Input for computing device

• US 8,971,024 B1
• Filed: 11/27/2012
• Issued: 03/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Tom, Kevin, Rivera, Felix Jose Alvarez
• Primary Examiner(s): BARRERA, RAMON M
• Application Number:
  US13/686,134
• Time in Patent Office: 826 Days
• Field of Search: 200512-520, 36167908-6792, 343/700, 343/702, 345168-178
• US Class Current: 361/679.08
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0231 Cordless keyboards

Abstract

Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to inputs for computing devices. For example, an input, such as a keyboard, may include a plurality of layers, such as a base layer. The base layer may include a cutout defined at least partially by interior edges of the base layer. An antenna may be secured to a structural member of the computing device, and the antenna may receive electromagnetic radiation through the cutout in the base layer. In another example, the antenna may be mounted to a lower surface of a key cap.

Claims

1. A computing device comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor; and

an input coupled to the processor, the input comprising;

a top layer including a plurality of key caps, the plurality of key caps configured to receive input from a user;

a circuit layer coupled to the processor and being configured to receive the input from each of the plurality of key caps;

a base layer disposed adjacent to a surface of the circuit layer, wherein the base layer includes a cutout formed at an edge of the base layer therein, a perimeter of the cutout being at least partially defined by an interior edge of the base layer; and

an antenna mounted on a surface of one of the plurality of key caps that faces the circuit layer, the antenna configured to receive a signal from an external source, wherein the antenna covers an area of the surface of one of the plurality of key caps that faces the circuit layer, and the covered area at least partially overlaps the cutout in a direction perpendicular to at least one of the top layer, circuit layer, or base layer.

2. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the cutout is defined by a plurality of interior edges of the base layer.

3. The computing device of claim 1, wherein an area of the cutout is less than or equal to an area of the antenna.

4. The computing device of claim 1, wherein an area of the cutout is greater than or equal to an area of the antenna.

5. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the top layer further comprises a plurality of conductive members, the conductive members being configured to communicate the input from the plurality of key caps to the circuit layer.

6. The computing device of claim 5, further comprising a holding layer disposed adjacent to a surface of the circuit layer opposed to the surface adjacent to the base layer.

7. The computing device of claim 6, wherein the plurality of conductive members are integrally formed with the holding layer.

8. The computing device of claim 5, wherein the top layer further comprises a plurality of biasing members.

9. The computing device of claim 8, wherein the antenna is disposed in a space at least partially defined between one of the plurality of conductive members and one of the plurality of biasing members.

10. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the one key cap is a function key cap.

11. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the one key cap is a character key cap.

12. The computing device of claim 11, wherein the one key cap is a spacebar keycap.

13. An input for a computing device, the input comprising:

a top layer including a plurality of key caps, the plurality of key caps configured to receive input from a user;

a circuit layer configured to receive input from each of the plurality of key caps;

a base layer disposed adjacent to a surface of the circuit layer, wherein the base layer includes a cutout formed at an edge of the base layer therein, a perimeter of the cutout being at least partially defined by an interior edge of the base layer; and

an antenna mounted on a surface of one of the plurality of key caps that faces the circuit layer, the antenna configured to receive a signal from an external source, wherein the antenna covers an area of the surface of one of the plurality of key caps that faces the circuit layer, and the covered area at least partially overlaps the cutout in a direction perpendicular to at least one of the top layer, circuit layer, or base layer.

14. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the cutout is defined by a plurality of interior edges of the base layer.

15. The computing device of claim 13, wherein an area of the cutout is less than or equal to an area of the antenna.

16. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the top layer further comprises a plurality of conductive members.

17. The computing device of claim 16, further comprising a holding layer disposed adjacent to a surface of the circuit layer opposed to the surface adjacent to the base layer.

18. The computing device of claim 17, wherein the plurality of conductive members are integrally formed with the holding layer.

19. The computing device of claim 16, wherein the top layer further comprises a plurality of biasing members.

20. The computing device of claim 19, wherein the antenna is disposed in a space at least partially defined between one of the plurality of conductive members and one of the plurality of biasing members.

21. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the one key cap is a function key cap.

22. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the one key cap is a character key cap.

23. The computing device of claim 22, wherein the one key cap is a spacebar keycap.

24. An input for a computing device, the input comprising:

a top layer including a plurality of key caps, the plurality of key caps configured to receive input from a user;

a circuit layer configured to receive input from each of the plurality of key caps;

a base layer disposed adjacent to a surface of the circuit layer, wherein the base layer includes a cutout formed therein, a perimeter of the cutout being at least partially defined by an interior edge of the base layer; and

an antenna mounted on a surface of one of the plurality of key caps that faces the circuit layer, the antenna configured to receive a signal from an external source, wherein the antenna at least partially overlaps the cutout in a direction perpendicular to at least one of the top layer, circuit layer, or base layer and an area of the cutout is greater than or equal to an area of the antenna.