ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND INPUT MODULE THEREOF

• US 20090135144A1
• Filed: 11/20/2008
• Published: 05/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: High Tech Computer Corp (HTC Corporation)
• Original Assignee: High Tech Computer Corp (HTC Corporation)
• Inventors: CHUANG, Cheng-Chieh, Huang, Hsing-Chiang, Wang, Yi-Shen
• Granted Patent: US 8,451,228 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/02 Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/044 by capacitive means
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/702 with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/002 Longer travel
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2225/03 Different type of switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/022 Telephone handset
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/006 Containing a capacitive switch or usable as such
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/125 using a scissor mechanism as stabiliser
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/962 Capacitive touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/96054 Double function: touch detection combined with detection of a movable element
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/960755 Constructional details of capacitive touch and proximity switches
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/23 Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof by improving visibility H04M1/22
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/22 including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector

Abstract

An input module for an electronic device includes a key and a touch sensing unit. The touch sensing unit includes a substrate, a sensing circuit, and a conductive member protruding from the substrate. The conductive member has a connection portion and a sensing portion. The connection portion is electronically connected to the sensing circuit, and the sensing portion is movable with respect to the substrate and connected to the key for detecting a contact on the key.

Claims

1. An input module for an electronic device, comprising:

a key; and

a touch sensing unit having a substrate, a sensing circuit, and a conductive member protruding from the substrate, wherein the conductive member has a connection portion electronically connected to the sensing circuit and a sensing portion movable with respect to the substrate and connected to the key for detecting a contact on the key.

2. The input module as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

a circuit board disposed under the substrate; and

a switch disposed on the circuit board and opposite to the key, wherein the key turns on the switch when pressed by an external force.

3. The input module as claimed in claim 2, wherein the key comprises a contact portion passing through the conductive member and penetrating the substrate for turning on the switch.

4. The input module mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein the switch is a metal dome switch.

5. The input module as claimed in claim 3, wherein the conductive member comprises conductive rubber.

6. The input module as claimed in claim 3, wherein the cross-section of the conductive member is U-shaped.

7. The input module as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

a switch disposed on the substrate and opposite to the key, wherein the switch is turned on when the key is pressed by an external force.

8. The input module as claimed in claim 7, wherein the conductive member forms a part of a scissors-type mechanism pivotally connecting the substrate and the key.

9. The input module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conductive member comprises conductive polymeric material.

10. The input module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the touch sensing unit comprises a capacitive touch sensor.

11. An electronic device, comprising:

a display; and

an input module electrically connected to the display for data input, the input module comprising;

a key; and

a touch sensing unit having a substrate, a sensing circuit, and a conductive member protruding from the substrate, wherein the conductive member has a connection portion electronically connected to the sensing circuit and a sensing portion movable with respect to the substrate and connected to the key for detecting a contact on the key.

12. The electronic device as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a switch disposed under the key, wherein the key turns on the switch when pressed by an external force.

13. The electronic device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the conductive member comprises conductive polymeric material.

14. The electronic device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the conductive member comprises conductive rubber.

15. The electronic device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the input module comprises a dialing keypad.

16. The electronic device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the input module comprises a QWERTY keyboard.

17. The electronic device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the touch sensing unit comprises a capacitive touch sensor.

18. An input module for an electronic device, comprising:

a touch control surface; and

a touch sensing unit disposed under the touch control surface and having a sensing circuit and a conductive member protruding from the sensing circuit, wherein the conductive member has a connection portion electrically connected to the sensing circuit and a sensing portion extended from the connection portion and connected to the bottom of the touch control surface for detecting a contact on the touch control surface.

19. The input module as claimed in claim 18, wherein the conductive member comprises conductive polymeric material.

20. The input module as claimed in claim 18, wherein the conductive member comprises conductive rubber.