Small form-factor keypad for mobile computing devices

• US 7,525,534 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2005
• Issued: 04/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Palm, Inc. (TCL Technology Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Skillman, Peter, Gioscia, Richard, Yurochko, Michael, Zarnowitz, Arthur
• Primary Examiner(s): Dharia; Prabodh M.
• Application Number:
  US11/115,032
• Publication Number:
  US 20060202968A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,464 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345168-171, 345/422, 345/609, 345/174, 345/629, 345/582, 345/606, 345/530, 345/539, 345/541, 345/157, 345/160, 345/146, 200/344, 200/517, 200/314, 200/5.A, 708/145, 705/1, 715/773, 400/489, 400/82, 400/490, 361/683, 361/680, 361/681, 455/566, 455/550, 362/84, 362/30, 313/305, 313/506, 252/511, 84/20
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• 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 3/0233 Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/7057 characterised by the arrangement of operating parts in relation to each other, e.g. pre-assembled groups of keys
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/006 Force isolators
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/004 Collapsible dome or bubble
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/012 Two keys simultaneous considerations
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/024 Profile on actuator
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/036 Plural multifunctional miniature keys for one symbol
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/014 LED
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/018 Electroluminescent panel
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/05 Force concentrator; Actuating dimple
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/054 connected by flexible webs
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/07 transparent
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/0345 with keys positioned directly next to each other without an intermediate bezel or frame
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2227/016 Switch site protrusions; Force concentrators
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/022 Modular assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/028 Adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/034 : Positioning of layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/044 : Injection moulding
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/047 : Preformed layer in mould
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2233/002 : joined to form button rows
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/23 : Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof by improving visibility H04M1/22
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72466 : with selection means, e.g. keys, having functions defined by the mode or the status of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/70 : methods for entering alphabetical characters, e.g. multi-tap or dictionary disambiguation methods for entering alphabetical characters per se G06F3/0237

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide an effective keypad assembly and keypad layout for mobile computing devices. In particular, embodiments of the invention provide keyboard layouts and designs. Additionally, embodiments described herein provide for stack components to make keyboards operable on small-form factor devices.

Claims

1. A mobile computing device comprising:

a housing;

one or more processors contained within the housing;

a plurality of key structures that extend from a region of the housing, wherein individual key structures in the plurality of key structures are moveable inward, from an original position into an engaged position, in order to cause an input to be registered by the one or more processors;

wherein each of at least a majority of the plurality of key structures has a footprint that is (i) oblong in shape to define a length and a width of that key structure, and (ii) symmetrical about at least its length; and

wherein each of the key structures in the majority includes an outer surface that is provided with an outward curvature relative to the region of the housing.

2. The mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein the length of individual key structures of at least a majority of the plurality of key structure are aligned with a vertical axis of the mobile computing device.

3. The mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein key structures in the plurality of key structures that are adjacent to one another in a first direction nearly abut one another.

4. The mobile computing device of claim 3, wherein key structures in the plurality of key structures that are most proximate to one another in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction are not nearly abutting.

5. The mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein key structures in the plurality of key structures that are adjacent to one another in the first direction are distributed linearly in the first direction.

6. The mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein key structures in the plurality of key structures that are adjacent to one another in the first direction are distributed in a curve extending substantially in the first direction.

7. The mobile computing device of claim 6, wherein key structures in the plurality of key structures that are most proximate to one another in the second direction are separated by a second spacing that is greater than the tolerance level.

8. The mobile computing device of claim 3, further comprising:

a stack formed from assembling a plurality of layers, including at least an electrical contact layer and an actuation layer, the stack assembly extending underneath the plurality of key structures and within the housing to electrically interconnect individual key structures in the plurality of key structures with the one or more processors;

wherein the electrical contact layer includes a plurality of electrical contacts, and the actuation member layer includes a plurality of actuation members, and wherein the electrical contact layer and the actuation member layer are aligned with respect to the plurality of key structures so that inward movement of any of the plurality of key structures causes a corresponding actuation member from the actuation member layer to contact an aligned electrical contact of the electrical contact layer;

wherein the stack includes a tolerance level that is based on an assembly tolerance for assembling each of the plurality of layers; and

wherein key structures in the plurality of key structures that are adjacent to one another in the first direction are separated by a first spacing that is of an order of a tolerance level for the stack assembly.

9. The mobile computing device of claim 8, wherein the first spacing is between about 0.1 millimeters and 0.75 millimeters.

10. The mobile computing device of claim 8, wherein the first spacing is between about 0.4 millimeters and 0.06 millimeters.

11. The mobile computing device of claim 7, wherein the second spacing is between 1 millimeters and 4 millimeters.

12. The mobile computing device of claim 4, wherein the first spacing is sufficiently small to preclude a user from seeing into the first spacing to view what is underlying the first spacing, and wherein the second spacing is sufficiently large to enable the user to view what is underlying the second spacing.

13. The mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of key structures include ornamentation for a keyboard, and wherein the plurality of key structures are arranged to form a QWERTY layout.

14. The mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein the footprint of each of the majority of the key structures is rectangular, and wherein the outward curvature of each of the majority of key structures is symmetrical about an approximate centerline of that key structure.

15. The mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein the region of the housing corresponds to a front face of the mobile computing device, and wherein the mobile computing device includes a display provided on the front face.

16. The mobile computing device of claim 15, wherein the housing is a single body and rectangular.

17. The mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein the majority of the plurality of key structures are provided from a single carrier that is placed within the housing.

18. The mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of key structures include one or more boundary key structures that are asymmetrical about the vertical axis.

19. The mobile computing device of claim 1, wherein at least some of the plurality of key structures, including the majority of the plurality of key structures, are each structured to include a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge that each extend into the housing, and wherein a first groove joins the first lateral edge with the outward curvature of the outer surface, and wherein a second groove joins the second lateral edge with the outward curvature of the outer surface.

20. The mobile computing device of claim 19, wherein the first groove and the second groove are shaped as a scallop.

21. A keypad for a mobile computing device, the keypad comprising:

a plurality of key structures distributed to extend in a horizontal direction and in a vertical direction on a face of the mobile computing device,

wherein for at least a majority of the plurality of key structures, (i) key structures that are adjacent to one another in the horizontal direction nearly abut one another, wherein each adjacent pair of nearly abutting key structures is (a) sufficiently separated to enable each key structure of the pair to move independently of the other key structure in the pair, and (b) sufficiently proximate to provide each key structure in the pair to appear to be in contact with the other key structure of the pair, so that no structure or spacing is visibly present to separate the adjacent pair of nearly abutting key structures when the keypad is in use;

(ii) key structures that are most proximate to one another in the vertical direction are spaced apart;

wherein a horizontal spacing between most proximate key structures in the horizontal direction is less than 0.1 millimeters and (iii) individual key structures in the majority have a footprint that is oblong.

22. The keypad of claim 21, wherein for individual key structures in the majority of key structures, a lengthwise direction of the footprint corresponds to the vertical direction.

23. The keypad of claim 21, wherein the individual key structures in the plurality of key structures have a footprint that is tilted about the vertical direction.

24. The keypad of claim 21, wherein the plurality of key structures of the key structure layer are provided on a single carrier element.

25. The keypad of claim 21, wherein the footprint of the individual key structures is rectangular, and wherein each of the individual key structures includes an outer surface that is curved outward.

26. The keypad of claim 21, wherein a vertical spacing between proximate key structures in the vertical direction is between 1.0 and 4.0 millimeters.

27. The keypad of claim 21, wherein the plurality of key structures of the key structure layer each include a corresponding ornamentation, and wherein the plurality of key structures are arranged to form a QWERTY layout.

28. The keypad of claim 21, wherein each key structure in the key structure layer includes (i) a rectangular footprint, and (ii) an outer surface having an outward curvature that is symmetrical about an approximate centerline of that key structure.

29. The keypad of claim 21, wherein the key structures extend arcuately in the horizontal direction.

30. The keypad of claim 21, wherein the key structures of the key structure layer extend linearly in the horizontal direction.

31. The keypad of claim 21, wherein the keypad further comprises an assembled stack that includes a key structure layer comprising the plurality of key structures, and wherein at least some pairs of nearly abutting key structures are sufficiently proximate so that each key structure in an adjacent pair of key structures is separated by an amount that is about equal or less than a tolerance level of assembly for the stack.

32. The keypad of claim 21, wherein a horizontal spacing between most proximate key structures in the horizontal direction is between 0.05 and 0.1 millimeters.

33. A keypad for a mobile computing device, the keypad comprising:

a plurality of key structures, wherein individual key structures in the plurality of key structures are moveable inward, from an original position into an engaged position;

wherein a majority of the plurality of key structures has a footprint that is oblong in shape to define a length and a width of that key structure, and wherein the footprint of each of the majority of key structures is symmetrical about at least its length; and

wherein each of the plurality of key structures includes an outer surface having an outward curvature.

34. The keypad of claim 33, wherein for at least some of the plurality of key structures, the outward curvature is symmetrical about a lengthwise centerline of that key structure.

35. The keypad of claim 33, wherein each of the plurality of key structures is barrel-shaped.

36. The keypad of claim 33, wherein for at least some of the plurality of key structures, (i) adjacent key structures in the horizontal direction nearly abut one another;

and (ii) proximate and adjacent key structures in the vertical direction are spaced-apart.

37. The keypad of claim 33, wherein the plurality of key structures are distributed in a plurality of horizontal sets, each horizontal set including a first boundary key structure at a first end and a second boundary key structure at a second end, and wherein a dimension of the horizontal set extending from a boundary surface of the first boundary key structure to a boundary surface of the second boundary key structure is substantially equal to a horizontal dimension of each individual key structure in the horizontal set.

38. A method for manufacturing a keypad for use with a mobile computing device, the method comprising:

forming a first structure comprising a first plurality of key structures interconnected by a first strip of film, wherein the first structure includes at least a first key structure, a void for a second key structure, and a third key structure, wherein the void for the second key structure is positioned adjacent to the first key structure and the second key structure;

forming a second structure comprising a second plurality of key structures interconnected by a second strip of film, wherein the second structure includes at least the second key structure;

connecting the first structure to a first side of a midframe, wherein the midframe includes at least a first opening, so that the first key structure and the third key structure are provided on or within the first opening; and

connecting the second structure to a second side of the midframe, so that the second key structure occupies the void between the first key structure and the second key structure on or within the first opening of the midframe.

39. The method of claim 38, further comprising:

forming one of an upward or downward bend on the first strip to separate the first key structure and the third key structure from a portion of the first strip that is to be connected to the first side of the midframe;

forming an other of the upward or downward bend on the second strip to separate the second key structure from a portion of the second strip that is to be connected to the second side of the midframe.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein the step of forming the first structure includes:

molding the first key structure and the third key structure on a film; and

cutting the film to form the first strip with the first plurality of key structures.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the step of forming the second structure includes:

molding the second key structure on the film; and

cutting the film to form the second strip with the second plurality of key structures.