Thin Keyboard Haptic Feedback Control via Pressure Thresholds

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thin keyboards struggle to provide a favorable keying feeling to users who prefer the tactile feedback of mechanical keyboards, as they often fail to accurately replicate the two distinct reaction forces associated with key press and release, leading to an unnatural keying experience, especially at varying input speeds and inefficient power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A keyboard design incorporating a pressure sensor and haptic device that generates micro vibrations, with a feedback control unit managing two threshold-based haptic feedbacks to emulate the deformation and return forces of mechanical keyboards, preventing mixed feedback generation and optimizing power use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If a plate-shaped keyboard design is used to thin the keyboard, then the keyboard thickness is reduced, but the keying feeling feedback is weakened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekeyboard thicknessVSAvoidkeying feeling feedback

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical reaction force generation mechanism of traditional keyboards with an electronic control system that uses pressure sensors to detect key press states and haptic devices to generate artificial reaction forces. This substitution enables thin keyboard design while maintaining controllable keying feedback through electronic control rather than mechanical structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters of haptic feedback by adjusting vibration intensity, duration, and timing based on pressure sensor readings. By dynamically modifying these parameters, the system can simulate different keying feelings (such as mechanical switch characteristics) even in a thin plate-shaped keyboard structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If simple feedback is provided when a key is pressed, then the feedback mechanism is simplified, but the keying feeling differs significantly from mechanical keyboards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeedback mechanism complexityVSAvoidkeying feeling naturalness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the keying process into distinct phases (pressing phase and release phase) and provides different haptic feedback for each phase. By detecting pressure changes over time, the system generates first haptic feedback during pressing and second haptic feedback during release, replicating the two-stage reaction force characteristic of mechanical keyboards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the haptic feedback dynamic by continuously monitoring pressure sensor output and adjusting vibration characteristics in real-time. The feedback intensity, timing, and duration are dynamically adapted based on the detected pressure magnitude and rate of change, enabling natural keying feeling that responds to user input variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If haptic feedback is generated at varying input speeds, then the keyboard adapts to different typing speeds, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput speed adaptabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses periodic sampling of pressure sensor data to detect key press events and triggers haptic feedback only when pressure threshold changes are detected. This event-driven periodic action reduces power consumption compared to continuous haptic generation, while still adapting to varying typing speeds by responding to each detected key event.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 design provides a comfortable and natural keying feeling by accurately timing haptic feedbacks based on pressure thresholds, reducing power consumption and avoiding unnatural feedback, thus meeting the tactile feedback preferences of users while improving operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure sensor configured to sense a pressure used for pressing a key

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure sensing: Piezoresistive Effect

Implementation Method 2

a haptic device configured to generate haptic feedback that involves a micro vibration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration generation: Ultrasonic Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS10180726B2Keyboard

Publication Date: 2019.01.15 LENOVO SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH

AI summary

A keyboard that can yield a favorable keying feeling to a user is disclosed. The keyboard includes multiple keys, a pressure sensor configured to sense a pressure used for pressing a key, a haptic device configured to generate haptic feedback that involves a micro vibration, and a feedback control unit configured to issue a signal used for driving the haptic device according to the pressure that the pressure sensor has sensed. In response to one-time key pressing, the feedback control unit issues a drive signal for generating a first haptic feedback when the pressure that the pressure sensor has sensed reaches a first threshold value, and a drive signal for generating a second haptic feedback when the pressure that the pressure sensor has sensed reaches a second threshold value.