Key-board Or Key Lever-actuating Mechanism Patents (Class 400/472)
  • Patent number: 11966548
    Abstract: A touch sensor device (TSD) includes TSD electrodes associated with a surface of the TSD. Also, an overlay that includes marker electrode(s) is also associated with at least a portion of the surface of the TSD. The TSD also includes drive-sense circuits (DSCs) operably coupled to the plurality of TSD electrodes. A DSC is configured to provide a TSD electrode signal to a TSD electrode and simultaneously to sense a change of the TSD electrode signal based on a change of impedance of the TSD electrode caused by capacitive coupling between the TSD electrode and the marker electrode(s) of the overlay. Processing module(s) is configured to process a digital signal generated by the DSC to determine characteristic(s) of the overlay that is associated with the at least a portion of the surface of the TSD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, Jr., Kevin Joseph Derichs, Shayne X. Short, Timothy W. Markison
  • Patent number: 11923842
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing computer implemented services using user input are disclosed. To obtain the user input, a passive human interface device may be used. The human interface device may include a magnet that may produce a magnetic field used to discern the user input. The magnet may be mechanically coupled to actuatable portions of the human interface device thereby facilitating both translation and rotation of the magnet responsive to actuations by a user. The translation and rotation of the magnet may be sensed and used to identify user input provided by the user. Sensing elements integrated into a keyboard may be used to obtain user input from the human interface device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Loo Shing Tan, Michiel Sebastiaan Emanuel Petrus Knoppert, Gerald Rene Pelissier, Thomas Marcus Hinskens
  • Patent number: 11907484
    Abstract: A touch sensor device (TSD) includes TSD electrodes associated with a surface of the TSD. Also, an overlay that includes marker electrode(s) is also associated with at least a portion of the surface of the TSD. The TSD also includes drive-sense circuits (DSCs) operably coupled to the plurality of TSD electrodes. A DSC is configured to provide a TSD electrode signal to a TSD electrode and simultaneously to sense a change of the TSD electrode signal based on a change of impedance of the TSD electrode caused by capacitive coupling between the TSD electrode and the marker electrode(s) of the overlay. Processing module(s) is configured to process a digital signal generated by the DSC to determine characteristic(s) of the overlay that is associated with the at least a portion of the surface of the TSD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: SigmaSense, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, Jr., Kevin Joseph Derichs, Shayne X. Short, Timothy W. Markison
  • Patent number: 11845294
    Abstract: Disclosed is a keyboard for an information handling system. The keyboard includes a top cover comprising a polyester and a plurality of jute fibers, a keycap assembly comprising one or more keycaps, and a bottom cover comprising a first polylactic acid (PLA) and a post-consumer resin (PCR). The keycap assembly can be positioned between the top cover and the bottom cover, and the top cover can include one or more openings keycap assembly keycaps to protrude through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Hin Loong Wong, Xin Hua Tian, Peng Lip Goh, Deeder M. Aurongzeb
  • Patent number: 11500483
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a mousepad comprises a cover layer and an integrated keypad. The cover layer has a lateral extension and an upper surface which is usable for placement (placing, putting down) of a computer mouse. The keypad covers a part of said lateral extension. In an area not covered by the keypad there is a mouse parking area. The mousepad comprises a mouse detector associated with the mouse parking area and a corresponding control unit. The control unit is configured such that the keyboard gets activated when the mouse is inside the mouse parking area and gets deactivated when the mouse is outside the mouse parking area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Inventor: Yong-Jae Choi
  • Patent number: 11474617
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to systems, apparatuses, and methods for the projection of images onto keycaps of a computer keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Key Lights, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Norwalk, Chris Linegar
  • Patent number: 11237710
    Abstract: A system can include a processor; memory operatively coupled to the processor; a display operatively coupled to the processor; a touch sensitive surface that comprises a slider region; and assignment circuitry that assigns one of a plurality of assignable system functions to the slider region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Miles Osborne, Thomas John Sluchak, Michael William Stuart Ripp
  • Patent number: 11181944
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a first rubber dome disposed in a first area which is disposed along a first edge which is one side of a chassis and on the side of a second edge of the chassis which is located on the back side of an operation input unit which is connected to the first edge. A second rubber dome is disposed in a second area which is disposed along a third edge which is opposite to the first edge and is the other side of the chassis and on the second edge side. A third rubber dome is disposed in a third region which is disposed along a fourth edge of the chassis which is located on the front side of the operation input unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Moriyuki Tsuchihashi, Yuichi Shigematsu, Daisuke Watanabe, Yasumichi Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 11182066
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a display for detecting touch input, and at least one processor for recognizing a type of an auxiliary input device placed on the display. A method for utilizing the electronic device includes detecting via a touch screen a type of an auxiliary input device placed on a display based on a configuration of at least one or more conductors on the auxiliary input device, detecting an input event generated by the auxiliary input device, and executing via a processor at least one function of an executing program corresponding to the detected input event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bo-Kun Choi, Jun-Suk Oh
  • Patent number: 11127545
    Abstract: A keyboard device includes a substrate and keycaps disposed on the substrate. The substrate includes a long slit and an elastic bridge component. The long slit divides the substrate into a first plate having a first side edge and a second plate having a second side edge opposite to the first side edge. A gap is between the first side edge and the second side edge. The elastic bridge component is connected between the first side edge and the second side edge. The first plate is movable relative to the second plate. The first side edge includes two first bridge connections. The second side edge includes two second bridge connections. The elastic bridge component includes a first elastic bar connected between the first bridge connections, a second elastic bar connected between the second bridge connections, and a connecting member connected between the first elastic bar and the second elastic bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: CHICONY ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Horiuchi, Chia-Hsin Chen, Chi-Hung Cheng
  • Patent number: 10990184
    Abstract: An electronic device including a housing having a first surface and a second surface, and an interactive display having a keyboard-enabled mode and a keyboard-disabled mode. The interactive display includes a first image display device disposed at the first surface that displays image data, and a physical keypad disposed at the second surface that provides tactile feedback to a user only when the interactive display is in the keyboard-enabled mode, the physical keypad being substantially smooth when the interactive display is in the keyboard-disabled mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: TACTILE DISPLAYS, LLC
    Inventor: R. O'Neal Gray
  • Patent number: 10963021
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a first body, a second body, a touch pad module and a speaker module. The first body has an assembling region. The second body is pivoted to the first body. The touch pad module and the speaker module are disposed in the assembling region, wherein the touch pad module includes a first extending circuit board which is configured with a conductive pad. The speaker module is located at one side of the touch pad module. The speaker module includes a speaker and a conductive elastic component, and the conductive elastic component contacts the conductive pad. An assembling method of an electronic device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: COMPAL ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Chin-Hsien Chang, Yen-Chia Chang
  • Patent number: 10923006
    Abstract: A driving voltage compensating method and a driving voltage compensating circuit for a display device are provided. The compensating method includes: providing a reference TFT; obtaining a driving current of the reference TFT; acquiring a compensation voltage value according to the driving current; and compensating a driving voltage for TFTs in a display area according to the compensation voltage value. By setting the reference TFT to obtain a drift behavior of I-V characteristic curve of the TFTs in the display area, obtaining the compensation voltage value according to a driving current drift value and compensating the driving voltage for the TFTs in the display area, the problem(s) of ghost and/or flicker in the display device caused by the drift of I-V characteristic curve resulting from a long-term voltage difference can be solved consequently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: XIANYANG CAIHONG OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventor: Yuan-Liang Wu
  • Patent number: 10923026
    Abstract: In an example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a method may include determining when a keyboard for a computing device is on a display surface of the computing device and, upon making the determination, using a portion of the display surface covered by the keyboard to provide a configurable backlight for the keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert E. Krancher, Kent E. Biggs, Steven L. Sinclair, Jason Lee Warkentin
  • Patent number: 10903027
    Abstract: A keyboard device is provided with a base plate, a plurality of key tops, a membrane sheet, and a frame. The frame has a frame portion interposed between the key tops adjacent to each other and partitions each key top in a vertically movable state by the formation of a gap between the side surface of the frame portion and the side surface of the key top. The base plate has a notch portion at a position at least overlapping with a portion under the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Kitamura, Satoshi Douzono, Kazumi Nakaju, Takanori Koike
  • Patent number: 10838509
    Abstract: A portable computer has a host and a display screen. The host has an ergonomic keyboard. The ergonomic keyboard has a left-hand keypad, a right-hand keypad, a user proximal end and a user distal end. The left-hand keypad has a plurality of first key columns and a plurality of first key rows. The plurality of first key columns are in a first radial arrangement. The right-hand keypad has a plurality of second key columns and a plurality of second key rows. The plurality of second key columns are in a second radial arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Inventor: Xiguo Wang
  • Patent number: 10795462
    Abstract: A device for entering data, to be laid down on a touchpad of a terminal. The device includes a generally parallelepiped-shaped plate, the plate including an upper face, at least one part of which includes a keypad-forming matrix of entry zones, such that the thickness of the entry zones is sufficient to enable a detection of a finger by the touchpad, and a lower, generally flat face for laying down the device thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: INGENICO GROUP
    Inventor: Olivier Blanc
  • Patent number: 10775900
    Abstract: A light guide plate provided for a luminous keyboard is disclosed. The light guide plate includes a main body, a first bump pair, a second bump pair, and many microstructure patterns. The main body has a light output surface and many press button installation areas defined thereon, each of the press button installation areas is arranged to fix a press key structure. The first bump pair and the second bump pair are integrally and seamlessly protruded from the main body. Each of the first bump pair has a first recess, and each of the second bump pair has a second recess. The first recess and the second recess are configured opposite to each other, and provided for assembling the press key structure. The microstructure patterns are formed next to the first and second bump pairs to abstract light by destructing the total reflection in the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: GLOBAL LIGHTING TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Fan-Wei Wu, Chin-Hung Hsu
  • Patent number: 10761613
    Abstract: Examples apparatus, systems, articles of manufacture and methods to adjust a keyboard position are disclosed. An example keyboard position adjustment system includes a keyboard orientation detector to determine a first keyboard position of a keyboard and/or a hand position detector to determine a hand position near the keyboard. The example system also includes an adjuster to move the keyboard to a second keyboard position based on the first keyboard position and/or the hand position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Sean J. Lawrence, Krishnakumar Varadarajan, Ayeshwarya Mahajan, Raghavendra Angadimani, Samarth Alva
  • Patent number: 10720289
    Abstract: A light emitting keyboard includes a bottom board, keyswitches, and a lighting board. The lighting board is disposed between the bottom board and the keyswitches or under the bottom board and includes a flexible substrate having a first hole, multiple-light emitting diodes corresponding to the keyswitches, first and second silver-paste circuit layers formed on upper and lower surfaces of the flexible substrate respectively, a via pillar formed in the first hole to be coupled to the first and second silver-paste circuit layers, a copper layer plated on the first and second silver-paste circuit layers, and a first protection layer coated on the copper layer and having second holes. Each multiple-light emitting diode is disposed on the copper layer plated on the first silver-paste circuit layer through the corresponding second hole to be coupled to the first silver-paste circuit layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Hsin-Cheng Ho, Heng-Yi Huang, Tsai-Yu Chen, Hung-Chuan Cheng, Yang-Cheng Wu
  • Patent number: 10714279
    Abstract: A keyboard device includes a substrate and several keycaps disposed on the substrate. The substrate includes a long slit and an elastic bridge connecting member. The long slit divides the substrate into a first plate having a first side edge and a second plate having a second side edge opposite to the first side edge. A gap is between the first side edge and the second side edge. The elastic bridge connecting member is connected between the first side edge and the second side edge. The first plate is movable relative to the second plate. The first side edge includes a first stopping member, the second side edge includes a second stopping member, and a certain interval is between the first stopping member and the second stopping member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: CHICONY ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Horiuchi, Chia-Hsin Chen, Chi-Hung Cheng
  • Patent number: 10678344
    Abstract: A keypad capable of being configured with multiple button configurations with buttons of various heights is configured to recognize the button configuration through actuations of the buttons. The keypad is placed in a configuration mode by inputting an unresolvable condition to the keypad. Once in the configuration mode, the buttons are individually actuated in a predefined order to configure the size and function of each button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Crestron Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Kirkpatrick, Douglas Jacobson
  • Patent number: 10606401
    Abstract: A mechanical keyboard for use on a touch screen comprises an individually and resiliently depressible key and a network of electrical conductors. They key includes a user-facing outer portion and a screen-facing, electrically conductive inner portion, the inner portion being configured to approach the touch screen during depression of the key. The network of electrical conductors is configured to conduct a drive signal to the inner portion of the key, the drive signal being received, during the depression of the key, at a locus of touch screen directly beneath the key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Eliyahu Barel, Amir Zyskind, Ilan Geller
  • Patent number: 10564839
    Abstract: One variation of a system for interfacing a computer system and a user includes: a touch sensor defining a touch sensor surface and extending over an array of sense electrode and drive electrode pairs; a vibrator coupled to the touch sensor surface; and a controller configured to: detect application of an input onto the touch sensor surface and a force magnitude of the first input at a first time; execute a down-click cycle in response to the force magnitude exceeding a threshold magnitude by driving the vibrator to oscillate the touch sensor surface; map a location of the input on the touch sensor surface to a key of a keyboard represented by the touch sensor surface; and output a touch image representing the key and the force magnitude of the input on the touch sensor surface at approximately the first time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Sensel Inc.
    Inventors: Ilya Daniel Rosenberg, John Aaron Zarraga, Tomer Moscovich
  • Patent number: 10551878
    Abstract: Input device attachment techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a device includes a portion (e.g., an input portion or cover) is configured to be positioned over a display device of a computing device to cover the display device. The device also includes a spine (e.g., a mid-spine) that is physically attached to the portion in a manner that supports rotational movement of the portion in relation to the display device. The physical attachment of the spine is configured to be removable using a magnetic coupling between the spine and a surface of the computing device that includes the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas J. Longo, Andrew William Hill, Eugene Lee, James H. Wise
  • Patent number: 10437458
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a display for detecting touch input, and at least one processor for recognizing a type of an auxiliary input device placed on the display. A method for utilizing the electronic device includes detecting via a touch screen a type of an auxiliary input device placed on a display based on a configuration of at least one or more conductors on the auxiliary input device, detecting an input event generated by the auxiliary input device, and executing via a processor at least one function of an executing program corresponding to the detected input event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bo-Kun Choi, Jun-Suk Oh
  • Patent number: 10429966
    Abstract: A touch input device includes a base board unit, a movable board unit, an actuating member and a noise reduction member. The base board unit has a distal end portion. The movable board unit overlaps and is connected to the base board unit, and has a free end portion movable toward or away from the distal end portion of the base board unit. The actuating unit includes a switch protruding from the free end portion and extending into the noise reduction member, and an actuating member protruding from the distal end portion. The noise reduction member is compressed by the distal end portion when the free end portion moves to the position adjacent to the distal end portion for the actuating member to actuate the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: SUNREX TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventors: Chun-Chieh Chen, Ching-Yao Huang, Ling-Cheng Tseng
  • Patent number: 10338636
    Abstract: A device can include a processor; memory operatively coupled to the processor; a display housing that includes a display operatively coupled to the processor; a keyboard housing that includes a keyboard; a hinge assembly that operatively couples the display housing and the keyboard housing for transitions between an closed orientation, an open orientation and a folded orientation; and wireless communication circuitry that, in a wireless keyboard mode of the folded orientation, operatively couples to the keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Scott Wentao Li, Robert James Kapinos, Russell Speight VanBlon, Timothy Winthrop Kingsbury
  • Patent number: 10322060
    Abstract: A system includes a processor coupled to a memory, the processor and memory configured to determine a proficiency level of a user of a rescue application based on stored data indicative of the user's proficiency level, and based on the user's proficiency level, select a level of operation for the rescue application. The rescue application is executed on a mobile device and configured to control operation of an AED. Each of multiple levels of operation for the rescue application allows the user a different degree of control over the operation of the AED. The processor and memory are configured to present, to the user, a set of instructions associated with the selected level of operation; and to enable control of the AED according to the selected levels of operation. A different set of instructions is associated with each of the multiple levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: ZOLL Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Justin Tyler Fleischacker, Guy R. Johnson, Gary A. Freeman
  • Patent number: 10237509
    Abstract: A system may be provided in which input is gathered from a user with input-output devices. The input-output devices may include physical keyboards, touch screen displays, data gloves, and other input-output devices. Control circuitry in the system may use a head-mounted display, a display on a keyboard, and a display in a tablet computer or other electronic device to display images. Virtual reality content may be presented to a user with the head-mounted display. The virtual reality content may include virtual documents with virtual text, virtual keyboards with virtual keys, and other virtual objects. A virtual keyboard may be overlaid on top of a physical keyboard or on top of a keyboard display or touch screen display in a tablet computer or other electronic device. Virtual key labels may be updated in response to user key press input and other input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Seung Wook Kim, Camille Moussette, Adam S. Meyer
  • Patent number: 10235043
    Abstract: A keyboard for use with a computing device includes multiple rows of keys with each of the rows of keys including multiple keys. A horizontal pitch of the keys is between 18 mm and 19 mm and a length of the rows of the keys is between 230 mm and 235 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Bowers, Kevin Tom, Rachael Elizabeth Roberts, James Tanner, Caitlin Johnson, Tom Buckley
  • Patent number: 10209823
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a smart wearable device and an information input method thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: GOERTEK INC.
    Inventors: Peijie Zhao, Chao Yi
  • Patent number: 10114423
    Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus and system are described for a hybrid computing device. Some embodiments may comprise a computing device having an enclosure arranged to support a display on a front of the enclosure and a cover mechanically coupled to a side of the enclosure, the cover comprising a first portion having at least one integrated input device and a second portion having at least one flexible seam arranged to allow the second portion to adjustably pivot around the seam. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sameer Sharma, Gadi Amit, Yoshikuzu Hoshino, Chadwick Harber, Daniel Clifton, Kenneth Jasinski
  • Patent number: 10068725
    Abstract: An electric switch includes a base which receives a plurality of fixed electrical contacts and a movable electrical contact. The switch also includes an actuating body made of elastic material. The switch also includes a central, top, pushbutton. The body includes a lateral part, surrounding a top force-receiving portion. The pushbutton includes a lateral actuating surface for acting on this top lateral part of the body. When operated, successively, the central actuating surface of the pushbutton acts on the top force-receiving portion and elastically deforms a wall part of the body, and then the lateral actuating surface of the pushbutton acts on the top lateral part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: C&K Components S.A.S.
    Inventors: Jeremy Hebras, Stéphane Hurtard, Rémi Martin, Laurent Kubat
  • Patent number: 10027323
    Abstract: The manipulation device includes: a fixing portion having a fixing surface to be fixed on an object; a moving part that has a moving surface arranged to face the fixing surface and is configured such that the relative position of the moving surface with respect to the fixing surface is manually adjusted; a fixing portion side circuit component that is arranged at the fixing portion; a moving portion side circuit component that is arranged at the moving portion so as not to be in contact with the fixing portion side circuit component, and includes an electric circuit where the impedance as measured from the fixing portion side is a predetermined impedance; and an input portion that is arranged at the moving portion manually operable, and changes the impedance of the electric circuit measured from the fixing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Motoki Tachiiri
  • Patent number: 9983662
    Abstract: An electronic device including a physical button, a processing unit and a sensing unit is provided. The processing unit is coupled to the physical button and the sensing unit is coupled to the processing unit. When the electronic device enters a hibernation mode or in a shutdown state, the sensing unit continuously detects a wake-up signal. When receiving the wake-up signal, the sensing unit wakes up the processing unit. The sensing unit further receives an instruction signal externally, generates an instruction information according to the instruction signal, and sends the instruction information to the processing unit. When receiving the instruction information, the processing unit adjusts a corresponding function of the physical button according to the instruction information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Yung-Yen Chang, Chia-Jen Shu
  • Patent number: 9972464
    Abstract: A key structure includes a base plate, a keycap and a connecting element. The connecting element includes a first frame and a second frame. The first frame is connected with the base plate and the keycap. The first frame includes a first linking part. The second frame is connected with the base plate and the keycap. The second frame includes a second linking part. The second linking part is contacted with the first linking part. When a depressing force from the user is applied to the keycap, the first frame is swung relative to the second frame. Moreover, in response to a friction between the first linking part and the second linking part, the keycap is correspondingly moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.
    Inventors: Lei-Lung Tsai, Yi-Shu Lee
  • Patent number: 9939850
    Abstract: A cover for a portable electronic device is disclosed. The cover can include at least one electrical component. For example, in one embodiment, an electrical component can be embedded in the cover. When the cover is placed on or mated with the portable electronic device, the electrical component embedded in the cover is able to interact with electrical circuitry of the portable electronic device. Advantageously, the cover can not only provide a protective and/or ornamental covering for the portable electronic device but can also augment the electrical capabilities of the portable electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Quin C. Hoellwarth, Brett Gregory Alten
  • Patent number: 9941074
    Abstract: A key structure comprises a substrate, a membrane circuit disposed on the substrate, a waterproof structure disposed on the membrane circuit, a keycap, a conduction switch and a scissors structure. The waterproof structure includes a waterproof plate and a waterproof wall with a through hole. The waterproof wall surrounds the through hole and extends opposite to the membrane circuit. An end of the conduction switch passes through the through hole to be disposed on the membrane circuit, and the other end of the conduction switch protrudes from the waterproof wall to be connected to the keycap. The scissors structure includes a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is pivotally connected to the keycap, and the second end portion is pivotally connected to the waterproof wall for the keycap to move up and down relatively to the membrane circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: ASUSTEK COMPUTER INC.
    Inventor: Ya-Chun Tu
  • Patent number: 9905381
    Abstract: A luminous keyboard includes plural keys, a membrane switch circuit board and a light-emitting element. The membrane switch circuit board includes an upper wiring plate, a lower wiring plate, a conductor line pattern, a separation layer and an etched line pattern. The lower wiring plate includes a wiring plate opening. The conductor line pattern is arranged between the upper wiring plate and the lower wiring plate. The etched line pattern is arranged between the separation layer and the lower wiring plate. The etched line pattern is exposed through the wiring plate opening. The light-emitting element is electrically connected with the etched line pattern through the wiring plate opening in order to acquire electric power. Consequently, it is not necessary to install the illumination circuit board to provide the electric power to the light-emitting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.
    Inventor: Chung-Yuan Chen
  • Patent number: 9899157
    Abstract: A key device includes a base plate, a key cap and at least one balance bar. The at least one balance bar is with a tabular body and is disposed between the base plate and the key cap. The at least one balance bar has an elongated rod and a plurality of supporting legs connected to the elongated rod and protruded from a lower edge of the elongated rod. The elongated rod is connected to the key cap. The plurality of supporting legs is connected to the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignees: LITE-ON ELECTRONICS (GUANGZHOU) LIMITED, LITE-ON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ming-Fu Yen, Chun-Lin Chen, Xiao-Qiang Liang, Lei Shi
  • Patent number: 9836179
    Abstract: Persisting atomically linked entities when utilizing an auto-complete mechanism is provided. A computing device may be utilized to receive an input in a user interface. The computing device may then display an auto-complete suggestion list in response to receiving the input in the user interface. A selection of an entity may then be received from the auto-complete suggestion list. The selected entity may then be atomically linked to program code defining an action. The atomically linked entity may then be inserted in the user interface. The atomically linked entity may then be persisted among the input received within the user interface. The input is modifiable and the atomically linked entity is unmodifiable within the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Kieran K. Gupta
  • Patent number: 9655440
    Abstract: A moveable device for elevating and enabling natural motion of the hand or wrist of an individual when the individual is using a computer input device is disclosed. The device includes a base member, a wrist support member, and magnets for levitating the wrist support member a distance above the base member when the wrist support is positioned above the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Inventors: Michele Lynn Luciew, James David Luciew
  • Patent number: 9633803
    Abstract: A keyboard backlight module includes a backlight device including a reflective layer, a light shielding layer and a light guide layer sandwiched between the reflective layer and the light shielding layer and carrying a set of key switches on the top surface thereof, a light source mounted between the reflective layer and the light shielding layer, and high-refractive index scatter points prepared from a mixture containing a colored light-transmissive ink and high-refractive index particles at a predetermined ratio and mounted in the top side and/or bottom side of the light guide layer for refracting light toward the key switches to enhance illumination brightness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Chicony Power Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Pai-Hsiang Wang
  • Patent number: 9596206
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a computing device detects an identifier of an object entered by a user participating in a message session. The message session includes one or more messages including text, and the text includes the identifier. The computing device accesses an image corresponding to the object based at least in part on the identifier. The computing device provides for display to a second user the image in place of the identifier within the text.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos M. Bueno, John R. Allen
  • Patent number: 9524033
    Abstract: Embodiments include a wireless keyboard having a plurality of keys and a plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, wherein each of the plurality of RFID tags are coupled to one of the plurality of keys. Each of the RFID tags are configured to transmit a signal when one of the plurality of keys coupled to RFID tag is pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Grant D. Miller, Nader M. Nassar, Dennis M. Newns
  • Patent number: 9417698
    Abstract: An input device includes: an operation portion allowing an input operation by an operating body contacting with or coming close to an upper surface thereof; an input detection portion detecting an input operation with respect to the operation portion; a driving member provided below the operation portion and driving the operation portion in an up-down direction; an elastic member provided below the operation portion; a case member holding the driving member; an interlocking member provided below the operation portion, connected to the operation portion, and driven with the operation portion; a restricting member provided between the operation portion and the interlocking member and restricting upward movement of the interlocking member; and an elastic first damper member provided below the interlocking member and contactable with the interlocking member. The elastic member elastically urges the interlocking member such that the interlocking member is brought into press contact with the first damper member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinji Ishikawa, Kazuhiko Hiratsuka, Atsushi Masuda, Shinji Fujimura
  • Patent number: 9411381
    Abstract: A portable keyboard is disclosed, by which portability can be enhanced with a simple configuration. The present invention includes a plurality of key assemblies, a body part and a flexible connecting member. When the portable keyboard is carried, a plurality of the key assemblies are rolled up around an outer circumference of the body part in a manner that the flexible connecting member between a plurality of the key assemblies is folded. When the portable keyboard is used, a plurality of the key assemblies are unfolded by being rolled down centering on the body part in a manner that the flexible connecting member between a plurality of the key assemblies is unfolded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seungjin Lee, Keetae Kim, Dongguk Kang, Hojung Lee
  • Patent number: 9335794
    Abstract: A configurable keyboard. The configurable keyboard includes a base with a top face, and a top edge. A position adjustable panel containing keyboard keys. The position adjustable panel is attached to the base by a position adjustment device. The position adjustment device includes a shaft and a first connector. The shaft is attached, towards a bottom end, to the base. The first connector connects the position adjustable panel to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gary I. Dickenson, Richard Hutzler
  • Patent number: 9329638
    Abstract: A configurable keyboard. The configurable keyboard includes a base with a top face, and a top edge. A position adjustable panel containing keyboard keys. The position adjustable panel is attached to the base by a position adjustment device. The position adjustment device includes a shaft and a first connector. The shaft is attached, towards a bottom end, to the base. The first connector connects the position adjustable panel to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gary I. Dickenson, Richard Hutzler