Patent ID: 8658929

Claim:
A switch comprising: a mechanical actuator configured to control a function associated with the switch, wherein the mechanical actuator comprises: a first arm coupled to the face; a second arm coupled to the face; and a hinge coupling connecting the first arm and the second arm, whereby a force exerted along either the first arm or the second arm causes both the first arm and the second arm to depress; a face coupled to the actuator, the face configured to depress in response to a force applied to at least a portion of the face, whereby depression of the face engages the actuator to control the function associated with the switch, wherein the face includes a plurality of segments, each segment to control a respective additional function associated with the switch; and a respective touch sensor coupled to each respective segment of the plurality of segments, wherein each touch sensor is configured to control the function associated with its respective segment in response to detecting human skin in contact with the segment.