Keyboard using pressurized fluid to generate key stroke characteristics
First Claim
1. Switch apparatus comprising:
- a support structure;
a manually operable switch member carried on said support structure for a stroke movement relative thereto between first and second positions;
a biasing structure operative to yieldingly bias said switch member toward said first position utilizing a selectively variable fluid pressure biasing force; and
control apparatus operative to sense the stroke position of said switch member and responsively vary said fluid pressure biasing force as a function of the sensed stroke position in accordance with a predetermined desired relationship between the switch member stroke position and the magnitude of said fluid pressure biasing force.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A notebook computer is provided with a collapsible keyboard structure in which, during operation of the computer, the keys are held in extended operating positions by the force of a pressurized fluid-filled flexible mat member having spaced apart orificed compartments against which bottom ends of vertically movable plunger portions of the keys downwardly bear. Position sensors monitor the stroke positions of the keys and, as the keys are depressed during computer use, responsively transmit corresponding position signals to a control system which utilizes the position signals to alter the fluid pressure within the mat member in a manner providing the keys with predetermined, selectively variable stroke force/distance characteristics. When the computer is turned off, fluid pressure within the mat member is relieved in a manner permitting the keys to collapse to retracted storage/transport orientations, thereby reducing the overall thickness of the keyboard until subsequent operation of the computer.
71 Citations
37 Claims
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1. Switch apparatus comprising:
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a support structure; a manually operable switch member carried on said support structure for a stroke movement relative thereto between first and second positions; a biasing structure operative to yieldingly bias said switch member toward said first position utilizing a selectively variable fluid pressure biasing force; and control apparatus operative to sense the stroke position of said switch member and responsively vary said fluid pressure biasing force as a function of the sensed stroke position in accordance with a predetermined desired relationship between the switch member stroke position and the magnitude of said fluid pressure biasing force. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. Keyboard apparatus comprising:
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a support structure; a series of manually depressible key cap members each carried on said support structure for a stroke movement relative thereto between an outwardly extended use position and an inwardly retracted storage and transport position; a biasing structure associated with said key cap members and operative to utilize a pressurized fluid force in a manner yieldingly biasing said key cap members toward their outwardly extended use positions; and control apparatus operative to sense the stroke position of each key cap member and responsively vary the pressurized fluid biasing force thereon as a function of the sensed stroke position in accordance with a predetermined desired key force/key travel relationship for said keyboard apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A computer having a keyboard portion comprising:
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a support structure; a series of manually depressible key cap members each carried on said support structure for a stroke movement relative thereto between an outwardly extended use position and an inwardly retracted storage and transport position; a biasing structure associated with said key cap members and operative to utilize a pressurized fluid force in a manner yieldingly biasing said key cap members toward their outwardly extended use positions; and control apparatus operative to sense the stroke position of each key cap member and responsively vary the pressurized fluid biasing force thereon as a function of the sensed stroke position in accordance with a predetermined desired key force/key travel relationship for said keyboard apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification