INPUT DEVICE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An input device comprising:
- a plurality of keys;
a position input sensor disposed adjacent to the plurality of keys and adapted to detect an input status based on a change of an electrostatic capacitance of the input sensor;
a base sheet disposed adjacent to the position input sensor;
a movable contact made of a thin metal sheet and formed in an upwardly protruding dome-shape having a circular or elliptical contour and disposed adjacent to the base sheet corresponding to the positions of the keys; and
a substrate disposed adjacent to the movable contact and having a conductive region corresponding to the movable contact;
whereina columnar section is provided at a position corresponding to the center of the movable contact between the position input sensor and the base sheet.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An input device for constructing an inputting operation unit for various electronic apparatus and a method of manufacturing the input device are provided. The input device allows push-down inputting operation and position inputting operation using the same operating unit. The input device has a position input sensor provided under a key, and a base sheet having a movable contact joined to its bottom face depending on the location where the key is disposed, and a columnar section is disposed in a manner sandwiched between the position input sensor and the base sheet at the center of the movable contact.
17 Citations
5 Claims
-
1. An input device comprising:
-
a plurality of keys; a position input sensor disposed adjacent to the plurality of keys and adapted to detect an input status based on a change of an electrostatic capacitance of the input sensor; a base sheet disposed adjacent to the position input sensor; a movable contact made of a thin metal sheet and formed in an upwardly protruding dome-shape having a circular or elliptical contour and disposed adjacent to the base sheet corresponding to the positions of the keys; and a substrate disposed adjacent to the movable contact and having a conductive region corresponding to the movable contact;
whereina columnar section is provided at a position corresponding to the center of the movable contact between the position input sensor and the base sheet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
Specification