Patent ID: 7253720

Claim:
A programmable push button to initiate an external event, said push button comprising: a push button body; a pushing surface supported by said push button body and adapted to move relative to said push button body in response to a pushing force applied to said pushing surface; a force transmitting member carried by and movable with said pushing surface; a pressure responsive member supported by said push button body and aligned with said force transmitting member carried by said pushing surface, such that a pushing force applied to said pushing surface causes said pushing surface to move relative to said push button body and said force transmitting member to apply a corresponding pressure against said pressure responsive member, said pressure responsive member generating an output electrical signal in response to the pressure applied thereto; an electronic switch responsive to said output electrical signal generated by said pressure responsive member for providing power to initiate the external event; and a microcontroller electrically connected between said pressure responsive member and said electronic switch, said microcontroller receiving the output electrical signal generated by said pressure responsive member and generating a switching signal to operate said electronic switch, whereby power is provided to initiate the external event.