Pressure sensitive key normalization

• US 9,710,093 B2
• Filed: 01/03/2014
• Issued: 07/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Belesiu, Jim Tom, Mathias, Dennis J., Shaw, Timothy C., Dietz, Paul Henry, Stoumbos, Christopher Harry
• Primary Examiner(s): COLILLA, DANIEL JAMES
• Application Number:
  US14/147,252
• Publication Number:
  US 20140119802A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,292 Days
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/1064 with a coil spring perpendicular to the pivot axis
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 5/08 with springs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/46 Magnets
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/38 by folding , e.g. pivoting or scissors tong mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 11/01 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1618 the display being foldable up to the back of the other housing with a single degree of freedom, e.g. by 360° rotation over the axis defined by the rear edge of the base enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/166 related to integrated arrangements for adjusting the position of the main body with respect to the supporting surface, e.g. legs for adjusting the tilt angle
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1669 Detachable keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1681 Details related solely to hinges hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1683 for the transmission of signal or power between the different housings, e.g. details of wired or wireless communication, passage of cabling
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1686 the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3089 Monitoring arrangements determined by the means or processing involved in sensing the monitored data, e.g. interfaces, connectors, sensors, probes, agents software debugging using additional hardware using a specific debug interface G06F11/3656; performance evaluation by tracing or monitoring G06F11/3466
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/102 where the programme performs an interfacing function, e.g. device driver G06F13/105 takes precedence; scheduling within device drivers G06F9/52; contention policies within device drivers G06F9/4881
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/002 Specific input/output arrangements not covered by G06F3/01 - G06F3/16 other optical apparatus G02B27/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/01 : Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer G06F3/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/02 : Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 : Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 : Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/023 : Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 : Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0414 : using force sensing means to determine a position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 : Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0487 : using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 : using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 : by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/541 : via adapters, e.g. between incompatible applications
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 11/00 : Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches processes specially adapted for manufacture of rectilinearly movable switches having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboards, H01H13/88
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/14 : Operating parts, e.g. push-button
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/702 : with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/703 : characterised by spacers between contact carrying layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/704 : characterised by the layers, e.g. by their material or structure H01H13/703 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/78 : characterised by the contacts or the contact sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/785 : characterised by the material of the contacts, e.g. conductive polymers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/79 : characterised by the form of the contacts, e.g. interspersed fingers or helical networks
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/807 : characterised by the spatial arrangement of the contact sites, e.g. superimposed sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/82 : characterised by contact space venting means
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/036 : Variable resistance
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/02 : Interspersed fingers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/036 : to solve particular problems
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/058 : Contact area function of position on layered keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2205/006 : mounted on spacer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2211/004 : Adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2211/006 : Individual areas
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2213/016 : in adhesive layer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/004 : Larger or different actuating area
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/006 : Different feeling for different switch sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/01 : Off centre actuation
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2227/032 : Operating force
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/26 : for interlocking two or more switches H01H13/568 takes precedence; by a detachable member H01H9/28 ; for electromagnetic relays H01H50/323
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0216 : Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0245 : using open/close detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 : comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 : by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0226 : Hinges
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0234 : Feet; Stands; Pedestals, e.g. wheels for moving casing on floor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 : Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

Pressure sensitive key techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a device includes at least one pressure sensitive key having a flexible contact layer spaced apart from a sensor substrate by a spacer layer, the flexible contact layer configured to flex responsive to pressure to contact the sensor substrate to initiate an input, for a computing device, associated with the pressure sensitive key. At least one of the flexible contact layer or the sensor substrate are configured to at least partially normalize an output resulting from pressure applied at a first location of the flexible contact layer with an output resulting from pressure applied at a second location of the flexible contact layer that has lesser flexibility than the first location.

Claims

1. An input device comprising a plurality of pressure sensitive keys forming a keyboard configured to initiate corresponding inputs of a computing device, each of the plurality of pressure sensitive keys formed from a flexible contact layer spaced apart from a sensor substrate by a spacer layer, a first said pressure sensitive key configured to have a greater sensitivity to pressure than a second said pressure sensitive key through configuration of at least one of respective said flexible contact layers or respective said sensor substrates, the first said pressure sensitive key positioned at a location outside of a home row of the keyboard that is likely to receive less pressure when pressed by one or more fingers of a user'"'"'s hand than the second said pressure sensitive key included as part of the home row, the plurality of pressure sensitive keys configured to provide a normalized output between the plurality of pressure sensitive keys of the keyboard and each pressure sensitive key configured to have different sensitivities at different locations to counteract differences in flexibility at different positions of each respective pressure sensitive key.

2. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the flexible contact layer of the first said pressure sensitive key is configured to support greater sensitivity to pressure than the second said pressure sensitive key by having decreased electrical resistance than the second said pressure sensitive key.

3. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the flexible contact layer of the first said pressure sensitive key is configured to support greater sensitivity to pressure than the second said pressure sensitive key by including a greater amount of pressure sensitive ink than included at the second said pressure sensitive key.

4. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the first said pressure sensitive key is configured to support greater sensitivity to pressure than the second said pressure sensitive key by spacing conductors of the sensor substrate of the first said pressure sensitive key closer together than conductors of the sensor substrate of the second said pressure sensitive key.

5. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the first said pressure sensitive key is configured to support greater sensitivity to pressure than the second said pressure sensitive key by including conductors in the sensor substrate of the first said pressure sensitive key that are larger than conductors of the sensor substrate of the second said pressure sensitive key.

6. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein a sensitivity at an edge of a respective key is increased in comparison to a sensitivity at a center of the respective key.

7. An input device as described in claim 6, wherein increasing sensitivity at the edge of the respective key in comparison to the sensitivity at the center of the key accounts for the differences in flexibility of the respective key at the edge of the respective key in comparison to the center of the respective key.

8. An input device as described in claim 6, wherein the sensitivity at the edge of the respective key is increased by increasing an amount of force sensitive ink at the edge of the respective key in comparison to an amount of force sensitive ink at the center of the respective key.

9. An input device as described in claim 6, wherein the sensitivity at the edge of the respective key is increased by increasing an amount of conductors available to be contacted in a sensor substrate at the edge of the respective key in comparison to an amount of conductors available to be contacted in a sensor substrate at the center of the respective key.

10. An input device as described in claim 6, wherein the sensitivity at the edge of the respective key is increased by using a first force sensitive ink at the center of the respective key and a second force sensitive ink at the edge of the respective key, the second force sensitive ink having a higher conductivity or resistance than the first force sensitive ink.

11. An apparatus comprising:

a connection portion configured to provide a removable communicative and physical coupling to a computing device; and

a plurality of pressure sensitive keys forming a keyboard configured to initiate corresponding inputs of the computing device via the communicative coupling, a first said key configured to have a greater sensitivity to pressure than a second said key, the first said key positioned at a location outside of a home row of the keyboard that is likely to receive less pressure when pressed by one or more fingers of a user'"'"'s hand than the second said key included as part of the home row when the user'"'"'s hand is positioned on the keyboard associated with the plurality of pressure sensitive keys, the plurality of pressure sensitive keys configured to provide a normalized output between the plurality of pressure sensitive keys of the keyboard and each pressure sensitive key configured to have different sensitivities at different locations to counteract differences in flexibility at different positions of each respective pressure sensitive key.

12. An apparatus as described in claim 11, wherein the connection portion is configured to provide the removable physical coupling to the computing device through use of magnetism.

13. An apparatus as described in claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of pressure sensitive keys is formed using a flexible contact layer spaced apart from a sensor substrate by a spacer layer.

14. An apparatus as described in claim 13, wherein the flexible contact layer of the first said key is configured to support greater sensitivity to pressure than the second said key by having decreased electrical resistance than the second said key.

15. An apparatus as described in claim 13, wherein the flexible contact layer of the first said key is configured to support greater sensitivity to pressure than the second said key by including a greater amount of pressure sensitive ink than included at the second said key.

16. An apparatus as described in claim 13, wherein the first said key is configured to support greater sensitivity to pressure than the second said key by spacing conductors of the sensor substrate of the first said key closer together than conductors of the sensor substrate of the second said key.

17. An apparatus as described in claim 13, wherein the first said key is configured to support greater sensitivity to pressure than the second said key by including conductors in the sensor substrate of the first said key that are larger than conductors of the sensor substrate of the second said key.

18. An apparatus as described in claim 11, wherein a sensitivity at an edge of a respective key is increased in comparison to a sensitivity at a center of the respective key.

19. An apparatus as described in claim 18, wherein increasing sensitivity at the edge of the respective key in comparison to the sensitivity at the center of the key accounts for the differences in flexibility of the respective key at the edge of the respective key in comparison to the center of the respective key.

20. An apparatus as described in claim 18, wherein the sensitivity at the edge of the respective key is increased by using a first configuration of conductors available to be contacted in a sensor substrate at the edge of the respective key and a second configuration of conductors available to be contacted in a sensor substrate at the center of the respective key.

21. An apparatus as described in claim 20, wherein the second configuration of conductors comprises smaller conductors and larger gaps between conductors than the first configuration of conductors.

22. A keyboard comprising:

a plurality of keys configured to initiate corresponding inputs of a computing device via a communicative coupling, a first said key configured to have a greater sensitivity to pressure than a second said key, the first said key is positioned at a location outside of a home row of the keyboard that is likely to receive less pressure when pressed by one or more fingers of a user'"'"'s hand than the second said key included as part of the home row when the user'"'"'s hand is positioned on the keyboard, the plurality of keys configured to provide a normalized output between the plurality of keys of the keyboard and each key configured to have different sensitivities at different locations to counteract differences in flexibility at different positions of each respective key.

23. A keyboard as described in claim 22, wherein each of the plurality of keys is formed as a pressure sensitive key using a flexible contact layer spaced apart from a sensor substrate by a spacer layer.

24. A keyboard as described in claim 23, wherein the flexible contact layer of the first said key is configured to support greater sensitivity to pressure than the second said key by having decreased electrical resistance than the second said key.

25. A keyboard as described in claim 23, wherein the flexible contact layer of the first said key is configured to support greater sensitivity to pressure than the second said key by including a greater amount of pressure sensitive ink than included at the second said key.

26. A keyboard as described in claim 22, wherein the first said key is configured to support greater sensitivity to pressure than the second said key by spacing conductors of the sensor substrate of the first said key closer together than conductors of the sensor substrate of the second said key.

27. A keyboard as described in claim 23, wherein the first said key is configured to support greater sensitivity to pressure than the second said key by including conductors in the sensor substrate of the first said key that are larger than conductors of the sensor substrate of the second said key.

28. A keyboard as described in claim 22, wherein a sensitivity at an edge of a respective key is increased in comparison to a sensitivity at a center of the respective key.

29. A keyboard as described in claim 28, wherein increasing sensitivity at the edge of the respective key in comparison to the sensitivity at the center of the key accounts for the differences in flexibility of the respective key at the edge of the respective key in comparison to the center of the respective key.