US 9,343,248 B2Granted

Systems and methods for implementing spring loaded mechanical key switches with variable displacement sensing

AssigneeDell Products L.P.

InventorsMark A. Casparian, Frank C. Azor, Joe A. Olmsted

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Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed that enable spring loaded mechanical key switch assemblies having variable displacement sensing capabilities. In one example, the disclosed key switch assemblies may be implemented in a keyboard system and used for providing variable displacement output signals that may be processed by a controller for input to a host processing device of an information handling system, such as a desktop or notebook computer. In another example, the disclosed key switch assemblies may be configured to provide both a digital “make” connection signal and separate variable displacement output signal/s that may be processed for input to a host processing device of an information handling system.

Claims29

Dependent claims

A keyboard system, comprising:

one or more spring loaded mechanical key switch assemblies, each of the key switch assemblies comprising:
a key switch housing having a first end and a second end,
a downwardly depressable key component movably received within the key switch housing and having a first end and a second end, the first end of the depressable key component being linearly movable downward between an extended position and a depressed position relative to the first end of the key switch housing with the first end of the depressable key component being closer to the first end of the key switch housing in the depressed position than in the extended position,
a spring element configured to provide a resilient force to resist downward movement of the depressable key component from the extended position to the depressed position, and
variable displacement-sensing circuitry configured to detect downward linear displacement of the depressable key component relative to the key switch housing and to provide one or more variable displacement signals that vary in character based on the amount of linear displacement of the depressable key component between the extended position and the depressed position;
and
displacement measurement circuitry coupled to receive the variable displacement signals and to determine in real time the relative linear displacement of the depressable key component between the extended position and the depressed position based on the character of the provided variable displacement signals.

4 more elements

A keyboard system, comprising:

one or more spring loaded mechanical key switch assemblies, each of the key switch assemblies comprising:
a key switch housing having a first end and a second end,
a depressable key component movably received within the key switch housing and having a first end and a second end, the first end of the depressable key component being movable between an extended position and a depressed position relative to the first end of the key switch housing with the first end of the depressable key component being closer to the first end of the key switch housing in the depressed position than in the extended position,
a spring element configured to provide a resilient force to resist downward movement of the depressable key component from the extended position to the depressed position, and
variable displacement-sensing circuitry configured to detect displacement of the depressable key component relative to the key switch housing and to provide one or more variable displacement signals that vary in character based on the amount of displacement of the depressable key component between the extended position and the depressed position;
and
displacement measurement circuitry coupled to receive the variable displacement signals and to determine in real time the relative displacement of the depressable key component between the extended position and the depressed position based on the character of the provided variable displacement signals;
where the depressable key component further comprises a plunger axle provided on the second end of the depressable key component, the plunger axle being closer to the second end of the key switch housing when the depressable key component is in the extended position than when the depressable key component is in the second position;
where the key switch housing further comprises a key well provided on the second end of the key switch housing, a plunger cavity being defined in the key well, the plunger cavity being configured to receive the plunger axle therein when the depressable key component is depressed;
and where the variable displacement-sensing circuitry is provided adjacent the second end of the key switch housing, the variable displacement-sensing circuitry being configured to detect displacement of the depressable key component relative to the key switch housing by sensing a position of the plunger axle within the key well.

7 more elements

A keyboard system, comprising:

one or more spring loaded mechanical key switch assemblies, each of the key switch assemblies comprising:
a key switch housing having a first end and a second end,
a depressable key component movably received within the key switch housing and having a first end and a second end, the first end of the depressable key component being movable between an extended position and a depressed position relative to the first end of the key switch housing with the first end of the depressable key component being closer to the first end of the key switch housing in the depressed position than in the extended position,
a spring element configured to provide a resilient force to resist downward movement of the depressable key component from the extended position to the depressed position, and
variable displacement-sensing circuitry configured to detect displacement of the depressable key component relative to the key switch housing and to provide one or more variable displacement signals that vary in character based on the amount of displacement of the depressable key component between the extended position and the depressed position;
and
displacement measurement circuitry coupled to receive the variable displacement signals and to determine in real time the relative displacement of the depressable key component between the extended position and the depressed position based on the character of the provided variable displacement signals;
digital signal circuitry configured to provide an on/off digital output signal when the depressable key component is depressed downward by a predetermined extent;
and
a keyboard controller coupled to receive the on/off digital output signal from the digital signal circuitry, the keyboard controller being configured to process the on/off digital output signal and to provide processed digital key information based on the on/off digital output signal to an external device.

7 more elements

A spring loaded mechanical key switch assembly, comprising:

a key switch housing having a first end and a second end;
a depressable key component movably received within the key switch housing and having a first end and a second end, the first end of the depressable key component being movable between an extended position and a depressed position relative to the first end of the key switch housing with the first end of the depressable key component being closer to the first end of the key switch housing in the depressed position than in the extended position;
a spring element configured to provide a resilient force to resist downward movement of the depressable key component from the extended position to the depressed position;
and
variable displacement-sensing circuitry configured to detect displacement of the depressable key component relative to the key switch housing and to provide one or more variable displacement signals that vary in character based on the amount of displacement of the depressable key component between the extended position and the depressed position;
where the depressable key component further comprises a plunger axle provided on the second end of the depressable key component, the plunger axle being closer to the second end of the key switch housing when the depressable key component is in the extended position than when the depressable key component is in the second position;
where the key switch housing further comprises a key well provided on the second end of the key switch housing, a plunger cavity being defined in the key well, the plunger cavity being configured to receive the plunger axle therein when the depressable key component is depressed;
and where the variable displacement-sensing circuitry is provided adjacent the second end of the key switch housing, the variable displacement-sensing circuitry being configured to detect displacement of the depressable key component relative to the key switch housing by sensing a position of the plunger axle within the key well.

5 more elements

A method of operating one or more key switch assemblies, comprising:

providing one or more spring loaded mechanical key switch assemblies, each of the key switch assemblies comprising:
a key switch housing having a first end and a second end,
a depressable key component movably received within the key switch housing and having a first end and a second end, the first end of the depressable key component being movable between an extended position and a depressed position relative to the first end of the key switch housing with the first end of the depressable key component being closer to the first end of the key switch housing in the depressed position than in the extended position,
a spring element configured to provide a resilient force to resist downward movement of the depressable key component from the extended position to the depressed position, and
variable displacement-sensing circuitry;
and
responding to displacement of the depressable key component between the extended position and the depressed position by using the variable displacement-sensing circuitry to detect displacement of the depressable key component relative to the key switch housing, and to provide one or more variable displacement signals that vary in character based on the amount of displacement of the depressable key component between the extended position and the depressed position;
where the depressable key component further comprises a plunger axle provided on the second end of the depressable key component, the plunger axle being closer to the second end of the key switch housing when the depressable key component is in the extended position than when the depressable key component is in the second position;
where the key switch housing further comprises a key well provided on the second end of the key switch housing, a plunger cavity being defined in the key well, the plunger cavity being configured to receive the plunger axle therein when the depressable key component is depressed;
where the variable displacement-sensing circuitry is provided adjacent the second end of the key switch housing;
and where the method further comprises using the variable displacement-sensing circuitry to detect displacement of the depressable key component relative to the key switch housing by sensing a position of the plunger axle within the key well.

8 more elements

A method of operating one or more key switch assemblies, comprising:

providing one or more spring loaded mechanical key switch assemblies, each of the key switch assemblies comprising:
a key switch housing having a first end and a second end,
a depressable key component movably received within the key switch housing and having a first end and a second end, the first end of the depressable key component being movable between an extended position and a depressed position relative to the first end of the key switch housing with the first end of the depressable key component being closer to the first end of the key switch housing in the depressed position than in the extended position,
a spring element configured to provide a resilient force to resist downward movement of the depressable key component from the extended position to the depressed position, and
variable displacement-sensing circuitry;
and
responding to displacement of the depressable key component between the extended position and the depressed position by using the variable displacement-sensing circuitry to detect displacement of the depressable key component relative to the key switch housing, and to provide one or more variable displacement signals that vary in character based on the amount of displacement of the depressable key component between the extended position and the depressed position;
where each of the key switch assemblies further comprises digital signal circuitry, and where the method further comprises using the digital signal circuitry to configured to provide an on/off digital output signal when the depressable key component is depressed downward by a predetermined extent;
and
where the method further comprises:
receiving the on/off digital output signal from the digital signal circuitry in a keyboard controller, and using the keyboard controller to process the on/off digital output signal and to provide processed digital key information based on the on/off digital output signal to an external device, and
receiving the variable displacement signals in displacement measurement circuitry, and using the variable displacement signals to determine in real time the relative displacement of the depressable key component between the extended position and the depressed position based on the current character of the provided variable displacement signals.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 14/013,724Filed 29 Aug 2013
Published: US 2015/0061902 A15 Mar 2015
Granted: 17 May 2016
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification14 codes

H01H 13/7073
Characterised by the mechanism between keys and layered keyboards: characterised by springs, e.g. Euler springs
G06F 3/0202
Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials: constructional details or processes of manufacture of the…
G06F 3/0227
Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials: cooperation and interconnection of the input arrangement with…
G06F 3/0487
Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]: using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled…