A sensor switch including a first sensor electrode and a second sensor electrode at least partially surrounding the first sensor electrode. An evaluation and control circuit of the sensor switch is configured to generate a switch output signal if a first sensor electrode attenuation signal indicates a high signal attenuation, a second sensor electrode attenuation signal indicates a low signal attenuation, and a cross-coupling signal from the first to the second electrode indicates a low cross-coupling.

The disclosure realizes a touch sensor unit including a mold part that can restrict the movement of a sensor body embedded in a sensor holder. A touch sensor unit includes a sensor body, a sensor holder in which the sensor body is embedded, and a resistor disposed outside the sensor holder and electrically connected to the sensor body. The sensor body includes a tubular insulator that is elastically deformed when an external force is applied, and a plurality of linear electrodes that are provided inside the tubular insulator and come into contact with each other as the tubular insulator is elastically deformed. At least an end of the sensor holder, an end of the tubular insulator protruding from an end surface of the sensor holder, and the resistor are molded together with a mold part which is a resin molded body.

A mutually capacitive touch sensor includes a first capacitor electrode and a second capacitor electrode. The second capacitor electrode is adjacent and spatially separated from the first capacitor electrode. An inner region is disposed between the first capacitor electrode and the second capacitor electrode, wherein the first capacitor electrode and the second capacitor electrode are arranged to surround the inner region. The inner region may include a hole for a backlight.

An earphone includes a speaker housing; a speaker positioned in the speaker housing; a stem extending from the speaker housing, the stem defining an input surface; a conductive object disposed within the stem; a flexible circuit positioned between the stem and the conductive object; a member positioned between the flexible circuit and the conductive object operable to allow the flexible circuit to move with respect to the stem; a force sensor electrode disposed within the flexible circuit; and a controller operable to determine an input to the earphone using a change in capacitance detected using the force sensor electrode, the change in capacitance corresponding to a non-binary amount of a force applied to the input surface. In some examples, the earphone further includes a touch sensor electrode disposed within the flexible circuit.

An operator control device for a vehicle, and a method for operating such an operator control device is disclosed. The operator control device is for controlling safety-relevant functions. To this end, the operator control device has at least one user interface having at least one user input panel for user input and a sensor system for identifying a user input in the area of the user input panel, wherein the sensor system has at least one capacitive sensor device having a first, electrically conductive sensor structure and a second, capacitive sensor device having a second, electrically conductive sensor structure, the sensor structures being arranged beneath the user interface in the area of the user input panel. The first sensor structure and the second sensor structure are each configured in comb-like and/or meanderous fashion and arranged in intermeshing fashion at least in a subarea of the user input panel.

A capacitive touch sensor is disclosed for use with input signal. The capacitive touch sensor includes a number n of input/output lines. Each of the number n of input/output lines is electrically disconnected from every other of the number n of input/output lines. Each of the number n of input/output lines is arranged to cross every other of the number n of input/output lines. Each of a number β of positions includes one of the number n of input/output lines crossing another of the number n of input/output lines.

A sensor switch including a first sensor electrode and a second sensor electrode at least partially surrounding the first sensor electrode. An evaluation and control circuit of the sensor switch is configured to generate a switch output signal if a first sensor electrode attenuation signal indicates a high signal attenuation, a second sensor electrode attenuation signal indicates a low signal attenuation, and a cross-coupling signal from the first to the second electrode indicates a low cross-coupling.

A mutually capacitive touch sensor includes a first capacitor electrode and a second capacitor electrode. The second capacitor electrode is adjacent and spatially separated from the first capacitor electrode. An inner region is disposed between the first capacitor electrode and the second capacitor electrode, wherein the first capacitor electrode and the second capacitor electrode are arranged to surround the inner region. The inner region may include a hole for a backlight.

The embodiments disclosed herein relate to a method for the capacitive detection of at least a contact of a capacitive sensor by an operator. The method includes providing the capacitive sensor and providing an electronic evaluation system; applying a first constant electric potential to the counter electrode of the capacitive sensor; applying a second constant electric potential, which differs from the first potential, to the counter electrode of the capacitive sensor; calculating a first parameter from the first measured value and the second measured value; calculating a second parameter from the first measured value and the second measured value; and respectively comparing the first parameter and the second parameter with a predefined quantity.

An earphone includes a housing that defines a force input surface opposite a touch input surface. A spring member in the housing includes a first arm that biases a touch sensor toward the touch input surface. The spring member also includes a second arm that biases a first force electrode toward the housing and allows the first force electrode to move toward a second force electrode when a force is applied to the force input surface. A non-binary amount of the force is determinable using a change in a mutual capacitance between the first force electrode and the second force electrode. The mutual capacitance between the first force electrode and the second force electrode may be measured upon detecting a touch using the touch sensor.