Adjustable force tactile switch
AssigneeMicrosoft Technology Licensing, LLC
InventorAaron Schmitz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided for a user input device, such as a game controller, that includes a finger-pressable (“tactile”) switch. The switch is adjustable to change the amount of force used to actuate the switch. In an example implementation, a tactile switch comprises a housing, a button interposer, a dome switch, and an adjustment mechanism. A user or other entity may press the button interposer. The dome switch is contained in the housing, and is actuated by the button interposer being pressed. The adjustment mechanism is contained at least partially in the housing, and is configured to enable an amount of force used to press the button interposer to actuate the dome switch to be adjusted.
Claims20
A tactile switch, comprising:
- a housing;
- a button interposer;
- a dome switch contained in the housing that is configured to be actuated by pressing the button interposer;
- and
- an adjustment mechanism including a slideable lever body and contained at least partially in the housing, the slideable lever body configured to be slid to enable an amount of force used to press the button interposer to actuate the dome switch to be adjusted.
A user input device, comprising:
- a device housing;
- and
- a tactile switch mounted to the device housing, the tactile switch comprising:
- a switch housing;
- a button interposer;
- a dome switch contained in the switch housing that is configured to be actuated by pressing the button interposer;
- and
- an adjustment mechanism including a slideable lever body and contained at least partially in the switch housing, the slideable lever body configured to be slid to enable an amount of force used to press the button interposer to actuate the dome switch to be adjusted.
A method for a tactile switch, comprising:
- configuring a button interposer of the tactile switch to be pres sable to actuate a dome switch in a housing of the tactile switch;
- and
- configuring a slideable lever body of an adjustment mechanism of the tactile switch to be slid to enable an amount of force used to press the button interposer to actuate the dome switch to be adjustable.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.