Depressible Keys with Decoupled Electrical and Mechanical Functionality

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016306437-A1
Application number	US-201514687743-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 15, 2015
Priority date	Apr 15, 2015
Publication date	Oct 20, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Systems and methods for decoupling the electrical and mechanical functionality of a depressible key are disclosed. The depressible key can include a non-contact proximity sensor, such as an optical sensor, to detect motion of the keycap. The output from the optical sensor is used to determine a distance, velocity, acceleration, and a force applied during a keypress.

First claim

We claim:

1 . A keyboard comprising:
a plurality of keys, each key comprising:
a keycap comprising an optically reflective bottom surface;
a travel mechanism coupled to the underside of the keycap; and
a non-contact proximity sensor comprising:
a light emitter oriented to emit light toward the reflective bottom surface; and
a light detector oriented to receive light reflected from the reflective bottom surface; and

a keyboard controller coupled to at least one non-contact proximity sensor.

2 . The keyboard of claim 1 , wherein at least one light emitter is configured to emit light in the infrared spectrum.

3 . The keyboard of claim 1 , wherein at least one light emitter is configured to emit light in the visible spectrum.

4 . The keyboard of claim 3 , wherein the at least one light emitter is configured to emit white light of selectable brightness.

5 . The keyboard of claim 1 , wherein at least one light emitter is configured to emit light in the infrared spectrum and light in the visible spectrum.

6 . The keyboard of claim 1 , wherein at least one light detector is configured to generate an electrical signal in response to receiving infrared light.

7 . The keyboard of claim 1 , wherein at least one light detector is configured to generate an electrical signal in response to receiving visible light.

8 . The keyboard of claim 1 , wherein the keyboard controller is configured to obtain an electrical signal from at least one light detector.

9 . The keyboard of claim 8 , wherein the keyboard controller is configured to determine an estimation of force applied to the keycap in response to the electrical signal.

10 . The keyboard of claim 8 , wherein the keyboard controller is configured to determine an estimation of velocity applied to the keycap in response to the electrical signal.

11 . The keyboard of claim 8 , wherein the keyboard controller is configured to determine an estimation of distance between the keycap non-contact proximity sensor in response to the electrical signal.

12 . A depressible key comprising:
a keycap comprising an optically reflective bottom surface; a travel mechanism coupled to the underside of the keycap; a tactile feedback structure configured to collapse in response to a force applied to the keycap; and an optical sensor comprising:
a light emitter oriented to emit light toward the reflective bottom surface; and
a light detector oriented to receive light reflected from the reflective bottom surface.

13 . The depressible key of claim 12 , wherein the optically reflective bottom surface comprises a polished metal material.

14 . The depressible key of claim 12 , wherein:
the travel mechanism is aligned to the geometric center of the keycap; and the tactile feedback structure is nested within the travel mechanism.

15 . The depressible key of claim 12 , wherein the light emitter comprises a light emitting diode.

16 . The depressible key of claim 12 , wherein the light detector comprises a photodiode.

17 . A method of detecting a press of a depressible key, comprising:
illuminating an underside of a keycap associated with the depressible key with a selected wavelength of light; receiving an electrical signal corresponding to the amplitude of light reflected from the underside of the keycap; and determining whether a characteristic of the electrical signal passes a threshold test associated with a press of the key.

18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising:
determining at least one of a velocity and acceleration of the keycap from the electrical signal.

19 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising:
determining a force applied to the keycap based on the electrical signal.

20 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the selected wavelength of light is infrared.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Zhang Chang
• Qu Dayu
• Chang Ray L
• Camp John S

Classifications

• G06F1/1662

  Details related to the integrated keyboard · CPC title

• G06F3/0202 Primary

  Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device · CPC title

• G06F3/0233

  Character input methods · CPC title

• G06F3/016

  Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user · CPC title