Abstract: An apparatus and method of manufacture for a modular seamless touchpad assembly comprising a seamless glass layer extending to a plurality of palm rest surfaces formed over a touchpad support bracket that extends across a top cover of a base chassis of an information handling system and including a touchpad printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) and a haptic actuator array coupled between the touchpad PCBA and the touchpad support bracket for generating haptic user feedback. The touchpad support bracket is formed under the haptic actuator array to support the modular seamless touchpad assembly as an installable hardware module to modularly fit within a touchpad opening formed in the top cover of the base chassis and a connector port to operatively couple a haptic touchpad controller with a reciprocal connector in the touchpad opening such that the modular seamless touchpad assembly is testable via the connector port before installation.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, devices, apparatuses, and methods of adjusting a resistance of user-input device. In particular configurations, the device includes a shaft configured to couple to a user element, such as a joystick, a brake coupled to the shaft at a planar element of the shaft, and a piezoelectric element coupled to the brake. The piezoelectric element may be configured to apply different forces to the brake to adjust a resistance to movement of the shaft by the user. Other aspects and features are also claimed and described.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, devices, apparatuses, and methods of adjusting a resistance of user-input device. In particular configurations, the device includes a shaft configured to couple to a user element, such as a joystick, a brake coupled to the shaft at a planar element of the shaft, and a piezoelectric element coupled to the brake. The piezoelectric element may be configured to apply different forces to the brake to adjust a resistance to movement of the shaft by the user. Other aspects and features are also claimed and described.

Abstract: A portable information handling system includes a keyboard having a first set of conventional keys with a first travel distance to impact a membrane, such as keys having rubber dome biasing devices, and a second set of keys having a second smaller travel distance to impact the membrane with an alternative biasing device and haptic feedback to reinforce an input feel for an end user. In one example embodiment, the second set of keys are biased upward with a compressible foam with the membrane raised by a platform structure under the second set of keys and a piezoelectric device under the membrane for each key to provide a vibration when the membrane detects an input.

Abstract: A portable information handling system integrates a keyboard having plural sensors configured at each of keyboard key positions to detect key inputs made with presses at the key positions by deflection of a glass cover having a reduced thickness at each key position. Haptic devices, such as piezo actuators, actuate at sensor sensed inputs to reinforce end user input touch feedback over the feedback provided by deflection of the glass cover. In one embodiment, the plural sensors are incorporated in a membrane having OLED illumination that identifies the key value at each key position.

Abstract: An information handling system keyboard includes moveable keys that depress vertically to perform an input at a membrane, such as against a contact sensor, and fixed keys that detect an input without requiring vertical movement, such as a force against a pressure sensor integrated in the membrane. The fixed keys are disposed at opposing sides of the keyboard to align along an edge of the information handling system housing and the moveable keys are disposed between the opposing ends of fixed keys. Haptic actuators disposed under the fixed keys provides feedback to an end user when an input is sensed at a fixed key.

Abstract: An information handling system keyboard includes moveable keys that depress vertically to perform an input at a membrane, such as against a contact sensor, and fixed keys that detect an input without requiring vertical movement, such as a force against a pressure sensor integrated in the membrane. The fixed keys are disposed at opposing sides of the keyboard to align along an edge of the information handling system housing and the moveable keys are disposed between the opposing ends of fixed keys. Haptic actuators disposed under the fixed keys provides feedback to an end user when an input is sensed at a fixed key.

Abstract: A backlit haptic keyboard of an information handling system may comprise a contact foil placed between a coversheet and a support layer, operatively coupling an LED controller to an LED via metallic traces printed upon a top surface of the contact foil and operatively coupling a piezoelectric element to a keyboard controller via metallic traces printed upon a bottom surface of the contact foil. The system may further comprise the LED placed between the coversheet and the contact foil, and a piezoelectric element placed between the contact foil and support layer to receive an applied mechanical stress at a key and generate an electric actuation signal. A keyboard controller of the information handling system may receive an electric actuation signal from the piezoelectric element via the bottom metallic traces and send an electrical haptic response control signal to the piezoelectric element to cause it to generate haptic feedback at the key.

Abstract: A backlit haptic keyboard of an information handling system may comprise a contact foil placed between a coversheet and a support layer, operatively coupling an LED controller to an LED via metallic traces printed upon a top surface of the contact foil and operatively coupling a piezoelectric element to a keyboard controller via metallic traces printed upon a bottom surface of the contact foil. The system may further comprise the LED placed between the coversheet and the contact foil, and a piezoelectric element placed between the contact foil and support layer to receive an applied mechanical stress at a key and generate an electric actuation signal. A keyboard controller of the information handling system may receive an electric actuation signal from the piezoelectric element via the bottom metallic traces and send an electrical haptic response control signal to the piezoelectric element to cause it to generate haptic feedback at the key.

Abstract: A portable information handling system moves a display pivot axis between a main housing front and rear side with a display cable communicating visual information between the display and main housing. A display cable manager regulates a length of the display cable by wrapping the display cable about a spool biased to retract the display cable.

Abstract: An information handling system includes a dual sided display with a transparent OLED and switchable elements on each side of the OLED display switchable to be either opaque and white or clear. In order to save power, an OLED display controller turns off a first plurality of pixels in the transparent OLED display responsive to the information handling system being in a power savings state and the OLED display controller receiving display information indicating the plurality of pixels should emit white. Rather than driving the pixels to emit white, the OLED display controller turns off, thereby causing the pixels to be transparent and allowing the white opaque switchable element to be seen through the pixels.

Abstract: An information handling system includes a dual sided display with a transparent OLED and switchable elements on each side of the OLED display switchable to be either opaque and white or clear. In order to save power, an OLED display controller turns off a first plurality of pixels in the transparent OLED display responsive to the information handling system being in a power savings state and the OLED display controller receiving display information indicating the plurality of pixels should emit white. Rather than driving the pixels to emit white, the OLED display controller turns off, thereby causing the pixels to be transparent and allowing the white opaque switchable element to be seen through the pixels.

Abstract: An information handling system operating a light reflective antenna comprising a wireless interface device for transmitting and receiving radio signals, via a light reflecting antenna, enclosed within a chassis of the information handling system, the light reflecting antenna comprising a light-reflecting, electrically conductive antenna element adjacent to a light emitting element of the information handling system and a processor executing code instructions to instruct the light reflecting antenna to operate to transceive wireless signals through a light emitting element located between the light reflecting antenna and an exterior surface of the chassis and substantially parallel to the reconfigurable antenna, wherein the light emitting element emits light such that light reflected by the light reflecting antenna is visible and wireless signals may propagate through the same portion of an exterior surface of the chassis.

Abstract: A portable information handling system moves a display pivot axis between a main housing front and rear side with a display cable communicating visual information between the display and main housing. A display cable manager regulates a length of the display cable by wrapping the display cable about a spool biased to retract the display cable.

Abstract: An information handling system operating a light reflective antenna comprising a wireless interface device for transmitting and receiving radio signals, via a light reflecting antenna, enclosed within a chassis of the information handling system, the light reflecting antenna comprising a light-reflecting, electrically conductive antenna element adjacent to a light emitting element of the information handling system and a processor executing code instructions to instruct the light reflecting antenna to operate to transceive wireless signals through a light emitting element located between the light reflecting antenna and an exterior surface of the chassis and substantially parallel to the reconfigurable antenna, wherein the light emitting element emits light such that light reflected by the light reflecting antenna is visible and wireless signals may propagate through the same portion of an exterior surface of the chassis.

Abstract: A portable information handling system transformation between clamshell and all-in-one configurations is managed by a position manager that senses main and display housing positions to restrict configuration actions if predetermined conditions are detected. For example, transformation to an all-in-one configuration may be restricted if display housing location and rotational orientation are not set before extension of a stand that raises the main housing rear surface.

Abstract: A portable information handling system transforms from a clamshell configuration to an all-in-one configuration by removing a keyboard from a main housing, sliding the display housing in a guide formed under the keyboard and raising a rear side of the main housing to elevate the display. A brake interfaces with the display housing through the guide to lock the display at variable heights. A brake release selectively releases the brake to allow display height adjustment by adjusting the relative position of the display housing at the main housing.

Abstract: A portable information handling system transforms between clamshell and all-in-one positions by sliding a display housing pivot axis towards a front side of a main housing and raising the rear side of the main housing with a stand that extends out from a bottom surface of the main housing. A keyboard detaches from the main housing upper surface to expose guides that manage the display housing sliding motion towards the main housing front side. The all-in-one position raises the main housing towards a near-vertical orientation to raise the display above a support surface for end user viewing while an end user interacts with the keyboard separated from the housing.

Abstract: An information handling system integrated keyboard selectively retracts and extends keys based upon detected conditions, such as housing configuration, housing motion and end user indications. Extension and retraction shuttle plates motivated by actuator wires moves a sliding plate to extended and retracted positions that define the key positions. Nickel titanium alloy actuator wires shorten upon application of current to pull the shuttle plates to the extended or retracted positions that are maintained by a lock. Limit switches remove current at detection of a desired shuttle plate position. One or more controllers manage actuator wire operation based upon detected conditions and actuator wire temperature and electrical characteristics.

Abstract: A portable information handling system stand couples to a main housing lower surface with a dual axle hidden stand hinge that extends the stand parallel to the main housing lower surface with an initial synchronized opposing rotation of the axles by a predetermined amount, such as 45 degrees, and then rotates out a stand supporting end with rotation of one axle while the other axle remains stationary. Initial parallel extension of the stand reduces the amount of space in the main housing lower surface consumed by rotational movement of the stand to an extended position.