Patent ID: 8913038

Claim:
An electronic device with a proximity sensing button, comprising: a mechanical push key comprising a push button switch, a first detection pad, and a upper layer structure located on the first detection pad, wherein the push button switch comprises two disconnected electrical terminals, and is operable to electrically connect the two disconnected electrical terminals in response to activation of the push button switch, and the first detection pad comprises a metal pad formed on a printed circuit board located on the push button switch; and a controller electrically connected to the first detection pad through a bus, and operable to detect a first touch operation in a first proximity region of the first detection pad by detecting capacitance changes of the metal area, wherein a upper surface of the upper cover structure is structured to receive the first touch operation; wherein the push button switch comprises a space for operation of the push button switch between the first detection pad and the two electrical terminals, and a distance from the upper cover structure to the two electrical terminals exceeds thickness of the upper cover structure; wherein an upper surface of the upper cover structure is structured to receive the first touch operation, a lower surface of the upper cover structure is structured to assemble with the first detection pad such that the thickness of the upper cover structure substantially defines a distance from the first detection pad to the upper surface of the upper cover structure.