Low profile keyboard

• US 5,812,116 A
• Filed: 05/30/1996
• Issued: 09/22/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Malhi, Satwinder D. S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LIEU, JULIE BICHNGOC
• Application Number:
  US08/657,703
• Time in Patent Office: 845 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/168, 345/169, 341/22, 341/20, 200/517, 200/512, 200/5 A, 400/490, 400/491, 400/491.1, 400/491.2
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1666 Arrangements for reducing the size of the integrated keyboard for transport, e.g. foldable keyboards, keyboards with collapsible keys G06F1/1664 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1667 Arrangements for adjusting the tilt angle of the integrated keyboard independently from the main body adjusting the tilt angle integrally with the main body G06F1/166
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/052 reductible in size, e.g. for transportation
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2233/036 with limited freedom

Abstract

A low profile and light weight keyboard for portable electronic devices, such as notebook computers. In specific embodiments, the present invention provides a low profile keyboard 218 where the keycap engaging members 202 extend unobstructed below the back plate or circuit board 204. The travel of the key below the back plate may be eliminated from the overall stowed keyboard thickness by popping up the keyboard or otherwise extending the keyboard to a deployed position having sufficient thickness to accommodate the travel of the engaging members 212 below the base 204.

Claims

1. A portable electronic device comprising:

a. a housing;

b. a low profile keyboard associated with said housing comprising;

i) a plurality of key caps having engaging members;

ii) a base layer having openings for slidably guiding said engaging members wherein said engaging members extend below said base a travel distance when pressed by a user of said keyboard; and

iii) electrical traces associated with said base layer for generating an electrical signal in response to a keystroke by the user;

iv) a deployed position and a stowed position for said keyboard in said housing;

wherein said low profile keyboard provides clearance below said base for said engaging members travel distance when said keys are pressed in the deployed position but does not allow clearance for said engaging members travel distance when said keyboard is in the stowed position.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein said electrical traces are on a flexible circuit layer above said base layer.

3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein said base layer is a printed circuit board and said electrical traces are on said printed circuit board.

4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein said engaging members have means for locking the engaging members in the base.

5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein said keyboard further comprises a flexible layer having flexible cones having conductive material to contact said electrical traces when compressed by said keys.

6. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein said keyboard further comprises means for automatic deployment to allow the keyboard to pop-up automatically.

7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein said base is essentially planer.

8. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein said keyboard pops-up from an inclined top housing surface relative to the bottom of the housing to provide a comfortable typing position for the user.

9. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein said keyboard pops-up to an incline position from a non-inclined, non-deployed position.

10. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein said key engaging members are singular centrally located pistons for each key.

11. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein said key engaging members are two or more engaging members per key located outside at the periphery of said key.

12. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein said keyboard pops-up to an incline relative to the bottom of the housing to provide a comfortable typing position for the user.

13. The keyboard of claim 2, wherein said keyboard pops-up to an incline position from a non-inclined, non-deployed position.

14. A portable electronic device comprising:

a. a housing;

b. a low profile keyboard associated with said housing comprising;

i) a plurality of key caps having engaging members located at the periphery of said key;

ii) flexible cones having conductive material;

iii) electrical traces associated with said base layer for generating an electrical signal in response to a keystroke by the user which brings said conductive material of said flexible cones in contact with said electrical traces;

iv) a base layer having openings for slidably retaining said engaging members; and

wherein said engaging members extend below said base a travel distance when pressed by a user of said keyboard; and

v) a deployed position and a stowed position for said keyboard in said housing;

wherein said low profile keyboard provides clearance below said base for said engaging members travel distance when said keys are pressed in the deployed position but does not allow clearance for said engaging members travel distance when said keyboard is in the stowed position.

15. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein said engaging members have means for locking the engaging members in the base.