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US 9,287,066 B2Granted
Key structure for electronic product
AssigneeHon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
InventorChin-Lung Ho
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A key structure in an electronic product includes a housing. The key structure includes a pressing portion, a printed circuit board (PCB), a key, and a sensor. The key and the sensor are both located on the PCB and electronically connected with each other. When the pressing portion is pressed, the key structure acts as a mechanical key. When the pressing portion is simply touched, the key structure acts as a touch key.
Claims16
A key structure configured in an electronic product, the electronic product comprising a housing, the key structure comprising:
- a pressing portion located at an outside surface of the housing;
- a printed circuit board (PCB) received in the housing;
- a key electrically connected to the PCB and positioned opposite to the pressing portion, the key comprising a trigger portion and a conductive cover;
- a conductor located between the conductive cover and the pressing portion;
- and
- a sensor electrically connected with the conductive cover;
- wherein when a first area of the pressing portion corresponding to the trigger portion is pressed, the key structure acts as a mechanical key;
- and
- when a second area of the pressing portion corresponding to the conductive cover is touched, the sensor receives a signal of a change of capacitance transmitted by the conductive cover, and the key structure acts as a touch key.
6 more elements
An electronic product comprising:
- a housing;
- a display disposed at a surface of the housing;
- and
- a physical control module disposed on the surface of the housing, the physical control module comprising a plurality of key structures, each key structure comprising:
- a pressing portion located at the surface of the housing;
- a printed circuit board (PCB) received in the housing;
- a key electrically connected to the PCB and positioned opposite to the pressing portion, the key comprising a trigger portion and a conductive cover;
- a conductor located between the conductive cover and the pressing portion;
- and
- a sensor electrically connected with the conductive cover;
- wherein when a first area of the pressing portion corresponding to the trigger portion is pressed, the key structure acts as a mechanical key;
- and
- when a second area of the pressing portion corresponding to the conductive cover is touched, the sensor receives a signal of a change of capacitance transmitted by the conductive cover, and the key structure acts as a touch key.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.