Electronic Keyboard Keys With Resistance-Based Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Customizing electronic keyboards is complicated and requires character re-mapping, making it difficult to change keyboard layouts without altering key appearances or re-mapping characters to locations within the keyboard matrix.
Innovation Solution
Each key is constructed with a conductive element having a unique electrical resistance, allowing the keyboard to identify keys unambiguously regardless of their position, enabling flexible layout changes without re-mapping, and allowing special purpose keys to be easily constructed and swapped.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional keyboard matrix circuitry is used to identify key positions, then the keyboard structure is simple and reliable, but customizing keyboard layouts requires complicated character re-mapping and cannot easily change key appearances or positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the identification parameter from positional (row/column matrix coordinates) to physical property-based (electrical resistance values). Each key's conductive element has a unique resistance that serves as its identifier, allowing the keyboard to recognize keys by their electrical characteristics rather than their positions in the matrix, thereby enabling flexible layout customization without re-mapping
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/structural identification system (keyboard matrix grid positions) with an electrical measurement system. Instead of using the physical location of keys in a matrix to identify them, the system uses analog-to-digital conversion of resistance values to uniquely identify each key, substituting a mechanical positioning system with an electrical characterization system
2Adaptability or versatility
If character re-mapping is used to customize keyboards, then keyboard layouts can be changed, but the process is complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by assigning unique resistance values to each key's conductive element during manufacturing. This pre-configured electrical identification system eliminates the need for time-consuming software re-mapping during customization, as the keyboard hardware itself inherently identifies each key by its resistance value regardless of position
Solution Approach 2:
The keyboard system serves itself by using the inherent electrical properties of each key (resistance values) for identification. The system automatically determines key identities through analog-to-digital conversion of resistance measurements, eliminating the need for external configuration or manual re-mapping processes
3Adaptability or versatility
If key positions are fixed in the keyboard matrix, then the keyboard structure is stable and simple, but keys cannot be easily swapped or rearranged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the identification basis from positional parameters (where the key is located in the matrix) to intrinsic property parameters (the electrical resistance of the key's conductive element). This allows keys to be physically moved or swapped without affecting the system's ability to identify them, as identification is based on their electrical characteristics rather than their positions
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
Enables simple customization of keyboard layouts without altering key appearances, supporting multi-lingual keyboards, accessibility for disabled users, and specialized applications, with unique key identification ensuring accurate function regardless of position.
Implementation Method 1
Each key is constructed with a conductive element having a unique electrical resistance, allowing the keyboard to identify keys unambiguously regardless of their position
Implementation Method 2
an analog-to-digital convertor for converting an output voltage of the circuit to a digital signal
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic keyboard including a plurality of keys arranged as a matrix, each key including a plunger, and a conductive element on the bottom of the plunger, the conductive element having a characteristic resistance, an electronic circuit having an input current source, and mounted on a surface beneath the plurality of keys such that when a key is pressed its conductive element closes a switch in the circuit, an analog-to-digital convertor for converting an output voltage of the circuit to a digital signal, and a controller for determining from the digital signal when a key is pressed, and for identifying the key that is pressed.