A number of user interface devices are described. In one example, a user interface device includes a lens having a graphic visible through the lens, a transparent circuit film comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, a reflector film bonded to the bottom surface of the transparent circuit film, the reflector film including an embossed area which defines a pocket between the reflector film and the bottom surface of the transparent circuit film, a light emitting diode (LED) bonded to the bottom surface of the transparent circuit film and positioned within the pocket between the reflector film and the bottom surface of the transparent circuit film, and a layer of transparent pressure-sensitive adhesive interposed between the bottom surface of the lens and the top surface of the transparent circuit film.

The invention relates to an operator control unit for a measuring instrument for process or automation engineering, the operator control unit consisting of at least two adjacently arranged control panels (10a), the control panels (10a) being operated by pressing on a respective shape-variable or elastic housing region (2a) having a respective capacitive sensor element (11) disposed thereunder. The sensor elements (11) each have a first electrode (11a) as a lower plate capacitor and a counter-electrode (11b) arranged in parallel thereabove as an upper plate capacitor, and pressing on one of the housing regions (2a) causes the respective upper plate capacitor (11b) to approach the respective lower plate capacitor (11a), thus changing the capacitance. The first electrode (11a) is attached to a first carrier material (12) and the counter-electrode (11b) is attached to a second carrier material (13). According to the invention, the housing regions (2a) are arranged adjacently to one another in an uninterrupted manner, and the sensor elements (11) are parts of a multi-layered composite printed circuit board (100), which bears against the inner sides of the housing regions (2a), wherein the composite printed circuit board (100) comprises at least the first carrier material (12), which consists of a plurality of segments of rigid circuit boards each with flexible intermediate pieces arranged therebetween, and the second carrier material (13) in the form of a conductive layer, which two carrier materials are spaced apart from one another via an interposed plastic layer (15), forming a measuring chamber (17), and wherein the plastic layer (15) has a plurality of interruptions for forming the sensor elements (11) and a decoupling region (16) between the control panels (10a).

A method of producing a control panel for a vehicle. The method includes the following operations: a) producing a touch-sensitive film, the touch-sensitive film including a film, a conductive layer, a main decorative layer, and a secondary decorative layer, the conductive layer being arranged on an inner face of the film, the main decorative layer being arranged on an outer face of the film, and the secondary decorative layer having at least one critical deformation portion arranged on the inner face of the film in at least one corresponding critical deformation zone; b) shaping said touch-sensitive film, the touch-sensitive film being shaped in a non-developable three-dimensional manner in each critical deformation zone; and c) molding a layer of plastic material onto the main decorative layer.

A solid-state switch for an external system includes a cover member, a first solid-state transducer, a second transducer, a microcontroller, a user feedback device, and a switching circuit. The first transducer is mechanically coupled to the cover member and configured to generate first signals in response to a perturbation at the cover member. The second transducer is configured to generate second signals in response to the perturbation. The microcontroller is configured to obtain first data from the first signals, second data from the second signals, and determine user inputs in accordance with at least the first data, the second data, and an operational state of the solid-state switch. The user feedback device is configured to provide feedback to a user of the switch in accordance with a switching behavior of the switching circuit. The second transducer is configured as a proximity sensor for detecting proximity of an object to the cover member.

Various arrangements of electronic devices, such as assistant devices, are detailed herein. Such a device can include a housing and a microphone. A microphone aperture can be defined by the housing that directs sound from outside the housing to the microphone. A cover, which can be fabric, can be attached with the outside of the housing. An adhesive ring on the housing around the microphone aperture can be used to attach the cover to the housing.

An on-vehicle human sensing switch includes: a display having a display area for luminously displaying a switch image of a vehicle-mounted electronic device ; a light transmission type touch panel substrate body disposed on the display; and a light transmission type decorative body disposed on the touch panel substrate body . The touch panel substrate body includes, on a substrate, an electrostatic capacitance type sensor electrode configured to detect approach of a detection target, and an electrostatic capacitance type switch electrode which is disposed at a position opposing the display area and is configured to detect an action of the detection target. When approach of the detection target is detected by the sensor electrode, the switch image is displayed on the display.

An electronic device is provided, including a functional layer, a touch layer, and a protective layer. The touch layer includes at least one touch electrode, and is disposed between the functional layer and the protective layer. The protective layer includes a bottom surface and a top surface. The bottom surface faces the touch layer, and the top surface is opposite to the bottom surface. The top surface includes an inner region, an outer region, and a virtual knob portion. The virtual knob portion is disposed between the inner region and the outer region and corresponds to the touch electrode, and at least a portion of the virtual knob portion protrudes from the outer region or is depressed relative to the outer region.

An operating apparatus is disposed on a surface of a detection panel including a transparent panel and a sensor panel. An operation body includes an upper wall, an inner peripheral wall, and an outer peripheral wall. A rotary assembly is housed in the operation body. The rotary assembly includes a supporter fixed to the detection panel and a rotational operation member rotatably supported by the supporter. The rotational operation member is rotatable together with the operation body. A press detection conductor is provided at a conductor supporting portion of the operation body. A rotation detecting conductor is provided at the rotational operation member.

A control device which allows an operator/user to follow the user's anatomical movement by following natural hand rotation, includes two independent detection sensors or sensor portions embedded in two different parts of the device, one in a fixed part and one in a mobile or rotative part, with resistance to mutual disturbance between the two. The device includes a knob portion rotatable about an axis of rotation, at least one sensor configured to sense a rotational position of the knob in relation to the axis of rotation, circuitry adapted to at least provide electrical power to the rotative knob portion, circuitry adapted to transmit the sensed rotational position of the knob, and a base portion rotatably coupled to the knob portion.

The present invention discloses a 3D touch control-based automobile seat adjustment switch, including an insulating cover plate, a touch sensor, a base, a feedback module, a circuit board, and a module assembly cover plate. A plurality of protruding or recessed touch control regions are arranged on the insulating cover plate. A plurality of independent touch sensors are attached to the plurality of touch control regions on the insulating cover plate, to form a 3D touch assembly, and the plurality of touch sensors are all connected to the circuit board. The circuit board is assembled on the module assembly cover plate, the module assembly cover plate and the feedback module are assembled on one surface of the base, the feedback module is connected to the circuit board, and an other surface of the base is assembled on the insulating cover plate. The present invention can control adjustment of an automobile seat by using a 3D touch assembly, thereby satisfying requirements for a reasonable vehicle space arrangement and lightweight accessories.