Combined fingerprint reader/power button system
A fingerprint reader/power button system includes a base member defining base leg apertures extending into the base member. A spring member engages the base member to provide a spring force that is directed away from the base member. Spring legs on the spring member define respective spring leg apertures that are located adjacent respective base leg apertures. A support member engages the spring member and includes support legs that are configured to extend through the spring leg apertures and into the base leg apertures. A power actuator element connected to the support member is configured to engage a power actuator engagement element when an actuation force on the support member overcomes the spring force. A fingerprint reader connected to the support member is configured to read a fingerprint from a finger that engages a fingerprint reader surface on the fingerprint reader.
1. A fingerprint reader/power button system, comprising:
a base member defining a plurality of base leg apertures that extend into the base member from a first surface on the base member;
a spring member that engages the first surface of the base member to provide a spring force that is directed away from the first surface of the base member, wherein the spring member includes a plurality of spring legs that define respective spring leg apertures that are located adjacent respective base leg apertures;
a support member that is located opposite the spring member from the base member, that engages the spring member and that includes a plurality of support legs that are configured to extend through the spring leg apertures and into the base leg apertures;
a power actuator element that is connected to the support member and that is configured to engage a power actuator engagement element when an actuation force is provided on the support member that overcomes the spring force; and
a fingerprint reader that is connected to the support member and that is configured to read a fingerprint from a finger that engages a fingerprint reader surface on the fingerprint reader.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the power actuator engagement element is positioned on the first surface of the base member.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the power actuator engagement element is included on the spring member.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the spring member includes a respective spring leg that is located adjacent each of the plurality of base leg apertures, wherein each respective spring leg engages the support member adjacent a respective support leg to provide a respective portion of the spring force that is directed away from the first surface of the base member.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the spring member includes a first spring leg that defines a first subset of the plurality of spring leg apertures that are each located adjacent respective base leg apertures and that engages the base member to provide a first portion of the spring force that is directed away from the first surface of the base member, and a second spring leg that defines a second subset of the plurality of spring leg apertures that are each located adjacent respective base leg apertures and that engages the base member to provide a second portion of the spring force that is directed away from the first surface of the base member.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of base leg apertures extend from the first surface on the base member and through the base member to a second surface on the base member that is opposite the base member from the first surface, and wherein the plurality of support legs on the support member are configured to not extend past second surface of the base member when the power actuator element engages the power actuator engagement element.
7. An Information Handling System (IHS), comprising:
a chassis;
a keyboard that is included on the chassis;
a base member that is included in the chassis and that defines a plurality of base leg apertures that extend into the base member from a first surface on the base member;
a spring member that engages the first surface of the base member to provide a spring force that is directed away from the first surface of the base member, wherein the spring member includes a plurality of spring legs that define respective spring leg apertures that are located adjacent respective base leg apertures;
a support member that is located opposite the spring member from the base member, that engages the spring member and that includes a plurality of support legs that are configured to extend through the spring leg apertures and into the base leg apertures;
a power actuator element that is connected to the support member and that is configured to engage a power actuator engagement element when an actuation force is provided on the support member that overcomes the spring force; and
a fingerprint reader that is included in a key that is connected to the support member, wherein the fingerprint reader is configured to read a fingerprint from a finger that engages a fingerprint reader surface on the fingerprint reader that provides an external surface of the key.
8. The IHS of claim 7 , wherein the power actuator engagement element is positioned on the first surface of the base member.
9. The IHS of claim 7 , wherein the power actuator engagement element is included on the spring member.
10. The IHS of claim 7 , wherein the spring member includes a respective spring leg that is located adjacent each of the plurality of base leg apertures, wherein each respective spring leg engages the support member adjacent a respective support leg to provide a respective portion of the spring force that is directed away from the first surface of the base member.
11. The IHS of claim 7 , wherein the spring member includes a first spring leg that defines a first subset of the plurality of spring leg apertures that are each located adjacent respective base leg apertures and that engages the base member to provide a first portion of the spring force that is directed away from the first surface of the base member, and a second spring leg that defines a second subset of the plurality of spring leg apertures that are each located adjacent respective base leg apertures and that engages the base member to provide a second portion of the spring force that is directed away from the first surface of the base member.
12. The IHS of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of base leg apertures extend from the first surface on the base member and through the base member to a second surface on the base member that is opposite the base member from the first surface, and wherein the plurality of support legs on the support member are configured to not extend past second surface of the base member when the power actuator element engages the power actuator engagement element.
13. The IHS of claim 7 , further comprising:
a processing system that is included in the chassis and coupled to the fingerprint reader.
14. A method for providing a combined fingerprint reader/power button, comprising:
reading, using a fingerprint reader that is included in a key that is connected to a support member, a fingerprint from a finger that engages a fingerprint reader surface on the fingerprint reader that provides an external surface of the key;
receiving, via the external surface of the key, an actuation force that is transmitted via the key to the support member;
moving, in response to the actuation force, the support member;
compressing, in response to the movement of the support member, a spring member that is located between the support member and a base member and engages the support member and the base member to provide a spring force that is less than the actuation force and that is directed away from the base member and towards the support member, wherein the spring member includes a plurality of spring legs that define respective spring leg apertures that are located adjacent respective base leg apertures that are defined by the base member and that extend into the base member from a first surface on the base member;
extending, in response to the movement of the support member and the compression of the spring member, a plurality of support legs that are included on the support member through respective spring leg apertures defined by the plurality of spring legs and into respective base leg apertures defined by the base member; and
engaging, with a power actuator engagement element in response to the movement of the support member and the compression of the spring member, a power actuator element that is connected to the support member.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the power actuator engagement element is positioned on the first surface of the base member.
16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the power actuator engagement element is included on the spring member.
17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the spring member includes a respective spring leg that is located adjacent each of the plurality of base leg apertures, wherein each respective spring leg engages the support member adjacent a respective support leg to provide a respective portion of the spring force that is directed away from the base member.
18. The method of claim 14 , wherein the spring member includes a first spring leg that defines a first subset of the plurality of spring leg apertures that are each located adjacent respective base leg apertures and that engages the base member to provide a first portion of the spring force that is directed away from the base member, and a second spring leg that defines a second subset of the plurality of spring leg apertures that are each located adjacent respective base leg apertures and that engages the base member to provide a second portion of the spring force that is directed away from the base member.
19. The method of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of base leg apertures extend from the first surface on the base member and through the base member to a second surface on the base member that is opposite the base member from the first surface, and wherein the plurality of support legs on the support member are configured to not extend past second surface of the base member when the power actuator element engages the power actuator engagement element.
20. The method of claim 14 , wherein the key is included on a keyboard having a chassis, and wherein the base member is included in the chassis.