Controller-less quick tactile feedback keyboard
First Claim
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1. A keyboard comprising:
- a plurality of keys beneath a flexible film, each of the plurality of keys comprising;
a first electrode underneath the flexible film, the first electrode coupled to a high voltage signal source;
a second electrode located beneath the first electrode, the second electrode coupled to an input detector;
a spacer configured to maintain at least a threshold distance between the first electrode and the second electrode when there is less than a first threshold amount of touch pressure applied to a top surface of the flexible film above the first electrode;
a piezoelectric actuator beneath the second electrode, a top surface of the piezoelectric actuator coupled to the second electrode, wherein contact between the first electrode and the second electrode couples the high voltage signal source to the input detector and the piezoelectric actuator, and wherein the piezoelectric actuator is configured to deform in response to contact between the first electrode and the second electrode; and
a base plane beneath the piezoelectric actuator, the base plane coupled to a bottom surface of the piezoelectric actuator and a signal ground.
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Abstract
In some examples, techniques are provided for quick haptic feedback, without the use of a controller, which is local to individual, non-actuating keys, such as keys of a thin keyboard or keypad. The haptic feedback may be in the form of a simulated “key-click” feedback for an individual key that is pressed by a user such that the finger used to press the key feels the tactile sensation. The haptic feedback mimics the tactile sensation of a mechanical key (e.g., buckling spring, pop-dome key switch) to give a user the perception that they have actuated a mechanically movable key.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A keyboard comprising:
a plurality of keys beneath a flexible film, each of the plurality of keys comprising; a first electrode underneath the flexible film, the first electrode coupled to a high voltage signal source; a second electrode located beneath the first electrode, the second electrode coupled to an input detector; a spacer configured to maintain at least a threshold distance between the first electrode and the second electrode when there is less than a first threshold amount of touch pressure applied to a top surface of the flexible film above the first electrode; a piezoelectric actuator beneath the second electrode, a top surface of the piezoelectric actuator coupled to the second electrode, wherein contact between the first electrode and the second electrode couples the high voltage signal source to the input detector and the piezoelectric actuator, and wherein the piezoelectric actuator is configured to deform in response to contact between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a base plane beneath the piezoelectric actuator, the base plane coupled to a bottom surface of the piezoelectric actuator and a signal ground. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 14)
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6. An electronic device comprising:
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a flexible film; a first electrode underneath the flexible film, the first electrode coupled to a high voltage signal source; a second electrode located beneath the first electrode, the second electrode coupled to an input detector; a piezoelectric actuator beneath the second electrode, a top surface of the piezoelectric actuator coupled to the second electrode, wherein contact between the first electrode and the second electrode couples the high voltage signal source to the input detector and the piezoelectric actuator; and a base plane beneath the piezoelectric actuator, the base plane coupled to a bottom surface of the piezoelectric actuator and a signal ground. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15)
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16. A device comprising:
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means for receiving a threshold amount of pressure on a top surface of a flexible film; means for contacting a first electrode with a second electrode in response to receiving the threshold amount of pressure; and means for generating haptic feedback in response to the first electrode contacting the second electrode; and means for providing an input detection signal in response to the first electrode contacting the second electrode. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification