Off-Motherboard Keyboard Controller for Laptop Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional portable information handling systems face challenges with complex keyboard interconnects, requiring large ribbon cables that occupy valuable space on the motherboard, complicating assembly and potentially leading to damaged or improper connections, and necessitating unique keyboard designs for different chassis and regions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a keyboard controller into the palmrest assembly, which receives keystroke signals and communicates with the motherboard through a serial bus, simplifying assembly by 'docking' the keyboard and reducing the number of traces needed, allowing for decoupling of keyboard design from motherboard design and facilitating reuse across multiple chassis and regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional keyboard interconnect using large ribbon cables is used, then the keyboard can be connected to the motherboard, but the ribbon cables occupy valuable space on the motherboard and complicate assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the keyboard system into separate functional modules: the keyboard controller is integrated into the palmrest assembly, while the keyboard assembly connects to it. This segmentation eliminates the need for large ribbon cables spanning the entire system, replacing them with a localized connector between the palmrest and keyboard assemblies, thereby reducing assembly complexity and improving connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The palmrest assembly serves as an intermediary component between the keyboard assembly and the motherboard. The keyboard controller on the palmrest assembly receives signals from the keyboard and communicates with the motherboard through a simplified interface, eliminating the need for complex direct connections and reducing assembly complexity.
2Reliability
If traditional keyboard interconnects with multiple traces are used, then the keyboard can communicate with the motherboard, but the number of traces increases complexity and risk of damaged connections
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard controller function is extracted from the motherboard and integrated into the palmrest assembly. This extraction reduces the number of traces needed on the motherboard, as the keyboard controller now resides locally on the palmrest and only requires a simplified connection to the motherboard, thereby reducing trace complexity and the risk of damaged connections.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the keyboard control function into a separate controller unit on the palmrest assembly, the patent reduces the trace requirements on the motherboard. The keyboard controller handles local processing, requiring only essential communication traces to the motherboard, thus simplifying the overall trace layout and reducing connection risks.
3Adaptability or versatility
If keyboard design is coupled to motherboard design, then connections can be established, but unique keyboard designs are required for different chassis and regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent decouples the keyboard design from the motherboard design by introducing the palmrest assembly as an intermediate layer. The keyboard controller on the palmrest provides a standardized interface that can work with different keyboard layouts and chassis designs, enabling keyboard reuseability across multiple platforms without increasing design complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The palmrest assembly with its integrated keyboard controller serves as a universal interface between various keyboard assemblies and the motherboard. This universal intermediary allows different keyboard designs to be used across different chassis and regions while maintaining a consistent connection architecture, thereby improving keyboard reuseability without complicating the overall design.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable information handling system, user interface components thereof, and methods of user control interface and assembly are disclosed. In one embodiment a keyboard assembly, including a large plurality of contacts for a keyboard matrix, connects directly to a palmrest assembly. The palmrest assembly includes a keyboard controller, which decodes keystrokes and then passes the decoded keystrokes to, e.g., an I/O controller on the motherboard of the portable information handling system. This arrangement can greatly improve layout and usage of the motherboard routing spaces, can improve reliability, and can simplify assembly, among other advantages.