A vehicular sensing and control system includes a sensor module having (i) a switch face, (ii) a force sensing sensor, (iii) a haptic feedback device, and (iv) a microcontroller. Responsive to a user applying a first finger force the switch face, a first signal generated by the force sensing sensor is provided to the microcontroller. The microcontroller, based on the first signal, causes the haptic feedback device to generate a first haptic feedback associated with a first function of the vehicle and controls the first function of the vehicle. Responsive to the driver applying a second finger force to the switch face, a second signal generated by the force sensing sensor is provided to the microcontroller. The microcontroller, based on the second signal, causes the haptic feedback device to generate a second haptic feedback associated with a second function of the vehicle and controls the second function of the vehicle.

According to the present invention there is provided a button assembly, comprising, an actuator member; a base member having a cavity defined therein which can receive a least a part of the actuator member; a flexible film which comprises piezoelectric material, wherein the piezoelectric material is preferably dipolar particles; a first electrode which is located between the piezoelectric material of the flexible film and the actuator member, and a second electrode which is located between the piezoelectric material of the flexible film and the base member, and wherein the flexible film is arranged to overlay the cavity in the base member, and to be interposed between the base member and the actuator member, such that moving at least a part of the actuator member into the cavity of the base member will cause the film to stretch thereby generating an electrical signal in the first and second electrodes.

A pressure sensor that includes a piezoelectric film having a flat part and a curved part and having opposed first and second main surfaces, a first electrode on the first main surface of the piezoelectric film, and a second electrode on the second main surfaces of the piezoelectric film. When the flat part of the piezoelectric film receives a pressing operation a first output is generated, and when the curved part of the piezoelectric film receives a pressing operation a second output different from the first output is generated.

In a driver for a piezo-electric transducer, when a converter circuit and a sensing circuit are the same circuit, many limitations exist on the accuracy of the sensing, due to multiple parasitic effects arising from the interconnection of the power devices. These limitations may limit viability of the sensing for many applications, in particular an accurate determination of when the force on the piezo-electric transducer is fully removed. Providing an additional switch in the sensing circuit configured to repeatedly zero the sensed voltage across the piezo-electric transducer each time the sensed voltage reaches a threshold voltage generates a plurality of voltage segments between zero and the threshold voltage. Accordingly, a controller may then be configured to generate a digital reconstruction of the sensed voltage across the piezo-electric transducer by adding the plurality of voltage segments.

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 boring head (1) with an electronic unit (20) integrated in the boring head (1) is provided, the electronic unit (20) comprising a control unit (60), a display (30) and a compartment (26) for a power source (41). The display (30) is connected to the control unit (60) and serves to display information concerning the status of the boring head (1) to a user. The compartment (26) serves to accommodate a power source (41) to supply the control unit (60) and the display (30) with electric power. The electronic unit (20) as a whole is designed as a compact subassembly of the boring head (1).

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 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.

A physical disturbance sensor includes a plurality of piezoresistive elements configured in a resistive bridge configuration. A signal transmitter is electrically connected to the physical disturbance sensor and configured to send an encoded signal to the piezoresistive elements of the resistive bridge configuration. A signal receiver is electrically connected to the piezoresistive elements and configured to receive a signal from the physical disturbance sensor. The received signal from the physical disturbance sensor is correlated with the sent encoded signal in determining a measure of physical disturbance.

A pressing sensor is provided that includes a first sensor element that outputs a voltage corresponding to an amount of displacement in shape of a receiving unit that receives a press operation; a press operation determining unit that determines whether the receiving unit is in a state of receiving a press operation; and a setting unit that, after elapse of a first prescribed time from a point of time at which the press operation determining unit determines that the receiving unit has received a press operation, sets an absolute value of a threshold that is smaller than an absolute value of the threshold before elapse of the first prescribed time, the absolute value of the threshold representing a difference from a ground voltage value for determining whether the receiving unit has ended reception of the press operation.