Hall effect keyboard

Abstract

A Hall effect keyboard is provided. The keyboard includes a plurality of keys. In some embodiments, each key includes: a keycap; the spiral spring extends from the top side of the key cap to the bottom side of the transparent top shell; and a magnet, wherein the magnet is positioned in the key cap. The coil spring biases the key cap toward an unpressed position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This specification relates to keyboards. BACKGROUND

[0002] A keyboard includes keys that can be actuated by a user to operate a computing device (e.g., a laptop computer, a desktop computer, or other user computing device). The keyboard can provide signals for operating the computing device, such as for typing or performing other operations of the computing device. SUMMARY

[0003] This disclosure describes a keyboard for use with a user computing device. The keyboard includes a top case and a plurality of keys. Each key includes a coil spring and a magnet positioned within the key (e.g., within an interior space defined within the coil spring). In some implementations, the keyboard also includes a display positioned below the top case. The display includes a visual side that presents content to a user through the top case of the keyboard.

[0004] Advantages of implementations of the systems and methods described in this disclosure can include those described below and elsewhere in this disclosure.

[0005] A keyboard according to implementations described in this disclosure has a long service life and is easy to assemble, and thus has low manufacturing costs. A snap-fit locking mechanism between the keycaps and the top case enables the keycaps to be labor-efficiently installed to the top case, and thus reduces the time and labor costs required to manufacture the keyboard, as forming this locking mechanism neither requires additional tools nor separate mechanical fasteners. Moreover, by forming some other components of the keyboard as a“stack,” in which a group of components are positioned in a layer, such as adjacent to and / or coupled to each other, to form the keyboard, manufacturing costs can remain low.

[0006] A keyboard according to implementations described in this disclosure can provide a user experience that attracts users with tactile and visual sensations. In particular, the keyboard can use spring force provided by a coil spring below a keycap to generate tactile feedback to a user when the user squeezes a particular key, particularly in comparison to a digital keyboard that relies on one or more vibration units of a mobile computing device to provide tactile feedback when a user operates a digital key. The guidance by the coil spring enables the keycap to move vertically with less wobble. Moreover, the display of the keyboard also allows the keyboard to provide content that is visible through the keys of the keyboard, allowing the keyboard to stimulate another modality of a user’s senses when the user operates the keyboard.

[0007] A keyboard according to embodiments described in this disclosure can improve human-machine interaction. For example, a display of the keyboard can provide content, such as images and / or video, that improves the functionality of the keyboard and engagement with the keyboard, such as visual engagement. Further, components of the keyboard can allow content provided by the display to be more easily visible from the perspective of a user using the keyboard, such as when the keyboard is viewed from above. The display can be visible through the components of the keyboard.

[0008] A keyboard according to embodiments described in this disclosure can provide information to a user by presenting content to the user via a display. The content provided by the display of the keyboard can, for example, coordinate with information presented on a display of a computing device for which the keyboard is used as a user input device, or can present other useful information to the user (e.g., time, battery life, or other information). Further, a keyboard according to some embodiments described in this disclosure can enable a user to operate the keyboard in low light conditions.

[0009] The details of one or more implementations of the subject matter described in this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other potential features, aspects, and advantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 is a top view of an example of a keyboard.

[0011] Figure 2 is a top view of another example of a keyboard.

[0012] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of an example of a keyboard.

[0013] Figure 4 is a side cross-sectional view of an example of a keyboard.

[0014] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a keyboard.

[0015] Figures 6A-6B are perspective side and bottom views of a keycap, respectively. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Figure 1This is a top view of an example keyboard 100. Keyboard 100 includes a plurality of keys, such as key 105. Keyboard 100 can be operatively connected to a user computing device, for example via a wired or wireless connection, allowing keyboard 100 to generate signals for controlling the user computing device. Keyboard 100 can generate signals in response to keystrokes or other operations on the plurality of keys, thereby allowing a user to type text in a defined manner or otherwise manipulate the keys to control the user computing device. Examples of user computing devices include laptop computers, desktop computers, tablet computing devices, smartphones, gaming devices, digital music players, wearable computing devices, health monitoring devices, etc.

[0017] Each key includes a keycap; for example, key 105 includes a keycap 110. Keycap 110 is a user-operable portion of key 105 that is actuated by a user pressing with their fingers. For example, keycap 110 of key 105 may include a top side having an upward-facing surface that a user's fingers engage and push or press to actuate key 105.

[0018] In implementation, the keycaps can vary in shape and size. For example, a keycap can be a basic square (such as...). Figure 1 (As shown), a basic rectangle or a basic circle. Furthermore, the keycap 110 can be formed from any suitable material. Figure 1 In the example, keycap 110 can be made of metal, ceramic, rigid plastic or another polymer, fiber matrix composite, etc.

[0019] Each key also includes a helical spring; for example, key 105 includes a helical spring 111. The helical spring 111 is positioned inside the keycap 110. The helical spring 111 has two ends: a top end and a bottom end. Figure 1 In the example, the helical spring 111 has a circular cross-sectional shape. However, this is not required. In other examples, the helical spring 111 can have different shapes, such as an elliptical cross-sectional shape, a rectangular cross-sectional shape, a square cross-sectional shape, a triangular cross-sectional shape, or another more complex cross-sectional shape.

[0020] Inside the keycap 110, the top end of the coil spring 111 is positioned at or near the center point of the downward-facing surface of the top side of the keycap 110. The coil spring 111 extends from the downward-facing surface of the top side of the keycap 110 to the bottom side of the top shell 102, and the bottom end of the coil spring 111 is positioned at the bottom side of the top shell 102.

[0021] Accordingly, the coil spring 111 biases the keycap 110 upward toward the unpressed position. That is, when the user is not pushing or pressing on the key 105, and thus no axial downward force is being applied to the coil spring 111 through the top side of the keycap 110, the length of the coil spring 111 in its uncompressed state is no less than the distance between the top side of the keycap 110 and the bottom side of the top case 102.

[0022] Each key also includes a magnet, e.g., the key 105 includes a magnet 112. The magnet 112 is positioned inside the keycap 110. In Figure 1 In the example, the magnet 112 is positioned within an internal hollow space defined within the coil spring 111. However, this is not required. That is, the coil spring 111 can be positioned within any suitable location inside the keycap 110 more generally. In some examples, it can be positioned alongside the coil spring 111, positioned at one of the four corners of the key 105, etc.

[0023] The magnet 112 can be made of any suitable material having sufficient magnet properties. In some implementations, the magnet 112 can be a permanent magnet. For example, the magnet 112 can include, but is not limited to, ferrite, alnico, and / or a rare earth material such as samarium cobalt and neodymium iron boron.

[0024] Furthermore, the magnet 112 can have any suitable shape. For example, the magnet 112 can have a cylindrical shape, a polygonal prismatic shape, an elliptical spherical shape like an American football, etc. However, generally, the magnet 112 should be small enough in size such that the magnet 112 can fit into the space within the keycap 110. For example, in Figure 1 In the example, the magnet 112 should be small enough in size such that the magnet 112 can fit into the internal hollow space defined within the coil spring 111.

[0025] It should also be appreciated that some of the plurality of keys of the keyboard 100 can include more than one coil spring, and optionally more than one magnet. For example, in some implementations, a key of the keyboard 100 (e.g., the space bar) includes two coil springs inside the keycap of the space bar. Within the keycap, the two coil springs can be distributed along the length of the keycap and located approximately equal distances from the center of the keycap. In some implementations, the space bar includes two magnets, with one magnet positioned within an internal hollow space defined within each of the two coil springs. In some other implementations, the space bar includes one magnet positioned within an internal hollow space defined within one of the two coil springs.

[0026] As another example, in some embodiments, the keys of keyboard 100 include a coil spring and more than one magnet inside the keycap. In some embodiments, the key includes two magnets, one magnet being positioned within an internal hollow space defined within the coil spring, and the other magnet being positioned outside the coil spring; for example, the other magnet and the coil spring may be positioned side by side. In some other embodiments, the key includes two magnets, wherein the two magnets are positioned outside the coil spring.

[0027] The keyboard 100 includes a top shell 102 positioned on the upper portion of the keyboard 100. The top shell 102 may take the form of an external protective shell or outer casing covering the upper portion of the keyboard 100. The top shell 102 may be formed as a single, integral part, or it may have a set of different parts that can be configured to be interconnected. Furthermore, the top shell 102 may be formed from any suitable material. Figure 1 In the example, the top shell 102 can be made of metal, ceramic, rigid plastic, or another polymer, fiber matrix composite, etc. The top shell 102 and the keycap 110 can, but do not have to, be made of the same material.

[0028] The plurality of keys are received by the top shell 102. The keycaps of the plurality of keys are mounted (e.g., removably mounted) on and positioned within the top shell 102 of the keyboard 100. For example, keycap 110 is mounted on the upper surface of the top shell 102 and extends upward from the upper surface of the top shell 102 of the keyboard 100, thereby allowing the user to easily access and press key 105.

[0029] Figure 2 This is a top view of another example of keyboard 200. Keyboard 200 and Figure 1 The keyboard 100 depicted differs in that it additionally includes a display 240, which includes a visual side 242 visible to the user during use of the keyboard 200. The display 240 can display content 245 on the visual side 242, and the visual side 242 can face the bottom side of the top cover 202. For example, the top cover 202 can be positioned on top of the visual side 242 of the display 240, and the content 245 displayed on the visual side 242 of the display 240 can be seen through the top cover 202 of the keyboard 200 and the plurality of keys, thereby allowing the content 245 to be visible to the user.

[0030] For this purpose, at least a portion of the top shell 202 is substantially transparent, for example, having a transmittance of at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, or at least 90%. In other words, the keyboard 200 may also differ from the keyboard 200 in the material used to form the top shell 202. Figure 1 The keyboard 100 shown (in the form of...) Figure 1The material of the top case 102 of the illustrated keyboard 100 is opaque.

[0031] In some implementations, the top case 202 is substantially transparent throughout. In some other implementations, a central portion of the top case 202 (e.g., including the area of the top case 202 covered by the plurality of keys of the keyboard 200) is substantially transparent, but a perimeter of the top case 202 is not transparent, e.g., it is opaque. For example, the top case 202 can be formed of a glass material (e.g., including sapphire glass, crystal glass, tempered glass, or other glass material that can be transparent) or a polymer material (e.g., polycarbonate, acrylic, polyethylene terephthalate, or other suitable polymer material that can be transparent).

[0032] Furthermore, at least a top side of each keycap of the plurality of keys is substantially transparent. For example, at least a top side of the keycap 210 of the key 205 (which has an upward-facing surface that a user’s finger engages and pushes or presses to actuate the key 205) is substantially transparent.

[0033] In some implementations, the keycap 210 is substantially transparent throughout. That is, the top side of the keycap 210 and the vertical sidewalls of the keycap 210 are substantially transparent. In some other implementations, the top side of the keycap 210 is substantially transparent, but the vertical sidewalls of the keycap 210 are not transparent, e.g., they are opaque. For example, the keycap 210 can be formed of a glass material (e.g., including sapphire glass, crystal glass, tempered glass, or other glass material that can be transparent) or a polymer material (e.g., polycarbonate, acrylic, polyethylene terephthalate, or other suitable polymer material that can be transparent). Again, the top case 202 and the keycap 210 can but need not be made of the same material (although they both need to be substantially transparent).

[0034] Because at least a portion of the top case 202 and at least a top side of the keycap 210 are substantially transparent, content 245 presented by the display 240 can be at least partially visible to a user through the top case 202 of the keyboard 200 and the plurality of keys during use of the keyboard 200.

[0035] Other components of the keyboard 200 (such as the coil spring 211 and the magnet 212) are similar to Figure 1 the corresponding components of the keyboard 100 depicted in FIGS. 1A-1C (such as the coil spring 111 and the magnet 112), and the descriptions regarding those other components can equally apply to the corresponding components included in the keyboard 200.

[0036] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of an example of the keyboard 300. As Figure 3As shown, the plurality of components includes a plurality of keys, including key 305. Key 305, in turn, includes keycap 310, coil spring 311, and magnet 312. At least a top side of keycap 310 is substantially transparent.

[0037] Keyboard 300 can have an overall width between 10 centimeters and 16 centimeters, and an overall length between 30 centimeters and 60 centimeters. The number of keys on keyboard 300 can vary between 40 and 150 keys, or more or less.

[0038] The plurality of components includes top shell 302. At least a portion of top shell 302 (e.g., at least a central portion) is substantially transparent. Top shell 302 has two components: base component 320 and upper component 321 positioned above base component 320. Upper component 321 has intersecting ribs 322 that form a plurality of apertures that receive a plurality of keycaps, e.g., aperture 323 that receives keycap 310 of key 305.

[0039] When viewed from above, intersecting ribs 322 of top shell 302 can substantially enclose and / or can be positioned within the space between the plurality of keys. In some embodiments, base component 320 and upper component 321 can be different components of top shell 302 that can be coupled to one another to form top shell 302. In other embodiments, although described as logically separate from one another, base component 320 and upper component 321 can be formed as a single, unitary component.

[0040] Coil spring 311 within key 305 extends from a top side of keycap 310 to a bottom side of top shell 302. Coil spring 311 functions as a biasing device that biases or pushes keycap 310 upward toward an unpressed position. Coil spring 311 defines an interior space, which can be a cylindrical hollow space, within which magnet 312 is positioned.

[0041] The plurality of components includes display 340 for presenting content through top shell 302 of keyboard 300. Display 340 is positioned below top shell 302 and below the plurality of keys, including key 305. As described in this disclosure, content is presented on a visual side 342 of display 340, where visual side 342 faces top shell 302 and the plurality of keys, such that at least some of the content is visible through top shell 302 and keycap 310 of keyboard 300.

[0042] The display 340, and in particular the visual side 342 of the display 340, can be substantially flat. In some embodiments, the display 340 is a light-emitting diode (LED) display (e.g., an organic LED (OLED) display, an active-matrix OLED (AMOLED) display, or other suitable LED display), a liquid crystal display (LCD), or other suitable display. The display 340 has a pixel density of, for example, at least 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 250, or 300 pixels per centimeter (ppcm).

[0043] The display 340 can have a width between 50 millimeters and 400 millimeters (e.g., between 50 millimeters and 200 millimeters, between 50 millimeters and 250 millimeters, between 50 millimeters and 300 millimeters, between 75 millimeters and 225 millimeters, between 100 millimeters and 200 millimeters, at least 50 millimeters, at least 100 millimeters, about 100 millimeters, about 150 millimeters, about 200 millimeters, etc.), a length between 100 millimeters and 600 millimeters (e.g., between 100 millimeters and 400 millimeters, between 100 millimeters and 500 millimeters, between 150 millimeters and 550 millimeters, between 200 millimeters and 500 millimeters, between 250 millimeters and 450 millimeters, at least 100 millimeters, at least 200 millimeters, at least 300 millimeters, about 200 millimeters, about 250 millimeters, about 300 millimeters, about 350 millimeters, about 400 millimeters, etc.), and a thickness between 1 millimeter and 20 millimeters (e.g., between 1 millimeter and 15 millimeters, between 1 millimeter and 7 millimeters, between 1 millimeter and 5 millimeters, between 1 millimeter and 3 millimeters, about 3 millimeters, about 5 millimeters, about 7 millimeters, about 10 millimeters, about 15 millimeters, etc.).

[0044] The total surface area of the visual side 342 of the display 340 can be between 50 and 2400 square centimeters (e.g., between 100 and 1000 square centimeters, between 250 and 750 square centimeters, at least 100 square centimeters, at least 200 square centimeters, at least 300 square centimeters, at least 400 square centimeters, about 400 square centimeters, about 500 square centimeters, about 600 square centimeters, etc.).

[0045] The total footprint of the keyboard 300 can be between 100 and 3000 square centimeters (e.g., between 200 and 1200 square centimeters, between 400 and 1000 square centimeters, about 600 square centimeters, about 700 square centimeters, about 800 square centimeters, about 900 square centimeters). The visual side 342 of the display 340 can extend across at least 10% of the total footprint of the keyboard 300 (e.g., at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, etc. of the total footprint of the keyboard 100).

[0046] The dimensions of the top case 302, the plurality of keys, and the display 340 can be set such that at most 80% (e.g., at most 70%, at most 60%, at most 50%, at most 40%, at most 30%, at most 20%, etc.) of the total area of the visual side 342 of the display 240 is covered by the plurality of keys and such that at least 20% (e.g., at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, or at least 80%) of the total area of the visual side 342 of the display 340 is visible through the top case 302 of the keyboard 300.

[0047] The content that can be presented using the display 340 can vary in embodiments. In some embodiments, the display 340 presents images (e.g., still images or videos) that are cycled to provide an aesthetically pleasing background for the keyboard 300. In some embodiments, the content provides information that can be useful to the user, such as the battery life of the keyboard 300 or the user computing device to which the keyboard 300 is connected, the time, the ping rate, the strength of the wireless connection, or other information that can be useful to the user in operating the user computing device.

[0048] In some embodiments, the plurality of components includes a first adhesive layer 330. When included, the first adhesive layer 330 is positioned between and in contact with the bottom side of the top case 302 and the visual side 342 of the display 340. The first adhesive layer 330 is an optional component of the keyboard 300 that serves to couple (e.g., bond) the top case 302 and the display 340. For example, the first adhesive layer 330 can be an optical adhesive layer or an epoxy layer. In some embodiments, the first adhesive layer 330 can have a thickness between 0.02 millimeters and 2.00 millimeters (e.g., between 0.10 millimeters and 2.00 millimeters or between 0.20 millimeters and 2.00 millimeters).

[0049] In some other embodiments in which the first adhesive layer 330 is not included as a component of the keyboard 300, the top case 302 and the display 340 can be coupled together using one or more mechanical fasteners (such as screws, threads, nuts, and bolts) or other bonding or finishing techniques.

[0050] The plurality of components includes a printed circuit board 360. The printed circuit board 360 is positioned below the display 340, and thus below the top case 302 and below the plurality of keys, including the key 305. The printed circuit board 360 includes a top surface facing the display 340 and a bottom surface facing away from the display 340. The printed circuit board 360 is electrically coupled to the plurality of magnetic field sensors on the bottom surface. In some embodiments, the printed circuit board 360 can have a thickness between 0.01 millimeters and 2.00 millimeters (e.g., between 0.10 millimeters and 2.00 millimeters or between 0.20 millimeters and 2.00 millimeters).

[0051] In embodiments, the printed circuit board 360 can function as a contact device for the plurality of magnetic field sensors, for example by providing conductor traces on the bottom surface of the printed circuit board 360 facing away from the display 340 (i.e., facing the plurality of magnetic field sensors). In embodiments, the printed circuit board 360 can also include other components, such as a microcontroller or another printed circuit, electrically coupled to the plurality of magnetic field sensors to process the magnetic field strength values generated by the magnetic field sensors to generate electrical signals.

[0052] In some embodiments, the plurality of components includes a second adhesive layer 350. When included, the second adhesive layer 350 is positioned between and in contact with the bottom side of the display 340 and the top surface of the printed circuit board 360. The second adhesive layer 350 is an optional component of the keyboard 300 that functions to couple (e.g., bond) the display 340 and the printed circuit board 360. For example, the second adhesive layer 350 can be a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive. In some embodiments, the second adhesive layer 350 can have a thickness between 0.10 millimeters and 2.00 millimeters.

[0053] In some other embodiments in which the second adhesive layer 350 is not included as a component of the keyboard 300, the display 340 and the printed circuit board 360 can be coupled together using one or more mechanical fasteners, such as screws, threads, nuts and bolts, or other bonding or finishing techniques.

[0054] Figure 4 is a side cross-sectional view of an example of the keyboard 400 taken along a vertical plane through the keyboard 400. The keyboard 400 includes the key 405, which includes the keycap 410, the coil spring 411, and the magnet 412. As briefly mentioned above, the magnet 412 should be small enough in size so that the magnet 412 can fit into the interior hollow space defined within the coil spring 411.

[0055] For example, as Figure 4As shown, when the magnet 412 has a cylindrical shape, the diameter of the circular cross-section of the magnet 412 should be less than the diameter of the circular cross-section of the helical spring 411. In some embodiments, the diameter of the circular cross-section of the magnet 412 is less than 5.00 millimeters. In some embodiments, the longitudinal dimension of the magnet 112 is less than 10.00 millimeters to avoid excessive magnetic noise.

[0056] The keyboard 400 includes a top case 402. The top case 402 has two components: a base component 420 and an upper component 421 placed above the base component 420. The upper component 421 has intersecting ribs 422 that form apertures 423 that receive the keycaps 410 of the keys 405. The intersecting ribs 422 can be in the form of vertical walls when viewed from a horizontal direction, and in the form of webs when viewed from a vertical direction.

[0057] Within the keycap 410, the helical spring 411 encloses a first vertically extending protrusion 424. The first protrusion 424 can be, for example, a columnar protrusion with a circular or annular cross-section, a cylindrical protrusion, a bar-like protrusion, or the like. At one end, the first protrusion 424 is attached to, formed on, or otherwise disposed on a downward-facing surface of the top side of the keycap 410 and extends toward the bottom side of the top case 402.

[0058] In the example shown, Figure 4 the magnet 412 is coupled to the first protrusion 424 at the other end of the first protrusion 424 and moves with the first protrusion 424 and, thus, with the keycap 410. For example, as shown, Figure 4 the first protrusion 424 has a cavity at the other end that houses the magnet 412. The magnet 412 generates a magnetic field that encloses itself.

[0059] In some embodiments, the first protrusion 424 extends the entire length of the helical spring 411. In these embodiments, the helical spring 411 has multiple windings around the first protrusion 424, and the first protrusion 424 guides the helical spring 411, preventing the body of the helical spring 411 from bending or twisting around the spring axis in the event that a user pushes or presses on the key 405 from its top side. This reduces the likelihood of the helical spring 411 breaking and the likelihood of the key 405 failing, and increases the operational life of the keyboard 400.

[0060] In some other embodiments, the first protrusion 424 does not extend the entire length of the helical spring 411. For example, as shown, Figure 4 the first protrusion 424 extends entirely within the body of the helical spring 411 but only partially over the length of the helical spring 411.

[0061] In those other embodiments, asFigure 4 As shown in FIG. 4B, there can be a second protrusion 425 attached to, formed on, or otherwise provided on the upward-facing surface of the bottom side of the top shell 402 and extending toward the top side of the keycap 410. For example, similar to the first protrusion 424, the second protrusion 425 can be a columnar protrusion, a cylindrical protrusion, a rod-like protrusion, etc. having a circular cross-section or an annular cross-section.

[0062] In some implementations, the first protrusion 424 and the second protrusion 425 are the same length, while in other implementations, they are different lengths, i.e., protrude different amounts relative to the respective surfaces they are positioned on. For example, the first protrusion 424 can be shorter or less protruding than the second protrusion 425, or vice versa.

[0063] In particular, however, the second protrusion 425 on the top shell 402 is a mating or complementary protrusion that is sized to cooperate with the first protrusion 424 on the keycap 410 to form a guide for the coil spring 411. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, the second protrusion 425 can have a hollow cylindrical shape with an annular cross-section having a ring dimension (inner diameter) that is at least the diameter of the cross-section of the first protrusion 424, such that when pressed against each other, the first protrusion 424 can at least partially recess or insert into the second protrusion 425. Figure 4

[0064] Alternatively, as another example, the first protrusion 424 can have a hollow cylindrical shape with an annular cross-section having a ring dimension (inner diameter) that is at least the diameter of the cross-section of the second protrusion 425, such that when pressed against each other, the second protrusion 425 can at least partially recess or insert into the first protrusion 424.

[0065] In those other implementations, the coil spring 411 has multiple windings that partially surround the first protrusion 424 and partially surround the second protrusion 425, and the protrusions 424 and 425 work together to guide the coil spring 411, preventing the body of the coil spring 411 from bending or twisting around the spring axis in the event that a user pushes or presses on the key 405 from its top side.

[0066] Not only does this reduce the likelihood of the coil spring 411 breaking and the key 405 failing, but the fact that the guidance of the coil spring 411 has two separate parts can also simplify the assembly process of the keyboard 400 and reduce manufacturing costs, as it is easier to insert a shorter length protrusion into the body of the coil spring 411 from either end.

[0067] ​In other embodiments, there can be more than one vertically extending protrusion positioned side-by-side within the keycap 410. For example, there can be two vertically extending protrusions positioned side-by-side within the key 405. The coil spring 411 encircles one of the two vertically extending protrusions, and the magnet 412 is coupled to the other of the two vertically extending protrusions. The two vertically extending protrusions need not have the same shape. Nor do they need to extend the same length.

[0068] In Figure 4 the keyboard 400 also includes a display 440 for presenting content through the top case 402 of the keyboard 400. The display 440 is positioned below the top case 402 and below the plurality of keys, including the key 405. As described in this disclosure, the content is presented on a visual side 442 of the display 440, where the visual side 442 faces the top case 402 and the plurality of keys, such that at least some of the content is visible through the top case 402 and the keycap 410 of the keyboard 400.

[0069] The keyboard 400 also includes a printed circuit board 460. The printed circuit board 460 is positioned below the display 440, and thus below the top case 402 and below the plurality of keys, including the key 405. The printed circuit board 460 includes a top surface that faces the display 440 and a bottom surface that faces away from the display 440.

[0070] The printed circuit board 460 is electrically coupled to a plurality of magnetic field sensors, such as the magnetic field sensor 462, positioned on the bottom surface of the printed circuit board 460. For example, the magnetic field sensor 462 can be a Hall effect sensor, or an anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) sensor, or a giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor, etc.

[0071] The plurality of magnetic field sensors generally corresponds to the plurality of keys included in the keyboard 400. For example, the magnetic field sensor 462 can correspond to the key 405. In some embodiments, all of the plurality of magnetic field sensors are the same type of sensor, while in other embodiments, the plurality of magnetic field sensors can include different types of sensors. In some embodiments, each key has a different magnetic field sensor, while in other embodiments, more than two keys can share a magnetic field sensor, or each key can correspond to multiple magnetic field sensors.

[0072] The magnetic field sensor 462 is configured to measure a magnetic field strength associated with (e.g., generated by) the magnet 412 in proximity to the magnetic field sensor 462, and the magnetic field strength is indicative of a relative distance between the magnet 412 and the magnetic field sensor 462 along the vertical direction. The greater the distance, or in other words, the lower the physical proximity of the magnet 412 to the magnetic field sensor 462, the weaker the magnetic field strength that can be measured by the magnetic field sensor 462. On the other hand, the shorter the distance, or in other words, the greater the physical proximity of the magnet 412 to the magnetic field sensor 462, the stronger the magnetic field strength that can be measured by the magnetic field sensor 462.

[0073] The change in the magnetic field strength measured by the magnetic field sensor 462 is caused by the vertical movement of the keycap 410. If the user squeezes the keycap 410 downward, the keycap 410 travels downward. For example, when pressed by the user, the keycap 410 will be at rest when the bottom of the keycap 410 contacts the upward-facing surface of the bottom side of the top case 402. Because the magnet 412 is coupled to the first protrusion 424 of the keycap 410, and thus the magnet 412 moves with the keycap 410, the magnet 412 also travels downward, i.e., toward the magnetic field sensor 462 positioned on the bottom surface of the printed circuit board 460. As the distance between the magnet 412 and the magnetic field sensor 462 decreases, the magnetic field strength measured by the magnetic field sensor 462 increases.

[0074] Because the coil spring 411 biases the keycap 410 upward toward the unpressed position, after the user releases the keycap 410, the keycap 410 travels upward. Correspondingly, the magnet 412 moves with the keycap 410 to travel upward, i.e., away from the magnetic field sensor 462. As the distance between the magnet 412 and the magnetic field sensor 462 increases, the magnetic field strength measured by the magnetic field sensor 462 decreases.

[0075] In some implementations, when the keycap 410 is in the unpressed position, the distance between the bottom side of the magnet 412 and the top side of the magnetic field sensor 462 is between 4 millimeters and 15 millimeters, e.g., between 4 millimeters and 10 millimeters, between 4 millimeters and 8 millimeters, between 8 millimeters and 15 millimeters, etc.

[0076] In some implementations, when the keycap 410 is in the pressed position, the distance between the bottom side of the magnet 412 and the top side of the magnetic field sensor 462 is between 1 millimeter and 12 millimeters, e.g., between 1 millimeter and 7 millimeters, between 1 millimeter and 5 millimeters, between 5 millimeters and 12 millimeters, etc.

[0077] In some implementations, the distance between the downward-facing surface of the top side of the keycap 410 and the upward-facing surface of the bottom side of the top case 402 is between 10 and 20 millimeters, e.g., about 13.50 millimeters, about 15 millimeters, or about 17.50 millimeters, when the keycap 410 is in the unpressed position. In some implementations, the keycap 410 can have a possible range of travel of about 4.00 millimeters in the vertical direction.

[0078] The difference in the magnetic field strength measured by the magnetic field sensor 462 can be used to assess the relative position of the keycap 410 with respect to the top case 402, and thus the operational state of the key 405. In implementations, a change in the detected magnetic field strength value can indicate that the relative distance between the magnet 412 and the magnetic field sensor 462 has changed. This change in the relative distance can indicate that the keycap 410 has moved vertically with respect to the top case 402.

[0079] For example, a magnetic field sensor 462 that measures a relative change in the magnetic field strength that exceeds a predetermined delta value (e.g., in millitesla, amperes per centimeter, or another appropriate unit of magnetism) can indicate that the keycap 410 has moved from a rest or unpressed position to a pressed position, or from a pressed position to a rest or unpressed position.

[0080] As another example, a magnetic field sensor 462 that measures a magnetic field strength that exceeds a predetermined upper threshold value (e.g., in millitesla, amperes per centimeter, or another appropriate unit of magnetism) can indicate that the keycap 410 has moved to a pressed position, e.g., from a rest or unpressed position.

[0081] As yet another example, a magnetic field sensor 462 that measures a magnetic field strength that falls below a predetermined lower threshold value (e.g., in millitesla, amperes per centimeter, or another appropriate unit of magnetism) can indicate that the keycap 410 has moved, e.g., from a pressed position to a rest or unpressed position.

[0082] In any of these examples, by measuring the magnetic field strength that surrounds it, the magnetic field sensor 462 can provide information about the operational state of the key 405. The operational state of the key 405 will match the operational position of the keycap 410. That is, when the keycap 410 has moved to a pressed position, the key 405 also enters an actuated or pressed state. Alternatively, when the keycap 410 has moved to a rest or unpressed position, the key 405 also enters an unactuated or unpressed state.

[0083] In implementations, the printed circuit board 460 can include a microcontroller, such as a field programmable gate array or another printed circuit, communicatively coupled to the magnetic field sensor 462, for example, through conductor traces disposed on the printed circuit board 460. The magnetic field sensor 462 outputs measured magnetic field strength values to the microcontroller, and the microcontroller processes the magnetic field strength values received from the magnetic field sensor 462 to determine the operating state of the key 405, i.e., whether the key 405 is in an actuated state or a pressed state, or alternatively, in an unactuated state or an unpressed state. When the key 405 is in an actuated or pressed state, i.e., when the keycap 410 is pressed by a user, the microcontroller can generate an electrical signal, such as an input to the user computing device. For example, the electrical signal can be a signal to operate the user computing device, such as to type or perform other operations of the user computing device.

[0084] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of an example of the keyboard 500 taken along a vertical plane through the keyboard 500. The keyboard 500 includes a key 505 that includes a keycap 510, a coil spring 511, and a magnet 512, where the coil spring 511 biases the keycap 510 upward toward an unpressed position. The keyboard 500 includes a top case 502. The top case 502 has intersecting ribs 522 that form an aperture 523 that receives the keycap 510 of the key 505.

[0085] The keyboard 500 also includes a display 540 for presenting content through the top case 502 of the keyboard 500. The keyboard 500 also includes a printed circuit board 560 that is electrically coupled to a plurality of magnetic field sensors, such as the magnetic field sensor 562, positioned on a bottom surface of the printed circuit board 560.

[0086] The keycap 510 has a first protrusion 524 disposed on a downward-facing surface of a top side of the keycap 510 and extending toward a bottom side of the top case 502. The top case 502 has a second protrusion 525 disposed on an upward-facing surface of the bottom side of the top case 502 and extending toward the top side of the keycap 510. The coil spring 511 has a plurality of windings that partially surround the first protrusion 524 and partially surround the second protrusion 525.

[0087] The keycap 510 includes one or more flanges 526 that extend at least partially around a perimeter at a bottom or base of the keycap 510. In some implementations, the flanges 526 can have a length of about 0.7 millimeters (measured from an outward-facing surface of a vertical sidewall of the keycap 510). As shown in Figure 5As shown, the flange 526 extends away from the center of the keycap 510, such that the flange 526 extends beyond the edge of the vertical sidewall of the keycap 510. In some embodiments, the flange 526 is not angled, while in other embodiments, the flange 526 can be angled.

[0088] The top shell 502 includes one or more corresponding flanges 527 that extend at least partially around the perimeter at the top of the intersecting ribs 522. In some embodiments, the flanges 527 can have a length of about 7.0 millimeters (measured from the inward-facing surface of the intersecting ribs of the top shell 502). As Figure 5 As shown, the flanges 527 extend toward the coil spring 511, such that the flanges 527 extend inside the edge of the vertical sidewall of the intersecting ribs 522 of the top shell 502.

[0089] Similar to the flange 526, in some embodiments, the flanges 527 are not angled, while in other embodiments, the flanges 527 can be angled. Generally, however, the flange 526 of the keycap 510 should have a geometry that matches or mates with the geometry of the flanges 527 of the top shell 502.

[0090] The one or more flanges 526 of the keycap 510 and the one or more flanges 527 of the top shell 502 together provide a snap-fit locking mechanism that limits the vertical movement or height of the keycap 510, and in particular, prevents the keycap 510 from disengaging from the top shell 502 of the keyboard 500 during its operation.

[0091] The one or more flanges 526 of the keycap 510 and the one or more flanges 527 of the top shell 502 are not in contact with each other when the keycap 510 is pressed by a user, i.e., when it is not in its resting or unpressed position. However, the one or more flanges 526 of the keycap 510 are in contact with the one or more corresponding flanges 527 of the top shell 502 when the keycap 510 is released by a user, i.e., when it is in its resting or unpressed position, and the one or more flanges 527 thus prevent the keycap 510 from moving further upward due to the spring force of the coil spring 511.

[0092] Figures 6A-6B are a perspective side view and a bottom view of a keycap 610 of a key 605 of an example keyboard. As Figure 6A As shown, the keycap 610 has an upward-facing surface 671 and four vertical sidewalls (e.g., vertical sidewalls 672, 673) that a user’s finger engages and pushes or presses to actuate the key 605.

[0093] As Figure 6BAs shown, the keycap 610 has a first protrusion 624 disposed at or near the center of a downward-facing surface of a top side of the keycap 610. The first protrusion 624 can be integrally formed with the keycap 610, or can alternatively be coupled to the keycap 610. The first protrusion 624 can have a hollow cylindrical shape with an annular cross-section, allowing it to be easily inserted into the body of a coil spring to provide guidance for the coil spring. The first protrusion 624 can have a cavity 627 at one end that can house a magnet.

[0094] In some embodiments, as Figures 6A-6B As shown, the keycap 610 includes two arms on two opposite vertical sidewalls of the keycap 610, such as arm 674 on vertical sidewall 672. The arm 674 has a flange 626 at its bottom that extends the width of the arm 674. In other embodiments, the keycap 610 can include fewer arms on the respective vertical sidewalls of the keycap 610, such as one arm, or more arms, such as three arms or four arms, with each arm having a flange at its bottom that extends the width of the arm.

[0095] As part of the assembly process of the keyboard, when the keycap 610 is inserted into the aperture formed by the intersecting ribs of the top case of the keyboard, the arm 674 flexes inwardly toward the center of the keycap 610 in response to sufficient force being applied, and thus allows the flange 626 to retract from extending outside of the edge of the vertical sidewall 672 of the keycap 610 to facilitate the insertion of the keycap 610 into the top case having one or more corresponding flanges, and to provide a snap-fit locking mechanism between the keycap 610 and the top case.

[0096] A number of embodiments have been described. While the specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims that are defined by the appended claims, but as descriptions of particular implementations of from among a multitude of possible implementations that can be made by applying the principles disclosed. It will be appreciated that various modifications can be made.

[0097] The subject matter and the operations and actions described in this specification can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, in tangibly-embodied computer software or firmware, in computer hardware, including the structures disclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents, or in combinations of one or more of them. The subject matter described in this specification can be implemented as or using one or more computer programs or in one or more computer programs, for example, one or more modules of computer program instructions, encoded on a computer program carrier of a computer readable medium for execution by, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus. The carrier can be a tangible non-transitory computer readable medium. Alternatively or additionally, the carrier can be a propagated signal that is generated for example by machine-generated electrical, optical, or electromagnetic signals, which are generated to encode information for transmission to suitable receiver apparatus for execution by a data processing apparatus. The computer readable medium can be a machine-readable storage device, a machine-readable storage substrate, a random or serial access memory device, or a combination or part of one or more of them. The computer readable medium is not a propagated signal.

[0098] The term“data processing apparatus” encompasses all kinds of apparatus, devices, and machines for processing data, including by way of example a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple processors or computers. The data processing apparatus can include special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array), an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), or a GPU (graphics processing unit). The apparatus can also include, in addition to hardware, code that creates an execution environment for computer programs, e.g., code that constitutes processor firmware, a protocol stack, a database management system, an operating system, or a combination of one or more of them.

[0099] A computer program can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, or declarative or procedural languages; and it can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program, e.g., as an application, or as a module, component, engine, subroutine, or other unit suitable for execution in a computing environment, which can include one or more computers interconnected by a data communication network.

[0100] A computer program can, but need not, correspond to a file in a file system. A computer program can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data, e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document, in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files, e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub programs, or portions of code.

[0101] The processes and logic flows described in this specification can be performed by one or more computers executing one or more computer programs to perform operations by operating on input data and generating output. The processes and logic flows can also be performed by special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA, an ASIC, or a GPU, or by a combination of special purpose logic circuitry and one or more programmed computers.

[0102] Computers suitable for the execution of a computer program can be based on general or special purpose microprocessors or both, or any other kind of central processing unit. Generally, a central processing unit will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both. The essential elements of a computer are a central processing unit for performing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. The central processing unit and the memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.

[0103] Generally, a computer will also include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data. Mass storage devices can be, for example, magnetic, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks or solid state drives. However, a computer need not have such devices. Moreover, a computer can be embedded in another device, e.g., a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile audio or video player, a game console, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, or a portable storage device (e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) flash drive), to name just a few.

[0104] To provide for interaction with a user, the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented on one or more computers that have or are configured to have a display device, e.g., an LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor or virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) display, for displaying information to the user and an input device, e.g., a keyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse, trackball, touchpad, and examples of the computer mouse 50 described in this disclosure, by which the user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interaction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, e.g., visual, auditory, tactile, etc., and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input, including touch movement or gestures, or dynamic movement or gestures or directional movement or gestures. In addition, a computer can interact with a user by sending documents to and receiving documents from a device of the user; for example, by sending web pages to a web browser on a user’s device in response to requests received from the web browser, or by interacting with an application running on a user device (e.g., a smart phone or electronic tablet) by way of a web site or API (application programming interface) provided by an application.

[0105] Some of the particular features described in this specification in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combinations with each other. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented separately or in any appropriate subcombination. Moreover, although features can be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and the claim can be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

[0106] Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A keyboard comprising: a keycap; a display including a visual side that presents content; a transparent top case covering the visual side of the display, wherein the transparent top case includes a flange around a perimeter of the keycap to allow the keycap to move vertically but prevent the keycap from dislodging; a coil spring extending from a top side of the keycap to a bottom side of the transparent top case, wherein the coil spring biases the keycap toward an unpressed position; a magnet positioned within the keycap; and a magnetic field sensor mounted on a bottom side of the display to measure a magnetic field strength generated by the magnet.

2. The keyboard of claim 1, further comprising a printed circuit board disposed on a bottom side of the display and electrically coupled to the magnetic field sensor.

3. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein, The magnetic field sensor includes a Hall effect sensor, an anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) sensor, or a giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor.

4. The keyboard of claim 1, further comprising an optical adhesive layer between the bottom side of the transparent top case and the visual side of the display.

5. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein, A distance between a bottom side of the magnet and the magnetic field sensor is between 4 millimeters and 15 millimeters.

6. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein, A thickness of the display is between 1 millimeter and 20 millimeters.

7. The keyboard of claim 2, wherein, A thickness of the printed circuit board is between 0.2 millimeters and 2 millimeters.

8. The keyboard of claim 4, wherein, A thickness of the optical adhesive layer is between 0.1 millimeters and 2 millimeters.

9. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein, A longitudinal dimension of the magnet is less than 10 millimeters.

10. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein, A distance between the top side of the keycap and the bottom side of the transparent top case when the keycap is in the unpressed position is about 13.50 millimeters.

11. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein, The keycap includes a hollow cylinder coupled to the top side of the keycap, and wherein the hollow cylinder houses the magnet and is surrounded by at least a portion of the coil spring.

12. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein, The keycap is formed of a transparent material.

13. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein, The transparent top case has a transmittance of at least 50%.

14. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein, The display is configured to present the content on the visual side of the display such that at least some of the content is visible through the transparent top case and through the keycap.

15. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein, The keycap includes a plurality of coil springs.

16. A keyboard comprising: a keycap; a top case, wherein the top case includes a flange around a perimeter of the keycap to allow the keycap to move vertically but prevent the keycap from dislodging; a coil spring extending from a top side of the keycap to a bottom side of the top case, wherein the coil spring biases the keycap toward an unpressed position; a magnet positioned within the keycap; and a magnetic field sensor mounted on a bottom side of the top case to measure a strength of a magnetic field generated by the magnet. The magnetic field sensor includes a Hall effect sensor, an anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) sensor, or a giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor.

Images