A rotary actuator assembly includes a rotary actuator having a rotary body on a capacitively-sensing detection surface of the touch panel. A sensor ring coupled to the rotary body includes on a first ring surface includes alternately arranged contact surfaces and insulating surfaces and on a second ring surface includes a circumferential metal surface that is electrically connected to the contact surfaces. A sliding contact includes a contact pad and a contact spring connected together. The contact pad forms an electrical contact point fixed at a position of the detection surface. The contact spring contacts the contact surfaces and the insulating surfaces in alternation as the sensor ring rotates with rotation of the rotary body whereby a variable electrical signal is generated at the contact point. The electrical signal is detectable by the touch panel and the touch panel includes a mutual capacitance touch sensor assembly.

An input device includes: a first electrode; a support body that supports the first electrode; a fixed body fixed above the support body; a second electrode; a movable body that holds the second electrode in a state where the second electrode faces the first electrode with a predetermined space being provided therebetween, and causes the second electrode to approach and recede from the first electrode in a movement direction by rotating; an operation body that is fixed movably relative to the fixed body in a state where the operation body is engaged with the movable body, and causes, by being operated by a user, the movable body to rotate; and a biasing part that is disposed between the movable body and the fixed body, and applies, to the movable body, a biasing force toward the support body.

A control system for a vehicle interior comprising a control element for a user to interact with is provided. The control element may comprise a sensing electrode configured to provide one or more electrical signals and a non-conductive cover material provided on or over the sensing electrode. The sensing electrode may be formed of or comprise a conductive plastic. The non-conductive cover material may be formed of or comprise a non-conductive plastic. The non-conductive cover material may be or comprise an outer layer, over-layer or skin of the control element. The non-conductive cover material may provide one or more touch interactive surfaces of the control element.

An operating apparatus is disposed on a surface of a detection panel including a transparent panel and a sensor panel. An operation body includes an upper wall, an inner peripheral wall, and an outer peripheral wall. A rotary assembly is housed in the operation body. The rotary assembly includes a supporter fixed to the detection panel and a rotational operation member rotatably supported by the supporter. The rotational operation member is rotatable together with the operation body. A press detection conductor is provided at a conductor supporting portion of the operation body. A rotation detecting conductor is provided at the rotational operation member.

A rotary controller for a vehicle apparatus such as an infotainment system has at least two operating elements which are arranged at a spacing from one another in a direction of extent of an axis of rotation of the rotary controller. The rotary controller has a receptacle on which the operating elements are mounted along with a plurality of contact-sensitive sensor elements. Each sensor element associated with a respective operating element to detect a rotational movement about the axis of rotation when a user manually contacts the respective operating element.

An input device includes: a first electrode; a support body that supports the first electrode; a fixed body fixed above the support body; a second electrode; a movable body that holds the second electrode in a state where the second electrode faces the first electrode with a predetermined space being provided therebetween, and causes the second electrode to approach and recede from the first electrode in a movement direction by rotating; an operation body that is fixed movably relative to the fixed body in a state where the operation body is engaged with the movable body, and causes, by being operated by a user, the movable body to rotate; and a biasing part that is disposed between the movable body and the fixed body, and applies, to the movable body, a biasing force toward the support body.

Systems and methods associated with modular computing environments are provided. For instance, a modular computing environment can include a control entity including one or more processing devices. The modular computing environment can include one or more modular components directly or indirectly coupled to the control entity. The one or more modular components can be configured to receive a module specifying one or more instructions to be performed by an external device. The one or more modular components include one or more processing devices. Each modular component is configured to determine state data associated with the modular component based at least in part on the received module and to provide the state data to the control entity. The state data includes an identification signature of the received module and a configuration context of the modular component within the modular computing environment.

A rotary actuator assembly includes a rotary actuator having a rotary body on a capacitively-sensing detection surface of the touch panel. A sensor ring coupled to the rotary body includes on a first ring surface includes alternately arranged contact surfaces and insulating surfaces and on a second ring surface includes a circumferential metal surface that is electrically connected to the contact surfaces. A sliding contact includes a contact pad and a contact spring connected together. The contact pad forms an electrical contact point fixed at a position of the detection surface. The contact spring contacts the contact surfaces and the insulating surfaces in alternation as the sensor ring rotates with rotation of the rotary body whereby a variable electrical signal is generated at the contact point. The electrical signal is detectable by the touch panel and the touch panel includes a mutual capacitance touch sensor assembly.

A device for sensing a rotational position of a rotatable element for a household appliance includes: a stator having a plurality of capacitive sensor surfaces spaced apart from one another in a plane of extension of the stator; and a rotor rotatably positionable or disposed relative to the stator and having an electrically conductive section and a dielectric non-conductive section, the conductive section being larger in area than the non-conductive section, the rotor being disposed opposite the plane of extension of the stator in a rotatable condition relative to the stator, and the rotor being couplable or coupled to the rotatable element.

An operating apparatus is disposed on a surface of a detection panel including a transparent panel and a sensor panel. An operation body includes an upper wall, an inner peripheral wall, and an outer peripheral wall. A rotary assembly is housed in the operation body. The rotary assembly includes a supporter fixed to the detection panel and a rotational operation member rotatably supported by the supporter. The rotational operation member is rotatable together with the operation body. A press detection conductor is provided at a conductor supporting portion of the operation body. A rotation detecting conductor is provided at the rotational operation member.