Key formation

• US 9,411,751 B2
• Filed: 05/14/2012
• Issued: 08/09/2016
• 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: Whitt, David Otto III, Shaw, Timothy C., Stoumbos, Christopher Harry, Pelley, Joel Lawrence, Mickelson, Matthew David, Ishihara, James Alec, Wang, Hua, Aagaard, Karsten, Groene, Ralf, Huala, Rob
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Jennifer
• Assistant Examiner(s): DAVIS, TONY O
• Application Number:
  US13/470,951
• Publication Number:
  US 20130229351A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,548 Days
• Field of Search: 345/168, 400/491
• 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

Key formation techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an input device includes a key assembly including a plurality of keys that are usable to initiate respective inputs for a computing device, a connection portion configured to be removably connected to the computing device physically and communicatively to communicate signals generated by the plurality of keys to the computing device, and an outer layer that is configured to cover the plurality of keys of the key assembly, the outer layer having a plurality of areas that are embossed thereon that indicate one or more borders of respective said keys.

Claims

1. An input device comprising:

a key assembly including a plurality of keys that are usable to initiate respective inputs for a computing device;

a connection portion including a flexible hinge configured to be removably connected to the computing device physically and communicatively to communicate signals generated by the plurality of keys to the computing device; and

an outer layer that is configured to cover the flexible hinge and the plurality of keys of the key assembly, the outer layer having a plurality of areas that are embossed thereon that indicate borders of the plurality of keys, the borders of the plurality of keys embossed to have raised or depressed thicknesses of less than a thickness of the outer layer.

2. The input device as described in claim 1, wherein the plurality of areas are embossed using a heated plate having a plurality of protrusions that are configured to form the plurality of areas when pressed against the outer layer.

3. The input device as described in claim 2, wherein at least two of the plurality of protrusions of the heated plate have a height such that an area between the at least two protrusions of the plurality of protrusions that is not to be embossed is not contacted by the heated plate when pressed against the outer layer.

4. The input device as described in claim 3, wherein the plurality of areas that are embossed have a different surface smoothness than another part of the outer layer that is not embossed.

5. The input device as described in claim 3, wherein the plurality of protrusions of the heated plate are not sandblasted.

6. The input device as described in claim 1, wherein the outer layer includes an outer skin that is embossed and a middle layer that is disposed beneath the outer skin, the middle layer having a color that is different than a color of the outer skin.

7. The input device as described in claim 6, wherein a portion of the outer skin is removed to expose the middle layer, the portion forming part of an indication of a function of a key of the plurality of keys.

8. The input device as described in claim 7, wherein the portion of the outer skin is removed using a laser.

9. The input device as described in claim 8, wherein the removal of the portion of the outer skin causes a corresponding portion of the middle layer to expand through an opening formed in the outer skin.

10. The input device as described in claim 9, wherein the corresponding portion of the middle layer expands through the opening formed in the outer skin such that a surface of the corresponding portion of the middle layer forms a substantially continuous surface with the outer skin.

11. The input device as described in claim 1, wherein the plurality of keys are configured to implement a QWERTY keyboard.

12. A keyboard comprising:

a key assembly including a plurality of keys that are usable to initiate respective inputs for a computing device;

a connection portion configured to be removably connected to the computing device physically and communicatively via a flexible hinge to communicate signals generated by the plurality of keys to the computing device through the flexible hinge; and

an outer layer that is configured to cover the flexible hinge and the plurality of keys of the key assembly, the outer layer having an outer skin and a middle layer that is disposed beneath the outer skin, a portion of the outer skin removed via a manufacturing process subsequent to the outer skin being formed to expose the middle layer to form at least part of an indication of a function of a key of the plurality of keys.

13. The keyboard as described in claim 12, wherein the middle layer has a color that is different than a color of the outer skin.

14. The keyboard as described in claim 12, wherein the portion of the outer skin is removed using a laser.

15. The keyboard as described in claim 12, wherein the removal of the portion of the outer skin causes a corresponding portion of the middle layer to expand through an opening formed in the outer skin.

16. The keyboard as described in claim 15, wherein the corresponding portion of the middle layer expands through the opening formed in the outer skin such that a surface of the corresponding portion of the middle layer forms an approximate continuous surface with the outer skin.

17. The keyboard as described in claim 12, wherein the outer skin includes a plurality of areas that are embossed thereon that indicate one or more borders of more than one key of the plurality of keys.

18. A method comprising:

embossing an outer skin of an outer layer that is usable to cover a plurality of keys of a key assembly to indicate a border of the plurality of keys, the border of the plurality of keys embossed to a have raised or depressed thicknesses of less than a thickness of the outer layer;

removing a portion of the outer skin covering the plurality of keys via a manufacturing process subsequent to the outer skin being formed to expose a middle layer of the outer layer that is disposed beneath the outer skin, the portion removed to form at least part of an indication of a function of a key of the plurality of keys; and

covering the key assembly with the outer layer having the indication of the border and the indication of the function of the key of the plurality of keys.

19. The method as described in claim 18, wherein:

the plurality of areas are embossed using a heated plate having protrusions that are configured to form the plurality of areas when pressed against the outer layer; and

at least two of the protrusions of the heated plate having a height such that an area between the at least two protrusions that is not to be embossed is not contacted by the heated plate when pressed against the outer layer.

20. The method as described in claim 18, wherein the outer layer and the key assembly have a combined thickness of 3.5 millimeters or less.