EP3547303A1 - Key with enhanced expressive possibilities - Google Patents

Abstract

There is disclosed a key comprising a key unit movably suspended in a fixed frame vertically in the Z direction, comprising a key body having an upper actuating surface and a shaft extending vertically downwardly from the key body; an XY sensor unit disposed vertically below the key body through an air gap and fixedly connected to the frame for detecting XY positions on the actuating surface, the XY sensor unit having an opening for the shaft through which the Can move shaft vertically; a vertically vertically suspended below the shaft transmission element which is moved vertically downwards as the shaft moves downward; and a Z-sensor unit vertically spaced below the transmission member and fixedly connected to the frame, having a detection element for detecting vertical downward movement of the transmission member.

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present invention relates to keys, in particular keys, which open up wider possibilities of expression for electronic musical instruments.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART

Keys can be found in various areas of technology such as in computers, automobiles, musical instruments, etc. and are in particular an essential part of keyboard instruments such as the piano or the keyboard. But also modern electronic musical instruments use keys, which can be arranged eg in a matrix with rows and columns (thus 8 x 8, 8 x 4 etc.). In this case - analogous to the piano - the touch dynamics of the key (ie the speed at which the key is depressed) and thus the pressure that acts physically on the key, sensor technology electronically recorded and evaluated. This velocity and pressure information usually serves as the basis for deriving the volume of the sound being played with the key. However, electronic music instruments or music controllers provided with such technology offer only a limited possibility of formulating or influencing the sound away from the volume.

However, since there are electronic musical instruments, one also wants to emulate other analogue instruments (for example, stringed instruments, wind instruments). Therefore, there is a desire to metrologically capture and then replicate the means of expression available to a musician on analog instruments (such as vibrato, timbre, tremolo, tone and volume variations, etc.) also in electronic musical instruments. To accommodate this desire, many electronic key-based musical instruments or controllers have additional possibilities to influence or control the sound. These include, among other things, the already mentioned possibility to measure the button pressure or to evaluate it after triggering, but also additional devices such as the sustain pedal, pitch bend wheel or modulation wheel. However, such additional elements not only have to be operated separately for the key to be played, but also allow only the generation of the same effect for all keys - the sounds generated with the keys are not individually modulated in this way and a simultaneous playing multiple keys with each different expression effects (polyphonic) is not possible.

Electronic musical instruments or software-based musical instruments offer a wealth of expressive sounds with their sound library. However, in order to be able to multidimensionally control or play these sounds, ie depending on the position of, for example, a user's finger, a sensor of the instrument keys or pads is required, which electronically positions the finger in a multidimensional manner in the XY direction and on the other hand in Z-direction the force exerted by the finger on the key or the pad can measure. Another important information to be mentioned is the detection of movements in XY direction across key / pad boundaries. In the context of a Cartesian coordinate system, the term "Z-direction" refers to the direction in which the - vertical - downward movement of the key takes place while in "X" and "Y direction" the orthogonal - horizontal - plane is spanned, in which lies the key surface, for example.

The sensors previously known for detecting the force exerted in the Z direction on the key are as a rule FSR sensors ("Force Sensing Resistor"), as used, for example, in US Pat US 6,909,354 B2 Fa. Interlink Electronics, Inc. are disclosed. An FSR is a contact-type sensor that generates an electrical resistance between two electrodes in the contact case. However, such sensors have certain drawbacks, such as a high response pressure point ("Entry-Threshold"), a difficult reproducible behavior in the area around this response pressure point and increased effort (ie, multiple FSR sensor levels) to simultaneously Dimension also to capture the X and Y dimensions.

Another disadvantage of previous keys - especially those that are provided with sensors - is due to technical reasons in a no or only very limited existing lighting. The reason is that keys with sensors, if they are to be illuminated on their surface, must be transparent or have apertures to pass light through, which in turn leads to major problems in the design of the key. Lighting is however desirable for use in modern electronic musical instruments in many cases. For example, the illumination can be achieved by e.g. a currently played note or key or even the key status is displayed or other visual signaling enabled.

Thus, there is still a need for a key or a touchpad, whereby not only the force (or the pressure) exerted on it in the Z-direction, but also the position in the XY-direction of, for example, the user's finger controls the key becomes. Furthermore, there is a need for a button that is sufficiently lit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a key, in particular for electronic musical instruments, which enables the detection and processing of both the Z-direction force (or pressure) and the X-Y direction position, e.g. allows the user's button-operated finger. (As mentioned above, the term "Z-direction" here means the direction in which the - vertical - downward movement of the key takes place while in the "X" and "Y-direction" the orthogonal-horizontal plane is clamped, in which eg the key surface lies.)

This has been achieved according to the invention with a key according to claim 1 comprising a key unit movably suspended vertically in a fixed frame in the Z direction with a key body having an upper actuating surface and at least one shank extending vertically downwardly from the key body; an XY sensor unit disposed vertically below the key body through an air gap and fixedly connected to the frame for detecting XY positions on the actuation surface, the XY sensor unit having at least one opening for the at least one shaft through which through which the shaft can move vertically; at least one vertically below the at least one shaft elastically suspended transmission element which is moved vertically downwards as the at least one shaft moves downward; and a Z-sensor unit vertically spaced below the at least one transmission element and fixedly connected to the frame, having at least one sensing element for detecting the vertical downward movement of the at least one transmission element.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide such a button with improved illumination.

This has been achieved according to the invention with a key according to claim 17, wherein further the shaft extends at its upper end below the key body horizontally outwardly into an extension, said shaft and extension are made of a translucent material so that they together form a light guide, the continue is firmly connected to the key body; a vertically disposed below the shaft light source whose light exits vertically upwards and enters from below into the shaft; and a first optical device arranged in the vertically upper region of the light guide above the shaft for deflecting the light which has entered the shaft from the light source in the horizontal direction into the surface of the extension.

Other advantageous features of the key according to the invention are disclosed in the further subclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1

shows a cross-sectional view of the key according to the invention in a preferred embodiment.

Fig. 2

shows a cross-sectional view of the button Fig. 1 with additional lighting.

FIGS. 3A-F

show different views of the light guide of the button Fig. 2 ,

Fig. 4

shows a cross section through the light guide FIGS. 3A-F and schematically the light path therein.

Fig. 5

shows a cross-sectional view of the frame with a plurality of juxtaposed keys.

Fig. 6

shows an exploded view of several arranged in a grid buttons.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As mentioned above, conventional buttons for electronic musical instruments, among others, have. the disadvantage that possibly. About sound libraries additionally available expression means neither polyphonic, i. depending on the key different (polyphonic), still multidimensionally controlled, i. depending on the position e.g. of the user's finger-operated finger, can be played.

1. (i) einer vertikal beweglich aufgehängten Tasten-Einheit 2,
2. (ii) einer unbeweglichen X-Y-Sensor-Einheit 5,
3. (iii) einer Einheit mit einem vertikal beweglichen Übertragungselement 7 und
4. (iv) einer unbeweglichen Z-Sensor-Einheit 8.

The present invention overcomes these problems. The button construction according to the invention generally consists of four main units, the FIG. 1 to be taken, and indeed from

1. (i) a vertically movably suspended key unit 2,
2. (ii) an immovable XY sensor unit 5,
3. (iii) a unit having a vertically movable transmission element 7 and
4. (iv) a stationary Z-sensor unit 8.

As Fig. 1 2, the key comprises a key unit 2 vertically suspended in the Z direction in a fixed frame 1 and having a key body 2a having an upper operating surface 2b and at least one central shaft 3 extending downwardly from the key body 2a. The key body 2a may be made of a material comprising silicone. For example, only one central shaft may be provided in the horizontal center of the button, or several at different locations such as four in the respective corner region of the button when it is rectangular. Vertically below the key body 2a is an XY sensor unit 5 fixedly connected to the frame 1 and having at least one opening 6 through which the at least one shaft 3 of the key unit 2 extends for movement in the Z direction. Thus, if a central shaft 3 is provided in the key unit 2, there is also a central opening 6 in the XY sensor unit 5; are eg four shafts 3 provided in the key unit 2, there are also four openings 6 in the XY sensor unit 5, one for each shaft 3. The XY sensor unit 5 is by an air gap 4 vertically from the Bottom of the key body 2a spaced and is used to detect XY positions on the actuating surface 2b of the key unit 2, so that, for example, the XY position of a user's finger on the actuating surface 2b can be detected. Vertically below the at least one shaft 3 of the key unit 2 is at least one elastically suspended transmission element 7, which is also moved vertically downward in the downward movement of the shaft 3. If a central shaft 3 is provided in the key unit 2, there is also a transmission element 7 underneath; For example, if four shafts 3 are provided in the key unit 2, four transmission elements 7 may be provided - one for each shaft 3 - but it may also be provided only one transmission element 7 for all four shafts 3. Below the at least one transmission element 7 is vertically spaced a fixedly connected to the frame 1 Z-sensor unit 8, which comprises at least one detection element 9, which detects the vertical downward movement of the at least one transmission element 7. In contrast to the openings or openings 6 in the XY sensor unit 5, the horizontal arrangement of the at least one transmission element 7 and the at least one detection element 9 is not horizontal to the location of the shaft 3 or the shafts 3 and its or their horizontal position Tied position. That is, regardless of the number of shafts 3 and their horizontal position (i), only one transmission element 7 and only one sensing element 9 can be provided, or (ii) only one transmission element 7, but one sensing element 9 per shaft 3, or (iii) conversely, only one detection element 9, but one transmission element 7 per shaft, or (iv) both a transmission element 7 and a detection element 9 per shaft 3. The key according to the invention thus comprises two mutually arranged sensors - a sensor for detecting a vertical movement of the key in FIG Z direction and a sensor for detecting an XY position on the Actuating surface of the button - and can thus be referred to as multidimensional in the sense described above.

Optionally, the transmission element 7 can be embedded in an elastic, electrically insulating substrate 10, at least partially enclosed by it or applied thereto. Optionally, in the substrate 10 further vertically below the transmission element 7 spaced an air gap 11 may be provided. In this way, an almost barrier-free downward movement of the transmission element 7 is possible, which in turn for the release of the key a much lower force is necessary, which reduces their response pressure. Optionally, furthermore, the substrate 10 for reinforcement in the region of the air gap 11 may have at least one semicircular or conical spring-elastic projection 12 which projects vertically into the air gap 11. This at least one projection 12 serves as a resilient restoring aid. The substrate 10 may be made of silicone.

Again, optionally, the Z-sensor unit 8 may comprise a substrate 13, the sensing element 9 being located vertically on top of the substrate 13 and / or at least partially embedded in the substrate 13. By partially embedding, the effectiveness of the detection element 9 can be increased: If the detection element 9 is e.g. a coil in conjunction with an LC resonator (see below), this can be extended to several layers in the substrate 13 of the unit 8 - with the length of the coil but increases their inductance, which in turn increases the sensitivity of the sensor ( the characteristics of the LC resonator also change as the coil is a part of it).

Again, optionally, the key body 2a may be suspended from the frame 1 via a motion bead 16 surrounding it. This movement bead is integrally formed with the key body 2a and consists in a Material taper on the horizontal peripheral edge of the key body 2a. In this way, an almost barrier-free downward movement of the key body 2a is possible, whereby the key with less force is triggered, which - as already discussed in connection with the air gap 11 - reduces the response pressure of the key.

Again, optionally, the X-Y sensor unit 5 on its upper side or the key body 2a on its underside horizontally outside the at least one shaft 3, at least one semicircular or conical projection 17 which projects into the air gap 4. This at least one projection 17 serves - as already discussed in connection with the air gap 11 - as a resilient restoring aid.

Again, alternatively, at least one pressure equalization line 18a may be provided between the air gaps 4 and 11 and the air gap 11 may continue to be vented toward the environment through at least one pressure equalization line 18b extending through the Z-sensor unit 8. As a result, a sufficient pressure equalization in the air gaps 4 and 11 is ensured.

Again, optionally, the X-Y sensor unit 5 and the Z-sensor unit 8 may be fixedly spaced from each other via at least one spacer 19 provided vertically therebetween. This not only improves the strength of the overall key arrangement but also increases its overall rigidity.

The sensor units 5 and 8, which are used in the key described above, can be configured electronically differently. In a preferred embodiment, the Z-sensor unit 8 comprises an inductive sensor. An inductive sensor is known to include a resonant circuit with LC resonator (where L is the inductance of the coil therein and C is the capacitance of the capacitor also present therein) and measures its frequency (the LC resonator frequency) using a reference oscillator (reference frequency), which in addition to the inductance and the impedance Z and the Q Q of the LC resonator can be determined. The coil emits a magnetic field, which causes eddy currents in a relatively moving electrically conductive material, thereby changing the amplitude and the frequency of the resonant circuit. In the present case, the detection element 9 is an induction coil and the transmission element 7 comprises a metallic material. If a force or a pressure is now exerted on the key-for example with a finger-the shaft 3 moves downwards, which in turn reduces the distance between the metallic transmission element 7 and the induction coil 9, which likewise moves downwards, and leads to the above effects ,

The XY sensor unit 5 in turn in the preferred embodiment comprises a capacitive position sensor. An XY capacitive position sensor is known to comprise a grid of RX and TX electrodes, each of the RX electrodes being electrically connected in columns and the TX electrodes connected in series, but without electrical connection between the RX and TX -Electrodes - and in very rapid repetition, the capacitance between the electrodes is measured. The capacity depends on the permittivity of the matter which is in the immediate vicinity of the electrodes. If, for example, a finger whose water content has a much higher permittivity than the surrounding air near this arrangement causes a change in the capacitance between the electrodes, which determines the two-dimensional XY position of the finger on or above the grating can be - so a finger is pulled over the grid, also wanders the change in capacitance between the electrodes. In the present case, the XY sensor unit 5 comprises the RX and TX electrodes 14a and 14b, the key body 2a being non-metallic.

Optionally, the XY sensor unit 5 may comprise a cover layer 15 covering the electrodes 14a, 14b and having the following purpose: In a capacitive sensor, the field strength between the capacitively acting objects and the electrodes decreases quadratically with their distance from each other - that is in that the field strength can be extremely large at a very small distance and can lead to disproportionate sensor signals in the case of movement-tolerant objects in the electric field at a small distance from the electrodes, with which results which can no longer be reasonably processed can be achieved. Due to the covering layer 15, these very short distances between the sensor electrodes and the movement-tolerant capacitive objects are increased and therefore the dynamic range is optimized and the usable sensor signal is conditioned.

With such a key, e.g. in musical instruments - rather than just one-dimensional in the Z-direction - by detecting the X-Y positions e.g. a finger on the key for each key to individually provide further tone expressions such as e.g. Vibrato, timbre, tremolo, sound and volume variations, etc.

In another embodiment, the Z-sensor unit 8 may comprise a capacitive pressure sensor instead of an inductive one, wherein (i) the transmission element 7 is a capacitive electrode embedded at least partially in an elastic electrically conductive substrate 10 ', (ii) the sensing element 9 and (iii) via the conductive substrate 10 'is an electrical connection between the transmission element 7 and the unit 8, so that the transmission element 7 and the detection element 9 form a plate capacitor whose Signals on the unit 8 are available for further processing. In such a capacitive pressure sensor is the Capacitance change therefore evaluated as a sensor effect due to the change in the distance between the electrode of the transmission element 7 and the electrode of the sensing element 9. The substrate 10 'may consist of silicone, which is mixed with a homogeneous mixture of electrically conductive fillers.

In yet another embodiment, the Z-sensor unit 8 may comprise a magnetic sensor, wherein (i) the transmission element 7 is a magnet embedded at least partially in an elastic electrically insulating substrate 10, the north pole of which points vertically upwards or downwards, and ( ii) the detection element 9 is a HALL sensor. If current flows through the HALL sensor, which is located in the perpendicular magnetic field of the transmission element 7, the HALL sensor supplies an electrical voltage that is proportional to the product of magnetic flux density and applied current - this voltage changes with that through the Triggering the button changing distance between magnet and HALL sensor.

The above-described embodiments of the key according to the invention can be illuminated according to another aspect of the present invention. For this purpose, the button includes, like the Fig. 2 can be seen, further extending from the upper end of the shaft 3 below the key body 2a horizontally outwardly extension 20, which may be integrally formed with the shaft. Shaft 3 and extension 20 are made of a translucent material and together form a light guide which is firmly connected by a suitable method with the key body 2a as by deformation, bonding, casting, etc. Vertically below the shaft 3 of the key unit 2 is a Light source 21, which may be, for example, an LED, arranged, the light exits vertically upward and enters the shaft 3 from below. In the vertically upper region of the light guide above the shaft 3, a first optical device 22 is arranged to the in horizontal from the light source 21 in the shaft 3 occurred light Redirecting direction in the surface of the extension 20. This first optical device 22 may be, for example, a free-form tapered lens, which consists in a funnel-like depression in the light guide. It is a Kegellinsentyp, which is developed so that the vertically from below into the shaft 3 occurred light on the one hand is deflected horizontally by a major part of the light is brought into the total reflection at the interface of the lens 22, and on the other hand, a part the light also radiates straight up through the lens. Fig. 2 and 3D show in cross-section such a lens 22 in the form of a funnel-like depression, which has no tip in its lower region, but is rounded, and whose lateral surface is curved.

Alternatively, the button illuminated in this way may further comprise a second optical device 23 arranged in the vertically lower region of the shaft 3, with which the light which has entered the shaft 3 from the light source 21 is focused in the direction of the first optical device 22 (collimation). This second optical device 23 may e.g. a free-form converging lens for coupling the light, which consists in a suitable surface shaping of the lower end of the shaft 3. In particular, the surface molding can thus be formed with convex and concave sections - e.g. Wavy - be configured that it deflects a large part of the light on the lateral surface of the free-form tapered lens 22.

Optionally, the illuminated button may further include at least one arranged on the underside of the extension 20 light scattering element 24. This light scattering element 24 serves to deflect light radiating downwards in the light guide in such a way that the light is reflected upwards, and can e.g. Surface structures on the underside of the extension 20 - e.g. in the form of spherical caps - include.

FIGS. 3A-F show different views of the consisting of shaft 3 and extension 20 optical fiber, with the first and second optical Devices 22 and 23 and the light scattering element 24 is provided. Fig. 4 shows a cross section through just this light guide with the light path.

Optionally, furthermore, the first optical device 22 may be filled with the material constituting the key body 2a so as to correct for brightness concentrations in the center of the operation surface 2b. The material may be silicone.

Further optionally, the key body 2a may be made of silicone and the first optical device 22 may be filled with silicone. Furthermore, the material constituting the key body 2a may be pigmented with titanium dioxide or aluminum oxide. Likewise, the shaft 3 and the extension 20, which together form the light guide, may be pigmented with titanium dioxide or aluminum oxide. This pigmentation achieves light scattering.

With such a lit button, e.g. show a currently played note or key as well as the key status or other visual signaling.

It should be noted that the frame 1 may be an integral part of a device housing or a device cover or front panel in which or the key according to the invention is installed. Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the frame 1 with a plurality of juxtaposed keys, as described above. In this case, the frame 1 has Verschraubungsdome 25 extending from the frame 1 via the XY sensor unit 5 and the substrate 10 with the transmission element 7 to the Z-sensor unit and serve to screw them firmly together. Furthermore, the frame 1 has spacer projections 26 which space the frame away from the XY sensor unit 5.

Fig. 6 shows an exploded view of several arranged in a grid inventive buttons.

• Absatz 1. Eine derart beleuchtete Taste umfasst die folgenden Merkmale:
  • eine in einem festen Rahmen 1 vertikal in Z-Richtung beweglich aufgehängte Tasten-Einheit 2 mit einem Tastenkorpus 2a, der eine obere Betätigungsfläche 2b aufweist, und mindestens einem sich vertikal vom Tastenkorpus nach unten erstreckenden zentralen Schaft 3, der sich an seinem oberen Ende unterhalb des Tastenkorpus 2a horizontal in einen Fortsatz 20 erstreckt, wobei Schaft 3 und Fortsatz 20 aus einem lichtdurchlässigen Material bestehen, sodass sie gemeinsam einen Lichtleiter bilden, der weiterhin fest mit dem Tastenkorpus 2a verbunden ist;
  • eine vertikal unterhalb des Schafts 3 angeordnete Lichtquelle 21, deren Licht vertikal nach oben austritt und von unten in den Schaft 3 eintritt;
  • eine im vertikal oberen Bereich des Lichtleiters oberhalb des Schafts 3 angeordnete erste optische Vorrichtung 22 zum Umlenken des aus der Lichtquelle 21 in den Schaft 3 eingetretenen Lichts in horizontaler Richtung in die Fläche des Fortsatzes 20.
• Absatz 2. Beleuchtete Taste nach Absatz 1, wobei die erste optische Vorrichtung 22 eine Freiform-Kegellinse ist.
• Absatz 3. Beleuchtete Taste nach Absatz 1 oder 2, weiterhin umfassend eine im vertikal unteren Bereich des Schafts 3 angeordnete zweite optische Vorrichtung 23 zur Kollimation des aus der Lichtquelle 21 in den Schaft 3 eingetretenen Lichts in Richtung der ersten optischen Vorrichtung 22.
• Absatz 4. Beleuchtete Taste nach einem der Absätze 1 - 3, wobei die zweite optische Vorrichtung 23 eine Freiform-Sammellinse zum Einkoppeln des Lichts ist.
• Absatz 5. Beleuchtete Taste nach Absatz 2 und 4, wobei die Freiform-Sammellinse 23 so ausgestaltet ist, dass sie einen Grossteil des Lichts auf die Mantelfläche der Freiform-Kegellinse (22) umlenkt.
• Absatz 6. Beleuchtete Taste nach einem der Absätze 1 - 5, weiterhin umfassend mindestens ein an der Unterseite des Fortsatzes 20 angeordnetes Lichtstreuungselement 24 zum Umlenken von im Lichtleiter nach unten strahlendem Licht in der Weise, dass es nach oben reflektiert wird.
• Absatz 7. Beleuchtete Taste nach Absatz 6, wobei das Lichtstreuungselement 24 Oberflächenstrukturen an der Unterseite des Fortsatzes 20 umfasst.
• Absatz 8. Beleuchtete Taste nach einem der Absätze 1 - 7, wobei die erste optische Vorrichtung 22 mit dem Material, aus dem der Tastenkorpus 2a besteht, gefüllt ist, um Helligkeitskonzentrationen in der Mitte der Betätigungsfläche 2b zu korrigieren.
• Absatz 9. Beleuchtete Taste nach Absatz 8, wobei der Tastenkorpus 2a aus Silikon besteht und die erste optische Vorrichtung 22 mit Silikon gefuellt ist.
• Absatz 10. Beleuchtete Taste nach einem der Absätze 1 - 9, wobei das Material, aus dem der Tastenkorpus 2a besteht, mit Titandioxid oder Aluminuimoxid pigmentiert ist.
• Absatz 11. Beleuchtete Taste nach einem der Absätze 1 - 10, wobei der Schaft 3 und der Fortsatz 20, die den Lichtleiter bilden, mit Titandioxid oder Aluminiumoxid pigmentiert sind.

It should also be noted that the illumination disclosed above as a supplement to the previously described button may find use in other buttons, which need not necessarily have all the features of the previously described button.

• Paragraph 1. A key illuminated in this way has the following features:
  • a key unit 2 movably suspended in a fixed frame 1 vertically in the Z-direction, comprising a key body 2a having an upper actuating surface 2b and at least one central shaft 3 extending vertically downwardly from the key body and extending below at its upper end the key body 2a extends horizontally into an extension 20, wherein the shaft 3 and extension 20 are made of a translucent material, so that they together form a light guide, which is further firmly connected to the key body 2a;
  • a vertically disposed below the shaft 3 light source 21, the light exits vertically upward and enters from below into the shaft 3;
  • a first optical device 22 arranged in the vertically upper region of the light guide above the shaft 3 for deflecting the light which has entered the shaft 3 from the light source 21 in the horizontal direction into the surface of the extension 20.
• Paragraph 2. The illuminated button of paragraph 1, wherein the first optical device 22 is a free-form tapered lens.
• Paragraph 3. Illuminated button according to paragraph 1 or 2, further comprising a second optical device 23 arranged in the vertically lower region of the shaft 3 for collimating the light which has entered the shaft 3 from the light source 21 in the direction of the first optical device 22.
• Paragraph 4. Illuminated key according to any one of paragraphs 1 - 3, wherein the second optical device 23 is a free-form converging lens for coupling in the light.
• Paragraph 5. Illuminated button according to paragraph 2 and 4, wherein the free-form converging lens 23 is designed so that it deflects a large part of the light on the lateral surface of the free-form tapered lens (22).
• Paragraph 6. Illuminated button according to any one of paragraphs 1-5, further comprising at least one arranged on the underside of the extension 20 light scattering element 24 for deflecting downwards in the light guide light in such a way that it is reflected upwards.
• Paragraph 7. Illuminated button according to paragraph 6, wherein the light scattering element 24 surface structures on the underside of the extension 20 includes.
• Paragraph 8. Illuminated button according to any one of paragraphs 1-7, wherein the first optical device 22 is filled with the material constituting the key body 2a to correct for brightness concentrations in the center of the operation surface 2b.
• Paragraph 9. Illuminated button according to paragraph 8, wherein the key body 2a is made of silicone and the first optical device 22 is filled with silicone.
• Paragraph 10. Illuminated key according to any one of paragraphs 1-9, wherein the material constituting the key body 2a is pigmented with titanium dioxide or aluminum oxide.
• Paragraph 11. Illuminated button according to any one of paragraphs 1 - 10, wherein the shaft 3 and the extension 20, which form the light guide, are pigmented with titanium dioxide or aluminum oxide.

Claims (27)

Button, comprising a key unit (2) movably suspended in a fixed frame (1) vertically in the Z-direction, comprising a key body (2a) having an upper actuating surface (2b) and at least one shank extending vertically downwards from the key body ( 3); - A vertically below the key body (2a) through an air gap (4) spaced and fixed to the frame (1) connected XY sensor unit (5) for detecting XY positions on the actuating surface (2b), wherein the XY Sensor unit (5) has at least one opening (6) for the at least one shaft (3) through which the shaft (3) can move vertically; - At least one vertically below the at least one shaft (3) elastically suspended transmission element (7), which is moved vertically downward in the downward movement of the at least one shaft (3); and - A below the at least one transmission element (7) vertically spaced and fixed to the frame (1) connected to Z-sensor unit (8) with at least one detection element (9) for detecting the vertical downward movement of the at least one transmission element (7). The key according to claim 1, wherein the Z-sensor unit (8) comprises an inductive sensor, the detection element (9) is an induction coil, and the transmission element (7) comprises a metallic material. Button according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transmission element (7) embedded in an elastic electrically insulating substrate (10) and at least partially enclosed by this or applied thereto. Button according to claim 3, wherein an air gap (11) is provided in the substrate (10) vertically below the transmission element (7) at a distance. Button according to claim 4, wherein the substrate (10) in the region of the air gap (11) has at least one semicircular or conical spring-elastic projection (12) which projects into the air gap (11). A key according to any one of claims 3-5, wherein the substrate (10) is made of silicone. Button according to one of claims 1 - 6, wherein the Z-sensor unit (8) comprises a substrate (13) and the detection element (9) is located vertically on top of the substrate (13) and / or at least partially into the substrate (13). 13) is embedded. A key according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the X-Y sensor unit (5) comprises a capacitive sensor with RX and TX electrodes (14a, 14b) and the key body (2a) is non-metallic. A key according to claim 8, wherein the X-Y sensor unit (5) comprises a cover layer (15) covering the electrodes (14a, 14b). A key according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the key body (2a) is suspended on the frame (1) via a motion bead (16) surrounding it. Button according to one of claims 1 - 10, wherein the XY sensor unit (5) on its upper side or the key body on its underside horizontally outside of the shaft (3) at least one semicircular or conical resilient projection (17) which in the Air gap (4) protrudes. Button according to claim 4 or 5, wherein between the air gaps (4, 11) at least one pressure equalization line (18a) is provided and wherein the air gap (11) further by at least one by the Z-sensor unit (8) extending pressure equalization line (18b ) is vented to the environment. A key according to any one of claims 1-12, wherein the X-Y sensor unit (5) and the Z-sensor unit (8) are fixedly spaced from one another by at least one spacer (19) provided vertically therebetween. The key of claim 1, wherein the Z-sensor unit (8) comprises a capacitive sensor, wherein - The transmission element (7) is at least partially embedded in an elastic electrically conductive substrate (10 ') capacitive electrode; - The detection element (9) is an opposite the transfer element (7) and the substrate (10 ') electrically insulated embedded electrode; and - Over the conductive substrate (10 ') an electrical connection between the transmission element (7) and the unit (8). A key according to claim 14, wherein the substrate (10 ') is made of silicone mixed with a homogeneous mixture of electrically conductive fillers. The key of claim 1, wherein the Z-sensor unit (8) comprises a magnetic sensor, wherein - The transmission element (7) is at least partially embedded in an elastic electrically insulating substrate (10) magnet whose north pole points vertically upwards or downwards; and - The detection element (9) is a HALL sensor. A key according to any one of claims 1-16, wherein furthermore - The shaft (3) extends at its upper end below the key body (2a) horizontally in an extension (20), said shaft (3) and extension (20) made of a translucent material, so that they together form a light guide, the further firmly connected to the key body (2a); - Vertically below the shaft (3) a light source (21) is arranged, the light emerges vertically upwards and enters from below into the shaft (3); and - In the vertical upper portion of the light guide above the shaft (3), a first optical device (22) for deflecting the light from the light source (21) in the shaft (3) occurred light in the horizontal direction in the surface of the extension (20) is arranged , The key of claim 17, wherein the first optical device (22) is a free-form tapered lens. A key according to claim 17 or 18, further comprising a second optical device (23) arranged in the vertically lower region of the shaft (3) for collimating the light which has entered the shaft (3) from the light source (21) in the direction of the first optical device (Fig. 22). A key according to any one of claims 17-19, wherein the second optical device (23) is a free-form converging lens for coupling the light. The key of claim 18 and 20, wherein the free-form converging lens (23) is configured to deflect a majority of the light onto the peripheral surface of the free-form tapered lens (22). A key according to any one of claims 17 to 21, further comprising at least one disposed on the underside of the extension (20) Light scattering element (24) for redirecting downward in the light guide light in such a way that it is reflected upward. The key of claim 22, wherein the light diffusing element (24) comprises surface structures on the underside of the extension (20). A key according to any one of claims 17-23, wherein the first optical device (22) is filled with the material constituting the key body (2a) to correct for brightness concentrations in the center of the actuating surface (2b). The key of claim 24, wherein the key body (2a) is made of silicone and the first optical device (22) is filled with silicone. A key according to any one of claims 17 to 25, wherein the material constituting the key body (2a) is pigmented with titanium dioxide or aluminum oxide. A key as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 26, wherein the shaft (3) and extension (20) forming the optical fiber are pigmented with titanium dioxide or aluminum oxide.

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