A sensor switch including a first sensor electrode and a second sensor electrode at least partially surrounding the first sensor electrode. An evaluation and control circuit of the sensor switch is configured to generate a switch output signal if a first sensor electrode attenuation signal indicates a high signal attenuation, a second sensor electrode attenuation signal indicates a low signal attenuation, and a cross-coupling signal from the first to the second electrode indicates a low cross-coupling.

A proximity sensor including a first substrate, a second substrate, a first connecting member, at least one first electrode, and a detection part. The first substrate is disposed in the vicinity of a first detection space. The second substrate is disposed on an opposite side of the first substrate to the first detection space. The second substrate faces the first substrate. The first connecting member connects the first substrate and the second substrate. The at least one first electrode is provided on the first substrate and configured such that a signal from the at least one first electrode changes in response to a change in a first capacitance caused by a detection target approaching to the first detection space. The detection part is provided on the second substrate and configured to detect the approach of the detection target based on the signal from the at least one first electrode.

An input device includes an operation unit to receive an operation, the operation unit including a magnetic member having a magnetic property, at least one load detection unit to detect a load on the operation unit and detect the load according to capacitance between a pair of conductors, a substrate on which an electrode as one of the pair of conductors of the load detection unit is arranged, and a drive unit including a coil to generate a magnetic field for driving the magnetic member. The coil is arranged on the substrate.

A key unit and a keyboard using the same are provided. The key unit includes a circuit board, an elastic element, a keycap, and a processing circuit. The circuit board includes a capacitance sensing circuit embedded therein, and the capacitance sensing circuit includes a pair of sensor electrodes. The elastic element is disposed on the circuit board. The keycap is moveably disposed above and spaced apart from the circuit board. The elastic element is disposed between the keycap and the circuit board so that the keycap moves between a non-depressed position and a depressed position with respect to the circuit board. The processing circuit is electrically connected to the pair of sensor electrodes to obtain a variation of a coupling capacitance between the pair of sensor electrodes and to determine whether the keycap is touched or depressed according to the variation of coupling capacitance.

A sensor switch including a first sensor electrode and a second sensor electrode at least partially surrounding the first sensor electrode. An evaluation and control circuit of the sensor switch is configured to generate a switch output signal if a first sensor electrode attenuation signal indicates a high signal attenuation, a second sensor electrode attenuation signal indicates a low signal attenuation, and a cross-coupling signal from the first to the second electrode indicates a low cross-coupling.

Systems and methods having a touchless operating panel with buttons and an electronic circuit (EC). The system including a proximity sensor (PS) associated with an associated button and positioned proximate thereto. The PS arranged to generate a button detection zone around the associated button and detect a presence within the button detection zone. When the PS detects a presence of an object within the button detection zone in a time period, the EC receives proximity values about the detection from the PS. The EC detects if activation of the PS is intentional or unintentional, based on inputting into an activation assessment module, the received proximity values and any other proximity values received from one or more other PSs. When a detection is made that the PS is intentionally activated regarding the presence of the object within the button detection zone. The EC generates and emits a command action.

A device with touch sensing includes a bracket, a pad disposed above one side of the bracket, the pad having a capacitance that varies as a touch is applied proximate to the device, and a sensing coil disposed below another side of the bracket that opposes the one side, with at least a portion of the sensing coil overlapping the pad.

A key unit and a keyboard using the same are provided. The key unit includes a circuit board, an elastic element, a keycap, and a processing circuit. The circuit board includes a capacitance sensing circuit embedded therein, and the capacitance sensing circuit includes a pair of sensor electrodes. The elastic element is disposed on the circuit board. The keycap is moveably disposed above and spaced apart from the circuit board. The elastic element is disposed between the keycap and the circuit board so that the keycap moves between a non-depressed position and a depressed position with respect to the circuit board. The processing circuit is electrically connected to the pair of sensor electrodes to obtain a variation of a coupling capacitance between the pair of sensor electrodes and to determine whether the keycap is touched or depressed according to the variation of coupling capacitance.

A capacitive sensor has first electrodes, a second electrode, and a third electrode, which are disposed at places where a manipulating body that is part of a human body such as a finger is detected. The capacitive sensor also has a capacitance detecting means and a deciding means. The deciding means identifies the number of manipulating bodies and directions (positions) according to the capacitances of the first electrodes, second electrode, and third electrode.

In at least one embodiment, a system is provided that includes a user interface, a plurality of proximity sensors, and at least one controller. The user interface is configured to enable selection of one or more operations for a vehicle. The plurality of proximity sensors is positioned about or within the user interface and is configured to transmit first signals indicative of a location of a user relative to the user interface as the user selects the one or more operations for the vehicle with the user interface. The at least one controller is configured to determine the location of the user relative to the user interface in response to the first signals and to transmit a vehicle control signal to a vehicle subsystem to perform the one or more operations based on the location of the user relative to the user interface.