Sensor and Method for Detecting a Number of Objects

A method for detecting a number of objects by means of a sensor device comprising a number of electrode configurations forming a sensor surface, each electrode configuration comprising a number of measurement electrodes and each electrode configuration being associated with at least one transmitter electrode,

• wherein, in a time multiplexing process,
• an alternating electrical signal is applied to one of the transmitter electrodes,
• the other transmitter electrodes are connected to a predetermined constant electrical potential, and
• an electrical signal indicating the position of the object relative to the sensor surface is tapped at the measurement electrodes associated with the transmitter electrode having the electrical alternating signal applied.

An electrical handheld device having a sensor device

• for detecting a number of objects, comprising
• a number of electrode configurations forming a sensor surface, each electrode configuration comprising a number of measurement electrodes and each electrode configuration being associated with at least one transmitter electrode, and
• an evaluation device coupled to the measurement electrodes and the transmitter electrodes, being adapted for using a time multiplexing method for
• applying an alternating signal to one of the transmitter electrodes, and applying a predetermined constant electrical potential to the remaining transmitter electrodes, and
• tapping an electrical signal indicating the position of the object relative to the sensor surface at the measurement electrodes associated with the transmitter electrode having the electrical alternating signal applied, wherein a first electrode configuration of the sensor device is disposed in a left area of a housing case of the handheld device and a second electrode configuration of the sensor device is disposed in a right area of the housing case of the handheld device.