In a driver for a piezo-electric transducer, when a converter circuit and a sensing circuit are the same circuit, many limitations exist on the accuracy of the sensing, due to multiple parasitic effects arising from the interconnection of the power devices. These limitations may limit viability of the sensing for many applications, in particular an accurate determination of when the force on the piezo-electric transducer is fully removed. Providing an additional switch in the sensing circuit configured to repeatedly zero the sensed voltage across the piezo-electric transducer each time the sensed voltage reaches a threshold voltage generates a plurality of voltage segments between zero and the threshold voltage. Accordingly, a controller may then be configured to generate a digital reconstruction of the sensed voltage across the piezo-electric transducer by adding the plurality of voltage segments.

A switch assembly that provides haptic feedback includes a printed circuit board (PCB) having a first planar surface that faces in a first direction and a second planar surface that faces in a second direction, the second direction being opposite from the first direction, a touch plate having a first surface that faces in the first direction and a second surface that faces in the second direction, wherein the first surface of the touch plate is proximate the second planar surface of the PCB, and a haptic exciter that has a conductive coil of wire having a hollow inner core and a magnet that is at least partially disposed within the hollow inner core of the coil of wire such that the magnet alternatively moves in the first and second directions as an alternating current passes through the conductive coil of wire.

The present application relates to an operating appliance for interacting with a user, including a transparent cover device, a support device with a sensor cutout, and a pressure switch, wherein the transparent cover device forms an operating area and a lower side lying opposite to the operating area and the support device is arranged on or at the lower side and the pressure switch is located and aligned within the sensor cutout in such a way that a user input by means of a finger of the user on the operating area is detectable by the pressure switch, wherein a finger indentation is provided on the operating area and arranged above the pressure switch.

A switch assembly that provides haptic feedback includes a printed circuit board (PCB) having a first planar surface that faces in a first direction and a second planar surface that faces in a second direction, the second direction being opposite from the first direction, a touch plate having a first surface that faces in the first direction and a second surface that faces in the second direction, wherein the first surface of the touch plate is proximate the second planar surface of the PCB, and a haptic exciter that has a conductive coil of wire having a hollow inner core and a magnet that is at least partially disposed within the hollow inner core of the coil of wire such that the magnet alternatively moves in the first and second directions as an alternating current passes through the conductive coil of wire.

A device for detecting an object, with respect to a detection surface, including at least one measuring electrode, at least one emission electrode coupled to the measuring electrode by a piezoresistive layer, and measurement electronics, configured so as to bias the electrodes at the same alternating potential and perform a measurement, called capacitive measurement, of a first measured signal (Vs) relating to the capacitance (Coe), called object-electrode capacitance, seen by the at least one measuring electrode; apply a potential difference between the electrodes and measure a second signal relating to the resistance (Rie) between the electrodes. Also, a detection layer includes such a detection device as well as an item of equipment equipped with such a detection layer.

A method includes automatically determining a first user input with a first predefined manipulation force acting on the input device and, in response thereto, performing a first function according to the first manipulation force. The method also includes automatically determining a second user input with a second predefined manipulation force acting on the input device, which second manipulation force is higher than the first manipulation force, and, in response thereto, selecting a first display element from a plurality of display elements displayed on a display unit, by switching an input focus to the first display element.

A gesture detection system comprising a virtual button structure for mounting in an outer frame of a mobile device for detecting finger gestures by a user. First and second piezo-electric actuators are in contact with the virtual button structure, and configured to generate first and second varying electrical signals, respectively in response to a dynamic force application to the virtual button structure. A processor is configured to execute instructions stored in memory to i) determine a magnitude and a position of the dynamic force application on the virtual button structure over time, based on the first varying electrical signal and the second varying electrical signal, ii) determine a gesture corresponding to the magnitude and the position of the dynamic force application over time; and iii) provide a response signal based on the gesture.

The present inventors have recognized that an electrical switch for opening doors in buildings, calling elevators, and the like can be improved to require less physical contact, larger activation area, and multiple activation methods, with increased reliability, by utilizing a piezoelectric sensor specifically arranged between rigid, parallel mounting plates in which one of the plates (an inner plate) is rigidly fixed to prevent movement while the other plate (an outer plate) is accessible for receiving physical contact. By rigidly fixing the inner plate, such as by mounting to a wall or bollard, the sensor can react with sensitivity upon an application of less pressure on the outer plate. Such pressure compresses the sensor between the plates to produce an electrical signal. A controller receiving the signal can, in turn, execute to open a door, call an elevator and/or activate a light or sound to provide feedback.

A piezo-electric actuator on the side of a mobile device will enable pressure exerted by the user to be sensed at the conventional button locations, while providing a haptic feedback. Unfortunately, mechanical integration of piezo-electric actuators at the side of a mobile device is challenging. A mobile device in accordance with the present disclosure comprises a PCB; an outer frame surrounding the PCB; and a switch. The switch comprises: a first piezo-electric actuator configured to generate a first actuator voltage signal in response to a first force applied by a user, and to generate a first haptic feedback to the user in response to a first haptic voltage signal transmitted from the controller thereto; and a first virtual button in the outer frame configured to transmit the first force to the first piezo-electric actuator, and to transmit the first haptic feedback to the user.

A switch assembly that provides haptic feedback includes a printed circuit board (PCB) having a first planar surface that faces in a first direction and a second planar surface that faces in a second direction, the second direction being opposite from the first direction, a touch plate having a first surface that faces in the first direction and a second surface that faces in the second direction, wherein the first surface of the touch plate is proximate the second planar surface of the PCB, and a haptic exciter that has a conductive coil of wire having a hollow inner core and a magnet that is at least partially disposed within the hollow inner core of the coil of wire such that the magnet alternatively moves in the first and second directions as an alternating current passes through the conductive coil of wire.