Pressure sensitive key normalization

• US 8,646,999 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2012
• Issued: 02/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Shaw, Timothy C., Belesiu, Jim Tom, Dietz, Paul Henry, Stoumbos, Christopher Harry, Mathias, Dennis J.
• Primary Examiner(s): COLILLA, DANIEL JAMES
• Application Number:
  US13/651,871
• Publication Number:
  US 20130229761A1
• Time in Patent Office: 484 Days
• Field of Search: 200/511, 200/512, 400/490, 400/472
• US Class Current: 400/490
• 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. A device comprising at least one pressure sensitive key comprising a flexible contact layer spaced apart from a sensor substrate by a spacer layer, the flexible contact layer configured to flex in response to an application of 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 by using conductors of the sensor substrate at a second location of the sensor substrate that have a larger surface area along a plane of the sensor substrate larger than conductors at a first location of the sensor substrate that corresponds to the first location of the flexible contact layer.

2. A device as described in claim 1, wherein the second location on the flexible contact layer is positioned closer to an edge of the spacer layer than the first location of the flexible contact layer.

3. A device as described in claim 1, wherein the flexible contact layer is configured to normalize the outputs by including a greater amount of pressure sensitive ink at the second location in comparison with the first location.

4. A device as described in claim 1, wherein the sensor substrate is configured to normalize the outputs by including:

a first sensor at a first location of the sensor substrate that corresponds to the first location of the flexible contact layer; and

a second sensor at a second location of the sensor substrate that corresponds to the second location of the flexible contact layer.

5. A device as described in claim 1, wherein the sensor substrate is configured to normalize the outputs by spacing conductors of the sensor substrate closer together at a second location of the sensor substrate that corresponds to the second location of the flexible contact layer than at a first location of the sensor substrate that corresponds to the first location of the flexible contact layer.

6. A keyboard comprising a plurality of pressure sensitive keys configured to initiate inputs of a computing device, each of the plurality of pressure sensitive keys comprising a flexible contact layer spaced apart from a sensor substrate by a spacer layer, the flexible contact layer configured to flex in response to an application of pressure to contact the sensor substrate to initiate an input associated with the pressure sensitive key for a computing device, 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 through use of a greater amount of pressure sensitive ink at the second location in comparison with the first location of the flexible contact layer, the second location positioned closer to an edge of the spacer layer than the first location.

7. A keyboard as described in claim 6, wherein the flexible contact layer is configured to normalize the outputs by decreasing resistance at the second location in comparison with the first location.

8. A keyboard as described in claim 6, wherein the sensor substrate includes:

a first sensor at a first location of the sensor substrate that corresponds to the first location of the flexible contact layer; and

a second sensor at a second location of the sensor substrate that corresponds to the second location of the flexible contact layer.

9. A keyboard as described in claim 6, wherein conductors of the sensor substrate are spaced closer together at a second location of the sensor substrate that corresponds to the second location of the flexible contact layer than at a first location of the sensor substrate that corresponds to the first location of the flexible contact layer.

10. A keyboard as described in claim 6, wherein conductors of the sensor substrate are larger at a second location of the sensor substrate that corresponds to the second location of the flexible contact layer than conductors at a first location of the sensor substrate that corresponds to the first location of the flexible contact layer.

11. A keyboard as described in claim 6, wherein the flexible contact layer is configured to flex more at the first location in response to an amount of pressure than at a second location in response to application of the amount of pressure.

12. A device comprising:

at least one pressure sensitive key comprising;

a sensor substrate; and

a flexible contact layer spaced apart from the sensor substrate by a spacer layer, the flexible contact layer configured to flex in response to an application of pressure to contact the sensor substrate to initiate an input associated with the pressure sensitive key, the flexible contact layer and the sensor substrate configured to at least partially normalize an output resulting from pressure applied at different locations of the flexible contact layer that have different flexibilities by spacing conductors of the sensor substrate closer together at one location than another location of the substrate.

13. A device as described in claim 12, wherein at least one of the locations is positioned closer to an edge of the spacer layer than another one of the locations of the flexible contact layer.

14. A device as described in claim 12, wherein the flexible contact layer is configured to normalize the outputs by decreasing resistance at one of the locations in comparison with another one of the locations.

15. A device as described in claim 12, wherein the flexible contact layer is configured to normalize the outputs by including a greater amount of pressure sensitive ink at one of the locations in comparison with another one of the locations.

16. A device as described in claim 12, wherein the sensor substrate is configured to normalize the outputs by using conductors of the sensor substrate that have a larger surface area at one location than another location of the substrate.

17. A device comprising at least one pressure sensitive key comprising a flexible contact layer spaced apart from a sensor substrate by a spacer layer, the flexible contact layer configured to flex in response to an application of 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 by including a first sensor at a first location of the sensor substrate that corresponds to the first location of the flexible contact layer;

and a second sensor at a second location of the sensor substrate that corresponds to the second location of the flexible contact layer and by decreasing resistance at the second location in comparison with the first location.

18. A device as described in claim 17, wherein the second location on the flexible contact layer is positioned closer to an edge of the spacer layer than the first location of the flexible contact layer.

19. A device as described in claim 17, wherein the flexible contact layer is also configured to normalize the outputs by including a greater amount of pressure sensitive ink at the second location in comparison with the first location.

20. A device as described in claim 17, wherein the sensor substrate is also configured to normalize the outputs by spacing conductors of the sensor substrate closer together at a second location of the sensor substrate that corresponds to the second location of the flexible contact layer than at a first location of the sensor substrate that corresponds to the first location of the flexible contact layer.

21. A device as described in claim 17, wherein the sensor substrate is also configured to normalize the outputs by using conductors of the sensor substrate at a second location of the sensor substrate that are larger than conductors at a first location of the sensor substrate that corresponds to the first location of the flexible contact layer.