An operation input device includes a resistance element to generate a capacitance between an operating medium and the resistance element in response to an approach of the operating medium to the resistance element, and a power source to supply electric charge to one end and the other end of the resistance element. A first electric unit measures a first electric charge transfer amount supplied to the one end of the resistance element in response to generation of the capacitance. A second unit measures a second electric charge transfer amount supplied to the other end of the resistance element in response to generation of the capacitance. A controller is connected to the first and second units, and detects a position of the operating medium in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the resistance element based on a sum of the first and second electric charge transfer amounts.

The invention relates to a mobile electric energy supply device, comprising at least one energy supply connector for drawing energy from the energy supply device, a ground grounding device adapted to cooperate with a ground of the installation site of the energy supply device to provide grounding for the energy supply device, and a touch safety monitoring device adapted to monitor at least one touch point disposed on or electrically connected to the energy supply device for touch safety.

An apparatus for sensing a physical attribute is shown, that includes a first track (511) defining a first electrode on a substrate (512), a second track (513) defining a second electrode on said substrate and an active film (514) in cooperation with a first sensor portion (516) of the first electrode and a second sensor portion (517) of the second electrode. The second electrode includes a first extended portion (517) to establish a first additional resistance not cooperating with the active film.

The invention describes an electrical component (10) which at least comprises a section (12) configured as a sensor (sensor section) made of concrete and which contains electrically conductive aggregates (22) which are present in a region (24) near the surface of at least one outer surface (20) of the section (12) in a higher spatial density than in the remaining section (12). In addition, a method for its production and a use of the component (10) are described.

An ear-worn electronic device comprises a housing configured to be worn in, at or about an ear of a wearer, electronic circuitry disposed in or supported by the housing, a controller disposed in the housing and coupled to the electronic circuitry, and a rechargeable power source and charging circuitry respectively disposed in the housing. The charging circuitry is coupled to the controller and comprises first and second charge contacts situated at a wall of the housing. A user-actuatable control is operatively coupled to the controller and comprises a touch sensor coupled to the first and second charge contacts. The touch sensor comprises a threshold detector configured to distinguish between skin contact with the first and second charge contacts and contact between a conductive material more conductive than skin and the first and second charge contacts.

A switch includes a substrate that has a contact area on a first face. At least one first conductor is located in the substrate and extends onto the contact area. At least one second conductor is located in the substrate and extends onto the contact area. A sensor is configured to detect when a user contacts the contact area.

A system is for detecting a location of a touch input on a surface of a propagating medium. The system includes a transmitter coupled to the propagating medium and configured to emit a signal. The signal has been allowed to propagate through the propagating medium and the location of the touch input on the surface of the propagating medium is detected at least in part by detecting an effect of the touch input on the signal that has been allowed to propagate through the propagating medium. The system includes a piezoresistive sensor coupled to the propagating medium. The piezoresistive sensor is configured to at least detect a force, pressure, or applied strain of the touch input on the propagating medium.

Methods and apparatus for detecting possible living body contact at an electrical contact surface is disclosed, comprising sending a non-hazardous probing signal to the contact surface, detecting an electrical response from the contact surface in response to the electrical probing signal, and determining whether a captured responsive signal has characteristics of an expected responsive pulse, and to output a positive output signal indicative of possible living body to mitigate risks of electrical shock.

An appliance has an operating unit with an actuating element for triggering a pre-determined action. The actuating element is mechanically actuatable by force of a user. The actuating element is preferably a mechanically actuatable switch and/or key element. A touch-sensitive sensor is built into the actuating element, for detecting skin contact occurring as a result of the exertion of force for the mechanical actuation of the actuating element. The appliance is also embodied in such a way that, as a requirement for triggering the pre-determined actions, it is checked whether the actuating element is actuated and skin contact is detected by the touch-sensitive sensor. The appliance prevents defective actuations by associating touch-sensitive sensor technology with the mechanically actuatable actuating element. This ensures that mechanical actuation without skin contact does trigger the pre-determined action.

A button device and a manipulation structure thereof are provided. The manipulation structure includes a plurality of brackets and a plurality of transparent keys respectively fixed to the brackets. Each bracket has an elastic segment, a fixing segment, and a placing segment, the latter two of which are connected to two opposite ends of the elastic segment. Each transparent key includes a press portion and an abutting portion. The press portion is fixed to the fixing segment of the corresponding bracket, and has a touch surface arranged away from the corresponding bracket. The abutting portion extends from the press portion along a displacement direction away from the touch surface, and a width of the abutting portion is less than that of the press portion. The touch surface of each of the transparent keys can be moved along the displacement direction to deform the corresponding bracket by being pressed.