Keyboard Adaptive Haptic Response

• US 20090210568A1
• Filed: 02/13/2009
• Published: 08/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2008
• 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 8,294,600 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/15
• 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: H03K 17/9643 using a plurality of detectors, e.g. keyboard

Abstract

Various embodiments provide a keyboard that adaptively provides haptic feedback to a user. In at least some embodiments, an actuation of a key or keyboard element of the keyboard is detected. This can be accomplished by detecting the closure of an associated switch caused by a user depressing the key or keyboard element. In response to detecting the actuation, an electrically-deformable material is utilized as an actuating mechanism to impart single or multi-vectored movement to the key or keyboard element according to drive parameters. This movement produces a perceived acceleration of the key or keyboard element, thus providing haptic feedback which simulates a “snapover” effect.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

detecting an actuation of a key or keyboard element of a keyboard; and

responsive to detecting the actuation, dynamically imparting single or multi-vectored movement to the key or keyboard element according to one or both of;

at least one user-selected parameter;

or

at least one ascertained parameter based on one or more other key or keyboard element actuations.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein one or both of the at least one user-selected parameter or the at least one ascertained parameter designate a duration of one or more phases of the single or multi-vectored movement.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one user-selected parameter is selected by a user via a user interface.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one user-selected parameter belongs to at least one profile comprising multiple parameters.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one ascertained parameter is automatically ascertained from data associated with the one or more other key or keyboard element actuations.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the data indicates a duration for at least one stage associated with the one or more other key or keyboard element actuations.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more other key or keyboard element actuations are associated with the key or keyboard element.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the actuation is associated with the key or keyboard element being depressed.

9. 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 detect actuations of the key or keyboard element;

an actuator operably associated with the switch and the key or keyboard element, wherein the actuator is configured to impart, in response to detecting an actuation of the key or keyboard element, single or multi-vectored movement to the key or keyboard element according to one or both of;

at least one user-selected parameter;

or

at least one ascertained parameter based on one or more other key or keyboard element actuations.

10. The keyboard of claim 9, wherein the actuator comprises an electrically-deformable material connected to the key or keyboard element.

11. The keyboard of claim 9, wherein one or both of the at least one user-selected parameter or the at least one ascertained parameter designate a duration of one or more phases of the single or multi-vectored movement.

12. The keyboard of claim 9, wherein the at least one user-selected parameter is selectable via a user interface.

13. The keyboard of claim 9, wherein the at least one user-selected parameter belongs to a profile comprising multiple parameters.

14. The keyboard of claim 9, wherein the one or more other key or keyboard element actuations comprise one or more key or keyboard element depression and release events.

15. The keyboard of claim 14, wherein the switch is further configured to measure durations of one or more stages associated with individual key or keyboard element depression and release events.

16. The keyboard of claim 15, further comprising an adaptive response component configured to automatically ascertain the at least one ascertained parameter from data indicating the durations.

17. The keyboard of claim 9, wherein the one or more other key or keyboard element actuations are associated with the key or keyboard element.

18. A system comprising:

a keyboard comprising a plurality of keys or keyboard elements;

an actuator operably associated with a key or keyboard element of the keyboard, wherein the actuator is configured to impart, in response to an actuation of the key or keyboard element, single or multi-vectored movement to the key or keyboard element according to one or more parameters;

an adaptive response component configured to automatically ascertain at least one of the one or more parameters from data associated with one or more other key or keyboard element actuations.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the actuator comprises an electrically-deformable material connected to the key or keyboard element.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the electrically-deformable material comprises an electrostatic material.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the at least one of the one or more parameters designates a duration of one or more phases of the single or multi-vectored movement.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein the one or more other key or keyboard element actuations are associated with the key or keyboard element.

23. One or more computer-readable storage media embodying computer-readable instructions which, when executed, provide a user interface comprising:

multiple different selectable profiles for providing haptic feedback via a keyboard, wherein individual selectable profiles comprise one or more settings associated with at least one key or keyboard element of the keyboard; and

one or more selectable controls for adjusting the settings.

24. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 23, wherein the one or more settings are for controlling single or multi-vectored movement of the at least one key or keyboard element.

25. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 24, wherein the one or more settings designate a duration of one or more phases of the single or multi-vectored movement.

26. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 23, wherein at least one of the selectable profiles comprises a default profile replaceable by another profile based at least in part on characteristics associated with typing on the keyboard.

27. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 23, wherein the user interface further comprises one or more additional controls associated with creating a new selectable profile.