Capacitive keyswitch technologies
First Claim
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1. A keyboard comprising:
- a capacitance-based keyswitch matrix comprising;
a plurality of keycaps, each keycap of the plurality of keycaps including a surface configured to be pressed by a user of the keyboard;
a plurality of first electrodes, wherein the plurality of first electrodes is associated with the plurality of keycaps such that each keycap of the plurality of keycaps is associated with an electrode of the plurality of first electrodes;
a plurality of second electrodes capacitively coupled with the plurality of first electrodes,wherein a press force applied by the user to the surface of a first keycap of the plurality of keycaps moves the first keycap and causes a change in a measureable capacitance of the capacitance-based keyswitch matrix by moving the electrode of the plurality of first electrodes associated with the first keycap relative to the electrode of the plurality of second electrodes associated with the first keycap; and
a controller communicatively coupled to the capacitance-based keyswitch matrix, the controller configured to;
operate the capacitance-based keyswitch matrix to sense the change in the measurable capacitance; and
determine the press force applied to first keycap based upon the change in the measurable capacitance.
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Abstract
Described herein are techniques related to capacitance-based keyswitch technologies. According to one implementation, an apparatus includes a key with a floating electrode. The floating electrode pairs with a fixed electrode and a capacitance may be generated between them. The apparatus has a controller configured to measure the capacitance as the electrodes move relative to each other as the key is depressed and released. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
137 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A keyboard comprising:
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a capacitance-based keyswitch matrix comprising; a plurality of keycaps, each keycap of the plurality of keycaps including a surface configured to be pressed by a user of the keyboard; a plurality of first electrodes, wherein the plurality of first electrodes is associated with the plurality of keycaps such that each keycap of the plurality of keycaps is associated with an electrode of the plurality of first electrodes; a plurality of second electrodes capacitively coupled with the plurality of first electrodes, wherein a press force applied by the user to the surface of a first keycap of the plurality of keycaps moves the first keycap and causes a change in a measureable capacitance of the capacitance-based keyswitch matrix by moving the electrode of the plurality of first electrodes associated with the first keycap relative to the electrode of the plurality of second electrodes associated with the first keycap; and a controller communicatively coupled to the capacitance-based keyswitch matrix, the controller configured to; operate the capacitance-based keyswitch matrix to sense the change in the measurable capacitance; and determine the press force applied to first keycap based upon the change in the measurable capacitance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of operating a keyboard comprising:
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operating a capacitance-based keyswitch matrix to sense a plurality of mutual capacitances associated with a plurality of keycaps of the keyboard, each mutual capacitance coupling magnetic material of an electrode of a plurality of first electrodes of the capacitance-based keyswitch matrix with an electrode of a plurality of second electrodes of the capacitance-based keyswitch matrix; determining a press force applied to a first keycap of the plurality of keycaps based upon changes in a mutual capacitance associated with the first keycap; and providing output to a computer processor in response to the determining the press force applied to the first keycap, the output indicative of the press force applied to the first keycap. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 21, 22)
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12. A key assembly comprising:
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a keycap having a surface configured to be pressed by a user; a first electrode configured to be moved by the keycap, the first electrode comprising magnetic material; and a second electrode separated from the magnetic material by a gap, wherein a press by the user to the keycap causes the magnetic material to move relative to the second electrode and change the gap, such that a capacitance coupling the magnetic material and the second electrode changes in response to the press; whereby, an amount of force applied to the keycap can be determined based on changes in the capacitance coupling. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification