Patent ID: 8854309

Claim:
A user interface for an electronic device, comprising: a structure defining one or more keys, wherein the structure comprises: a top layer, a base layer, and an interior layer disposed between the top layer and the base layer, wherein: each of the top layer, the base layer, and the interior layer comprise a magnetically permeable material; and at least one of the top layer, the base layer, or the interior layer comprises a pliant material; a substrate layer disposed between the top layer and the base layer, the substrate layer comprising an electrical conductor defining a coil corresponding to each key; wherein the magnetically permeable material and the coil define an inductance; an energy storage device selectively operable with the coil; and a control unit operable with the coil and the energy storage device configured to: detect a change in the inductance when the pliant material is compressed; and where the change is greater than a predefined threshold, to discharge the energy storage device into the coil.