Touchscreen mirror device (100) comprising a touchscreen panel (10) and a mirror surface (20). The touchscreen panel (10) comprises a grid of capacitive sensors (12) for detecting a position of an input object such as a fingertip (F) near the touchscreen panel (10). The mirror surface (20) is configured to at least partially reflect a mirror image (M) at a front side of the mirror surface (20). The mirror surface (20) comprises a reflective metal layer (21) divided in separate metal islands (21a,21b) that are electrically isolated from each other by a single contiguous gap (G) for allowing the capacitive sensor (12) to detect a position of the input object through the mirror surface (20).

The present invention provides a touch switch unit, including a touch knob 400 on which a touch by a user is performed, a board 200 spaced apart from the touch knob, and a touch electrode body 500 interposed between the board and the touch knob 400, for sensing a change in an electrical signal according to a touch on the touch knob, wherein the touch electrode body 500 includes a touch body 510 fixed on one surface of the board 200 between the touch knob and the board and a touch sensing electrode 520 having at least part extended to an area adjacent to the touch knob and an area adjacent to the board and formed on the touch body 510 through insert injection and having at least another part formed on the board 200 and a vehicle lighting device including the touch switch unit.

A device for actuating a door of a vehicle in a contact-free manner includes a capacitive proximity sensor. The proximity sensor has at least one sensor electrode for emitting an electric detection field in a detection area in front of the sensor electrode. An insulated electric conductor is arranged in front of the sensor electrode for shaping the detection field.

A capacitive button capable of improving tolerance to electrostatic discharge is provided. The capacitive button includes: a pair of sensor electrodes which are provided side by side; a floating electrode which is arranged on a front side of the pair of sensor electrodes via an insulating layer; and a ground electrode which is arranged so as to surround the floating electrode, and is grounded without being electrically connected with the pair of sensor electrodes and the floating electrode. By providing the configuration, the tolerance to the electrostatic discharge of the capacitive button can be improved.

In certain embodiments, a method includes applying voltage to a sensor that includes first and second electrode tracks, the sensor proximate to a conductor depressible relative to the sensor and located between a button and the sensor. The conductor can capacitively couple with a capacitive node formed by the tracks, and the button can capacitively couple with an object. A value of a capacitance at the node is measured, the capacitance reflecting an amount of capacitive coupling between the conductor and the node. In response to the value meeting a first condition, a first button state is detected, indicating the object is within a detectable distance of and not in contact with the button. In response to the value meeting a second condition, a second button state is detected, indicating the object is in contact with the button and the conductor is not in contact with the sensor.

An input apparatus includes a conductive layer having flexibility, a capacitance-type sensor layer having a plurality of detection units, and a structure layer having a plurality of structures, a reaction force of which is non-linearly changed with respect to a pressing amount. The structure layer is disposed between the conductive layer and the sensor layer. The two or more structures are disposed in an operation area corresponding to the detection units.

The invention relates to a sensor device (100) for the n capacitive detection of a user action in a vehicle (1), with a sensor element (110), which is configured as an electric line element, wherein the sensor element (110) comprises: an electrically conducting outer conductor element (112), at least one insulator element (120) for the electric insulation of the outer conductor element (112), an evaluation connection adaptation (20) on the outer conductor element (112) for the electrically-conducting connection of the outer conductor element (112) to an evaluation device (210) of the vehicle (1), whereby the detection can be performed.

A test connection adaptation (10) in provided on the outer conductor element (112), in order to test a functional test of the sensor device (100) based upon an electric circuit with the outer conductor element (112).

A proximity sensor, and a portable device equipped therewith, with at least two sense electrodes, one influencing the other. By reading twice the capacity of one electrode, while either setting the potential of the counter-electrode to guard or letting it float, the sensor of the invention discriminates between a body part, or another electrically equivalent object, and low-permittivity objects.

An activation device for actuation of a vehicle function includes a cover element, a light distribution device arranged under the cover element, and a light source arranged under or in the light distribution device. The light source and the light distribution device are arranged for backlighting the cover element. The cover element includes an outward directed operation area at least partially formed of an electrically-conductive metallic material with the operation area being galvanically decoupled from the remaining components. A circuit board is arranged under the light distribution device with a capacitive sensor such that the capacitive sensor is coupled to the operation area. The control and evaluation circuit is coupled to the light source and the proximity sensor to control the light source depending on an approach.

A capacitive touch sensor panel of present invention includes a metal panel with a plurality of electrically isolated and separated metal buttons. A capacitive touch sensor also includes a dielectric layer attached to the backend of said metal panel and to the backend of said metal buttons, and a circuit bearing structure attached to said metal panel and having a plurality of sensor pads located directly beneath said metal buttons, and wherein the circuit bearing structure has a capacitive coupling between each of the sensor pads and the grounded parts of said circuit bearing structure.