Key actuation detection apparatus and method
First Claim
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a first key configured to be manually actuatable by a user, the first key having a mechanism operative to mechanically generate vibrations in the first key that propagate outwardly from the first key along first, second, and third detection axes that are perpendicular to each other, in response to actuation of the first key;
a key-actuation detection circuit coupled to the first key and configured to detect actuation of the first key, the key-actuation detection circuit including an inertial-sensor circuit configured to detect the vibrations propagating from the first key along the first, second, and third detection axes and to supply first, second, and third detection signals in response to the detection of the vibrations acting along the first, second, and third detection axes, respectively;
a casing on which the first key is arranged;
a board coupled to the casing and rigidly coupled to the inertial-sensor circuit in a manner that enables the inertial-sensor circuit to detect the vibrations that propagate through the casing from the first key along the first, second, and third detection axes in response to actuation of the first key; and
a compliant-support device mounted between the casing and the board, the compliant support device configured to support the board in a resting position and to enable the board to move along the third detection axis with respect to the casing,wherein the first key includes a first mechanical-coupling element configured to exert a pressure on the board asymmetrically with respect to the second detection axis in response to actuation of the first key and cause the board to be inclined and rotate about the second detection axis.
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Abstract
A manual pointing device for a computer system, the device having at least one key that can be actuated manually by a user, a click-event detection module coupled to the key to detect actuation thereof on first, second, and third detection axes via an inertial sensing circuit elastically coupled to a casing with a board, the inertial-sensor circuit structured to be carried on the board so as to oscillate and to rotate about the second detection axis.
19 Citations
22 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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a first key configured to be manually actuatable by a user, the first key having a mechanism operative to mechanically generate vibrations in the first key that propagate outwardly from the first key along first, second, and third detection axes that are perpendicular to each other, in response to actuation of the first key; a key-actuation detection circuit coupled to the first key and configured to detect actuation of the first key, the key-actuation detection circuit including an inertial-sensor circuit configured to detect the vibrations propagating from the first key along the first, second, and third detection axes and to supply first, second, and third detection signals in response to the detection of the vibrations acting along the first, second, and third detection axes, respectively; a casing on which the first key is arranged; a board coupled to the casing and rigidly coupled to the inertial-sensor circuit in a manner that enables the inertial-sensor circuit to detect the vibrations that propagate through the casing from the first key along the first, second, and third detection axes in response to actuation of the first key; and a compliant-support device mounted between the casing and the board, the compliant support device configured to support the board in a resting position and to enable the board to move along the third detection axis with respect to the casing, wherein the first key includes a first mechanical-coupling element configured to exert a pressure on the board asymmetrically with respect to the second detection axis in response to actuation of the first key and cause the board to be inclined and rotate about the second detection axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An apparatus comprising:
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a first key configured to be manually actuatable by a user, the first key having a mechanism operative to mechanically generate vibrations in the first key that propagate outwardly from the first key along first, second, and third detection axes that are perpendicular to each other, in response to actuation of the first key; a key-actuation detection circuit coupled to the first key and configured to detect actuation of the first key, the key-actuation detection circuit including an inertial-sensor circuit configured to detect the vibrations propagating from the first key along the first, second, and third detection axes and to supply first, second, and third detection signals in response to the detection of the vibrations acting along the first, second, and third detection axes, respectively and a second key configured to be actuated manually by a user and to mechanically generate vibrations within the second key that propagate outwardly from the second key along the first, second, and third detection axes in response to the manual actuation of the second key, wherein the inertial-sensor circuit is configured to detect the vibrations generated by the actuation of the second key, along the first, second, and third detection axes and to supply the first, second, and third detection signals in response to the detection of the vibrations generated by the actuation of the second key and acting along the first, second, and third detection axes, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system, comprising:
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a first key manually actuatable by a user; and a key-actuation detection circuit coupled to the first key and configured to detect actuation of the first key, the key-actuation detection circuit including; an inertial-sensor circuit configured to detect mechanical stresses generated by actuation of the first key, the inertial-sensor circuit having first, second, and third detection axes perpendicular to one another, the inertial-sensor circuit being configured to supply a first detection signal, a second detection signal, and a third detection signal in response to the mechanical stresses generated along the first detection axis, the second detection axis, and the third detection axis, respectively; a recognition circuit coupled to the inertial-sensor circuit and configured to supply a recognition signal indicative of the mechanical stresses detected along the third detection axis; and a discrimination circuit configured to detect the actuation of the first key based on the recognition signal and at least one of the first and second detection signals. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An apparatus, comprising:
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a first key and a second key each configured to be manually actuatable by a user, a key-actuation detection circuit coupled to the first and second keys and configured to detect actuation of the first and second keys, the key-actuation detection circuit including; an inertial-sensor circuit configured to detect mechanical stresses, generated by actuation of the first key and the second key by the user, along first, second, and third detection axes that are perpendicular to each other and to supply first, second, and third detection signals in response to the mechanical stresses acting along the first, second, and third detection axes, respectively; a derivative module coupled to the inertial-sensor circuit and configured to determine a time derivative of the second detection signal; and a discrimination circuit configured to associate a key actuation event selectively to one of the first and second keys based on a time derivative of the second detection signal. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification