Electronic device comprising key for supporting haptic reaction

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2024281069-A1
Application number	US-202418653033-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 2, 2024
Priority date	Nov 12, 2021
Publication date	Aug 22, 2024
Grant date	—

Abstract

An electronic may include: a housing; a plurality of keys positioned in the housing and each including a key cap configured to move along a stroke direction during a stroke; a first haptic actuator configured to generate vibration during a stroke of at least one key among the plurality of keys; and a haptic plate configured to vibrate by the first haptic actuator and configured to vibrate a key cap of at least one stroked key among the plurality of keys.

First claim

1 . An electronic device comprising:
a housing, a plurality of keys disposed at least partially in the housing and respectively comprising key caps configured to move in a stroke direction during a stroke, a first haptic actuator configured to generate vibration when at least one of the plurality of keys is stroked, and a haptic plate configured to be vibrated by the first haptic actuator and to vibrate the key cap of at least one stroked key of the plurality of keys.

2 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the each key cap comprises:
a base part, and a side part connected to the base part, wherein each said key cap further comprises a recessed part formed in the side part and configured to be in contact with at least a portion of the haptic plate, wherein the recessed part comprises a guide surface configured to guide the haptic plate, and a seat surface which is connected to the guide surface and on which the haptic plate is disposed, and wherein the recessed part comprises a chamfered surface formed on the guide surface.

3 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the haptic plate forms a gap with the guide surface at a first stroke depth of the at least one key cap and is configured to be in contact with the seat surface along the guide surface at a second stroke depth that is greater than the first stroke depth of the at least one key cap, and
preferably, wherein the haptic plate is configured to move along the guide surface while maintaining the gap with the guide surface at the second stroke depth.

4 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the first haptic actuator is configured to not generate vibration after a determined time at the second stroke depth.

5 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the first haptic actuator is configured to continuously generate vibration when a stroke depth is greater than or equal to the first stroke depth.

6 . The electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second haptic actuator configured vibrate the haptic plate and configured to generate vibration at a magnitude that is different from a magnitude of vibration of the first haptic actuator when the at least one key is stroked.

7 . The electronic device of claim 6 , wherein the first haptic actuator and the second haptic actuator are configured to be driven simultaneously or at different times.

8 . The electronic device of claim 6 , wherein the first haptic actuator and the second haptic actuator are arranged in a direction that is substantially parallel with an edge of the housing, and/or
wherein the first haptic actuator and the second haptic actuator are arranged in a direction that intersects an edge of the housing.

9 . The electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a base plate disposed in the housing and configured to support the plurality of keys, and foam disposed between at least the base plate and the haptic plate along an edge of the base plate.

10 . The electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a base plate disposed in the housing and configured to support the plurality of keys, and foam disposed in an inner area of the base plate and disposed between at least the base plate and the haptic plate.

11 . The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the first haptic actuator is configured to:
generate vibration at a first magnitude on a first key of the plurality of keys spaced apart from the first haptic actuator by a first distance and generate vibration at a second magnitude that is different from the first magnitude on a second key of the plurality of keys spaced apart from the first haptic actuator by a second distance that is different from the first distance.

12 . The electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one processor, comprising processing circuitry, configured to drive the first haptic actuator when at least one key of the plurality of keys is stroked.

13 . The electronic device of claim 12 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to generate a plurality of haptic output signals to drive the first haptic actuator by combining a plurality of trigger signals generated when the at least one key of the plurality of keys is stroked.

14 . The electronic device of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of keys comprises at least one first type key and at least one second type key,
wherein the at least one processor is configured not to drive the first haptic actuator when the at least one first type key is stroked and is configured to drive the first haptic actuator when the at least one first type key is stroked and the at least one second type key is stroked, and/or wherein the at least one processor is configured to drive the first haptic actuator when the at least one first type key is stroked and is configured to drive the first haptic actuator when the at least one second type key is stroked.

15 . The electronic device of claim 12 , further comprising:
an application configured to recognize an input of a user, wherein the at least one processor is configured to drive the first haptic actuator when an input of the user that deviates from a determined input system is recognized in the application.

Assignees

• Samsung Electronics Co Ltd

Inventors

• Cho Hyunje
• Kim Il
• Kim Jongheon
• Kim Hyunwoo
• Namgung Kichul
• Song Mijeong
• Lee Jiwoo
• Lim Gun

Classifications

• G06F3/023

  Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes · CPC title

• G06F3/0202 Primary

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

• H01H13/705 Primary

  characterised by construction, mounting or arrangement of operating parts, e.g. push-buttons or keys · CPC title

• G06F3/016 Primary

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

• H01H13/85

  characterised by tactile feedback features · CPC title