Keyboard key employing a capacitive sensor and dome

• US 10,254,851 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2017
• Issued: 04/09/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Leong, Craig C., Niu, James J., Brock, John M., Hendren, Keith J., Wilson, Jr., Thomas W., Andre, Bartley K., Silvanto, Mikael, Mathew, Dinesh C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Girardi, Vanessa
• Application Number:
  US15/649,840
• Publication Number:
  US 20170315624A1
• Time in Patent Office: 634 Days
• Field of Search: 200314, 200344, 200 5 A, 200310-313, 345174, 345168, 345170
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/021 Arrangements integrating additional peripherals in a keyboard, e.g. card or barcode reader, optical scanner
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0443 using a single layer of sensing electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/70 having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard mounting together a plurality of independent switches H02B
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/83 characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements

Abstract

Multi-functional keyboard assemblies include an array of keys formed from stacked component layers. A top portion of the key may be capable of travelling vertically with respect to a base of the key. The top portion can include a keycap and a circuitry module coupled to the keycap. The keys may be capable of receive at least two distinct types of inputs and/or receiving at least one type of input and providing at least one type of output. Such output may include use of one or more light sources, displays, and/or haptic feedback devices.

Claims

1. A key of a keyboard, the key comprising:

a keycap defining an input surface;

a capacitive sensor coupled to the keycap and positioned below the input surface;

a substructure positioned below the capacitive sensor and including a first set of anchoring features;

a support mechanism that moveably couples the substructure to a base, the support mechanism including a first set of anchoring mechanisms that engage the first set of anchoring features of the substructure; and

a flex electrically connected to the capacitive sensor and extending between the capacitive sensor and the base;

wherein

the base includes a second set of anchoring features and the support mechanism includes a second set of anchoring mechanisms that engage the second set of anchoring features of the base.

2. The key of claim 1, wherein:

the keycap defines a rectangular profile having four corners;

the first set of anchoring features includes four anchoring features; and

each anchoring feature is positioned proximate a respective corner of the keycap.

3. The key of claim 1, wherein:

an upper surface of the capacitive sensor is attached to the keycap; and

a lower surface of the capacitive sensor is attached to the substructure.

4. A key of a keyboard, the key comprising:

a keycap defining an input surface;

a capacitive sensor coupled to the keycap and positioned below the input surface;

a substructure positioned below the capacitive sensor and including a set of anchoring features;

a support mechanism that moveably couples the substructure to a base, the support mechanism including a set of anchoring mechanisms that engage the set of anchoring features of the substructure; and

a flex electrically connected to the capacitive sensor and extending between the capacitive sensor and the base;

wherein;

the set of anchoring features includes a pair of clip features;

the set of anchoring mechanisms includes a pair of pins; and

the pair of pins pivotally engage the pair of clip features.

5. The key of claim 4, wherein the support mechanism comprises a scissor mechanism.

6. The key of claim 4, wherein the substructure is attached to the keycap.

7. The key of claim 4, wherein the substructure retains the capacitive sensor to the keycap.

8. The key of claim 4, wherein the flex extends across a lower surface of the capacitive sensor.

9. The key of claim 4, wherein:

the capacitive sensor further comprises a switch disposed between the substructure and the base; and

the switch closes a circuit in response to a depression of the keycap.

10. A keyboard, comprising:

a housing that defines a set of openings;

a set of keys positioned in the set of openings, the set of keys including a sensor key that comprises;

a keycap;

a capacitive sensor positioned within the keycap;

a substructure positioned within the keycap and defining a set of anchoring features wherein each of the set of anchoring features is positioned proximate to a respective corner of the capacitive sensor;

a compressible dome positioned below the substructure;

a support mechanism attached to the set of anchoring features of the substructure and configured to allow translation of the keycap to compress the compressible dome; and

a flex electrically connected to the capacitive sensor and configured to bend in response to the translation of the keycap.

11. The keyboard of claim 10, wherein the set of anchoring features includes a hook.

12. The keyboard of claim 10, wherein the set of anchoring features includes a clip feature.

13. The keyboard of claim 10, wherein translation of the keycap causes the substructure to compress the compressible dome.

14. The keyboard of claim 10, wherein the flex is positioned between the capacitive sensor and the substructure.

15. The keyboard of claim 10, further comprising an adhesive coupling the capacitive sensor to the keycap.

16. The keyboard of claim 10, wherein the capacitive sensor is operable to detect a swipe of a finger across the keycap.

17. The keyboard of claim 10, wherein capacitive sensors are omitted from the set of keys of the keyboard other than the sensor key.

18. A keyboard, comprising:

a housing that defines a set of openings;

a feature plate positioned within the housing;

a set of keys positioned over the feature plate and within the set of openings, the set of keys including a sensor key comprising;

a keycap defining an upper surface and a lower surface;

a capacitive sensor attached to the lower surface of the keycap;

a substructure coupled to the capacitive sensor and including a set of anchoring features;

a flex that electrically connects the capacitive sensor to circuitry;

a dome switch positioned between the flex and the feature plate; and

a scissor mechanism engaged with the set of anchoring features and translatably couples the substructure to the feature plate.

19. The keyboard of claim 18, wherein each of the set of anchoring features is positioned along respective edges of the substructure.

20. The keyboard of claim 18, further comprising a sensor membrane mounted between the dome switch and the feature plate.

21. The keyboard of claim 18, wherein:

the keycap defines a set of sidewalls; and

the capacitive sensor is contained within an area defined by the set of sidewalls.

22. The keyboard of claim 18, wherein the set of anchoring features include first and second pairs of anchoring features that are offset with respect to each other.

23. The keyboard of claim 22, wherein:

the first pair of anchoring features define a pair of clips configured to receive a pair of pins; and

the second pair of anchoring features define a pair of openings configured to receive a pair of tabs.