Provided is a metal touch sensing apparatus in which recognition performance thereof is improved, a plurality of touch parts are successively manipulated to enter into a specific mode, thereby preventing a refrigerator from being malfunctioned, and touch sensitivity of the refrigerator to be touched for the manipulation is visually adjusted, and a home appliance including the touch apparatus and a method for controlling the same.

Provided is a metal touch sensing apparatus in which recognition performance thereof is improved, a plurality of touch parts are successively manipulated to enter into a specific mode, thereby preventing a refrigerator from being malfunctioned, and touch sensitivity of the refrigerator to be touched for the manipulation is visually adjusted, and a home appliance including the touch apparatus and a method for controlling the same.

A touch panel device includes a first conductive film having first and second regions, at least a part of the first conductive film between the first and the second regions being removed, a second conductive film laminated on the first conductive film across a gap, first and second terminals that output signals, a first electrode electrically connected to the first terminal, and a second electrode facing the first electrode across the first region. A switch may electrically connect the first conductive film to the second conductive film, in the second region.

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 touch panel includes a first sheet and a second sheet that are disposed opposing each other. A first conductive path and a second conductive path are formed facing each other on main surfaces of the first sheet and the second sheet, respectively. The second conductive path is spaced apart from the first conductive path when viewed in the normal direction of the first sheet. On the main surface of the second sheet, pressure-detecting conductive paths electrically connected to the second conductive path are arranged. The pressure-detecting conductive paths intersect the first conductive path as viewed in the normal direction. Structures are disposed on a second sheet main surface not opposing the first sheet, and cause flexing of the corresponding pressure-detecting conductive path to contact the first conductive path when pressed down.

A refrigerator includes a door that has a front panel with an operation area to receive a touch operation of a user, a touch sensor assembly that is located rearward of the operation area and that includes sensors to generate an input signal based on the touch operation, and a sensor controller connected to the touch sensor assembly and configured to process the input signal received from the touch sensor assembly. The sensor controller is configured to determine whether the touch operation is a push operation or a release operation based on comparison of a voltage value of the processed input signal to predetermined first and second threshold voltage values.

The invention relates to the use of the modulation of an audio and/or visual signal by a variation in the impedance of at least one contact with the skin of at least one user, for the maintenance and/or development of the user's physical and/or mental abilities.

The invention comprises the use of a device (100) for controlling the delivery of a medium, said device comprising: a first skin electrode (105) configured to generate electric waves, positioned against the skin of a first user; a second skin electrode (110) configured to capture electric waves, positioned against the skin of a second user, where the second user can be the first user; a detector (115) for detecting the value of an impedance parameter of the junction connecting the electrodes and passing through the contact with the skin of each user; and a control means (120) configured to transmit a medium-delivery command according to the value detected.

An electrically operated aerosol-generating system is provided, including a housing; an aerosol-forming substrate; at least one heating element configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate and to generate an aerosol; a power supply configured to supply power to the at least one heating element; electric circuitry configured to control a supply of power from the power supply to the at least one heating element; a first switch provided on an external surface of the housing; and a mouthpiece including at least one second, touch sensitive, switch, the mouthpiece being deformable from a first configuration to a second configuration, wherein in the first configuration the at least one second switch is not exposed and in the second configuration the at least one second switch is exposed. The circuitry is configured to provide power to the at least one heating element when both the first switch and the second switch are activated.

An apparatus for sensing user input includes a first strain gauge grouping attached to an inner surface of a housing of a device, and a second strain gauge grouping attached to the inner surface of the housing. The apparatus includes a circuit coupled to the first and second strain gauge groupings, the circuit being configured to: (i) receive a first parameter signal from the first strain gauge grouping in response to user input that interacts with the housing over a location of the first strain gauge grouping, (ii) indicate that a first type of user input has been received in response to receipt of the first parameter signal, (iii) receive a second parameter signal from the second strain gauge grouping in response to user input that interacts with the housing over a location of the second strain gauge grouping, and (iv) indicate that a second type of user input has been received in response to receipt of the second parameter signal.

An electrically operated aerosol-generating system is provided, including a housing; an aerosol-forming substrate; at least one heating element configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate and to generate an aerosol; a power supply configured to supply power to the at least one heating element; electric circuitry configured to control a supply of power from the power supply to the at least one heating element; a first switch provided on an external surface of the housing; and a mouthpiece including at least one second, touch sensitive, switch, the mouthpiece being deformable from a first configuration to a second configuration, wherein in the first configuration the at least one second switch is not exposed and in the second configuration the at least one second switch is exposed. The circuitry is configured to provide power to the at least one heating element when both the first switch and the second switch are activated.