Auxiliary Input Device for Virtual Keyboard Tactile Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Virtual keyboards on tablet computers lack tactile feedback, hindering typing accuracy and speed, and external keyboards increase energy consumption and weight, limiting their adoption.
Innovation Solution
An auxiliary input device with a membrane and conducting keys or elastic bumps that provide tactile feedback by establishing contact with capacitive or resistive touch panels, offering pressure-sensitivity and 'blind inputting' capabilities without additional power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If virtual keyboards are used to reduce weight and volume, then portability is improved, but tactile feedback is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard is segmented into two functional layers: a flexible membrane substrate and discrete conductive key elements. This segmentation allows the keyboard to maintain a lightweight, flexible form factor while incorporating localized tactile key structures that provide physical feedback without requiring a rigid full keyboard structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The keyboard utilizes a flexible membrane as the base structure, replacing traditional rigid keyboard housings. This flexible film approach significantly reduces weight and volume while allowing the integration of tactile key elements that can protrude or flex to provide tactile feedback during typing.
2Measurement precision
If external keyboards are connected to provide tactile feedback, then typing accuracy is improved, but energy consumption and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the tactile feedback function with the existing capacitive touch panel by integrating conductive key elements directly onto the flexible membrane that interfaces with the touch panel. This combination eliminates the need for separate external keyboard devices, reducing overall system weight and energy consumption while maintaining typing accuracy through tactile feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible membrane keyboard utilizes the existing capacitive touch panel's electrical properties to provide input functionality. The conductive key elements on the flexible membrane interact directly with the touch panel's sensing layer, allowing the system to serve itself without requiring additional power-consuming external keyboard controllers or wireless communication modules.
3Ease of operation
If conducting keys are kept at a distance from the touch panel, then tactile feedback is provided, but contact establishment becomes less reliable
Solution Approach 1:
The key elements on the flexible membrane are designed to be dynamically responsive - they can flex outward or protrude when pressed, dynamically adjusting their position to establish reliable electrical contact with the capacitive touch panel only when needed, while maintaining a retracted position at rest to provide tactile feedback without constant contact.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances typing accuracy and speed with tactile feedback, while being lightweight, portable, and energy-efficient, similar to physical keyboards.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of conducting keys are arranged atop each of the supporting member and kept at a predetermined distance from the capacitive touch panel, the conducting keys selectively operable to establish contact with the capacitive touch panel
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of elastic bumps are arranged beneath the key portions selectively operable to establish contact with the resistive touch panel
Data Source
AI summary
An auxiliary input device for virtual keyboard sized on a displayed virtual keyboard of a capacitive touch panel, comprising: a membrane and a plurality of conducting keys. The membrane has a plurality of bulged supporting members arranged in correspondence to the plurality of virtual keys of the virtual keyboard, wherein a trough is arranged facing the virtual keyboard between every two adjacent supporting members. The conducting keys are arranged atop each of the supporting member, and kept at a predetermined distance from the capacitive touch panel, the conducting keys selectively operable to establish contact with the capacitive touch panel. The auxiliary input device for virtual keyboard is a thin structure which provides tactile feedback and pressure-sensitivity just like a physical keyboard, and is advantageous in its low cost construction, easy portability and the lack of additional power consumption.