An interface device includes a movable button connected to a frame structure by resilient structures positioned laterally between the button and the frame structure. Multiple layers or diaphragms of material can be used to make the button, frame, and resilient structures. Movement of the button can trigger a switch or sensor in a manner allowing an electronic device to detect interaction with the button. The interface device can be implemented in an electronic device such as a keyboard that has a low number of parts yet also providing tactile, stabilized key travel, support for various sensor or switch types for the keys, and, in some cases, haptic feedback.

An electronic device has a keyboard with an internal membrane. The membrane has a set of strain gauges configured to respond to a key press, such as when a collapsible dome collapses into contact with the membrane. The strain gauges are connected in a half Wheatstone bridge configuration and are positioned on the membrane in order to limit effects of temperature and subtle flexure of the membrane. The strain gauges are also configured to magnify detection of a resistance differential when a keycap is pressed with sufficient force.

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 trigger switch according to one or more embodiments may include a pressure sensor such as a pressure sensitive element that detects a depressed amount of a trigger in response to a depressing operation on the trigger. A trigger switch may include a trigger movable in response to a depressing operation, an urging member including a first end in contact with the trigger and a second end and urging the trigger in a direction opposite to a depressing direction in which the trigger is depressed, an elastic member in contact with the second end of the urging member, and a pressure sensor in contact with the elastic member to detect pressure applied from the elastic member.

An electrical switch, including an insulation base, an insulative-and-movable component, at least two output ports, and at least two transmission ports, is provided. The insulative-and-movable component is disposed on the insulation base and is adapted to operate between at least two switch positions relative to the insulation base. The two output ports are disposed on the insulation base. The two transmission ports are disposed on the insulative-and-movable component. When the insulative-and-movable component is located at one of the two switch positions, one of the two output ports is aligned with one of the two transmission ports and other one of the two output ports is misaligned with other one of the two transmission ports.

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.

In some examples, techniques are provided for quick haptic feedback, without the use of a controller, which is local to individual, non-actuating keys, such as keys of a thin keyboard or keypad. The haptic feedback may be in the form of a simulated “key-click” feedback for an individual key that is pressed by a user such that the finger used to press the key feels the tactile sensation. The haptic feedback mimics the tactile sensation of a mechanical key (e.g., buckling spring, pop-dome key switch) to give a user the perception that they have actuated a mechanically movable key.

An electronic device has a keyboard with an internal membrane. The membrane has a set of strain gauges configured to respond to a key press, such as when a collapsible dome collapses into contact with the membrane. The strain gauges are connected in a half Wheatstone bridge configuration and are positioned on the membrane in order to limit effects of temperature and subtle flexure of the membrane. The strain gauges are also configured to magnify detection of a resistance differential when a keycap is pressed with sufficient force.

A multi-modal sensing transducer may include a force concentrator having an external sensing surface. The multi-modal sensing transducer may also include at least one electrode coupled to the force concentrator. Further, the multi-modal sensing transducer may include at least one force sensitive element disposed adjacent to the at least one electrode. Moreover, the multi-modal sensing transducer may include at least one air gap disposed between the at least one electrode and the at least one force sensitive element.

An electronic device has a keyboard with an internal membrane. The membrane has a set of strain gauges configured to respond to a key press, such as when a collapsible dome collapses into contact with the membrane. The strain gauges are connected in a half Wheatstone bridge configuration and are positioned on the membrane in order to limit effects of temperature and subtle flexure of the membrane. The strain gauges are also configured to magnify detection of a resistance differential when a keycap is pressed with sufficient force.