A method for manufacturing an integrated multilayer structure for sensing applications, including obtaining at least one film including a sensing area; arranging the at least one film with reactance sensing electronics for sensing of one or more selected target quantities or qualities and conversion thereof into representative electrical signals, said sensing electronics including at least one sensing element and an electrical connection configured to connect the sensing element to an associated control circuitry; and molding or casting, and configuring, at least one plastic layer so that the plastic layer defines an integrated, intermediate layer between the sensing electronics and the sensing area and that the sensing area is superimposed with the sensing element of the sensing electronics, wherein it is further provided at least one physical feature to locally reduce the electrical distance between the sensing area and the sensing element to improve the associated sensing sensitivity.

An input apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology includes an operation member, an electrode substrate, and a first support. The operation member includes a plurality of key regions and is configured to be deformable. The electrode substrate includes a first capacitive element arranged opposed to each of the plurality of key regions and a second capacitive element arranged around the first capacitive element. The electrode substrate is capable of electrostatically detecting a change of a distance from each of the plurality of key regions. The first support includes a plurality of first structures and a first space. The plurality of first structures connect between the electrode substrate and the operation member. The first space is formed between the plurality of first structures and capable of changing the distance between each of the plurality of key regions and the electrode substrate according to an input operation.

A touch-controlled assembly adapted to an electronic device is provided. The electronic device has a front casing, a rear casing and a display surface, where the display surface is located on the front casing. The touch-controlled assembly includes a circuit board and at least one touch key. The circuit board is disposed between the front casing and the rear casing. The circuit board has at least one pad, which contacts one surface of the rear casing. The at least one touch key is disposed on another surface of the rear casing for corresponding to the at least one pad, where an orthogonal projection of the at least one touch key on the at least on pad is partially overlapped with the at least one pad.

A method for manufacturing an integrated multilayer structure for sensing applications, including obtaining at least one film including a sensing area; arranging the at least one film with reactance sensing electronics for sensing of one or more selected target quantities or qualities and conversion thereof into representative electrical signals, said sensing electronics including at least one sensing element and an electrical connection configured to connect the sensing element to an associated control circuitry; and molding or casting, and configuring, at least one plastic layer so that the plastic layer defines an integrated, intermediate layer between the sensing electronics and the sensing area and that the sensing area is superimposed with the sensing element of the sensing electronics, wherein it is further provided at least one physical feature to locally reduce the electrical distance between the sensing area and the sensing element to improve the associated sensing sensitivity.

An integrated multilayer structure for use in sensing applications and a method of manufacture are presented. The multilayer structure includes at least one molded or cast plastic layer and a film layer on both first and second sides of said plastic layer. The film layer on the first side of said plastic layer is provided with reactance sensing electronics. The sensing electronics includes at least one sensing element and an electrical connection for connecting the sensing element to an associated control circuitry. The film layer on the second side of the plastic layer has a sensing area superimposed with the sensing element of the sensing electronics. The electrical distance between the film layer on the second side of the plastic layer and the sensing element are locally reduced by a physical feature at the position of the sensing area of the film layer to improve the associated sensing sensitivity.

The present disclosure addresses methods and apparatus facilitating capacitive sensing using a conductive surface, and facilitating the sensing of proximity to the conductive surface. The sensed proximity will often be that of a user, but can be another source of a reference voltage potential. In some examples, the described systems are capable of sensing capacitance (including parasitic capacitance) in a circuit that includes the outer conductive surface, and where that outer conductive surface is at a floating electrical potential. In some systems, the systems can be switched between two operating modes, a first mode in which the system will sense proximity to the conductive surface, and a second mode in which the system will use a capacitance measurement to sense contact with the conductive surface.

A capacitive switch according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a switch structure having a first electrode pattern; a substrate having a second electrode pattern and an integrated circuit unit; and an elastic body interposed between the switch structure and the substrate, wherein the integrated circuit unit generates a first output signal by detecting a change in capacitance caused by a user touch input operation through the first electrode pattern, the elastic body, and the second electrode pattern, and generates a second output signal by detecting a change in capacitance caused by a user push input operation.

A capacitive measurement device for control interfaces, includes: (i) a support plate (2) having elements for attachment (4) to a control interface (3), (ii) first electrodes (5) arranged on a first surface of the support plate (2) opposite the control interface (3) and including first active electrodes (5), (iii) electronic capacitive measurement elements capable of enabling the obtainment of proximity and/or contact information of objects of interest (1), and (iv) second electrodes (6, 7) arranged on a second surface of the support plate (2) facing the control interface (3) and including second active electrodes (6) connected to the electronic capacitive measurement elements such as to enable the obtainment of measurements of movement and/or deformation of the support plate (2). A method and apparatus implemented in the device are also described.

A sensor system includes a first electrode serving as a primary electrode with a controller electrically and physically coupled to the first electrode. Computer executable instructions execute software commands on the controller causing the controller to apply a voltage to the first electrode to generate an electric field around the first electrode. A second electrode has at least a portion of the second electrode being disposed within the electrical field generated by the first electrode, and the second electrode operates while being physically decoupled from the controller. The electrical field generated by the first electrode induces a corresponding charge on the second electrode, and proximity of a conductive material on or near the first or second electrode alters the electrical signal received back by the controller from the first electrode to allow for sensing the conductive material.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides an input device with a mechanical wheel which includes a touch sensor. In one embodiment, the wheel is a thumbwheel that uses a magnetometer to detect rotation of a magnet inside the thumbwheel. The touch sensor in one embodiment is a cylindrical floating electrode which is capacitively coupled to a bridge electrode connected to a sensing circuit. The thumbwheel may be used for horizontal scrolling, zoom and other gestures.