Self-powered switches include a switch housing having an externally accessible user input member, a coil assembly, and a magnet arranged therein such that at least one of the coil assembly and the magnet move relative to each other responsive to movement of the user input member between first and second switch positions, and a control circuit held in the switch housing and coupled to first and second terminals of the coil assembly. The control circuit is configured to detect respective electrical characteristics of the first and second terminals of the coil assembly responsive to the movement of the user input member, and selectively transmit first and second wireless control signals to a remote receiver based on the respective electrical characteristics of the first and second terminals of the coil assembly, respectively. Related circuits and methods of operation are also discussed.

A command and signaling device responsive to movement of an actuating tappet includes a spring element to which the tappet is operatively connected to compress the spring element in response to movement of the tappet. A plurality of contact pads are defined on the surface of a printed circuit board. The spring element has a conical portion that is mounted on the printed circuit board proximate the contact pads, and a cylindrical part to which the tappet is connected. As the tappet movably advances, it drives the spring element into increasingly compressed positions that are sensed by contact of the spring element conical portion with multiple ones of the contact pads so that the spring element provides monitoring contact in a first compression position, a command and messaging signal in a second compression position and return urgency for return movement of the tappet.

A key structure includes a movable element, an elastic element, a light-emitting element and a pressure sensing element. The pressure sensing element is arranged between the elastic element and the light-emitting element. The elastic element is disposed on the movable element. The light-emitting element emits a light beam. The light beam is transmitted through the pressure sensing element and projected to the movable element to illuminate the key structure. While the key structure is depressed, the elastic element is pushed by the movable element. The pressure sensing element is pushed by the elastic element according to different magnitudes of the depressing force. Consequently, the key structure generates different pressure sensing signals.

A method of operating a contact sensor and a method of calibration of a contact sensor. The contact sensor comprises an array of discrete and spaced apart sensing elements (102, 202) connected to a resistive element (101, 201) with the location or size of a contact being detectable by measurement of one or more electrical parameter(s) relating to impedance steps along the resistive element (101, 201) is described. The method of operating involves determining a length of the sensing element between the contact and the resistive element and using this to compensate for a parasitic resistance present in the measured resistance of the resistive element. The method of calibration comprises applying one or more calibration contact(s) at a plurality of locations across the sensing elements (102, 202) to be calibrated; monitoring changes in at least one electrical parameter during the time that the calibration contact(s) are applied; and recording information relating to variation in the at least one electrical parameter, the information allowing assessment of the variation in each impedance step across the measured sensing elements. This enables the later use of the sensor to take into account any variation in the impedance steps.

There is provided a button for varying output based on force applied. The button comprises: a contact pad with at least two contacts, the contacts being arranged in a complementary pattern of interdigitated fingers with a separation therebetween; and an actuator and a conductive layer, the conductive layer being located between a base of the actuator and the contact pad and being independent of the actuator and contact pad, the base of the actuator being shaped to increase the surface area of the conductive layer in contact with the contacts as the actuator is pushed towards the contact pad. This increases current flow between the contacts in use as the force applied to the actuator increases.

Disclosed are a switch and a manufacturing method thereof. The switch comprises a base substrate; and an electrode disposed on a first surface or a second surface of the base substrate. The flexible electrode includes: a substrate in a range of about 5 to 70 vol %; conductive particles embedded in the substrate in a range of about 29.9 to 94.9 vol %; and a degradation inhibitor in a range of 0.1 to 1 vol %, based on a total of 100 vol % of the electrode. In particular, the substrate of the electrode is flexible and thus the electrode is flexible.

A multi-directional operating switch to be used chiefly for operating a variety of electronic apparatuses is disclosed. This operating switch can determine a tilt angle of an operating body accurately. The operating switch comprises a fixed electrode body, a movable electrode body made of conductive material, and the operating body. The fixed electrode body includes a first fixed electrode on its top face. The movable electrode body is disposed on the fixed electrode body and includes a first pressing projection protruding toward the first fixed electrode. The operating body is disposed on the movable electrode body and can be tilted such that it presses the first pressing projection from above. The movable electrode body is elastic, so that the first pressing projection can be deformed such that an electrostatic capacity generated between the first pressing projection and the first fixed electrode can be changed.

A multi-modal sensing transducer may include a force concentrator having an external sensing surface. The multi-modal sensing transducer may also include at least one electrode coupled to the force concentrator. Further, the multi-modal sensing transducer may include at least one force sensitive element disposed adjacent to the at least one electrode. Moreover, the multi-modal sensing transducer may include at least one air gap disposed between the at least one electrode and the at least one force sensitive element.

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.