An apparatus and method for selecting a keyboard key based on a position of a presence of a conductive object on a sensing device and a pre-defined area of the keyboard key. The apparatus may include a sensing device and a processing device. The sensing device may include a plurality of sensor elements to detect a presence of a conductive object on the sensing device. Multiple keyboard keys are assigned to pre-defined areas of the sensing device. The processing device is coupled to the sensing device using capacitance sensing pins, and may be operable to determine a position of the presence of the conductive object, and to select a keyboard key based on the position of the conductive object and the pre-defined areas of the sensing device.

A smart speaker is disclosed with an interactive speaker grille. In one embodiment a smart speaker comprises a housing with a speaker grille comprising a plurality of openings. Circuitry coupled to the speaker grille is configured to sense direct user interaction with one or more of a plurality of regions of the speaker grille and to generate corresponding electrical signals indicative of the one or more regions of the speaker grille experiencing direct user interaction. The circuitry can include portions in the path of sound transmission to detect user interaction with regions of the grille and portions outside the path of sound transmission for controlling aspects of the smart speaker (e.g. speaker volume, radio station or media stream selection) based on the particular regions touched.

An example electronic device may include an antenna module comprising an active element and a ground plane. The electronic device may include a proximity sensor element integrated within the antenna module, wherein the proximity sensor element is to detect proximity of a user.

A capacitive touch device is described. The device comprises a substrate and a plurality of co-planar capacitive touch switches and conductive tracks connected to the capacitive touch switches disposed directly on a face of the substrate. The capacitive touch switches include first and second capacitive touch switches which are adjacent, separated by a channel and which are electrically isolated from each other. The capacitive touch switches include third and fourth capacitive touch switches which are electrically isolated from the first and second capacitive touch switches, but which are electrically connected to each other by a conductive track which runs through the channel.

A sensor element device for a capacitive touch switch of an operating device faces with an upper side toward the underside of a control panel of the operating device and has an illuminated display with a lighting means. Provided around the lighting means is a housing with fastening means for fastening the sensor element device to a component carrier. Provided on the outside of the housing or of the structural unit, in the region toward the upper side there is electrically conductive plastic that extends along an outer periphery of the housing. From the electrically conductive plastic there extends in the direction of the underside, toward the component carrier, a contacting means for the electrical connection thereto.

A capacitive sensor including a substrate, detection and drive electrodes, and a controller. The substrate includes one or a plurality of insulating layers including first and second faces. The detection electrode includes mutually electrically connected detection lines arrayed at spaced intervals on the first face. The drive electrode includes mutually electrically connected drive lines each arranged on the first or second face and located between adjacent two of the detection lines. When a target approaches the detection electrode being charged and discharged by the controller, the approach causes a change in a first capacitance between the detection electrode and the target. When a target approaches the detection and drive electrodes while the controller is supplying drive pulses to the drive electrode, the approach causes a change in a second capacitance between the detection electrode and the drive electrode. The controller detects the target referring to changes in the first and second capacitances.

A detection device is configured to detect an electrostatic capacitance between an operated member having a plurality of detection areas and an electrode having areas associated with the detection areas respectively. A control device is configured to determine whether an operation is performed to each of the detection areas based on whether the electrostatic capacitance exceeds a threshold value. At least one of the detection areas has a first area and a second area. The second area is located between the first area and another one of the detection areas. The control device determines that an operation is not performed to the at least one detection area having the first area and the second area in a case where the electrostatic capacitance detected for the second area exceeds the threshold value.

A capacitive measurement circuit for a capacitive sensing device having a plurality of antenna electrodes includes: a measurement signal voltage source, a remotely controllable switching unit, and a current measurement circuit. The switching unit includes a plurality of ports and switching members that are configured to provide connections between selected ports. The measurement signal voltage source and the current measurement circuit are operatively connected to a distinct port. Each antenna electrode is individually connectable to a distinct port. The switching unit is configured to connect, within a same measurement cycle, each of the antenna electrodes to the voltage output port and the current measurement circuit for loading mode operation. The switching unit is further configured to connect at least one of the antenna electrodes to the voltage output port and at least one other antenna electrode of the antenna electrodes to the current measurement circuit for coupling mode operation.

A touch panel may include a transparent substrate and a light blocking layer in a touch area and on a side of the transparent substrate. The light blocking layer may include a keyboard pattern, and the keyboard pattern may include hollow characters. The light blocking layer may be configured to display the characters of the keyboard pattern on the light blocking layer by light passing through the hollow characters.

A sense unit for inductive sensing or capacitive sensing is described. The sense unit may include a first terminal coupled to a first node, a first electrode coupled to the first node, and a second terminal. The sense unit may include a second electrode coupled to the second terminal. In a first mode, a first signal is received at the first terminal and a second signal is output on the second terminal, where the second signal may be representative of a capacitance of the sense unit. The sense unit may include an inductive coil. The sense unit may include a first capacitor. The inductive coil and the first capacitor are coupled in parallel between the first node and ground. In a second mode, a third signal is received at the first terminal and a fourth signal is output on the second terminal.