Pressure sensitive keyboard

• US 6,684,166 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2002
• Issued: 01/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Ruano, Julio Eloy, Rutkowski, Matthew Francis, Sterling, Merle Douglas, Bellwood, Thomas Alexander
• Primary Examiner(s): Nghiem, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Washburn, Douglas N
• Application Number:
  US10/138,899
• Publication Number:
  US 20030208324A1
• Time in Patent Office: 635 Days
• Field of Search: 702/33, 702/41, 702/138, 702/139
• US Class Current: 702/41
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/023 Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2227/034 Regulation of operating force

Abstract

A keyboard integrated with a computer with a mechanism for determining a pressure sensitivity needed to register a desired keystroke is disclosed. A keystroke is registered for a given key if a force on the given key exceeds the determined pressure sensitivity. A user configuration profile can be utilized to specify a needed pressure sensitivity. Pressure sensitivity can also be determined dynamically. A threshold amount of pressure needed to register a keystroke can be compared to a measured amount of pressure applied during the keystroke and if the measured pressure meets the threshold pressure, the keystroke is registered. A control module, which can include an alphanumeric scale, can be utilized to set a threshold amount of pressure needed to register a keystroke. Some embodiments can also include a threshold amount of pressure set for each individual key.

Claims

1. An apparatus having a keyboard connected to a processing system for registering a keystroke to the processing system in response to an amount of pressure being exerted upon a key, the apparatus comprising;

a key, capable of a keystroke;

a pressure transducer to measure an amount of pressure applied during the keystroke;

a means to identify a user applying the pressure during the keystroke;

a means to determine a threshold amount of pressure needed to register a given keystroke for each of a plurality of users; and

means for comparing the threshold amount of pressure needed to register the keystroke for the identified user to the measured amount of pressure applied during the keystroke.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising a control module for setting a threshold amount of pressure needed to register a keystroke.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the control module comprises an alphanumeric scale.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the threshold amount of pressure is set for each individual key.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising:

a means to measure an amount of pressure applied to each key during a profile building period; and

a means to subtract a delta from the measured pressure applied to each key to determine the threshold amount of pressure for each individual key.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pressure transducer comprises a pressure sensitive field effect transistor.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pressure transducer is mounted beneath the key and is subjected to pressure as the key is depressed.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising a membrane for positioning the pressure transducer such that the transducer is subjected to pressure as the key is depressed.

9. A method for registering a keystroke on a keyboard, the method comprising:

first depressing a profile key during a profile building period;

first measuring the pressure resulting from the depression of the profile key;

designating a threshold pressure for a key sensitivity resulting from the measured pressure of depression of the profile key minus a predetermined delta;

second depressing a desired key on a keyboard;

second measuring the pressure of the desired key depression; and

registering a keystroke of the desired key if the pressure of the desired key depression meets the threshold pressure for the key sensitivity.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein designating a threshold pressure for a key sensitivity comprises the steps of:

depressing a primary profile key and one or more additional profile keys simultaneously;

measuring a pattern of pressure resulting from the depression of the keys; and

setting the threshold pressure for the primary key at the pattern of pressure resulting from the depression of the keys minus a predetermined delta for each key.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the threshold pressure for a key sensitivity is designated via a graphical user interface.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the threshold pressure for a key sensitivity is designated via a control panel incorporated into the keyboard.

13. The method of claim 9 additionally comprising the steps of:

mapping the keyboard with one or more key classes; and

setting a pressure threshold for each key class.

14. Computer executable program code residing on a computer-readable medium, the program code comprising instructions for causing the computer to:

designate a threshold pressure for a key sensitivity for each of a plurality of users;

indicate a key on a keyboard being depressed;

identify a user depressing the key;

measure a pressure of the key depression; and

register a keystroke if the pressure of the key depression meets the threshold pressure for the key sensitivity for the identified user.

15. The program code of claim 14 additionally comprising instructions for causing the computer to:

display an interactive control module capable of receiving input designating the threshold pressure for a key sensitivity.

16. The program code of claim 14 additionally comprising instructions for causing the computer to:

store data representing pressure measurements from registered and unregistered keystrokes; and

reference the stored data to determine a subsequent threshold pressure.

17. The program code of claim 14 additionally comprising instructions for causing the computer to change a threshold pressure in response to a change in typing rate.