Textured Ceramic Biometric Key with Anti-Reflective Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices with biometric input components face challenges in integrating biometric sensors with visually and tactically compatible keycaps, as conventional materials and coatings often interfere with sensor performance or aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
The use of a textured ceramic cover, such as sapphire, with specific coatings on the front and rear surfaces to match the visual and tactile properties of polymeric keycaps, while maintaining the biometric sensor's functionality, including anti-reflection and anti-smudge coatings to enhance appearance and usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a ceramic cover is used for the biometric key, then the visual and tactile properties can be matched to polymeric keycaps, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining ceramic material with multiple coating layers (anti-reflection coating, anti-smudge coating, and optional decorative coating) to achieve the desired visual and tactile properties while maintaining the benefits of ceramic durability and sensor performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies surface treatment parameters including texturing the ceramic cover surface and applying multiple coating layers with specific optical and tactile properties to transform the raw ceramic surface into one that matches polymeric keycap appearance and feel
2Shape
If conventional coatings are applied to the ceramic cover, then the visual appearance can be improved, but the biometric sensor performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different coating types to different surfaces of the ceramic cover - anti-reflection coating on the front surface to reduce glare while maintaining sensor transparency, and anti-smudge coating on the rear surface to prevent fingerprint accumulation without interfering with sensor operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses specially designed coating layers that act as intermediaries between the ceramic cover and the biometric sensor, allowing the coatings to provide visual and tactile benefits while maintaining the optical and functional properties needed for sensor performance
3Shape
If the ceramic cover is polished to a high gloss, then the visual appearance is improved, but the tactile compatibility with polymeric keycaps deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the ceramic surface parameters by applying texturing patterns and coating layers that modify both optical properties (reducing gloss) and tactile properties (increasing friction and softness perception) to match polymeric keycaps
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
The solution provides a biometric key or button with a visually and tactically compatible appearance to polymeric keycaps, ensuring the biometric sensor's performance is not compromised, offering a seamless integration with electronic device keyboards.
Implementation Method 1
One or more textures of the ceramic cover may be configured to provide a matte appearance and/or a relatively low gloss level to the cap
Implementation Method 2
a coating on the front surface of the cap may be configured to reduce the amount of light reflected from the cap and thereby act as an anti-reflection coating
Implementation Method 3
the coating on the rear surface of the cap may be configured to absorb one or more wavelengths of visible light and thereby help to provide a desired color to the cap
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device is provided, the electronic device having a keyboard including a biometric input device. The biometric input device may be a biometric key or button. A cap of a biometric key or button may include a textured ceramic cover, such as a textured sapphire cover. The cap may further include a rear decorative coating and a front antireflective coating disposed on or over the textured ceramic cover. The cap may have one or more visual and or tactile properties which resemble those of an adjacent key of the keyboard.