Button input structure with single mechanical switch and force-based / strain-based sensors

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a button input structure of an electronic device, which is capable of achieving a binary function and detecting an external force. The disclosed button input structure includes a sensing substrate, a button component positioned over the sensing substrate via rubber liners for stabilization, a single mechanical switch underneath the button component, and two or more sensors underneath the button component. Herein, the mechanical switch is configured to be at least partially actuated in response to depression of the button component, which is caused by the external force applied to the button component. Each sensor is configured to detect the external force by sensing mechanical changes within the button input structure, which result from the depression of the button component, and to provide an output indicating information about a touch location of the external force and an amount of the external force.

Description

BUTTON INPUT STRUCTURE WITH SINGLE MECHANICAL SWITCH AND FORCE-BASED / STRAIN-BASED SENSORSRelated Applications

[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application serial number 63 / 693,988, filed September 1 , 2024, and provisional patent application serial number 63 / 758,731 , filed February 14, 2025, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.Field of the Disclosure

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a button input structure of an electronic device, and more particularly to a button input structure including a single mechanical switch to achieve a binary function and two or more force- based / strain-based sensors to detect an external force applied to the button input structure.Background

[0003] With the popularity of portable electronic products in both consumer and military applications, it is highly desired to implement more functions into electronic devices without increasing the size of the electronic devices, so as to achieve highly compact integration of diverse components and functionalities.

[0004] Button components are widely used in input structures of electronic devices, such as mobile devices and the like. Conventional button implementations on mobile devices, or other electronic devices are typically coupled with mechanical switches to perform a binary function, so as to achieve ON / OFF or UP / DOWN operations in the electronic devices. In order to further utilize the button components in the electronic devices, there still remains a need for improved input structure designs, which are capable of achieving a binary function as well as a sliding / scrolling function that utilizes the position and intensity of force / pressure applied to the button component without disrupting an overall architecture of the electronic device. By detecting the position and intensity of force / pressure applied to the button component, the electronic deviceis capable of performing other operations (such as performing a digital movement on a display) in addition to the ON / OFF or UP / DOWN operations based on the binary function.

[0005] The present disclosure relates to a button input structure of an electronic device, which is capable of achieving a binary function and detecting an external force applied to the button input structure. The disclosed button input structure includes a sensing substrate, a button component positioned over the sensing substrate via rubber liners, a single mechanical switch underneath the button component, and two or more sensors underneath the button component. Herein, the rubber liners, between the button component and the sensing substrate, ensure that the button component remains stabilized over the sensing substrate. The mechanical switch is configured to be at least partially actuated in response to depression of the button component, which is caused by an external force applied to the button component. Each of the sensors is configured to detect the external force by sensing mechanical changes within the button input structure resulting from the depression of the button component caused by the external force applied to the button component, and to provide an output indicating information about a touch location of the external force and an amount of the external force.

[0006] According to one embodiment, the button input structure further includes one or more portions of a housing of the electronic device. The one or more portions of the housing include at least a peripheral portion with an opening. The button component extends through the opening of the peripheral portion and into an air chamber in the housing without adhering to the housing. The rubber liners, the sensors, the sensing substrate, and the mechanical switch are located within the air chamber of the housing.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the button input structure further includes a bracket, which is confined within the air chamber and underneath the opening of the peripheral portion. The bracket includes a base plate and abracket arm that extends from the base plate and is adhered to an interior side of the peripheral portion, so as to hold the base plate. A bottom surface of the sensing substrate is attached to the base plate via an adhesive layer, such that the bracket at least provides mechanical support to the sensing substrate and the button component positioned over the sensing substrate.

[0008] In one embodiment of the button input structure, the sensors are strain-based sensors that are attached to the sensing substrate. The button component and the sensing substrate are mechanically connected, such that the depression of the button component caused by the external force applied to the button component is capable of producing strain on the sensing substrate. Each of the strain-based sensors is configured to detect the external force by sensing the strain on the sensing substrate.

[0009] In one embodiment of the button input structure, the mechanical switch and the sensors are attached to the bottom surface of the sensing substrate. The adhesive layer has an inner notch to accommodate the mechanical switch and the sensors underneath the sensing substrate.

[0010] In one embodiment of the button input structure, a thickness of the adhesive layer is greater than a height of each of the sensors and is substantially the same as a height of the mechanical switch, such that each of the sensors hangs underneath the bottom surface of the sensing substrate without contacting the base plate of the bracket, while the mechanical switch extends from the bottom surface of the sensing substrate to make contact with a top surface of the base plate of the bracket.

[0011] In one embodiment of the button input structure, the one or more portions of the housing further include an internal bottom portion below the peripheral portion and an internal arm portion connecting the internal bottom portion to the peripheral portion. The base plate is above the internal bottom portion of the housing and includes a hole aligned with the inner notch of the adhesive layer, such that the bottom surface of the sensing substrate directly faces the internal bottom portion of the housing. Each of the sensors hangs underneath the bottom surface of the sensing substrate and extends into the holeof the base plate without contacting the internal bottom portion of the housing. The mechanical switch extends from the bottom surface of the sensing substrate, through the hole of the base plate, and towards the internal bottom portion of the housing to make contact.

[0012] In one embodiment of the button input structure, the sensors are forcebased sensors and are positioned vertically between the rubber liners and a top surface of the sensing substrate. The button component, the sensors, and the sensing substrate are mechanically connected, such that the depression of the button component caused by the external force applied to the button component is capable of providing tension or compression to the sensors. Each of the forcebased sensors is configured to detect the external force by sensing the tension or compression presented vertically between the button component and the sensing substrate.

[0013] In one embodiment of the button input structure, the mechanical switch is attached to the bottom surface of the sensing substrate, and the adhesive layer has the inner notch to accommodate the mechanical switch underneath the sensing substrate. A thickness of the adhesive layer is substantially the same as a height of the mechanical switch, such that the mechanical switch extends from the bottom surface of the sensing substrate to make contact with a top surface of the base plate of the bracket.

[0014] In one embodiment of the button input structure, the one or more portions of the housing further include the internal bottom portion below the peripheral portion and the internal arm portion connecting the internal bottom portion to the peripheral portion. The base plate is above the internal bottom portion of the housing and includes a hole aligned with the inner notch of the adhesive layer, such that the bottom surface of the sensing substrate directly faces the internal bottom portion of the housing. The mechanical switch extends from the bottom surface of the sensing substrate, through the hole of the base plate, and towards the internal bottom portion of the housing to make contact.

[0015] In one embodiment of the button input structure, the one or more portions of the housing further include the internal bottom portion below theperipheral portion and the internal arm portion connecting the internal bottom portion to the peripheral portion. A combination of the peripheral portion, the internal bottom portion, and the internal arm portion provides the air chamber within the housing and connected to the opening of the peripheral portion. A bottom surface of the sensing substrate is attached to the internal bottom portion of the housing via an adhesive layer, such that the internal bottom portion of the housing provides mechanical support to the sensing substrate and the button component positioned over the sensing substrate.

[0016] In one embodiment of the button input structure, the sensors are strain-based sensors that are attached to the sensing substrate. The button component and the sensing substrate are mechanically connected, such that the depression of the button component caused by the external force applied to the button component is capable of producing strain on the sensing substrate. Each of the strain-based sensors is configured to detect the external force by sensing the strain on the sensing substrate. Herein, the adhesive layer has the inner notch to provide vertical space between the bottom surface of the sensing substrate and the internal bottom portion of the housing to accommodate the mechanical switch.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the button input structure further includes a switch substrate underneath the sensing substrate, attached to the internal bottom portion of the housing and confined in the inner notch of the adhesive layer. The sensing substrate has a substrate hole, which is connected to the inner notch of the adhesive layer and vertically above the switch substrate. The mechanical switch resides over the switch substrate, horizontally confined within the inner notch of the adhesive layer and extends vertically towards the substrate hole of the sensing substrate to make contact with the button component.

[0018] In one embodiment of the button input structure, the button component includes a button pole, which extends vertically beyond the rest of the button component and towards the substrate hole to make contact with the mechanical switch.

[0019] In one embodiment of the button input structure, the strain-based sensors are attached to a top surface of the sensing substrate without contacting the button component.

[0020] In one embodiment of the button input structure, the sensors are forcebased sensors and are positioned vertically between the rubber liners and a top surface of the sensing substrate. The button component, the sensors, and the sensing substrate are mechanically connected, such that the depression of the button component caused by the external force applied to the button component is capable of providing tension or compression to the sensors. Each of the forcebased sensors is configured to detect the external force by sensing the tension or compression presented vertically between the button component and the sensing substrate. Herein, the adhesive layer has an inner notch to provide vertical space between the bottom surface of the sensing substrate and the internal bottom portion of the housing. A thickness of the adhesive layer is substantially the same as a height of the mechanical switch. The mechanical switch is attached to the bottom surface of the sensing substrate and extends to make contact with the internal bottom portion of the housing.

[0021] In one embodiment of the button input structure, the button component has a hat configuration including a button body and a button rim. The button body has a slightly smaller horizontal size than the opening of the peripheral portion to ensure that the button component is capable of moving vertically through the opening. The button rim protrudes horizontally from a bottom portion of the button body, has a larger horizontal size than the opening, and is located underneath the opening, so as to secure the button component in place.

[0022] According to one embodiment, a method of operation of an electronic device with a button input structure is described, aimed at achieving a binary function and detecting an external force applied to the button input structure. The button input structure includes a button component, a sensing substrate underneath the button component, a mechanical switch, and two or more sensors. The method of the operation of the electronic device starts with at least partially actuating the mechanical switch by depression of the button component,which is caused by an external force applied to the button component. Next, mechanical changes are sensed within the button component by the sensors, the mechanical changes resulting from the depression of the button component caused by the external force applied to the button component. An output is then provided by each of the sensors based on the detected mechanical changes.The output indicates information about an amount of the external force applied to the button component and a touch location of the external force applied to the button component. The touch location of the external force applied to the button component is determined based on the output of each of the sensors. Lastly, the amount of the external force applied to the button component is calculated based on the output of each of the sensors and the determined touch location of the external force.

[0023] In one embodiment of the method of operation of the electronic device, the sensors are strain-based sensors and attached to the sensing substrate. Herein, sensing the mechanical changes is sensing strain on the sensing substrate, which is mechanically connected to the button component. The strain is caused by the depression of the button component from the external force applied to the button component.

[0024] In one embodiment of the method of operation of the electronic device, the sensors are force-based sensors and positioned vertically between the button component and the sensing substrate. Herein, sensing the mechanical changes is sensing tension or compression presented vertically between the button component and the sensing substrate. The tension or compression is caused by the depression of the button component from the external force applied to the button component.

[0025] In another aspect, any of the foregoing aspects individually or together, and / or various separate aspects and features as described herein, may be combined for additional advantage. Any of the various features and elements as disclosed herein may be combined with one or more other disclosed features and elements unless indicated to the contrary herein.

[0026] Those skilled in the art will appreciate the scope of the present disclosure and realize additional aspects thereof after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments in association with the accompanying drawing figures.Brief Description of the Drawing Figures

[0027] The accompanying drawing figures incorporated in and forming a part of this specification illustrate several aspects of the disclosure, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

[0028] Figures 1 A-1 B illustrate an exemplary implementation of a button input structure of an electronic device according to some embodiments.

[0029] Figures 2A- 6B illustrate alternative implementations of the button input structure of the electronic device according to some embodiments.

[0030] Figure 7 illustrates a flowchart of operation of an electronic device with the button input structure shown in Figures 1 A-6B.

[0031] It will be understood that for clear illustrations, Figures 1 A-7 may not be drawn to scale.Detailed

[0032] The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and illustrate the best mode of practicing the embodiments. Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawing figures, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the disclosure and will recognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the disclosure and the accompanying claims.

[0033] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and,similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0034] It will be understood that when an element such as a layer, region, or substrate is referred to as being "on" or extending "onto" another element, it can be directly on or extend directly onto the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" or extending "directly onto" another element, there are no intervening elements present. Likewise, it will be understood that when an element such as a layer, region, or substrate is referred to as being "over" or extending "over" another element, it can be directly over or extend directly over the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly over" or extending "directly over" another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element, there are no intervening elements present.

[0035] Relative terms such as "below" or "above" or "upper" or "lower" or "horizontal" or "vertical" may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element, layer, or region to another element, layer, or region as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that these terms and those discussed above are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures.

[0036] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," and / or "including" when used herein specify the presence of stated features, integers,steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0037] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0038] Embodiments are described herein with reference to schematic illustrations of embodiments of the disclosure. As such, the actual dimensions of the layers and elements can be different, and variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances, are expected. For example, a region illustrated or described as square or rectangular can have rounded or curved features, and regions shown as straight lines may have some irregularity. Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematic and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region of a device and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Additionally, sizes of structures or regions may be exaggerated relative to other structures or regions for illustrative purposes and, thus, are provided to illustrate the general structures of the present subject matter and may or may not be drawn to scale. Common elements between figures may be shown herein with common element numbers and may not be subsequently redescribed.

[0039] The present disclosure relates to a button input structure of an electronic device which includes a single mechanical switch to achieve a binary function and two or more sensors to detect an external force applied to the button input structure. Herein, the two or more sensors might be force-based sensors, which directly measure tension / compression forces developed on or transmitted (from one or more intermediate components) to the sensors, or strain-basedsensors, which detect the tension / compression forces by sensing strain / strain changes on an intermediate component (e.g., a substrate board). Based on the detected information about the external force, the electronic device is capable of operating a slidi ng / scrolli ng / swiping function in addition to the binary function relying on the single mechanical switch.

[0040] Figures 1 A-1 B illustrate an exemplary implementation of a button input structure 10 of an electronic device 100 according to some embodiments.Typically, the electronic device 100 includes a housing 12 to accommodate the button input structure 10. In some embodiments, the housing 12 includes at least a peripheral portion 12P with an opening 14, an internal bottom portion 12B below the peripheral portion 12P, and an internal arm portion 12R connecting the internal bottom portion 12B to the peripheral portion 12P, where one or more of these portions may be considered as a part of the button input structure 10. A combination of the peripheral portion 12P, the internal bottom portion 12B, and the internal arm portion 12R may provide an air chamber 16, within the housing 12 and connected to the opening 14, to accommodate the button input structure 10. Figure 1A illustrates an isometric view of the button input structure 10 and the housing 12, and Figure 1 B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the button input structure 10 and the housing 12.

[0041] In detail, the button input structure 10 includes a bracket 18 confined within the air chamber 16, underneath the opening 14 of the peripheral portion 12P, and adhered to an interior side of the peripheral portion 12P (e.g., herein, the peripheral portion 12P of the housing 12 may be considered as a part of the button input structure 10). The bracket 18 is configured to provide mechanical support to other components of the button input structure 10 (more details are described below). The bracket 18 may be formed of a spring-like material (e.g., stainless steel, alloy steel, or the like), which generates mechanical changes (e.g., strain changes) due to external forces. The bracket 18 may include a base plate 18P that is underneath and vertically aligned with the opening 14 of the peripheral portion 12P, and may include a bracket arm 18R that extends from the base plate 18P and is adhered to the interior side of the peripheral portion 12P,so as to hold the base plate 18P. Herein, the base plate 18P may either be floating relative to the housing 12 (i.e., not in contact with the internal bottom portion 12B) or directly sitting on the internal bottom portion 12B of the housing 12 (not shown).

[0042] The button input structure 10 also includes a sensing substrate 24 located within the air chamber 16 and above the base plate 18P, two or more strain-based sensors 26S, a single mechanical switch 28, and a button component 30 over the sensing substrate 24. The sensing substrate 24 may be formed of a spring-like material (e.g., stainless steel, alloy steel, or the like). A bottom surface of the sensing substrate 24 is attached to a top surface of the base plate 18P via an adhesive layer 32. Both the strain-based sensors 26S and the single mechanical switch 28 are attached to the bottom surface of the sensing substrate 24. Herein, to accommodate the two or more strain-based sensors 26S and the mechanical switch 28 underneath the sensing substrate 24, the adhesive layer 32 includes an inner notch 34. The adhesive layer 32 might be a foam tape with a relatively thick thickness, such that the inner notch 34 of the adhesive layer 32 can provide sufficient vertical space between the sensing substrate 24 and the base plate 18P for the strain-based sensors 26S and the mechanical switch 28. Typically, the thickness of the adhesive layer 32 is greater than a height of each strain-based sensor 26S and is substantially the same as a height of the mechanical switch 28. As a result, each strain-based sensor 26 hangs underneath the bottom surface of the sensing substrate 24 without contacting the base plate 18P, while the mechanical switch 28 extends from the bottom surface of the sensing substrate 24 to make contact with the top surface of the base plate 18P. Both the strain-based sensors 26S and the mechanical switch 28 are surrounded by the adhesive layer 32 without contacting the adhesive layer 32. The button component 30 extends through the opening 14 of the peripheral portion 12P of the housing 12 and into the air chamber 16 without adhering to any portion of the housing 12 and sits on the sensing substrate 24 via rubber liners 36. The rubber liners 36 may be formed of a 70A shore silicon rubber and are configured to ensure that the button component 30 remainsbalanced / stabilized on the sensing substrate 24, so as to enable the use of the single mechanical switch 28 beneath the sensing substrate 24 (rather than requiring two or more mechanical switches for stabilization). The button component 30, the sensing substrate 24, the mechanical switch 28, and the bracket 18 (the base plate 18P) are mechanically connected. In the present disclosure, if two components are mechanically connected, it indicates that a force applied to one of the two components can be transferred to the other component.

[0043] For the purpose of this illustration, there are two strain-based sensors 26S (e.g., a first strain-based sensor 26S-1 and a second strain-based sensor 26S-2) located horizontally and symmetrically on either side of the mechanical switch 28. The mechanical switch 28 is attached to a central portion of the bottom surface of the sensing substrate 24. In different applications, the button input structure 10 may include more strain-based sensors 26S formed on the bottom surface of the sensing substrate 24. The mechanical switch 28 and the strain-based sensors 26S may be positioned at different relatively horizontal locations. Additionally, for the purpose of this illustration, the button component 30 has a hat configuration with a button body 30B and a button rim 30R. The button body 30B has a slightly smaller horizontal size than the opening 14 of the housing 12 to ensure that the button component 30 can move vertically and smoothly through the opening 14. The button body 30B also extends vertically beyond an outer surface of the housing 12 to make the button component 30 accessible to users. The button rim 30R protrudes horizontally from a bottom portion of the button body 30B, has a larger horizontal size than the opening 14 of the housing 12, and is located underneath the housing 12, which secures the button component 30 in place. There are two rubber liners 36 positioned vertically between a bottom portion of the button body 30B and the top surface of the sensing substrate 24. In different applications, the button component 30 may have a different shape and / or configuration. There might be fewer or more rubber liners 36 positioned between the button component 30 and the top surface of thesensing substrate 24 at varying horizontal locations to stabilize the button component 30 on the sensing substrate 24.

[0044] Within the button input structure 10, the strain-based sensors 26S are configured to detect an external force applied to the button component 30, so as to enable a sliding / scrolling function of the electronic device 100. The mechanical switch 28 might be a dome switch and is configured to provide a binary function to the electronic device 100, such as ON / OFF or UP / DOWN. The bracket 18, adhered to the interior side of the peripheral portion 12P, not only provides mechanical support to the sensing substrate 24, the mechanical switch 28, and the button component 30, but also facilitates operation of the mechanical switch 28 (more details are described below).

[0045] Since the button component 30, the sensing substrate 24, the mechanical switch 28, and the bracket 18 (the base plate 18P) are mechanically connected, the external force applied to the button component 30 can be transferred to the sensing substrate 24 (via the rubber liners 36), the mechanical switch 28, and further to the bracket 18 (via the mechanical switch 28 and the adhesive layer 32). For a non-limiting example, when an external force (e.g., finger pressure) is applied to the button body 30B of the button component 30 protruding outside of the housing 12, the button component 30 may be depressed, which causes the sensing substrate 24 to bend / depress (via the rubber liners 36). In consequence, the bending / depression of the sensing substrate 24 and the obstruction from the base plate 18P partially or completely actuate the mechanical switch 28 beneath the sensing substrate 24. If the mechanical switch 28 is completely actuated, a binary function of the electronic device 100 is enabled.

[0046] Additionally, as long as the external force is continuously applied to the button component 30, the button component 30 remains depressed, and the sensing substrate 24 remains bending / depressed. As such, the strain / strain change (due to the bending / depression) on the sensing substrate 24 continues to be transferred to and detected by the strain-based sensors 26S that are attached to the bottom surface of the sensing substrate 24. The strain-based sensors 26Sare further configured to provide an output indicating information about an amount of the external force applied to the button component 30 based on the detected strain / strain change.

[0047] On the other hand, since the strain-based sensors 26S are disposed at different horizontal locations on the bottom surface of the sensing substrate 24, the strain / strain change on the sensing substrate 24 sensed by different strainbased sensors 26S may be different. For a non-limiting example, when the external force is applied vertically above the first strain-based sensor 26S-1 and horizontally away from the second strain-based sensor 26S-2, the first strainbased sensor 26S-1 may sense a greater strain / strain change than the second strain-based sensor 26S-2 and may provide a larger output than the second strain-based sensor 26S-2. In other words, the first strain-based sensor 26S-1 contributes more to a total output of the strain-based sensors 26S than the second strain-based sensor 26S-2. In fact, each strain-based sensor 26S contribution to the total output of all strain-based sensors 26S will vary with the touch location of the external force applied on the button component 34, thereby providing a unique contribution profile for each touch location. Utilizing mapping (e.g., predetermined) between these contribution profiles and different touch locations, the touch location of the external force applied can be estimated (e.g., by a microprocessor electrically connected to the button input structure 10 and within the electronic device 100, not shown) without the use of any other sensing technology.

[0048] Note that the amount of the external force applied to the button component 30 may not be directly provided by the strain-based sensors 26S but may be calculated by normalizing the outputs of the strain-based sensors 26S based on a calibration table, which contains sensing sensitivity as a function of the touch location for each strain-based sensor 26S. As such, once the outputs of the strain-based sensors 26S and the touch location of the external force are determined, the amount of the external force applied to the button component 30 can be estimated (e.g., by a microprocessor electrically connected to the button input structure 10 and within the electronic device 100, not shown). Herein,based on the output of the strain-based sensors 26S, the touch location of the external force as well as the amount of the external force can be estimated. As a result, based on the estimated amount and touch location of the external force applied, the electronic device 100 is capable of performing another function, such as a sliding / scrolling function or a swiping function, in addition to the binary function relying on the mechanical switch 28. Algorithms used for the calculation of the amount of the external force and the determination of the touch locations of the external force, and the determined touch locations of the external force and the calculated amount of the external force applied to the button component 30 may be stored in a memory component (not shown) of the electronic device 100 ( the memory component is electrically connected to the microprocessor of the electronic device 100).

[0049] Typically, as long as the strain-based sensors 26S continue to sense the strain on the sensing substrate 24 caused by the external force, both the amount of the external force and the touch location of the external force can be continuously estimated. Accordingly, the electronic device 100 can achieve the sliding / scrolling / swiping function. Depending on implementations, the sliding / scrolling / swiping function can be achieved before or after the button component 30 is completely depressed and the mechanical switch 28 is actuated, as long as the external force is continuously applied on the button component 30. In some embodiments, the strain on the sensing substrate 24 caused by the external force may be non-linear from the time before the actuation of the mechanical switch 28 to after the actuation of the mechanical switch 28. In some embodiments, the strain on the sensing substrate 24 caused by the external force is linear throughout the actuation of the mechanical switch 28. In addition, depending on implementations, the sliding / scrolling / swiping function can be achieved regardless of whether the mechanical switch 28 is partially or completely actuated, as long as the external force is continuously applied to the button component 30.

[0050] In some applications, the adhesive layer 32 connecting the sensing substrate 24 to the base plate 18P may be thin (e.g., negligible) and cannotprovide sufficient vertical space between the sensing substrate 24 to the base plate 18P to accommodate the mechanical switch 28 and / or the strain-based sensors 26S. For such a situation, the base plate 18P may include a hole 38 aligned with the inner notch 34 of the adhesive layer 32 to accommodate the mechanical switch 28 and the strain-based sensors 26S, as illustrated in Figure 2A. Notice that the hole 38 does not split the base plate 18P, and the base plate 18P remains continuous, being held by the bracket arm 18R, as illustrated in Figure 2B. Herein, the bottom surface of the sensing substrate 24 directly faces the internal bottom portion 12B through the inner notch 34 of the adhesive layer 32 and the hole 38 of the base plate 18P. A thickness of the base plate 18P and a vertical distance between the base plate 18P and the internal bottom portion 12B of the housing 12 are carefully designed, so that each strain-based sensor 26 can hang underneath the bottom surface of the sensing substrate 24 and extend into the hole 38 of the base plate 18P without contacting the internal bottom portion 12B of the housing 12, while the mechanical switch 28 can extend from the bottom surface of the sensing substrate 24, through the hole 38 of the base plate 18P, and towards the internal bottom portion 12B of the housing 12 to make contact. The bracket 18, adhered to the interior side of the peripheral portion 12P, provides mechanical support to the sensing substrate 24, the mechanical switch 28, and the button component 30, while the internal bottom portion 12B of the housing 12 facilitates operation of the mechanical switch 28. When the external force is applied to the button body 30B, the button component 30 may be depressed, which causes the sensing substrate 24 to bend / depress (via the rubber liners 36). In consequence, the bending / depression of the sensing substrate 24 and the obstruction from the internal bottom portion 12B of the housing 12 partially or completely actuate the mechanical switch 28 beneath the sensing substrate 24. If the mechanical switch 28 is completely actuated, a binary function of the electronic device 100 is enabled.

[0051] In some applications, the strain-based sensors 26 and the mechanical switch 28 are attached to different substrates, as illustrated in Figures 3A and 3B. Besides having the sensing substrate 24 to carry the strain-based sensors 26,the button input structure 10 further includes a switch substrate 40 to carry the mechanical switch 28. Figure 3A illustrates an isometric view of the button input structure 10 with the two substrates 24 and 40, and Figure 3B illustrates a cross- sectional view of the button input structure 10 with the two substrates 24 and 40.

[0052] For the purpose of this illustration, the bracket 18 may be omitted in the button input structure 10. The internal bottom portion 12B of the housing 12 and the internal arm portion 12R of the housing 12 may function as the bracket 18. The internal bottom portion 12B and the internal arm portion 12R can also be considered as a part of the button input structure 10. The bottom surface of the sensing substrate 24 is attached to the internal bottom portion 12B of the housing 12 via the adhesive layer 32 with the inner notch 34. The sensing substrate 24 has a substrate hole 42, which is connected to and directly above the inner notch 34 of the adhesive layer 32 and may have smaller horizontal dimensions than that of the inner notch 34. Note that the substrate hole 42 does not split the sensing substrate 24, and the sensing substrate 24 remains continuous as illustrated in Figure 3C. The switch substrate 40 is attached to the internal bottom portion 12B of the housing 12, located underneath the substrate hole 42 of the sensing substrate 24 and within the inner notch 34, and surrounded by the adhesive layer 32. The mechanical switch 28 is attached to the switch substrate 40, is horizontally confined within the inner notch 34 of the adhesive layer 32, and extends vertically towards / through the substrate hole 42 to make contact with the button component 30. In some embodiments, the button component 30 may include a button pole 30P, which extends vertically beyond the button body 30B and towards the substrate hole 42. The button pole 30P is surrounded by the button body 30B and may be horizontally separated from the button body 30B by a looped trench 44. The button pole 30P may have smaller horizontal dimensions than the substrate hole 42, such that the button pole 30P can extend through or into the substrate hole 42 to directly connect to the mechanical switch 28 without touching the sensing substrate 24. The button body 30B of the button component 30 may still sit on the sensing substrate 24 via the rubber liners 36. The two strain-based sensors 26S (e.g., the first strain-based sensor 26S-1 andthe second strain-based sensor 26S-2) may be attached to the top surface of the sensing substrate 24 underneath the button rim 30R, without contacting any portion of the button component 30. The strain-based sensors 26S may be horizontally and symmetrically positioned on either side of the mechanical switch 28. Herein, to accommodate the strain-based sensors 26S on the top surface of the sensing substrate 24 without contacting the button component 30, the button body 30B extends vertically beyond the button rim 30R, such that there is vertical space between the button rim 30R and the top surface of the sensing substrate 24.

[0053] When the external force is applied to the button component 30, the button component 30 / the button pole 30P may be depressed, which partially or completely actuates the mechanical switch 28. If the mechanical switch 28 is completely actuated, a binary function of the electronic device 100 is enabled. In addition, as long as the external force is continuously applied to the button component 30, the button component 30 remains depressed, and the sensing substrate 24 remains bending / depressed. As such, the strain / strain change (due to the bending / depression) on the sensing substrate 24 continues to be transferred to and detected by the strain-based sensors 26S attached to the top surface of the sensing substrate 24. As a result, both the touch location of the external force and the amount of the external force can be continuously estimated (as described above), and in consequence, the sliding / scrolling function or a swiping function can be performed by the electronic device 100.

[0054] In different applications, the button input structure 10 may include more strain-based sensors 26S formed on either the top surface or the bottom surface of the sensing substrate 24. The button pole 30P may be a cylinder, a cube, a truncated cone, or any other appropriate shape. The substrate hole 42 may be a circle, a square, a rectangle, or any other appropriate shape to fit the button pole 30P and / or a contacting tip of the mechanical switch 28. The looped trench 44 surrounding the button pole 30P may be omitted. The mechanical switch 28 and the strain-based sensors 26S may be positioned at different relatively horizontal locations. Regardless of the configuration of the button input structure 10, theelectronic device 100 is capable of achieving the binary function as well as an additional function (e.g., sliding / scrolling / swiping) based on the detected external force applied to the button input structure 10.

[0055] Furthermore, in some applications, the button input structure 10 utilizes force-based sensors 26F rather than the strain-based sensors 26S to detect the external force applied to the button component 30, as illustrated in Figures 4A and 4B. Figure 4A illustrates an isometric view of the button input structure 10 with the force-based sensor 26F, and Figure 4B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the button input structure 10 with the force-based sensor 26F. Unlike the strain-based sensors 26S, which are attached to the sensing substrate 24 (without transferring the external force) and sense the strain on the sensing substrate 24 caused by the external force, each force-based sensor 26F is positioned vertically between the button component 30 and a top surface of the sensing substrate 24 (still within the air chamber 16) and is configured to directly measure tension / compression between the button component 30 and the sensing substrate 24 caused by the external force.

[0056] For the purpose of this illustration, there are two force-based sensors 26F (e.g., a first force-based sensor 26F-1 and a second force-based sensor 26F-2), each of which is connected to the bottom portion of the button body 30B via a corresponding rubber liner 36 and extends to contact the top surface of the sensing substrate 24. In other words, the button component 30 sits on the sensing substrate 24 via a combination of the rubber liners 36 and the forcebased sensors 26F. The combination of the rubber liners 36 and the force-based sensors 26F ensure that the button component 30 remains balanced / stabilized on the sensing substrate 24, so as to enable the use of the single mechanical switch 28 beneath the sensing substrate 24 (rather than requiring two or more mechanical switches). The bottom surface of the sensing substrate 24 is attached to the top surface of the base plate 18P of the bracket 18 via the adhesive layer 32 with the inner notch 34. The mechanical switch 28 is attached to the central portion of the bottom surface of the sensing substrate 24, accommodated within the inner notch 34, and surrounded by the adhesive layer32. The thickness of the adhesive layer 32 is substantially the same as a height of the mechanical switch 28, such that the mechanical switch 28 extends from the bottom surface of the sensing substrate 24 to make contact with the top surface of the base plate 18P. Herein, the sensing substrate 24 may be formed of FR-4, so that the mechanical switch 28 may have relatively stiff support to maintain operation, and the adhesive layer 32 underneath the sensing substrate 24 may be a soft foam tape for compliance. The force-based sensors 26F may be located horizontally and symmetrically on either side of the mechanical switch 28. In different applications, the button input structure 10 may include more forcebased sensors 26F positioned vertically between the button component 30 (via the rubber liners 36) and the top surface of the sensing substrate 24. The mechanical switch 28 and the force-based sensors 26F may be positioned at different relatively horizontal locations. Additionally, the button component 30 may have a different shape and / or configuration.

[0057] The button component 30, the force-based sensors 26F, the sensing substrate 24, the mechanical switch 28, and the bracket 18 (the base plate 18P) are mechanically connected, such that an external force applied to the button component 30 can be transmitted to the force-based sensors 26F (through the rubber liners 36), the sensing substrate 24, the mechanical switch 28, and further to the bracket 18. The mechanical switch 28 enables the performance of the binary function to the electronic device 100 as described above. The force-based sensors 26F are configured to measure the tension / compression occurring between the button component 30 and the sensing substrate 24 due to the depression of the button component 30, which is caused by the external force applied to the button component 30. After the button component 30 is depressed, as long as the external force is continuously applied to the button component 30, the tension / compression will persist between the button component 30 and the sensing substrate 24. As such, the force-based sensors 26F can continuously measure the tension / compression caused by the external force applied to the button component 30. Based on the measured tension / compression, the forcebased sensors 26F are also configured to provide an output indicatinginformation about the amount of the external force applied to the button component 30.

[0058] Similar to the description of the strain-based sensors 26S, since the force-based sensors 26F are disposed at different horizontal locations between the button component 30 and the sensing substrate 24, the tension / compression measured by different force-based sensors 26F may be different. For a nonlimiting example, when an external force is applied vertically above the first forcebased sensor 26F-1 and horizontally away from the second force-based sensor 26F-2, the first force-based sensor 26F-1 may detect greater tension / compression than the second force-based sensor 26F-2 and may provide a larger output than the second force-based sensor 26F-2. In other words, the first force-based sensor 26F-1 contributes more to a total output of the force-based sensors 26F than the second force-based sensor 26F-2. In fact, each forcebased sensor 26F contribution to the total output of all force-based sensors 26F will vary with the touch location on the button component 30 of the external force applied, thereby providing a unique contribution profile for each touch location. Utilizing mapping (e.g., predetermined) between these contribution profiles and different touch locations, the touch location of the external force applied can be estimated (e.g., by a microprocessor electrically connected to the button input structure 10 and within the electronic device 100, not shown) without the use of any other sensing / measuring technology.

[0059] In addition, the amount of the external force applied to the button component 30 is not directly provided by the force-based sensors 26F but may be calculated by normalizing the outputs of the force-based sensors 26F based on a calibration table, which contains sensing sensitivity as a function of the touch location for each force-based sensor 26F. As such, once the outputs of the force-based sensors 26F and the touch location of the external force are determined, the amount of the external force applied to the button component 30 can be estimated (e.g., by a microprocessor electrically connected to the button input structure 10 and within the electronic device 100, not shown). Herein, based on the output of the force-based sensors 26F, the touch location of theexternal force as well as the amount of the external force can be estimated. As a result, based on the estimated amount and touch location of the external force applied, the electronic device 100 is capable of performing a function, such as a sliding / scrolling function or a swiping function, in addition to the binary function relying on the mechanical switch 28.

[0060] Typically, as long as the force-based sensors 26F continue to detect the tension / compression between the button component 30 and the sensing substrate 24 caused by the external force, the amount of the external force and the touch location of the external force can be continuously estimated, and accordingly, the electronic device 100 can achieve the sliding / scrolling / swiping function. Depending on implementations, the sliding / scrolling / swiping function can be achieved before or after the button component 30 is completely depressed and the mechanical switch 28 is actuated, as long as the external force is continuously applied on the button component 30. In some embodiments, the tension / compression between the button component 30 and the sensing substrate 24 caused by the external force may be non-linear from the time before the actuation of the mechanical switch 28 to after the actuation of the mechanical switch 28. In some embodiments, the tension / compression between the button component 30 and the sensing substrate 24 caused by the external force is linear throughout the actuation of the mechanical switch 28. In addition, depending on implementations, the sliding / scrolling / swiping function can be achieved regardless of whether the mechanical switch 28 is partially or completely actuated, as long as the external force is continuously applied to the button component 30.

[0061] In some applications, the thickness of the adhesive layer 32 connecting the sensing substrate 24 to the base plate 18P may be thin (e.g., negligible) and cannot provide sufficient vertical space between the sensing substrate 24 and the base plate 18P to accommodate the mechanical switch 28. For such a situation, the base plate 18P may include the hole 38 aligned with the inner notch 34 of the adhesive layer 32 to accommodate the mechanical switch28, as illustrated in Figure 5A. The hole 38 does not split the base plate 18P, and the base plate 18P remains continuous as illustrated in Figure 5B.

[0062] Herein, the bottom surface of the sensing substrate 24 directly faces the internal bottom portion 12B through the inner notch 34 of the adhesive layer 32 and the hole 38 of the base plate 18P. The thickness of the base plate 18P and the vertical distance between the base plate 18P and the internal bottom portion 12B of the housing 12 are carefully calculated, so that the mechanical switch 28 can extend from the bottom surface of the sensing substrate 24, through the hole 38 of the base plate 18P, and towards the internal bottom portion 12B of the housing 12 to make contact. The bracket 18, adhered to the interior side of the peripheral portion 12P, provides mechanical support to the sensing substrate 24, the mechanical switch 28, the force-based sensors 26F, and the button component 30, while the internal bottom portion 12B of the housing 12 facilitates operation of the mechanical switch 28. When the external force is applied to the button body 30B, the button component 30 may be depressed, which causes the sensing substrate 24 to bend / depress (via the rubber liners 36 and the force-based sensors 26F). In consequence, the bending / depression of the sensing substrate 24 and the obstruction from the internal bottom portion 12B of the housing 12 partially or completely actuate the mechanical switch 28 beneath the sensing substrate 24. If the mechanical switch 28 is completely actuated, a binary function of the electronic device 100 is enabled.

[0063] In some applications, the bracket 18 may be omitted in the button input structure 10, as illustrated in Figures 6A and 6B. Figure 6A illustrates an isometric view of the button input structure 10 without the bracket 18, and Figure 6B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the button input structure 10 without the bracket 18. The internal bottom portion 12B of the housing 12 and the internal arm portion 12R of the housing 12 may function as the bracket 18, and can also be considered as a part of the button input structure 10. The bottom surface of the sensing substrate 24 is attached to the internal bottom portion 12B of the housing 12 via the adhesive layer 32 with the inner notch 34. The mechanicalswitch 28 is attached to the bottom surface of the sensing substrate 24, accommodated within the inner notch 34, and surrounded by the adhesive layer 32. Herein, the adhesive layer 32 might be a foam tape with a relatively thick thickness, which is substantially the same as a height of the mechanical switch 28. As such, the inner notch 34 of the adhesive layer 32 can provide sufficient vertical space between the sensing substrate 24 and the internal bottom portion 12B of the housing 12 to accommodate the mechanical switch 28, and the mechanical switch 28 can extend from the bottom surface of the sensing substrate 24 to make contact with the internal bottom portion 12B of the housing 12. The internal bottom portion 12B not only provides mechanical support to the sensing substrate 24, the mechanical switch 28, the force-based sensors 26F, and the button component 30, but also facilitates operation of the mechanical switch 28. When the external force is applied to the button body 30B, the button component 30 may be depressed, which causes the sensing substrate 24 to bend / depress (via the rubber liners 36 and the force-based sensors 26F). In consequence, the bending / depression of the sensing substrate 24 and the obstruction from the internal bottom portion 12B of the housing 12 partially or completely actuate the mechanical switch 28 beneath the sensing substrate 24. If the mechanical switch 28 is completely actuated, a binary function of the electronic device 100 is enabled.

[0064] Figure 7 illustrates a flowchart of operation of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 100) with a button input structure (e.g., the button input structure 10 shown in Figures 1A-6B) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Although the process steps are illustrated in a series, the process steps are not necessarily order dependent. Some steps may be done in a different order than that presented. Further, processes within the scope of this disclosure may include fewer or more steps than those illustrated in Figure 7.

[0065] Initially, when an external force is applied to a button component of the button input structure (e.g., the button component 30 of the button input structure 10), a single mechanical switch located underneath and mechanically connected to the button component (e.g., the mechanical switch 28) is partially orcompletely actuated in response to depression of the button component (step 102). Optionally, if the mechanical switch is completely actuated, a binary function, such as ON / OFF or UP / DOWN, is performed by the electronic device (step 104).

[0066] As long as the external force is continuously applied to the button component of the button input structure, two or more sensors of the button input structure (e.g., the strain-based sensors 26S or the force-based sensors 26F) continuously sense mechanical changes within the button component caused by the applied external force (step 106). If the sensors are strain-based sensors (e.g., the strain-based sensors 26S), the strain-based sensors are configured to sense strain / strain change on a sensing substrate (e.g., the sensing substrate 24), which is mechanically connected to the button component (step 106A). Herein, the strain / strain change on the sensing substrates is caused by the depression of the button component from the external force applied to the button component. Alternatively, if the sensors are force-based sensors (e.g., the forcebased sensors 26F), the force-based sensors are configured to sense the tension / compression presented vertically between the button component and the sensing substrate (e.g., between the button component 30 and the sensing substrate 24, step 106B). Herein, the tension / compression vertically between the button component and the sensing substrate is caused by the depression of the button component from the external force applied to the button component.

[0067] Based on the detected mechanical changes caused by the external force applied to the button component (the strain / strain change on the sensing substrate or the tension / compression vertically between the button component and the sensing substrate), each of the two or more sensors is configured to provide an output that indicates information about an amount of the external force applied to the button component as well as a touch location of the external force applied to the button component (step 108).

[0068] Next, based on the output of each of the two or more sensors, the touch location of the external force applied to the button component is determined by a microprocessor of the electronic device (step 1 10). The amountof the external force applied to the button component is then calculated by the microprocessor of the electronic device based on the output of each of the two or more sensors and the determined touch location of the external force (step 112). Lastly, the electronic device performs a sliding / scrolling / swiping function based on the determined touch location and the calculated amount of the external force applied to the button component (114).

[0069] It is contemplated that any of the foregoing aspects, and / or various separate aspects and features as described herein, may be combined for additional advantage. Any of the various embodiments as disclosed herein may be combined with one or more other disclosed embodiments unless indicated to the contrary herein.

[0070] Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modifications to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure. All such improvements and modifications are considered within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein and the claims that follow.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 19 March 2026 (19.03.2026)ClaimsWhat is claimed is:1 . A button input structure of an electronic device comprising:• a button component;• a sensing substrate, wherein the button component is positioned over the sensing substrate via rubber liners that ensure the button component remains stabilized over the sensing substrate, wherein the rubber liners are disposed vertically between the button component and the sensing substrate;• a mechanical switch underneath the button component configured to be at least partially actuated in response to depression of the button component, which is caused by an external force applied to the button component, wherein the mechanical switch is in contact with the sensing substrate or the button component; and• sensors underneath the button component, wherein:• each of the sensors is configured to detect the external force by sensing mechanical changes within the button input structure, wherein the mechanical changes result from the depression of the button component caused by the external force applied to the button component; and• each of the sensors is configured to provide an output indicating information about a touch location of the external force and an amount of the external force.

2. The button input structure of claim 1 further comprising one or more portions of a housing of the electronic device, wherein:• the one or more portions of the housing include at least a peripheral portion with an opening;• the button component extends through the opening of the peripheral portion and into an air chamber in the housing without adhering to the housing; andthe rubber liners, the sensors, the sensing substrate, and the mechanical switch are located within the air chamber of the housing.

3. The button input structure of claim 2 further comprising a bracket, which is confined within the air chamber and underneath the opening of the peripheral portion, wherein:• the bracket includes a base plate and a bracket arm that extends from the base plate and is adhered to an interior side of the peripheral portion, so as to hold the base plate; and• a bottom surface of the sensing substrate is attached to the base plate via an adhesive layer, such that the bracket at least provides mechanical support to the sensing substrate and the button component positioned over the sensing substrate.

4. The button input structure of claim 3 wherein:• the sensors are strain-based sensors that are attached to the sensing substrate;• the button component and the sensing substrate are mechanically connected, such that the depression of the button component caused by the external force applied to the button component is capable of producing strain on the sensing substrate; and• each of the sensors is configured to detect the external force by sensing the strain on the sensing substrate.

5. The button input structure of claim 4 wherein:• the mechanical switch and the sensors are attached to the bottom surface of the sensing substrate; and• the adhesive layer has an inner notch to accommodate the mechanical switch and the sensors underneath the sensing substrate.

6. The button input structure of claim 5 wherein a thickness of the adhesive layer is greater than a height of each of the sensors and is substantially the same as a height of the mechanical switch, such that each of the sensors hangs underneath the bottom surface of the sensing substrate without contacting the base plate of the bracket, while the mechanical switch extends from the bottom surface of the sensing substrate to make contact with a top surface of the base plate of the bracket.

7. The button input structure of claim 5 wherein:• the one or more portions of the housing further include an internal bottom portion below the peripheral portion and an internal arm portion connecting the internal bottom portion to the peripheral portion;• the base plate is above the internal bottom portion of the housing and includes a hole aligned with the inner notch of the adhesive layer, such that the bottom surface of the sensing substrate directly faces the internal bottom portion of the housing;• each of the sensors hangs underneath the bottom surface of the sensing substrate and extends into the hole of the base plate without contacting the internal bottom portion of the housing; and• the mechanical switch extends from the bottom surface of the sensing substrate, through the hole of the base plate, and towards the internal bottom portion of the housing to make contact.

8. The button input structure of claim 3 wherein:• the sensors are force-based sensors and are positioned vertically between the rubber liners and a top surface of the sensing substrate;• the button component, the sensors, and the sensing substrate are mechanically connected, such that the depression of the button component caused by the external force applied to the button component is capable of providing tension or compression to the sensors; and• each of the sensors is configured to detect the external force by sensing the tension or compression presented vertically between the button component and the sensing substrate.

9. The button input structure of claim 8 wherein:• the mechanical switch is attached to the bottom surface of the sensing substrate; and• the adhesive layer has an inner notch to accommodate the mechanical switch underneath the sensing substrate.

10. The button input structure of claim 9 wherein a thickness of the adhesive layer is substantially the same as a height of the mechanical switch, such that the mechanical switch extends from the bottom surface of the sensing substrate to make contact with a top surface of the base plate of the bracket.11 . The button input structure of claim 9 wherein:• the one or more portions of the housing further include an internal bottom portion below the peripheral portion and an internal arm portion connecting the internal bottom portion to the peripheral portion;• the base plate is above the internal bottom portion of the housing and includes a hole aligned with the inner notch of the adhesive layer, such that the bottom surface of the sensing substrate directly faces the internal bottom portion of the housing; and• the mechanical switch extends from the bottom surface of the sensing substrate, through the hole of the base plate, and towards the internal bottom portion of the housing to make contact.

12. The button input structure of claim 2 wherein:• the one or more portions of the housing further include an internal bottom portion below the peripheral portion and an internal arm portion connecting the internal bottom portion to the peripheral portion;• a combination of the peripheral portion, the internal bottom portion, and the internal arm portion provides the air chamber within the housing and connected to the opening; and• a bottom surface of the sensing substrate is attached to the internal bottom portion of the housing via an adhesive layer, such that the internal bottom portion of the housing provides mechanical support to the sensing substrate and the button component positioned over the sensing substrate.

13. The button input structure of claim 12 wherein:• the sensors are strain-based sensors that are attached to the sensing substrate;• the button component and the sensing substrate are mechanically connected, such that the depression of the button component caused by the external force applied to the button component is capable of producing strain on the sensing substrate; and• each of the sensors is configured to detect the external force by sensing the strain on the sensing substrate.

14. The button input structure of claim 13, wherein the adhesive layer has an inner notch to provide vertical space between the bottom surface of the sensing substrate and the internal bottom portion of the housing to accommodate the mechanical switch.

15. The button input structure of claim 14 further comprising a switch substrate underneath the sensing substrate, attached to the internal bottom portion of the housing and confined in the inner notch of the adhesive layer, wherein:• the sensing substrate has a substrate hole, which is connected to the inner notch of the adhesive layer and vertically above the switch substrate; and• the mechanical switch resides over the switch substrate, horizontally confined within the inner notch of the adhesive layer, and extends vertically towards the substrate hole of the sensing substrate to make contact with the button component.

16. The button input structure of claim 15, wherein the button component includes a button pole, which extends vertically beyond the rest of the button component and towards the substrate hole to make contact with the mechanical switch.

17. The button input structure of claim 15, wherein the sensors are attached to a top surface of the sensing substrate without contacting the button component.

18. The button input structure of claim 12 wherein:• the sensors are force-based sensors and are positioned vertically between the rubber liners and a top surface of the sensing substrate;• the button component, the sensors, and the sensing substrate are mechanically connected, such that the depression of the button component caused by the external force applied to the button component is capable of providing tension or compression to the sensors; and• each of the sensors is configured to detect the external force by sensing the tension or compression presented vertically between the button component and the sensing substrate.

19. The button input structure of claim 18, wherein:• the adhesive layer has an inner notch to provide vertical space between the bottom surface of the sensing substrate and the internal bottom portion of the housing;• a thickness of the adhesive layer is substantially the same as a height of the mechanical switch; and41• the mechanical switch is attached to the bottom surface of the sensing substrate, and extends to make contact with the internal bottom portion of the housing.

20. The button input structure of claim 2, wherein:• the button component has a hat configuration including a button body and a button rim;• the button body has a slightly smaller horizontal size than the opening of the peripheral portion to ensure that the button component is capable of moving vertically through the opening; and• the button rim protrudes horizontally from a bottom portion of the button body, has a larger horizontal size than the opening, and is located underneath the opening, so as to secure the button component in place.21 . A method of operation of an electronic device with a button input structure, which includes a button component, a sensing substrate underneath the button component, rubber liners disposed vertically between the button component and the sensing substrate and configured to mechanically support and stabilize the button component relative to the sensing substrate, a mechanical switch underneath the button component and in contact with the sensing substrate or the button component, and sensors, comprising:• at least partially actuating the mechanical switch by depression of the button component, which is caused by an external force applied to the button component;• sensing mechanical changes within the button component by the sensors, wherein the mechanical changes result from the depression of the button component caused by the external force applied to the button component;• providing an output by each of the sensors based on the detected mechanical changes, wherein the output indicates information about an amount of the external force applied to the button component and a touch location of the external force applied to the button component;42• determining the touch location of the external force applied to the button component based on the output of each of the sensors; and• calculating the amount of the external force applied to the button component based on the output of each of the sensors and the determined touch location of the external force.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the sensors are strain-based sensors attached to the sensing substrate, wherein:• sensing the mechanical changes comprises sensing strain on the sensing substrate; and• the strain is caused by bending or depressing of the sensing substrate, in response to the depression of the button component toward the sensing substrate through the rubber liners .

23. The method of claim 21 , wherein the sensors are force-based sensors and positioned vertically between the button component and the sensing substrate, wherein:• sensing the mechanical changes comprises sensing tension or compression presented vertically between the button component and the sensing substrate; and• the tension or compression is caused by the depression of the button component toward the sensing substrate through the rubber liners and the force-based sensors.[0001][0002]STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 19(1)[0003]Applicant has submitted amendments under Article 19 PCT for the abovereferenced application.[0004]Applicant has amended original claims 1 and 21-23.[0005]Original claim 1 has been amended to clarify the specific positional arrangements of the claimed rubber liners and the claimed mechanical switch. In particular, amended claim 1 specifies that the claimed rubber liners are disposed vertically between the button component and the sensing substrate, thereby distinguishing over configurations in which a compliant element is not positioned between the button component and the sensing substrate. Amended claim 1 further specifies that the claimed mechanical switch is in contact with the sensing substrate or the button component, thereby distinguishing over arrangements in which a mechanical switch is not in contact with either the sensing substrate or the button component.[0006]Original claim 21 has been amended to incorporate features similar to those recited in amended claim 1.[0007]Original claim 22 has been amended to remove the feature “the sensing substrate, which is mechanically connected to the bottom component. Additionally, claim 22 has been amended to clarify that sensing the mechanical changes comprises sensing strain on the sensing substrate, and the strain is caused by bending or depressing of the sensing substrate, in response to the depression of the button component toward the sensing substrate through the rubber liners. Accordingly, claim 22 distinguishes over sensing arrangements that do not detect strain on the sensing substrate or are not responsive to depression of the button component through the rubber liners.[0008]Original claim 23 has been amended to clarify that sensing the mechanical changes comprises sensing tension or compression presented vertically between the button component and the sensing substrate, and the tension or compression is caused by the depression of the button component toward the sensing substrate through the rubber liners and the force -based sensors. Accordingly, claim 23 distinguishes over sensing arrangements that do not detect tension or compression between the button component and the sensing substrate or are not responsive to depression of the button component through the rubber liners and the force -based sensors.[0009]44

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