# US 2008/0185281 A1 · Touch input device

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2008/0185281 A1
- Document ID: US20080185281A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 11/808,405
- Filed: 2007-06-08
- Published: 2008-08-07
- Earliest claimed: 2007-02-06
- Assignees: Inventec Appliances Corp.
- Inventors: Ching-Sung Chang; David Ho; Po-Cheng Chen; Sea-Weng Young
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080185281A1

## CPC

- H01H 13/85: characterised by tactile feedback features
- G06F 3/0202: {Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device}
- H01H 2215/036: Metallic disc
- H01H 2221/09: Flexible integral part of housing
- H01H 2225/03: Different type of switches
- H01H 2229/038: Folding of flexible printed circuit
- H01H 2239/074: Actuation by finger touch
- H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00)
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)

## Abstract

A touch input device constructed in a carrier electronic apparatus comprises a touch panel, a flexible printed circuit board, a rubber cushion and a plurality of metal domes. The touch panel performs as a touch input interface of the apparatus to a user, the flexible printed circuit board is shaped into a C form so as to present an upper flexible printed circuit board and a lower flexible printed circuit board, the rubber cushion is disposed between the upper flexible printed circuit board and the lower flexible printed circuit board, and the plurality of metal domes is disposed between the rubber cushion and the lower flexible printed circuit board. Each of the metal domes is in a position to account for a specific function key.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A touch input device applied to an electronic apparatus comprising:
a touch panel providing an input interface for users;
a flexible printed circuit board, disposed under said touch panel, folded into a C-shape form to divide said flexible printed circuit board into an upper flexible printed circuit board and a lower flexible printed circuit board;
a rubber cushion, disposed between said upper flexible printed circuit board and said lower flexible printed circuit board; and
a plurality of metal domes, disposed between said rubber cushion and said lower flexible printed circuit board, wherein a position of each of said metal domes represents a position of a function key.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The touch input device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of sensor units, disposed on said upper flexible printed circuit board, which detect a user position so as to move a cursor shown in a screen of said electronic apparatus.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The touch input device according to claim 1, wherein said metal domes contact with said rubber cushion and said lower flexible printed circuit board directly.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The touch input device according to claim 1, wherein said metal domes contact said rubber cushion directly but are spaced from said lower flexible printed circuit board by a predetermined spacing.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The touch input device according to claim 1, wherein said electronic apparatus is a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, an MP3 player or an input device of a notebook computer.

### Claim 6

A touch input device, applied to an electronic apparatus, comprising a touch panel, a flexible printed circuit board disposed under said touch panel, a rubber cushion and a plurality of metal domes wherein a position of each of said metal domes represents a position of a function key,
characterized in that: said flexible printed circuit board is folded into a C-shape form to present an upper flexible printed circuit board and a lower flexible printed circuit board, said upper flexible printed circuit board has a plurality of sensor units close to said touch panel so as to detect a user position, said rubber cushion is disposed between said upper flexible printed circuit board and said lower flexible printed circuit board, and said metal domes are disposed between said rubber cushion and said lower flexible printed circuit board.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The touch input device according to claim 6, wherein said electronic apparatus is a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, an MP3 player or an input device of a notebook computer.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The touch input device according to claim 6, wherein said metal domes contact said rubber cushion directly.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The touch input device according to claim 6, wherein said metal domes are spaced from said lower flexible printed circuit board by a predetermined spacing.