obvious: designers need to consider new options when updating an older product to expand future sales.

 For the video demonstration from the Hospitality Design Expo, click the quick play button below.

Touch Sensing Applications in Smart Mirrors

Yet another application for touch sensing occurs in smart mirrors. At the Hospitality Design Expo, at the Sands Convention Center in Las Vegas, May 19-21, Nicole Collins of Electric Mirror, a provider of mirrors that integrate a TV display, LED lighting, touch sensing, and more, demonstrates the functionality and elegance of touch sensing integrated into the company’s Fusion lighted mirror.

 For more information about Electric Mirror and its high tech mirror products, click here.

 For the video demonstration from the Hospitality Design Expo, click the quick play button below.

Touch Sensing Applications in Light Dimmers and Thermostats

Additional applications for touch sensing are in light dimmers and room thermostats. At the Hospitality Design Expo, at the Sands Convention Center in Las Vegas, May 19-21, Justin Gardner of INNCOM, a provider of integrated room automation systems, demonstrates the functionality of these stylish examples.

 For more information about INNCOM and its energy management products, click here.

 For the video demonstration from the Hospitality Design Expo, click the quick play button below.

Touch Sensing Technology Opens Doors

Touch sensing is finding many applications in the hospitality industry.  In this first of three videos from the Hospitality Design Expo, touch sensing provides access through a backlit and simulated push-button display for a high-tech door.

For the video demonstration from the Hospitality Design Expo, click the quick play button below.

Use Touch Sensing for a New Look and Feel

Companies that want to give their products a distinctive look and feel are turning to touch sensing as an alternative to traditional push buttons. The simple flat surface is also easier to maintain and keep clean. As a result, a variety of medical, industrial, automotive and hospitality industry applications are appearing.

One of the newest touch sensing products is Microchip Technology’s PIC16F707 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) that includes two 16-channel Capacitive Sensing Modules (CSMs). Part of the Microchip’s mTouch sensing, the product is the first in a series supporting projected capacitive touch (PCT) screen solutions that will span the company’s portfolio of 8-, 16- and 32-bit PIC MCUs.   

Unlike other capacitive touch sensing approaches such as surface, mutual, or self-capacitance designs, projected capacitive touch technology uses an etched conductive layer in the glass. The layer is either a single layer forming a grid pattern or to separate perpendicular layers of conductive material with parallel lines or traces that form a grid pattern. PCT provides greater resolution allowing operation without direct contact. Coatings, screen protectors and even a glass layer can isolate the PTC depending on the application’s requirements.

The PIC16F707 has 32 capacitive touch channels and additional features such as 14 KB program memory 14-channel, 8-bit analog to digital converter and more to support the touch screen application.

To simplify the design process, the company offers a development kit called the DM160211 for $119.99. The kit includes a 3.5-in sensor mounted on a sensor board, a projected-capacitive board with the PIC16F707 MCU and fully functional firmware.

For more information about Microchip Technology’s PIC16F707, click here.

For more information about Microchip Technology’s DM160211 development kit, click here.

For more information about Microchip Technology’s mTouch sensing solutions, click here.

Formula One Racing Experience Applied to World Class Racing Bike

In addition to all its sophisticated mechanical design for competitive racing, the Factor 001 has dozens of sensors to make over 21 measurements. The measurements indicate the environment, rider’s physical condition and performance. The sensing technologies include accelerometers, pressure, torque, humidity, temperature, position, speed, angular velocity and power sensors. Designed and manufactured by BERU f1systems (bf1systems), the racing bike uses technology insight gathered from the company’s experience in aircraft and Formula One automotive racing applications. As an indication of the performance capability of the sensors, the integrated crank position sensor is accurate to within one degree of rotational position.

For more information about bf1systems Factor 001 go to http://www.factor001.com/bike-design

Ease Temperature Concerns: We’ll Call You

Adding to its USB, and Wi-Fi editions, Temperature@lert Cellular Edition monitors the ambient temperature in a server room or other critical area and alerts the user via email, telephone and text message when the temperature rises or falls outside of an acceptable range. The pre-calibrated digital temperature sensor is accurate to within ±0.5°C with a range of -40°F to +200°F. Plugging the Temperature@lert Cellular Edition into a power outlet initiates transmission of temperature readings over the AT&T and T-Mobile cellular phone networks to the company’s 24/7 monitoring system and dashboard website.

For more information on Temperature@lert Cellular Edition go to: http://www.temperaturealert.com/Remote-Temperature/Temperature-Alert-Cellular-Sensor.aspx

Customize Your Sensor

Settling for an off the shelf sensor may not be the way to go for application that has special requirements. As a result, Sherborne Sensors recent expansion of custom manufacturing capabilities for its accelerometer, inclinometer and load cell product lines, as well as its ability to design and develop a custom sensor could be advantageous. This is especially true if the application requires special mechanical consideration such as a custom form factor, temperature rating or weatherproofing. However, custom electrical requirements such as a non-standard range, electronic output filters, special electrical connection, special power requirements or custom calibrations are also possible from Sherborne. The company focuses on industrial, military and aerospace applications.

For more information check out Sherborne Sensors website: http://www.sherbornesensors.com/

Scott D. Seehawer Named President of TRI-TRONICS

TRI-TRONICS COMPANY, INC. Since 1995, he has held the positions of Electrical Engineer, Director of Engineering, VP of Engineering, and most recently Senior VP of Operations.

Seehawer is a graduate of the University of South Florida with a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Enginneering and also graduated with honors from their MBA program. He holds several patents through the TRI-TRONICS Company.

TRI-TRONICS Company
www.tritronics.com

Servo Inclinometers Have IP64 Environmentally Sealed Housing

Sherborne Sensors announced the North American market introduction of the LSI series, a family of cost-effective, rugged, closed loop gravity referenced servo inclinometers. The LSI series is specially designed to withstand severe shock and vibration inputs, for precision measurement capabilities in even the most demanding of environments.

The LSI series incorporates a unique, flexure-supported torque balancing system, which is rugged enough to withstand shock inputs of 1500 g, yet still provides excellent accuracy and repeatability over a wide operating temperature range. For added durability, sensor components and associated electronics are contained within IP64 environmentally sealed housing. Units are available in ranges of ±14.5°, ±30° and ±90°, and offer a high level, 5-Volt analog DC-output signal, proportional to sine of the angle of tilt. LSI series models are fully self-contained, and are able to connect to a DC power source and a readout or control device, to form a complete operating system. These robust units are ideal for use in civil engineering, structural monitoring, geophysical and seismic studies, machinery and structural alignment, pipeline leveling, crane safety and satellite antenna leveling applications, among others. Recommended accessories include bi-polar power supplies and the new DTI series digital panel indicator, which allows a user to read outputs directly in degrees. All are available from Sherborne Sensors.

www.sherbornesensors.com

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