Keyboard systems utilizing a switch and proximity sensors
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A keyboard apparatus, comprising:
- a rigid member comprising a plurality of keycaps;
a proximity sensing member comprising a plurality of proximity sensors and a plurality of illuminators;
wherein the proximity sensing member is disposed proximate the rigid member; and
a backing member comprising a switch;
wherein the switch is disposed proximate the proximity sensing member; and
wherein each keycap causes a displacement of the rigid member and the proximity sensing member which activates the switch.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A keyboard apparatus is provided. The apparatus can include a rigid member comprising a plurality of keycaps and a proximity sensing member comprising a plurality of proximity sensors and a plurality of illuminators disposed proximate the rigid keycap member. The apparatus can also include a backing member comprising a switch disposed proximate the proximity sensing member. A displacement of the rigid member and the proximity sensing member can activate the switch.
-
Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A keyboard apparatus, comprising:
-
a rigid member comprising a plurality of keycaps; a proximity sensing member comprising a plurality of proximity sensors and a plurality of illuminators; wherein the proximity sensing member is disposed proximate the rigid member; and a backing member comprising a switch; wherein the switch is disposed proximate the proximity sensing member; and wherein each keycap causes a displacement of the rigid member and the proximity sensing member which activates the switch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A keyboard method, comprising:
-
displacing a rigid member comprising a plurality of keycaps and a proximity sensing member comprising a plurality of proximity sensors and a plurality of illuminators; sensing the location of the displacement force using at least a portion of the plurality of proximity sensors; and activating a switch disposed on a backing member, wherein each of the plurality of keycaps activates the switch in response to the displacement force. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
-
-
12. A keyboard system, comprising:
-
a housing; a rigid member comprising a light guide, a plurality of keycaps, and at least one character disposed on at least a portion of the plurality of keycaps disposed at least partially within the housing; a proximity sensing member comprising a plurality of proximity sensors and a plurality of illuminators disposed at least partially within the housing; wherein the proximity sensing member is disposed proximate the rigid keycap member; and wherein at least a portion of the light provided by the plurality of illuminators is transmissible through the at least one character disposed on at least a portion of the plurality of keycaps; a backing member comprising a single switch disposed at least partially within the housing; wherein the switch is activated by each of the plurality of keycaps and is disposed proximate the proximity sensing member; and wherein a displacement of the rigid member and the proximity sensing member activates the switch; and a processor to generate a signal wherein the signal content is determined at least in part based upon the location of a displacement force applied to the rigid member and the activation of the switch. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
-
Specification