Abstract: An analog input device including at least one mounting panel and a matrix of analog push button assemblies mounted thereon. Each analog push button assembly including an analog pressure sensor including a pressure reception arrangement having an optical sensing sub-arrangement configured to measure an amount of light varied according to a pressure sensed at the pressure reception arrangement and an output terminal for outputting an analog signal corresponding to the amount of light measured, and a plunger element configured to exert the pressure on the pressure reception arrangement. The analog input device may include a multiplexer including an input side coupled to the push button assemblies and an output side; an analog-to-digital converter coupled to the output side of the multiplexer; a processor coupled to the analog-to-digital converter and configured to output a data packet; and a communication interface configured to transmit the data packet to a host computing device.

Abstract: Keyboards, input devices, and related systems include key mechanisms with keycaps and actuators that provide adjustable feedback in response to user input. The actuators are controllable to provide variable tactile force or audible feedback that is dependent upon the user input. Encoders are able to transduce a location or relative position of a keycap as it is being pressed over time, and a signal is provided to actuators to cause them to provide feedback corresponding to the position of the keycap as it moves. The feedback can change the feel or sound of the keycap based on the keycap positions, time of operation, velocity, user identity, and other factors. Thus, the feel or sound of a keyboard or related input device can be adjusted electronically for efficient testing and increased user customization and feedback modes.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for using haptic vibration for inter-device communication. In one implementation, a system for inter-device communication using haptic vibration may include at least one force gauge configured to measure displacements caused by an external device in contact with the at least one force gauge; at least one memory storing instructions; and at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to: receive an identifier associated with a user; retrieve a pattern associated with the received identifier; receive, from the at least one force gauge, one or more measurements over a period of time; assess a degree of difference between the received one or more measurements and the retrieved pattern; and, when the degree of difference is below a threshold, authenticate the user.

Abstract: A keyboard includes a stiffener having a plurality of recesses defined therein, a flexible printed circuit defining a plurality of venting holes, each venting hole in correspondence with one of the plurality of recesses, and a dome sheet provided on top of the flexible printed circuit and including a plurality of domes, each of the domes in correspondence with one of the plurality of venting holes.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described for improving the efficiency of text input by requiring more pressure to select keys on a dynamic keyboard that are improbable key presses. Examples include a text-entry device which has logic for resisting error while the user enters text on a keyboard of the text-entry device. Each key has a lever mechanism which varies the force required to press the key. Keyboard logic on the text-entry device is programmed to change the force required to enter each key within the dynamic keyboard based on the prior entry. The keyboard logic assigns a prediction value to each key based on a statistical probability that the key will be entered next.

Abstract: Particular embodiments described herein provide for a keyboard assembly having a plurality of keys that include a key having one or more magnets, which are provided at a substantially outer portion of the key. The keyboard assembly can also include a top plate that comprises a ferrous material to attract the one or more magnets to the top plate.

Abstract: A mobile computing device is disclosed. The mobile computing device comprises a housing that includes a section to retain a keypad assembly. The keypad assembly includes at least a keypad façade that carries a plurality of keys. The keypad façade of the keypad assembly is contoured to adjoin and be substantially flush with the section of the housing.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a keyboard. The keyboard includes a number of buttons set on a pedestal. The pedestal includes a number of resisting members and a number of returning members. Each of the resisting members is arranged between two of the buttons, the inclined sidewalls of each of the resisting members is capable of respectively engaging with the buttons adjacent to the resisting member, each of the returning members corresponding to one of the resisting members returns the corresponding resisting member to its original state after the movement. When a button is pressed, the depressed button drives the adjacent resisting members to the point under the adjacent buttons to stop the adjacent buttons being depressed.

Abstract: A key switch structure which enables a reduction in the width of the key switch. A key switch structure comprises a first support member (22), a second support member (23), and a third support member which are arranged independently of each other, the first support member (22) having rotation pins (22d, 22e) and slide pins (22a, 22b), the second support member (23) having rotation pins (23e, 23f) and a circular columnar slide section (23a), the third support member having front end sections (24d, 24e), which are slidably held, and a support shaft section (24a). A key top (21) is supported by the support members (22, 23, 24) so that the key top (21) can move in the vertical direction. The length of at least one side of each of the support members is set to be less than or equal to the mounting diameter of a rubber dome (27).

Abstract: A keyboard includes an indicator and a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism is configured to drive each of a plurality of keyboard zones to move in a synchronous sequence. The drive mechanism simultaneously tilts and abducts each of the plural keyboard zones. The indicator mechanism guides the user when movement should be initiated and when a new use position is reached that is based on the user's needs.

Abstract: A keypad assembly utilizes touch-detecting apparatus such as force sensors or touchpad assemblies for registering key presses. In exemplary embodiments, the keypad assembly is suitable for use in electronic devices such as a mobile telephones, calculators, hand-held computers, or the like, having single piece molded housings wherein the keypad assembly is at least partially encapsulated within the housing.

Abstract: A keyboard includes a housing having a number of passages formed by cylindrical members, a number of keys each having a shank slidably engaged in the passages of the housing, and an electromagnetic floating force generating device having a number of coils arranged to generate electromagnetic floating force and to float the keys relative to the housing. A number of magnets may be attached onto the keys and acted with the coils, to allow the keys to be floated by the electromagnetic floating force generated by the coils or the magnets. One or more fan devices may be disposed in the housing to circulate air through the keys.

Abstract: New techniques are presented for providing proportional activation of model railroad functions with control keys. This permits for example a compact throttle device connected to a digital layout control system to provide for a “playable” or variable-pitch whistle sound effect where prior art was severely limited in providing this effect realistically. This invention allows multiple proportional keys in a cost-effective manner that is compatible with existing keyboard designs.

Abstract: A keypad assembly utilizes touch-detecting apparatus such as force sensors or touchpad assemblies for registering key presses. In exemplary embodiments, the keypad assembly is suitable for use in electronic devices such as a mobile telephones, calculators, hand-held computers, or the like, having single piece molded housings wherein the keypad assembly is at least partially encapsulated within the housing.

Abstract: A no-impact keyboard for decreasing the risk of a repetitive stress injury to the user. The keyboard comprises a plurality of keys having a key cap and a stem, an impact absorbing mechanism which prevents any part of a key from striking a hard surface during a keystroke, and a sensor for sending an actuation signal from each key when the key passes a defined point in the keystroke. The impact absorbing mechanism may be a spring, a magnetic mechanism, or a hydraulic-pneumatic mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a signal generator for sending an electrical signal from an expandable, flexible layer of material, the signal generator comprising an upper layer of flexible, resilient material and a lower layer of flexible, resilient material which between them define a cavity for enclosing an expandable material such as a cellular foam or gas, whereupon localized distortion of one of the layers of flexible material, effects a signal generation within the structure, which is transmissible through a proper circuit to an outside electrical device. A circuit may be arranged adjacent a plurality of said keys which senses when several of said keys are depressed in a skewed or sideways manner, so as to effect movement of a cursor or pointer on a monitor in communication with a processing unit and said keyboard.

Abstract: A form factor for use in the manufacture of a portable computer includes a U-shaped member having at least two distinct elements attached together. In one form factor, the U-shaped member includes two distinct elements: a unitary wall element having a first wall, a second wall, and at least one spacing element to physically separate the first and second walls; and a base element attached to one end surface of the wall element. In another form factor, the U-shaped member includes three distinct elements: a first wall element; a second wall element; and a base element attached to the first and second wall elements. The form factors may also include bosses to facilitate the attachment of computer system components such as printed circuit boards, storage units, and battery units.

Abstract: Representatively using force sensing resistors as key switch elements, keys on a computer keyboard are each provided with pluralities of different keystroke output function signals which may be selectively varied in response to simply altering the user keystroke force imposed on the key. In addition to being provided with a default key force range/output signal correlation, the keyboard may be programmed by the user to customize the key depression force ranges associated with selected different keystroke output signals. Representatively illustrated additional uses of this key force/output signal correlation capability include a key force-based typing correction mode and a combination character and key force sequence-based user password access system. To further expand the individual key functionality of the keyboard, a combination of sensed key depression force and duration is used to generate an additional keystroke output function signal for a given key.

Abstract: A computer keyboard 10 having a plurality of keys 18 at desired locations being supported above a support plate 20 having a plurality of apertures 22 at the desired locations. A membrane keyswitch assembly 24 is mounted on the support plate 20 having keyswitches at each desired location. The keys have key plungers 28 that move up and down in the support plate apertures 22. An elastomeric dome sheet 46 is mounted over the membrane keyswitch assembly 24 with individual elastomeric dome return springs for biasing the keys 18 to their up position. An air chamber 52 is formed beneath the support plate 20 extending between the desired key locations. An air-impervious elastomeric membrane 60 is sandwiched between the air chamber 52 and the support plate 20 forming a flexible upper wall that receives and engages the key plungers 28. The membrane 60 has individual pedestal portions at the key locations for engaging the plungers 28.

Abstract: The present invention includes a flexible, pressurizable keyboard made of resilient layers of plastic material, with molded keys which are deformable when pressed so as to send a signal to an electrical device. The keys are arranged with a flexible electrical circuit thereattached, which when depressed, establish a proper complete circuit.

Abstract: The present invention includes a flexible, pressurizable keyboard made of resilient layers of plastic material, with molded keys which are deformable when pressed so as to send a signal to an electrical device. The keys are arranged with a flexible electrical circuit thereattached, which when depressed, establish a proper complete circuit.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a signal generator for sending an electrical signal upon receipt of an input force, the signal generator having a first outside layer of flexible, resilient plastic with a periphery and an inner surface, a second outside layer of flexible, resilient plastic having a periphery and an inner surface, the first and second layers joined at least at their periphery to form walls defining primary chamber. The primary chamber also has at least one inside layer of flexible, resilient plastic having a periphery and a first and second surface, the inside layer also being joined at its periphery, to the walls of the primary chamber to sub-divide the primary chamber into a plurality of adjacent sub-chambers. A pressurized fluid may be disposed in each of the sub-chambers and an electrical circuit may be arranged in at least one of the sub-chambers, to effectuate the transmission of an electrical signal from the primary chamber upon receipt of an input force within the primary chamber.

Abstract: The present invention includes a flexible, pressurizable keyboard made of resilient layers of plastic material, with molded keys which are deformable when pressed so as to send a signal to an electrical device. The keys are arranged with a flexible electrical circuit thereattached, which when depressed, establish a proper complete circuit.

Abstract: A key touch adjusting device wherein the position of a key top is detected, and a resistive force corresponding to that position is generated and applied to the key top. The numeral array for the position data and the force data is stored in a memory. To apply hysteresis to a key force profile curve, a RS flip-flop whose output is inverted by the position data is provided to generate different resistive forces in the key top depressing process and the key top returning process. Also disclosed are a method of comparing an actually obtained profile curve with a predetermined profile curve on a display device by detecting both the position of the key top and the depressing force thereof, a method of achieving hysteresis characteristics by storing a plurality of numeral arrays of the depressing force vs.

Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting the key activating force or "touch" for a keyboard or for one or more function key groups on that keyboard to the needs of any individual operator.

Abstract: An improved keyboard assembly is provided wherein a partition is positioned between adjacent keys and prevents an inadvertent simultaneous operation of two or more keys. The paartition can be advantageously utilized to control the cursor moving keys on a word processor keyboard thereby permitting the keys to be closely positioned adjacent each other while insuring only the desired key will be activated.

Abstract: A keyboard having a plurality of keys thereon, with each key being moveable from a rest position along an actuation path having a makepoint therealong, whereby completion of an electrical circuit is effected by moving a key with a predetermined force along its actuation path to its associated said makepoint. Each of the keys has means for restoring it towards its rest position. At least one of the keys is designated as a special key and it has warning means associated therewith and positioned with respect to the special key and keyboard so as to increase the force (above the predetermined force) required to actuate the special key. The increase in force provides tactile feedback to an operator of the keyboard before the special key's associated makepoint is reached to thereby warn said operator that he is about to actuate the special key. The warning means is made of resilient material, has a general, washer-like shape, and is positioned under the key cap of the special key.

Abstract: A typewriter space bar touch control apparatus comprises a bell crank member, mounted on a support frame, which supports the space bar and a lever member which engages the bell crank when the space bar is depressed more than a small initial displacement. The motion of the bell crank is resisted by a helical tension spring and the engagement of the bell crank by the lever causes an operator to sense a sudden increase in resistance to displacement. Position transducers are provided on the support frame to sense the position of the lever member and the initial small displacement of the space bar corresponds to single space operation and larger displacement corresponds to repeat space operation.

Abstract: A low silhouette keyboard having a plurality of keylevers arranged in rows and in parallel relationship to one another are suspended, guided and biased to restore by opposing flexible support members. The keylevers are "T" shaped which includes a cross arm constrained between the flexible support members, and a leg portion which projects through slots in a single guide comb. The keylevers are suspended in cantilever fashion being biased upward limited by an upstop. Reciprocation of any keylever in any row is a path substantially perpendicular to the plane of the flexible support members. Keytouch of all keylevers is substantially simultaneous and uniformly adjustable by providing means for varying the upward biasing force applied thereto.