Abstract: An electronic device includes an input device. The input device has an input/output module below or within a cover defining an input surface. The input/output module detects touch and/or force inputs on the input surface, and provides haptic feedback to the cover. In some instances, a haptic device is integrally formed with a wall or structural element of a housing or enclosure of the electronic device.

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: A device may include a display portion that includes a display housing and a display at least partially within the display housing. The device may also include a base portion pivotally coupled to the display portion and including a bottom case, a top case coupled to the bottom case and defining an array of raised key regions, and a sensing system below the top case and configured to detect an input applied to a raised key region of the array of raised key regions.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to an electronic device having a hidden or concealable input region. In one aspect, an embodiment includes an enclosure having a wall that defines an input region having an array of microperforations. A light source may be positioned within a volume defined by the enclosure and configured to propagate light through the array of microperforations. A sensing element may be coupled with the wall and configured to detect input received within the input region. The array of microperforations are configured to be visually imperceptible when not illuminated by the light source. When illuminated by the light source, the array of microperforations may display a symbol.

Abstract: A finger-mounted device may include finger-mounted units. The finger-mounted units may each have a body that serves as a support structure for components such as force sensors, accelerometers, and other sensors and for haptic output devices. The body may have sidewall portions coupled by a portion that rests adjacent to a user's fingernail. The body may be formed from deformable material such as metal or may be formed from adjustable structures such as sliding body portions that are coupled to each other using magnetic attraction, springs, or other structures. The body of each finger-mounted unit may have a U-shaped cross-sectional profile that leaves the finger pad of each finger exposed when the body is coupled to a fingertip of a user's finger. Control circuitry may gather finger press input, lateral finger movement input, and finger tap input using the sensors and may provide haptic output using the haptic output device.

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 dome switch and methods related to the use thereto. In one aspect, an embodiment includes a key cap. The embodiment may further include a domed structure having upper and lower portions. The domed structure may be configured to deform in response to an input force received at the upper portion by the key cap. The embodiment may further include a collar affixed to the lower portion and extending toward the key cap. The collar may resist deformation of the domed surface.

Abstract: A key mechanism is disclosed. The key mechanism comprises a keycap, a dome support structure positioned relative to the keycap and defining an opening, an actuation mechanism coupled to the keycap, and a collapsible dome positioned in the opening of the dome support structure. The actuation mechanism is configured to movably support the keycap relative to the dome support structure. The dome comprises an upstop member configured to limit upward travel of the collapsible dome.

Abstract: An electronic device may include a beam layer, a piezoelectric material layer coupled to the beam layer, and a temperature sensor adjacent the piezoelectric material layer. The electronic device may also include drive circuitry coupled to the piezoelectric material layer and configured to drive the piezoelectric material layer with a low frequency drive signal for actuating the piezoelectric material layer, and a high frequency drive signal for sensing a pressure applied to the piezoelectric material layer. The high frequency drive signal may have a higher frequency than the low frequency drive signal. The electronic device may also include readout circuitry coupled to the piezoelectric material layer and configured to generate a sensed pressure value based upon the high frequency drive signal. Temperature compensation circuitry may cooperate with the readout circuitry to compensate the sensed pressure value based upon the temperature sensor.

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 for an electronic device includes an enclosure and a top member defining an input surface having multiple differentiated input regions. The input device further includes a first force sensing system associated with a first area of the top member and including a first group of the differentiated input regions, and a second force sensing system associated with a second area of the top member and including a second group of the differentiated input regions. The input device further includes a touch sensing system configured to determine which input region from the first group of the differentiated input regions corresponds to the first force input and to determine which input region from the second group of the differentiated input regions corresponds to the second force input.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a dome switch and methods related to the use thereto. In one aspect, an embodiment includes a key cap. The embodiment may further include a domed structure having upper and lower portions. The domed structure may be configured to deform in response to an input force received at the upper portion by the key cap. The embodiment may further include a collar affixed to the lower portion and extending toward the key cap. The collar may resist deformation of the domed surface.

Abstract: Keyboards include mechanisms that prevent and/or alleviate contaminant ingress. In some embodiments, a keyboard assembly includes a substrate, a key cap, a movement mechanism moveably coupling the key cap to the substrate, and a guard structure coupled to the key cap operable to direct contaminants away from the movement mechanism. In other embodiments, a keyboard includes a base; a web that defines apertures; keys moveably coupled to the base within the apertures; and a gasket coupled to the keys, the gasket fixed between the web and the base, operable to block passage of contaminants into the apertures.

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: A key mechanism is disclosed. The key mechanism comprises a keycap, a dome support structure positioned relative to the keycap and defining an opening, an actuation mechanism coupled to the keycap, and a collapsible dome positioned in the opening of the dome support structure. The actuation mechanism is configured to movably support the keycap relative to the dome support structure. The dome comprises an upstop member configured to limit upward travel of the collapsible dome.

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: 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.