A monitoring system for determining whether an object is touched by a living body includes a receiver and a piezoelectric sensor attached to a substrate such that when the substrate is attached to the object. The piezoelectric sensor generates an output signal as a function of whether the living body is in contact with at least one of the substrate and the object. A processor processes the output signal to determine whether the living body is in contact with at least one of the substrate and the object and outputs a contact information signal containing information indicative of whether the living body is in contact with at least one of the substrate and object based on the determination. A transmitter transmits the contact information signal to the receiver.

A control panel for motor vehicle includes a mount; a printed circuit board, which is fastened on the mount; a facade element, which is assembled on the mount and which covers the printed circuit board; the facade element comprising at least one actionable control key, which is integral with a fixed part of the facade element and which extends above a zone of the printed circuit board; the control key including an end joining the fixed part of the facade element and a mobile free end; the control key includes at its joining end a first protuberance bearing against the mount and/or against the printed circuit board, and includes at its free end a pressing zone provided to be touched by an operator with a view to actuating the control key; the control key also includes a second protuberance arranged between the first protuberance and the pressing zone, said second protuberance having a lesser height than the first protuberance and including at its free end opposite the printed circuit board a bearing surface provided to come into contact with a sensor arranged opposite on the printed circuit board when the control key is actuated.

An appliance that includes: a front panel having a touch point; a touch board including: a first side attached to a location on a rear surface of the front panel, the location corresponding to the touch point; a second side opposite to the first side; a pressing portion; and one or more holes defined around the pressing portion and configured to enable an elastic movement of the pressing portion; a holder that is attached to the second side of the touch board, the holder having a receiving portion; a piezo disc configured to be inserted in the receiving portion of the holder and contact the pressing portion; a guide board having a seating hole configured to receive the holder and the piezo disc; and a first adhesive member attached to the first side of the touch board and configured to attach to the rear surface of the front panel.

A touch detection device includes a touch panel, a piezoelectric sensor mounted on the touch panel for detecting a tap event applied to the touch panel, and a control circuit board in electrical communication with the piezoelectric sensor. The control circuit board includes a signal processing circuit for processing a detection signal output from the piezoelectric sensor, and a controller for determining whether the tap event is a correct human finger tap event based on the processed detection signal.

A display device and a manufacturing method of the same are provided. The display device includes a frame, a pressure sensor, and a pressure sensing module. When a touch portion receives external pressure, a resistance value of the resistor changes, and a corresponding pressure sensing signal is output. The pressure sensing module outputs an execution signal according to the pressure sensing signal to realize a pressure touch function on a side of the frame. This eliminates a need to make holes in a side of the frame, which eliminates a mechanical button and improves dustproof and waterproof performance of the display device.

An input device includes a base, an operation panel member, positioned in a first direction when viewed from the base, including an input operation surface, and configured to detect coordinates of an operating position on the input operation surface, an actuator, fixed to the base, and configured to vibrate the operation panel member, N elastic support members, arranged at vertex positions of a polygon shape having N corners and surrounding the actuator when viewed in the first direction, and configured to elastically support the operation panel member on the base, where N is an integer greater than or equal to three, and an elastic cushioning member provided between the actuator and the operation panel member. A spring constant of a combined spring in which the actuator and the elastic cushioning member are coupled in series is aligned to spring constants of the N elastic support members.

A method may include receiving an input signal from a force sensor configured to sense a force associated with a human interaction with a virtual button, comparing the input signal to at least one behavioral model, the at least one behavioral model comprising one or more parameters associated with a valid human interaction with the virtual button, and determining whether a valid human interaction with the virtual button occurred based on the comparing.

A system includes a piezoelectric capacitor assembly and signal processing circuitry coupled to the piezoelectric capacitor assembly. The piezoelectric capacitor assembly includes a piezoelectric member and piezoelectric capacitors located at respective lateral positions along the piezoelectric member. Each piezoelectric capacitor includes: (1) a respective portion of the piezoelectric member, (2) a first electrode, and (3) a second electrode. The first and second electrodes are positioned on opposite side of the piezoelectric member. The piezoelectric capacitors include piezoelectric force-measuring elements (PFEs). The PFEs are configured to output voltage signals between the respective first electrode and the respective second electrode in accordance with a time-varying strain at the respective portion of the piezoelectric member between the respective first electrode and the respective second electrode resulting from a low-frequency mechanical deformation. The signal processing circuitry is configured to read at least some of the PFE voltage signals.

Sensor assemblies for electronic devices are described. According to some embodiments, the sensor assemblies include solid-state sensors, such as capacitive sensors, piezoelectric sensors or piezoresistive sensors. The sensor assemblies can include a number of features that provide a compact profile, making them well suited for integration into small spaces of electronic device enclosures. The sensor assemblies can also include features that isolate movement of various parts of the sensor assemblies, allowing for accurate detection of a sensing event. According to some embodiments, the sensor assemblies are coupled to haptic actuators, speaker, or both, which mimic the feel of a mechanical button and enhance a user's experience.

A piezo-electric actuator on the side of a mobile device will enable pressure exerted by the user to be sensed at the conventional button locations, while providing a haptic feedback. Unfortunately, mechanical integration of piezo-electric actuators at the side of a mobile device is challenging. A mobile device in accordance with the present disclosure comprises a PCB; an outer frame surrounding the PCB; and a switch. The switch comprises: a first piezo-electric actuator configured to generate a first actuator voltage signal in response to a first force applied by a user, and to generate a first haptic feedback to the user in response to a first haptic voltage signal transmitted from the controller thereto; and a first virtual button in the outer frame configured to transmit the first force to the first piezo-electric actuator, and to transmit the first haptic feedback to the user.