Tactile feedback keyboard
First Claim
1. A key assembly system for providing tactile feedback to a computer system and end-user, comprising:
- at least one key assembly having a key cover;
a transducer means in communication with said key cover for imparting motion to and sensing movement of said key cover, a tactile generator means for generating tactile simulation signals and;
an actuator-interface means interconnected between said transducer means and said tactile generator means responsive to said tactile simulation signals for adapting said signals to the characteristics of said transducer means.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A key assembly includes a cover disposed over a transducer which is connected to a key acutator/interface disposed between the key transducer and a CPU. A tactile signal generator generates control signals from the CPU to activate the actuator/interface. The actuator/interface provides a signal appropriate to the particular transducer causing it to produce tactile feedback response to the key cover and user'"'"'s touch. The key assembly may include a larger key cover disposed over a plurality of key transducers whereby the CPU causes texture and fine detail sensations variable over the key cover area by selective, variable actuation of the transducers. The end-user may thereby sense by physical contact with the large key cover electronically generated sensations of irregular surfaces or textures. Tactile profiles either user-specified or automatically invoked by a corresponding application vary the keyboard touch and feel as defined by the selected profile.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A key assembly system for providing tactile feedback to a computer system and end-user, comprising:
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at least one key assembly having a key cover;
a transducer means in communication with said key cover for imparting motion to and sensing movement of said key cover, a tactile generator means for generating tactile simulation signals and;
an actuator-interface means interconnected between said transducer means and said tactile generator means responsive to said tactile simulation signals for adapting said signals to the characteristics of said transducer means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
a frame; and
a plurality of said key assemblies carried by said frame to form a keyboard.
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7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one key assembly has associated therewith a plurality of tactile profiles;
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wherein said system further includes a computer interconnected to said tactile generator means for storing and delivery to said tactile generator means a selected one of said plurality of tactile profiles; and
wherein said tactile simulation signals are functionally related to said selected one of said plurality of profiles.
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8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said selected one of said profiles is user-selected.
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9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said computer is adapted to execute a plurality of applications;
- and said selected one of said profiles is automatically selected by said computer in functional correlation to a particular one of said applications executing on said computer.
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10. A method for providing tactile feedback to a computer system and end-user, said system having at least one key assembly with a key cover and a transducer in communication with said key cover, said method comprising:
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generating with said system at least one tactile signal;
energizing at least one said transducer with said at least one tactile signal;
conveying motion to said key cover from said at least one transducer in response to said energizing;
detecting with said at least one transducer motion of said key cover;
generating a signal by said transducer in response to said motion;
transmitting said signal to said computer system;
analyzing said signal with said computer system; and
wherein said tactile signal is varied in response to said analyzing. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
storing a plurality of key profiles in said system; - and
wherein said at least one tactile signal is varied as a function of one of said profiles.
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12. The method of claim 11 wherein said profiles are user-selectable.
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13. The method of claim 12 further including
executing an application on said computer system; - and
selecting said one of said profiles automatically in response to said executing.
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14. The method of claim 10 wherein said at least one tactile signal and said at least one transducer comprise a plurality of tactile signals and a plurality of transducers, respectively, and wherein said method includes communicating each of said tactile signals to a corresponding one of said transducers.
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15. The method of claim 10 wherein said energizing is pneumatic.
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16. The method of claim 10 wherein said energizing is electrical.
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17. A program product executable on and for providing tactile feedback to a computer system and end-user, said system having at least one key assembly with a key cover and a transducer in communication with said key cover, said method comprising:
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program code means for generating with said system at least one tactile signal;
program code means for pneumatically energizing at least one said transducer with said at least one tactile signal; and
program code means for conveying motion to said key cover from said at least one transducer in response to said energizing. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
program code means for detecting with said at least one transducer motion of said key cover; program code means for generating a signal by said transducer in response to said motion;
program code means for transmitting said signal to said computer system; and
program code means for analyzing said signal with said computer system.
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19. The program product of claim 18 wherein said tactile signal is varied in response to said analyzing.
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20. The program product of claim 17 further including
program code means for storing a plurality of key profiles in said system; - and
wherein said at least one tactile signal is varied as a function of one of said profiles.
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21. The program product of claim 20 wherein said profiles are user-selectable.
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22. The program product of claim 21 further including program code means for executing an application on said computer system;
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program code means for selecting said one of said profiles automatically in response to said executing.
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23. The program product of claim 17 wherein said at least one tactile signal and said at least one transducer comprise a plurality of tactile signals and a plurality of transducers, respectively, and wherein said program product includes program code means for communicating each of said tactile signals to a corresponding one of said transducers.
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24. The program product of claim 17 wherein said energizing is electrical.
Specification