Glass Keyboard Deflection and Haptic Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Portable information handling systems face challenges in achieving a thin housing configuration due to the thickness added by integrated keyboards, and low profile keyboards with zero key travel lack feedback for users, making input detection difficult.
Innovation Solution
A keyboard system using a glass ceramic cover with reduced thickness at key positions that deflects to contact sensors, combined with piezo actuators for haptic feedback, providing tactile input confirmation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional integrated keyboards are used, then input detection capability is provided, but housing thickness increases due to key travel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the key travel function from the traditional keyboard structure. Instead of having physical keys that move, the invention uses a flat glass ceramic surface where key positions are defined by localized thickness variations. The sensing mechanism is separated from the surface structure, allowing the glass to be extremely thin while maintaining input detection capability through capacitive or other sensors beneath the surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The glass ceramic cover has different thicknesses at different locations - thinner at key positions and thicker in between. This local variation in thickness provides the necessary deflection characteristics only where keys are pressed, while maintaining overall structural integrity and uniform appearance. The localized thinning allows sufficient deflection for sensor contact without compromising the overall strength of the cover.
2Length of stationary object
If low profile keyboards with zero key travel are used, then housing thickness is reduced, but user feedback is lost making input detection difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates haptic feedback mechanisms that provide tactile confirmation to the user when a key is pressed. This feedback is generated at the specific key location and gives the user sensory confirmation of their input, compensating for the lack of visual feedback that would normally come from seeing keys physically depress. The feedback mechanism restores the sensory loop broken by eliminating traditional key travel.
3Ease of operation
If haptic feedback is provided through vibration, then input confirmation is enhanced, but the vibration feel is larger than a single key causing user confusion
Solution Approach 1:
The haptic feedback system is segmented to provide localized feedback at each key position rather than general vibration. By dividing the feedback mechanism into discrete locations corresponding to individual keys, the system provides tactile confirmation that is spatially precise and does not confuse the user about which key was pressed. Each key position has its own haptic actuator or the feedback is localized through structural design.
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 solution allows for a low-profile, thin, and lightweight keyboard with reinforced input feedback, enhancing user experience by providing tactile confirmation of key presses through deflection and haptic vibration, while maintaining a robust and cost-effective design.
Implementation Method 1
A press at a key position deflects the glass ceramic at the reduced thickness to contact the sensor
Implementation Method 2
Actuation of a haptic device, such as a piezo actuator, at an input sensed by deflection of the area of reduced thickness provides feedback of the input to an end user
Data Source
AI summary
A portable information handling system integrates a keyboard having plural sensors configured at each of keyboard key positions to detect key inputs made with presses at the key positions by deflection of a glass cover having a reduced thickness at each key position. Haptic devices, such as piezo actuators, actuate at sensor sensed inputs to reinforce end user input touch feedback over the feedback provided by deflection of the glass cover. In one embodiment, the plural sensors are incorporated in a membrane having OLED illumination that identifies the key value at each key position.