A light-emitting-and-receiving element module 1 comprises a substrate 2 that comprises a top surface 2a; a light-emitting element 3a on the top surface 2a of the substrate 2; a light-receiving element 3b on the top surface 2a of the substrate 2 and apart from the light-emitting element 3a; and an intermediate wall 5 between the light-emitting element 3a and the light-receiving element 3b, the intermediate wall 5 comprising a lower surface 5c disposed apart from the top surface 2a. The lower surface 5c of the intermediate wall 5 has a protruding shape.

An optical switch module including a light generation circuit, a light receiving circuit, and a control unit is provided. The light generation circuit includes a light generation unit and a control end, and generates light according to a control signal from the control end. The light receiving circuit includes a light receiving unit and a signal reading end, and is configured to receive light to generate a detection signal at the signal reading end. The control unit is configured to generate the control signal and receive the detection signal. The control unit further selectively configures the signal reading end in an input mode or an output mode. Before the control unit configures the signal reading end in the input mode to read the detection signal, the control unit configures the signal reading end in the output mode to pull up a potential of the light receiving unit.

Key switches of the inventive subject matter are designed to give users the tactile feel of key switches from expensive mechanical keyboards without drawback typically associated with alternative key switches. In some embodiments, key switches described in this application are designed to function with a sheet of membrane switches, while in other embodiments, key switches of the inventive subject matter incorporate optical switching in place of membrane switching. Embodiments for use with membrane switching feature a plunger and rocker combination that prevents the pressure from a user's key press from being directly transferred to a membrane switch, thereby reducing wear and tear. In optical switching embodiments, pressing the key switch causes an actuator, e.g., come between an optical emitter/receiver pair to register a key press.

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 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 method for adjusting an optical switch keyboard and an optical switch keyboard using the adjusting method are provided. The optical switch keyboard has a number of key units. The method includes the following steps. A scan signal is applied to one of a number of scan lines by a control unit at a first scan time point. A light is emitted by a light source according to the scan signal. A light emitted by the light source is detected by a detecting element to generate a detecting electric signal. The detecting electric signal is read by the control unit to obtain a first read signal voltage. When the first read signal voltage is outside the voltage range of the pressed state of the key unit, the period of the scan signal is increased by a first predetermined amount by the control unit to obtain an adjusted scan signal.

Devices, methods, and systems for detecting proximity. A first light emitter emits light for a first time period while a light detector is not sensing. A second light emitter emits light for a second time period while the light detector is sensing. In some implementations, the first light emitter directly illuminates the light detector during the first time period, whereas the second light emitter is obstructed from directly illuminating the light detector during the second time period. In some implementations, the first light emitter is obstructed from illuminating a display during the first time period, and the second light emitter is obstructed from directly illuminating the light detector during the second time period. In some implementations, the first light emitter emits the light during the first time period such that the light detector maintains a linear responsivity during the second time period.

Optically isolated micromachined (MEMS) switches and related methods are described. The optically isolated MEMS switches described herein may be used to provide isolation between electronic devices. For example, the optically isolated MEMS switches of the types described herein can enable the use of separate grounds between the receiving electronic device and the control circuitry. Isolation of high-voltage signals and high-voltage power supplies can be achieved by using an optical isolator and a MEMS switch, where the optical isolator controls the state of the MEMS switch. In some embodiments, utilizing optical isolators to provide high voltages, the need for electric high-voltage sources such as high-voltage power supplies and charge pumps may be removed, thus removing the cause of potential damage to the receiving electronic device. In one example, the optical isolator and the MEMS switch may be co-packaged on the same substrate.

Touchless control panel systems and methods are disclosed. A touchless control panel may include a housing and one or more user inputs. The individual user inputs can include an aperture extending through the housing, a primary sensor disposed to detect objects inserted a first distance into the housing through the aperture and to generate a first signal when an object is detected, and a haptic device configured to provide haptic feedback to objects inserted through the aperture. Processing circuitry in communication with the one or more user inputs can be configured to, for each of the one or more user inputs, receive the first signal from the primary sensor, transmit a control signal based on the first signal, and cause the haptic device to provide haptic feedback based on the first signal. The disclosed touchless control panels may be installed as elevator control stations.

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.