Abstract: Magnetically biased retracting key assemblies and keyboards are provided. A key assembly includes a touch surface for receiving a press input from a user and a planar-translation-effecting (PTE) mechanism configured to guide as the keycap moves from an un-pressed position toward a pressed position. The key assembly also includes a ready-return mechanism configured to magnetically biased the keycap in the un-pressed position, the ready-return mechanism including a slider mechanism positioned beneath the keycap and coupled to the PTE mechanism. When the press surface receives a press input the slider mechanism translates away from the magnet as the PTE mechanism guides the keycap from the un-pressed position toward the pressed position. In some embodiments, the PTE mechanism and the ready-return mechanism translate with respect to a chassis layer providing a key retraction feature for the key assembly or keyboard.

Abstract: A key assembly is for use in a keyboard of the type including a key guide having a planar translation effecting (PTE) feature. The key assembly includes a key base having a PTE mating feature configured to interact with the PTE feature during a key press, and a key cap configured to be attached to the key base. The key base is made of a first material and the key cap is made of a second material different from the first material. A conductive portion and/or a magnet may be wedged between or secured within the key base or the key cap.

Abstract: Input devices which include a capacitive force sensor, along with methods of making and using such, are provided. The input device includes a structural component having first and second substantially opposing sides, a plurality of sensor electrodes located on the first side of the structural component, the plurality of sensor electrodes configured to capacitively sense positional information associated with user input in a sensing region, a first capacitive electrode located on the second side of the structural component, the first capacitive electrode being configured to capacitively couple to a second capacitive electrode that is separated from the first capacitive electrode by a gas and moveable relative to the first capacitive electrode, and a biasing member configured to be physically coupled to the structural component such that a force associated with the user input causes a change in a separation distance between the first and second capacitive electrodes based on the force.

Abstract: A key assembly is for use in a keyboard of the type including a key guide having a planar translation effecting (PTE) feature. The key assembly includes a key base having a PTE mating feature configured to interact with the PTE feature during a key press, and a key cap configured to be attached to the key base. The key base is made of a first material and the key cap is made of a second material different from the first material. A conductive portion and/or a magnet may be wedged between or secured within the key base or the key cap.

Abstract: A keyboard including a plurality of key assemblies configured to be pressed by an input object. A subset of the plurality of key assemblies each includes a key cap and a first electrode pair underneath the key cap and configured to detect key motion in response to downward force applied by the input object. The key cap also includes a second electrode pair disposed underneath the key cap and configured to detect positional information about the input object interacting with the key cap.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided that utilize a first electrode disposed on a first substrate and a second electrode disposed on a second substrate, where the first electrode and the second electrode define at least part of a variable capacitance. A third substrate is arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate, the third substrate having an opening arranged such that at least a portion of the first electrode and the second electrode overlap the opening. A transmission element is provided that partially overlaps the opening. The transmission element is physically coupled to the second electrode such that a force biasing the transmission element causes the second electrode to deflect relative to the first electrode, thus changing the variable capacitance. A measurement of the variable capacitance may then be used to determine force information.

Abstract: Input devices which include a capacitive force sensor, along with methods of making and using such, are provided. The input device includes a structural component having first and second substantially opposing sides, a plurality of sensor electrodes located on the first side of the structural component, the plurality of sensor electrodes configured to capacitively sense positional information associated with user input in a sensing region, a first capacitive electrode located on the second side of the structural component, the first capacitive electrode being configured to capacitively couple to a second capacitive electrode that is separated from the first capacitive electrode by a gas and moveable relative to the first capacitive electrode, and a biasing member configured to be physically coupled to the structural component such that a force associated with the user input causes a change in a separation distance between the first and second capacitive electrodes based on the force.

Abstract: A capacitive input device has a sensor electrode pattern disposed on a first side of a substrate. The sensor electrode pattern comprises a plurality of sensor electrode elements disposed on the first side of a first substrate. A plurality of routing traces is disposed along a first edge of the sensor electrode pattern on the first side of the substrate and configured to communicatively couple at least some of the sensor electrodes with a processing system. A pair of guard traces is disposed in the same layer as and brackets the plurality of routing traces. A guard overlaps the routing traces, is disposed proximate the routing traces on the first side of the substrate, and ohmically couples the pair of guard traces with one another. A second insulator is disposed between the routing traces and the guard. The second insulator and the first insulator are disposed in the same layer.

Abstract: Devices and methods for capacitively sensing key cap position during the initial and latter stages of a keystroke. A key assembly includes a stationary key guide magnet, a movable key cap magnet, and a transmitter/receiver electrode pair. One or both of the electrodes underlies the key cap. The capacitance change between the electrodes during a keystroke includes the capacitance change between the key cap and the electrode pair, and the change in capacitance between the key cap and the key guide. Key cap position may thus be accurately detected throughout the entire keystroke.

Abstract: One embodiment in accordance with the present invention includes a capacitive sensing device for use in a keypad assembly of an electronic system. The capacitive sensing device includes a substantially transparent single sheet capacitive sensor. The substantially transparent single sheet capacitive sensor is configured to be disposed within the keypad assembly without requiring the formation of key post holes therethrough. Additionally, the substantially transparent single sheet capacitive sensor has a flexibility which enables desired tactile response during use of keys of the keypad assembly.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided that utilize a first electrode disposed on a first substrate and a second electrode disposed on a second substrate, where the first electrode and the second electrode define at least part of a variable capacitance. A third substrate is arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate, the third substrate having an opening arranged such that at least a portion of the first electrode and the second electrode overlap the opening. A transmission element is provided that partially overlaps the opening. The transmission element is physically coupled to the second electrode such that a force biasing the transmission element causes the second electrode to deflect relative to the first electrode, thus changing the variable capacitance. A measurement of the variable capacitance may then be used to determine force information.

Abstract: In a method for determining a resolution metric, sampled touch input data is accessed for at least one of a plurality of capacitive sensor channels in capacitive touch sensors. A resolution metric is determined based on a ratio of a required resolution and a channel resolution of at least one of the plurality of capacitive sensor channels, where for a plurality of channels the resolution metric is set to a minimum of determined individual resolution metrics for each of the plurality of channels. The resolution metric is provided as an output.

Abstract: In a method for determining a resolution metric, sampled touch input data is accessed for at least one of a plurality of capacitive sensor channels in capacitive touch sensors. A resolution metric is determined based on a ratio of a required resolution and a channel resolution of at least one of the plurality of capacitive sensor channels, where for a plurality of channels the resolution metric is set to a minimum of determined individual resolution metrics for each of the plurality of channels. The resolution metric is provided as an output.

Abstract: One embodiment in accordance with the invention is a method for determining a resolution metric that can include accessing sampled data for at least one of a plurality of sensor channels. Additionally, the method can include determining a required resolution associated with at least one of the plurality of sensor channels. A channel resolution can be determined that is associated with at least one of the plurality of sensor channels. Furthermore, the resolution metric can be determined based on the channel resolution and the required resolution, wherein the resolution metric can be provided to a user.

Abstract: Input devices which include a capacitive force sensor, along with methods of making and using such, are provided. The input device includes a structural component having first and second substantially opposing sides, a plurality of sensor electrodes located on the first side of the structural component, the plurality of sensor electrodes configured to capacitively sense positional information associated with user input in a sensing region, a first capacitive electrode located on the second side of the structural component, the first capacitive electrode being configured to capacitively couple to a second capacitive electrode that is separated from the first capacitive electrode by a gas and moveable relative to the first capacitive electrode, and a biasing member configured to be physically coupled to the structural component such that a force associated with the user input causes a change in a separation distance between the first and second capacitive electrodes based on the force.

Abstract: A touch sensor device is provided that that uses an edge electrode set to provide an improved effective area. Specifically, the touch sensor device includes an edge electrode set that together substantially surround a perimeter of sensing. The edge electrode set increases the effective sensing area of the touch sensor device, and thus can be used to improve the space efficiency of the touch sensor device.

Abstract: One embodiment in accordance with the present invention includes a capacitive sensing device for use in a keypad assembly of an electronic system. The capacitive sensing device includes a substantially transparent single sheet capacitive sensor. The substantially transparent single sheet capacitive sensor is configured to be disposed within the keypad assembly without requiring the formation of key post holes therethrough. Additionally, the substantially transparent single sheet capacitive sensor has a flexibility which enables desired tactile response during use of keys of the keypad assembly.

Abstract: A low cost x-y digitizing system is described for use in consumer electronic devices, such as portable digital assistants, mobile telephones, web browsers and the like. The digitizer includes a resonant stylus, an excitation winding for energizing the resonant stylus and a set of sensor windings for sensing the signal generated by the stylus, from which the x-y position of the stylus is determined. A novel stylus design is described together with novel digitizer windings and novel excitation and processing circuitry.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention receives sensitivity data corresponding to a plurality of first sensor channels of a respective plurality of capacitive sensing devices and utilizes the sensitivity data to determine a range of expected variation pertaining to the plurality of first sensor channels. The range of expected variation has an upper and a lower limit. The present embodiment also relates the range of expected variation to a sensitivity value corresponding to one of the plurality of first sensor channels. The present embodiment determines at least one performance characteristic of the one of the plurality of first sensor channels near at least one of the upper limit and the lower limit. In this embodiment, the at least one performance characteristic enables the tuning of the plurality of first sensor channels of the respective plurality of capacitive sensing devices.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention receives sensitivity data corresponding to a plurality of first sensor channels of a respective plurality of capacitive sensing devices and utilizes the sensitivity data to determine a range of expected variation pertaining to the plurality of first sensor channels. The range of expected variation has an upper and a lower limit. The present embodiment also relates the range of expected variation to a sensitivity value corresponding to one of the plurality of first sensor channels. The present embodiment determines at least one performance characteristic of the one of the plurality of first sensor channels near at least one of the upper limit and the lower limit. In this embodiment, the at least one performance characteristic enables the tuning of the plurality of first sensor channels of the respective plurality of capacitive sensing devices.