Electronic device and input module thereof

• US 8,451,228 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2008
• Issued: 05/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: High Tech Computer Corp (HTC Corporation)
• Original Assignee: HTC Corporation
• Inventors: Chuang, Cheng-Chieh, Huang, Hsing-Chiang, Wang, Yi-Shen
• Primary Examiner(s): PARDO, THUY N
• Application Number:
  US12/275,068
• Publication Number:
  US 20090135144A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,650 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/173, 345/168, 345/157, 345/102
• 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, comprising a contact portion;

a touch sensing unit having a substrate, a sensing circuit disposed on the substrate, 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 a bottom surface of the key for detecting a contact on the key, wherein the contact portion of the key passes through the conductive member and penetrates the substrate and the sensing circuit;

a circuit board disposed under the substrate; and

a switch disposed on the circuit board and opposite to the key, wherein when the key is pressed by an external force, the contact portion of the key is configured to contact and turn on the switch.

2. The input module mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch is a metal dome switch.

3. The input module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conductive member comprises conductive rubber.

4. The input module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cross-section of the conductive member is U-shaped.

5. The input module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conductive member forms a part of a scissors-type mechanism pivotally connecting the substrate and the key.

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

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

8. The input module as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the key is pressed by the external force, the sensing portion of the conductive member is configured to move toward the substrate due to a deformation of the conductive member, so as to enable the contact portion of the key to contact and turn on the switch.

9. The input module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conductive member protrudes upwardly from the substrate and the sensing portion of the conductive member is higher than an upper surface of the sensing circuit.

10. An electronic device, comprising:

a display; and

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

a key, comprising a contact portion;

a touch sensing unit having a substrate, a sensing circuit disposed on the substrate, 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 a bottom surface of the key for detecting a contact on the key, wherein the contact portion of the key passes through the conductive member and penetrates the substrate and the sensing circuit;

a circuit board disposed under the substrate; and

a switch disposed on the circuit board and opposite to the key, wherein when the key is pressed by an external force, the contact portion of the key is configured to contact and turn on the switch.

11. The electronic device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the conductive member comprises conductive polymeric material.

12. The electronic device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the conductive member comprises conductive rubber.

13. The electronic device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the input module comprises a dialing keypad.

14. The electronic device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the input module comprises a QWERTY keyboard.

15. The electronic device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the touch sensing unit comprises a capacitive touch sensor.

16. The electronic device as claimed in claim 10, wherein when the key is pressed by the external force, the sensing portion of the conductive member is configured to move toward the substrate due to a deformation of the conductive member, so as to enable the contact portion of the key to contact and turn on the switch.

17. The electronic device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the conductive member protrudes upwardly from the substrate and the sensing portion of the conductive member is higher than an upper surface of the sensing circuit.