KEY WITH ENHANCED EXPRESSIVE POSSIBILITIES

A button unit is suspended vertically and has a button body with an actuating surface and a shaft extending downwardly therefrom. An X-Y sensor unit is arranged below the button body for detecting X-Y positions on the actuating surface. The X-Y sensor unit has one opening such that the shaft can move therethrough. One transfer element is elastically suspended below the shaft and moved downwardly upon downward movement of the shaft. A Z sensor unit is arranged below the transfer element. The Z sensor unit has a detection element for detecting downward movement of the transfer element. The X-Y sensor unit may include a capacitive sensor. The Z sensor unit may include an inductive sensor, a capacitive sensor, or a magnetic sensor. The shaft and the extension may include a translucent material to form a light guide for illuminating the button body via a light source.