Button input apparatus with display function and portable electronic device having the same
US7294794B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 2, 2006 |
| Grant date | Nov 13, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 2, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04M1/23
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A button input apparatus with a display function, which generates a switch signal in response to a user's press, and a portable electronic device having the same. The button input apparatus includes: a plurality of lever buttons each having a transparent window in at least a portion thereof, and one fixed edge on one side of the transparent window, so that the buttons are elastically vertically flexible; a switch substrate, which is disposed below the plurality of lever buttons, including openings respectively corresponding to the transparent windows, and generating a switch signal according to a motion of any of the plurality of lever buttons via a plurality of switches disposed to respectively correspond to elastic parts of the lever buttons; and a display panel, which provides an image in an area corresponding to each of the transparent windows, at least a portion of the display panel being disposed below the plurality of lever buttons.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.