Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A touchsurface assembly comprises a base, a pressable touchsurface, and a deflectable spring. The pressable touchsurface is configured to move between an unpressed position and a pressed position relative to the base. The deflectable spring comprises a fixed portion and a contact portion. The contact portion is configured to contact a spring guiding profile. As the touchsurface moves from the unpressed position to the pressed position, the contact portion physically interacts with different sections of the spring guiding profile. This interaction causes different deflections of the deflectable spring and produces reaction forces that resist keycap motion toward the pressed position and bias the keycap toward the unpressed position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a touchsurface assembly such as a key assembly are described. The touchsurface assembly includes a base, a keycap and a magnet physically coupled to the base near to the keycap. A keycap coupler has a first portion magnetically attracted to the magnet and a second portion cantilevered from the magnet to support the keycap in an unpressed position. When a press force applied to the keycap overcomes a magnetic force pulling the keycap coupler toward the magnet, the keycap coupler pivots away from the magnet to allow the keycap to move toward a pressed position.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques related to a support surface (e.g., a mousepad) for imparting a tactile feedback (e.g., haptics) to a human-machine interactive (HMI) device (e.g., a mouse) supported thereon. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, vector-specific movement can be imparted to a user interface device (UID) to provide vector-specific haptic feedback. In at least some embodiments, this vectored movement can be based on input received by the UID. The input can include information associated with the user's interaction with an associated device integrated with or communicatively linked with the UID, and or with an application implemented on the associated device. In at least some embodiments, the UID can be configured with a controller, a microprocessor(s), and a vector-specific actuator that includes an electrically-deformable material.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques related to a touchpad with capacitive force sensing. The described techniques may determine the point or region of a user-engagement surface contacted by a user. In addition, the described techniques may also determine a force of the user's finger press on the user-engagement surface using one or more capacitance force-sensors. Furthermore, the described techniques may offer active tactile feedback (i.e., haptics) to the user's finger touching the user-engagement surface. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: Described herein are one or more techniques related to a touchsurface with level and planar translational travel responsiveness. One or more of the described implementations include an input device having a rigid body including a touchsurface configured to travel along a depression path in response to being depressed by a user. The input device also includes a leveling mechanism that operates in manner to keep the touchsurface substantially level as the touchsurface travels along the depression path in response to being depressed by the user. Furthermore, the input device has a planar-translation-effecting mechanism that defines a planar translation component of the depression path, such that the touchsurface exhibits planar translation as the touchsurface travels along the depression path.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques related to a leveled touchsurface with planar translational responsiveness to vertical travel. Examples of a touchsurface include a key of a keyboard, touchpad of a laptop, or a touchscreen of a smartphone or tablet computer. With the techniques described herein, the touchsurface is constrained to remain in a level orientation during planar translational movement between depressed and unpressed positions along a diagonal line with respect to a vertical axis. Also, with the techniques described herein, a planar-translation-effecting mechanism imparts a planar translation to the touchsurface while it travels vertically (e.g., downward) as the user presses the touchsurface. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques related to a leveled touchsurface with planar translational responsiveness to vertical travel. Examples of a touchsurface include a key of a keyboard, touchpad of a laptop, or a touchscreen of a smartphone or tablet computer. With the techniques described herein, the touchsurface is constrained to a level orientation and remains steady while a user presses the touchsurface like a button or key. Also, with the techniques described herein, a planar-translation-effecting mechanism imparts a planar translation to the touchsurface while it travels vertically (e.g., downward) as the user presses touchsurface. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, vector-specific movement can be imparted to a user interface device (UID) to provide vector-specific haptic feedback. In at least some embodiments, this vectored movement can be based on input received by the UID. The input can include information associated with the user's interaction with an associated device integrated with or communicatively linked with the UID, and or with an application implemented on the associated device. In at least some embodiments, the UID can be configured with a controller, a microprocessor(s), and a vector-specific actuator that includes an electrically-deformable material.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques related to capacitance-based keyswitch technologies. According to one implementation, an apparatus includes a key with a floating electrode. The floating electrode pairs with a fixed electrode and a capacitance may be generated between them. The apparatus has a controller configured to measure the capacitance as the electrodes move relative to each other as the key is depressed and released. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques related to a leveled touchsurface with planar translational responsiveness to vertical travel. Examples of a touchsurface include a key of a keyboard, touchpad of a laptop, or a touchscreen of a smartphone or tablet computer. With the techniques described herein, the touchsurface is constrained to remain in a level orientation during planar translational movement between depressed and unpressed positions along a diagonal line with respect to a vertical axis. Also, with the techniques described herein, a planar-translation-effecting mechanism imparts a planar translation to the touchsurface while it travels vertically (e.g., downward) as the user presses the touchsurface. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, vector-specific movement can be imparted to a user interface device (UID) to provide vector-specific haptic feedback. In at least some embodiments, this vectored movement can be based on input received by the UID. The input can include information associated with the user's interaction with an associated device integrated with or communicatively linked with the UID, and or with an application implemented on the associated device. In at least some embodiments, the UID can be configured with a controller, a microprocessor(s), and a vector-specific actuator that includes an electrically-deformable material.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques related to a haptic keyboard that features a satisfying tactile keypress experience. Using active tactile feedback (i.e., haptics) via its keys, one or more of the described example keyboards simulates the feel of a snap-over keypress of conventional keys, such as that of a rubber-dome keyboard. With its haptics, one or more of the described example keyboards feel like—through the user's fingers on keycaps—keys having the non-linear force/displacement characteristics of the snap-over of conventional keys. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques related to a support surface (e.g., a mousepad) for imparting a tactile feedback (e.g., haptics) to a human-machine interactive (HMI) device (e.g., a mouse) supported thereon. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques related to a touchpad with capacitive force sensing. The described techniques may determine the point or region of a user-engagement surface contacted by a user. In addition, the described techniques may also determine a force of the user's finger press on the user-engagement surface using one or more capacitance force-sensors. Furthermore, the described techniques may offer active tactile feedback (i.e., haptics) to the user's finger touching the user-engagement surface. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: Described herein are one or more techniques related to active tactile feedback (“haptic”) technologies. The technologies include a movement-effecting mechanism designed to move a user-engagement surface, typically, in response to a user touching the surface. The described techniques include those designed to return the surface back to its original position (before the surface's movement), to seal the movement-effecting mechanism to protect it from ingress of contaminates, and/or to retain the surface in a manner that allows movement of the surface in directions away from the surface (which includes, for example, substantially normal to the surface) while restricting movement of the surface in at least one other direction (e.g., a direction parallel to the surface). This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a device includes a surface and an actuator mechanism operably associated with the surface. The actuator mechanism is configured to provide tactile feedback to a user responsive to an electrical signal. In at least some embodiments, the actuator mechanism comprises a pair of spaced-apart substrates each of which supports a conductive layer of material. A dielectric material and an adjacent air gap may be interposed between the substrates. Drive circuitry is operably connected to the spaced-apart substrates and is configured to drive the conductive layers of material with an electrical signal. This signal may be responsive to sensing a touch input on the surface or other appropriate event.