Patent Application
20100089735
The present invention is directed to computing devices. More particularly, some embodiments of the invention provide keyboard apparatus and related methods that include haptic feedback to the user. Merely by way of example, the invention has been applied to a resistive membrane keyboard apparatus for a desk top computer, although it can also be applied to a laptop computer, modular computer, other computing devices such as personal digital assistants, as well as a remote control or a cell phone, etc.
Computing devices have proliferated. In the early days, large mainframe computers dominated the computing landscape. These large mainframe computers were developed by companies such as IBM Corporation of Armonk, N.Y. Mainframe computers have been replaced, at least in part, by smaller computing devices, commonly known as “PCs.” PCs come in various shapes and sizes. PCs are often run using computer software such as XPTM from Microsoft Corporation from Redmond Wash. Other types of computer software come from Apple Computer of Cupertino, Calif. Smaller PC versions are often called “lap top computers.” Other types of PCs include larger desktop versions. Still other versions of PCs can be found in smaller devices such as personal digital assistants, called PDAs, cellular phones, and a variety of other applications.
All of these computing devices generally require input devices for human users to interact with them. As merely an example, computer keyboards are most commonly used as such input devices for inputting characters, numerals and symbols to electronic devices, particularly to these computing devices such as the PCs.
Conventional keyboard devices tend to suffer from numerous limitations. For example, conventional keyboards often use mechanical switches for activating a key when it is depressed. The mechanical switches, however, can be bulky, expensive, and prone to mechanical failures. More recently, touch activated membrane switch have become common place in keyboard devices. The membrane switches tend to be more reliable and durable. On the other hand, membrane switches usually do not provide sufficient feedback to the user. These and other limitations of conventional keyboard devices are discussed further below.
From the above, it is seen that techniques for improving keyboard devices are highly desirable.
The present invention is directed to computing devices. More particularly, some embodiments of the invention provides keyboard apparatus and related methods that include haptic feedback to the user. Merely by way of example, the invention has been applied to a resistive membrane keyboard apparatus for a desk top computer, although it can also be applied to a laptop computer, modular computer, other computing devices such as personal digital assistants, as well as a remote control or a cell phone, etc.
More specifically, according to a specific embodiment, the invention provides a haptic keyboard apparatus. The haptic keyboard apparatus can be coupled to a host computer, a personal digital assistant, a cell phone, or a remote control device. In a specific embodiment, the haptic keyboard apparatus provides haptic feedback, such as a vibrational sensation, to a user entering information by pressing keys on the keyboard device. The haptic keyboard apparatus has a membrane resistor keyboard device that includes a plurality of key switches. Each the key switches is responsive to touch by a user. The haptic keyboard apparatus also has a haptic device coupled to the membrane resistor keyboard device. The haptic device includes a plurality of haptic cells, and each of the haptic cells is disposed under a corresponding key switch. Each of the haptic cells is configured to provide haptic feedback in response to the touch by the user.
In an embodiment of the haptic keyboard apparatus, the membrane resistor keyboard device includes a top membrane, a bottom membrane, and a spacer layer disposed between the top membrane and the bottom membrane. Each of the plurality of key switches includes a region in the membrane resistor keyboard device in which an electrical contact is formed when the top membrane is pressed against the bottom membrane.
In an embodiment, the haptic device includes a top membrane, a bottom membrane, and a piezoelectric layer disposed between the top membrane and the bottom membrane. Each of the plurality of haptic cells includes a region in the haptic device in which a voltage applied between the top membrane and the bottom membrane causes deformation in the piezoelectric layer in the region. In a specific embodiment, the piezoelectric layer can be formed as a layer of piezoelectric ink material overlying the bottom membrane of the haptic device.
Depending on the embodiment, the haptic keyboard apparatus can have key caps like those in a computer keyboard. Alternatively, the haptic keyboard apparatus can have touch pads. Either the key caps or the touch pads are disposed over the corresponding key switches. In some embodiments, the plurality of key switches are arranged in a matrix form. In a specific embodiment, the keyboard has at least twenty-six key switches. In some embodiments, there can be as many as at least 104 to 109 key switches, or more.
In an embodiment, the haptic keyboard apparatus includes a processor electrically coupled to the membrane resistor keyboard device and the haptic device. The process receives a signal from the membrane resistor keyboard for identifying the key switch being touched and outputting a control signal in response to the touch by the user.
The haptic keyboard apparatus also includes a controller electrically coupled to the processor and the haptic device. The controller being is also coupled to a plurality of reference voltage sources. The controller is configured to output a control signal to the haptic cell associated with the identified key switch. The control signal is characterized by a predetermined voltage and a predetermined frequency, causing vibration in the piezoelectric material in the haptic cell. In a specific embodiment, the actuator control signal is characterized by a programmable voltage and a programmable frequency. The programmable voltage and the programmable frequency can be selected by a user for each of the key switches.
According to another embodiment, the present invention provides a haptic keyboard apparatus that has a membrane resistor keyboard device, which includes a top layer, a bottom layer, and a spacer layer disposed between the top layer and the bottom layer. The haptic keyboard apparatus also has a plurality of key switches overlying the top layer of the membrane resistor keyboard device. In an embodiment, there are at least twenty-six key switches, each of which being responsive to touch by a user. In a specific embodiment, there are at least 104 to 109 key switches, each of which being responsive to touch by a user.
In an embodiment, a plurality of actuators are coupled to the bottom layer of the membrane keyboard device. Each of the actuators is disposed under a corresponding key switch, and each of the actuators is configured to output a vibrational force to provide haptic feedback in response to the touch by the user.
In the above haptic keyboard apparatus, a processor is electrically coupled to the membrane resistor keyboard device for identifying the key switch being touched and outputting a control signal in response to the touch by the user. A controller is electrically coupled to the processor and the haptic device, and further coupled to a plurality of reference voltage sources. The controller is configured to output an actuator control signal to the actuator associated with the identified key switch. The actuator control signal has a predetermined voltage and a predetermined frequency, and causes vibration in the identified key switch.
In an embodiment, the actuator control signal has a programmable voltage and a programmable frequency. The programmable voltage and the programmable frequency are selected by a user for each of the key switches.
In an embodiment, the membrane resistor keyboard device includes a top membrane, a bottom membrane, and a spacer layer disposed between the top membrane and the bottom membrane. An electrical contact is formed when the top membrane is pressed against the bottom membrane by the touch from a user. In a specific embodiment, the processor is configured for scanning the membrane resistor keyboard device and sending scan-codes to a second processor.
Many benefits are achieved by way of this invention, and one or more benefits can be achieved in one or more of the embodiments. As an example, the present invention provides a haptic keyboard apparatus using a cost-effective membrane key switch design. Depending on the embodiment, the haptic keyboard can have one or more of the following features: thinner, less prone to mechanical failure, and capable of providing quicker feedback to touch, compared with conventional keyboard devices. In some embodiments, the haptic keyboard apparatus is quiet and can provide more of a touch screen feel but also provides a tactile feedback. In some embodiments, techniques are provided for programmable haptic feedbacks that can be tailored by the user. Some embodiments of the method and apparatus are also more efficient than conventional techniques. These and other benefits will be described in more detail throughout the present specification and more particularly below.
Various additional features and advantages of the present invention can be more fully appreciated with reference to the detailed description and accompanying drawings that follow.
The present invention is directed to computing devices. More particularly, embodiments of the invention provides keyboard apparatus and related methods that include haptic feedback to the user. Merely by way of example, the invention has been applied to a resistive membrane keyboard apparatus for a desk top computer, although it can also be applied to a laptop computer, modular computer, other computing devices such as personal digital assistants, as well as a remote control or cell phone, etc.
Depending upon the embodiment, the present invention includes one or more of various features, which may be used. These features include the following:
As shown, the above features may be in one or more of the embodiments to follow. These features are merely examples, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims herein. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, modifications, and alternatives.
In haptic keyboard apparatus 102, the haptic device 120 includes a top membrane 121, a bottom membrane 123, and a piezoelectric layer 122 disposed between the top membrane and the bottom membrane. Each of the plurality of haptic cells, e.g., 125, includes a region in the haptic device in which a voltage applied between the top membrane and the bottom membrane causes deformation in the piezoelectric layer in the region. In a specific embodiment, as shown in
Depending on the embodiment, the haptic keyboard apparatus can have key caps like those used in a computer keyboard. Alternatively, the haptic keyboard apparatus can have touch pads. Either the key caps or the touch pads are disposed over the corresponding key switches. In some embodiments, the plurality of key switches are arranged in a matrix form. In a specific embodiment, there are at least twenty-six key switches, each of the key switches being responsive to touch by a user. For example, the twenty-six or more key switches can include the alphabetic keys in a qwerty keyboard. In another example, the keyboard device can include the alphanumeric and control keys in a qwerty keyboard. In other embodiments, the keyboard device can include keys used in other computing devices such as personal digital assistants, as well as a remote control or cell phone, etc. In some embodiments, there can be as many as at least 104 to 109 key switches, or more. Of course, there can be other variations, modifications, and alternatives.
In
In an embodiment, haptic controller 240 is electrically coupled to processor 230 and to haptic device 220. The controller is further coupled to a plurality of reference voltage sources such as positive reference voltages 260 and negative reference voltages 270 in
While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the invention is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/045,938, filed Apr. 17, 2008, entitled “Haptic Keyboard Apparatus And Method,” by inventors Toshisada Takeda and Jamin Pandana, commonly assigned, incorporated in its entirety by reference herein for all purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61045938 | Apr 2008 | US |
