A button structure (708) comprises a base (709) comprising a slot (203) and a sensing element (710) inserted into the slot. A pressure concentration element (711) is fixedly connected to the sensing element and a key cap (712) is mounted to the base. The key cap comprises a core member (503) fixedly connected to a lower surface of a top plate (504) of the key cap. The core member comprises a lower surface (506) configured to be brought into contact with the pressure concentration element on application of a pressure to an upper surface of the top plate, such that the applied pressure is transmitted to the sensing element through the core member and the pressure concentration part.

A piezo-electric actuator on the side of a mobile device will enable pressure exerted by the user to be sensed at the conventional button locations, while providing a haptic feedback. Unfortunately, mechanical integration of piezo-electric actuators at the side of a mobile device is challenging. A mobile device in accordance with the present disclosure comprises a PCB; an outer frame surrounding the PCB; and a switch. The switch comprises: a first piezo-electric actuator configured to generate a first actuator voltage signal in response to a first force applied by a user, and to generate a first haptic feedback to the user in response to a first haptic voltage signal transmitted from the controller thereto; and a first virtual button in the outer frame configured to transmit the first force to the first piezo-electric actuator, and to transmit the first haptic feedback to the user.

A method of assessing a user input at a virtual button of a user-input system includes: (A) configuring at least one force-measuring device including a plurality of piezoelectric micromechanical force-measuring elements (PMFEs); (B) configuring a cover layer of the user-input system including coupling the force-measuring device(s) to the cover layer at respective positions that are laterally displaced from a center point of the virtual button; (C) receiving, by each respective signal processor, the voltage signals from the PMFEs (PMFE voltage signals); (D) obtaining force-trend data from the PMFE voltage signals; and (E) assessing a user input in accordance with the force-trend data. Each of the PMFEs is configured to output voltage signals to the respective signal processor in accordance with a time-varying strain at the respective PMFE.

A device including a piezoelectric actuator that can detect the actuation force and provide haptic feedback. The longitudinal extension of the actuator, generated for this purpose, can be reinforced in the desired direction by a deformable metal sheet. The deformable metal sheet is adhered on and has a borehole for pressure equalization.

A self-powered switching device is provided. In embodiments, the device uses a prestressed flextensional electroactive member to generate a signal for activation of a latching relay. The electroactive member has a piezoelectric element with a convex face and a concave face that may be compressed to generate an electrical pulse. The flextensional electroactive member and associated signal generation circuitry can be hardwired directly to the latching relay or may be coupled to a transmitter for sending an RF signal to a receiver which actuates the latching relay.

A method and an apparatus for powering on a terminal. The method for powering on a terminal includes collecting, by a pressure detection sensor disposed inside a housing of a terminal, a value of pressure; sending, by the pressure detection sensor, an interrupt request to a power management unit (PMU) when the value of the pressure collected by the pressure detection sensor meets a set condition; and outputting, by the PMU, a power supply maintaining signal after receiving the interrupt request, so as to power on the terminal.

A system is for detecting a location of a touch input on a surface of a propagating medium. The system includes a transmitter coupled to the propagating medium and configured to emit a signal. The signal has been allowed to propagate through the propagating medium and the location of the touch input on the surface of the propagating medium is detected at least in part by detecting an effect of the touch input on the signal that has been allowed to propagate through the propagating medium. The system includes a piezoresistive sensor coupled to the propagating medium. The piezoresistive sensor is configured to at least detect a force, pressure, or applied strain of the touch input on the propagating medium.

The present disclosure relates to a press sensing assembly and a terminal device. The press sensing assembly includes: an emitting element including a first side and a second side thereopposite and emitting an ultrasonic wave; a receiving element disposed adjacent to the emitting element, receiving a reflected wave of the reflected ultrasonic wave; and a reflecting pad disposed the first side and the receiving element, and a first surface of the reflecting pad abutting the emitting element and the receiving element, wherein when the second side and/or the receiving element are/is pressed, a region of the reflecting pad corresponding to the pressed region deforms, and a medium density in a deforming region increases.

A method tests a piezo key sensing circuit having a piezo element and verifies that it is properly functioning. A capacitance of the piezo element is discharged. Then the capacitance of the piezo element is charged during a predetermined time period. An output signal of the piezo element is measured during the predetermined time period resulting in a measured output signal. An operating condition of the piezo key sensing circuit is determined based on the measured output signal.

Sensor systems are described that are designed to be integrated with gloves for the human hand. An array of sensors detects forces associated with action of a hand in the glove, and associated circuitry generates corresponding control information that may be used to control a wide variety of processes and devices.