Haptic Keyboard Systems and Methods

• US 20090178913A1
• Filed: 01/27/2009
• Published: 07/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Pacinian Corporation (Synaptics Incorporated)
• Inventors: Peterson, Cody George, Schlosser, James William, Huska, Andrew Parris
• Granted Patent: US 8,248,277 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 200/5.A
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/85 characterised by tactile feedback features
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2003/008 with a haptic or a tactile feedback controlled by electrical means, e.g. a motor or magnetofriction
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/05 electromechanical
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/052 piezoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2227/028 Key stroke
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2227/032 Operating force

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. In at least some embodiments, a key or keyboard element can be associated with comparatively little or no actuation force and/or travel distance. As a result, the amount of work necessary to actuate the key or keyboard element can be significantly decreased or eliminated.

Claims

1. A keyboard comprising:

a plurality of keys or keyboard elements;

a switch associated with a key or keyboard element, wherein the switch is configured to be closed in response to at least one of;

a force applied to the key or keyboard element, wherein the force is between 0 grams and about 80 grams;

or

a travel distance of the key or keyboard element, wherein the travel distance is between 0 millimeters and about 2.5 millimeters; and

an actuating mechanism operably associated with the switch and the key or keyboard element, wherein the actuating mechanism is configured to actuate the key or keyboard element in an event of a switch closure.

2. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the actuating mechanism does not comprise an elastomeric dome actuating mechanism.

3. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the force applied to the key or keyboard element is between about 40 grams to 60 grams.

4. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the force applied to the key or keyboard element is about 60 grams.

5. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the travel distance of the key or keyboard element is between 0 millimeters to about 1.5 millimeters.

6. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the travel distance of the key or keyboard element is between about 1.5 millimeters to 2.5 millimeters.

7. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the travel distance of the key or keyboard element is about 1.5 millimeters.

8. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the actuating mechanism is configured to actuate the key or keyboard element at least in part by providing multi-vectored movement to the key or keyboard element.

9. A method comprising:

effectuating closure of a switch of a key or keyboard element in response to detection of at least one of;

an object proximate to the key or keyboard element;

a force applied to the key or keyboard element, wherein the force is between 0 grams to about 80 grams;

or

travel of the key or keyboard element, wherein the travel comprises a distance between 0 millimeters to about 2.5 millimeters; and

actuating the key or keyboard element in an event of a switch closure.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the force applied to the key or keyboard element is between about 40 grams to 60 grams.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the force applied to the key or keyboard element is about 60 grams.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the travel of the key or keyboard element comprises a distance between 0 millimeters to about 1.5 millimeters.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the travel of the key or keyboard element comprises a distance between about 1.5 millimeters to 2.5 millimeters.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the travel of the key or keyboard element comprises a distance about 1.5 millimeters.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein actuating the key or keyboard element comprises providing multi-vectored movement to the key or keyboard element.

16. A keyboard comprising:

an actuating mechanism operably associated with a key or keyboard element of the keyboard;

circuitry operably associated with the actuating mechanism and the key or keyboard element and configured to detect travel of the key or keyboard element, wherein the travel comprises a distance between 0 millimeters to about 2.5 millimeters; and

drive electronics operably associated with the actuating mechanism and circuitry and configured to cause the actuating mechanism to impart movement to the key or keyboard element in response to detection of the travel.

17. The keyboard of claim 16, wherein the actuating mechanism does not comprise an elastomeric dome actuating mechanism.

18. The keyboard of claim 16, wherein the actuating mechanism comprises an electrically-deformable material.

19. The keyboard of claim 18, wherein the electrically-deformable material comprises an electroactive polymer (EAP).

20. The keyboard of claim 16, wherein the travel comprises a distance between 0 millimeters to about 1.5 millimeters.

21. The keyboard of claim 16, wherein the travel comprises a distance between about 1.5 millimeters to 2.5 millimeters.

22. The keyboard of claim 16, wherein the travel comprises a distance about 1.5 millimeters.

23. The keyboard of claim 16, wherein the travel is associated with a force applied to the key or keyboard element, wherein the force is between 0 grams to about 80 grams.

24. The keyboard of claim 23, wherein the force is between about 40 grams to 60 grams.

25. The keyboard of claim 23, wherein the force is about 60 grams.