Selectively Transparent Keyboard Bottom for Display Illumination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Portable information handling systems face challenges with peripheral keyboards, including inconvenience in carrying and maintaining them, battery life issues due to added backlights, and potential for display damage from keyboard placement, along with position instability caused by magnetic interactions.
Innovation Solution
A dual display portable information handling system uses magnets and magnetic sensors to guide and position a peripheral keyboard on the display, adjusts touch detection calibration, provides keyboard illumination through the display, and incorporates an expandable hinge for charging, while retractable feet reduce contamination and enhance user interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a peripheral keyboard is placed on the display, then keyboard functionality is provided, but position instability occurs due to magnetic interactions
Solution Approach 1:
A non-magnetic material layer is introduced between the keyboard and the display to mediate the magnetic interaction. This intermediary layer allows the keyboard to be held in position by magnetic forces while preventing direct magnetic coupling that causes instability, thus resolving the contradiction between providing keyboard functionality and maintaining position stability.
2Illumination intensity
If the keyboard bottom is made transparent to allow illumination from the display, then keyboard visibility is improved, but internal components become visible which may affect aesthetics
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard bottom is made dynamically switchable between transparent and opaque states. When transparency is needed for illumination, the material becomes transparent; when aesthetic appearance is prioritized, it transitions to opaque. This dynamic property allows the system to adapt to different operational requirements, resolving the contradiction between visibility and aesthetics.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an expandable hinge is used to provide charging capability, then charging functionality is added, but the hinge structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable hinge is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides the mechanical hinge function for the clamshell configuration, enables charging capability when expanded, and can be integrated with other system functions. By making the hinge multi-functional, the patent adds charging capability while minimizing the increase in overall system complexity, as the same structural element serves multiple purposes.
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 enhances user experience by maintaining keyboard readiness, improving touch responsiveness, and reducing the risk of display damage, while providing flexible input options and efficient battery management.
Implementation Method 1
magnets with opposing polarities disposed in the keyboard and display cooperate to position the keyboard on the display
Implementation Method 2
magnetic repulsion between the like polarity magnets spaced apart from one another in the guide rails resists movement of the keyboard between the forward and rearward positions
Implementation Method 3
A display under the keyboard provides illumination to the keys by passing through a transparent bottom surface of the keyboard
Implementation Method 4
magnetic sensors to guide and position a peripheral keyboard on the display
Data Source
AI summary
An information handling system peripheral keyboard sized to rest on an information handling display to accept key inputs has a bottom surface with a selectively opaque layer that transitions between transparent and opaque states based upon a usage scenario. For instance, the keyboard has a transparent state when placed on the display to allow light to pass through the keyboard and illuminate the keys. When removed from the display, an opaque state hides keyboard internals so as not to detract from the keyboard appearance. In one embodiment, the selectively opaque layer is an electronic ink that presents a product brand on the keyboard bottom surface when in the opaque state.