The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 17, 2001
Filed:
Nov. 05, 1998
Joel Gerard Goodwin, Austin, TX (US);
Scott Harlan Isensee, Georgetown, TX (US);
Ricky Lee Poston, Austin, TX (US);
I-hsing Tsao, Austin, TX (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
A key assembly includes a cover disposed over a transducer which is connected to a key acutator/interface disposed between the key transducer and a CPU. A tactile signal generator generates control signals from the CPU to activate the actuator/interface. The actuator/interface provides a signal appropriate to the particular transducer causing it to produce tactile feedback response to the key cover and user's touch. The key assembly may include a larger key cover disposed over a plurality of key transducers whereby the CPU causes texture and fine detail sensations variable over the key cover area by selective, variable actuation of the transducers. The end-user may thereby sense by physical contact with the large key cover electronically generated sensations of irregular surfaces or textures. Tactile profiles either user-specified or automatically invoked by a corresponding application vary the keyboard touch and feel as defined by the selected profile.