Electromechanical polymer (EMP) actuators are used to create haptic effects on a user interface deface, such as a keyboard. The keys of the keyboard may be embossed in a top layer to provide better key definition and to house the EMP actuator. Specifically, an EMP actuator is housed inside an embossed graphic layer that covers a key of the keyboard. Such a keyboard has a significant user interface value. For example, the embossed key provides the tactile effect of the presence of a key with edges, while allowing for the localized control of haptic vibrations. For such applications, an EMP transducer provides high strains, vibrations or both under control of an electric field. Furthermore, the EMP transducer can generate strong vibrations. When the frequency of the vibrations falls within the acoustic range, the EMP transducer can generate audible sound, thereby functioning as an audio speaker.

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.

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.

A multi-value selection switch that includes an engagement surface with an integrated touch sensor. The integrated touch sensor includes a plurality of detectable positions that correspond to, for instance, a range of absolute or relative target input values between a predefined minimum and maximum. The engagement surface further defines a switch that actuates/activates based on detecting a user-supplied force and/or based on a user momentarily holding a finger/pointer position. A user can select a target input value by bringing a finger or other pointer within operable proximity of an associated detectable position and actuating the switch and/or momentarily pausing. In response, the selection switch outputs a control signal to an associated device to cause the same to adjust operation.

An input device is characterized in that in a first stroke region in which an operation panel is pushed during a touch operation, a first reaction force that occurs by pushing the operation panel is generated by the first elastic portion. In a second stroke region including a stroke longer than in the first stroke region and a stroke for performing a push operation, a second reaction force that occurs by pushing the operation panel is a resultant force generated by a first elastic portion and the push switch. In the vicinity of a boundary between the first stroke region and the second stroke region, the amount of change in the first reaction force with respect to a stroke length is less than the amount of change in the second reaction force with respect to a stroke length.

A cover type touch switch structure includes: a seat housing embedded in a seat of a vehicle so as to be fastened to a seat frame; a switch housing disposed in the seat housing and including an outer surface which is coupled to the seat housing via a hook; a light-emitting unit which is disposed in the switch housing and stacked on the seat frame; and a knob unit which has a portion disposed in the switch housing and is stacked on the light-emitting unit.

A push switch includes an operating part configured to be pressed in a first direction, an elastic holding member configured to hold the operating part such that the operating part can vibrate in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, a frame member configured to hold the elastic holding member such that the elastic holding member can vibrate in the second direction, and a vibrator configured to generate a vibration in the second direction, the vibrator being provided in the elastic holding member.

An apparatus for carrying out inputs in an input capturing unit that can be coupled to the apparatus. An operating device has a receiving part and an operating element that is rotatably mounted on the receiving part. The operating element can be rotated by a finger to effect an input. A torque for the rotation of the control element can be adjusted by way of a controllable braking device. In addition, the control element has at least two actuating zones. The resistance to movement for the movability of the operating element can be adjusted depending on from which actuation zone the operating element is actuated and/or which actuation zone was previously activated.

A switch to be attached to a panel having an opening in a surface includes: a stationary member to be attached to the panel; a movable member to be placed at a distance from the panel, the movable member having a manipulation surface separated from the panel in the opening with a gap intervening between the manipulation surface and the panel, the manipulation surface being exposed from the opening; and a vibration element disposed between the stationary member and the movable member, the vibration element vibrating the movable member.

Supplementing the movement stroke of a trackpad with a haptic response is one way to restore some or all of a reduced trackpad feel and overall performance caused by a reduction in the movement stroke. However, incorporating haptic responses in a clickable trackpad may interfere with accurate force measurement using physical movement of the trackpad as a proxy. The following describes haptic trackpads with anisotropic compliant spacers. The disclosed haptic trackpads permit selective haptic responses to a user, while also permitting accurate force measurement using displacement of a sensing surface caused by the user's finger(s) as a proxy.