Patent attributes
A haptic switch includes: (a) a force sensor responding a mechanical stimulus by providing a sensing signal; (b) a processing circuit receiving the sensing signal and providing a control signal; and (c) an electromechanical polymer (EMP) actuator receiving the response control signal and providing a haptic response. The force sensor and the EMP actuator may each be provided on a flexible circuit covered by a protective layer overlying the flexible circuit. The haptic switch may include a graphic layer on which is provided a symbol representing a key. In that haptic switch, the symbol, the light source, the EMP actuator and the force sensor are aligned such that the light source illuminates the symbol and such that, when a user pushes on the symbol, the user's push applies a pressure on the force sensor and the EMP actuator's haptic response is provided in the vicinity of the force sensor.
