Electromagnetic Key Displacement for Tactile State Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing keyboards and input/output devices lack effective methods to distinguish between active and inactive keys without requiring visual attention, leading to user confusion and erroneous inputs, especially in gaming and other applications where visual focus is diverted from the interface.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves selectively displacing physical keys based on their activation state, using a key assembly with a magnet and electromagnet to raise or lower keys, providing tactile feedback that allows users to differentiate active from inactive keys through touch, eliminating the need for visual focus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If visual indicators (lights) are used to show active keys, then users can identify active keys, but users must divert visual attention from the interface to the keyboard
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual indicators (optical system) with tactile indicators (mechanical displacement system). Electromagnets physically displace key covers to different positions to indicate active vs inactive states, allowing users to feel the difference through touch rather than see lights, thus eliminating the need to divert visual attention from the interface
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces tactile feedback as an intermediary channel for communicating key activation state. Instead of directly using visual indicators that compete for attention, the system uses tactile displacement of key covers as a mediator that conveys information through the sense of touch, allowing simultaneous visual focus on the interface and tactile awareness of active keys
2Device complexity
If all keys are kept at the same level, then the keyboard structure is simple, but users cannot distinguish active from inactive keys without visual attention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making key covers displacement-dependent rather than uniform. Active keys are displaced to a first position while inactive keys remain at a second position, creating local differentiation in key height based on activation state. This allows tactile distinction without fundamentally redesigning the entire keyboard structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamics by making key cover positions changeable based on activation state. Electromagnets dynamically adjust key cover heights in response to activation signals, transforming static key positions into dynamic, state-dependent positions that provide tactile feedback about active vs inactive keys
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
This approach enables users to identify active keys without looking at the keyboard, reducing errors and enhancing user experience by maintaining focus on the interface, particularly beneficial for gaming and assisting users with visual impairments.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnet operable to displace the key cover based on whether the key assembly is in an active state or an inactive state, wherein: in the active state, the electromagnet is operable to raise the key cover to a first position based on generation of a magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
a magnet coupled to the key cover; and an electromagnet operable to displace the key cover based on whether the key assembly is in an active state or an inactive state
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, an apparatus for receiving input and/or generating output comprises a key assembly. The key assembly comprises a key cover, a magnet, and an electromagnet. The magnet is coupled to the key cover. The electromagnet is operable to displace the key cover based on whether the key assembly is in an active state or an inactive state. In the active state, the electromagnet is operable to raise the key cover to a first position based on generation of a magnetic field. In the inactive state, the electromagnet is operable to lower the key cover to a second position based on cessation of the magnetic field.