In one aspect, a touch sensor includes a dielectric surface layer; drive electrodes disposed on the dielectric surface layer and arranged radially about a center, the drive electrodes defining a perimeter about the center, and a sense electrode disposed on the dielectric surface layer and arranged between two of the drive electrodes. Each drive electrode can include: an outer radial section extending radially along the perimeter; a central section extending from the outer radial section towards the center; and an inner radial section comprising a first section extending radially away from the central section in a first radial direction and a second section, shorter than the first section, extending radially away from the central section in a second radial direction.

A sensor device for a motor vehicle includes a multi-layer circuit board on which a plurality of metallized planes are formed. A capacitive sensor electrode is formed on one of the planes for detection by capacitive approachment sensing. A control device controls the sensor electrode as a capacitive sensor electrode in order to detect approaches of a user towards the sensor electrode via an evaluation device. At least one planar electrode region is formed on each of the metallized planes, wherein each of the electrode regions is coupled to the control device. At least two of the electrode regions on different metallized planes are activated and evaluated as sensor electrodes and at least two of the electrode regions on different planes are activated and evaluated as the ground in a temporally offset manner.

Systems and methods are provided for detecting proximity to and collisions with medical devices. A capacitive sensor element includes a compressible insulator layer that has a first conductor track arrangement on a first surface and a second conductor track arrangement on a second surface. The second surface lies opposite the first surface. The sensor apparatus further includes an evaluation device for repeated acquisition of a capacitance value of the sensor element. The evaluation device is configured to output a proximity signal when the respective capacitance value reaches or exceeds a predetermined first threshold value, and is configured to output a collision signal when the respective capacitance value reaches or exceeds a predetermined second threshold value. The second predetermined threshold value is higher than the first predetermined threshold value.

In one aspect, a touch sensor includes a dielectric surface layer; drive electrodes disposed on the dielectric surface layer and arranged radially about a center, the drive electrodes defining a perimeter about the center, and a sense electrode disposed on the dielectric surface layer and arranged between two of the drive electrodes. Each drive electrode can include: an outer radial section extending radially along the perimeter; a central section extending from the outer radial section towards the center; and an inner radial section comprising a first section extending radially away from the central section in a first radial direction and a second section, shorter than the first section, extending radially away from the central section in a second radial direction.

A capacitive button capable of improving tolerance to electrostatic discharge is provided. The capacitive button includes: a pair of sensor electrodes which are provided side by side; a floating electrode which is arranged on a front side of the pair of sensor electrodes via an insulating layer; and a ground electrode which is arranged so as to surround the floating electrode, and is grounded without being electrically connected with the pair of sensor electrodes and the floating electrode. By providing the configuration, the tolerance to the electrostatic discharge of the capacitive button can be improved.