A remote control device includes a housing and an upper element. The top surface of the upper element can be partitioned to include different frictionally engaging surfaces. At least one frictionally engaging surface can be used as an input surface that receives user inputs such as touch or force inputs. An input device, such as a force sensing switch, can be positioned in the housing and used in determining an amount of force applied to the input surface. The bottom surface of the upper element below the second surface can be affixed to the housing in a manner that permits the input surface to bend based on the applied force.

According to various examples of the present invention, an electronic device can comprise: a board; a switch unit loaded on at least one surface of the board; a pressure module provided between the board and the switch unit; and a pressure sensing unit formed in at least a partial area of the board, and generating a signal by sensing at least one drive according to the pressing of the switch unit. In addition, the above electronic device can be variously implemented according to examples.

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.

One variation of a keyboard system includes: a substrate including an array of inductors; a tactile layer arranged over the substrate defining an array of key locations over the array of inductors; an array of magnetic elements, each arranged within the tactile layer at a key location configured to inductively couple to an adjacent inductor and configured to move relative to the adjacent inductor responsive to application of a force on the tactile layer at the key location; and a controller configured to read electrical values from the inductors. In response to detecting a change in electrical value at a first inductor, the controller also configured to: register a first keystroke of a first key type associated with a first key location defined over the first inductor; and drive an oscillating voltage across the first inductor to oscillate the tactile layer over the substrate during a haptic feedback cycle.

An input device includes: an inputter including a plurality of keys; a sensitivity controller that determines a sensitivity of input operation to the keys; an input detector that detects the presence or absence of input to the keys based on the input operation and the sensitivity; and an area controller that sets one or more input areas including at least one key to the inputter; wherein the sensitivity controller sets the sensitivity for each input area.

A membrane digital analog switch includes an input button surface adapted to receive an input pressure from a user, and a digital switch positioned below the input button surface to generate a digital switch activation signal when the received pressure on the input button surface is greater than or equal to a specified digital pressure threshold. The membrane digital analog switch also includes an analog switch adapted to generate an analog switch activation signal when the received pressure on the input button surface is greater than or equal to a specified analog pressure threshold. The specified analog pressure threshold is greater than the specified digital pressure threshold, the digital switch activation signal is a binary digital signal, and the analog switch activation signal is variable and corresponds to an analog sensed value of the received pressure on the input button surface.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an electrical switch or sensor. In one embodiment, the electrical switch or sensor comprises a first electrical pole conductively coupled to a first side of a layer of variable resistance material. A second electrical pole is conductively coupled to a second side of the variable resistance material. The first side of the variable resistance material positioned distal to the second side of the variable resistance material. The variable resistance material comprises a polymer comprising a glass transition temperature of no higher than about 10 C. The first electrical pole and/or the second electrical pole comprise an electrically conductive ink or coating having a dispersion of graphene sheets. The graphene sheets completely comprise fully exfoliated single sheets of graphene. The graphene sheets comprise a lattice having heteroatoms incorporated therein and/or functional groups attached thereto.

A remote control device includes a housing and an upper element. The top surface of the upper element can be partitioned to include different frictionally engaging surfaces. At least one frictionally engaging surface can be used as an input surface that receives user inputs such as touch or force inputs. An input device, such as a force sensing switch, can be positioned in the housing and used in determining an amount of force applied to the input surface. The bottom surface of the upper element below the second surface can be affixed to the housing in a manner that permits the input surface to bend based on the applied force.

Shown are a switch and a manufacturing method thereof. The switch has 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.

Electrical switches or sensors that comprise (a) a first electrical pole, (b) a layer of a variable resistance material in electrical contact with the first electrical pole, and (c) a second electrical pole that is in electrical contact with the variable resistance material and is not in electrical contact with the first pole, wherein the variable resistance material comprises at least one polymer having a glass transition temperature of no higher than about 10 C.