A surgical device including a surgical generator configured to provide energy for an energy based surgical instrument; a functional device configured to provide a function in its activated state; a switch for activating and deactivating the surgical generator a capacitive sensor including at least one measuring electrode that is arranged at the switch, wherein the capacitive sensor is configured to measure a capacity change or a capacity at the measuring electrode and activate or deactivate the functional device as a function of a measured capacity change or capacity.

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.

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 proximity sensor is arranged with a first electrode input with a first signal, a second electrode input with a second signal different from the first signal, a third electrode arranged closer to the first electrode than the second electrode, and the second signal has a reverse phase of the first signal.

A determination is made as to whether touch pressure data acquired from each of a plurality of touch pressure sensors is indicative of abnormal operation. If abnormal operation is indicated, the touch pressure data from each of the plurality of touch pressure sensors, except those touch pressure sensors having touch pressure data indicative of abnormal operation, is summed. Then, the sum is multiplied by a correction factor to produce a touch pressure output indicative of physical force applied to the plurality of touch pressure sensors.

A method for operating a sensor system having at least three sensor elements that can be attached on the surface of machines or components, the sensor elements having electrodes for forming electrical fields between electrodes having different electrical potential, the electrical fields changing upon the approach and/or contact of a body or an object, the electrodes acting as transmit electrode and/or as receive electrode, and the sensor elements being controlled in succession by a control device in a particular temporal or positional sequence.

A method for operating a sensor system having at least three sensor elements that can be attached on the surface of machines or components, the sensor elements having electrodes for forming electrical fields between electrodes having different electrical potential, the electrical fields changing upon the approach and/or contact of a body or an object, the electrodes acting as transmit electrode and/or as receive electrode, and the sensor elements being controlled in succession by a control device in a particular temporal or positional sequence.

Aspects described herein include a method and associated input device and processing system. The method comprises dividing a sensing region into a plurality of regions. The sensing region is defined by a plurality of sensor electrodes. Each region of the plurality of regions is partially overlapped by one or more other regions. The method further comprises detecting, during at least a first active input sensing sub-period, a presence of an active input device by a first sensor electrode. The method further comprises selecting, based on a location of the first sensor electrode, a first region of the plurality of regions that includes the first sensor electrode. The method further comprises determining, during at least a second active input sensing sub-period, a location of the active input device using sensor electrodes that are included in the first region.

Various embodiments of the present technology may provide methods and apparatus for water detection using a capacitive sensor. A door handle apparatus may include a first sensor and a second sensor positioned to detect water flowing across the sensors. Each sensor may comprise a first electrode, a second electrode, wherein each sensor operates independently.

Aspects described herein include a method and associated input device and processing system. The method comprises dividing a sensing region into a plurality of regions. The sensing region is defined by a plurality of sensor electrodes. Each region of the plurality of regions is partially overlapped by one or more other regions. The method further comprises detecting, during at least a first active input sensing sub-period, a presence of an active input device by a first sensor electrode. The method further comprises selecting, based on a location of the first sensor electrode, a first region of the plurality of regions that includes the first sensor electrode. The method further comprises determining, during at least a second active input sensing sub-period, a location of the active input device using sensor electrodes that are included in the first region.