A proximity and three-axis force sensor based sensor may include a first taxel including a first electrode formed within a top layer configured in a serpentine pattern, a second electrode formed within a bottom layer, and a dielectric layer positioned between the top layer and the bottom layer and a second taxel including a first electrode formed within the top layer and having a first surface area, a second electrode formed within the bottom layer and having a second surface area, and a ground electrode formed within the top layer above the first electrode of the second taxel having a surface area greater than the first surface area of the first electrode of the second taxel. The second surface area may be different than the first surface area. A first edge of the first electrode may be vertically aligned with a first edge of the second electrode.

A metering valve comprising a solenoid having: a coil mounted on a core; and an armature moveable axially with respect to the core and against a return bias in response to a current in the coil; a variable capacitor having a first plate mounted for movement with the armature and a second plate fixed with respect to the core. The metering valve comprises an electronic feedback loop which is used to adjust the current in the coil based on a feedback signal derived from of the capacitance of the variable capacitor. A reference capacitor may be provided having opposing third and fourth plates at a set separation. A valve body may house the solenoid, the variable capacitor and the reference capacitor.

A display device includes a flexible substrate, a display layer disposed on the flexible substrate and including a plurality of light emitting units, a first conductive layer disposed on the display layer, including a plurality of first conductive lines, and a second conductive layer disposed on the first conductive layer, including a plurality of second conductive lines. A portion of the second conductive lines intersects the plurality of first conductive lines to form a plurality of capacitors, and another portion of the second conductive lines forms a plurality of touch units. At least one of the plurality of capacitors does not overlap the plurality of light emitting units in a top view of the display device.

A capacitance detection area sensor includes capacitance sensor elements arranged in a two-dimensional array, is shaped into an appropriate shape, and capacitively coupled to an external electrode. To the external electrode, a sensing signal having a potential difference is supplied. The first and second sensor output signals are acquired from a capacitance sensor element capacitively coupled to the external electrode, at the timing of the sensing signal being a first signal and being a second signal, respectively. A differential signal is generated from a difference between the acquired first and second sensor output signals, and an image indicating the shape of the external electrode is generated based on the level of the differential signal, in different colors or different tones.

A sensing apparatus comprising a displacement sensor element arranged to sense a separation between a first element (2) and a second element (3) movably mounted with respect to the first element; an acceleration sensor element configured to sense an acceleration associated with the first element; displacement measurement circuitry (4A) configured to make a measurement indicative of separation on the basis of the sensed separation; acceleration measurement circuitry (4C) configured to make a measurement of acceleration on the basis of the sensed acceleration; and a processing element (4D) configured to output a signal to indicate there is determined to be a change in the separation of the second element relative to the first element on the basis of the measurement indicative of separation and the measurement of acceleration.

In a pressure-sensitive touch sensor of a capacitance type, a first electrode and a second electrode are provided on a first surface of a base material sheet. The base material sheet is folded between the first electrode and the second electrode so that a surface of the first electrode and a surface of the second electrode face each other. The base material sheet is folded at a fold line portion in which a slit is formed. An elastic layer is provided between folded parts of the base material sheet. The pressure-sensitive touch sensor is configured to detect pressing on the operation surface based on a change in capacitance, which is caused when the elastic layer is compressed and deformed in a thickness direction by a pressing force to reduce a distance between the first electrode and the second electrode.

An apparatus with rotor input detection includes: a first reactance element disposed at a rotor configured such that at least a part of the rotor rotates around a rotation axis, and disposed at the rotor such that reactance of the first reactance element varies depending on relative rotation between a first portion of the rotor and a second portion of the rotor; and a second reactance element disposed at the rotor such that reactance of the second reactance element varies depending on a contact or a force applied to a side surface of the rotor. The first and second reactance elements are configured to detect inputs of different areas of the rotor.

An attachment for monitoring an inhaler usage to be used for monitoring a usage frequency of patients using inhalers is provided. The attachment allows monitoring the inhaler usage of the patients and provides a low energy consumption. With an effective power management system developed with the attachment, the attachment is used for a longer period of time without a need for a battery replacement.

A capacitive measurement device for indicating when two surfaces moving relative to each other are spaced less than a predetermined distance apart. The device comprises a probe having an elongated conductor, an insulating core, a conducting inner guard, an insulating interlayer, and a conducting sheath. A portion of the conductor, insulating core and conducting inner guard form a probe tip which extends beyond the insulating interlayer and conducting sheath by a predetermined offset. The probe is configured to extend from a first surface by a predetermined distance and to generate a signal when the tip is contacted by a second surface.

A fader device includes a conductive shaft, a conductive moving body, and a conductive portion. The conductive moving body is movable in the longitudinal direction of the shaft and includes a gap between it and the conductive shaft. The conductive portion brings the shaft and the moving body into electrical continuity. A signal generation portion generates a touch sense signal. A detection portion detects contact with the conductive moving body based on a signal output according to a capacitance generated between the conductive shaft and the conductive moving body in response to the touch sense signal.