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 household appliance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a front panel forming an exterior, a display window formed with a plurality of through holes having minute or fine sizes formed at the front panel, and the plurality of through holes are filled with a coating liquid including an anti-foaming agent.

Wireless-enabled loudspeaker includes a wooden capacitive touch user interface. The loudspeaker may comprise at least one electroacoustic transducer, a processor in communication with the at least one electroacoustic transducer, and a wooden exterior surface comprising a capacitive touch user interface that allows a user to control operation of the loudspeaker. The wooden exterior surface acts a dielectric for the capacitive touch user interface. The loudspeaker may comprise a wireless transceiver circuit for receiving and transmitting wireless communication signals via a wireless network. The wireless transceiver circuit may receive wirelessly audio content from streaming audio content servers that are connected to the Internet. The capacitive touch user interface comprises a plurality of user control icons etched in the wooden exterior surface, and a plurality of capacitive sense electrodes located under the wooden exterior surface.

An audio output device comprises a loudspeaker and, four stem control inputs substantially even spaced on the upper surface of a housing. The stem control inputs are each divided into four segments, each comprising a touch sensor and an illumination unit. Each stem control input is associated with a different stem in an audio track for playback via the loudspeaker. Touching the segments of each stem control input results in the touch being detected and a touch signal being output by the respective segment. In response to a touch signal, the associated illumination unit is togged on/off and a property of the associated stem is varied during playback by loudspeaker.

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 wireless earphone that comprises a transceiver circuit for receiving streaming audio from a data source over a local ad hoc wireless network. When the data source and the earphone are out of range, they transition automatically to an infrastructure wireless network. If there is no common infrastructure wireless network for both the data source and the speakerphone set, the earphone connects to a host server via an available wireless network.

An assembly including a three dimensional icon defined within an interior of the assembly; the assembly including a non-moveable switch; a device for illuminating the three dimensional icon, wherein illumination of the three dimensional icon by the device causes the three dimensional icon to be visible on an exterior surface of the assembly.

The disclosure includes various keypad features, buttons, labels, shapes, sizes, format and materials. The system may comprise a processor; a keypad in communication with the processor and configured for controlling a window shade; capacitive or physical buttons on the keypad, wherein one of the capacitive buttons may be configured to set the window shade to a preset position; a proximity sensor; and a communication card. The processor may determine an override pattern to return the window shade to an automatic mode after a period of time from an override request. The capacitive buttons may include haptic feedback or visual feedback. The system may also include a scheduler and/or receive weather conditions. The system may also include an ambient light sensor.

A vehicle interior component configured to provide a user interface for interaction with a vehicle system is disclosed. The component may comprise a composite structure comprising a substrate, cover and functional layer. The user interface may comprise a light source/display and an input device comprising a switch and/or control element. The switch may project through a hole in the cover. The functional layer may comprise a soft layer, foam, fleece, fabric, textile, spacer, etc.; the functional layer may comprise a light-transmissive material. The light source/display may provide illumination through a light-transmissive section of the substrate, the functional layer and/or the cover. Illumination may indicate location of the input device. The light-transmissive section of the substrate may comprise illuminated display elements for the light display. Operation of the user interface may comprise an animation effect from illumination of display elements in a sequence.

The present application generally relates to antennas embedded in or on glass structures. More specifically, the application teaches a wideband conformal antenna employing thin film constructions facilitating attachment to external automotive surfaces with capacitive feedback and integrated lighting to enable a conformal activation switch.