Abstract: A hybrid sensor is formed by stacking a plurality of flexible sheets each provided with electrode patterns. The hybrid sensor includes a contact pressure sensor which has switches turning on or off by a pressure load, and an electrostatic capacitance sensor which detects a nearby object without contacting the object. The electrode patterns include a switching electrode pattern as the switch of the contact pressure sensor and a detecting electrode pattern as the detecting electrode of the electrostatic capacitance sensor. The detecting electrode is formed to cover substantially the entire area other than the area on which the switching electrode pattern is formed.

Abstract: An electrical capacitance proximity sensor for detecting a nearby object takes a normal operation mode for detecting the nearby object approaching and a self-diagnostic mode for detecting a correct connection between a sensor section and a detecting circuit section. The detecting circuit section is provided with a buffer controller which supplies a second oscillation signal having the same phase and voltage as a first oscillation signal applied to a guard electrode in the normal operation mode, and stops supplying the second oscillation signal in the self-diagnostic mode. A control circuit determines whether the sensor section is correctly connected to the detecting circuit section base on the change in the detecting signal in the normal operation mode and the self-diagnostic mode.

Abstract: An electrical capacitance proximity sensor for detecting a nearby object takes a normal operation mode for detecting the nearby object approaching and a self-diagnostic mode for detecting a correct connection between a sensor section and a detecting circuit section. The detecting circuit section is provided with a buffer controller which supplies a second oscillation signal having the same phase and voltage as a first oscillation signal applied to a guard electrode in the normal operation mode, and stops supplying the second oscillation signal in the self-diagnostic mode. A control circuit determines whether the sensor section is correctly connected to the detecting circuit section base on the change in the detecting signal in the normal operation mode and the self-diagnostic mode.

Abstract: A hybrid sensor is formed by stacking a plurality of flexible sheets each provided with electrode patterns. The hybrid sensor includes a contact pressure sensor which has switches turning on or off by a pressure load, and an electrostatic capacitance sensor which detects a nearby object without contacting the object. The electrode patterns include a switching electrode pattern as the switch of the contact pressure sensor and a detecting electrode pattern as the detecting electrode of the electrostatic capacitance sensor. The detecting electrode is formed to cover substantially the entire area other than the area on which the switching electrode pattern is formed.