Keyboard with integrated pointing stick cable

• US 6,445,382 B1
• Filed: 03/20/2000
• Issued: 09/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Minebea Company Limited (MinebeaMitsumi Inc.)
• Original Assignee: CTS Corporation
• Inventors: Vandenboom, Robert M., Poole, David L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shalwala, Bipin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kovalick, Vincent E.
• Application Number:
  US09/528,324
• Time in Patent Office: 897 Days
• Field of Search: 345/160, 345/161, 345/168, 345/169, 365/680, 400/472
• 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 assembly has flexible membrane that is located adjacent a housing. The flexible membrane has circuit lines and an integral pointing stick cable. The circuit lines extend onto the pointing stick cable from the flexible membrane. Keys are electrically connected to the circuit lines. A backing plate structurally supports the flexible membrane. The membrane is located between the backing plate and the housing. A pointing module is attached to the backing plate. The pointing module is electrically connected to the pointing stick cable such that electrical signals from the pointing module are conducted to the circuit lines on the pointing stick cable. The pointing stick cable wraps around a side of the backing plate.

Claims

1. A computer keyboard assembly comprising:

a) a housing having a plurality of keys extending through;

b) a flexible membrane located adjacent the housing, the flexible membrane having circuit lines and switch pads, the keys being adapted to mechanically close the switch pads when depressed;

c) a pointing stick cable attached to the flexible membrane, the circuit lines extending onto the pointing stick cable from the flexible membrane;

d) a backing plate having a first and a second surface, the backing plate supporting the membrane, the membrane located between the first surface of the backing plate and the housing; and

e) a pointing module attached to the second surface of the backing plate, the pointing module electrically connected to the pointing stick cable such that electrical signals from the pointing module are conducted to the circuit lines on the pointing stick cable.

2. The keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the pointing stick cable wraps around a side of the backing plate.

3. The keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the pointing module has a shaft that extends through an aperture in the backing plate and the flexible membrane, the shaft extending between the keys.

4. The keyboard according to claim 3, wherein the flexible membrane has a motherboard cable extending therefrom.

5. The keyboard according to claim 4, wherein the flexible membrane has an input button cable extending therefrom.

6. The keyboard according to claim 2, wherein the pointing stick cable has an end located between the pointing module and the second surface.

7. An input device suitable for use in a selective visual display system, comprising:

a) a keyboard, having;

a1) a plurality of keys controlled by tactile force;

a2) a generally planar backing plate having a first and a second surface;

b) a flexible membrane located between the keys and the first surface of the backing plate, the flexible membrane having a plurality of circuit lines and switch pads thereon;

c) a pointing stick cable extending from the flexible membrane, the pointing stick cable having a first end and a second end, the first end attached to the flexible membrane, the pointing stick cable wrapping around the backing plate from the first surface to the second surface; and

d) a pointing module attached to the second surface of the backing plate, the pointing module electrically connected to the second end of the pointing stick cable such that electrical signals from the pointing module are conducted through the pointing stick cable to the flexible membrane.

8. The input device according to claim 7, wherein the pointing module has a shaft that extends through an aperture in the backing plate and the membrane, the shaft extending between the keys, the pointing module operable to receive an applied tactile force and to generate the electrical signal to control the selective visual display system.

9. The input device according to claim 7, wherein the flexible membrane has an attached motherboard cable.

10. The input device according to claim 7, wherein the flexible membrane has an attached input button cable.

11. The input device according to claim 7, wherein a standoff is located between the second surface of the backing plate and the pointing module to space the pointing module from the backing plate.

12. The input device according to claim 11, wherein the second end of the pointing stick cable is located between the pointing module and the second surface of the backing plate.