An electronic device includes an enclosure and a keyboard positioned within the enclosure. The keyboard includes a substrate and a key mechanism. The key mechanism includes a keycap support mechanism, a keycap supported by the keycap support mechanism and movable relative to the substrate, a ferromagnetic component attached to the keycap support mechanism, and a selectively magnetizable magnet. The selectively magnetizable magnet system may include a magnetizable material and a coil configured to selectively magnetize and demagnetize the magnetizable material. The key mechanism may include a collapsible dome biasing the keycap toward the extended position.

An input device includes: a printing layer on which an image of a key including a character is printed; a 3D lens that three-dimensionally floats the image of the key printed on the printing layer; and an input detector that detects an input in accordance with the depression of the image of the key floating three-dimensionally.

A switch device includes a switch part that is installed on a steering wheel of a vehicle and that includes an operation knob and an electromagnetic element for detecting an operation on the operation knob and causing a vibration of the operation knob, and a control unit that makes the operation knob vibrate. The control unit controls the electromagnetic element to vibrate under a predetermined condition so that vibration is transmitted to a hand of an occupant holding the steering wheel.

A portable computer includes a display portion comprising a display, a base portion pivotally coupled to the display portion and including a glass top case. The glass top case defines an exterior surface and a keyboard opening through the glass top case from the exterior surface to an interior surface. The portable computer further includes a keyboard positioned at least partially within the keyboard opening and comprising a substrate, a key configured to move relative to the substrate, and a fabric cover disposed over the key and defining a user interface surface of the key.

A coversheet layer of an information handling system, comprising a coversheet having a key location of a haptic keyboard and a haptic touchpad area on a C-cover for the information handling system including a magnet or ferromagnetic insert in the coversheet for alignment to a top replaceable overlay layer magnetically attachable to the coversheet, a support layer, a contact foil placed between the coversheet and support layer, a piezoelectric element placed between the contact foil and support layer to receive an applied mechanical stress at the key location or touchpad actuation location of the coversheet and generate an electric actuation signal and a controller of the information handling system operatively coupled to the contact foil to receive the electric actuation signal and send an electrical haptic response signal to the piezoelectric element to cause the piezoelectric element to generate haptic feedback.

The invention relates to an operating device for a motor vehicle, comprising an operating element, which can be lowered by application of force; a snap dome arranged below the operating element for applying haptic feedback to the operating element when the snap dome is deformed by means of the operating element lowering; a blocking body made of an electroactive polymer arranged below the operating element and next to the snap dome, the shape of which blocking body can be altered depending on an electrical voltage applied thereto such that lowering of the operating element is blocked or lowering of the operating element for deforming the snap dome is enabled; a detection apparatus for detecting a contact position of a finger on the operating element; a control apparatus which is set up to adjust a voltage at the blocking body depending on the detected contact position of the finger. The invention further relates to a method for operating an operating device and to a motor vehicle comprising an operating device of this kind.

A portable computer includes a display portion comprising a display and a base portion pivotally coupled to the display portion. The base portion may include a bottom case and a top case, formed from a dielectric material, coupled to the bottom case. The top case may include a top member defining a top surface of the base portion and a sidewall integrally formed with the top member and defining a side surface of the base portion. The portable computer may also include a sensing system including a first sensing system configured to determine a location of a touch input applied to the top surface of the base portion and a second sensing system configured to determine a force of the touch input.

A switch device includes an operation switch including a switch knob formed integrally with a recess configured to allow a finger to be inserted. The operation switch includes a detector configured to detect a change in a physical amount caused by operation of the switch knob.

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 tactile sensation presenting device includes: a pressure sensation generating unit configured to present pressure information; and a tactile sensation generating unit arranged on the pressure sensation generating unit. The tactile sensation generating unit includes a vibrating element configured to present vibration information; a warmth/coldness presenting element provided above the vibrating element and configured to present warm/cold information. The vibration information, the warm/cold information, and the pressure information are presented to an operating part in contact with a tactile sensation presentation surface of the tactile sensation generating unit.