An operating element to be installed in a center console of a motor vehicle includes at least two planar elements which are at least partially touch-sensitive such that an operator can trigger a function via a touch with a hand of the operator or at least one finger of the operator and a rotary element disposed between the at least two planar elements where a cylindrical surface of the rotary element is touch-sensitive.

A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of proximity switches each having a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation. The control circuitry monitors the signal responsive to the activation field and determines a differential change in generated signal, and further generates an activation output when the differential signal exceeds a threshold. The control circuitry further distinguishes an activation from an exploration of the plurality of switches and may determine activation upon detection of a stable signal.

A control circuit and a terminal are provided. The control circuit includes a detector, a current-voltage conversion circuit and a control signal generation circuit. The current output end of the detector is connected with the current input end of the current-voltage conversion circuit. The voltage output end of the current-voltage conversion circuit is connected with the voltage input end of the control signal generation circuit. The signal input end of the control signal generation circuit outputs a control signal. The detector detects a state of motion of a detected object and generates at least one current signal according to the state of motion of the detected object. The current-voltage conversion circuit converts the at least one current signal transmitted by the detector to at least one voltage signal. The control signal generation circuit generates the control signal based on a variation rule of the at least one voltage signal transmitted by the current-voltage conversion circuit and a preset control signal generation strategy, and output the control signal.

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.

A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of proximity switches each having a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation. The control circuitry controls the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation, monitors signals indicative of the activation field, and determines a first stable signal amplitude and a subsequent second signal amplitude, and generates an activation output when the second stable signal amplitude exceeds the first stable amplitude by a known amount.

A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of proximity switches each having a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation. A pliable material overlays the proximity sensors. A depression is formed in a substrate between the pliable material and the sensor. A groove may extend into the substrate between adjacent proximity switches. The pliable material may further include an elevated portion.

A control device configured for use in a load control system to control an electrical load external to the control device may comprise an actuation member having a front surface defining a capacitive touch surface configured to detect a touch actuation along at least a portion of the front surface. The control device includes a main printed circuit board (PCB) comprising a control circuit, a tactile switch, a controllably conductive device, and a drive circuit operatively coupled to a control input of the controllably conductive device for rendering the controllably conductive device conductive or non-conductive to control the amount of power delivered to the electrical load. The control device also includes a capacitive touch PCB that comprises a touch sensitive circuit comprising one or more receiving capacitive touch pads located on the capacitive touch PCB and arranged in a linear array adjacent to the capacitive touch surface.

A device for detecting the movement of part of a user's body and/or the approach of a portable user device. The device placed on board a motor vehicle. The device includes: a near field communication antenna having a resonance frequency between 3 and 30 MHz, including at least one continuous winding in the form of at least two sets of strips, each having different variable capacitance and different sensitivity, connected in parallel with the antenna. The antenna generating a different variation of impedance on the approach of part of a user's body towards the first or second set; a device measures a variation of impedance of the antenna. The device has a high series resonance frequency and detects the approach of a portable user device or movement of the body part taking place consecutively in front of the first and then in front of the second set of strips.