METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING TACTILE SENSATIONS
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`Attorney Docket IMM l 47 . C 1
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`Patent Application
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`CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION
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`[0001]
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`This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. Patent Application
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`No. 10/285,450 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Providing Tactile Sensations” filed
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`November 1, 2002, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.
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`60/335,493, filed November 1, 2001, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/399,883,
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`filed July 31, 2002, the entirety of all of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
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`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
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`[0002]
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`The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for providing
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`tactile sensations.
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`BACKGROUND
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`[0003]
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`Conventional electronic devices, such as mobile telephones and Personal
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`Digital Assistants (PDAs), include visual displays. A user of such devices interacts with
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`the visual display using any one of a number of input devices. Examples of such input
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`devices include computer mice, j oysticks, trackballs, steering wheels, stylus, tablets,
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`pressure-sensitive spheres, scroll wheels, keyboards, and keypads. The user provides
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`instructions, responses, and other input to the device using such input devices.
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`[0004]
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`In conventional mobile telephones and PDAs, confirmation of the input
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`provided by the user is primarily limited to visual or audible confirmation. In some such
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`devices, physical feedback is provided by conventional mechanical switches in the form
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`of the conventional mechanical feedback of switches, for example the switch closure
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`force-displacement profile. Typically, in such devices, the mechanical feedback provided
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`Attorney Docket IMMl47.Cl
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`Patent Application
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`by each button is identical. In addition, in such conventional devices, for those buttons
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`that serve multiple functions, the mechanical feedback generally remains the same
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`regardless of the current function of the button.
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`[0005]
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`In addition to providing extremely limited and rudimentary mechanical
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`confirmation of button selection, conventional buttons as used, for example, in keypads
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`for mobile telephones and PDAs, provide simple passive touch cues regarding the
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`alignment of keys. Such cues include raised bumps on the center key of a telephone
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`keypad or on the "F"and "G" keys of a keyboard that assist a user in orienting to the
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`pattern of keys in the keypad and keyboard. Again, these physical queues are very
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`limited, and users typically need to view a keypad or keypad for visual confirmation that
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`the correct instructions or information is being entered.
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`[0006]
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`When a flat surface interface device is used, such as a touchpad for a
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`computer or PDA, these simple mechanical cues are unavailable to the user. Often,
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`touchpads are combined with flat-panel display screens that display one or more
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`graphically generated buttons or softkeys. Normally, the softkeys are visible through the
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`touchpad. A user"s contact with the touchpad in an area defined by a softkey provides the
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`electronic device having the touchpad with the input associated with that softkey.
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`[0007]
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`The use of electronic devices using such conventional mechanical buttons
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`and touchpad arrangements are particularly difficult to use in distracting environments or
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`when the user is attempting to perform another task simultaneously with using the
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`electronic device. For example, if the other task involves operating a motor vehicle or
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`heavy machinery, it may be difficult or impossible for a user to simultaneously use such
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`an electronic device because such devices typically require the user to look at the device,
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`Attorney Docket IMMl47.Cl
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`Patent Application
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`at least briefly, when interacting with the device. In addition, electronic devices relying
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`on softkeys can be difficult to read in bright light environments such as in bright sunlight
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`and can contain very small fonts and graphics that are difficult to read and select.
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`[0008]
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`Some conventional touchpads include vibratory feedback to the user of the
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`touchpad. U.S. Patent No. 5,977,867 is one example. Such conventional systems and
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`methods are limited, though. They lack a full range of functionality assistance to a user
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`interacting with an electronic device. Moreover, such systems and methods still require
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`considerable visual attention from the user.
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`SUMMARY
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`[0009]
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`The present invention comprises products and processes for providing
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`tactile sensations to input devices or electronic devices. Input devices include mechanical
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`input devices (such as, for example, mechanical switches) and non-mechanical input
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`devices (such as, for example, touchpads). Tactile feedback is provided by using an
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`actuator or other means in communication with the input device or electronic device. A
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`controller may be employed to receive signals from the input devices and to control the
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`actuator. Tactile feedback to an input device or electronic device may be provided in
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`response to one or more events or situations. Such an event or situation may be any one
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`designated. Examples of such events and situations include the level of pressure placed
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`on an input device; the availability or lack of availability of a function associated with an
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`input device; and the function, menu, or mode of operation associated with an input
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`device"s activation. A variety of feedback types and combinations may be selected.
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`Mobile telephones and PDAs benefit from employing such products and processes, but
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`other devices benefit as well. The advantages offered by the various embodiments of the
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`present invention may be understood by examining this specification.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`[0010]
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`Figure l is a perspective view of an embodiment of an apparatus
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`according to the present invention;
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`[0011]
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`Figure 2 is a plan view of another embodiment of an apparatus according
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`to the present invention;
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`[0012]
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`Figure 3 is a plan view of an electronic device including an embodiment
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`of the present invention;
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`[0013]
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`Figure 4 is a schematic representations through line 4-4 of Figure 3;
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`[0014]
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`Figure 5 is a plan view of another electronic device including another
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`embodiment of the present invention;
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`[0015]
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`Figure 6 is a schematic representations through line 6-6 of Figure 5;
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`[0016]
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`Figure 7 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the apparatus in
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`an electronic device;
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`[0017]
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`Figure 8 is a flow chart illustrating a method according to the present
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`invention;
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`[0018]
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`Figure 9 is a table illustrating a first set of data to be used in one
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`embodiment of the present invention; and
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`[0019]
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`Figure 10 is a table illustrating a second set of data to be used in another
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`embodiment of the present invention.
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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`[0020]
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`The present invention includes methods and systems for providing tactile
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`sensations. One embodiment includes methods and systems for providing tactile
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`sensations to input devices, both mechanical and non-mechanical (for example soft-keys
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`that are computer generated and displayed on a screen). Embodiments of the present
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`invention can be utilized in wide variety of electronic devices including telephones,
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`mobile telephones, remote controls, gamepads, joystick handles, automotive controls
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`(radios, Compact Disc (CD) players, automobile functions, etc.), consumer electronics
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`devices, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), personal computers, laptop computers,
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`portable gaming devices, pagers, I-pagers, audio equipment, televisions, security or alarm
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`systems, Automated Teller Machines (ATM), calculators, home appliances, and white
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`goods.
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`[0021]
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`Figure 1 shows one embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 1
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`shown in Figure 1 includes an input device 2 having multiple positions for
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`communicating a plurality of input signals. The input device 2 can be any device capable
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`of transmitting an input signal. In the embodiment shown, the input device 2 is a rocker-
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`type switch. The rocker switch 2 shown can pivot or rock between two positions in which
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`the rocker switch contacts and activates one of two rubber switches 3 containing
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`conductive pads. The use of rubber switches 3 provides the advantage of allowing the
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`user to still feel a substantial vibration or force through the input device 2 when the user
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`had fully depressed the switch. Suitable rubber switches are available and known in the
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`art. In other embodiments, the input device may include an analog switch, a force sending
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`resistor, a strain gauge based sensor, a capacitative touch switch, a scroll wheel, a mini-
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`joystick, a touchpad, a touch screen, a 3-way switch, a 4-way switch, a 5-way switch, or
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`other input device. Each position of the input device 2 corresponds to one of the input
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`signals.
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`[0022]
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`The input device 2 and rubber switches 3 are mounted on a Printed Circuit
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`Board (PCB) 4 in the embodiment shown to facilitate electrical communication between
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`the input device 2 and an electronic device (not shown). The PCB 4 can be custom
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`shaped according to the device into which the apparatus 1 is placed. The PCB 4 also
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`provides for secure mounting within the device by including, for example, a plurality of
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`holes 5 to accept fasteners for securing to the electronic device. In another embodiment,
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`the input device 2 can be directly connected or mounted in the electronic device.
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`[0023]
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`The apparatus 1 shown in Figure 1 also includes a vibrotactile actuator 6
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`in communication with the input device 2. Preferably, the actuator 6 is configured to
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`output a plurality of distinct tactile feedback sensations to the input device 2. Suitable
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`tactile sensations include vibrations, for example, jolts and textures, and a plurality of
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`distinct tactile sensations can be created by varying the frequency, amplitude and
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`waveform output by the actuator 6. The actuator 6 is selected to deliver the desired tactile
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`sensations to the input device 2 The actuator 6 shown in Figure l is a voice coil actuator.
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`Other suitable actuators include, for example, piezo-electric actuators, eccentric mass
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`actuators, moving magnet actuators, and friction brakes in contact with metal shafts. In
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`addition, the actuator can include a flexure, for example an arrangement of flexible
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`material, coupled to the rotating shaft of a DC motor or step motor to transform the
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`rotation of the motor shaft into vibrations or other haptic sensations. Various
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`arrangements of a flexure coupled to a motor may be used as an actuator. For example,
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`Attorney Docket IMM l 47 . C 1
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`Patent Application
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`U.S. Patent Application No. 09/585,741, filed June 2, 2000, illustrates suitable
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`arrangements of flexures and motors for use as an actuator in embodiments of the present
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`invention. The entire disclosure of the application No. 09/585,741 is incorporated herein
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`by reference. Tactile sensations can also be delivered to the input device 2 from a speaker
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`included with an electronic device into which the apparatus is placed, for example the
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`speaker in a mobile telephone or in a personal computer.
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`[0024]
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`Although the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 includes one input device 2 and
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`one actuator 6, other embodiments include a plurality of input devices, all in
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`communication with a single actuator. Alternatively, an embodiment can include a
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`plurality of actuators each in communication with at least one input device. Various
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`arrangements of actuators in combination with input devices are suitable for use in the
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`present invention. For example, U.S. Patent Application No. 09/263,263, filed July 26,
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`2001, published on March 21, 2002, as U.S. Patent Pub. No. US2002/0033795 illustrates
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`actuators in combination with input devices that may be used in embodiments of the
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`present invention. The entire disclosure of application No. 09/263,263, Pub. No.
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`2002/0033795 is incorporated herein by reference.
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`[0025]
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`As mentioned, the actuator 6 is in communication with the input device 2.
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`In the embodiment shown in Figure l, the actuator 6 is in communication with the input
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`device 2 through a cantilevered beam or lever arms 7 attached to the pivoting rocker,
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`amplifying the effective forces of the actuator 6 felt by the user. The tactile sensations
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`generated by the actuator 6 propagate through the lever arm 7 to the input device 2.
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`Suitable materials for the lever arm 7 are capable of transmitting the tactile sensations
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`and can be, for example, metal. The lever arm 7 shown includes one or more bends 8 to
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`fit within the electronic device in which the apparatus 1 is disposed. Different shapes of
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`bends may be used to fit within the electronic device. In another embodiment, the
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`actuator 6 is mounted directly to the input device 2 or to any component of the input
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`device. Alternatively, the actuator 6 is mounted to the PCB 4 to which the input device is
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`attached, communicating tactile sensations to the input device through the PCB. In
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`another embodiment, the actuator is an existing eccentric mass motor as is used, for
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`example, as a vibrating ringer in a pager or mobile telephone.
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`[0026]
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`The vibrotactile actuator 6 can also be mounted to a portion of the case or
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`housing of the electronic device in which the apparatus 1 is disposed, communicating the
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`tactile sensations to the entire electronic device. In one embodiment, two actuators can be
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`incorporated in the case or back of an electronic device, for example the case of a mobile
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`phone in an area that contacts the user"s hand. This arrangement effectively doubles the
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`amplitude of the tactile sensation, and the user"s fingers do not tend to attenuate the
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`tactile sensation.
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`[0027]
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`The apparatus 1 also includes a controller 9 in communication with the
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`input device 2 to receive the input signals therefrom. The controller 9 can also receive
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`additional information from the input device 2 including the position of the input device 2
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`and the amount of pressure applied to the input device 2. In one embodiment, the input
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`signal includes information related to the amount of pressure applied to the input device
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`2, information related to the position of the input device 2, or a combination of
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`information about pressure and position. In addition to being in communication with the
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`input device 2, the controller 9 is in communication with the actuator 6 to produce a
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`tactile sensation in the actuator 6 corresponding to the input or input signal received by
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`the controller 9 from the input device 2.
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`[0028]
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`The controller 9 is located in a suitable location according to the needs of
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`the device in which the apparatus 1 is placed. In one embodiment, the controller 9 is
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`attached to the PCB 4 as shown in Figure 1. Suitable controllers, include, for example,
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`digital logical processors capable of processing input, execute algorithms, and generate
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`output as necessary to created the desired tactile sensations in the input device in
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`response to the inputs received from that input device. Such controllers may include a
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`microprocessor, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), and state machines.
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`Such controllers include, or may be in communication with, media, for example
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`computer readable media, which stores instructions that, when executed by the controller,
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`cause the controller to perform the steps described herein as carried out, or assisted, by a
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`controller. On embodiments of a suitable computer-readable medium includes an
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`electronic, optical, magnetic, or other storage or transmission device capable of providing
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`a processor, such as the processor in a web server, with computer-readable instructions.
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`Other examples of suitable media include, but are not limited to, a floppy disk, CD-ROM,
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`magnetic disk, memory chip, ROM, RAM, ASIC, configured processor, all optical
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`media, all magnetic tape or other magnetic media, or any other medium fiom which a
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`computer processor can read. Also, various other forms of computer-readable media may
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`transmit or carry instructions to a computer, including a router, private or public network,
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`or other transmission device or channel.
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`[0029]
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`In one embodiment, the apparatus 1 includes a dedicated controller 9 for
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`use specifically with the apparatus 1. This embodiment is particularly well suited for
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`applications where the apparatus 1 is retro-fitted into an existing electrical or electronic
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`device. In another embodiment, the controller 9 is the microprocessor or Central
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`Processing Unit (CPU) of the electronic device in which the apparatus 1 is disposed. The
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`apparatus 1 can also include additional circuitry such as the drive circuitry (not shown)
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`necessary to create the tactile sensations in the actuator 6 in response to input from the
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`controller 9 and a memory medium for storing data to be accessed by the controller 9 for
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`example a correlation between the tactile sensations to be produced in the actuator 6 and
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`the input information or input signal received from the input device 2.
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`[0030]
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`Figure 2 shows another embodiment of the present invention. An
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`apparatus 60 shown in Figure 2 includes multiple input devices. These multiple input
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`devices include twelve fixed or pre-assigned alphanumeric input buttons l0a-l, three pre-
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`assigned function buttons lla-c, and three assignable function buttons l2a-c. The
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`plurality of inputs devices are arranged according to the electronic device in which the
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`apparatus 60is situated. In the embodiment shown, the plurality of input devices are
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`arranged as the keys in a key pad for a telephone or mobile telephone.
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`[0023] Embodiments of the present invention include an input device having a means for
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`determining or sensing pressure. The input device is capable of resolving multiple levels
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`of pressure placed on the input device, and of transmitting a signal associated with the
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`level of pressure placed on the input device. These multiple levels of pressure may be
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`defined by, for example, the physical location of, or distance traveled by, a switch-type
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`input device in the x-plane when pressed by a user (higher / lower), the magnitude of
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`pressure placed on a touchpad-type input device, or other means.
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`1 0
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`[0031]
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`The buttons of Figure 2 are illustrative of such an embodiment. Each of
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`the alphanumeric input buttons 10 shown in Figure 2 is a keypad button. Each of the
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`buttons 10 is capable of resolving multiple levels of pressure placed on the buttons 10.
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`For example, the button l0i (corresponding to the number 9 on the keypad) is capable of
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`resolving five levels of pressure placed on the button l0i. In the embodiment shown, the
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`first level is a state in which no pressure is placed on the button by a user, the second
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`level being a first magnitude of pressure placed on the button (greater than no pressure
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`placed by the user), the third level being a second magnitude of pressure placed on the
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`button (where the second magnitude of pressure is different fiom or greater than the first
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`magnitude), the fourth level being a third magnitude of pressure placed on the button
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`(where the third magnitude is different from or greater than the second magnitude), and
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`the fifth level being a fourth magnitude of pressure placed on the button (where the fourth
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`magnitude is different from or greater than the third).
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`[0032]
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`In button l0i, each of levels two through five is associated with a distinct
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`input signal. When the button l0i is in its first state, then the button l0i does not transmit
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`an input signal. When pressure is applied to the button l0i by a user that exceeds the first
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`magnitude of pressure, the button l0i transmits a first signal to the controller 9. When
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`greater pressure is applied to the button l0i that exceeds the second magnitude of
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`pressure, the button l0i transmits a second signal to the controller. When still greater
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`pressure is applied to the button l0i that exceeds the third magnitude of pressure, the
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`button l0i transmits a third signal to the controller. When even greater pressure is applied
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`to the button l0i that exceeds the fourth magnitude of pressure, the button l0i transmits a
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`fourth signal to the controller. The structural arrangement of the communication by the
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`1 1
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`button l0i to the controller 6 of an input signal is further illustrated in Fig. 4, described
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`below.
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`[0033]
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`Each of the levels two through five of button l0i (and thus each of their
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`associated signals) is associated with a letter, W-Z. The second level is associated with
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`the letter W, the third level is associated with the letter X, and so on. The second level is
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`associated with the letter W, the third level is associated with the letter X, and so on. In
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`the embodiment shown, the key l0i has five positions corresponding to no pressure, and
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`the letters W, X, Y, and Z. In an alternative embodiment, the key l0i has six positions
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`corresponding to no pressure, the number "9,"and the letters W, X, Y, and Z.
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`[0034]
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`In the embodiment shown, the alphanumeric buttons 10 are all capable of
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`resolving five levels of pressure. In alternative embodiments, the various buttons are
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`capable of resolving differing levels of pressure. For example, in an alternative
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`embodiment, while the button l0i is capable of resolving five levels of pressure, the
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`button 10b (corresponding to the number 2 on the keypad) is capable of resolving four
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`levels of pressure placed on the button 10b (the first level being no pressure placed on the
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`button). Like button l0i, the levels resolved by button 10b in the alternative embodiment
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`are each associated with a distinct input signal, and are each associated with a distinct
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`letter of the alphabet, A-C.
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`[0035]
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`The pre-assigned function buttons lla-c of the apparatus 1 are keypad
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`push buttons. Each of the buttons lla-c is capable of resolving three levels of pressure
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`placed on the buttons lla-c no pressure, a first magnitude of pressure (greater than none),
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`and a second magnitude of pressure (greater than the first magnitude). Examples of
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`12
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`functions carried out by such pre-assigned function buttons ll a-c include "Send" 1 la,
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`"Power" 1 lb, and "End Call"l lc.
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`[0036]
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`In the embodiment shown, each of the pre-assigned function buttons ll a-
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`c is configured such that the first magnitude of pressure is an amount of pressure that
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`signifies that a user"s finger is "hovering" over, or touching with more than passing force,
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`the button. Each is also configured such that the second magnitude of pressure is an
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`amount of pressure that signifies that a user"s finger applies when the user wishes to
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`activate the button.
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`[0037]
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`Thus, in the embodiment shown, when a user"s finger "hovers"over the
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`"Send"button llc, a first signal is transmitted by the button llc to the controller. And,
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`when a user"s finger activates the "Send" button llc, a second signal is transmitted by the
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`button llc to the controller.
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`[0038]
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`The assignable-function buttons 12a, 12b, 12c are buttons whose function
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`depends upon the mode of operation of the device with which the apparatus 1 is
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`associated. For example, when such an apparatus 1 is associated with a mobile telephone,
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`such buttons 12a, 12b, 12c may be used to navigate the menus displayed to carry out
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`various functions, such as scrolling through an address book, selecting a number to dial,
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`editing a number, re-setting the time displayed, and similar functions.
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`[0039]
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`In addition, the assignable-function buttons l2a-c are configured similarly
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`to the pre-assigned buttons 1 la, 1 lb, llc, in that the buttons 12a, 12b are configured such
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`that the first magnitude of pressure is an amount of pressure that signifies that a user"s
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`finger is "hovering" over, or touching with more than passing force, the button, and such
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`that the second magnitude of pressure is an amount of pressure that signifies that a user"s
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`l 3
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`Patent Application
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`finger applies when the user wishes to activate the button. Preferably, the buttons 1 la,
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`llb, llc, 12a, 12b, 12c are configured such that they receive and analyze other data in
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`determining whether the user is merely hovering or, instead, wishes to activate the button
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`(such as type of, and duration of, contact with the button). Any suitable input-device may
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`be used an an assignable-function input device. Examples of such input-devices include
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`rocker-switches and scroll wheels.
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`[0040]
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`In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the middle assignable-function
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`button l2c, includes the input device of Fig. 1. It is in communication with the actuator 6
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`(not shown) shown in Fig. l as well, and operates in the manner described with reference
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`to Fig. 1. In such an embodiment, the PCB 62 is separated at line 62a, such that the PCB4
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`of Fig. l is not in contact with PCB62.
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`[0041]
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`Referring again to Fig. 2, although in the embodiment shown there the
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`alphanumeric keys have four or five available states (embodying an alphanumeric-
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`character selection), and the pre-assigned buttons 1 la, 1 lb, llc, and the assignable-
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`function buttons 12a, 12b, 12c are configured to indicate hover/ activation signals, in
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`other embodiments, other configurations may be used. Moreover, although the
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`alphanumeric keys 10 have four or five available states, thus allowing them to be
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`associated with three or four (or more) input signals, such keys 10 may be configured to
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`provide input signals at, for example, only two of the states. In this way, such keys 10
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`may be configured to provide hover / activation signals similar to that which is provided
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`in the pre-assigned buttons 1 la, 1 lb, llc, and assignable-function buttons 12a, 12b, 12c
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`in the embodiment shown in Fig. 2.
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`l4
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`EXHIBIT 1010- PAGE 14
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`APPLE INC.
`EXHIBIT 1010 - PAGE 14
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`Attorney Docket IMM147.C1
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`Patent Application
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`[0042]
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`Moreover, in the embodiment shown, the levels for the alphanumeric input
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`devices 10 correspond to magnitudes of pressure, but in other embodiments the levels
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`resolved can be type of touch, magnitude, physical position of the switch and other
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`attributes of contact with the button, or some combination thereof. The input signals
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`provided by such input devices may be configured accordingly.
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`[0043]
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`In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the input signals that are transmitted
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`by the input devices are transmitted to a controller 9. In the embodiment shown, the
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`controller is in communication with storage memory (not shown). Examples of such
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`memory includes Read Only Memory (ROM). The storage memory includes a table in
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`which input signals are associated with various haptic feedback signals. This is explained
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`more fully in relation to Figures 9-10.
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`[0044]
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`The apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 2 also includes an actuator 61. The actuator
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`61 is shown in representative fashion in Fig. 2, and not to scale or in physical placement.
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`An alternate actuator 61 and physical placement of the actuator 61 is shown in Fig. 4. The
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`actuator 61 is in communication with the various input devices, and is configured to
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`provide vibrations of varying frequencies, magnitudes, and wave-forrns to the input
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`devices. The actuator 61 is also in communication with the controller 9. Further
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`description of embodiments of such communication and configuration is provided below.
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`[0045]
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`In the embodiment shown, the controller 9 receives an input signal from
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`one of the input devices. The controller 9 then analyzes the input signal received to
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`determine a signal to transmit to the actuator 61.
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`[0046]
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`For example, the controller 9 of Fig. 2 is configured such that when the
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`controller 9 receives a signal associated with the second level from button 10i (the "9"
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`EXHIBIT 1010 - PAGE 15
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`APPLE INC.
`EXHIBIT 1010 - PAGE 15
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`Attorney Docket IMMl47.Cl
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`Patent Application
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`key), the controller 9 sends a first control output signal to the actuator, and when the
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`controller receives a signal associated with the third level from the button l0i, the
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`controller sends a second control output signal to the actuator 61, and so on. The first
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`control output signal is one that causes the actuator to provide a vibration of a certain,
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`first frequency. The second control output signal is one that causes the actuator to provide
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`a vibration of a certain, higher frequency, and so on. In other embodiments, the vibrations
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`provided may be of the same frequency.
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`[0047]
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`Fig. 3 shows another embodiment of the present invention, in the form of
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`a mobile telephone 14 having the apparatus of Fig. 2. The controller 9, actuator 61, and
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`the PCB 62 of the apparatus 60 of Fig. 2 are encased in a case 18 of the mobile telephone
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`14. The mobile telephone 14 also includes a display screen 15 capable of displaying
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`graphic objects 16 and alpha-numeric information 17. The alpha-numeric information 17
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`that may be displayed includes phone numbers and lists, for example of list of entries in a
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`phone book, that are input by the alpha-numeric input buttons 10 and accessed by the
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`assignable function buttons l2a-l2c.
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`[0048]
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`Fig. 4 is a schematic representation through line 4-4 of Fig. 3 illustrating
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`that the alpha-numeric input buttons or keys 10 in the mobile telephone pass through the
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`case 18 of the mobile telephone and contact a plurality of switches 19 disposed on the
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`PCB 62. The switches 19 are in communication with the controller 9 (not shown).
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`Suitable switches 19 include any analog or digital switch, for example rubber switches,
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`snap dome-type switches, and pressure sensitive switches. Preferably, the switches 19 are
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`capable of producing distinct input signals to the controller. Even more preferably, the
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`switches 19 are capable of producing such signals for two or more positions. In the
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`EXHIBIT 1010 - PAGE 16
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`APPLE INC.
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`Attorney Docket IMMl47.Cl
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`Patent Application
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`embodiment shown, the keys 10 contact a plurality of digital switches, each capable of
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`producing four distinct input signals to the controller 9 to correspond to the four levels at
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`which pressure is applied to the buttons 10 by the user.
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`[0049]
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`The PCB 62, on a side opposite the switches, is in communication with the
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`actuator 61. As illustrated, the actuator 61 is a piezo-electric actuator having a metal
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`diaphragm 20 in contact with the PCB 62 through one or more spacers 21 and a piezo
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`ceramic element 22 in contact with the metal diaphragm 20. Alternative actuator
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`embodiments include a flexure coupled to the shaft of a motor, secured to the PCB 62.
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`[0050]
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`As illustrated, the keys 10 are initially in a rest position 23. A biasing
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`member arrangement (not shown) as is available and understood in the art is used to hold
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`the keys in the rest position 23. An object 24, for example the user"s finger or a stylus, is
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`used to select one or more of the keys 10 by applying pressure in the direction of arrow
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`A. This pressure causes the selected key to progress through a plurality of positions. As
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`illustrated, after leaving the rest position 23, the keys pass sequentially through a second
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`position 25, a third position, 26, a fourth position 27, and a fifth position, 28 as greater
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`and greater pressure is applied to the button 10. The distance of travel between each
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`position does not have to be equal, and the amount of pressure required to move between
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`each position can vary. In addition, for a given key, the number of positions can vary
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`from two (no pressure and activated) up