KEYBOARD KEY WITH CAPACITIVE SWITCH

• US 20190319620A1
• Filed: 04/15/2019
• Published: 10/17/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tactual Labs Co.
• Original Assignee: Tactual Labs Co.
• Inventors: Moseley, Braon
• Granted Patent: US 11,012,069 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/02 Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/023 Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/044 by capacitive means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/047 using sets of wires, e.g. crossed wires
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 1/26 with spring blade support
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/14 Operating parts, e.g. push-button
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/20 Driving mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/70 having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard mounting together a plurality of independent switches H02B
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/78 characterised by the contacts or the contact sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2233/07 Cap or button on actuator part
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/42 using cam or eccentric
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/955 using a capacitive detector
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/9622 using a plurality of detectors, e.g. keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/965 Switches controlled by moving an element forming part of the switch
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/967 having a plurality of control members, e.g. keyboard H03K17/969, H03K17/972, H03K17/98 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/98 having a plurality of control members, e.g. keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2017/9455 constructional details

Abstract

A key switch implements a receiving switch conductor and transmitting switch conductor in the key switch. Depressing the key switch will cause the receiving switch conductor and transmitting switch conductor to approach each other. The approach of a finger and movement of the key switch can be detected using the receiving switch conductor and the transmitting switch conductor.

Claims

1. An keyboard comprising:

a key switch, wherein the key switch comprises;

a housing;

a stem movably located within the housing;

a projection extending from the stem;

a receiving switch conductor located within the housing, wherein the receiving switch conductor is operably connected to a receiver and a signal processor;

a transmitting switch conductor located within the housing, wherein the transmitting switch conductor is operably connected to a signal generator; and

wherein depression of the stem causes the receiving switch conductor and the transmitting switch conductor switch to approach each other as the stem is depressed, wherein the approach of the receiving switch conductor to the transmitting switch conductor is determined based on signals received at the receiving switch conductor form the transmitting switch conductor.

2. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the projection is a sloped projection that prevents contact of the receiving switch conductor with transmitting switch conductor when the key switch is in a non-depressed state.

3. The keyboard of claim 2, wherein the projection prevents the receiving switch conductor from contacting the transmitting switch conductor until the key switch is fully depressed.

4. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the key switch further comprises a spring biasing the stem in a non-depressed direction.

5. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the key switch is one of a plurality of key switches, wherein the transmitting switch conductor transmits a signal that is frequency orthogonal to each other signal transmitted by the keyboard.

6. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein movement speed of the key switch is determined based on signals received by the receiving switch conductor.

7. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the position of a finger above the key switch is determined based on the signals received by the receiving switch conductor.

8. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein a portion of the keyboard is adapted for use with a peripheral computer device.

9. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the keyboard is adapted to trigger response prior to a user'"'"'s physical contact with the key switch.

10. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the keyboard is adapted to trigger activities based on signals received by other receiving switch conductors on the keyboard.

11. A key switch comprising:

a housing;

a stem movably located within the housing;

a projection extending from the stem;

a receiving switch conductor located within the housing, wherein the receiving switch conductor is operably connected to a receiver and a signal processor;

a transmitting switch conductor located within the housing, wherein the transmitting switch conductor is operably connected to a signal generator; and

wherein depression of the stem causes the receiving switch conductor and the transmitting switch conductor switch to approach each other as the stem is depressed, wherein the approach of the receiving switch conductor to the transmitting switch conductor is determined based on signals received at the receiving switch conductor form the transmitting switch conductor.

12. The key switch of claim 11, wherein the projection is a sloped projection that prevents contact of the receiving switch conductor with transmitting switch conductor when the key switch is in a non-depressed state.

13. The key switch of claim 12, wherein the projection prevents the receiving switch conductor from contacting the transmitting switch conductor until the key switch is fully depressed.

14. The key switch of claim 11, wherein the key switch further comprises a spring biasing the stem in a non-depressed direction.

15. The key switch of claim 11, wherein the transmitting switch conductor transmits a signal that is frequency orthogonal to each other signal transmitted on a keyboard on where the key switch is located.

16. The key switch of claim 11, wherein movement speed of the key switch is determined based on signals received by the receiving switch conductor.

17. The key switch of claim 11, wherein the position of a finger above the key switch is determined based on the signals received by the receiving switch conductor.

18. A method of detecting movement of a key switch comprising:

activating a key switch switch, wherein the key switch comprises

a housing;

a stem movably located within the housing;

a projection extending from the stem;

a receiving switch conductor located within the housing, wherein the receiving switch conductor is operably connected to a receiver and a signal processor;

a transmitting switch conductor located within the housing, wherein the transmitting switch conductor is operably connected to a signal generator;

transmitting a signal from the transmitting switch conductor during a period of time;

receiving the signal transmitted from the switch conductor;

measuring the signal that is received; and

determining depression of the stem based on processed measurements.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the speed of the movement of the key switch is determined based on the processed measurements.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the amount of the movement of the key switch is determined based on the processed measurements.