Information Handling System Predictive Key Retraction and Extension Actuation
First Claim
1. An information handling system comprising:
- a main housing;
processing components disposed in the main housing and operable to execute instructions that process information;
a keyboard coupled to the main housing, the keyboard having plural keys that move to accept inputs, the keys biased to extend out of the housing and moving into the housing in response to an end user press to accept end user inputs;
one or more actuator wires coupled to the keyboard and interacting with the keyboard keys to selectively retract and extend the keyboard keys, the one or more actuator wires interacting with the keyboard keys by shortening in response to application of current; and
a controller interfaced with the one or more actuator wires, the controller applying the current to retract and extend the keyboard keys based on one or more first predetermined conditions, the controller restricting application of current to the plural actuator wires based upon one or more second predetermined conditions.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An information handling system integrated keyboard selectively retracts and extends keys based upon detected conditions, such as housing configuration, housing motion and end user indications. Extension and retraction shuttle plates motivated by actuator wires moves a sliding plate to extended and retracted positions that define the key positions. Nickel titanium alloy actuator wires shorten upon application of current to pull the shuttle plates to the extended or retracted positions that are maintained by a lock. Limit switches remove current at detection of a desired shuttle plate position. One or more controllers manage actuator wire operation based upon detected conditions and actuator wire temperature and electrical characteristics.
10 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An information handling system comprising:
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a main housing; processing components disposed in the main housing and operable to execute instructions that process information; a keyboard coupled to the main housing, the keyboard having plural keys that move to accept inputs, the keys biased to extend out of the housing and moving into the housing in response to an end user press to accept end user inputs; one or more actuator wires coupled to the keyboard and interacting with the keyboard keys to selectively retract and extend the keyboard keys, the one or more actuator wires interacting with the keyboard keys by shortening in response to application of current; and a controller interfaced with the one or more actuator wires, the controller applying the current to retract and extend the keyboard keys based on one or more first predetermined conditions, the controller restricting application of current to the plural actuator wires based upon one or more second predetermined conditions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for managing an information handling system keyboard configuration, the method comprising:
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monitoring at the information handling system for a first set of one or more predetermined conditions associated with keyboard key position actuation; monitoring at the information handling system for a second set of one or more predetermined conditions associated with restricting keyboard key position actuation; detecting at least one of the first set of one or more predetermined conditions; and in response to the detecting, applying current to one or more actuator wires, the current shortening the wire length to actuate the keyboard keys to the associated position. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A keyboard comprising:
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plural keys arranged to accept end user key inputs; first and second shuttles interfaced with the keys, the first shuttle to move the keys to a retracted position, the second shuttle to release the keys to an extended position; a first set of plural actuator wires shortening in response to application of current to move the shuttle to the retracted position; and a second set of plural actuator wires shortening in response to application of current to pull the sliding plate to the extended position; and a keyboard manager interfaced with the first and second sets of plural actuator wires, the keyboard manager applying current in response to a first set of predetermined conditions and restricting the applying of current if the first set of predetermined conditions occur during a second set of predetermined conditions. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification