Pressure sensitive keys

• US 9,460,029 B2
• Filed: 05/10/2012
• Issued: 10/04/2016
• 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: Shaw, Timothy C., Belesiu, Jim Tom, Dietz, Paul Henry, Stoumbos, Christopher Harry, Mathias, Dennis J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wang, Quan-Zhen
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chow, Yuk
• Application Number:
  US13/468,882
• Publication Number:
  US 20130229350A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,608 Days
• Field of Search: 345/168, 345/173, 345/174, 345/169
• 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

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 pressure sensitive key comprising:

a sensor substrate having one or more conductors disposed directly underneath a touch input area of the pressure sensitive key;

a flexible contact layer covering the pressure sensitive key, the flexible contact layer spaced apart from the sensor substrate, configured to flex in response to an application of pressure to the touch input area of the pressure sensitive key; and

a .force sensitive ink disposed between the flexible contact layer and the conductors enabling electrical connections to be made with the conductors via the force sensitive ink, the force sensitive ink arranged under the flexible contact layer such that;

responsive to pressure being applied to a first location within the touch input area of the pressure sensitive key, a first electrical connection is formed between the force sensitive ink and the conductors with a first conductivity; and

responsive to pressure being applied to a second location within the touch input area of the pressure sensitive key, a second electrical connection is formed between the force sensitive ink and the conductors with a second conductivity that is higher than the first conductivity.

2. A pressure sensitive key as described in claim 1, wherein the second location within the touch input area of the pressure sensitive key is positioned closer to an edge of the touch input area of the pressure sensitive key than the first location within the touch input area of the pressure sensitive key.

3. A pressure sensitive key as described in claim 1, wherein the force sensitive ink used at the second location within the touch input area of the pressure sensitive key has increased conductivity than the force sensitive ink used at the first location within the touch input area of the pressure sensitive key.

4. A pressure sensitive key as described in claim 1, wherein an amount of the force sensitive ink used at the second location within the touch input area of the pressure sensitive key is greater than an amount of the force sensitive ink used at the first location within the touch input area of the pressure sensitive key.

5. A pressure sensitive key as described in claim 4, wherein the amount of the force sensitive ink used at the second location within the touch input area of the pressure sensitive key is applied using at least two layers and the amount of the force sensitive ink used at the first location within the touch input area of the pressure sensitive key is applied using fewer layers than the layers used at the second location within the touch input area of the pressure sensitive key.

6. A pressure sensitive key as described in claim 5, wherein the application of the force sensitive ink at the second location within the touch input area of the pressure sensitive key using at least two layers causes the flexible contact layer to contact the sensor substrate using less movement than if fewer layers were utilized at the second location within the touch input area of the pressure sensitive key.

7. A pressure sensitive key as described in claim 1, wherein the higher conductivity at the second location within the touch input area of the pressure sensitive key in comparison with the first location acts to at least partially normalize signals generated at the first and second locations within the touch input area of the pressure sensitive key, one to another.

8. A pressure sensitive key as described in claim 1, wherein the sensor substrate includes one or more conductors that are configured to be contacted by the flexible contact layer at corresponding first and second locations respective to the first and second locations within the touch input area of the pressure sensitive key, the second location of the sensor substrate configured to have increased conductivity in relation to the first location of the sensor substrate.

9. A pressure sensitive key as described in claim 8, wherein the second location of the sensor substrate is configured to have increased conductivity in relation to the first location of the sensor substrate through spacing of respective said conductors in relation to each other.

10. A pressure sensitive key as described in claim 8, wherein the second location of the sensor substrate is configured to have increased conductivity in relation to the first location of the sensor substrate through surface area of respective said conductors.

11. A pressure sensitive key comprising:

a flexible contact layer covering the pressure sensitive key and configured to flex in response to an application of pressure; and

a sensor substrate disposed directly underneath a touch input area of the flexible contact layer of the pressure sensitive key spaced apart from the flexible contact layer and positioned for contact by the flexible contact layer responsive to the application of pressure, the sensor substrate having one or more conductors that are configured to be contacted by the flexible contact layer at first and second locations within the touch input area of the flexible contact layer of the pressure sensitive key enabling a first electrical connection to be made between the conductors having a first conductivity responsive to a pressure input to the first location and enabimg a second electrical connection to be made between the conductors having a second conductivity that is different than the first conductivity responsive to a pressure input to the second location.

12. A pressure sensitive key as described in claim 11, wherein the second location of the touch input area of the flexible contact layer of the pressure sensitive key is positioned closer to an edge of the pressure sensitive key than the first location of the touch input area of the flexible contact layer of the pressure sensitive key.

13. A pressure sensitive key as described in claim 11, wherein the second location of the touch input area of the flexible contact layer of the pressure sensitive key is configured to have increased conductivity in relation to the first location of the touch input area of the flexible contact layer of the pressure sensitive key through spacing of respective said conductors in relation to each other.

14. A pressure sensitive key as described in claim 11, wherein the second location of the touch input area of the flexible contact layer of the pressure sensitive key is configured to have increased conductivity in relation to the first location of the touch input area of the flexible contact layer of the pressure sensitive key through surface area of respective said conductors.

15. A pressure sensitive key as described in claim 11, wherein the second location of the touch input area of the flexible contact layer of the pressure sensitive key is configured to have increased conductivity in relation to the first location of the touch input area of the flexible contact layer of the pressure sensitive key through amount of conductive material used to form respective said conductors.

16. A pressure sensitive key as described in claim 11, wherein the flexible contact layer is configured to flex to contact the first and second locations of the sensor substrate using respective first and second locations of the touch input area of the flexible contact layer of the pressure sensitive key, the second location of the touch input area of the flexible contact layer of the pressure sensitive key has increased conductivity than the first location of the touch input area of the flexible contact layer of the pressure sensitive key.

17. A pressure sensitive key as described in claim 11, wherein a force sensitive ink is used at the second location of the touch input area of the flexible contact layer of the pressure sensitive key that has a different conductivity than a force sensitive ink that is used at the first location of the touch input area of the flexible contact layer of the pressure sensitive key to achieve the first and second conductivities.

18. A pressure sensitive key as described in claim 11, wherein an amount of a force sensitive ink is used at the second location of the touch input area of the flexible contact layer of the pressure sensitive key that is greater than an amount of the force sensitive ink used at the first location of the touch input area of the flexible contact layer of the pressure sensitive key to achieve the first and second conductivities.

19. 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 covering the key and spaced apart from a sensor substrate disposed directly underneath a touch input area of the flexible contact layer of the pressure sensitive key 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, the sensor substrate having one or more conductors that are configured to be contacted by the flexible contact layer at respective first and second locations corresponding to first and second locations of the touch input area of the flexible contact layer of the pressure sensitive key directly above the first and second locations of the sensor substrate enabling a first electrical correction to be made between the conductors having a first conductivity responsive to a pressure input to the first location and enabling a second electrical connection to be made between the conductors having a second conductivity that is higher than the first conductivity responsive to a pressure input to the second location.

20. A keyboard as described in claim 19, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of pressure sensitive keys is configured according to a QWERTY arrangement.