Abstract: In some embodiments, a computer mouse includes a housing, a depressible keyplate, and a haptic element coupled to a bottom surface of the depressible keyplate. The haptic element can be configured to operate in a plurality of modes of operation including a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode of operation, the haptic element can generate a haptic output that statically and unidirectionally deflects and holds the haptic element and coupled keyplate at a deflection distance. In the second mode of operation, the haptic element can generate a second haptic output that bidirectionally deflects the haptic element relative to the deflection distance thereby generating a vibrational feedback that is superimposed on the unidirectional deflection at the deflection distance. In some aspects, the haptic element is a piezoelectric device and the control signal is a voltage applied to the haptic element.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a computer mouse comprises a housing, a multi-tiered and depressible keyplate including a first tier and a second tier, a haptic element, a subchassis configured to support and directly couple the haptic element to a bottom surface of the first tier of the keyplate, and a sensor (e.g., force sensor, keypress detection sensor, and the like). In some cases, when depressed by a threshold distance, the second tier of the multi-tiered depressible keyplate makes contact with the sensor, causing the sensor to detect that the multi-tiered depressible keyplate is depressed. In some aspects, the multi-tiered depressible keyplate is a monolithic structure such that the first and second tiers move as a single unit relative to the housing when the multi-tiered depressible keyplate is depressed.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a computer mouse includes a housing, a depressible keyplate, and a haptic element coupled to a bottom surface of the depressible keyplate. The haptic element can be configured to operate in a plurality of modes of operation including a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode of operation, the haptic element can generate a haptic output that statically and unidirectionally deflects and holds the haptic element and coupled keyplate at a deflection distance. In the second mode of operation, the haptic element can generate a second haptic output that bidirectionally deflects the haptic element relative to the deflection distance thereby generating a vibrational feedback that is superimposed on the unidirectional deflection at the deflection distance. In some aspects, the haptic element is a piezoelectric device and the control signal is a voltage applied to the haptic element.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a computer mouse comprises a housing, a depressible keyplate disposed within the housing, a carrier platform including a top side and disposed within the housing, a haptic element coupled to a top side of the carrier platform, a biasing system configured to couple the carrier platform to the housing and provide a pre-loading force that pushes the haptic element coupled to the carrier platform against a bottom surface of the depressible keyplate, and a limiter element operable to physically limit a movable range of the keyplate in one direction that prevents a top surface of the keyplate to deflect past an adjacent top surface of the housing due to the pre-loading force, the top surface of the keyplate and the adjacent top surface of the housing forming a continuous contour when the depressible keyplate is in a non-depressed, neutral position.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include an input device comprising a housing having a region, a haptic element coupled to the housing, the haptic element configured to generate a haptic feedback and couple the haptic feedback to the region of the housing, and a force-sensitive element coupled to the housing, the force-sensitive element configured to detect a threshold input force applied-to and removed-from the region of the housing, the force-sensitive element being different from the haptic element. The haptic element may generate a first haptic feedback in response to the force-sensitive element detecting the threshold force being applied to the region of the housing, and the haptic element may generate a second haptic feedback in response to the force-sensitive element detecting the threshold force being removed from to the region of the housing, the first haptic feedback being different than the second haptic feedback.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include an input device comprising a housing having a region, a haptic element coupled to the housing, the haptic element configured to generate a haptic feedback and couple the haptic feedback to the region of the housing, and a force-sensitive element coupled to the housing, the force-sensitive element configured to detect a threshold input force applied-to and removed-from the region of the housing, the force-sensitive element being different from the haptic element. The haptic element may generate a first haptic feedback in response to the force-sensitive element detecting the threshold force being applied to the region of the housing, and the haptic element may generate a second haptic feedback in response to the force-sensitive element detecting the threshold force being removed from to the region of the housing, the first haptic feedback being different than the second haptic feedback.

Abstract: An input device including a housing, a cover plate, and a shape-memory polymer (SMP) disposed between the cover plate and the housing. The SMP being a rectangular flat lattice structure formed into a cylinder, the cylinder having a top portion and a bottom portion, where the top portion is coupled to the cover plate, and where the bottom portion is coupled to the housing. The SMP can be conformable at temperatures at or above a threshold value, and non-conformable at temperatures below the threshold value. The input device can include a heating element coupled to the SMP and configured to control the temperature of the SMP. The SMP can be comprised of a conductive ink formed of a density of conductive particulates, an etched conductor structure on a non-conductive substrate, or a conductive and stretchable yarn formed into a coil.

Abstract: A wireless control device includes a control circuit coupled to the control device, the control device having six sides and a plurality of modes of operation. Each of the plurality of modes of operation are selected by the control circuit based on the orientation of the control device as determined by an accelerometer. A first mode of operation is selected when a first side of the control device is oriented in a predetermined direction. The first mode of operation is configured to provide cursor control, a scroll function, and a side scroll function on a visual display. A second mode of operation is selected when a second side of the control device is oriented in the predetermined direction. The second mode of operation is configured to control pan and zoom functions, or control navigation and selection of media files on the visual display.