This disclosure relates to a key module including a base, a first pivotable frame, a second pivotable frame and a keycap. The base includes two assembly frames. Each of the assembly frames includes an engagement portion and two guide portions. The engagement portion is connected to and located between the guide portions. The first pivotable frame is engaged with the engagement portion by being guided by the guide portions of the assembly frames. The second pivotable frame is engaged with the engagement portion by being guided by the guide portions of the assembly frames. The keycap includes a press part, a first engagement part and a second engagement part. The first engagement part and the second engagement part are connected to the press part. The first pivotable frame is engaged with the first engagement part, and the second pivotable frame is engaged with the second engagement part.

A fingerprint reader/power button system includes a base member defining base leg apertures extending into the base member. A spring member engages the base member to provide a spring force that is directed away from the base member. Spring legs on the spring member define respective spring leg apertures that are located adjacent respective base leg apertures. A support member engages the spring member and includes support legs that are configured to extend through the spring leg apertures and into the base leg apertures. A power actuator element connected to the support member is configured to engage a power actuator engagement element when an actuation force on the support member overcomes the spring force. A fingerprint reader connected to the support member is configured to read a fingerprint from a finger that engages a fingerprint reader surface on the fingerprint reader.

A method of making an actuator switch is disclosed. One method including: receiving a threshold amount of pressure on a top surface of a flexible film; in response to receiving the threshold amount of pressure, contacting a first electrode with a second electrode; in response to receiving the threshold amount of pressure, generating i) a first capacitive connection between a row electrode and the second electrode and ii) a second capacitive connection between a column electrode and the second electrode; in response to the first electrode contacting the second electrode, generating, by a piezoelectric actuator, haptic feedback; and in response to the generating the first capacitive connection and the second capacitive connection, providing an input detection signal.

A switching device in accordance with the present invention includes a first electrode and a second electrode, and the second electrode includes a body part and a cantilever connected to the body part. In addition, one end of a the cantilever comes into contact with the first electrode by an electrostatic force generated by a voltage applied to the first electrode and the second electrode, and the one end of the cantilever is separated from the first electrode due to heat generated by a voltage applied to both ends of the body part. In addition, the second electrode may include a 2-1 electrode, a 2-2 electrode, and an engineered beam connected in between. The engineered beam comes into contact with the first electrode on the basis of thermal expansion due to heat generated by a current flowing between the body part of the 2-1 electrode and the body part of the 2-2 electrode, or is separated from the first electrode on the basis of thermal expansion due to heat generated by a current flowing through both ends of the body parts of the 2-1 electrode and the 2-2 electrode. According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve high-speed operation while having ultralow power, high reliability through exploiting nano thermal actuation method capable of high-speed thermal expansion and actuation at low operation voltage.

A fingerprint reader/power button system includes a base member defining base leg apertures extending into the base member. A spring member engages the base member to provide a spring force that is directed away from the base member. Spring legs on the spring member define respective spring leg apertures that are located adjacent respective base leg apertures. A support member engages the spring member and includes support legs that are configured to extend through the spring leg apertures and into the base leg apertures. A power actuator element connected to the support member is configured to engage a power actuator engagement element when an actuation force on the support member overcomes the spring force. A fingerprint reader connected to the support member is configured to read a fingerprint from a finger that engages a fingerprint reader surface on the fingerprint reader.

A system includes a frame and a camera coupled to the frame. The camera includes a switch having an on position and an off position. The switch coupled to the frame wherein when the switch is in an off position a portion of the switch covers the lens and the camera is disable and when the switch is in an on position the portion of switch does not cover the lens and the camera is enabled.

In some examples, techniques are provided for quick haptic feedback, without the use of a controller, which is local to individual, non-actuating keys, such as keys of a thin keyboard or keypad. The haptic feedback may be in the form of a simulated “key-click” feedback for an individual key that is pressed by a user such that the finger used to press the key feels the tactile sensation. The haptic feedback mimics the tactile sensation of a mechanical key (e.g., buckling spring, pop-dome key switch) to give a user the perception that they have actuated a mechanically movable key.

A fingerprint reader/power button system includes a base member defining base leg apertures extending into the base member. A spring member engages the base member to provide a spring force that is directed away from the base member. Spring legs on the spring member define respective spring leg apertures that are located adjacent respective base leg apertures. A support member engages the spring member and includes support legs that are configured to extend through the spring leg apertures and into the base leg apertures. A power actuator element connected to the support member is configured to engage a power actuator engagement element when an actuation force on the support member overcomes the spring force. A fingerprint reader connected to the support member is configured to read a fingerprint from a finger that engages a fingerprint reader surface on the fingerprint reader.

An example keyboard can include: a base with a midpoint, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end; and a plurality of keys arranged on the base, wherein the plurality of keys is positioned to form a curved shape on the base such that the plurality of keys extend from the midpoint of the base towards a user as the plurality of keys extends towards the first end and the second end of the base.

An analog input device including at least one mounting panel and a matrix of analog push button assemblies mounted thereon. Each analog push button assembly including an analog pressure sensor including a pressure reception arrangement having an optical sensing sub-arrangement configured to measure an amount of light varied according to a pressure sensed at the pressure reception arrangement and an output terminal for outputting an analog signal corresponding to the amount of light measured, and a plunger element configured to exert the pressure on the pressure reception arrangement. The analog input device may include a multiplexer including an input side coupled to the push button assemblies and an output side; an analog-to-digital converter coupled to the output side of the multiplexer; a processor coupled to the analog-to-digital converter and configured to output a data packet; and a communication interface configured to transmit the data packet to a host computing device.