Patent Grant
7259339
The disclosed embodiments relate to an enhanced combination key for use on a mobile computing device.
Over the last several years, the growth of cell phones and messaging devices has increased the need for keypads and button/key sets that are small and tightly spaced. In particular, small form-factor keyboards, including QWERTY layouts, have become smaller and more tightly spaced. With decreasing overall size, there has been greater focus on efforts to make individual keys more usable to a user. For example, keyboard design considers how readily the user can select or click (“clickability”) individual key structures of keyboard. The clickability may be affected by various factors, such as the individual key structure size and shape, as well as the spacing between key structures and the tactile response of individual key structures.
With the growth of small form-factor devices, such as cell phones and wireless messaging devices, design parameters may provide for smaller functional keypads, particularly with respect to keypads that provide character entry. For example, keyboard layouts have been designed using button structures and individual key orientations that reduce the overall surface area of the keypad. Such designs have often focused on QWERTY keyboard layouts, which normally require at least 26-50 individual keys.
In addition to a keyboard, mobile computing devices and other electronic devices typically incorporate numerous buttons to perform specific functions. These buttons may be dedicated to launching applications, short cuts, or special tasks such as answering or dropping phone calls. The configuration, orientation and positioning of such buttons is often a matter of concern, particularly when devices are smaller.
In addition to keypad design, the shape and design of the device housing is also of interest. Along with the display, button sets and/or the keypad are typically one of the limiting factors in the size of a device housing. Consideration is often needed for the geometry and size of the area of the housing that is to accommodate the various button sets (or vice-versa). Various factors and influences may affect the desired housing shape. For example, the shape of the device housing can be made contoured to better fit the user's hand, or to create a distinctive and identifiable shape. Concerns such as the overall thickness or length of the device often play an important role in the overall shape of the housing design.
Embodiments described herein include features for enhancing the use and usability of key structures that include combined key caps. Key structures with combined key caps include toggle keys, or other keys that can be moved in more than one direction to have multiple actuated states. According to various embodiments, numerous features are described by which a key structure with a combined key cap is included in one or more locations of the housing of a mobile computing device.
As used herein, a key cap is a portion of a key structure that provides one or more contact surfaces for receiving a finger or object. In a conventional key construction, key caps are formed from a matrix of material such as polycarbonate material (e.g. through injection molding techniques). The key caps may be formed from such material into desired shapes. Multiple key caps may be formed from and reside over a single matrix. In many cases, key caps are separated from one another by a void over the matrix. When key caps are part of an assembled device (e.g. mobile computing device or other small-form factor device), individual key caps are often separated by a thin walls formed from the device housing. A typical key cap may be bulbous in shape, and extend a thickness that extends outward from the surface of a device. While such key cap design may be typical, embodiments described herein may apply to alternative key cap designs, such as flush or sunken key caps.
A key structure refers to vertical and unitarily formed elements that extend inward from the key cap. In one embodiment, the key structure includes a key cap and a plunger or actuation member that extends inward from a bottom surface of the key cap or its matrix.
A key structure assembly corresponds to a stack of elements that support and enable operation of individual key caps.
As used herein, the term “inward”, as used in the context of a computing device, means in a direction that is towards an interior of a housing of the device.
As used herein, a combined key cap corresponds to a key structure that has a keycap that can be pushed downward at two or more locations to provide separate inputs for each of the two or more locations. A toggle key is a type of combined key, characterized by the keycap being able to pivot or toggle about a reference. When the keycap of a toggle key is toggled or moved one way, one of the key segments pivots or moves inward to cause one electrical contact element of an underlying substrate to trigger an input. When the keycap is moved another way, another of the key segments pivots or moves inward to cause another electrical contact element of the underlying substrate to trigger another input.
One alternative to a key structure with a combined key cap is the use of multiple key caps (or key structures) that are independent of other key caps or structures. As will be described, in many cases the use of a combined key cap (e.g. toggle key cap) can provide many advantages over such a conventional approach. For example, conventional key caps normally need separation and support from the housing. When space is a consideration, manufacturing considerations can limit the size and shape of a keycap, particularly since housing walls that separate adjacent key caps can be difficult to form past a certain point of minimized thickness. In contrast, a toggle key or other combined key cap structure enables easier construction of housing apertures that provide such key caps, considering that the need for a dividing wall in the housing is eliminated.
However, conventional toggle keys and combined key cap structures are prone to misuse. Because toggle keys pivot, they lack the tactile feel of independent keys, and as such, are more prone to generate mis-hits. Moreover, the design of conventional toggle keys and combined key caps often have to take into account the positioning of the key caps over electrical contacts that are triggered by movement of the key caps into an actuated state. These design considerations have, in the past, limited the ability to vary the dimension or shape of combined key cap structures.
As will be described, one or more embodiments provide features for use in combined key cap structures to enhance use and usability of the corresponding key structure. In one embodiment, a shaped layer of dampening material is provided underneath opposing segments of a combined key cap structure to enhance tactile, independent feel of each segment as a separate key.
According to an embodiment, the key structure that provides a combined key structure includes a separate plunger (alternatively referred as actuation members) for each key structure. Insertion of one segment of the combined key cap directs the plunger of that segment (but not of the other segment) inward into contact with an electrical contact, thus triggering the electrical contact to register an electrical signal. In such an embodiment, silicon rubber or other material that can be characterized as elastic, deformable, or cushion-like (e.g. foam) may be provided underneath the key caps. As well be described, the thickness of the material provided may be varied over a region to enhance tactile feel.
In another embodiment, the segments of the key cap are asymmetrical with respect to one another, so that the centerline of one or more both segments are off center with respect to the position of the actuation member extending inward from that segment. In such a design, it is contemplated that a user who intends to press the one of the two key caps contacts the intended key segment off center, so that the hit is near the smaller segment. If, for example, the intended key is the larger of the two keys, there is the potential that the plunger of the smaller key makes contact with the underlying electrical contact. To avoid falsely recording such mis-hits, one or more embodiments provide that the characteristic actuation force of the electrical contact (i.e. the minimum force necessary to actuate the electrical contact) underlying one key segment is different than the characteristic actuation force of the electrical contact underlying the other key segment. In one embodiment, the characteristic actuation force of the electrical contact underlying the larger of the two key segments is less than the characteristic actuation force of the electrical contact underlying the smaller of the key segments. This makes the larger key segment easier to move into an actuated state, while maintaining the smaller segment in a non-actuated state, even when the user-contact is off-center and near the smaller key segment.
Implementing features for combined key structures in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein further enables more freedom to design key structures with combined key caps. Considerations for sizing, and shaping key segments to align center points with actuation members are minimized, if not eliminated, by altering the characteristic actuation force of the electrical contact. Moreover, combined key caps can be provided to feel and look like separate and independent key caps.
Embodiments described herein may be implemented on any type of small form-factor device that incorporates or uses buttons and/or key. An example of the type of devices that can be used with one or more embodiments include: (i) cellular devices, including telephony and messaging devices, (ii) media players (music and video), (iii) Global Positioning System (GPS) devices, and (iv) digital cameras and video recorders.
Moreover, embodiments described herein may be implemented with various kinds of keys and key structures. For example, navigation buttons (2-way, 4-way and 8-way), application buttons, and key pads may be incorporated with features of one or more embodiments. As an example of an embodiment implemented on a key board, individual keys that comprise the key board may be part of a toggle key pair. As another example, one or more embodiments may be implemented on a key or button set that includes a designated function or application key. Such keys may be actuated to cause an application to execute, or to cause a dedicated function such as a call answer or hang up to be performed. In the case of a combined key cap, one segment of the key cap may be used to perform one designated function (e.g. launch a first application), and another segment of the key cap may be used to perform another function (e.g. launch another application).
According to an embodiment, key structure assembly is provided for a mobile computing device. The key structure assembly includes a keycap having at least a first segment and a second segment. A first actuation member extends inward into the housing from the first segment of the keycap, and a second actuation member extends inward from the second segment of the key cap. A substrate including a plurality of electrical connects, including a first electrical contact aligned underneath the first actuation member, and a second electrical contact aligned underneath the second actuation member. The keycap is moveable inward to direct either the first actuation member into contact with the first electrical contact, or the second actuation member into contact with the second electrical contact. One or more sections of material are positioned above the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact. The one or more sections may be formed from a material that deforms with inward (into the housing) movement of either the first segment or the second segment of the keycap. A layer formed by a thickness of the one or more sections of material extending over the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact is non-uniform in either dimension or amount of material.
Overview
In an embodiment such as shown by
The actuation members 120, 122 extend from segments 112, 114 respectively. The key cap 110 may be moved inward by user-contact at one of the segments 112, 114. With such contact, one of the actuation member 120, 122 extending from that segment 112, 114 of the keycap 110 is moved inward into contact with the aligned electrical contact 132, 132. In an implementation shown by
According to an embodiment, one or more layers of material may be provided to occupy a thickness or dimension between the substrate 130 and the underside of the key caps 110. In one embodiment, one such intermediate layer 140 is formed from polysilicon rubber (or other elastic or deformable material such as foam), or alternatively other material that has a dampening affect on the movement of the actuation members 122, 124 and/or key cap 110. The layer 140 may be provided to enhance a tactile, independent feel of each segment 112, 114 of the key cap 110.
Under one embodiment, the layer 140 is provided as a non-uniform thickness in an area that spans underneath segments 112, 114 of the key cap 110. In one embodiment, the layer 140 is configured to include raised formations 142, 142 underneath each of the first segment 112 and second segment 114 of key cap 110. The raised formations 142, 144 may have a thickness T1. A gap formation 145 is provided between raised formations 142, 144 having a thickness T2, such that T1 is greater than T2. The effect of providing the layer 140 with the non-uniform thickness is that raised portions 142, 144 support respective segments 112, 114 of the key cap 110. Inward direction of the key cap 110 at one of the segments 112, 114 results in the layer biasing towards having the other of the non-contacted segments 112, 114 maintaining its position. In this way, the segment 112, 114 of the key cap 110 receives the contact to move inward, while the other of the raised ends biases and supports the other non-contacted segment in substantially the original position. The gap thickness 145 enables one raised portion 142, 144 to deform, compress and/or move inward more freely of movement/deformation of the other raised portion 142, 144. The effect is to enhance tactile, independent feel of the movement of each segment 112, 114 of the key cap 110 when that segment is contacted by, for example, a user's finger.
As an alternative to having the gap thickness 145 having reduced thickness, one or more embodiments contemplate the gap thickness 145 as having no thickness (e.g. T2=0). Such an implementation would have similar affect of having raised portions 142, 144 of the layer 140 support respective segments 112, 114.
While an embodiment such as shown by
In
As described below, another feature to distinguish one segment of a combined key cap over another is to provide that each segment has a different characteristic or minimum insertion force necessary to actuate a corresponding underlying electrical contact. The variation in the minimum insertion force needed may be provided through any one of various mechanisms. In one implementation, the actuation member of one segment of a key cap may be less rigid than the actuation member of the other segment of the key cap, so that more force is required to cause the less rigid member to collapse a snap dome contact. Resistance in the form of biasing material may also be provided between the segments of the key cap and the underlying substrate of the electrical contacts. For example, the raised portions 142,144 of the dampening material may be thicker or provide more resistance under one of the segments, meaning that segment would need more force to cause the actuation member to move inward sufficiently to trigger the electrical contact. Still further, as described with an embodiment of
In
Asymmetric Combined Key Caps
One or more embodiments described herein contemplate use of combined key caps that have segments that vary in dimension. An example of such an asymmetric key cap is shown by designated function key cap 204
In an embodiment, the positioning of one or both actuation members (not shown in
In one embodiment, an underlying key assembly of the key cap 310 is configured to accommodate offset key strikes from falsely registering the wrong segment of the key cap, under an embodiment of the invention. In particular, a finger or other object may strike the large segment 312 of the key cap 310 at or near the centerline 315, as users typically focus on the center of the perceived key (i.e. the center of the key cap). Absent features described herein, if the strike is sufficiently close to the small segment 314, as opposed to the position of the actuation member 325 under the large segment 312, the small segment may insert and actuate its aligned electrical contact. This may occur even if the large segment 314 was struck, because the centerline 315 and actuation member position are offset.
As described with
As described with other embodiments, variation to the characteristic force of the electrical contacts 382, 384 is just one way for varying the minimum insertion force needed at a given segment of the key pad. As an alternative, other forms of resistance, such as firmer material in the 340 may be used.
Device 400 may include one or more key sets. In an embodiment shown, the key sets of the device 400 include a keyboard 440 and a key set 450 of navigation and dedicated function keys. Either or both the keyboard 440 and/or the key set 450 may incorporate features described with one or more embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, keys in either the keyboard 440 or the key set 450 may include combined key caps (e.g. toggle keys), Furthermore, a layer of dampening material, such as silicon rubber may be provided between the keyboard 440 and the substrate 420, and/or the key set 450 and the substrate 420. As described with
In addition, one or more embodiments provide that the characteristic actuation forces of some or all of the electrical contacts 442 on the substrate 420 may vary. For example, similar to an embodiment of
The substrate 420 may be equipped with additional features, including lighting design. In one embodiment, the lighting design includes discrete and bright light sources, such as white Light Emitting Diodes. Other implementations may utilize electroluminescent pads on the substrate 420. Other combinations and variations are also contemplated.
In one embodiment, substrate 420 is a stock item, meaning the positioning of the electrical contacts on the substrate 420 are set and not subject to design alterations. In such an environment, embodiments described herein still enable key structure design for combined keys, as issues of asymmetry and offset centerline/actuation member positioning can be accommodated with features described herein.
Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments. As such, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in this art. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents. Furthermore, it is contemplated that a particular feature described either individually or as part of an embodiment can be combined with other individually described features, or parts of other embodiments, even if the other features and embodiments make no mention of the particular feature. This, the absence of describing combinations should not preclude the inventor from claiming rights to such combinations.
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