Computer keyboard with quantitatively force-sensing keys
First Claim
1. A computer keyboard, comprising:
- a plurality of keys, each key of the plurality having an unpressed condition in which no force is exerted upon the key by a user and a pressed condition in which force is exerted on the key by a user; and
a force detection circuit configured to;
scan each key of the plurality to determine if a scanned key is in a pressed condition, quantify, upon determining that a scanned key is in a pressed condition, the force exerted by a user on said key determined to be in a pressed condition, and proceed, upon determining that a scanned key is not in a pressed condition, to another key of said plurality without attempting to determine a force exerted on the key determined not to be in a pressed condition.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computer keyboard has a grid of conductors forming a plurality of intersections, with force-sensitive resistor (FSR) elements located between the conductors at the intersections. A plurality of keys are located above the intersections and exert force on the conductors and FSR elements during key presses. A resistor network sub-circuit is connected to some of the conductors, and is switchable between low and high resistance values. An Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) is coupled to the resistor network sub-circuit. A microprocessor grounds a conductor and tests another conductor for a threshold voltage level while the resistor network is switched to the high resistance value. The microprocessor switches the resistor network to the low resistance value upon detecting the threshold voltage level and subsequently receives from the ADC a digital value of a voltage on the tested conductor.
170 Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A computer keyboard, comprising:
-
a plurality of keys, each key of the plurality having an unpressed condition in which no force is exerted upon the key by a user and a pressed condition in which force is exerted on the key by a user; and
a force detection circuit configured to;
scan each key of the plurality to determine if a scanned key is in a pressed condition, quantify, upon determining that a scanned key is in a pressed condition, the force exerted by a user on said key determined to be in a pressed condition, and proceed, upon determining that a scanned key is not in a pressed condition, to another key of said plurality without attempting to determine a force exerted on the key determined not to be in a pressed condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A computer keyboard, comprising
a grid of first group conductors and second group conductors, the first and second group conductors forming a plurality of intersections; -
a force-sensitive resistive element at each intersection of the plurality located between the first and second group conductor forming said intersection;
a plurality of keys located above the plurality of intersections, each key being associated with one intersection and configured to exert force on the conductors and force-sensitive resistive element of the associated intersection during a key press;
a microprocessor having a plurality of first group conductor pins each in contact with one of the first group conductors and a plurality of second group conductor pins each in contact with one of the second group conductors;
a sub-circuit connected to at least one of the second group conductors, the sub-circuit having a resistor network switchable by the microprocessor between a low resistance value and a high resistance value; and
an Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) coupled to the sub-circuit and to the microprocessor. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A microprocessor having preprogrammed instructions for performing steps comprising:
-
placing a detection circuit in a first state in which an identity of a pressed keyboard key is determined;
placing the detection circuit in a second state in which an amount of force applied to a pressed key is measured;
scanning each key of a keyboard for pressed keys by testing each key for a key press when the detection circuit is in the first state;
measuring, when the detection circuit is in the second state and only as to pressed keys, the force applied to the pressed keys. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
Specification