Selectively displaced keys for input and output
AssigneeIntel Corporation
InventorsFaizal A. Kotta, Vishal Narayanan Potty
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In one aspect, an apparatus for receiving input and/or generating output comprises a key assembly. The key assembly comprises a key cover, a magnet, and an electromagnet. The magnet is coupled to the key cover. The electromagnet is operable to displace the key cover based on whether the key assembly is in an active state or an inactive state. In the active state, the electromagnet is operable to raise the key cover to a first position based on generation of a magnetic field. In the inactive state, the electromagnet is operable to lower the key cover to a second position based on cessation of the magnetic field.
Claims25
An apparatus comprising:
- a key assembly comprising:
- a key cover;
- a magnet coupled to the key cover;
- and
- an electromagnet operable to displace the key cover based on whether the key assembly is in an active state or an inactive state, wherein:
- in the active state, the electromagnet is operable to raise the key cover to a first position based on generation of a magnetic field, and
- in the inactive state, the electromagnet is operable to lower the key cover to a second position based on cessation of the magnetic field.
A system comprising:
- a plurality of key assemblies, wherein each key assembly in the plurality of key assemblies comprises:
- a key cover;
- a magnet coupled to the key cover;
- and
- an electromagnet operable to displace the key cover based on whether the key assembly is in an active state or an inactive state, wherein:
- in the active state, the electromagnet is operable to raise the key cover to a first position based on generation of a magnetic field, and
- in the inactive state, the electromagnet is operable to lower the key cover to a second position based on cessation of the magnetic field;
- and
- wherein the electromagnet in each key assembly of the plurality of key assemblies is operable to displace the key cover independent of others of the plurality of key assemblies.
A method comprising:
- providing an electromagnet operable to displace a magnet coupled to a key cover within a key assembly;
- and
- displacing, by the electromagnet, the key cover based on whether the key assembly is in an active state or an inactive state, the displacing comprising:
- in the active state, raising the key cover to a first position based on generating of a magnetic field, and
- in the inactive state, lowering the key cover to a second position based on stopping the magnetic field.
A method comprising:
- providing a key displacement actuator operable to displace a portion of a key assembly;
- and
- displacing the portion based on whether the key assembly is in an active state or an inactive state, the displacing comprising:
- in the active state, raising the portion to a first position based on activating the key displacement actuator, and
- in the inactive state, lowering the portion to a second position based on deactivating the key displacement actuator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.