Patents by Inventor Peter Bokma
Peter Bokma has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10818449Abstract: A keyboard apparatus includes a key cover having a plurality of holes that extend through a thickness of the cover from a top side of the cover to a bottom side of the cover. The plurality of holes are arranged to collectively form a predetermined shape. A mask layer is disposed at the bottom side of the cover. A first region of the mask layer is opaque and a second region of the mask layer allows light to pass therethrough to the plurality of holes. A light source is disposed beneath the mask layer and positioned such that light emitted from the light source passes through the second region of the mask layer to the plurality of holes. A sensory contact terminal is disposed beneath the mask layer, and the terminal detects a keystroke movement.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2020Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: Rohinni, LLCInventors: Cody Peterson, Andrew Huska, Lars Huschke, Peter Bokma, Clinton Adams
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Publication number: 20200227217Abstract: A keyboard apparatus includes a key cover having a plurality of holes that extend through a thickness of the cover from a top side of the cover to a bottom side of the cover. The plurality of holes are arranged to collectively form a predetermined shape. A mask layer is disposed at the bottom side of the cover. A first region of the mask layer is opaque and a second region of the mask layer allows light to pass therethrough to the plurality of holes. A light source is disposed beneath the mask layer and positioned such that light emitted from the light source passes through the second region of the mask layer to the plurality of holes. A sensory contact terminal is disposed beneath the mask layer, and the terminal detects a keystroke movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2020Publication date: July 16, 2020Inventors: Cody Peterson, Andrew Huska, Lars Huschke, Peter Bokma, Clinton Adams
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Patent number: 10629393Abstract: A keyboard apparatus includes a fabric key cover having a plurality of holes that extend through a thickness of the cover from a top side of the cover to a bottom side of the cover. The plurality of holes are arranged to collectively form a predetermined shape. A mask layer is disposed at the bottom side of the cover. A first region of the mask layer is opaque and a second region of the mask layer allows light to pass therethrough to the plurality of holes. A light source is disposed beneath the mask layer and positioned such that light emitted from the light source passes through the second region of the mask layer to the plurality of holes. A sensory contact terminal is disposed beneath the mask layer, and the terminal detects a keystroke movement.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2017Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: Rohinni, LLCInventors: Cody Peterson, Andrew Huska, Lars Huschke, Peter Bokma, Clinton Adams
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Publication number: 20190051473Abstract: A keyboard apparatus includes a fabric key cover having a plurality of holes that extend through a thickness of the cover from a top side of the cover to a bottom side of the cover. The plurality of holes are arranged to collectively form a predetermined shape. A mask layer is disposed at the bottom side of the cover. A first region of the mask layer is opaque and a second region of the mask layer allows light to pass therethrough to the plurality of holes. A light source is disposed beneath the mask layer and positioned such that light emitted from the light source passes through the second region of the mask layer to the plurality of holes. A sensory contact terminal is disposed beneath the mask layer, and the terminal detects a keystroke movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2017Publication date: February 14, 2019Inventors: Cody Peterson, Andrew Huska, Lars Huschke, Peter Bokma, Clinton Adams
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Patent number: 9947493Abstract: Magnetically biased retracting key assemblies and keyboards are provided. A key assembly includes a touch surface for receiving a press input from a user and a planar-translation-effecting (PTE) mechanism configured to guide as the keycap moves from an un-pressed position toward a pressed position. The key assembly also includes a ready-return mechanism configured to magnetically biased the keycap in the un-pressed position, the ready-return mechanism including a slider mechanism positioned beneath the keycap and coupled to the PTE mechanism. When the press surface receives a press input the slider mechanism translates away from the magnet as the PTE mechanism guides the keycap from the un-pressed position toward the pressed position. In some embodiments, the PTE mechanism and the ready-return mechanism translate with respect to a chassis layer providing a key retraction feature for the key assembly or keyboard.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2014Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Synaptics IncorporatedInventors: VanDee Moua, Douglas Krumpelman, Peter Bokma, Robert J. Bolender, Chris Weber
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Publication number: 20160282977Abstract: A capacitive sensing stackup is disclosed that includes: a thin film plastic; an injection molded plastic component bonded to the thin film plastic, wherein the injection molded plastic component forms a cavity bounded by the injection molded plastic and the thin film plastic that exposes at least a portion of the thin film plastic; and, a capacitive sensor assembly including a plurality of sensor electrodes configured to be driven with a capacitive sensing signal, wherein the capacitive sensor assembly is coupled to the thin film plastic in the cavity formed by the injection molded plastic component.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2015Publication date: September 29, 2016Inventors: VanDee MOUA, Peter BOKMA
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Patent number: 9449768Abstract: Key stabilization techniques for a key assembly or keyboard are provided. In one embodiment, a key assembly includes a keycap having a touch surface for receiving a press force that moves the keycap from an unpressed position toward a pressed position. The key assembly also includes a base having a planar-translation effecting mechanism supporting the keycap to guide the keycap in the press direction and the second direction as the keycap moves from the unpressed position toward the pressed position. A key stabilization mechanism positioned in the keycap, the base or both the keycap and the base configured to the stabilize the keycap so that the touch surface remains substantially planar while the keycap moves from the unpressed position toward the press position to resist tilt of the keycap and rotation of the keycap about an axis in the press direction as keycap moves toward the pressed position.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2013Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: Synaptics IncorporatedInventors: Doug Krumpelman, Peter Bokma
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Publication number: 20160118203Abstract: Magnetically biased retracting key assemblies and keyboards are provided. A key assembly includes a touch surface for receiving a press input from a user and a planar-translation-effecting (PTE) mechanism configured to guide as the keycap moves from an un-pressed position toward a pressed position. The key assembly also includes a ready-return mechanism configured to magnetically biased the keycap in the un-pressed position, the ready-return mechanism including a slider mechanism positioned beneath the keycap and coupled to the PTE mechanism. When the press surface receives a press input the slider mechanism translates away from the magnet as the PTE mechanism guides the keycap from the un-pressed position toward the pressed position. In some embodiments, the PTE mechanism and the ready-return mechanism translate with respect to a chassis layer providing a key retraction feature for the key assembly or keyboard.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2014Publication date: April 28, 2016Inventors: VanDee Moua, Douglas Krumpelman, Peter Bokma, Robert J. Bolender, Chris Weber
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Patent number: 9293278Abstract: A key assembly is for use in a keyboard of the type including a key guide having a planar translation effecting (PTE) feature. The key assembly includes a key base having a PTE mating feature configured to interact with the PTE feature during a key press, and a key cap configured to be attached to the key base. The key base is made of a first material and the key cap is made of a second material different from the first material. A conductive portion and/or a magnet may be wedged between or secured within the key base or the key cap.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Synaptics IncorporatedInventors: Peter Bokma, Raymond Chin, Robert J. Bolender, Kirsten Etzold
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Patent number: 9240296Abstract: A keyboard having a sensor layer below a chassis layer is described. In one embodiment, the keyboard includes a keyboard chassis and a plurality of keycaps positioned above the keyboard chassis. Each of the plurality of keycaps has a touch surface for receiving a press force. A sensor substrate is positioned below the keyboard chassis and has sensor electrodes configured to sense that one or more of the plurality of keycaps is in a pressed position.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2013Date of Patent: January 19, 2016Assignee: Synaptics IncorporatedInventors: Douglas M. Krumpelman, Peter Bokma, Cody G. Peterson, Andrew P. Huska
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Patent number: 9218927Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a touchsurface assembly such as a key assembly are described. The touchsurface assembly includes a keycap, a base and an elastic component coupled to the keycap and the base. The elastic component supports the keycap away from the base in an unpressed position, and directionally buckles during movement of the keycap toward a pressed position responsive to a press force. The press force moves the keycap in a press direction toward the pressed position, and the directionally buckling of the elastic component allows the keycap to move in a second direction orthogonal to the press direction. Upon release of the press force, the elastic component moves the keycap toward the unpressed position after release of the press force.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: December 22, 2015Assignee: Synaptics IncorporatedInventors: Douglas M. Krumpelman, Cody G. Peterson, Peter Bokma
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Patent number: 9177733Abstract: A key assembly in accordance with embodiments of the invention comprises a base, a keycap, a biasing mechanism, a first linkage, and a second linkage. The keycap is spaced from the base along a press direction and configured to move between an unpressed position and a pressed position relative to the base. The unpressed and pressed positions are separated by a first amount in the press direction and a second amount in a lateral direction orthogonal to the press direction. The first amount is at least as much as the second amount and no larger than twice the second amount. The biasing mechanism is configured to bias the keycap away from the base. The first and second linkages are rotatably coupled to the base and the keycap.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: Synaptics IncorporatedInventors: Douglas M. Krumpelman, Cody G. Peterson, Peter Bokma
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Publication number: 20150194277Abstract: A key assembly is for use in a keyboard of the type including a key guide having a planar translation effecting (PTE) feature. The key assembly includes a key base having a PTE mating feature configured to interact with the PTE feature during a key press, and a key cap configured to be attached to the key base. The key base is made of a first material and the key cap is made of a second material different from the first material. A conductive portion and/or a magnet may be wedged between or secured within the key base or the key cap.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2014Publication date: July 9, 2015Inventors: Peter Bokma, Raymond Chin, Robert J. Bolender, Kirsten Itzold
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Publication number: 20140190810Abstract: Key stabilization techniques for a key assembly or keyboard are provided. In one embodiment, a key assembly includes a keycap having a touch surface for receiving a press force that moves the keycap from an unpressed position toward a pressed position. The key assembly also includes a base having a planar-translation effecting mechanism supporting the keycap to guide the keycap in the press direction and the second direction as the keycap moves from the unpressed position toward the pressed position. A key stabilization mechanism positioned in the keycap, the base or both the keycap and the base configured to the stabilize the keycap so that the touch surface remains substantially planar while the keycap moves from the unpressed position toward the press position to resist tilt of the keycap and rotation of the keycap about an axis in the press direction as keycap moves toward the pressed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2013Publication date: July 10, 2014Inventors: Doug Krumpelman, Peter Bokma
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Publication number: 20140034468Abstract: A key assembly in accordance with embodiments of the invention comprises a base, a keycap, a biasing mechanism, a first linkage, and a second linkage. The keycap is spaced from the base along a press direction and configured to move between an unpressed position and a pressed position relative to the base. The unpressed and pressed positions are separated by a first amount in the press direction and a second amount in a lateral direction orthogonal to the press direction. The first amount is at least as much as the second amount and no larger than twice the second amount. The biasing mechanism is configured to bias the keycap away from the base. The first and second linkages are rotatably coupled to the base and the keycap.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATEDInventors: Douglas M. Krumpelman, Cody G. Peterson, Peter Bokma
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Publication number: 20140034470Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a touchsurface assembly such as a key assembly are described. The touchsurface assembly includes a keycap, a base and an elastic component coupled to the keycap and the base. The elastic component supports the keycap away from the base in an unpressed position, and directionally buckles during movement of the keycap toward a pressed position responsive to a press force. The press force moves the keycap in a press direction toward the pressed position, and the directionally buckling of the elastic component allows the keycap to move in a second direction orthogonal to the press direction. Upon release of the press force, the elastic component moves the keycap toward the unpressed position after release of the press force.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATEDInventors: Douglas M. Krumpelman, Cody G. Peterson, Peter Bokma
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Publication number: 20140034472Abstract: A keyboard having a sensor layer below a chassis layer is described. In one embodiment, the keyboard includes a keyboard chassis and a plurality of keycaps positioned above the keyboard chassis. Each of the plurality of keycaps has a touch surface for receiving a press force.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Inventors: Douglas M. Krumpelman, Peter Bokma, Cody G. Peterson, Andrew P. Huska