KEYPAD MODULE FOR CHARACTER INPUT, ELECTRONIC DEVICES UTILIZING THE SAME, AND METHOD THEREOF

• US 20090289899A1
• Filed: 08/28/2008
• Published: 11/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Chi Mei Communication Systems Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Chi Mei Communication Systems Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: WU, HUNG-CHEN
• Application Number:
  US12/199,898
• Publication Number:
  US 20090289899A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/169
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/705 characterised by construction, mounting or arrangement of operating parts, e.g. push-buttons or keys
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/012 Joy stick type

Abstract

A keypad module (114) including at least one key (20) is described. The key includes a keycap (24), a rocker (28) and a plurality of domes (32). The rocker includes a central shaft (281 ) and extending portions (282) extending from the central shaft. A top (2811a) of the central shaft joins with the keycap. The domes are located on a circuit board (50) corresponding to the central shaft and the extending portions. The corresponding dome is activated when the central shaft or the extending portions receive an external force.

Claims

1. A keypad module including at least one key, the key comprising:

a keycap;

a rocker joined with the keycap, the rocker comprising a central shaft and a plurality of extending portions extending therefrom;

a plurality of domes located on a circuit board corresponding to the central shaft and the extending portions; and

wherein a corresponding dome is activated when the central shaft or the extending portions receive an external force.

2. The keypad module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the key further comprises a cover with a top surface and a peripheral wall extending from edges of the top surface.

3. The keypad module as claimed in claim 2, wherein the top surface defines a hole in a central area of the top surface through which the central shaft passes to join with the keycap.

4. The keypad module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central shaft includes a head potion and a neck portion, the diameter of the head portion exceeding the diameter of the neck portion.

5. The keypad module as claimed in claim 4, wherein the neck portion joins with the extending portions and protrudes therefrom to form a central pillar, and the extending portions form a plurality of end pillars on ends thereof.

6. The keypad module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the key further comprises a supporting member located below the extending portions of the rocker, supporting the rocker.

7. The keypad module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the extending portions comprise a plurality of ends, the distance between opposing ends exceeding the diameter of the supporting member.

8. The keypad module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover is made from a metallic material.

9. The keypad module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the keycap and the rocker are made from a plastic material.

10. An electronic device comprising a circuit board and a keypad module, the circuit board comprising a plurality of switches arranged thereon, the keypad module comprising at least one key, the key comprising:

a keycap;

a rocker joined with the keycap, the rocker comprising a central shaft and a plurality of extending portions extending therefrom;

a plurality of domes on a circuit board corresponding to the central shaft and the extending portions; and

wherein a corresponding dome triggers electrical switches on the circuit board when the central shaft or the extending portions receive an external force.

11. The electronic device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the key further comprises a cover with a top surface and a peripheral wall extending from edges thereof.

12. The electronic device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the top surface defines a hole in a central area of the top surface, through which the central shaft passes to join with the keycap.

13. The electronic device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the central shaft includes a head portion and a neck portion, the diameter of the neck portion being less than the diameter of the head portion.

14. The electronic device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the neck portion joins with the extending portions and protrudes therefrom to form a central pillar, and the extending portions form a plurality of end pillars on ends of the extending portions.

15. The electronic device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the key further comprises a supporting member below the extending portions of the rocker, providing support thereto.

16. The electronic device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the extending portions comprise a plurality of ends, the distance between opposing ends exceeding the diameter of the supporting member.

17. A method for character input for an electronic device, the electronic device comprising a display, a circuit board with a plurality of switches and a keypad module with at least one key, the method comprising:

activating a character-input mode;

applying external force to the at least one key and displaying a menu corresponding thereto;

applying external force to at least one key in a downward direction to trigger a corresponding switch on the circuit board by a central dome of the key or applying external force to a central shaft of at least one key in a front, back, right, or left direction to trigger corresponding switches on the circuit board, wherein each dome corresponds to an option on the corresponding menu; and

inputting the corresponding digits or characters in accordance with the activated domes.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the character-input mode is activated by a shortcut key.

19. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the shortcut key is activated again to switch to another character-input method.