Touch Keypad with Biased Switch Tactile Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile device keypads face challenges in being both compact and user-friendly, especially with the increasing size and complexity of mobile devices, which often require a trade-off between display space and keypad size, and lack design flexibility and tactile feedback.
Innovation Solution
A keypad using touch sensors with mechanically coupled biased switches that provide tactile and aural feedback, allowing for a compact design without parting lines and enabling designers to enhance the device's aesthetics and usability, featuring a plate member connected to a biased switch that activates upon pressure, with optional collapsible elements and a link mechanism for improved user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flush surface without parting lines is used to improve design flexibility and aesthetics, then the design freedom is improved, but the tactile feedback is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a haptic feedback mechanism as an intermediary between the user's finger and the flush display surface. When a virtual key is pressed, the haptic actuator generates localized tactile sensations (vibrations, resistance, or pulses) at the contact point, providing tactile feedback without requiring physical raised keys or parting lines in the display surface.
2Area of stationary object
If touch sensors are used to reduce the surface area required for keys, then the area efficiency is improved, but inadvertent keystrokes increase when objects contact the sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple feedback mechanisms to distinguish intentional keystrokes from accidental contacts. Pressure sensors detect the force applied, and haptic feedback provides immediate tactile confirmation only for presses meeting a threshold. Visual feedback on the display highlights the pressed key, requiring user confirmation for actions, thereby filtering out inadvertent inputs while maintaining compact design.
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 allows for a compact, user-friendly keypad with enhanced design flexibility and tactile feedback, reducing inadvertent keystrokes and improving user confidence, while maintaining a flush surface and providing optical feedback through a lighting system.
Implementation Method 1
a biased switch that is activated by pressing any of said discrete or virtual keys
Implementation Method 2
The biased switch may act with a snap action, to further improve tactile feedback
Implementation Method 3
The touch sensors may include capacitive elements operatively coupled to said discrete keys
Implementation Method 4
The key graphics can be coupled to a lighting system, and the key graphics are substantially invisible when said lighting system is not active
Data Source
AI summary
A keypad includes discrete keys formed by touch sensors or virtual keys on a touch sensitive area. The discrete or virtual keys are mechanically linked to a biased switch. The key that has been touched during a keystroke is identified through a signal from the touch sensors whilst a keystroke is recorded upon a signal from the biased switch. The combination of the touch sensors with a biased switch provides tactile feedback. The use of touch sensors or a touch sensitive area allows the keypad to be constructed with a substantially flush surface without parting lines.