Keyboard Keys With Integrated Speakers for Space-Limited Laptops
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Solution Overview
Problem
The real estate inside the base of a laptop computer is limited, making it challenging to integrate additional speakers without compromising other electronic components, which impacts user audio experience.
Innovation Solution
Integrating speakers into the keys of a keyboard, allowing for more space in the device's housing for other components and enabling the use of multiple speakers to enhance audio output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If speakers are mounted in the housing or body of the device, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the available space is limited and audio quality is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves speakers from the traditional horizontal plane (housing edges) to the vertical dimension by integrating them into keyboard keys. This dimensional transition allows speakers to occupy vertical space above the keyboard plane, effectively utilizing previously unused vertical real estate within the device housing without compromising horizontal space for other components.
Solution Approach 2:
The speaker is nested within the key structure, specifically positioned in the key cap or key switch assembly. This nesting approach allows the speaker to occupy space within the existing key footprint, eliminating the need for additional housing space while maintaining a compact form factor.
2Reliability
If more speakers are integrated into the housing, then audio quality and loudness improve, but the device housing space is insufficient and other electronic components are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By transitioning from horizontal to vertical speaker placement, the patent enables multiple speakers to be arranged in the vertical dimension above the keyboard, allowing for multi-speaker configurations (including stereo and surround sound setups) without increasing the horizontal footprint or compromising space for other electronic components.
Solution Approach 2:
The keyboard keys serve dual functions: maintaining their primary typing function while simultaneously housing speakers. This multi-functionality allows the same physical space to serve both input and audio output purposes, enabling enhanced audio capabilities without sacrificing component space.
3Ease of manufacture
If speakers are placed along the edges or corners of the base, then manufacturing is simplified, but antenna locations and input/output ports are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates speakers from the horizontal edge/corner positions to the vertical space above the keyboard, creating a spatial separation that allows edge and corner locations to remain available for antennas and input/output ports while speakers occupy the vertical dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The speaker integration into keys creates a distributed audio system where multiple key locations can serve as speaker positions, providing flexibility in audio component placement without constraining the placement of other essential components like antennas and ports along the device edges.
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 frees up valuable space in the device, allows for improved audio quality with increased loudness and frequency response, and maintains the same tactile experience as traditional keys.
Implementation Method 1
a speaker disposed below the key cap... The speaker is coupled to and moves with the key cap when the key is pressed
Implementation Method 2
The key cap includes a plurality of small ports or openings (e.g., microholes) to enable sound to penetrate through the key cap
Data Source
AI summary
Keyboards for electronic devices with keys having integrated speakers are disclosed herein. An example keyboard includes a key having a key cap and a speaker coupled to the key cap. The speaker is disposed in or at least partially covered by the key cap.