Haptic Keyboard Systems and Methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- providing a keyboard having a plurality of keys or keyboard elements;
detecting a switch closure associated with a user touching a key or keyboard element;
responsive to said switch closure, applying one or more drive voltages to an electrically-deformable material connected to the key or keyboard element sufficient to provide single or multi-vectored movement to the key or keyboard element.
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Abstract
Various embodiments provide keyboards that utilize electrically-deformable material as an actuating mechanism to provide haptic feedback to a user of the keyboard. In at least some embodiments, the electrically-deformable material is utilized to impart, to a depressed key or keyboard element, a multi-vectored movement that produces a perceived acceleration of the key or keyboard element thus providing a user with haptic feedback which simulates a snapover movement.
80 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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providing a keyboard having a plurality of keys or keyboard elements; detecting a switch closure associated with a user touching a key or keyboard element; responsive to said switch closure, applying one or more drive voltages to an electrically-deformable material connected to the key or keyboard element sufficient to provide single or multi-vectored movement to the key or keyboard element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system comprising:
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a keyboard having a plurality of keys or keyboard elements; a frame associated with one or more keys or keyboard elements; an electrically-deformable material connected to the frame; an actuator connected between the electrically-deformable material and one or more keys or keyboard elements; one or more electrical contacts associated with the electrically-deformable material; and drive electronics associated with the one or more electrical contacts and configured to, upon depression of the key or keyboard element, apply a single or plurality of drive voltages to the electrically-deformable material sufficient to provide multi-vectored movement to the key or keyboard element. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A keyboard comprising:
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multiple keys supported by a housing; a switch associated with one or more of the multiple keys; an electroactive polymer actuator operably coupled with the switch and said one or more of the multiple keys, wherein the electroactive polymer is configured, in an event of a switch closure, to be driven by one or more drive voltages effective to move said one or more of the multiple keys in one or more directions. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification