Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of circuits and methods in a capacitive touchscreen system that eliminate the need to digitize an entire array of pixel signals obtained from a touchscreen. Instead, regions of interest, or projections of object or touch signal clusters, from touchscreen 90 are employed to encode the coordinates or positions of objects or touches in an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). Encoding of object positions occurs during digitization of the analog signal clusters, which eliminates the need to separately digitize individual touchscreen signals. The disclosed circuits and methods reduce the number of signal processor channels that might otherwise be required, and lead to power consumption reduction in the capacitive touchscreen system, as well as in reducing the area required to implement the circuit architecture in an integrated circuit.

Abstract: A scan module of an electronic device scans a capacitive keypad for detection of the actuation of any capacitive touch sensor. This scan module remains in operation even when major power consuming circuits of the electronic device are in a sleep mode, and will not wake up the major power consuming circuits until an action requiring the circuits is needed, thereby, reducing overall power consumption of the electronic device while still maintaining scanning of the capacitive keypad. Upon detection of a valid key press of a capacitive touch sensor, an interrupt to the electronic device brings it out of a sleep mode and into an operating mode for further processing and appropriate action commensurate with the actuation of the specific capacitive touch sensor.

Abstract: A system comprising a sensing device and a capacitive sense array configured to track the position of a stylus and synchronize the capacitive sense array to the stylus transmit signal. The system is configured to track the position of both a stylus and a passive touch object. The system is further configured to track the position of the stylus using self capacitance sensing and track the position of the passive touch object using mutual capacitance sensing. The system further configured to modulate the stylus transmit signal to include additional data to support additional stylus functions.

Abstract: The presently disclosed technology teaches using a tilt-sensitive virtual marking implement to render an impression on an electronic presentation device. Further, a bearing measurement and a tilt measurement of the virtual marking implement are made with respect to the surface. The tilt and bearing are then used to vary geometry of an impression profile associated with the physical marking implement as well as an intensity of the rendering. A user may actively vary the impression profile while he or she produces strokes of the virtual marking implement across the surface without changing the physical marking implement selection or switching to a different virtual marking implement. When creating a rendering on a virtual canvas using the virtual marking implement and the surface, a user may wish to vary an orientation of the virtual marking implement so that a corresponding impression profile mimics an impression of a selected physical marking implement.

Abstract: A system comprises a processing device, a signal generator to generate a first signal and a single receiver to receive a second signal from a capacitive sense array. The single receiver is configured to process the second signal for stylus sensing of a stylus proximate to the capacitive sense array in a first mode of operation and to process the second signal for touch sensing of a passive touch object proximate to the capacitive sense array in a second mode of operation. The second signal is unsynchronized with the first signal.

Abstract: A device for detecting and quantifying an unbalance between first and second electric paths (R, S; S, VPS), particularly for a touch detection system, comprises: (a) comparison means (CC; CD) receiving at respective inputs the first and second paths; (b) variable transfer capacitance means (CPB; CPC) connected to at least one of the paths; and (c) a control unit (UC) connected between the comparison means and the variable transfer capacitance means and adapted to vary the variable transfer capacitance of said variable transfer capacitance means as a function of the result (Q) produced by the comparison means up to compensation of the unbalance.

Abstract: A device for measuring a writing pressure of electronic pen using a change of capacitance is disclosed. The device for measuring a writing pressure of electronic pen may include first and second fixed plates; a moving plate which constitutes a capacitive sensor together with the first and second fixed plates and moves between the first and second fixed plates according to a change of writing pressure; a tip which adheres to the moving plate to generate a writing pressure; and an elastic body restoring the moving plate to an original location when the moving plate moves from between the first and second fixed plates in a first direction.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention enable stylus input on a display device coupled to a processor. According to one embodiment, a stylus control unit detects the presence of a stylus within a display area of a display device and then displays a pair of frames including luminescent images on the display device. Furthermore, luminescent measurement data is transmitted from the stylus to the stylus control unit, and stylus position information is sent to a computer processor based on the received luminescent measurement data.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a stylus nib of a stylus. The stylus nib comprising a tapered end. The apparatus also includes a rolling-ball tip. At least a portion of the rolling-ball tip is housed within the tapered end of the stylus nib, and the rolling-ball tip includes an electrode configured to transmit a signal wirelessly to a device through a touch-sensor of the device.

Abstract: A position-detecting device detects a position pointed to by a position-pointing instrument and includes an operation panel detecting the position pointed to by the position-pointing instrument; and a manipulation-detecting unit located at at least one of the interior and the exterior of the operation panel, and detecting a manipulation by a second instrument other than the position-pointing instrument, or detecting a manipulation by both the position-pointing instrument and the second instrument.

Abstract: A capacitance measurement circuit and method are provided. A storage capacitor is pre-charged. Charge transfer is performed between an under-test capacitor and the storage capacitor. The storage capacitor is discharged and charged according to a relationship between a voltage of the storage capacitor and a reference voltage. The capacitance of the under-test capacitor is measured according to the voltage on the storage capacitor.

Abstract: A method for identifying touch object has steps of presetting a range of slopes for noise signals, identifying multiple sensed signals, each having a slope higher than the range of slopes for noise signals in a sensing frame, and if the slope of each sensed signal is higher than an upper bound of the range of slopes for noise signals and is higher than each of those of the adjacent sensed signals, determining that the sensed signal is sensed from a corresponding sensed point touched by a stylus. Accordingly, the method can correctly identify a range touched by a stylus from the sensed signals combined with LCM noise signals.

Abstract: A position detection apparatus is provided, which includes a plurality of position detection systems such as an electromagnetic-type position detection system and a capacitive-type position detection system. The apparatus is configured to select a transmission conductor among a plurality of transmission conductors in a first position detection system, and to select a reception conductor among a plurality of reception conductors in a second position detection system, so as to increase the spatial distance between the selected transmission conductor in the first position detection system and the selected reception conductor in the second position detection system as much as possible, to thereby reduce interference. Further, a relationship of frequency interleave may be provided between a transmission signal to be supplied to the transmission conductor in the first position detection system and another transmission signal to be supplied to the transmission conductor in the second position detection system.

Abstract: A capacitive touch display device includes a stylus, a display panel, and a capacitive touch unit. The stylus touches the display panel by clicking to input a touch signal and contacts the capacitive touch unit at a contact area. The capacitive touch unit is disposed on the display panel and includes a plurality of first sensing series and a plurality of second sensing series. Each of the first sensing series includes a plurality of first sensing pads electrically connected to one another. A pitch between any two adjacent first sensing pads is P. The second sensing series intersect the first sensing series. The contact area contacted by the stylus has a contact width D, and the ratio of the contact width D to the pitch P between any two adjacent first sensing pads satisfies the following ratio condition: 1.4?(D/P)?1.6.

Abstract: A stylus device is adapted for use with a capacitive touch panel, and includes a main body having a handle portion, and a transparent touch portion connected to the handle portion, adapted to be placed on the capacitive touch panel and having a flat touch surface. A transparent conductive membrane is formed on the touch portion and the handle portion, and covers the touch surface of the touch portion so that the transparent conductive membrane connects electrically a user's hand when the handle portion of the main body is held by the user's hand.

Abstract: A position input device is provided in which signals are transmitted from a position indicator, and signals transmitted from the position indicator are received by a position detector device. According to certain embodiments, an electrical double-layer capacitor, a charging circuit which charges the electrical double-layer capacitor, and a power transmission unit which relays and supplies to the charging circuit power supplied from a power supply unit external to the position indicator, are provided in the position indicator. In other embodiments the position input device has a built-in power supply unit, transmitting units, and a control unit for switching the transmitting units between energized and de-energized states. Also provided are position input systems and computer systems including the position input device, and methods of operating the position input device and the systems.

Abstract: An electronic pen for interacting with a surface. The pen comprises a cartridge having a nib for contacting the surface, a capacitive force sensor cooperating with said cartridge for sensing a nib force transmitted axially through the cartridge, and a processor configured to generate force data indicative of a force detected by the force sensor. The capacitive force sensor comprises: a spring having an integral conductive moving plate resiliently biased towards a reference position, a conductive fixed plate and a dielectric separating said plates.

Abstract: A position detecting device is provided. The position detecting device includes a position pointer which transmits a position-pointing signal using a power supply stored in a rechargeable power storage unit, and a tablet which detects a position pointed to by the position pointer when receiving the position-pointing signal. The position pointer includes a coil, a charging circuit for charging the power storage unit, and a transmitter for transmitting the position-pointing signal. The tablet includes an excitation coil wound around a periphery of a position detecting area of the tablet, an excitation circuit for supplying an alternating voltage to the excitation coil, a position-pointing signal detector for detecting the position-pointing signal received from the position pointer, and an excitation controller for controlling a supply of the alternating voltage to the excitation coil based on the detected position-pointing signal.

Abstract: A position indicator comprises a case having a housing portion and an opening; a rod with a substantially bar-like body and an end and housed in the housing portion such that the end of the rod protrudes outside the case through the opening; and a sealing member attached to the opening and having an aperture into which the rod is inserted such that a gap between the aperture and the rod is sealed. A position detecting system comprises a position detecting device having a plurality of superimposed coils, a processing unit; and a position indicator. When the indicator approaches the position detecting device, a signal is induced by one of the coils, and the processing unit determines a position of the indicator based on the signal and a coordinate of the coil that induced the signal.

Abstract: A multilayer made up of a support member with first electrodes including a plurality of electrodes arranged in parallel to each other and the second electrodes including a plurality of electrodes that are arranged parallel to each other so as to cross the first electrodes. The multilayer also includes a protective layer (a front member) that is provided opposite one side of the support member and with which a predetermined position pointing member is brought into contact, and a reinforcing material (a rear member) provided opposite the other side of the support member. A gas layer (space) is provided between the first electrodes or the second electrodes and at least one of the support member, the protective layer (the front member), and the reinforcing material (the rear member), thereby blocking electrical coupling paths that increase electrostatic capacitance.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method for reporting position information. Position information received from a plurality of capacitive sensors in an array of capacitive sensors is adjusted based on predetermined adjustment values to generate adjusted position information. Each predetermined adjustment value is associated with at least one of the plurality of capacitive sensors. A signal representative of the adjusted position information is generated. In another embodiment, the sensitivity of at least one of the capacitive sensors is adjusted based on the position of the at least one capacitive sensor within the array.

Abstract: A method of determining a contact position in an electronic apparatus including capacitance sensing circuits that output capacitance measuring signals and light sensing circuits that output light measuring signals includes acquiring the capacitance measuring signals by sequentially scanning the capacitance sensing circuits, determining whether a target object is in contact with a contact surface based on the acquired capacitance measuring signals, acquiring the light measuring signals by sequentially scanning the light sensing circuits after the target object is determined to be in contact with the contact surface, and determining a position of the contact surface, with which the target object is in contact, based on the acquired light measuring signals. The acquiring of the capacitance measuring signals and the determining of whether the target object is in contact with the contact surface are repeated until the target object is determined to be in contact with the contact surface.

Abstract: A position indicator includes a case (2), and a rod (3) housed in the case (2). The rod (3) is passed through a cylindrical ferrite core (6) so that its indicating portion (31) (e.g., pen tip) protrudes from an end of the ferrite core (6). A position detecting coil (4) is wound around the periphery of the ferrite core (6). A switch section (5) (e.g., pressure detector) for detecting the pen pressure of the rod (3) is arranged on the other end of the ferrite core (6). An elastic shock-absorbing member (7) is also attached to the other end of the ferrite core (6), so that the shock-absorbing member (7) is fitted between the ferrite core (6) and the switch section (5). Since any impact force applied to the position indicator is alleviated by the shock-absorbing member (7), damage to the ferrite core (6) and the rod (3) can be prevented or reduced.

Abstract: A touchpad assembly for use in an electronic device is provided. The touchpad assembly may include a touchpad frame operative to be placed within an opening in an electronic device frame. The touchpad assembly may include a support plate for supporting a touchpad, and a bracket for receiving a pick button. The support plate and bracket may be manufactured into a same component to increase the rigidity of the touchpad assembly. The pick button may include a varying height to prevent the pick button from deflecting and to make the pick button travel for providing a selection instruction uniform. The pick button may be coupled to the frame using any suitable approach, including using springs connected the ends of the pick button to the frame. The frame may also include pads to muffle the sound of the pick button when it returns to its initial position after having been pressed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting the presence of a finger on a fingerprint sensor is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including transmitting a probing signal, comprising a series of probing pulses, to a fingerprint sensing area. A response signal, comprising a series of response pulses, is received from the fingerprint sensing area in response to the probing signal. An upper reference signal is generated and finger activity is detected on the fingerprint sensing area by monitoring whether the peaks of the response pulses exceed the reference signal.

Abstract: A stylus may have a flat portion on a movable tip at one end for contact with a flat surface, or a stylus may have movable pins adjustable in response to contact pressure for use with a non-flat surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing a stylus pen configured to select one of plural pieces of content installed in advance in a communication terminal. Examples of the method comprise preparing a protective cap of a conductive fiber material by sequentially stacking nickel, copper and nickel on both sides of a polyester fiber by deposition coating, placing the protective cap on a mold, applying a bonding agent to an internal surface of the protective cap, and injecting a non-conductive liquid onto the internal upper portion of the protective cap.

Abstract: A digitizer for user interaction via an object with an electronically refreshable display screen, the digitizer comprising: a transparent sensing arrangement of detectors located at said electronically refreshable display screen for detecting an electric field of said object, said detectors having outputs, and an arrangement of differential amplifiers associated with said outputs, thereby to apply differential detection between said outputs.

Abstract: A position indicator includes a tubular core member comprising a first magnetic core, a second magnetic core, a first coil, a second coil, a rod, a pen-pressure detecting element, a capacitor, and a switch. At least one of the first and second magnetic cores includes a recessed portion extending in the axial direction so as to form a through-hole when the first and second magnetic cores are combined, and the rod is inserted through the hole. The first coil is wound around the tubular core member, and the second coil is wound around the second magnetic core. The pen-pressure detecting element detects a pressure applied to an end of the rod (i.e., the pen tip). The capacitor is connected to the first coil to form a resonant circuit. The switch controls “on” and “off” states of the second coil to calculate a rotation angle of the position indicator.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a stylus operates with a capacitive touch screen only when the stylus tip is in contact with the touch screen. The stylus is used as a sensor to determine the location where a user is touching the surface of a capacitive touch screen, but is not active until the stylus tip is pressed against the touch screen. In an exemplary embodiment, pressing the stylus tip against the touch screen activates the stylus by creating a physical separation in the circuit and disconnecting the stylus tip from ground. When the stylus tip is no longer grounded, it becomes active and is able to operate with a capacitive touch screen. In an exemplary embodiment, signal attenuation may be performed by diverting the sense signal to ground via a capacitor or other electronic component.

Abstract: A position indicator is provided for use with a position detecting sensor that carries out position detection by detecting a change in capacitance. The position indicator includes: a first electrode configured to receive an alternating-current (AC) signal from the position detecting sensor; a signal enhancing processing circuit configured to subject the AC signal received via the first electrode to determined signal enhancing processing; and a second electrode different from the first electrode and configured to be supplied with a signal output from the signal enhancing processing circuit. An enhanced signal having a determined correlation with the AC signal received via the first electrode from the position detecting sensor is formed while the enhanced signal is sent out to the position detecting sensor via the second electrode.

Abstract: A position indicator is provided for use with a position detecting sensor that carries out position detection by detecting a change in capacitance. The position indicator includes: a first electrode configured to receive an alternating-current (AC) signal from the position detecting sensor; a signal enhancing processing circuit configured to subject the AC signal received via the first electrode to determined signal enhancing processing; and a second electrode different from the first electrode and configured to be supplied with a signal output from the signal enhancing processing circuit. An enhanced signal having a determined correlation with the AC signal received via the first electrode from the position detecting sensor is formed while the enhanced signal is sent out to the position detecting sensor via the second electrode.

Abstract: In a position detection device which detects a position indicated by a position indicator, improvements are made such that signals can be received precisely and reliably even at the end portions of the detectable region. In a tablet 20 which detects the position of an input pen 10 by means of electromagnetic inductive action with the input pen 10, a shield plate is positioned below a sensor substrate having a plurality of coils, and a shield layer of a ferromagnetic material is provided to overlap with the shield plate.

Abstract: Touch sensor methods, devices and systems are disclosed. One embodiment of the present invention pertains to a method comprising monitoring a finger movement along a touch sensing surface based on position data of a finger touching the touch sensing surface, where the position data is obtained by locating a position of a force applied by the finger in a coordinate of the touch sensing surface. In addition, the method comprises generating direction data associated with the finger movement if the finger movement travels for more than a threshold distance. Furthermore, the method comprises determining a finger gesture which corresponds to the finger movement using a lookup table having multiple preconfigured finger gestures based on the direction data.

Abstract: A dielectric (16) is housed in a chassis (15) having an opening (22) and a main face portion (23). The dielectric (16) is formed with a hole (30) extending from a first surface (28) to a second surface (29) thereof, and the main face portion (23) of the chassis (15) is formed with a through-hole (25). A conductive pin (17) is inserted into the hole (30) and the through-hole (25) with one end portion thereof projected to the outside of the chassis (15) from the main face portion (23). Further, the electrode portion (32) of the lead electrode (18) is interposed between the second surface (29) of the dielectric (16) and the main face portion (23) of the chassis (15), and a terminal piece (33) of the lead electrode (18) is projected toward the outside from the main face portion (23) of the chassis (15). Further, a conductive elastic member (19) is arranged to approach the first surface (28) of the dielectric (16).

Abstract: A system for creating and manipulating digital media integrates a graphics tablet, a touchpad, and a synthesizer chipset. The graphics tablet includes a tablet surface, a grid of wires located under the tablet surface, and a graphics tablet chipset. The graphics tablet chipset includes an interface operably connected to the grid of wires for sending power to a stylus when the stylus is positioned over the tablet surface and receiving a signal from the stylus used to determine a position of the stylus with respect to the tablet surface. The touchpad is positioned on the tablet surface such that the touchpad also detects the position of the stylus simultaneously with the graphics tablet. The synthesizer chipset creates digital sounds based on input from the touchpad. The position of the stylus is output to a graphics tablet chipset output, and the digital sounds are output to a synthesizer chipset sound output.

Abstract: A method for using a touch display system comprises defining local distortion zones within regions of a touchscreen. Each of the local distortion zones has an associated calibration touch point and a target. Coordinates of a user touch point are distorted within a first local distortion zone based on a location of the user touch point within the first local distortion zone.

Abstract: An untethered stylus is configured to cooperate with a location sensing device that generates a drive signal. The stylus includes transceiver circuitry disposed in a housing, which is configured to receive the drive signal and transmit a stylus signal for reception by the location sensor. Energy circuitry is disposed in the housing and energized by the drive signal. A reference frequency generator, disposed in the housing and coupled to the transceiver circuitry and energy circuitry, is configured to generate a number of reference frequencies based on a source frequency of the drive signal, the reference frequencies indicative of a number of stylus states and synchronized to the source frequency of the drive signal. The transceiver circuitry is configured to mix the reference frequencies with the stylus signal.

Abstract: An untethered stylus is configured to cooperate with a location sensor that generates a magnetic field. The stylus include a housing having a tip and a shield. Circuitry, including a power circuit, is provided in the housing. An antenna arrangement provided at the housing includes multiple coil resonant circuits each tuned to a different frequency of the magnetic field. A first coil resonant circuit energizes the power circuit in response to the magnetic field, which provides DC power to the circuitry. One or more other coil resonant circuits are coupled between the tip and shield of the housing to define separate channels for communicatively coupling the stylus tip and the location sensor. An information signal communicated between the stylus tip and the location sensor is substantially unperturbed during provision of DC power by the first coil resonant circuit.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a stylus and a method of manufacturing the same. The stylus is configured to select one of plural pieces of content installed in advance in a communication terminal and indicate an associated operation of the selected piece of content to be performed by touching the selected piece of content with the stylus.

Abstract: A passive stylus for capacitive sensors comprises a tip and a shaft. The tip is configured to couple electrically with a capacitive sensing device and to couple physically and electrically with the stylus shaft. The tip comprises a contact surface, a support region, and a flexible region. The contact surface is configured to contact a device surface associated with the capacitive sensing device. The flexible region is disposed between the contact surface and the support region. The flexible region comprises a hardness gradient. The support region is configured to provide structural support to the flexible region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to couple a piece of electret material to a touch-sensor device stylus, where the electret material emits an electrostatic field to be sensed by a touch-sensor device.

Abstract: A method of positioning a coordinate suitable for a touch panel includes following steps. When a touch event occurs, the touch panel generates a corresponding detection coordinate periodically until the touch event ends. When the touch event occurs, the detection coordinate generated by the touch panel is sequentially stored. The touch event is ignored until the number of coordinates generated by the touch panel is greater than or equal to N, and N is a positive integer. When the number of coordinates generated by the touch panel is greater than or equal to N, a touch coordinate corresponding to the touch event is generated according to the last generated N detection coordinates. The above-mentioned step of generating the touch coordinate is repeated according to a cycle of generating the detection coordinate by the touch panel so as to renew the touch coordinate until the touch event ends.

Abstract: A position input device is provided in which signals are transmitted from a position indicator, and signals transmitted from the position indicator are received by a position detector device. According to certain embodiments, an electrical double-layer capacitor, a charging circuit which charges the electrical double-layer capacitor, and a power transmission unit which relays and supplies to the charging circuit power supplied from a power supply unit external to the position indicator, are provided in the position indicator. In other embodiments the position input device has a built-in power supply unit, transmitting units, and a control unit for switching the transmitting units between energized and de-energized states. Also provided are position input systems and computer systems including the position input device, and methods of operating the position input device and the systems.

Abstract: A retention member holds a tip of a pen received in an inner space of a unit body through an opening. A narrowed path member is placed within the inner space at a position between a large-diameter member of the pen and the opening, when the retention member holds the pen. The large-diameter member expands outward from the outer peripheral surface of the pen by a predetermined amount. The narrowed path member contacts the large-diameter member when the pen is released from the retention member, and creates enough interference to prevent the pen from falling out of the unit body, but otherwise allows the pen to be drawn out of the opening.

Abstract: Pre-stored no-touch or no-hover (no-event) sensor output values can initially be used when a sensor panel subsystem is first booted up to establish an initial baseline of sensor output values unaffected by fingers or other objects touching or hovering over the sensor panel during boot-up. This initial baseline can then be normalized so that each sensor generates the same output value for a given amount of touch or hover, providing a uniform response across the sensor panel and enabling subsequent touch or hover events to be more easily detected. After the initial normalization process is complete, the pre-stored baseline can be discarded in favor of a newly captured no-event baseline that may be more accurate than the pre-stored baseline due to temperature or other variations.

Abstract: A touch surface device having improved sensitivity and dynamic range is disclosed. In one embodiment, the touch surface device includes a touch-sensitive panel having at least one sense node for providing an output signal indicative of a touch or no-touch condition on the panel; a compensation circuit, coupled to the at least one sense node, for generating a compensation signal that when summed with the output signal removes an undesired portion of the output signal so as to generated a compensated output signal; and an amplifier having an inverting input coupled to the output of the compensation circuit and a non-inverting input coupled to a known reference voltage.

Abstract: An untethered device, configured to inductively couple to a source device, includes a tunable resonant circuit having a resonance frequency and configured to generate a supply voltage for the untethered device in response to a varying magnetic field produced by the source device. The tunable resonant circuit includes an inductive coil comprising a center tap and a capacitive circuit coupled to the inductive coil. The capacitive circuit includes an anti-series arrangement of varactor diodes that behave as a capacitance when placed in reverse bias. A frequency control circuit is coupled to the tunable resonant circuit and includes a control voltage source coupled to the center tap of the inductive coil. The control voltage source produces a control signal to place the varactor diodes in reverse bias and to change the capacitance of the capacitive circuit, thereby effecting a change in the resonance frequency of the tunable resonant circuit.

Abstract: An X-Y digitizer system is described for embedding within a host device, such as a tablet PC, a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant or the like. The digitizer is configurable so that it can detect and track the position of different types of position indicator. The digitizer also includes novel digitizer windings and novel excitation circuitry for energizing the windings.

Abstract: A position pointer is provided, which includes a housing having an opening, a bar-like rod disposed in the housing such that one end thereof projects from the opening, and a variable capacitor having a capacitance value which varies in response to pressure applied thereto through the rod. The capacitor includes a dielectric member having a first face portion opposite a second face portion, a first electrode section disposed on the first face portion of the dielectric member, a conductive member facing the second face portion of the dielectric member and forming a second electrode section when brought into contact with the second face portion of the dielectric member, and an elastic member coupled with the conductive member and adapted for biasing the conductive member away from the second face portion. A contact area between the conductive member and the second face portion varies depending on the pressure applied thereto through the rod.