Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Joel Lawrence Pelley

Christopher Harry Stoumbos

Timothy Carlyle Shaw

Hua Wang

Todd David Pleake

Ralf Groene

Summer L Schneider

David R Perek

Kabir Siddiqui

Karsten Aagaard

Paul Henry Dietz

Thomas Charles Oliver

David Otto Whitt, Iii

Rob Huala

David Carter Vandervoort

Eric Joseph Wahl

Christopher Strickland Beall

Panos Costa Panay

Robyn Rebecca Reed McLaughlin

James Alec Ishihara

Nathan C Sherman

Sharon Drasnin

Matthew David Mickelson

David Michael Lane

Christopher Andrew Whitman

Robert D Young

Gene Robert Obie

James Charles Marshall

Moshe Randall Lutz

Jim Tom Belesiu

Darryl I Jensen

Camilo Leon

Harold F Mantooth

Hiroo Umeno

Dennis J Mathias

Michael A Schwager

Chun Beng Goh

James H Wise

Andrew N Cady

Stephan Alexander Cummings

Mark J Seilstad

Hakon Strande

Van Winston Oler

Matthew G Pedersen

Amey Madhukar Teredesai

David Neff

Jose R Sousa

David Otto Whit, Iii

Richard Peter Spooner

Timothy Caryle Shaw

Darryl L Jensen

Matthew G Pederson

Iii Edward C Giaimo

Davie M Lane

Darryl Jensen

Jamesh Wise

Rajesh Manohar Dighde

Shane Aaron Sykes

Scott K Gibson

Scott Mitchel Mail

Jay Scott Kassels

Iii David Otto Whitt

Anthony Christian Reed

Bernard Maurice Schultz

David Otto Iii Whitt

Edward C Giaimo Iii

Robyn Rebecca Reed Mclaughlin

Edward C Iii Giaimo

Flexible hinge spine techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a flexible hinge is configured to communicatively and physically couple an input device to a computing device and may implement functionality such as a support layer and minimum bend radius. The input device may also include functionality to promote a secure physical connection between the input device and the computing device. One example of this includes use of one or more protrusions that are configured to be removed from respective cavities of the computing device along a particular axis but mechanically bind along other axes. Other techniques include use of a laminate structure to form a connection portion of the input device.

Multiple position input device cover

Flexible hinge and removable attachment techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a flexible hinge is configured to communicatively and physically couple an input device to a computing device and may implement functionality such as a support layer and minimum bend radius. The input device may also include functionality to promote a secure physical connection between the input device and the computing device. One example of this includes use of one or more protrusions that are configured to be removed from respective cavities of the computing device along a particular axis but mechanically bind along other axes. Other techniques include use of a laminate structure to form a connection portion of the input device.

Flexible hinge and removable attachment

Input device manufacture techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a plurality of layers of a key assembly is positioned in a fixture such that one or more projections of the fixture are disposed through one or more openings in each of the one or more layers. The positioned plurality of layers is secured to each other.

Method of manufacturing an input device

Input device adhesive techniques are described. A pressure sensitive key includes a sensor substrate having one or more conductors, a spacer layer, and a flexible contact layer. The spacer layer is disposed proximal to the sensor substrate and has at least one opening. The flexible contact layer is spaced apart from the sensor substrate by the spacer layer and configured to flex through the opening in response to an applied pressure to initiate an input. The flexible contact layer is secured to the spacer layer such that at first edge, the flexible contact layer is secured to the spacer layer at an approximate midpoint of the first edge and is not secured to the spacer along another portion of the first edge and at a second edge, the flexible contact layer is not secured to the spacer layer along an approximate midpoint of the second edge.

Input device securing techniques

Input device layer and nesting techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an input device includes a pressure sensitive key assembly including a substrate having a plurality of hardware elements secured to a surface. The input device also includes one or more layers disposed proximal to the surface, the one or more layers having respective openings configured to nest the one or more hardware elements therein.

Input device layers and nesting

Key formation techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an input device includes a key assembly including a plurality of keys that are usable to initiate respective inputs for a computing device, a connection portion configured to be removably connected to the computing device physically and communicatively to communicate signals generated by the plurality of keys to the computing device, and an outer layer that is configured to cover the plurality of keys of the key assembly, the outer layer having a plurality of areas that are embossed thereon that indicate one or more borders of respective said keys.

Key formation

Flexible hinge spine

Flexible hinge protrusion attachment

Input device assembly techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an input device includes a key assembly including a plurality of keys that are usable to initiate respective inputs for a computing device, a connection portion configured to be removably connected to the computing device physically and communicatively to communicate signals generated by the plurality of keys to the computing device, a flexible hinge that physically connects the connection portion to the key assembly, and an outer layer that is configured to cover the plurality of keys of the key assembly, form an outer surface of the flexible hinge, and is secured to the connection portion such that the outer layer wraps around at least two sides of the connection portion.

Input device assembly

Sensor stack venting techniques are described. In one or more implementations, one or more vent structures are formed within layers of a pressure sensitive sensor stack for a device. Vent structures including channels, holes, slots, and so forth are designed to provide pathways for gas released by feature elements to escape. The pathways may be arranged to convey outgases through the layers to designated escape points in a controlled manner that prevents deformities typically caused by trapped gases. The escape points in some layers enable at least some other layers to be edge-sealed. Pathways may then be formed to convey gas from the edge-sealed layer(s) to an edge vented layer(s) having one or more escape points, such that feature elements in the edge-sealed layer(s) remain protected from contaminants.

Sensor stack venting

Fabric outer layer techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an apparatus includes, an input portion having one or more keys configured to generate signals to be processed by a computing device as inputs, a connection portion that is configured to be removable attachable to the computing device and including at least one communication contact configured to form a communicative coupling with the computing device to communicate the generated signals, a flexible hinge that is configured to flexibly and communicatively connect the connection portion to the input portion, and first and second outer fabric layers that are configured to act as an outer surface of the one or more keys of the input portion and the flexible hinge and are physically secured to the connection portion.

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Bellevue, WA, United States of America

Joel Lawrence Pelley