Force concentrator

• US 9,158,383 B2
• Filed: 05/10/2012
• Issued: 10/13/2015
• 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: Shaw, Timothy C., Belesiu, Jim Tom, Drasnin, Sharon, Stoumbos, Christopher Harry, Dietz, Paul Henry, Mathias, Dennis J., Huala, Rob
• Primary Examiner(s): Leon, Edwin A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jimenez, Anthony R.
• Application Number:
  US13/468,949
• Publication Number:
  US 20130228433A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,251 Days
• Field of Search: 200/600, 200/46, 200/5.R, 200/5.A, 200/292, 200/243, 345/173, 178/18.01, 178/18.06
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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

Force concentrator techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a pressure sensitive key includes a sensor substrate having a plurality of conductors, a flexible contact layer spaced apart from the sensor substrate and configured to flex to contact the sensor substrate to initiate an input; and a force concentrator layer disposed proximal to the flexible contact layer on a side opposite the sensor substrate. The force concentrator layer has a pad disposed thereon that is configured to cause pressure applied to the force concentrator layer to be channeled through the pad to cause the flexible contact layer to contact the sensor substrate to initiate the input.

Claims

1. A pressure sensitive key comprising:

a sensor substrate having one or more conductors;

a flexible contact layer spaced apart from the sensor substrate and configured to flex to contact the sensor substrate to initiate an input; and

a force concentrator layer disposed proximal to the flexible contact layer on a side opposite the sensor substrate, the force concentrator layer having a pad disposed thereon that is configured to cause;

pressure applied to the force concentrator layer to be channeled through the pad and spread across the flexible contact layer to contact the sensor substrate to initiate the input; and

a decrease in a deformation bend radius of the flexible contact layer from that of a contact that applied the pressure to the force concentrator layer such that the pad causes an increase in a contact patch area of the flexible contact layer to contact the sensor substrate responsive to the pressure from that of a contact that applied the pressure to the force concentrator layer.

2. A pressure sensitive key as described in claim 1, wherein the flexible contact layer includes a force sensitive ink.

3. A pressure sensitive key as described in claim 1, wherein the pressure is applied to the force concentrator layer through an off center key strike and the force concentrator layer is configured to channel the pressure to initiate the input.

4. A pressure sensitive key as described in claim 1, wherein the force concentrator layer is configured to act as a mechanical filter such that an amount of pressure below a threshold amount is not channeled in a sufficient amount to cause the flexible contact layer to contact the sensor substrate in an amount that is sufficient to initiate the input.

5. A pressure sensitive key as described in claim 4, wherein the threshold of the force concentrator layer is configured such that pressure resulting from a resting finger is below the threshold and a pressure resulting from a key strike is above the threshold.

6. A pressure sensitive key as described in claim 4, wherein the threshold of the force concentrator layer is configured at approximately fifty grams.

7. A pressure sensitive key as described in claim 1, wherein the pad forms a raised portion in relation to a substrate of the force concentrator layer having a surface that is configured to contact the flexible contact layer.

8. A pressure sensitive key as described in claim 7, wherein an area of the surface is smaller than an area defined by a spacing layer that is configured to space the flexible contact layer from the sensor substrate.

9. A pressure sensitive key as described in claim 1, wherein the pad has a flat surface that contacts the flexible contact layer.

10. A pressure sensitive key as described in claim 1, wherein the force concentrator layer includes a cut at least partially through the layer that increases flexibility proximal to the cut.

11. A pressure sensitive key comprising:

a sensor substrate having a plurality of conductors;

a flexible contact layer spaced apart from the sensor substrate and configured to flex to contact the sensor substrate to initiate an input; and

a flexible force concentrator layer disposed proximal to the flexible contact layer on a side opposite the sensor substrate, the flexible force concentrator layer configured to act as a mechanical filter such that an amount of pressure below a threshold amount is not channeled in a sufficient amount to cause the flexible contact layer to contact the flexible force concentrator layer in an amount that is sufficient to initiate the input, such that pressure resulting from a resting finger is below the threshold and a pressure resulting from a key strike is above the threshold and as having a pad that causes an increase in a contact patch area of the flexible contact layer as contacting the sensor substrate responsive to pressure from that of a contact that applied the pressure to the force concentrator layer.

12. A pressure sensitive key as described in claim 11, wherein the pressure is applied to the force concentrator layer through an off center key strike and the force concentrator layer is configured to channel the pressure to initiate the input.

13. A pressure sensitive key as described in claim 11, wherein the threshold of the force concentrator layer is configured at approximately fifty grams.

14. A pressure sensitive key as described in claim 11, wherein the threshold of the force concentrator layer is configured such that the amount of pressure below the threshold amount does not cause the flexible contact layer to contact the sensor substrate.

15. A keyboard comprising a plurality of pressure sensitive keys formed comprising:

a sensor substrate having a plurality of conductors;

a flexible contact layer spaced apart from the sensor substrate and configured to flex to contact the sensor substrate to initiate an input of a respective said key; and

a force concentrator layer disposed proximal to the flexible contact layer on a side opposite the sensor substrate, the force concentrator layer having;

a first side including a pad disposed thereon that is configured to contact the flexible contact layer responsive to pressure applied to the force concentrator layer to be channeled through and spread across the pad to cause the flexible contact layer to contact the sensor substrate to initiate the input of the respective said key with a larger contact area than a contact area that received the applied pressure; and

a second side that is substantially smooth; and

an outer material disposed over the second side of the force concentrator layer, the outer material including indications of the input of the respective said key.

16. A keyboard as described in claim 15, wherein the second side is configured to reduce witness lines that are viewable through the outer material that are caused by components of the keyboard.

17. A keyboard as described in claim 15, wherein the force concentrator layer is configured to protect at least partially against electrostatic discharge.

18. A keyboard as described in claim 15, wherein the force concentrator layer is configured to act as a mechanical filter such that an amount of pressure below a threshold amount is not channeled in a sufficient amount to cause the flexible contact layer to contact the force concentrator layer in an amount that is sufficient to initiate the input.

19. A keyboard as described in claim 15, wherein a plurality of said pads are configured to reduce input force dissipation into non-sensing areas between the plurality of pressure sensing keys.