Synaptics Corporation

Other

Pacinian Corporation

Synaptics Incorporaed

Douglas M Krumpelman

Cody George Peterson

Andrew Parris Huska

Michael D Levin

Peter R Bokma

Richard Robert Schediwy

James William Schlosser

Joseph Kurth Reynolds

Mihai M Bulea

Robert J Bolender

Chris Weber

VanDee Moua

The invention relates to a haptic feedback system. The haptic feedback system includes a mounting frame configured to interface with an assembly chassis, and a mounting plate configured to support a user input device that provides a haptic feedback to a user. The mounting plate is slidably mounted on the mounting frame. The haptic feedback system further includes a guide disposed on the mounting plate, two opposing lever arms that are pivotably mounted on the mounting frame, and an actuator configured to pivot the two opposing lever arms in opposing directions. The two opposing lever arms are pivoted to cause movement of the mounting plate via the guide.

Method and system for providing haptic feedback using an input device

In an example, an input device includes a substrate and an elastomeric material. The substrate includes a plurality of sensor electrodes disposed thereon. The elastomeric material is mechanically coupled to the substrate and overlaps the plurality of sensor electrodes. The elastomeric material includes an inner portion disposed such that an area of contact between the inner portion and at least some of the plurality of sensor electrodes changes in response to at least one of a lateral force or a vertical force applied to the elastomeric material.

Low-profile capacitive pointing stick

An input device may include a wire element and a moveable substrate coupled to the wire element. The moveable substrate may include various wire alignment features. The input device may further include an input surface disposed above the moveable substrate. The input device may further include various sensor electrodes coupled to the input surface. The input device may further include a haptic actuator coupled to the moveable substrate. The haptic actuator may displace the moveable substrate in a direction substantially parallel to a plane of the input surface. The wire element may return the moveable substrate to an original position. The wire alignment features may allow, in response to an applied force by the haptic actuator and to the moveable substrate, a displacement of the moveable substrate in the direction that is substantially parallel to the plane of the input surface.

Haptic feedback wire mount

A haptic actuator and method for manufacturing the same. The haptic actuator may include a slider having first interlocking sliding features and a first engagement surface; and a base having second interlocking sliding features and a second engagement surface. The second interlocking sliding features may be configured to engage with the first interlocking sliding features. The haptic actuator may also include a shape memory alloy disposed between the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface; and a pair of ohmic contacts disposed through the base and are in direct contact with the shape memory alloy. The shape memory alloy may contract and causes displacement of the slider relative to the base from a first position to a second position in response to a current applied to the shape memory alloy through the pair of ohmic contacts.

Shape memory haptic actuator device

Described herein are techniques related to a touchpad with capacitive force sensing. The described techniques may determine the point or region of a user-engagement surface contacted by a user. In addition, the described techniques may also determine a force of the user's finger press on the user-engagement surface using one or more capacitance force-sensors. Furthermore, the described techniques may offer active tactile feedback (i.e., haptics) to the user's finger touching the user-engagement surface. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Touchpad with capacitive force sensing

Magnetically biased retracting key assemblies and keyboards are provided. A key assembly includes a touch surface for receiving a press input from a user and a planar-translation-effecting (PTE) mechanism configured to guide as the keycap moves from an un-pressed position toward a pressed position. The key assembly also includes a ready-return mechanism configured to magnetically biased the keycap in the un-pressed position, the ready-return mechanism including a slider mechanism positioned beneath the keycap and coupled to the PTE mechanism. When the press surface receives a press input the slider mechanism translates away from the magnet as the PTE mechanism guides the keycap from the un-pressed position toward the pressed position. In some embodiments, the PTE mechanism and the ready-return mechanism translate with respect to a chassis layer providing a key retraction feature for the key assembly or keyboard.

Magnetically biased retracting key assembly and keyboard

Described herein are one or more techniques related to a touchsurface with level and planar translational travel responsiveness. One or more of the described implementations include an input device having a rigid body including a touchsurface configured to travel along a depression path in response to being depressed by a user. The input device also includes a leveling mechanism that operates in manner to keep the touchsurface substantially level as the touchsurface travels along the depression path in response to being depressed by the user. Furthermore, the input device has a planar-translation-effecting mechanism that defines a planar translation component of the depression path, such that the touchsurface exhibits planar translation as the touchsurface travels along the depression path.

Touchsurface with level and planar translational travel responsiveness

Methods and apparatus for a touchsurface assembly such as a key assembly are described. The touchsurface assembly includes a base, a keycap and a magnet physically coupled to the base near to the keycap. A keycap coupler has a first portion magnetically attracted to the magnet and a second portion cantilevered from the magnet to support the keycap in an unpressed position. When a press force applied to the keycap overcomes a magnetic force pulling the keycap coupler toward the magnet, the keycap coupler pivots away from the magnet to allow the keycap to move toward a pressed position.

Touchsurface assembly utilizing magnetically enabled hinge

A keyboard having a sensor layer below a chassis layer is described. In one embodiment, the keyboard includes a keyboard chassis and a plurality of keycaps positioned above the keyboard chassis. Each of the plurality of keycaps has a touch surface for receiving a press force. A sensor substrate is positioned below the keyboard chassis and has sensor electrodes configured to sense that one or more of the plurality of keycaps is in a pressed position.

Keyboard construction having a sensing layer below a chassis layer

Methods and apparatus for a touchsurface assembly such as a key assembly are described. The touchsurface assembly includes a keycap, a base and an elastic component coupled to the keycap and the base. The elastic component supports the keycap away from the base in an unpressed position, and directionally buckles during movement of the keycap toward a pressed position responsive to a press force. The press force moves the keycap in a press direction toward the pressed position, and the directionally buckling of the elastic component allows the keycap to move in a second direction orthogonal to the press direction. Upon release of the press force, the elastic component moves the keycap toward the unpressed position after release of the press force.

Touchsurface assembly with level and planar translational responsiveness via a buckling elastic component

A key assembly in accordance with embodiments of the invention comprises a base, a keycap, a biasing mechanism, a first linkage, and a second linkage. The keycap is spaced from the base along a press direction and configured to move between an unpressed position and a pressed position relative to the base. The unpressed and pressed positions are separated by a first amount in the press direction and a second amount in a lateral direction orthogonal to the press direction. The first amount is at least as much as the second amount and no larger than twice the second amount. The biasing mechanism is configured to bias the keycap away from the base. The first and second linkages are rotatably coupled to the base and the keycap.

Touchsurface assemblies with linkages

A touchsurface assembly comprises a base, a pressable touchsurface, and a deflectable spring. The pressable touchsurface is configured to move between an unpressed position and a pressed position relative to the base. The deflectable spring comprises a fixed portion and a contact portion. The contact portion is configured to contact a spring guiding profile. As the touchsurface moves from the unpressed position to the pressed position, the contact portion physically interacts with different sections of the spring guiding profile. This interaction causes different deflections of the deflectable spring and produces reaction forces that resist keycap motion toward the pressed position and bias the keycap toward the unpressed position.

Keycap assembly with an interactive spring mechanism

Described herein are techniques related to capacitance-based keyswitch technologies. According to one implementation, an apparatus includes a key with a floating electrode. The floating electrode pairs with a fixed electrode and a capacitance may be generated between them. The apparatus has a controller configured to measure the capacitance as the electrodes move relative to each other as the key is depressed and released. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Growing community of inventors

Hayden, ID, United States of America

Douglas M Krumpelman