According to one embodiment, there is provided an input apparatus comprising a key that is displaceable along a direction; a first detecting circuit that comprises an electrostatic capacitance sensor that detects a variation of an electrostatic capacitance caused by a contact or a proximity of a pressing body with the key; and a second detecting circuit that comprises a first electrode, the second detecting circuit detecting an electric connection of the first electrode to a second electrode that is displaced along the direction as the key is displaced, wherein the input apparatus switches a detecting status thereof exclusively between a first detecting status and a second detecting status to each other in accordance with a displacement variation of the key.

The invention relates to a remote control (1, 48) comprising: a first data read-in device (24, 78) and a second data read-in device (24, 78) which are each designed to read in data in a pressure direction (20, 61) on the basis of a pressure exerted by a user, a first pressure take-up element (30) assigned to the first data read-in device (24, 78) and a second pressure take-up element (30, 85) assigned to the second data read-in device (24, 78), which elements each have a pressure take-up side (35, 89) for taking up the pressure applied by the user, and a pressure output side for outputting the pressure, which was taken up, to the respective data read-in device (24, 78); and a flexible printed circuit board (31, 86, 97) which connects the pressure take-up sides (35, 89) of the pressure take-up elements (30, 85) to each other and on which at least one capacitive measurement transducer (38, 39, 93, 94) is formed whose capacitance is dependent on the position of a finger of the user on the flexible printed circuit board (31, 86, 97).

A touch pad input device includes a touch pad having a touch area formed on an upper surface thereof; a switch installed under the touch pad to generate a signal when a downward external force more than a reference value is applied; a restoring means configured to support elastically upward a lower surface of the touch pad; and a housing in which the touch pad, the switch and the restoring means are installed. Even when only one switch is installed under the touch pad, the switch can be stably operated when each area of the touch pad is pushed, and since the separate printed circuit board for transmitting the pushing signal of the switch is omitted, it is possible to provide a simple internal structure and to reduce a manufacturing cost, and all functions of a mouse and an arrow key can be performed.

An apparatus and method for simultaneously operating the horn and light systems of a motorized vehicle is provided. The controller used to operate the systems can be a single controller that operates the horn when a certain range of pressure is applied to the controller and operates the horn and lights systems when a stronger pressure is applied. The system can include a dedicated horn operating system controller independent of the dual function controller to eliminate the need for differing pressures to operate the horn and light systems substantially simultaneously. Also disclosed are apparatuses and methods to coordinate a vehicle braking system with the vehicle horn and light systems to improve the reception of safety and/or emergency warnings.

An electrical multiple stage switch assembly includes an assembly casing, a first component carrier, and at least one multiple stage switch including a first disc contact, at least one second disc contact, and an actuator. The first and second disc contacts are positioned with their centers substantially aligned, and the first and second disc contact are adapted to flex into an electrical connection when the actuator is pressed and to flex back into a non-electrical connection when the actuator is released. A controlling member includes a controlling part for each switch, and the controlling part includes a spacing member adapted to limit the smallest possible distance between adjacent component carriers.

According to one embodiment, there is provided an input apparatus comprising a key that is displaceable along a direction; a first detecting circuit that comprises an electrostatic capacitance sensor that detects a variation of an electrostatic capacitance caused by a contact or a proximity of a pressing body with the key; and a second detecting circuit that comprises a first electrode, the second detecting circuit detecting an electric connection of the first electrode to a second electrode that is displaced along the direction as the key is displaced, wherein the input apparatus switches a detecting status thereof exclusively between a first detecting status and a second detecting status to each other in accordance with a displacement variation of the key.

A keyboard with at least some double action keys is described. The keyboard includes at least two layers disposed below the keys and the keys are selectively used to make contacts on one layer, or pass through and provide contacts with or on the second layer. All or at least some of the keys of the keyboard can be pushed partially down to generate a first command and can be pushed fully down for generating a second command.

An electronic apparatus includes a housing having first and second cover bodies covering opposite first and second ends thereof, and a switch device including a support member, and a switch assembly mounted on and slidable relative to the support member and having first and second contact points. When one of the first and second cover bodies covers one of the ends of the housing and pushes one of the first and second contact points with the other one of the first and second contact points being unblocked, the switch assembly is placed in an OFF state. When the first and second cover bodies cover the ends of the housing and push the first and second contact points toward each other, the switch assembly is switched from the OFF state to an ON state.

An electrical multiple stage switch assembly includes an assembly casing, a first component carrier, and at least one multiple stage switch including a first disc contact, at least one second disc contact, and an actuator. The first and second disc contacts are positioned with their centers substantially aligned, and the first and second disc contact are adapted to flex into an electrical connection when the actuator is pressed and to flex back into a non-electrical connection when the actuator is released. A controlling member includes a controlling part for each switch, and the controlling part includes a spacing member adapted to limit the smallest possible distance between adjacent component carriers.

A button structure comprises a base layer, a supporting structure arranged on the base layer, an elastic film layer, the elastic film layer covering the support structure and connected to the support structure, the support structure and the elastic film layer defining a cavity above the base layer, a first upper electrode arranged on the lower surface of the elastic film layer and located in the cavity, a first lower electrode, arranged on the base layer and located in the cavity, and a first variable resistance elastic body between the first upper and first lower electrodes, either arranged on the lower surface of the first upper electrode or arranged on the upper surface of the first lower electrode. When the elastic film layer is elastically deformed in the direction of the base layer, the first variable resistance elastic body connects the first upper electrode with the first lower electrode so as to generate a first signal related to the elastic deformation of the first variable resistance elastic body.