Computer keyboard having top molded housing with rigid pointing stick integral and normal to front surface of housing as one unit part to be used with strain sensors in navigational control

• US 6,040,823 A
• Filed: 12/02/1997
• Issued: 03/21/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Minebea Company Limited (MinebeaMitsumi Inc.)
• Original Assignee: CTS (Digital Origin Solutions Ltd.)
• Inventors: Seffernick, Lewis L., Poole, David L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brier, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bell, Paul A.
• Application Number:
  US08/982,619
• Time in Patent Office: 840 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/157, 345/158, 345/160, 345/161, 345/164, 345/168, 345/178, 341/34
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0213 Arrangements providing an integrated pointing device in a keyboard, e.g. trackball, mini-joystick for pointing devices integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/169; joysticks G05G9/047; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/012 Joy stick type

Abstract

A computer keyboard has a pointing stick integrally molded into and projecting from a surface of a plastic housing. Keyboard keys extend through holes in the same plastic housing. Strain-sensitive resistors are formed in a small location onto a circuit substrate. The same circuit substrate that carries the strain-sensitive resistors also carries conductive pads for the key switches. The strain-sensitive resistor location is bonded to the housing adjacent the pointing stick, but on an opposite surface of the housing from the pointing stick protrusion.

Claims

1. A computer keyboard having a plastic molded housing having a first major surface through which keys pass to a wiring layer to control electrical connection and further having a backing plate for structural support and protection, wherein the improvement comprises in further combination a rigid projection extending normal to said first major surface between said keys;

a strain sensor adhered to said molded housing adjacent said rigid projection; and

a force concentrator formed within said plastic molded housing adjacent said rigid projection;

wherein said rigid projection, force concentrator and housing are all formed during a single molding process as an integral unit.

2. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein said strain sensor is formed upon said wiring layer prior to adhesion with said housing.

3. The keyboard of claim 2, wherein said strain sensor comprises conductive-particle filled polymer paint.

4. A display peripheral input device suitable for use in a selective visual display system, comprising:

a) a keyboard, having;

a1) keys controlled by tactile force;

a2) a generally planar key support structure with a major surface; and

a3) a strain sensor operatively attached to said planar key support structure to generate electrical signals in response to receiving applied forces; and

b) a pointing stick, formed monolithically with said generally planar key support structure and extending from and normal to the major surface, for first receiving and then transmitting an applied tactile force to said planar key support to further transmit said applied tactile force to said strain sensor for generating electrical signals to control said selective visual display system.

5. The display peripheral input device of claim 4, further comprising an electrical wiring substrate supporting electrical traces between electrical switches actuated by said keys and further supporting said strain sensor.

6. The display peripheral input device of claim 5, wherein said strain sensor comprises two discrete strain gauge resistors arranged orthogonally to said pointing stick.

7. A combined keyboard and navigational control, comprising:

a) a rigid, generally planar key support having formed thereon a small protrusion;

b) a flexible, compliant film bonded to said key support adjacent said small protrusion;

c) a strain sensor supported upon said flexible compliant film adjacent said small protrusion; and

d) electrical traces connecting said flexible compliant film to an electrical connector and therethrough to an electrical device.

8. The combined keyboard and navigational control of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of holes through said key support.

9. The combined keyboard and navigational control of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of keys passing through said plurality of holes.

10. The combined keyboard and navigational control of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of switches activated by said plurality of keys.

12. The combined keyboard and navigational control of claim 8, further comprising two force concentrators arranged orthogonally to each other and adjacent to said small protrusion.

13. The combined keyboard and navigational control of claim 12, wherein said strain sensor further comprises two discrete strain-sensing components arranged orthogonally to each other and in cooperative arrangement with said force concentrators to measure a force amplified by said force concentrators.

14. The combined keyboard and navigational control of claim 13, wherein said force concentrators comprise small indentations in said rigid support adjacent said small protrusion.

11. The combined keyboard and navigational control of claimed 10, further comprising additional electrical traces connecting said switches to said electrical connector and therethrough to said electrical device.

15. A pointing device integral to a keyboard, comprising:

a) a monolithic key support structure through which keys pass from a first key side to a second wiring side and further having a pointing stick forming a part of said monolith;

b) a bore extending within said pointing stick from a first longitudinal end to a second longitudinal end opposite said first longitudinal end and communicating from said first key side to said second wiring side.