Disclosed is a device for detecting an intention of a user to lock or unlock an opening element of a motor vehicle. The device includes a capacitive sensor and incorporates an inductive sensor with an amagnetic metal target moving under the action of the hand of the user on the handle or the frame, the target being associated with a coil placed in an oscillating circuit being connected to an inductive measurement circuit detecting the intention of the user to lock or unlock the opening element. The intention is only confirmed when detected by both the capacitive and inductive sensors, the target of the inductive sensor being borne by the electrode of the capacitive sensor and a member supporting the electrode being elastically deformable under the action of the user on the handle or the frame, the inductive and capacitive measurement circuits being independent of each other.

A method for detecting the intention of a user to lock or unlock a motor-vehicle door with a detection device integrated into a handle. The method includes continuously measuring the resonant frequency of the detection device and successively comparing the measured resonant frequency to a first threshold representative of the approach of the user and to a second threshold, higher than the first threshold, representative of the contact of the user, the intention of the user to lock or unlock the door of the vehicle being validated only if a duration between the passage of the resonant frequency below the first threshold and the passage of the resonant frequency above the second threshold is shorter than a preset duration. An associated detection device is also disclosed.

An operation device includes an operating portion including plural adjacent operating regions, plural detection portions that are arranged on the operating portion so as to correspond to the plurality of operating regions to detect contact and each output a detection value, and a determination unit that calculates a calculated value from a sum of the obtained detection values and the largest detection value among the obtained detection values, compares the calculated value to a predetermined threshold value, and thereby decides whether or not to display an image on an electrically connected display device, the image being associated with the detection portion that output the largest detection value.

A haptic keyboard of an information handling system comprising a coversheet to identify keys of the haptic keyboard, a contact foil and a piezoelectric element to receive an applied mechanical stress at a first key of the coversheet and generate an electric actuation signal. A processor executing instructions of a haptic smart typing assistance system to detect and anticipate a next letter of a word being typed and a controller to receive an instruction of the anticipated next letter and increasing force required actuate at least one key for a letter adjacent to the anticipated next letter, and to send a response haptic feedback control signal to the piezoelectric element to cause the piezoelectric element to generate a first haptic feedback at the first key if the anticipated next letter is selected and to generate a second haptic feedback if a typographical error is detected.

An electromagnetic-based sensor system includes a sensor assembly with a biometric identification sensor to determine a unique biometric characteristic of a user using a first non-visible electromagnetic radiation. Specifically, a palm vein sensor may measure a unique pattern of veins in a user's palm using near-field infrared light. A gesture sensor uses a second non-visible electromagnetic radiation, such as infrared or radio frequency to detect movement in a specific gesture pattern. An object detection sensor uses a third non-visible electromagnetic radiation to detect the presence of an object. A mirror overlies the sensor assembly and is reflective to visible light and transmissive to the non-visible electromagnetic radiation. The sensor assembly may be used within a vehicle to authenticate an individual user as an authorized user to unlock the vehicle. One or more settings of the vehicle may be set to predetermined values depending on the identity of the user.

A control panel for a vehicle includes a plurality of buttons disposed on the control panel, and at least one conductive rib disposed on the plurality of buttons. The control panel is made of a non-conductive material. The conductive rib is connected to an electrostatic protection circuit or a touch controller so that the electrostatic protection can be realized through the conductive rib or the conductive rib can serve as a touch button.

This disclosure is generally directed to a multi-value selection switch that includes an engagement surface with an integrated touch sensor. The integrated touch sensor includes a plurality of detectable positions that correspond to, for instance, a range of absolute or relative target input values between a predefined minimum and maximum. The engagement surface further defines a switch that actuates/activates based on detecting a user-supplied force and/or based on a user momentarily holding a finger/pointer position. A user can select a target input value by bringing a finger or other pointer within operable proximity of an associated detectable position and actuating the switch and/or momentarily pausing. In response, the selection switch outputs a control signal to an associated device to cause the same to adjust operation.

A display device may include a display part, a sensor, an actuator, and a control device. The display part may include an operation surface on which a touch operation is performed by a user. The sensor may detect a displacement of the display part by the touch operation. The actuator may be configured to vibrate the display part. The control device may be configured to vibrate the display part with the actuator when the displacement of the display part by the touch operation is detected. The display part may be displaceable between a restriction position for restricting the displacement of the display part via the actuator and an allowance position for allowing the displacement of the display part via the actuator. The control device may be further configured to adjust the display part into the allowance position when a user operation for the touch operation is detected.

A multi-stage capacitive sensor is provided having a layered structure, including a user-contact surface, a first capacitive sensor for the user-contact surface, a second capacitive sensor which is spaced apart from the first capacitive sensor in a direction away from the user-contact surface, and a conductive member. The conductive member is positioned between the first and second capacitive sensors, and is engaged with the first circuit substrate and spaced apart from the second capacitive sensor. In a preferred embodiment, under the application of a force at the user-contact surface, the conductive member is deflected relative to the second capacitive sensor to alter a distance therebetween to create a detectable change in a capacitance at the second capacitive sensor.

An input device is disclosed, including a capacitive force sensor, a capacitive touch sensor, and an evaluation unit, where the capacitive force sensor includes an operating surface and a first conductive electrode, and a second conductive electrode; wherein the evaluation unit is configured to detect an associated characteristic value of a touch on the operating surface during the operation, such as a location surface of action of the touch, by means of the capacitive touch sensor, and wherein the evaluation unit is further configured to detect a measured quantity changing with the operating force by generating a first measuring capacitance between the first and second electrodes and to assign a switching or controlling function to the operation in accordance with the characteristic value detected by the capacitive touch sensor and with the measured quantity detected in the operation-detection step.