Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110175813 | PIEZO-BASED ACOUSTIC AND CAPACITIVE DETECTION - One particular implementation conforming to aspects of the present disclosure takes the form of an input device for a computing system. The input device includes a input surface on which one or more input characters are shown and one or more sensors to detect which input character is pressed or selected by the user. In one example, the input device may include one or more piezo-electric sensors that detect an acoustic pulse created when the user taps on the input surface to indicate a selected input. Each character of the input surface of the input device creates a different acoustic pulse signature when tapped such that, upon detection and receiving of the acoustic pulse at the piezo-electric sensors, the input device or computer system may compare the received pulse to a database of stored pulse signatures to determine which character on the surface of the input device was tapped by the user. | 07-21-2011 |
20110304485 | Legend Highlighting - A method for manufacturing keycap includes applying a first coating layer on a surface of a keycap layer, applying a second coating layer on top of the first coating layer, etching at least a portion of the first coating layer to a first depth to form a first etched area, and etching at least a portion of the first etched area to a second depth to form a second etched area. | 12-15-2011 |
20120127088 | HAPTIC INPUT DEVICE - One embodiment of a haptic input device may include a receiver configured to receive a signal from a touch-based user interface device. The signal may include a control signal or a look-up value. The haptic input device may also include a decoder coupled to the receiver and configured to decode the signal from the touch-based user interface device, at least one sensor configured to determine at least one characteristic of the haptic input device, a controller coupled to the one or more sensors and configured to transmit a control signal, a haptic actuator coupled to the controller, and a transmitter coupled to the at least one sensor. | 05-24-2012 |
20120127110 | OPTICAL STYLUS - An optical stylus and host computing system is provided, as are methods related to the operation thereof. In particular, in an example embodiment, a method of operating the optical stylus is provided that includes determining when the optical stylus is in contact with a surface based on signals received by a processor from a pressure sensor of the optical stylus and capturing an image while the optical stylus is in contact with the surface using a camera of the optical stylus. The captured image is then transmitted to a host system. | 05-24-2012 |
20130076652 | MAGNETICALLY PERMEABLE HAPTIC MATERIAL - Embodiments may take the form of a haptic device having a ferro magnetic member coupled to a spring. An electromagnet is proximately located to the magnetic member and configured to magnetically attract the first magnetic member when actuated. A magnetically permeable material is positioned between the electromagnet and the first magnetic member. | 03-28-2013 |
20130161172 | Keyboard with Position Sensing Mechanism - An input device configured to communicate with a computing device includes at least one keycap, a support mechanism operably connected to the keycap and configured to move the keycap from a first position to a second position, a feature plate operably connected to the support mechanism, and a sensing member. The sensing member is configured to detect at least one of a change of position of the at least one keycap, a speed of the at least one keycap, an amount of force applied to the at least one keycap, or a location of a finger. The sensing member may be a capacitive sensor. In some embodiments, the input device may not include the support mechanism and the sensing member may be configured to detect the location of a finger regardless whether or not the keycap moves. | 06-27-2013 |
20130256108 | Legend Highlighting - A method for manufacturing keycap includes applying a first coating layer on a surface of a keycap layer, applying a second coating layer on top of the first coating layer, etching at least a portion of the first coating layer to a first depth to form a first etched area, and etching at least a portion of the first etched area to a second depth to form a second etched area. | 10-03-2013 |
20140085213 | Force Sensing Using Bottom-Side Force Map - A force sensor incorporated into a touch device, measuring deflection in a device stack, including compressible elements disposed between the device stack and the frame element. When the device stack is deformed, applied force is measured using the compressible elements, using capacitive sensing or strain measurements. The force sensitive sensor provides an applied force image for the touch device's surface. The applied force location [X, Y] can be determined from measures of cover glass tilt, force at particular points, and capacitive sensing of touch location. | 03-27-2014 |
20140085247 | Force Sensing Using Dual-Layer Cover Glass with Gel Adhesive and Capacitive Sensing - A touch device including a force sensor disposed between capacitive sensing structures, so both touch and force sensing occur capacitively using device drivers in rows and columns. A dual-layer cover glass, with gel adhesive separating first and second CG layers, so capacitive sensing between the first and second CG layers can determine both touch locations and applied force. The first and second CG layers include a compressible material having a Poisson's ratio of less than approximately 0.48, the force sensor being embedded therein, or disposed between the first and second CG layers. Applied force is detected using capacitive detection of depression of the first CG layer. Depression is responsive to compressible features smaller than optical wavelengths, so those features are substantially invisible to users. Alternatively, the compressible features may be large enough to be seen by a user, but made substantially invisible through the use of a fluid or other element filling spaces between the features. Such a fluid may have an index of refraction equal to, or nearly equal to, the index of refraction of the compressible features. | 03-27-2014 |
20140085253 | Force Sensing Using Dual-Layer Cover Glass with Gel Adhesive and Capacitive Sensing - A touch device including a force sensor disposed between capacitive sensing structures, so both touch and force sensing occur capacitively using device drivers in rows and columns. A dual-layer cover glass, with gel adhesive separating first and second CG layers, so capacitive sensing between the first and second CG layers can determine both touch locations and applied force. The first and second CG layers include a compressible material having a Poisson's ratio of less than approximately 0.48, the force sensor being embedded therein, or disposed between the first and second CG layers. Applied force is detected using capacitive detection of depression of the first CG layer. Depression is responsive to compressible features smaller than optical wavelengths, so those features are substantially invisible to users. Alternatively, the compressible features may be large enough to be seen by a user, but made substantially invisible through the use of a fluid or other element filling spaces between the features. Such a fluid may have an index of refraction equal to, or nearly equal to, the index of refraction of the compressible features. | 03-27-2014 |
20140118309 | Piezo-Based Acoustic and Capacitive Detection - One particular implementation conforming to aspects of the present disclosure takes the form of an input device for a computing system. The input device includes a input surface on which one or more input characters are shown and one or more sensors to detect which input character is pressed or selected by the user. In one example, the input device may include one or more piezo-electric sensors that detect an acoustic pulse created when the user taps on the input surface to indicate a selected input. Each character of the input surface of the input device creates a different acoustic pulse signature when tapped such that, upon detection and receiving of the acoustic pulse at the piezo-electric sensors, the input device or computer system may compare the received pulse to a database of stored pulse signatures to determine which character on the surface of the input device was tapped by the user. | 05-01-2014 |
20140268150 | MULTI-SURFACE OPTICAL TRACKING SYSTEM - An optical tracking device that is capable of operation on both glossy and diffuse surfaces includes at least one housing, at least one light source, and at least one sensor. The light source emits light toward a surface on which the housing is moved and the sensor receives the light emitted by the light source after it is reflected off of the surface. The light source is oriented such that the angle of incidence of the emitted light corresponds to Brewster's angle. The sensor may be also oriented such that the angle of reflection of the reflected light corresponds to Brewster's angle. The light emitted by the light source may be polarized to increase the p-polarization of the emitted light and/or the light received by the sensor may be filtered to block s-polarized portions of the reflected light. | 09-18-2014 |