Input device outer layer and backlighting

• US 9,759,854 B2
• Filed: 02/17/2014
• Issued: 09/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Harley, Jr., Richard Dean
• Primary Examiner(s): Ton, Anabel
• Application Number:
  US14/181,863
• Publication Number:
  US 20150234108A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,303 Days
• Field of Search: 345173
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/005 provided by one optical element, or plurality thereof, placed on the light output side of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1669 Detachable keyboards
• 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 3/04144 using an array of force sensing means position sensing using the local deformation of sensor cells G06F3/0447
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/044 by capacitive means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

Input device outer layer and backlighting techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an input device includes a light guide configured to transmit light, a sensor assembly having a plurality of sensors that are configured to detect proximity of an object as a corresponding one or more inputs, a connection portion configured to form a communicative coupling to a computing device to communicate the one or more inputs received by the sensor assembly to the computing device, and an outer layer disposed proximal to the light guide such that the light guide is positioned between the outer layer and the sensor assembly. The outer layer has one or more portions configured to permit transmission of light from the light guide to act as a backlight, the outer layer having a textured outer surface and a smooth inner surface that is disposed proximal to the light guide.

Claims

1. An input device comprising:

a light guide configured to transmit light;

a sensor assembly having a plurality of sensors that are configured to detect proximity of an object as a corresponding one or more inputs;

a connection portion configured to form a communicative coupling to a computing device to communicate the one or more inputs received by the sensor assembly to the computing device; and

an outer layer disposed proximal to the light guide such that the light guide is positioned between the outer layer and the sensor assembly, the outer layer having one or more portions configured to permit transmission of light from the light guide to act as a backlight, the outer layer having a textured outer surface and a smooth inner surface that is disposed proximal to the light guide.

2. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the outer layer is formed to include a fabric layer having the textured outer surface and a fabric layer having the smooth surface.

3. An input device as described in claim 2, wherein the fabric layer having the smooth surface is formed using a release paper that has a smoothness that is greater that a release paper used to form the fabric layer having the textured surface.

4. An input device as described in claim 2, wherein the fabric layer having the smooth surface has a shade that is darker than a shade of the fabric layer having the textured surface.

5. An input device as described in claim 2, wherein the one or more portions are configured to permit transmission of light from the light guide through formation as openings through the fabric layer having the textured outer surface and the fabric layer having the smooth surface.

6. An input device as described in claim 2, wherein the fabric layer having the smooth surface is thermoset to the fabric layer having the textured surface.

7. An input device as described in claim 2, wherein the fabric layer having the smooth surface and the fabric layer having the textured surface are formed from a material having matching chemistries.

8. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the outer layer is formed from polyurethane (PU).

9. An input device as described in claim 8, wherein the polyurethane (PU) is formed as a fabric.

10. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the one or more portions configured to permit transmission of light are configured to indicate inputs supported by the input device.

11. An apparatus comprising:

a light guide configured to transmit light;

one or more sensors configured to detect proximity of an object; and

an outer layer formed as a fabric and disposed proximal to the light guide, the outer layer having one or more portions configured to permit transmission of light from the light guide, the light guide positioned between the outer layer and the one or more sensors, the outer layer including;

a fabric layer having a textured outer surface; and

a fabric layer having a smooth surface disposed proximal to the light guide and configured to have a resistance to transmission of light from the light guide that is greater than the fabric layer having the textured outer surface.

12. An apparatus as described in claim 11, wherein both fabric layers are formed using polyurethane (PU).

13. An apparatus as described in claim 11, wherein the fabric layer having the smooth surface is formed using a release paper that has a smoothness that is greater that a release paper used to form the fabric layer having the textured surface.

14. An apparatus as described in claim 11, wherein the fabric layer having the smooth surface has a shade that is darker than a shade of the fabric layer having the textured surface.

15. An apparatus as described in claim 11, wherein the fabric layer having the smooth surface is thermoset to the fabric layer having the textured surface.

16. A keyboard device comprising:

a light guide configured to transmit light;

a sensor assembly having a plurality of sensors that are configured to detect proximity of an object as a corresponding one or more inputs;

a connection portion configured to form a communicative coupling to a computing device to communicate the one or more inputs received by the sensor assembly to the computing device; and

an outer layer disposed proximal to the light guide such that the light guide is positioned between the outer layer and the sensor assembly.

17. The keyboard device of claim 16, wherein the outer layer has one or more portions configured to permit transmission of light from the light guide to act as a backlight.

18. The keyboard device of claim 16, wherein the outer layer has a textured outer surface and a smooth inner surface that is disposed proximal to the light guide.

19. The keyboard device of claim 16, wherein the keyboard device is configured to act as a cover for the computing device.

20. The keyboard device of claim 16, wherein the connection portion enables a removable coupling of the keyboard device to the computing device.