Patent Application
20110260978
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. In many cases, this is implemented by providing a keyboard with a display region that is separate from the keys. For example, in a conventional keyboard layout, a rectangular liquid crystal display (LCD) can be situated above the function keys or number pad.
Another approach to combining input and output capability in a peripheral device is the 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 tactile feedback, which can provide a more responsive and agreeable typing experience.
Accordingly, the following description is directed to a computer peripheral having a display device underlying a keyboard assembly. The keyboard assembly is configured to permit images produced by the display device to be viewed through the keyboard assembly. The keyboard assembly has a plurality of keys, each of which includes a keycap and a mechanical understructure that is at least partially transparent. The mechanical understructure is disposed between the keycap and the display device to guide reciprocating movement of the keycap toward and away from the display device. In some embodiments, the mechanical understructure may have a non-oblique planar configuration, in which a majority of its surface area is composed of planar surfaces that are parallel or perpendicular to the underlying display device. In these and other example embodiments, an optical prescription may be employed to produce a desired optical effect.
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.
The terms “input” and “output” will be used frequently 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
In addition to or instead of a non-oblique planar construction, the material of the understructure may be configured to provide a desired optical effect. For example, the material may be formed with an optical prescription to provide magnification/demagnification, blur, or another desired optical effect or outcome.
In many of the examples discussed herein, the mechanical understructure for each keycap is implemented as a pivoting scissors assembly. It will be appreciated, however, that a variety of other understructures may be employed, including post-and-plunger arrangements; elastically-collapsible dome structures; mechanically-switched keys; cantilevered mechanisms; buckling springs and other types of springs; membrane-type movements; etc. Regardless of the particular configuration, the understructures typically will be at least partially transparent, and may also be configured as mentioned above to reduce refraction and other undesirable effects upon image light, and/or configured intentionally to produce magnification, blur or another desired optical effect.
A variety of types of display device 40 may be employed. As indicated briefly above, one type of suitable display device is an LCD device. Indeed, LCD devices will be frequently referred to in the examples discussed herein, though this is non-limiting and it should be appreciated that the keyboard assembly may be coupled with a variety of other display types.
As in the examples of
Referring now to
The keyboard assembly examples described herein may also be adapted so that the keys provide a satisfying physical/mechanical feel during typing. Each key is thus configured to move reciprocally inward and outward relative to the display device. As explained in more detail below, it will also be desirable in many cases to employ tactile structures so that the force-displacement characteristic of each key provides a “snapping” action, or other tactile feedback, which can be felt by the user when the key is operated.
A mechanical understructure, such as scissors assembly 60, may be disposed between keycap 50 and display device 40, in order to guide and constrain the upward and downward movement of the keycap. Scissors assembly 60 typically guides and constrains the movement, so that the keycap moves perpendicularly inward and outward relative to display device 40, and is prevented from twisting, tilting, etc. Scissors assembly 60 may also be configured to provide some resiliency, so that keycap 50 is urged back into a non-depressed rest position when released by a user (i.e., spaced away from the display device). In addition to or instead of the resiliency being provided by the scissor assembly, a tactile structure may be provided to impart a desired mechanical feel and action to the key, as will be explained in more detail below.
Scissors assembly 60 may be coupled directly between keycap 50 and display device 40 or, as in the present example, a base structure 70 may be employed. In one example embodiment, base structure 70 covers the entire area of the keyboard assembly. The base structure is attached to the display device, and provides a base to which the keycaps are movably attached (e.g., via a scissor assembly or other mechanical understructure for each keycap). As indicated, base structure 70 may be provided with a hole 70a for each key, which is generally centrally aligned with keycap 52 to enable optimal viewing of the underlying display device. The dashed-line axis in
Referring now to
In the example embodiment, legs 62a and 64a are pivotably connected together, as are legs 62b and 64b. Thus, when the keycap supported by the scissors assembly is depressed toward display device 40, the rigid structures pivot relative to one another and the scissors assembly undergoes an effective lowering/flattening. Rods 64c and 62d abut and engage with the underside of keycap 50, while rods 64d and 62c engage and abut with base 70 (or with the surface of display device 40 if a separate base structure is not employed).
To engage the rods with keycap 50 and base structure 70, the rods may be received into or by snap hooks, pockets, or other appropriate engagement structures. At both the keycap and the base structure (e.g., at the underside of keycap 50), at least one of the rod engagements will typically be configured to accommodate sliding or other relative lateral movement of the rod, to provide tolerance for a slight overall lengthening of the scissors assembly when it is depressed. For example, as indicated in
Various materials and constructions may be used in connection with a scissors assembly or other mechanical understructure. Some or all of the structure may be made transparent and/or positioned so as to enhance or minimize interference with the display capability provided by the underlying display device. Material and construction choices may also be affected by considerations relating to stiffness, constraining the key movement to a particular direction, preventing tilting of the keys, etc. In scissor implementations, for example, it may be desirable to form the rods of the scissors assembly using metal, to provide more stiffness and stability. Such an approach might be appropriate, for example, in scissors assemblies for larger keys, such as the space bar.
Referring now to
The example of
Even when the scissors assemblies are positioned away from the key centers, the scissors assemblies do take up space on keyboard assembly and thus have the potential to affect the ability to view images through the keyboard assembly. A first effect to be considered is the blocking of light rays from the underlying display device. This consideration will inform embodiments in which structures of the scissors assembly are positioned to avoid blocking of images from the display device. As discussed above, one general approach will involve keeping the scissors assembly structures away from the key center (e.g., toward the edges or periphery of the keycap).
Another example would be to configure the scissors assemblies based on the types of images that are to be viewed through the keyboard assembly. In some embodiments, for example, it might be desirable to have words or other multi-character legends displayed for an individual key. In such a case, it would be potentially be preferred to have the aperture through the scissors assembly be relatively wider than it is tall. This can be achieved by configuring the relative lengths of the rods and legs of the scissors assembly, and/or through a particular rotational orientation of the scissors assembly. For example, depending on the particular implementation, the spacing between the rods of the scissors assembly might be different than the spacing between the legs.
In addition to or instead of the non-blocking approach, some or all of a scissors assembly or other mechanical understructure may be made transparent to permit image light to passage of light. Polycarbonates, acrylics or other suitable transparent materials may be employed.
In transparent configurations, some or all of the mechanical understructure may be implemented using a non-oblique configuration, in which a majority of the surface area is substantially parallel or perpendicular to the image plane of the display device. Referring specifically to
In addition to or instead of the non-oblique planar configuration, the material and surfaces of the mechanical understructure may be configured to produce various desired optical effects. Such effects may include magnification, demagnification, blur, etc., to name but a few examples. For example, the upward-facing surfaces of leg 62a may be formed with optical curvature or another appropriate optical prescription to achieve magnification, demagnification, blur or another desired optical outcome.
Tactile structures may be employed for each key, to provide tactile user feedback when the key is depressed from its rest position toward the underlying display device. The tactile structures may be elastically deformable, so that the tactile structure collapses as the key approaches its fully depressed position, and then bounces back to its original shape/position as the key is released. This can provide the keystroke with a non-linear force-displacement characteristic. An example of such a characteristic is shown in
In the present examples, the tactile structures are implemented as elastically-deformable tactile feedback domes, as indicated at 82 in
The tactile structures may interact with other components to provide electrical switching and produce input signals in response to operation of the keys. For example, base structure 70 may be provided with a three-layer electrical contact construction, in which two conducting layers are separated by an insulating layer. Switching is then performed by interaction of the tactile structure with the three layers. Specifically, depressing the key causes the tactile structure to collapse and press against the layers to produce a resilient deformation, in which the two conductive layers are brought into electrical contact through a hole in the insulating layer. This electrical contact produces the input signal. It should be understood, however, that this is but one non-limiting example of how switching may be performed.
As discussed above, various components of the keyboard assembly may be configured to facilitate through-key viewing of images from the underlying display device 40. In some example embodiments, the components are centrally aligned to increase the ability of the user to see the underlying display. For example, scissors assembly 60 and/or base structure may be provided with openings that are aligned with the centers of the keycaps. When employed, tactile structures may be centrally offset from the centers of the keycaps, as shown in
Computing systems such as that depicted in
The executable instructions may be held, along with other data, in any appropriate data-holding subsystem. When instructions are executed to carry out the methods and processes described herein, the result may include the transformation of data held in the data-holding subsystem. Data may be held on removable and/or built-in devices/media, including optical memory devices, semiconductor memory devices, and/or magnetic memory devices, among others. Suitable data-holding devices/media may have one or more of the following characteristics: volatile, nonvolatile, dynamic, static, read/write, read-only, random access, sequential access, location addressable, file addressable, and content addressable.
Display device 40 may form part of a computing system's display subsystem. As the herein described methods and processes change the data held by the data-holding subsystem, and thus transform the state of the data-holding subsystem, the state of display subsystem may likewise be transformed to visually represent changes in the underlying data. For example, the visual output from display device 40 that is viewable through keyboard assembly 42 may change.
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.
