One inductive sensor is configured to maintain a fixed frequency in a resonant circuit. One apparatus includes an inductance-to-digital converter (LDC). The LDC includes a digital filter to measure an inductance change of a sensor and convert the inductance change to a digital value. The LDC further includes a digital control loop to maintain a fixed frequency in the sensor. The sensor forms an oscillator in the digital control loop. An output of the digital control loop is representative of the inductance change of the sensor.

A switch assembly according to an example of this disclosure includes a disk rotatable about a disk axis in a first circumferential direction and a second circumferential direction opposite the first circumferential direction. A U-shaped spring is fixed to the disk. Rotation of the disk in the first circumferential direction moves the disk in a first axial direction, and rotation of the disk in the second circumferential direction moves the disk in the first axial direction.

A rotation detector includes a rotary member, a magnet rotating as the rotary member rotates, and a first magnetic sensor detecting a direction of magnetic flux that changes as the magnet rotates. And the rotation detector includes a first soft magnetic member and a second soft magnetic member for the first magnetic sensor that are arranged on one side and the other side, respectively, of a detection direction of the first magnetic sensor. The magnet has a rotation axis that passes through the magnet.

A rotation detector includes a rotary member, a magnet rotating as the rotary member rotates, and a first magnetic sensor detecting a direction of magnetic flux that changes as the magnet rotates. And the rotation detector includes a first soft magnetic member and a second soft magnetic member for the first magnetic sensor that are arranged on one side and the other side, respectively, of a detection direction of the first magnetic sensor. The magnet has a rotation axis that passes through the magnet.

This application relates to a mechanical button apparatus that includes a body where an upper portion thereof is closed and a lower portion thereof is opened and a bottom plate attached on a display screen of a display apparatus to cover the opened lower portion. The body includes an aperture member including a wing set expanded or contracted in a rotation direction of the body. The body also includes a photovoltaic (PV) cell array substrate including a PV cell configured to generate power for charging a battery and an optical sensor configured to convert light signals, reflected by the expanded or contracted wing set, into electrical signals. The body further includes a circuit substrate configured to operate with the power charged into the battery, calculate number of rotation manipulations of the body by using the electrical signals, and transmit the calculated number of rotation manipulations to the display apparatus.

This application relates to a mechanical button apparatus that includes a body where an upper portion thereof is closed and a lower portion thereof is opened and a bottom plate attached on a display screen of a display apparatus to cover the opened lower portion. The body includes an aperture member including a wing set expanded or contracted in a rotation direction of the body. The body also includes a photovoltaic (PV) cell array substrate including a PV cell configured to generate power for charging a battery and an optical sensor configured to convert light signals, reflected by the expanded or contracted wing set, into electrical signals. The body further includes a circuit substrate configured to operate with the power charged into the battery, calculate number of rotation manipulations of the body by using the electrical signals, and transmit the calculated number of rotation manipulations to the display apparatus.

The invention concerns a robust user interface for electronic devices where a single measurement circuit is used to measured inductance values due to user press events through sealable surface, as well as capacitance values due to user proximity and/or touch events, and with both the measured inductance and capacitance values used to determine user input commands.

The invention concerns a robust user interface for electronic devices where a single measurement circuit is used to measured inductance values due to user press events through sealable surface, as well as capacitance values due to user proximity and/or touch events, and with both the measured inductance and capacitance values used to determine user input commands.

A semiconductor device comprising a passive magnetoelectric transducer structure adapted for generating a charge via mechanical stress caused by a magnetic field. The first transducer structure has a first terminal electrically connectable to the control terminal of an electrical switch, and having a second terminal electrically connectable to the first terminal of the electrical switch for providing a control signal for opening/closing the switch. The switch may be a FET. A passive magnetic switch using a magnetoelectric transducer structure. Use of a passive magnetoelectric transducer structure for opening or closing a switch without the need for an external power supply.

A semiconductor device comprising a passive magnetoelectric transducer structure adapted for generating a charge via mechanical stress caused by a magnetic field. The first transducer structure has a first terminal electrically connectable to the control terminal of an electrical switch, and having a second terminal electrically connectable to the first terminal of the electrical switch for providing a control signal for opening/closing the switch. The switch may be a FET. A passive magnetic switch using a magnetoelectric transducer structure. Use of a passive magnetoelectric transducer structure for opening or closing a switch without the need for an external power supply.