Keyboards with individually customizable keys
AssigneeLenovo (United States) Inc.
InventorsDaniel Pollack, Jonathan Co Lee
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A key configured to be included in a keyboard is provided. The key includes a body having an upper surface that is contacted to provide input to a computer. The upper surface of the body has one or more openings. The key also includes one or more pins positioned in the body and aligned with the one or more openings, and one or more actuators coupled with the one or more pins. The one or more actuators configured to move the one or more pins to move through the one or more openings and project out from the upper surface of the body.
Claims22
A key configured to be included in a keyboard, the key including:
- a body having an upper surface that is contacted to provide input to a computer, the upper surface of the body having one or more openings;
- one or more pins positioned in the body and aligned with the one or more openings;
- and
- one or more actuators coupled with the one or more pins, the one or more actuators configured to move the one or more pins to move through the one or more openings and project out from the upper surface of the body and to oscillate the one or more pins between a projected position and a recessed position to provide vibratory tactile feedback.
A method comprising:
- forming a body of a key of a keyboard, the body formed to have an upper surface that is contacted to provide input to a computer, the upper surface of the body formed to include one or more openings;
- placing one or more pins in the body and aligned with the one or more openings;
- and
- coupling one or more actuators with the one or more pins, the one or more actuators configured to oscillate the one or more pins between a projected position out of the upper surface of the body and a recessed position inside the body to provide vibratory tactile feedback.
A computer comprising:
- a keyboard having plural keys configured to be pressed to provide input;
- and
- a control unit configured to receive the input from pressing of the keys in the keyboard,
- wherein one or more of the keys in the keyboard having an upper surface with one or more openings through the upper surface and one or more pins located inside the one or more of the keys, the one or more of the keys including one or more actuators coupled with the one or more pins, the control unit configured to control the one or more actuators to raise the one or more pins out of the one or more openings and project upward and outward from the upper surface of the one or more keys, and
- wherein the control unit configured to control the one or more actuators to oscillate the one or more pins out of and back into the one or more openings to guide pressing or not pressing of the one or more keys.
17-18. (canceled)
(canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.