Method and apparatus for masking keystroke sounds from computer keyboards

• US 8,053,688 B2
• Filed: 01/16/2008
• Issued: 11/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Lanzolla, Vincent R., Muenkel, Gerard F., Meserth, Timothy A., Conzola, Vincent C., Windell, David T.
• Primary Examiner(s): FRIEDHOFER, MICHAEL A
• Application Number:
  US12/014,823
• Publication Number:
  US 20080246732A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,392 Days
• Field of Search: 200/5.R, 200/5.A, 296/22, 341 20- 22, 341/26, 341/27, 345/156, 345/168, 345/169, 345/173, 345/177, 345/178, 400472-474, 400/477, 400/480, 400/481, 400490-496
• US Class Current: 200/5.A
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/83 input devices, e.g. keyboards, mice or controllers thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/70 having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard mounting together a plurality of independent switches H02B
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/062 Damping vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/054 Acoustic pick-up, e.g. ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/20 Information technology specific aspects, e.g. CAD, simulation, modelling, system security

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a method of masking audible sounds emanating from a keyboard in response to a stroking of keys on the keyboard, the method comprising, selecting components from a plurality of components with various masses, building the keyboard with the selected components, moving a movable mass within the keyboard, and energizing a driving transducer within the keyboard. Further disclosed herein is a keyboard for a computer, comprising a plurality of keys, a cover with the keys protruding therethrough, a base supporting the cover and the keys, and at least one selectable mass wherein the mass is selected from a plurality of masses, a movable mass supported by the base and movable relative to the base, and a driving transducer supported by the base.

Claims

1. A keyboard for a computer, comprising:

a plurality of keys;

a cover with the keys protruding therethrough;

a base supporting the cover and the keys; and

a movable mass, disposed within a cavity located between the keys and the base, and movable within the cavity relative to the base;

wherein the moveable mass is caused to move within the cavity responsive to stroking of one or more of the keys so as to disrupt an acoustically unique response associated with the particular key struck.

2. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein an electromagnet forces the movable mass to move.

3. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the movable mass is a liquid.

4. A keyboard for a computer, comprising:

a plurality of keys;

a cover with the keys protruding therethrough;

a base supporting the cover and the keys; and

a driving transducer supported by the base, the driving transducer configured to output mechanical energy responsive to stroking of one or more of the keys so as to disrupt an acoustically unique response associated with the particular key struck.

5. The keyboard of claim 4, wherein the driving transducer generates waves out of phase with sound pressure waves caused by stroking of one or more of the keys so as to cause destructive interference therewith.

6. The keyboard of claim 4, further comprising a receiving transducer supported by the base, the receiving transducer configured to convert acoustic energy generated by stroking of one or more of the keys into electrical energy, wherein the driving transducer is driven by a response signal generated by an output of the receiving transducer.