PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING TACTILE TOUCH-SENSITIVE INPUT DEVICE AND METHOD OF PROTECTING SAME

摘要

A portable electronic device includes a housing with a base. A touch-sensitive
input
assembly is spaced from and moveable relative to the base and a stopping
arrangement
limits movement of the touch-sensitive input assembly in the direction of the
base. An
actuating arrangement including a piezo disk actuator is disposed between the
touch-sensitive input assembly and the base for selectively receiving an
applied voltage to
thereby apply a force to the touch-sensitive input assembly. An accelerometer
and
functional components are housed within the housing. The functional components

include a memory and a processor operably connected to the memory, the touch-
sensitive
input assembly, the piezo disk actuator, and the accelerometer for executing a

program stored in the memory for monitoring signals from the accelerometer
and, if a fall
is detected based on the signals from the accelerometer, applying a negative
voltage to
the piezo disk actuator causing reverse bending of the piezo disk actuator to
permit the
stopping arrangement to limit movement of the touch-sensitive input assembly
and
thereby limit force exerted on the piezo disk actuator between the touch-
sensitive input
assembly and the base.