Patent ID: 7116117

Claim:
A capacitive sensor comprising: a first sensing electrode connected to a first reference capacitor in which is stored reference electric charge; a second sensing electrode connected to a second reference capacitor in which is stored reference electric charge; and a shield electrode to which is applied electric potential equal to that of the first sensing electrode and the second sensing electrode, wherein the first sensing electrode is provided adjacent to a detecting surface of the capacitive sensor, and the second sensing electrode is provided opposite to the detecting surface in such a manner that the first and second sensing electrodes are spaced apart and facing to each other, wherein the shield electrode is configured to partly expose the first and second sensing electrodes on the side of the detecting surface, and wherein an extending portion of the shield electrode extends toward the detecting surface beyond an edge of the first sensing electrode at one side of the first and the second sensing electrodes, said edge being provided adjacent to the detecting surface.