An fluid connector apparatus having an exhalation insert that provides an improved exhalation feature whereby exhaled breathing gas flows out of the fluid connector apparatus in the form of elongated blades of gas. The elongated blades of gas enable improved fluid flow when compared with conventional circular jets of gas and advantageously also entrain atmospheric gases adjacent the gas blades to facilitate diffusion and dissipation of the gas blades. The fluid connector apparatus includes one or more elongated flow channels formed between the exhalation insert and the fluid connector. The exhaust gas flows through the flow channels, and the flow channels cause the discharged gas to be output in the form of the elongated blades of gas. The exhalation feature enables the outputting of exhaled breathing gas in greater volumes, at reduced velocities, and with reduced acoustic signature.

The invention relates to a vehicle (2) comprising: a chassis (4) which is supported on wheels (6, 8) such that it can be driven in a direction of travel (5) for carrying a driver, a steering element (16) for the driver to specify the direction of travel (6), a reproduction element (48) which is arranged in the field of view of the driver in front of said driver when viewed in the direction of travel, and which is designed to display a menu (50) containing a number of menu elements (52) which are arranged to form a grid, and an input interface (36) comprising a pressure plate (40) which is arranged on the steering element (16) comprising a top side (42) and a bottom side which is situated opposite the top side (42), wherein a number of segments (44) which are arranged to form the grid (46) and can be detected in a haptic manner are formed on the top side (42) of the pressure plate (40), and wherein the number of the menu elements (52) corresponds to the number of segments (44) which can be detected in a haptic manner, so that one segment (44), which can be detected in a haptic manner, on the pressure plate (40) is assigned to each menu element (52) of the menu (50).

An array substrate, a display panel and a display device are disclosed. The array substrate includes a base substrate, and a bias voltage applying circuit and a plurality of semiconductor pressure sensors both disposed at a side of the base substrate. The bias voltage applying circuit is electrically connected to a first power supply signal inputting terminal and a second power supply signal inputting terminal of the semiconductor pressure sensor via a first power supply signal line and a second power supply signal line, respectively, to supply a bias voltage to the semiconductor pressure sensor. A concentration of the dopant ions is higher when the related semiconductor pressure sensor is closer to the bias voltage applying circuit, so that an electrical resistance value of said semiconductor pressure sensor is lower.

A capacitive proximity sensor 1 comprises an oscillation means 33; a sensor circuit 10, which includes a sensor electrode 11; a detection circuit 20, which outputs a determination voltage signal corresponding to the capacitance of the sensor electrode 11, based on the electrical signal output from the sensor circuit 10; and a control unit 32. The sensor electrode 11 is connected in parallel to a connection point P1 between a coil L and a capacitor C in an LCR series resonance circuit. The detection circuit 20 outputs a determination voltage signal S.sub.1 based on the electrical signal at the detection point P3 between the capacitor C and the resistor R. The control unit 32 detects the proximity of a human body to the sensor electrode 11, based on the determination voltage signal S.sub.1.

In certain embodiments, an apparatus includes a sensing element having a capacitance to a first reference voltage. The capacitance is variable as a function of a proximity of an object to the sensing element. The apparatus further includes a sample capacitor connected to the sensing element and control circuitry connected to the sample capacitor. The control circuitry is configured to supply a charge to the sample capacitor and the sensing element and discharge the sensing element. The control circuitry is further configured to provide, in response to the discharge of the sensing element, a signal indicative of the capacitance to the first reference voltage of the sensing element. The control circuitry is further configured to process the signal to detect a change in the capacitance to the first reference voltage as indicative of the proximity of the object to the sensing element.

A game machine includes an input device that is capable of detecting a position at which a user performs an operation, and a control device that commands the user respective positions and timings at which a plurality of operations is to be performed by the user upon the input device, and that evaluates the operations by the user: wherein the control device includes an operation determination device that determines presence or absence of an operation corresponding to a command for any one operation, on the basis of whether or not the operation has been detected within a range of determination; and the operation determination device includes a determination range adjustment device that adjusts a range of determination corresponding to a subsequent operation following the one operation so as not to include the position at which the one operation has been detected.

A proximity sensor is provided. The proximity sensor has an exposed exterior surface formed of a metal material to improve the aesthetics thereof. The proximity sensor mounted within a vehicle includes a frame formed of a nonconductive material and a metal layer that covers an exterior surface of the frame. A sensor electrode contacts the metal layer and a sensor integrated circuit (IC) connected to the sensor electrode to sense an approach or a contact of a user on the metal layer.

A detection device including: a measurement electrode, and a second electrode separated from one another by a distance (D) that is elastically modifiable locally, by a load exerted by an object on a detection surface, and a controller arranged in order to: connect the electrodes to an alternating guard potential (V.sub.g) in order to measure a capacitance representing an approach and a contact; and connect the second electrode to a second potential a second potential proportional to the guard potential (V.sub.g) and having a different amplitude, or to the ground potential (G), in order to measure a capacitance representing a pressure.

Also provided is a detection method utilizing such a detection device.

A device for detecting an object with respect to a detection surface including at least one measurement electrode and at least one guard electrode separated by a distance (D) that is elastically modifiable locally by a load exerted by the object on the detection surface; and structure for electrical polarization of the electrodes (V, E) arranged in order to: (i) apply to the measurement and guard electrodes one and the same first alternating electrical potential (V.sub.g) so as to measure a first signal relating to an electrode-object capacitance (C.sub.eo); and (ii) apply between the measurement and guard electrodes an alternating electrical potential difference (V1), so as to measure a second electrical signal relating to an electrode-guard capacitance (C.sub.eg).

A detection method utilizing the present detection device is also provided.

A proximity sensor apparatus has a detection electrode that forms an electrostatic capacitance between the detection electrode and an object to be detected. The detection electrode is fitted to an electrode base plate. The detection section detects electrostatic capacitance based on output of the detection electrode. The electrode base plate is supported by a push-button switch. When the object to be detected approaches the detection electrode, the electrostatic capacitance changes. Approach of the object to be detected can be detected by a change in electrostatic capacitance. When the object to be detected contacts the detection electrode, the push-button switch is turned on. The push-button switch is turned on, and thereby contact of the object to be detected can be detected.