Abstract: Implementations of the subject matter described herein provide a keyboard and an electronic device. The keyboard comprises a touch-sensitive region configured to send an indication of a position of a touch to the electronic device. The electronic device may display a menu including a plurality of configurable menu items. A shape of the menu matches a shape of the touch-sensitive region, and the menu item corresponding to the touch position may be highlighted, such that the user may acknowledge the touch position without looking at the keyboard. In this case, input efficiency may be improved in case of selecting menu items, since the user does not need to divert its sight from the display to the keyboard or the pointing device.

Abstract: A connector assembly including a first intermediate connector member associated with a first device and having a first connector interface and a second intermediate connector having a second connector interface. The first intermediate connector and the second intermediate connector are movable between an interfaced state in which the first connector interface is in contact with the second connector, and a tethered state in which the first connector interface is spaced apart from the second connector interface. The connector assembly further includes a tether member connecting the first intermediate connector and the second intermediate connector in the tethered state. The tether may include a flexible body configured to control a path along at least an axis of either the first intermediate connector or the second intermediate connector during movement from the interfaced state to the tethered state.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a lens system having a stacked structure. The lens system comprises at least: a first lens; a second lens adjacent to the first lens, a first space formed between the second lens and the first lens; and a shim between the first lens and the second lens, the shim having at least one venting hole, the at least one venting hole connecting the first space and a second space outside the first space. The present disclosure also provides an imaging apparatus comprising the lens system described above.

Abstract: A switch, keyboard and associated methods are provided. In one implementation, the switch includes a housing having a protruding portion configured to be received in an aperture formed on a substrate, a plunger operable to move with respect to the housing, a first contact member located in the housing, and a second contact member extending from the protruding portion of the housing. The second contact member is operable to, based at least in part on the plunger being moved in a first direction, deform to a predefined extent to electrically contact the first contact member. The switch provides a low profile appearance but not compromising the smooth and quickly responsive striking motion for a mechanical switch, such that a clean design can be provided while the input experience and durability are maintained. A keyboard is also provided.

Abstract: Described are examples of an input device having a wheel with a plurality of teeth, where at least the plurality of teeth are composed of a ferrous or magnetic material. A magnet is disposed to provide a first magnetic field that attracts the ferrous or magnetic material of the plurality of teeth to provide a detent action when moving the wheel from a first position to a second position. A magnet sheet is disposed to provide a second magnetic field that causes the magnet sheet to deform based on magnetic attraction to the ferrous or magnetic material of the plurality of teeth when moving the wheel from the first position to the second position. A strain sensor coupled to the magnet sheet can detect a strain caused by deformation of the magnet sheet, and provide an electronic signal indicating the strain.

Abstract: A switch, keyboard and associated methods are provided. In one implementation, the switch includes a housing having a protruding portion configured to be received in an aperture formed on a substrate, a plunger operable to move with respect to the housing, a first contact member located in the housing, and a second contact member extending from the protruding portion of the housing. The second contact member is operable to, based at least in part on the plunger being moved in a first direction, deform to a predefined extent to electrically contact the first contact member. The switch provides a low profile appearance but not compromising the smooth and quickly responsive striking motion for a mechanical switch, such that a clean design can be provided while the input experience and durability are maintained. A keyboard is also provided.

Abstract: Described are examples of an input device having a wheel with a plurality of teeth, where at least the plurality of teeth are composed of a ferrous or magnetic material. A magnet is disposed to provide a first magnetic field that attracts the ferrous or magnetic material of the plurality of teeth to provide a detent action when moving the wheel from a first position to a second position. A magnet sheet is disposed to provide a second magnetic field that causes the magnet sheet to deform based on magnetic attraction to the ferrous or magnetic material of the plurality of teeth when moving the wheel from the first position to the second position. A strain sensor coupled to the magnet sheet can detect a strain caused by deformation of the magnet sheet, and provide an electronic signal indicating the strain.

Abstract: A mobile computing device dock is described. In one or more implementations, an apparatus includes a support structure and first and second connection portions disposed on opposing sides of the support. Each of the first and second connection portions includes a respective connection device configured to form a communicative coupling to a mobile computing device. The first and second connection portions are configured such that movement of one of the first or second connection portions causes corresponding movement of the other one of the first or second connection portions to engage to or disengage from the mobile computing device.

Abstract: Magnetic detents for input controls are described herein. In one or more implementations, a rotary input control (e.g., a scroll wheel or dial) includes a rotor assembly configured to employ a magnetic detent mechanism. The rotary input control may be integrated with an input device such as a computer mouse, keyboard, or, stylus. The rotor assembly includes a rotor that rotates around an axis of rotation and includes multiple magnetic elements disposed around the rotor, such as teeth of a gear, spokes, metallic regions, and so forth. At least one permanent magnet is arranged radially outward from the axis of rotation and configured to apply a magnetic field to the magnetic elements. This creates a magnetic detent effect when the rotor is rotated due to changes in rotational resistance produced as the magnetic elements rotate through the magnetic field.

Abstract: Magnetic detents for input controls are described herein. In one or more implementations, a rotary input control (e.g., a scroll wheel or dial) includes a rotor assembly configured to employ a magnetic detent mechanism. The rotary input control may be integrated with an input device such as a computer mouse, keyboard, or, stylus. The rotor assembly includes a rotor that rotates around an axis of rotation and includes multiple magnetic elements disposed around the rotor, such as teeth of a gear, spokes, metallic regions, and so forth. At least one permanent magnet is arranged radially outward from the axis of rotation and configured to apply a magnetic field to the magnetic elements. This creates a magnetic detent effect when the rotor is rotated due to changes in rotational resistance produced as the magnetic elements rotate through the magnetic field.

Abstract: A slidable battery door assembly is described. In implementations, the slidable battery door assembly (hereinafter “door assembly”) includes a door that is slidable to control access to a battery compartment for a device. Also included is a battery contact inside the battery compartment that is coupled to the door. When the door is closed, the battery contact holds a battery in place and serves as a portion of an electrical circuit that includes the battery. The door may be slidably opened such that the battery contact releases the battery, allowing the battery to be removed from the battery compartment. Thus, the door assembly enables easy installation and removal of a battery. Further, the door assembly can be positioned to hold a battery securely in place and provide an electrically conductive connection between the battery and an electrical circuit.

Abstract: A mobile computing device dock is described. In one or more implementations, an apparatus includes a support structure and first and second connection portions disposed on opposing sides of the support. Each of the first and second connection portions includes a respective connection device configured to form a communicative coupling to a mobile computing device. The first and second connection portions are configured such that movement of one of the first or second connection portions causes corresponding movement of the other one of the first or second connection portions to engage to or disengage from the mobile computing device.

Abstract: A slidable battery door assembly is described. In implementations, the slidable battery door assembly (hereinafter “door assembly”) includes a door that is slidable to control access to a battery compartment for a device. Also included is a battery contact inside the battery compartment that is coupled to the door. When the door is closed, the battery contact holds a battery in place and serves as a portion of an electrical circuit that includes the battery. The door may be slidably opened such that the battery contact releases the battery, allowing the battery to be removed from the battery compartment. Thus, the door assembly enables easy installation and removal of a battery. Further, the door assembly can be positioned to hold a battery securely in place and provide an electrically conductive connection between the battery and an electrical circuit.

Abstract: A peripheral positioner includes a plurality of links that are rotatably coupled to one another. The peripheral positioner can be used to position a peripheral device on various surfaces and/or objects.

Abstract: A computer mouse for use with a computing device, and a user input device assembly including a computer mouse and a communications dongle, are provided. The computer mouse may include a body having an outer casing, the outer casing having a battery compartment formed therein, and a battery door releasably secured to the outer casing in an orientation that covers the battery compartment. The battery door may include a mounting structure configured to releasably secure a communications dongle.

Abstract: A flat type vibration motor with increased vibration amount comprises a vibrator (1), a hard circuit board (2), a rotor (3), a shaft (5), a lower case (9), a magnet (8), a flexible circuit board (11), a brush (10) and winding coils (a, b). The rotor (3) is formed by injection-molding the vibrator (1). The winding coils (a, b) and the hard circuit board (2) are both mounted on the vibrator (1), thus the outer edge of the vibrator (1) can be extended to the position beyond the winding coils (a, b) and the hard circuit board (2).

Abstract: The present invention involves a type of flat, motor-driven vibrator that does not increase the outer physical dimensions of the vibrator while increasing the amount of vibration by changing the mass and balance of the eccentric rotor. The base structure of the eccentric rotor is made of high-density alloy. Two or more coils are installed over the protuberances of the alloy oscillator and a circuit board is installed into the other end of the oscillator. A self-lubricating and wear-resistant, low-density plastic material is injected into the gap between the coils, the oscillator, and the circuit board to mold them together. A cylindrical bore in the middle of the molded plastic is used as a rotor bearing.

Abstract: A peripheral positioner includes a plurality of links that are rotatably coupled to one another. The peripheral positioner can be used to position a peripheral device on various surfaces and/or objects.

Abstract: A flat type vibration motor with increased vibration amount comprises a vibrator (1), a hard circuit board (2), a rotor (3), a shaft (5), a lower case (9), a magnet (8), a flexible circuit board (11), a brush (10) and winding coils (a, b). The rotor (3) is formed by injection-molding the vibrator (1). The winding coils (a, b) and the hard circuit board (2) are both mounted on the vibrator (1), thus the outer edge of the vibrator (1) can be extended to the position beyond the winding coils (a, b) and the hard circuit board (2).

Abstract: The present invention involves a type of flat, motor-driven vibrator that does not increase the outer physical dimensions of the vibrator while increasing the amount of vibration by changing the mass and balance of the eccentric rotor. The base structure of the eccentric rotor is made of high-density alloy. Two or more coils are installed over the protuberances of the alloy oscillator and a circuit board is installed into the other end of the oscillator. A self-lubricating and wear-resistant, low-density plastic material is injected into the gap between the coils, the oscillator, and the circuit board to mold them together. A cylindrical bore in the middle of the molded plastic is used as a rotor bearing.