Abstract: Disclosed herein are structures, devices, methods and systems for providing haptic output on an electronic device. In some embodiments, the electronic device includes an actuator configured to move in a first direction. The electronic device also includes a substrate coupled to the actuator. When the actuator moves in the first direction, the substrate or a portion of the substrate, by virtue of being coupled to the actuator, moves in a second direction. In some implementations, the movement of the substrate is perpendicular to the movement of the actuator.

Abstract: An input device, such as a stylus, can include a piezoelectric device for providing haptic feedback and/or detecting user input. The piezoelectric device can be coupled to an inner surface of a housing of the stylus. The piezoelectric device can provide haptic feedback with a force to the housing when an electric voltage is applied to the piezoelectric device. The haptic feedback can provide information to the user relating operation of the stylus with an external device. The piezoelectric device can also produce an electric voltage when an input force is applied to an outer surface of the housing and transmitted to the piezoelectric device. The electric voltage can be used to detect tactile input from a user.

Abstract: A portable computer includes a display portion comprising a display and a base portion pivotally coupled to the display portion. The base portion may include a bottom case and a top case, formed from a dielectric material, coupled to the bottom case. The top case may include a top member defining a top surface of the base portion and a sidewall integrally formed with the top member and defining a side surface of the base portion. The portable computer may also include a sensing system including a first sensing system configured to determine a location of a touch input applied to the top surface of the base portion and a second sensing system configured to determine a force of the touch input.

Abstract: A personal computing device comprises a single piece body having a seamless overall appearance and that includes a bendable portion that is capable of having a smoothly curved shape. The single piece body includes a first part capable of carrying a display suitable for presenting visual content, and a second part that is capable of carrying an input device suitable for accepting an input action. The personal computing device also includes a multi-state bending assembly carried by the single piece body at the bendable portion and positioned between and in mechanical communication with the first part and the second part. The multi-state bending assembly includes a planar assembly that, in a first state, is characterized as having a first thickness and allows relative movement of the first and second parts with respect to each other.

Abstract: An interface device includes a movable button connected to a frame structure by resilient structures positioned laterally between the button and the frame structure. Multiple layers or diaphragms of material can be used to make the button, frame, and resilient structures. Movement of the button can trigger a switch or sensor in a manner allowing an electronic device to detect interaction with the button. The interface device can be implemented in an electronic device such as a keyboard that has a low number of parts yet also providing tactile, stabilized key travel, support for various sensor or switch types for the keys, and, in some cases, haptic feedback.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are structures, devices, methods and systems for providing haptic output on an electronic device. In some embodiments, the electronic device includes an actuator configured to move in a first direction. The electronic device also includes a substrate coupled to the actuator. When the actuator moves in the first direction, the substrate or a portion of the substrate, by virtue of being coupled to the actuator, moves in a second direction. In some implementations, the movement of the substrate is perpendicular to the movement of the actuator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for changing the shape of a mouse or other input device are described. In one embodiment, a mouse includes an articulating member that defines a curvature of an exterior surface of the mouse. The mouse may include one or more actuators for manipulating the articulating member to change the contour of the exterior surface of the mouse. The curvature may be changed to optimize the ergonomics of the mouse and/or deliver tactile feedback to users.

Abstract: An input device, such as a stylus, can include a piezoelectric device for providing haptic feedback and/or detecting user input. The piezoelectric device can be coupled to an inner surface of a housing of the stylus. The piezoelectric device can provide haptic feedback with a force to the housing when an electric voltage is applied to the piezoelectric device. The haptic feedback can provide information to the user relating operation of the stylus with an external device. The piezoelectric device can also produce an electric voltage when an input force is applied to an outer surface of the housing and transmitted to the piezoelectric device. The electric voltage can be used to detect tactile input from a user.

Abstract: A system may include finger devices. A touch sensor may be mounted in a finger device housing to gather input from an external object as the object moves along an exterior surface of the housing. The touch sensor may include capacitive sensor electrodes. Sensors such as force sensors, ultrasonic sensors, inertial measurement units, optical sensors, and other components may be used in gathering finger input from a user. Finger input from a user may be used to manipulate virtual objects in a mixed reality or virtual reality environment while a haptic output device in a finger device provides associated haptic output. A user may interact with real-world objects while computer-generated content is overlaid over some or all of the objects. Object rotations and other movements may be converted into input for a mixed reality or virtual reality system using force measurements or other sensors measurements made with the finger devices.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to an electronic device that provides discrete haptic output in separate regions of a device housing. These regions may both accept input and provide haptic output. Typically, a haptic output provided in a first region is imperceptible to a user touching an abutting region.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, an accessory device for use with a touch sensitive portion of an electronic device is described. The accessory device can include a housing having walls that carry operational components, where the operational components include a processor coupled to a feedback component arranged to provide feedback and a distal tip coupled to the feedback component. The distal tip is capable of engaging with and transmitting a load applied to the housing to an external surface of the touch sensitive portion. The processor can be further coupled to a sensor in communication with the distal tip, the sensor being capable of (i) detecting a physical change when the distal tip engages with the external surface, and (ii) responding to the physical change by providing a detection signal to the processor, that, in response, instructs the feedback component to provide the feedback to the distal tip.

Abstract: A system may include one or more finger-mounted devices such as finger devices with U-shaped housings configured to be mounted on a user's fingers while gathering sensor input and supplying haptic output. The sensors may include strain gauge circuitry mounted on elongated arms of the housing. When the arms move due to finger forces, the strain gauge circuitry can measure the arm movement. The sensors may also include ultrasonic sensors. An ultrasonic sensor may have an ultrasonic signal emitter and a corresponding ultrasonic signal detector configured to detect the ultrasonic signals after passing through a user's finger. A two-dimensional ultrasonic sensor may capture ultrasonic images of a user's finger pad. Ultrasonic proximity sensors may be used to measure distances between finger devices and external surfaces. Optical sensors and other sensors may also be used in the finger devices.

Abstract: Keyboard assemblies having reduced thicknesses and methods of forming the same. A keyboard assembly may include a printed circuit board (PCB) and a single membrane sheet adhered directly to the PCB. The single membrane sheet may substantially cover the PCB. The keyboard assembly may also include a group of dome switches coupled directly to the single membrane sheet. Another keyboard assembly may include a group of conductive pads and a group of membrane pads. Each of the group of membrane pads may be adhered directly to a corresponding one of the group of conductive pads. The keyboard assembly may also include a group of dome switches coupled directly to the membrane pads. Each of the group of dome switches may be coupled directly to a corresponding one of the group of membrane pads.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a low profile key for a keyboard having an overmolded support structure. In one aspect, an embodiment includes a key cap having an illuminable symbol. A support structure having a pair of overmolded wings may pivotally couple to the key cap. A switch housing may surround the support structure and connect each of the first and second wings. A tactile dome may be at least partially positioned within the switch housing and configured to bias the key cap upward. A sensing membrane may be positioned along an underside surface of the tactile dome and configured to trigger a switch event in response to a collapsing of the tactile dome caused by a depression of the key cap. A feature plate may be positioned below the sensing membrane. A light guide panel may define at least one light extraction feature that may be configured to propagate light toward the key cap and cause illumination of the illuminable symbol.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a backlight integrated membrane for a keyboard. In one aspect, an embodiment includes a keyboard having a key cap. A feature plate may be positioned below the key cap and a membrane may be positioned below the feature plate. The membrane may include a transparent substrate optically coupled to a light emitting element. The membrane may also include electrical traces for a key switch disposed on the transparent substrate. The embodiment may further include a domed structure positioned on the membrane and configured to actuate the key switch when depressed.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, an accessory device for use with a touch sensitive portion of an electronic device is described. The accessory device can include a housing having walls that carry operational components, where the operational components include a processor coupled to a feedback component arranged to provide feedback and a distal tip coupled to the feedback component. The distal tip is capable of engaging with and transmitting a load applied to the housing to an external surface of the touch sensitive portion. The processor can be further coupled to a sensor in communication with the distal tip, the sensor being capable of (i) detecting a physical change when the distal tip engages with the external surface, and (ii) responding to the physical change by providing a detection signal to the processor, that, in response, instructs the feedback component to provide the feedback to the distal tip.

Abstract: A laminated stack, such as a trackpad, is assembled by coupling components using an adhesive system. Assembly of the laminated stack includes forming an adhesive-spacing component on a first substrate, forming an adhesive-alignment-holding component on the first substrate in a perimeter around the adhesive-spacing component, forming a bonding component by filling an area within the perimeter with liquid adhesive, and bonding the first substrate to a second substrate by curing the bonding component. The first substrate and the second substrate may each be one of a touch-sensing component and a cover component. The adhesive-spacing component maintains a space between the first substrate and the second substrate while the bonding component cures. The adhesive-alignment-holding component maintains alignment of the first substrate and the second substrate while the bonding component cures.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-function input device, such as a keyboard. The multifunction input device has a touch-sensing layer that enables a user to use the multifunction input device as a standard keyboard and also as a touch sensitive surface such as, for example, a trackpad.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a low profile key for a keyboard having an overmolded support structure. In one aspect, an embodiment includes a key cap having an illuminable symbol. A support structure having a pair of overmolded wings may pivotally couple to the key cap. A switch housing may surround the support structure and connect each of the first and second wings. A tactile dome may be at least partially positioned within the switch housing and configured to bias the key cap upward. A sensing membrane may be positioned along an underside surface of the tactile dome and configured to trigger a switch event in response to a collapsing of the tactile dome caused by a depression of the key cap. A feature plate may be positioned below the sensing membrane. A light guide panel may define at least one light extraction feature that may be configured to propagate light toward the key cap and cause illumination of the illuminable symbol.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, an accessory device for use with a touch sensitive portion of an electronic device is described. The accessory device can include a housing having walls that carry operational components, where the operational components include a processor coupled to a feedback component arranged to provide feedback and a distal tip coupled to the feedback component. The distal tip is capable of engaging with and transmitting a load applied to the housing to an external surface of the touch sensitive portion. The processor can be further coupled to a sensor in communication with the distal tip, the sensor being capable of (i) detecting a physical change when the distal tip engages with the external surface, and (ii) responding to the physical change by providing a detection signal to the processor, that, in response, instructs the feedback component to provide the feedback to the distal tip.