The invention relates to an input device (10) for ascertaining manual operation, having a touch-sensitive sensor element (12) that is mounted movably such that it is movable in a direction of operation (14) on the manual operation, the touch-sensitive sensor element (12) being mechanically coupled to a force sensor element (16).

An operating apparatus is disposed on a surface of a detection panel including a transparent panel and a sensor panel. An operation body includes an upper wall, an inner peripheral wall, and an outer peripheral wall. A rotary assembly is housed in the operation body. The rotary assembly includes a supporter fixed to the detection panel and a rotational operation member rotatably supported by the supporter. The rotational operation member is rotatable together with the operation body. A press detection conductor is provided at a conductor supporting portion of the operation body. A rotation detecting conductor is provided at the rotational operation member.

Systems and methods for providing input component assemblies for dome switches are provided. In some embodiments, an input component assembly may include a first conductive contact pad coupled to a first board of a switch, a second conductive contact pad coupled to a second board of the switch, and a layer of conductive adhesive between the first conductive pad and the second conductive pad, where the layer is operative to provide a seal for the switch.

A multi-action capacitive switch comprising a capacitive sensing area in a surface, a plunger comprising conductive material, and a structure of flexible conductive material. A change in capacitance caused by the presence of a user's finger travels from the capacitive sensing area, down the conductive material of the plunger, over the structure, and to a capacitive touch detector in contact with the structure. An actuation of the switch, for example by pressing, is detected by an actuation detector. In a handheld electronic device, a user may initiate a phone call using such a multi-action capacitive switch. The method includes displaying a list of phone numbers in response to detection of a user's finger on a predetermined key and calling one of the numbers when the user actuates the predetermined key.

A display device may include a display part, a sensor, an actuator, and a control device. The display part may include an operation surface on which a touch operation is performed by a user. The sensor may detect a displacement of the display part by the touch operation. The actuator may be configured to vibrate the display part. The control device may be configured to vibrate the display part with the actuator when the displacement of the display part by the touch operation is detected. The display part may be displaceable between a restriction position for restricting the displacement of the display part via the actuator and an allowance position for allowing the displacement of the display part via the actuator. The control device may be further configured to adjust the display part into the allowance position when a user operation for the touch operation is detected.

A multifunctional selection operation switch apparatus includes: an operation member including multiple operated portions and capable of being rotationally operated, the operated portions being capable of selective contact operation; a rotational displacement detecting device capable of detecting rotational displacement of the operation member; an operation target detecting device capable of detecting on which of the operated portions contact operation is performed; and a controlling device outputting a command signal corresponding to the displacement and the one operated portion, based on detection results of the detecting devices. Accordingly, even if the operation member is a single member, multifunctional selection operation can be performed without difficulty by outputting, whenever necessary, a desired command from multiple operation commands. It is not necessary to mechanically and operatively connect the operation member and the operated portions by a structurally-complicated interlocking mechanism, thereby achieving reduction in the number of parts and cost.

A dual touch sensor with XY-position and Z-force sensing, such as for implementing a touch button, includes a touch sensor assembly with: (a) an XY-position sensor (such as capacitive, single ended or differential) including an XY electrode disposed at the backside of the touch surface opposite the button area to define an XY sensing area corresponding to the button area, the XY-position sensor to sense a touch within the XY sensing area, as a button-touch event; and (b) a Z-force sensor (such as inductive or capacitive) including a Z-electrode to sense touch-pressure deflection of the touch surface, including to sense a touch-pressure deflection that exceeds a button-press threshold as a button-press event. Sensor electronics coupled to the XY-position sensor and the Z-force sensor detects, as a button touch-press condition, the capacitive XY-position sensor sensing a button-touch event, substantially contemporaneous with the Z-Force sensor sensing a button-press event.

A haptic keyboard of an information handling system comprising a coversheet to identify keys of the haptic keyboard, a contact foil and a piezoelectric element to receive an applied mechanical stress at a first key of the coversheet and generate an electric actuation signal. A processor executing instructions of a haptic smart typing assistance system to detect and anticipate a next letter of a word being typed and a controller to receive an instruction of the anticipated next letter and increasing force required actuate at least one key for a letter adjacent to the anticipated next letter, and to send a response haptic feedback control signal to the piezoelectric element to cause the piezoelectric element to generate a first haptic feedback at the first key if the anticipated next letter is selected and to generate a second haptic feedback if a typographical error is detected.

A keyboard touch electrode module includes a plurality of same electrode matrices, which are arranged along a lengthwise direction and a widthwise direction and formed by a plurality of series of first electrodes and a plurality of series of second electrodes which interlace with each other. Adjacent two of the electrode matrices in the widthwise direction are mis-aligned. The electrode matrices thereon define a plurality of key projection areas, each of which covers a same key-face electrode pattern. A touch keyboard includes a base, a plurality of keycaps, a plurality of supporting structures connected to and between the base and the keycaps, and the keyboard touch electrode module disposed between the base and the keycaps. The keyboard touch electrode module can senses a non-pressing movement on the keycaps. The keycap can move up and down relative to the base and the keyboard touch electrode module through the corresponding supporting structure.

A method of making an actuator switch is disclosed. One method including: receiving a threshold amount of pressure on a top surface of a flexible film; in response to receiving the threshold amount of pressure, contacting a first electrode with a second electrode; in response to receiving the threshold amount of pressure, generating i) a first capacitive connection between a row electrode and the second electrode and ii) a second capacitive connection between a column electrode and the second electrode; in response to the first electrode contacting the second electrode, generating, by a piezoelectric actuator, haptic feedback; and in response to the generating the first capacitive connection and the second capacitive connection, providing an input detection signal.