Ultra low travel keyboard
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A key for a computing device keyboard, comprising:
- a key cap;
a force sensor at least partially contained within the key cap and coupled to an internal top surface of the key cap, the force sensor configured to measure an amount of force imparted to a surface of the key cap; and
an output line configured to carry a signal that indicates an amount of force imparted to the key cap through a force signal that varies based on the force measured by the force sensor;
wherein the force sensor is a strain gauge that changes a resistance by deforming in response to the force imparted to the surface of the key cap, the change in resistance being used to modulate the force signal, further comprising an input line configured to receive an excitation signal responsive to the force signal, and an actuator contained within the key cap, the actuator configured to excite the key cap in response to the excitation signal such that an opposing force is imparted to the key cap responsive to the force that is imparted to the surface of the key cap, wherein the actuator is a piezoelectric material that excites the key cap by deforming under a mechanical strain that is induced in the piezoelectric material in response to the excitation signal, and wherein the opposing force imparted to the key cap causes movement of the keycap.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A keyboard or keyboard key that has a force sensor that measures the force imparted to the key when a user presses the key or rests a finger on a key. Key embodiments may also include an actuator that excites the in order to provide feedback to the user in accordance with various feedback methods disclosed herein.
202 Citations
16 Claims
-
1. A key for a computing device keyboard, comprising:
-
a key cap; a force sensor at least partially contained within the key cap and coupled to an internal top surface of the key cap, the force sensor configured to measure an amount of force imparted to a surface of the key cap; and an output line configured to carry a signal that indicates an amount of force imparted to the key cap through a force signal that varies based on the force measured by the force sensor; wherein the force sensor is a strain gauge that changes a resistance by deforming in response to the force imparted to the surface of the key cap, the change in resistance being used to modulate the force signal, further comprising an input line configured to receive an excitation signal responsive to the force signal, and an actuator contained within the key cap, the actuator configured to excite the key cap in response to the excitation signal such that an opposing force is imparted to the key cap responsive to the force that is imparted to the surface of the key cap, wherein the actuator is a piezoelectric material that excites the key cap by deforming under a mechanical strain that is induced in the piezoelectric material in response to the excitation signal, and wherein the opposing force imparted to the key cap causes movement of the keycap. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 15, 16)
-
-
4. A method of controlling a keyboard, comprising
receiving an input signal at a computing device from a keyboard, the input signal indicating an amount of force imparted to a key on the keyboard detected by a force sensor at least partially contained within a key cap of the key and coupled to an internal top surface of the key cap; -
determining, by the computing device, if the key was pressed by determining if the amount of force imparted to the key exceeds a threshold amount; and executing, by the computing device, a function that is associated with the key if the amount of force imparted to the key exceeds the threshold amount; wherein the force sensor is a strain gauge that changes a resistance by deforming in response to the force imparted to the surface of the key cap, the change in resistance being used to modulate the force signal, further comprising an input line configured to receive an excitation signal responsive to the force signal, and an actuator contained within the key cap, the actuator configured to excite the key cap in response to the excitation signal such that an opposing force is imparted to the key cap responsive to the force that is imparted to the surface of the key cap, wherein the actuator is a piezoelectric material that excites the key cap by deforming under a mechanical strain that is induced in the piezoelectric material in response to the excitation signal, and wherein the opposing force imparted to the key cap causes movement of the keycap. - View Dependent Claims (5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
6. A method of controlling a keyboard, comprising
receiving an input signal at a computing device from a keyboard, the input signal indicating an amount of force imparted to a key on the keyboard detected by a force sensor at least partially contained within a key cap of the key and coupled to an internal top surface of the key cap; -
determining, by the computing device, if the key was pressed by determining if the amount of force imparted to the key exceeds a threshold amount; executing, by the computing device, a function that is associated with the key if the amount of force imparted to the key exceeds the threshold amount; and providing feedback to the key press by transmitting an excitation signal from the computing device to the keyboard that causes a tangible excitation in the key, wherein the tangible excitation is of a first type that includes an initial excitation of a first magnitude that occurs for a predetermined duration after the key press occurs, and after the predetermined duration elapses no further excitations of the first magnitude occur while the force imparted to the key remains greater than the threshold amount, the method further comprising determining, by the computing device, that a finger is resting on the key if the amount of force imparted to the key is not greater than the threshold amount; providing feedback to the finger resting on the key by transmitting an excitation signal from the computing device to the keyboard that causes a tangible excitation of a second type in the key, the tangible excitation of the second type including a vibration that occurs so long as the force is imparted to the key and so long as the force imparted to the key does not exceed the threshold amount.
-
-
13. A method of controlling a keyboard, comprising
receiving an input signal at a computing device from a keyboard, the input signal indicating an amount of force imparted to a key on the keyboard detected by a force sensor at least partially contained within a key cap of the key and coupled to an internal top surface of the key cap; -
in response to the receiving the input signal, executing, by the computing device, a function proportionally based on the amount of force that is imparted to the key, wherein the function is associated with the key; wherein the force sensor is a strain gauge that changes a resistance by deforming in response to the force imparted to the surface of the keycap, the change in resistance being used to modulate the force signal, further comprising an input line configured to receive an excitation signal responsive to the force signal, and an actuator contained within the key cap, the actuator configured to excite the key cap in response to the excitation signal such that an opposing force is imparted to the key cap responsive to the force that is imparted to the surface of the key cap, wherein the actuator is a piezoelectric material that excites the key cap by deforming under a mechanical strain that is induced in the piezoelectric material in response to the excitation signal, and wherein the opposing force imparted to the key cap causes movement of the keycap. - View Dependent Claims (14)
-
Specification