Methods and devices are presented for synchronizing positioning signals in a kinematic location network. In particular, methods and devices are presented for synchronizing a unique positioning signal generated by a positioning-unit device to a reference positioning signal generated by a reference transmitter, where the positioning-unit device and the reference transmitter are moving relative to each other. In certain embodiments the reference transmitter or the positioning-unit device, or both, self-monitor trajectory data comprising one or more of location, velocity or acceleration, e.g. using inertial navigation systems, and broadcast that data in their positioning signals. The trajectory data enables estimation of Doppler shifts and propagation delays associated with the positioning signals, allowing measurement and correction of clock drift for synchronization of the positioning signals.

A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for improved switching speed and/or tunability for radio-frequency (RF) devices are described. In one embodiment, a liquid crystal (LC) component comprises an LC structure in a mixture with right-handed (R) and left-handed (S) chiral dopants.

A system is described, along with the related device and method, for transmission and/or reception of signals having electromagnetic modes with orbital angular momentum (OAM), wherein the device is adapted to receive, at its input, electromagnetic signals from at least one transmitter, and is configured to apply a discrete Fourier transform to the electromagnetic signals in order to generate the signals having electromagnetic modes with orbital angular momentum.

Provided are a method for measuring the fill level of a fill substance with at least one radar sensor and with at least one electronic evaluation unit comprising the steps recording of an echo curve, recording of a Doppler frequency spectrum, evaluation of the Doppler frequency spectrum by the electronic evaluation unit and evaluation of the echo curve by the electronic evaluation unit taking into consideration the results of the evaluation of the Doppler frequency spectrum by the electronic evaluation unit, as well as a fill level measuring device with at least one radar sensor and an electronic control and evaluation unit, that is set up for the implementation of such a method.

A system comprising: an interrogator device, comprising: a first transmit antenna configured to transmit radio-frequency (RF) signals circularly polarized in a first rotational direction; and a first receive antenna configured to receive RF signals circularly polarized in a second rotational direction different from the first rotational direction; and a target device, comprising: a second receive antenna configured to receive RF signals circularly polarized in the first rotational direction and a second transmit antenna configured to transmit, to the interrogator device, RF signals circularly polarized in the second rotational direction.

The invention relates to a method in a radar system, wherein: in a first non-coherent transmitting-receiving unit (NKSE1), a first signal (sigTX1) is generated and is transmitted, in particular emitted, via a path (SP); in a further, in particular second non-coherent transmitting-receiving unit (NKSE2), a first signal (sigTX2) is generated and is sent, in particular emitted, via the path (SP); in the first transmitting-receiving unit (NKSE1), a comparison signal (sigC12) is formed from the first signal (sigTX1) of the first transmitting-receiving unit and from such a first signal (sigTX2) received from the further transmitting-receiving unit (NKSE2) via the path (SP); and in the further transmitting-receiving unit (NKSE2), a further comparison signal (sigC21) is formed from the first signal (sigTX2) of the further transmitting-receiving unit and from such a first signal (sigTX1) received from the first transmitting-receiving unit (NKSE1) via the path (SP), wherein the further comparison signal (sigC21) is transmitted, in particular communicated, to the first transmitting-receiving unit (NKSE1) by the further transmitting-receiving unit (NKSE2). The invention further relates to a radar system and to a device of a radar system that perform such a method.

In an embodiment of the disclosed technology, a visual output of data from a ground-penetrating radar and magnetic field measuring device is displayed on a visual medium. The display has a first exhibition of output from the ground-penetrating radar device and a second from a magnetic field measuring device, such as a very low frequency (VLF) receiver. Using an identical axis, such as an X-axis measuring time or distance, output of each device is exhibited and overlaid over one another. In this manner, one can detect (using two different methodologies and uses) the visual exhibition of both to best determine the location of a metal or electrical target.

An electronic device includes an antenna including an antenna electrode, a circuit substrate, and a short-circuit portion short-circuiting the antenna electrode and the circuit substrate, a display unit, a case accommodating the antenna and the display unit, and a band connected to the case. In the short-circuit portion, a width in a direction intersecting a line segment binding a position of the short-circuit portion connected to the antenna electrode and a position of the short-circuit portion connected to the circuit substrate is narrower than a maximum width of the antenna electrode and a maximum width of the circuit substrate in a direction oriented along the intersection direction.

The invention discloses a recovery assistance device for helping in rescuing victims of avalanches, earthquakes or boat capsizes. The device is capable of calculating a position from combinations of a previous position and distances to other devices. Different configurations are possible, with a basic configuration consisting of a smart phone having waveform generation capabilities, processing and GNSS receiving capabilities. The device is programmed to be used in a defined mission by an application. The device can also receive a number of add-ons as a battery add-on, a modem add-on, a sound wave generation add-on, antennas, and protection, possibly waterproof, if adequate. Devices of the same type can be carried by people to be rescued and rescuers. The device is therefore quite versatile and can increase significantly the efficiency of rescue teams in different use case scenarios.

A radio communication device including a memory and a processor coupled to the memory and the processor configured to determine a method, among a plurality of methods for beam forming, to be used for forming a first beam for a first terminal and a second beam for a second terminal based on a difference between an emitting direction of the first beam, to be formed, from the radio communication device and an estimated direction of the second terminal from the radio communication apparatus, the estimated direction being estimated based on a received signal from a second terminal, and form the first beam and the second beam based on the determined method.

A liquid-application device that permits a user to selectively apply herbicide to weeds without applying the herbicide to adjacent plants. A reservoir of herbicide is mounted to a container end of an elongated tube and a wick is mounted to an opposite end. The tube has a central passage through which the liquid flows from the container end to the wick end by gravity. A valve mechanism at the wick end controls the flow of liquid out of the central passage. A wick retainer in the valve mechanism holds a wick that receives liquid released through the valve. A shroud covers the wick and the wick protrudes after the shroud is seated on a weed leaf. The shroud can be withdrawn by a mechanical connection, such as a trigger, or by simply forcing the shroud out of the way.

An adjustable water retention device for a plant pot has a plant container nesting in a second outer pot, with a facilitated flow of water communicating between the second outer pot and the plant container, wherein the second outer pot rests on a base.

A plant cultivation device and feed-water control method, in which a detected moisture amount to start watering and a water amount to be used per watering are easily determined, includes a plant cultivation container for pooling plant cultivation water; a water-absorbing plant cultivation bed material; a feed-water device for supplying the plant cultivation water to the plant cultivation container; a first moisture sensor for detecting moisture around an immersed part of the plant cultivation bed material; a second moisture sensor for detecting moisture around a growth part of the plant cultivation bed material where a root of a plant is received; and a controller for supplying water when values detected by both of the first and second moisture sensors are below respective reference values, and for stopping water supply when a value detected by either the first or second moisture sensor is above the corresponding reference value.

Disclosed is a paint spraying device for spraying paint onto a desired target in such a way that the paint spraying device can be easily moved, the paint can be promptly and uniformly heated so as to be liquefied, and a constant temperature of the paint can be maintained. The paint spraying device includes: a frame (100) with moving wheels (110) rotated by a motor, the moving wheels located on a lower surface of the frame; a housing (200) mounted on the frame (100), with a receiving space (210) formed therein, and an open discharge outlet formed in a lower part of the housing; a heater unit (300) provided in the receiving space (210) of the housing (200) so as to heat paint poured into the receiving space (210); a spraying pump (400) mounted on the frame (100), and connected to the discharge outlet so as to move the paint melted by the heater unit (300); and a spraying hose (500) of which a first end is connected to the spraying pump (400), and a second end is provided with a spraying gun (510) so as to spray the melted paint onto a location desired by a user.

A seal device that may be for a variable area fan nozzle (VAFN) assembly of a turbofan engine is positioned between first and second surfaces configured to move between close and distant positions. The seal device includes a first electrode engaged to the first surface and a second electrode spaced between the first and second surfaces and spaced from the first electrode. A resilient first element of the device is disposed between and engages to the first and second electrodes, and is configured to move between contracted and expanded states when the electrodes are energized. A resilient second element of the device opposes the second surface and is engaged to the second electrode. The second element is configured to move between a compressed mode when the first and second surfaces are in the close position and an extended mode when the first and second surfaces are in the distant position.

Some embodiments provide irrigation valve control apparatuses comprising: a solenoid configured to cooperate with a plunger; an input stimulus source coupled with the solenoid and configured to apply an input stimulus while a plunger drive signal is not being applied and that is sufficiently small to not cause the plunger to move; sampling circuitry configured to measure one or more voltage measurements corresponding to one or more voltages across the solenoid, wherein the one or more voltage measurements are dependent upon the current position of the plunger relative to the solenoid; and control circuitry cooperated with the sampling circuitry to receive the one or more voltage measurements from the sampling circuitry, wherein the control circuitry is configured to determine whether the plunger is in one of the open and closed positions based on the one or more voltage measurements.

A cleaning device for atomizing and spraying liquid in two-phase flow comprising a nozzle provided with multiple liquid bypass pipelines each having liquid guiding outlets inclined at a predetermined angle and an exhaust mesh plate having vertical gas guiding outlets, which makes the high speed liquid flow and high speed gas flow sprayed out therefrom collide against each other sufficiently to form ultra-micro atomized particles with uniform and adjustable size. The ultra-micro atomized particles are sprayed out downwardly to the wafer surface under the acceleration and vertical orientation effects of an atomized particle guiding outlet to perform a reciprocating cleaning for the wafer. Other components such as an ultrasonic or megasonic generation unit, a gas shielding unit, a self-cleaning unit or a rotating unit can also be provided to perform the multifunction of the nozzle.

Device for evaporating volatile substances including a container for a liquid that contains volatile substances and means for evaporating the volatile substances, where the means for evaporating the volatile substances include two semipermeable membranes, such that the device allows the optimisation of the evaporation of the volatile substances present in the liquid, doubling the evaporation surface thereof compared to conventional devices, and increases the user's perception of the amount of liquid evaporated.

A diffusion device for atomizing liquids includes a floating magnet disposed within a track inside at least one package with liquid for the atomizing diffusion device, wherein as a liquid level inside the package changes, the floating magnet moves substantially vertically along the track, a plurality of Hall effect sensors or Hall effect switches disposed outside the liquid at various positions, the Hall effect sensors or Hall effect switches each generating an output voltage in response to a magnetic field of the floating magnet, and a processor that receives the output voltages and fits them to a model that includes the floating magnet position with respect to various sets of output voltages to determine a position of the floating magnet with respect to the Hall effect sensors.

An electrostatic atomizing device includes a discharge section capable of retaining a liquid, a voltage applying section for applying a voltage to the discharge section, and a control section for setting the voltage applied by the voltage applying section to a given voltage at which a charged particulate water can be produced in an amount equal to or greater than a given amount. The control section is configured to set the voltage applied by the voltage applying section to a voltage lower than the given voltage at an operation start, and then to change the lower voltage to the given voltage. The electrostatic atomizing device can shorten a time needed before the electrostatic atomizing phenomenon occurs.

The present invention provides spray devices for plumbing fixture fittings and unitarily formed components thereof having complex flow paths, made of multiple materials, and/or that are movable.

In a piezoelectric ejector assembly, a piezoelectric actuator is attached to an ejector mechanism, while a drive signal generator and a controller are coupled to the actuator. The drive signal generator is configured to generate a drive signal for driving the actuator to oscillate the ejector assembly. The controller is configured to control the drive signal generator to drive the actuator at a resonant frequency of the ejector assembly, and an auto-tuning circuit is provided to define the optimum drive signal frequency.

The invention provides an air and fluid cleaning system for propelling a cleaning fluid and air onto a vehicle vision device such as a vehicle camera system. The cleaning system comprises at least one fluid nozzle aimed at the camera; at least one cleaning fluid pump fluidly connected to both a fluid supply conduit and a cleaning fluid source; at least one air nozzle aimed at the vehicle camera; and at least one telescopic air jet fluidly connected to the air nozzle, hydraulically connected to the fluid supply conduit, and operated by the fluid pressure provided by the cleaning fluid pump; such that during a first operation time interval only cleaning fluid is propelled onto the vehicle camera and during a second operation time interval only an air jet burst is propelled onto the vehicle camera. The invention further includes a method for cleaning a vehicle camera exposed to ambient.

A food topping and cutting device includes a handle coupled to a cutting edge, and further includes a container coupled to the handle. The container has a dispenser at one end configured to dispense, adjacent to the cutting edge, a food topping supplied from the container.

An on-board hydride storage system and process are described. The system includes a slurry storage system that includes a slurry reactor and a variable concentration slurry. In one preferred configuration, the storage system stores a slurry containing a hydride storage material in a carrier fluid at a first concentration of hydride solids. The slurry reactor receives the slurry containing a second concentration of the hydride storage material and releases hydrogen as a fuel to hydrogen-power devices and vehicles.

A cutting device includes a first part and a second part which is pivotably connected to the first part. A first fixing portion is located in the top side of the first part. The second part has a second fixing portion defined in the underside side thereof and facing the top side of the first part. The second fixing portion is located corresponding to the first fixing portion. A reception slot is defined axially in the second part and communicates with the second fixing portion and the underside of the second part. A blade is inserted into the reception slot. A hole is defined through the first part for receiving a hydraulic hose. A pressing member is pivotably located in a recess in one side of the first part and is able to press the hydraulic hose passing through the hole and the recess.

A method for controlling the effective heat transfer from a storage unit (1). During gas release from storage material (3) in the storage unit the storage material is heated by a heater (2). During re-saturation of the storage material (3) with gas the heater is off. Controlling of the effective heat transfer from the storage unit (1) is performed, during gas release, by ceasing convection of a convection gas and, during re-saturation, by performing or enabling convection of a convection gas to cool the storage unit (1).

The device for tapping and inoculating trees includes an elongate, main arm having an actuating mechanism attached to one end and a housing attached to the opposite end. A cutting mechanism extends from one side of the housing and a spray system is disposed in a recess in the housing. A universal actuator operates both the cutting mechanism and the spray system upon activation by the actuating mechanism. The cutting mechanism taps or scrapes the bark off the target branch and the spray system sprays a solution that stimulates the tapped area into producing more sap and sap of higher quality.

A device is provided for cutting and/or de-silking corn on the cob. A single unit has a base and a removable cover. A brush for use in removing silks is mounted on one side of the base, and a cutter is mounted on the other side. When it is desired to use the tool on one side instead of the other, the cover is placed over the other tool. The cover then is used as an easy-to-grip palm-fitting structure to push the brush or the cutter along the ear of corn.

A combination tool of the locknut wrench type, which includes a leveling device and a screwdriver blade on the opposite end. The locknut head and screwdriver ends may be interchanged depending on the size locknut wrench needed and the type of screwdriver needed.

Provided is a hardcoat film having a film thickness of 25 μm or less in which a polymerized substance of a compound having an energy ray-curable group and a resin are mixed across an entire region in a film thickness direction, in which a percentage of a mass concentration of the resin which is represented by the Expression (1) as defined herein has a distribution in which the percentage is maximized on at least one of two opposed surfaces, in the film thickness direction, of the hardcoat film or at a central part, in the film thickness direction, of the hardcoat film.

Provided is a conductive roller coating composition which can reduce degradation of toner during durable printing when used for a developing roller, and a developing roller and image formation device using the same. In a conductive roller coating composition containing a resin component including a polyol and an isocyanate, and microparticles, a Tg of the microparticles is −13° C. or less. In a developing roller including: a shaft 1; and an elastic layer 2 supported on an outer periphery of the shaft 1, an outer periphery of the elastic layer 2 is coated with the conductive roller coating composition.

An anchor layer formation composition, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer-attached optical film, and an image display device are provided, in which the composition includes an oxazoline group-containing polymer and an ionic compound including a cation component and a sulfonyl group-containing anion component and is capable of forming an anchor layer that can improve the adhesion between a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and an optical film when interposed therebetween, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer-attached optical film has high durability and good reworkability and allows the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer to resist chipping, and the image display device has the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer-attached optical film.

The magnetic tape has a magnetic layer containing ferromagnetic powder and binder on a nonmagnetic support, wherein the coercive force measured in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape is less than or equal to 167 kA/m, a timing-based servo pattern is present on the magnetic layer, and the edge shape specified by observing the timing-based servo pattern with a magnetic force microscope is a shape in which the difference between the value of the 99.9% cumulative distribution function of the width of misalignment from the ideal shape in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape and the value L0.1 of the 0.1% cumulative distribution function, L99.9-L0.1, is less than or equal to 180 nm.

Disclosed herein is an electronic apparatus to allow a window to have an anti-scratch and anti-shock protection by allowing a coating unit including a coating layer having a high hardness and a coating layer having a low hardness, to be coated on an upper portion of the window. An electronic apparatus includes a display module, a window disposed on an upper portion of the display module to protect the display module, and a coating unit coated on an upper portion of the window to have a hardness to prevent the window from being damaged, wherein the coating unit comprises a first coating layer coated on the upper portion of the window and a second coating layer coated on an upper portion of the first coating layer to have a high hardness to prevent the window from being scratched, wherein the first coating layer is coated to have a relatively lower hardness than the second coating layer to absorb a shock applied to the window.

A network connection framework for connecting a dartboard to a portable device includes: a cloud server; a communication device communicating with the cloud server via a communication network; a dartboard including a dartboard unit, a sensing unit and a dartboard wireless communication unit which connects the dartboard to the cloud server via wireless signal, the dartboard wireless communication unit serves to receive and transmit the score signal to the could server; and a portable device with a portable device wireless communication device which connects the portable device to the cloud server via wireless signal. When the user registration information is inputted in the portable device, the score corresponding to the score signal will be displayed. Therefore, the dart game can be played by players in different venues, and consequently is not restricted by the number of the players and the size and location of the venue.

A gaming device includes a base, a runway, and a target. The base includes a baseplate and a ramp. The base plate has an upper surface and a leading end. The ramp includes a ramp leg that supports the ramp in an inclined position. The runway has a free end that extends from the leading end of the base plate in a deployed configuration of the gaming device. The target includes a target plate having a target surface that defines a plurality of holes. The target plate is hingedly attached to the base plate such that the base plate is foldable into the target in a transport configuration of the gaming device. In the transport configuration, the upper surface of the base plate opposes the target surface of the target plate with the ramp disposed between the upper surface and the target surface.

The disclosure refers to a control device and method for an intelligent basketball shooting machine, the device includes a control module, a blue-tooth communication module, a display module, a control switch, a power-supplying module, and a first sensor and a second sensor both for counting; the first sensor is used for catching amount of goals in one basket of basketball shooting machine, and the second sensor used for catching amount of goals in another basket of basketball shooting machine; the first sensor, second sensor, blue-tooth communication module, display module, control switch and power-supplying module are respectively connected with control module; the disclosure makes the basketball shooting machine go on single game or online game, besides, the player can play the shooting game with friends by remote way just through an intelligent terminal, which increases interest and convenience.

Card handling devices may include a card shuffling apparatus and a card output portion having a card buffer area positioned at an interface of the card shuffling apparatus and the card output portion. The card output portion may be configured to move relative to the card shuffling apparatus and alter the orientation of the card buffer area. Card handling devices having a substantially flat card output area may include an interface portion having an at least substantially flat draw surface. The substantially flat card output area may permit playing cards to be drawn from an outlet of the substantially flat card output area in a plurality of at least substantially horizontal directions. Methods of shuffling playing cards may include altering an orientation of a card buffer area and inserting cards into the card buffer area at both a top and a bottom of a group of cards within the card buffer area.

An automated playing card, shuffling and dealing device in turn shuffles and in turn deals playing cards of two playing card sets, includes two card slot assemblies each disposed with a shuffled card box and a dealt card box. A control unit controls a dealing element to align with the playing card set in the shuffled card box of the card slot assembly at a card drawing position, sequentially draw the cards in the playing card set, and move the uncovered cards to the corresponding dealt card box. Meanwhile, the control unit controls a shuffling machine to align with the playing card set in the dealt card box of the card slot assembly at a card shuffling position. After the dealing process is complete, the control unit exchanges the positions of two card slot assemblies. Accordingly, shuffling and dealing in turn are completed in an uninterrupted and automated manner.

The invention relates to a device for cooling hot gases generated by an internal arc in high voltage metal-enclosed switchgear and controlgear or prefabricated high voltage/low voltage stations. This device comprises a metal foam cooling filter having a honeycomb structure.

A heat-insulating shroud for facilitating temperature control of a heated article includes a flexible cover, made from a heat-insulating material, for covering a surface of the heated article, at least one air inlet defined in a first section of the flexible cover, and at least one air outlet defined in a second section of the flexible cover. In a cooling mode of operation, the flexible cover defines an air channel over the surface of the heated article for channeling an air stream from the air inlet(s) over the surface of the heated article towards the air outlet(s). The channeling of the air stream facilitates cooling the heated article. In a heat-conservation mode of operation, the flexible cover of heat-insulating material insulates the heated article from heat loss. Each air outlet may have a closure that opens during the cooling mode of operation and closes during the heat-conservation mode of operation.

Provided is an air-conditioning device for a vehicle, including: a cooling device configured to cool air passing through a duct; a heater core, which is arranged in the duct on a downstream side of airflow with respect to the cooling device, and is configured to use an engine coolant as a heat source to heat the air; a water valve provided in a coolant circulation system on an upstream side of the heater core; and a controller configured to control those components, in which the controller is configured to decrease an opening amount of the water valve in a predetermined cooling mode. The control is configured to, when the opening amount of the water valve is decreased, decrease a rotational speed of a compressor of the cooling device, and increase a target evaporator temperature of an evaporator of the cooling device, thereby decreasing cooling performance of the cooling device.

A swing structure of a heat dissipating device includes an elongated blade and a magnetic actuation disposed on the blade. The blade has a loading segment and a heat dissipating segment, two opposite end portions of the loading segment are respectively defined as a mounting end portion and a connecting end portion, and two opposite end portions of the heat dissipating segment are respectively defined as a positioning end portion and a free end portion. The connecting end portion is connected to the positioning end portion. A thickness of the loading segment is greater than that of the heat dissipating segment. When the magnetic actuation is driven by a magnetic field to swing the blade, a swing angle of the free end portion of the heat dissipating segment is greater than that of the connecting end portion of the loading segment.

An integratable movement device for ventilating equipment includes an electric machine such as a motor and a fan wheel connected with the electric machine. The movement device further includes a housing, wherein the electric machine and the fan wheel are installed in an inner lower portion of the housing. An upper portion of the housing integrally forms one or more venting outlets. A plurality of venting outlet units is provided at the venting outlets respectively. A chamber provided between the venting outlets and the fan wheel in the housing defines a venting channel. The housing having the venting outlets and the venting channel, along with the venting outlet units, the electric machine and the fan wheel configure the integratable movement device that is able to be directly assembled into the ventilating equipment.

A heat exchange device includes a housing, a heat exchange module, and a piezoelectric module. Isolated inner and outer circulation chambers are formed in the housing. The heat exchange module in the housing includes a stack of separated plates parallel to each other. An inner channel communicated with the inner circulation chamber and an outer channel communicated with the outer circulation chamber are defined respectively by both sides of one of the plates and the other adjacent plates. The piezoelectric module in the housing includes a piezoelectric chip, and first and second heat exchange sides thermally coupled to the piezoelectric chip. The first heat exchange side is located in the inner circulation chamber and the second heat exchange side is located in the outer circulation chamber, so that heat can be transferred between the inner and outer circulation chambers via the piezoelectric chip.

An adjustable refrigerant distribution device and a heat exchanger having same. The heat exchanger comprises: first and second collecting pipes; a heat exchanger core body; and a refrigerant distribution device, the refrigerant distribution device comprises a first distribution pipe, a first inlet pipe and a first drive assembly. The pipe wall of the first distribution pipe is provided with a first distribution hole. The first distribution pipe is inserted into at least one of the first and the second collecting pipes. The first inlet pipe is located outside at least one collecting pipe and is in communication with the first distribution pipe, and the first drive assembly drives the first distribution pipe to move relative to at least one collecting pipe. The distribution pipe of the refrigerant distribution device and the heat exchanger can translate along the axial direction, thereby adjusting refrigerant distribution so as to satisfy different distribution requirements.

In order to enhance heat reception from a cooling target object by a heat sink to efficiently cool a device, the cooling target object, a cooling device including a heat sink and a fluid path is provided. Further, the heat sink includes a heat receiving face. The fluid path is formed so as to allow a predetermined fluid to pass therethrough. The heat exchange portion includes a first path arranged approximately in parallel to the heat receiving face of the heat sink.

Embodiments of the invention provides a decoder for decoding a signal received through a transmission channel in a communication system, said signal carrying information symbols selected from a given alphabet and being associated with a signal vector, said transmission channel being represented by a channel matrix, wherein said decoder comprises: a sub-block division unit (301) configured to divide the received signal vector into a set of sub-vectors in correspondence with a division of a matrix related to said channel matrix;a candidate set estimation unit (305) for recursively determining candidate estimates of sub-blocks of the transmitted signal corresponding to said sub-vectors, each estimate of a given sub-block being determined from at least one candidate estimate of the previously processed sub-blocks,wherein said candidate set estimation unit is configured to determine a set of candidate estimates for at least one sub-block of the transmitted signal by applying at least one iteration of a decoding algorithm using the estimates determined for the previously processed sub-blocks, the number of candidate estimates determined for said sub-block being strictly inferior to the cardinal of the alphabet and superior or equal to two, the decoder further comprising a signal estimation unit (306) for calculating an estimate of the transmitted signal from said candidate estimates determined for said sub-blocks.

Input device adhesive techniques are described. A pressure sensitive key includes a sensor substrate having one or more conductors, a spacer layer, and a flexible contact layer. The spacer layer is disposed proximal to the sensor substrate and has at least one opening. The flexible contact layer is spaced apart from the sensor substrate by the spacer layer and configured to flex through the opening in response to an applied pressure to initiate an input. The flexible contact layer is secured to the spacer layer such that at first edge, the flexible contact layer is secured to the spacer layer at an approximate midpoint of the first edge and is not secured to the spacer along another portion of the first edge and at a second edge, the flexible contact layer is not secured to the spacer layer along an approximate midpoint of the second edge.