Patent · US Active

Localized key-click feedback

US9448628B2 · kind B2 · utility

73Cited by
9References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 15, 2013
Grant dateSep 20, 2016
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 8, 2035

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01H2215/052
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Disclosed herein are techniques and systems for providing simulated, haptic feedback that is local to physical, non-actuating keys of a keyboard. A keyboard includes a plurality of non-actuating keys defined in a cover portion of the keyboard, a plurality of force-producing mechanisms coupled to a substrate underneath and adjacent the cover portion. The force-producing mechanisms may be positioned on suspended portions of the substrate that are mechanically isolated and arranged on the substrate to substantially correspond to a layout of the plurality of non-actuating keys. The force-producing mechanisms may be individually actuated to deflect the suspended portions of the substrate underneath the cover portion to create a tactile sensation for a user's finger that is local to a particular key. In some embodiments, the force-producing mechanisms are piezoelectric actuators.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.