Patent ID: 8847742

Claim:
A keypad assembly comprising: an embossed keypad including a top and a bottom surface, the embossed keypad including a plurality of embossed keys on the top surface; a capacitive sensor layer configured to transmit input signals when an object is detected near to an embossed key in the plurality of embossed keys, the capacitive sensor layer being located below the bottom surface of the embossed keypad; an actuator located below the capacitive sensor layer and moveable between a first position and a second position; and a driver configured to cause the actuator to move between the first position and the second position in response to the detection of the presence of an object near to an embossed key in the embossed keypad, wherein the actuator and driver are provided by a piezoelectric assembly comprising at least one piezoelectric element and having an unactuated state and an actuated state, wherein the keypad assembly is in the first position when the piezoelectric assembly is in the unactuated state and the keypad assembly is in the second position when the piezoelectric assembly is in the actuated state, and wherein the keypad assembly moves between the first position and the second position in response to changes in a voltage applied to the piezoelectric element.