Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to input devices configured for use with computing devices. The present invention relates to input device configured with a plurality of input members grouped into contoured-shaped bowls on a portion of the input devices. The input device may also be configured for use with multiple hand positions and multiple profiles based on the hand positions. The input device may enable switching between user-programmable profiles, and may include sensory feedback indicating the profiles active on the input device.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing and a sensor system. The housing includes a display assembly and a cavity. The cavity is proximate the display assembly. The sensor system is at the cavity. The sensor system is configured to determine an amount of force exerted on the display assembly in response to a pressure change inside the cavity.

Abstract: An electronic device includes an enclosure, a substrate within the enclosure, a keycap support mechanism, and a keycap supported by the keycap support mechanism and movable relative to the substrate. The keycap includes a body, a mask layer defining a glyph opening, and a semitransparent mirror layer positioned within the glyph opening. The electronic device also includes a light source configured to direct light through the semitransparent mirror layer.

Abstract: A button assembly 1 for a substrate 2 includes a chassis 3 attachable to the substrate 2, a movable button 4 constrained by the chassis 3, one or more button sensors 5 operable to sense the movable button 4, and one or more springs 40 or magnets 6a, 6b. The one or more springs 40 or magnets 6a, 6b are arranged to bias the movable button 4 towards a predetermined position.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a force-sensing apparatus. The force-sensing apparatus includes a planar-shaped frame, a force sensor, and a displacement portion. The force sensor is disposed on one surface of the frame. The displacement portion has a planar profile and one side coupled at an acute angle to the frame and another side freely disposed above a sensing surface of the force sensor.

Abstract: Adjusting underlighting of a keyboard input device, including identifying execution of a computer-implemented application on an IHS, and in response: accessing a database storing lighting profiles for the keyboard input device: determining whether a personalized lighting profile for the computer-implemented application is stored by the database; determining that the personalized lighting profile for the computer-implemented application is not stored by the database, and in response, determining whether an application-specific lighting profile for the computer-implemented application is stored by the database; determining that the application-specific lighting profile for the computer-implemented application is stored by the database, and in response, applying the application-specific lighting profile to the keyboard input device, including: adjusting a power state of a first subset of lights of the keyboard input device to an off power state while retaining an on-power state of a second subset of lights of th

Abstract: An electrostatic capacitive coupling type touch panel including an input region having four sides, a peripheral region around the input region, terminals formed in the peripheral region along a first side of the input region, wirings formed in the peripheral region along second, third and fourth sides of the input region, and the input region having X and Y electrodes crossing. The wirings are connected between corresponding X or Y electrodes and wiring terminals plurality of terminals. A dummy wiring, which is not connected to any of the X electrodes or Y electrodes, is provided outside the wiring formed in a farthest position from the input region, and the dummy wiring extends through the peripheral region along the second, third and fourth sides of the input region, and electrically connects to at least one dummy wiring terminal.

Abstract: An appliance that includes: a front panel having a touch point; a touch board including: a first side attached to a location on a rear surface of the front panel, the location corresponding to the touch point; a second side opposite to the first side; a pressing portion; and one or more holes defined around the pressing portion and configured to enable an elastic movement of the pressing portion; a holder that is attached to the second side of the touch board, the holder having a receiving portion; a piezo disc configured to be inserted in the receiving portion of the holder and contact the pressing portion; a guide board having a seating hole configured to receive the holder and the piezo disc; and a first adhesive member attached to the first side of the touch board and configured to attach to the rear surface of the front panel.

Abstract: A method and device for moving an indicator on an on-screen keyboard depicted on a display device is described. A series of signals transmitted from a remote-control unit are received at the display device. The indicator on a grid depicted on the display device is moved based on the received signals. A time for moving the indicator on the grid varies based on the series of signals received from the remote-control unit.

Abstract: An attachment for a smart device having a touch screen displaying at least one interactive area thereon includes at least one port defining an air passageway therethrough and at least one actuator element disposed at least partially within the air passageway of each of the at least one ports. Each of the at least one actuator elements is configured to actuate upon a flow of air passing through the corresponding air passageway. Actuation of each of the at least one actuator elements causes an electrical interaction with one of the interactive areas of the touch screen.

Abstract: Systems and methods for pre-touch and true touch are disclosed. For example, in one described system for pre-touch and true touch includes a touch-sensitive interface configured to detect a user interaction and transmit a first interface signal based at least in part on the user interaction. The system also includes a processor in communication with the touch-sensitive interface and configured to receive the first interface signal and determine a haptic effect based at least in part on the first interface signal. The processor is further configured to preload a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The system also includes a cache in communication with the processor and configured to store the preloaded haptic signal for a time period and then transmit the haptic signal and a haptic effect generator in communication with the cache and configured to receive the haptic signal from the cache and, in response, output a haptic effect based at least in part on the haptic signal.

Abstract: A touch sensor assembly includes a touch substrate attached to a rear surface of a panel having a touch point, a piezo disk having first and second poles stacked thereon, wherein the first pole is disposed on at least a central portion of a front surface thereof and aligned in a direction facing the touch substrate to be fixed to a rear surface of the touch substrate, a pressing tab flexibly provided on the touch substrate, electrically connected to the first pole upon being in contact with the first pole, and electrically connected to a plurality of wires provided on the touch substrate at a plurality of points, and a fixing surface electrically connected to the second pole while supporting the second pole such that the piezo disk is fixed to the rear surface of the touch substrate and electrically connected to second wires provided on the touch substrate.

Abstract: A touchpad module for an electronic device is provided. The touchpad module includes a fixing frame, a touch member, a switch member and an adjusting element. The touch member is installed within an opening of the fixing frame. The switch member is installed on the touch member. The switch member includes a first magnetic element. The adjusting element is accommodated within an adjusting hole of the fixing frame. The adjusting element includes a second magnetic element corresponding to the first magnetic element. Moreover, like poles of the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element face each other. Consequently, a travelling distance of the touch member is adjusted according to a repulsive force between the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element.

Abstract: A functional device may include a base defining a cavity, a functional component received in the cavity and a magnetic assembly received in the cavity. The magnetic assembly may include a first magnetic element fixed on the functional component, a second magnetic element fixed on the base and at least one third magnetic element arranged between the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element. When each of the first, second, and at least one third magnetic elements is repulsed to an adjacent magnetic element, the functional component is forced to extend out of the cavity. When each of the first, second, and at least one third magnetic elements is attracted to the adjacent one, the functional component is pulled to retract into the cavity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing body and object interactions are provided. Based on obtained contact pressure maps and coefficient of friction (COF) maps at a contact interface where at least a portion of a body is in physical contact with a surface of an object, friction force maps can be determined, which can be used to optimize body and object interactions.

Abstract: A detection apparatus includes a first substrate, a first electrode, a plurality of second electrodes, a detection controller, and a second electrode controller. The first electrode is disposed on the first substrate. The second electrodes have an area smaller than the area of the first electrode and overlap the first electrode. The detection controller is coupled to the first electrode and detects a detection signal corresponding to a capacitance change in the first electrode. The second electrode controller supplies, to some of second electrodes in the second electrodes, a guard signal for suppressing a capacitance change in overlapping areas of the first electrode overlapping the respective second electrodes.

Abstract: A touch pad includes a flat portion and a convex type three-dimensional portion having a hemispherical shape. An outer circumferential surface of the three-dimensional portion constitutes a spherical operation area. A second recognition unit of the touch-pad controller recognizes a gesture operation of at least two fingers to be the same gesture operation as a pinch-in operation in a planar operation area, in a case where movement trajectories of the at least two fingers in the spherical operation area are arc-shaped movement trajectories which are bulged outwardly in a case where the spherical operation area is viewed in a plan view.

Abstract: A display device is capable of substantially minimizing sensing errors and substantially minimizing a pressure applied to a pixel area during a touch action, the display device including: a frame; a window facing at least a portion of the frame; a panel support portion between the window and a base portion of the frame; a flexible display panel including a central portion between the panel support portion and the window and an edge portion between the panel support portion and the base portion of the frame; and a first pressure sensing unit between the edge portion and the panel support portion.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to an input device and methods related to the use thereof. The embodiment may include a deformable structure. The deformable structure may include a first layer defining an input surface and a second layer coupled to, and offset from, the first layer. At least one of the first layer or the second layer may define a geometric feature (e.g., including a protrusion, embossed portion, or other feature of one or both of the first and second layers). The geometric feature may be configured to collapse the deformable structure at a localized region in response to a force input. The embodiment may further include an input structure configured to produce an electrical response based on a magnitude of the force input.

Abstract: An appliance that includes: a front panel having a touch point; a touch board including: a first side attached to a location on a rear surface of the front panel, the location corresponding to the touch point; a second side opposite to the first side; a pressing portion; and one or more holes defined around the pressing portion and configured to enable an elastic movement of the pressing portion; a holder that is attached to the second side of the touch board, the holder having a receiving portion; a piezo disc configured to be inserted in the receiving portion of the holder and contact the pressing portion; a guide board having a seating hole configured to receive the holder and the piezo disc; and a first adhesive member attached to the first side of the touch board and configured to attach to the rear surface of the front panel.

Abstract: A video flame detection system and method for controlling a range. The system includes a video flame detector assembly coupled to an electric range and having a camera. A relay control board is coupled to the video flame detector assembly and includes a smoke contact, a flame contact, a relay module, a processor, and a memory coupled to the processor. A range control system is coupled to the relay control board and includes a control relay. When the video flame detector assembly detects smoke, the video flame detector assembly activates the smoke contact of the relay module, causing the range control system to modulate the electric current of a heating element of the range according to at least one of a first pattern or a second pattern.

Abstract: In a sensor assembly, a hole-shaped sensor support portion is formed at a sensor printed circuit board (PCB), a touch sensor is disposed at the sensor support portion, and an elastic member is installed at a rear surface of the sensor PCB. In addition, a sensor assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a sensor PCB on which a copper coating film which constitutes a circuit is printed on a top surface of a plastic material, a touch sensor seated on a sensor support portion formed at the sensor PCB, and a cover member which is attached onto a rear surface of the sensor PCB and covers the sensor support portion.

Abstract: Detection column wires and detection row wires are configured of thin wires made of a conductive material having light reflectivity, such as a metal or alloy including silver and aluminum. A predetermined plural number of detection column wires are electrically connected to form a plurality of column-direction bundle wires. A predetermined plural number of detection row wires are electrically connected to form a plurality of row-direction bundle wires. A reflected-light distribution pattern is further provided. When viewed in a direction vertical to the surface of the touch screen, the reflected-light distribution pattern includes a curved portion, and the normal lines of the curved portion head for all directions.

Abstract: In a touch screen, a lower electrode is insulated from an upper electrode by an insulation film. A column direction wire of the upper electrode includes a first linear portion which extends in a row direction, and first branch portions which are branched from the first linear portion. A row direction wire of the lower electrode includes a second linear portion which extends in a column direction, and second branch portions which are branched from the second linear portion. The second linear portion three-dimensionally intersects the first linear portion, yet does not three-dimensionally intersect first branch portions. A rim portion of each of second branch portions includes a portion parallel along an outline of the first linear portion or first branch portions, yet does not include a portion parallel along an outline of the second linear portion. At each of second branch portions, a cavity portion is formed.

Abstract: A smart environmental sensing probe includes a communication path, a controller connected to the communication path, and one or more smart sensors, each with at least one common electrical interface for exchanging sensor information with the controller over the communication path using a common communication protocol.

Abstract: An operation apparatus includes: an operation plate on which an operation surface performed by a pressing operation with an operation body; an assembly member assembled with the operation plate; a first elastic member opposite to the operation surface with respect to the operation plate, and between the operation plate and the assembly member to be elastically deformable by a pressing force applied by the operation body; a sensor detecting an elastic deformation changing amount of the first elastic member generated by the pressing operation; a pressing determinator determining whether the pressing operation is performed based on a detection value of the sensor; and a second elastic member between the operation plate and the assembly member to be elastically deformable with the first elastic member by the pressing force. The first and second elastic members are arranged to enable the pressing force applied serially.

Abstract: There is provided a method of generating a desired haptic sensation and providing a desired touch sensitivity in a touch sensitive device, the touch sensitive device comprising a touch sensitive member and at least one transducer connected to the touch sensitive member, the method comprising: processing electrical signals to be applied to one or more of said at least one transducer connected to the touch sensitive member by applying appropriate algorithms to provide the desired haptic sensation; and processing electrical signals from one or more of said at least one transducer connected to the touch sensitive member by applying the said appropriate algorithms to generate output signals to provide the desired touch sensitivity.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to input devices configured for use with computing devices. The present invention relates to input device configured with a plurality of input members grouped into contoured-shaped bowls on a portion of the input devices. The input device may also be configured for use with multiple hand positions and multiple profiles based on the hand positions. The input device may enable switching between user-programmable profiles, and may include sensory feedback indicating the profiles active on the input device.

Abstract: It is disclosed a touch sensor (100,200,300,400,500,700) for sensing a user touch, comprising an electrically conductive structure (101) having an electrically conductive touch area (103) exposed to the environment; a first capacitor (115) having a first electrode (117) electrically connected with the conductive structure (101); a second capacitor (119) having a first electrode (121) connected to a second electrode (123) of the first capacitor (115); and a driver arrangement (125) connected to the first capacitor and the second capacitor and adapted to perform particular operation steps.

Abstract: Touch pad structures are provided that gather touch sensor data. The data may be used to control a computer or other electronic device. The touch pad structures may be integrated into a computer or other computing equipment or may be provided as a stand-alone accessory. The touch pad structures may include a touch sensor array. The touch sensor array may include rows and columns of touch sensor electrodes, interconnect lines, and other conductive structures. The conductive structures on the touch sensor array may be formed from patterned layers of ink. Interconnect line segments in different layer of ink may be connected in rectangular contact regions. The touch sensor array may have a tail. A layer of insulator may be removed from the substrate across a tip portion of the tail to allow the line segments to be connected.

Abstract: A hybrid digital analog key switch is designed to generate both a digital signal and an analog signal (DA) from a single key switch after the key is depressed. A pair of spring metal electrodes are electrically coupled to up and down movement of the key stem, and a force sensor is configured on a bottom side of the key module. Both a digital signal and an analog signal are generated when the key is depressed by a user.

Abstract: A hand held domestic appliance comprises a handle part, a driven member, a motor for driving the driven member and a controller for controlling the motor. The handle part comprises a surface sensor for detecting a contact surface area and optionally also pressure and the controller is adapted to control the power supplied to the motor in dependence on the sensed contact surface area and optionally also pressure.

Abstract: This document describes tools associated with symbol entry control functions. In some implementations, the tools identify a first finger that is in tactile contact with a touch screen. The first finger can select a subset of symbols from a plurality of symbols that can be entered via the touch screen. The tools can also identify whether one or more other fingers are in concurrent tactile contact with the first finger on the touch screen. The tools can select an individual symbol from the subset based on whether the one or more other fingers are in concurrent tactile contact with the first finger on the touch screen.

Abstract: Provided is an information processing device including a pressure sensor configured to be capable of detecting a pressure position which is a position of a pressure portion subjected to a pressure manipulation by a user and a pressure force which is a pressure at a time of the pressure manipulation, and to have a cylindrical shape, and a position specifying unit configured to specify a position in a three-dimensional space according to the pressure position and the pressure force.

Abstract: A device and method are set forth which includes an electronic, video display including L-shaped sub-displays mated to define a frame surrounding an opening which accommodates a physical object such as the view of a second display. The second display may be a mechanical component extending through the opening to operate for example a pointer operating with the video display to provide a function for a game. The opening may also be configured to reveal a mechanical, electro-mechanical or video display.

Abstract: Touch interfaces for electronic devices including one or more tactile response mechanisms. The tactile response mechanisms receive user input and provide a tactile response to the user to indicate that the user has selected a particular location or selectable area on the interface. The underside of the interface includes recesses and/or channels corresponding to on each specific touch or selectable area that localize the tactile response to the individual selectable areas.

Abstract: A touch panel which includes: a first electrode substrate; a second electrode substrate; a plurality of X-direction transparent electrodes formed on a main surface of the first electrode substrate; a plurality of Y-direction transparent electrodes formed on a main surface of the second electrode substrate; a plurality of X-direction drawn-round wires directly connected to transparent electrodes that are connected to the plurality of X-direction transparent electrodes; a plurality of X-direction drawn-round wires directly connected to external connections that are connected by the plurality of X-direction drawn-round wires directly connected to transparent electrodes and a plurality of through-holes; and a plurality of Y-direction drawn-round wires connected to the plurality of Y-direction transparent electrodes.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for using corrugated tessellation to create surface features are disclosed. In embodiments, a device comprises a touch-sensitive surface capable of being in a first configuration and a second configuration different than the first configuration. When the touch-sensitive surface is in the second configuration an input device may be provided that is not present when the touch-sensitive surface is in the first configuration. For example, the touch-sensitive surface can be a flat surface in the first configuration and can be a three-dimensional surface comprising a physical keyboard in the second configuration. In embodiments, a device, such as a mobile phone or a tablet computer, comprises a touch-sensitive display that comprises the touch-sensitive surface.

Abstract: An apparatus including: a touch sensitive input responsive to manual actuation; a display output associated with the touch sensitive input; and a controller configured to provide and maintain, in response to a manual actuation at a user selected location of the touch sensitive input, an output at the user selected location to facilitate additional manual actuation via the touch sensitive input in the region of the user selected location.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a setting unit, an image reading unit, an image forming unit, and a setting changing unit. The setting unit sets copying conditions. The image reading unit reads images from sheets to generate image data and writes the image data into a memory unit. The image forming unit forms images on sheets based on the image data written into the memory unit. The setting changing unit changes the setting of the copying conditions when a new copying condition is set during the image forming of the image data written into the memory unit.

Abstract: A touch screen display sensor is provided that includes a transparent touch-sensing element disposed upon the surface of a transparent substrate and a force-sensing element disposed within the transparent touch-sensing element. The force-sensing element includes two sets of bands of micromesh and can include a pressure-responsive material between the bands of micromesh. The bands of micromesh include traces of a metallic conductor. The sets of bands of micromesh are spaced apart and occupy substantially parallel planes.

Abstract: A method, medium, and system are provided for executing computing tasks based on force measurements corresponding to user interactions with a touch screen for a computing device. The touch screen displays content for applications executed by the computing device and receives user interactions. The computing device processes the user interactions to detect force measurements and to associate the force measurements with computing tasks for the applications executed on the computing device. A database stores the force measurements and corresponding computing tasks to identify matches between the stored force measurement for a user and subsequent force measurements received when the touch screen receives additional user interactions. When matching force measurements are located in the database, the corresponding computing tasks are executed by the computing device.

Abstract: A vehicle trim element that includes at least one supporting layer having an internal face and an external face, and a skin having an internal face and an external face. The internal face of the skin covers the external face of the supporting layer in at least one detection area. The supporting layer has a through-orifice extending from the internal face to the external face of the supporting layer. At least one detection element is located in the through-orifice. The detection element is in constant contact with the portion of the internal face of the skin covering the through-orifice of the supporting layer.

Abstract: A fluorescent blackboard comprises a housing, a circuit hoard fixed on the housing by screws, a display screen fixed by the circuit board, and a panel attached and fixed on the housing by the adhesive tape. The fluorescence blackboard is configured with a fixed device that limits and fixes the panel. The present disclosure uses that the fluorescent blackboard 1 configured with the fixed device that limits and fixes the panel, which makes the panel be firmly limited and fixed on the housing, which avoids the panel from coming lose. When the panel is squeezed, the fixed device can protect the panel, which avoids damage to the panel.

Abstract: A gaming device, gaming device display and method are set forth which includes a first electronic, video display including L-shaped sub-displays mated to define a frame surrounding an opening which accommodates a second display. The second display may be a mechanical component extending through the opening to operate for example a pointer operating with the first video display to provide a game function. The opening may also be configured to reveal a mechanical, electro-mechanical or video display.

Abstract: Cantilevered displacement sensors with enhanced displacement sensitivity and methods of determining touching forces for multiple touch locations are disclosed. The cantilevered displacement sensors support the touch screen adjacent a touch screen perimeter. A displacement of the touch screen is amplified by a cantilevered member that extends over a proximity sensor. Touching forces at multiple touch locations are determining by performing a fit to the measured displacements based on the touch locations to obtain displacements at all positions of the touchscreen, then relating the displacement of the touch screen at the multiple touch locations to applied distributed loads at the respective multiple touch locations, and then multiplying the applied distributed loads by the corresponding touch-location area.

Abstract: A user is provided with an indication of a button's functionality on a viewing device before the button is actually selected. The user receives haptic/tactile feedback to let the user know that they are about to select a button and that its functionality indicator is shown on the viewing device. Thus, the haptic or tactile feedback in combination with on-screen display elements is utilized in a remote control device to eliminate the need for shifting focus away from a viewing device.

Abstract: A wearable wireless electronic device includes a watch dial and a hand module. The hand module includes a first hand and a second hand that are rotatably coupled to the watch dial. The first and second hands are configured to indicate current time and send/receive wireless signals. When the first and second hands rotate relative to the watch dial, the first and second hands are configured to display current time. When the first hand is positioned at a predetermined position substantially perpendicular to the second hand, the first and second hands are configured to send/receive wireless signals.

Abstract: An input device includes: a contact detector configured to detect at least a size of contact area by detecting a physical contact with a control input section; a pressure detector configured to detect a pressure applied by the physical contact; and a controller configured to output signals in response to detection outputs from the contact detector and the pressure detector. The controller outputs a first signal carrying a value which varies in response to the pressure detected under a state of contact in which a contact detection result indicates that the detected contact area is equal to or smaller than a predetermined contact area, and outputs a second signal carrying a value which varies in response to the pressure detected under a state of contact in which the contact detection result indicates that the detected contact area is greater than the predetermined contact area.

Abstract: In a touch screen, a lower electrode is insulated from an upper electrode by an insulation film. A column direction wire of the upper electrode includes a first linear portion which extends in a row direction, and first branch portions which are branched from the first linear portion. A row direction wire of the lower electrode includes a second linear portion which extends in a column direction, and second branch portions which are branched from the second linear portion. The second linear portion three-dimensionally intersects the first linear portion, yet does not three-dimensionally intersect first branch portions. A rim portion of each of second branch portions includes a portion parallel along an outline of the first linear portion or first branch portions, yet does not include a portion parallel along an outline of the second linear portion. At each of second branch portions, a cavity portion is formed.