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US 12,656,249 B2Granted
Information handling system keyboard with moisture detection by THz spectroscopy
AssigneeDell Products L.P.
InventorsPeng Lip Goh, Kyara S. McDowell, Deeder M. Aurongzeb
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Abstract
An information handling system keyboard has plural keys that accept end user inputs as presses at the key and against a keyboard membrane having contacts to detect the press as a key input. A THz sensor coupled in the keyboard under the plural keys detects liquid contamination by THz spectroscopy and reports contamination to an end user, such as at a display interfaced with the keyboard.
Claims15
An information handling system comprising:
- a housing;
- a processor coupled in the housing and operable to execute instructions to process information;
- a memory coupled in the housing and interfaced with the processor, the memory operable to store the instructions and information;
- a keyboard interfaced with the processor, the keyboard having plural keys each key accepting an end user press as an input, the keyboard having a terahertz (THz) sensor disposed under the keys and operable to detect moisture by THz spectroscopy at identical resonant cells etched on quartz substrates;
- and
- a touch detection surface disposed under the plural keys and having a capacitive touch detection sensor to detect finger touches to the plural keys by proximity sensing;
- wherein the THz sensor is disposed under the touch detection surface.
4 more elements
A method for detecting moisture in an information handling system keyboard, the method comprising:
- coupling a terahertz (THz) sensor under plural keys of the keyboard and operable to detect moisture by THz spectroscopy at identical resonant cells etched on quartz substrates, the THz sensor further having dual-layer metasurface layout of the identical resonant cells and shielded with a hydrophobic filter that is condensation resistant;
- coupling a keyboard membrane under the plural keys and over the THz sensor, the keyboard membrane having contacts to detect a key press input;
- coupling an LCD panel having a capacitive touch detection surface to the keyboard;
- and
- presenting key values at the LCD panel visible through the plural adaptive modular keys coupled over the LCD panel and having a transparent key cap;
- and
- periodically monitoring THz readings to detect a change indicative of moisture entering the keyboard.
4 more elements
A keyboard comprising:
- plural keys each key accepting an end user press as an input;
- a touch detection surface disposed under the plural keys and having a capacitive touch detection sensor to detect finger touches to the plural keys by proximity sensing;
- and
- a terahertz (THz) sensor disposed under the keys and under the touch detection surface, the THz sensor operable to detect moisture by THz spectroscopy at identical resonant cells etched on quartz substrates.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.