Patent Application
20120262309
Computer peripherals are continually being refined to expand functionality and provide quality user experiences. One area of improvement has been to provide peripheral devices that combine keyboard-type input functionality with the ability to display output to the user. One approach involves combining input and output capability in a peripheral device through use of a virtual keyboard on a touch interactive display. In this case, the display capability is provided directly on the keys: each key typically is displayed by the touch interactive device with a legend or symbol that indicates its function. The virtual keyboard approach has many benefits, including the ability to dynamically change the display for each key. Interactive touch displays are often less desirable, however, from a pure input standpoint. Specifically, touch displays do not provide mechanical key depression or tactile feedback, which can provide a more responsive and agreeable typing experience.
This disclosure provides for a computer peripheral in which depressible keys are situated over a display device. The display device produces imagery which can be viewed through the keys, due to the keycaps being at least partially transparent. By looking through the keycap (e.g., through a central viewing window), the user is able to see imagery produced by a display region on the display device which is associated with the key and keycap. If allowed to enter into the display region, dust and other particulate matter can compromise the display aspect of the computer peripheral. Accordingly, the examples herein include a particulate barrier configured to prevent entry of particulate matter from an exterior of the computer peripheral into the display regions associated with the keys/keycaps.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure.
This disclosure will now be discussed in detail with reference to
This disclosure is directed to a computer peripheral having a keyboard assembly situated over a display device. The keys of the keyboard assembly are physically/mechanically depressible, such that the keycaps are able to move reciprocally downward and upward relative to the display device.
More particularly, each keycap is able to move up and down relative to a display region on the display device which is associated with the keycap. The keycap is at least partially transparent to allow for through-keycap (see-through) viewing of images produced by the display region associated with the keycap. Because the display device provides viewable imagery, it is desirable to protect the display regions from dust or other particulate matter. Accordingly, the embodiments herein provide for various particulate barriers to prevent particulate entry and associated negative impact on the imagery viewable through the keys.
In some examples, displayable output of the computer peripheral is provided from a liquid crystal display (LCD) or other display device, and is viewed through the plurality of keys of a keyboard assembly that is disposed over the top of the display device. Individual keys may be implemented via a keycap and a mechanical understructure that guides reciprocating up-and-down movement of the keycap relative to the underlying display device.
The terms “input” and “output” will be used in this description in reference to the keyboard functionality of the exemplary computer peripherals. When used in connection with a keyboard key, the term “input” will generally refer to the input signal that is provided by the peripheral upon activation of the key. “Output” will generally refer to the display provided for a key, such as the displayed legend, icon or symbol that indicates the function of the key.
As indicated by the “Q”, “W”, “E”, “R”, “T”, “Y”, etc., on keys 28 (
Computer peripheral 26 can provide a wide variety of displayable output. In some examples, the computer peripheral causes a display of viewable output on or near the individual keys 28 to indicate key function. This can be seen in
The display capability contemplated herein may be used to provide any type of viewable output to the user of computing system 20, and is not limited to alphabets, letters, numbers, symbols, etc. As an alternative to the above examples, images may be displayed in a manner that is not necessarily associated in a spatial sense with an individual key. An image might be presented, for example, in a region of the keyboard that spans multiple keys. The imagery provided need not be associated with the input functionality of the keyboard. Images might be provided, for example, for aesthetic purposes, to personalize the user experience, or to provide other types of output. Indeed, the present disclosure encompasses display output for any purpose. Also, in addition to display provided on or near keys 28, display functionality may be provided in other areas, for example in an area 32 located above keys 28. Still further, area 32 or other portions of computer peripheral 26 may be provided with touch or gesture-based interactivity in addition to the keyboard-type input provided by keys 28. For example, area 32 may be implemented as an interactive touchscreen display, via capacitance-based technology, resistive-based technology or other suitable methods.
Turning now to
As indicated briefly above, one type of suitable display device is an LCD device. This is non-limiting, however, and it should be appreciated that the keyboard assembly may be coupled with a variety of other display types.
Keycap 28a also includes an outer border 28c extending around the periphery of the keycap. Together with outer borders of adjacent keycaps (not shown), outer border 28c defines an ambient entrance (indicated generally at 52). Dust and other particulate matter can potentially reach display region 40a via entry through the ambient entrance defined around the key. Stated another way, particulate can potentially reach the display region by entering between the keycaps from an exterior of the computer peripheral.
In some examples, one or more particulate barriers are positioned below upward-facing surfaces (e.g., surface 28d) of the keycaps to thereby prevent or block entry of particulate. These barriers may be interposed between the ambient entrance(s) defined around the keycaps and the associated display regions of the keycaps, so as to prevent particulate entry through the areas between the keys. Example particulate barriers will be described with specific reference to
The barrier sheet may be formed from a variety of materials. Regardless of the specific material, the material is flexible or otherwise deformable to allow for the upward and downward movement of the key. This is seen with reference to
In some embodiments, barrier sheet 60 may be an uninterrupted expanse situated over the display device. In these examples, the sheet is formed from a transparent material, so as to not interfere with viewing of images produced by the display regions 40a. In other examples, such as the embodiment shown in
Referring now to
In addition to providing a base for supporting and/or connecting to the mechanical understructure, the base structure may include or be adjacent to a layer of electrical traces wherein the electrical traces activate input signals in response to key depression. Electrical traces may be employed in connection with any of the examples herein to provide input signals. Alternatively, input actuation may be detected through use of touch sensing or near-touching sensing, as provided by display device 40 or other components of the computing system. As another example, the computing system may employ vision/optical technologies to detect depression of keys. Any suitable method of input detection may be employed, in addition to or instead of these examples.
The mechanical understructure is configured to guide and/or constrain reciprocal upward and downward movement of the keycap. A variety of mechanical understructures can be employed in addition to or instead of a scissors assembly. Further examples include hinges, springs, vertical guides, corresponding telescopically engaged structures on the keycap and base structure, etc. Also, various methods may be employed to provide a desired tactile feel when keys are depressed.
The example of
The particulate barrier in this and other examples herein may further include a wiper structure surrounding the display region. When employed, the wiper structure is biased to urge against and engage a wiped surface. In the example of
It is to be understood that the configurations and/or approaches described herein are exemplary in nature, and that these specific embodiments or examples are not to be considered in a limiting sense, because numerous variations are possible. The specific routines or methods described herein may represent one or more of any number of processing strategies. As such, various acts illustrated may be performed in the sequence illustrated, in other sequences, in parallel, or in some cases omitted. Likewise, the order of the above-described processes may be changed.
The subject matter of the present disclosure includes all novel and nonobvious combinations and subcombinations of the various processes, systems and configurations, and other features, functions, acts, and/or properties disclosed herein, as well as any and all equivalents thereof.
