CN110945460A - Computer with keyboard - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus may include a display portion including a display housing and a display at least partially within the display housing. The device may also include a base portion pivotally coupled to the display portion and including a bottom shell, a top shell coupled to the bottom shell and defining an array of raised key regions, and a sensing system located below the top shell and configured to detect input applied to the raised key regions of the array of raised key regions.

Description

Computer with keyboard

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present patent Cooperation treaty patent application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application 62/537,350 filed on 26.7.2017 and U.S. provisional patent application 15/990,508 filed on 25.5.2018, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Technical Field

The described embodiments relate generally to electronic devices and, more particularly, to electronic devices having a keypad with a flexible input surface.

Background

Many electronic devices include a keyboard for facilitating user input. Conventional keyboards include movable keys that are actuated by a user tapping with their finger or another object. Some devices include a touch screen on which a virtual keyboard may be displayed. The user may select individual keys of the virtual keyboard by pressing on portions of the surface of the touch screen that correspond to desired letters, characters, or functions. The surface of the touch screen may be flat and featureless, and thus may occupy less space than a mechanical keyboard, but may require the user to identify the locations of the keys visually rather than by feel.

Disclosure of Invention

An apparatus may include a display portion including a display housing and a display at least partially within the display housing. The device may also include a base portion pivotally coupled to the display portion and including a bottom case, a top glass case coupled to the bottom case and defining an array of raised key areas, and a sensing system located below the top glass case and configured to detect input applied to the raised key areas of the array of raised key areas. The array of raised key regions may form a keyboard of the device. The glass top case may also define a touch input area along a side of the keyboard. The input may include a force applied to a raised key region of an array of raised key regions, and the raised key regions may be configured to locally deflect in response to the applied force. The sensing system may be configured to detect local deflection of the raised key regions and to detect touch input applied to the touch input regions.

The array of raised key regions may form a keyboard of the device, and the device may further include a support structure within the base portion, beneath the top glass shell, and configured to resist deflection of the top glass shell in non-key regions of the keyboard.

The raised key region may define a substantially flat top surface. The raised key region may be defined at least in part by a sidewall that extends around the raised key region and is configured to deform in response to an input.

The device may also include a support structure positioned below an area of the top glass shell between two adjacent raised key regions, and the support structure may be configured to resist deflection of the area in response to a force applied to one of the two adjacent raised key regions.

The array of raised key regions may define a keyboard of the device, and the top glass shell may define a transparent portion along a side edge of the keyboard. The display may be a first display, and the device may further include a second display positioned below the glass top case. The second display may be aligned with the transparent portion of the glass top case.

The glass top case can include a first glass layer defining an array of raised key regions and configured to flex in response to a first force applied to the raised key regions. The glass top case may also include a second glass layer positioned below the first glass layer and configured to provide a buckling response in response to a second force applied to the raised key region that is greater than the first force.

A keyboard for an electronic device may include a bottom case, a top glass case coupled to the bottom case and defining an array of raised key regions, and a sensing system located below the top glass case. The raised key areas of the array of raised key areas may be configured to deflect in response to an actuation force applied to the raised key areas, and the sensing system may be configured to detect the deflection of the raised key areas. The raised key region may include a curved top surface. The raised key areas can include sidewalls that extend from a base surface of the glass top case and support a top surface of the respective key areas, and the sidewalls can be configured to deform in response to an actuation force. The keyboard may include a haptic actuator configured to impart a force to the raised key region in response to the sensing system detecting a deflection of the raised key region.

The keyboard may also include an elastic member below the raised key region and configured to impart a return force to the raised key region. The resilient member may provide a buckling response to the raised key region, and the buckling response may be provided in response to the deflection of the raised key region exceeding a threshold distance. The elastic member may be a collapsible leaf spring.

The device may include a display portion and a base portion hinged to the display portion, the display portion including a display. The base portion may include a bottom case and a top glass case coupled to the bottom case and defining an array of key areas, wherein the key areas of the array of key areas are configured to produce a buckling response in response to an applied force. Each key region of the array of key regions can have a thickness of less than about 40 μm.

The key region may define a top surface having a convex curved shape configured to collapse to provide a buckling response. The device may also include a spring below the key region and configured to impart a return force to the key region. The device may also include a support structure supporting the glass top case relative to the bottom case and configured to resist forces applied to the key area from flexing an additional key area adjacent to the key area.

Drawings

The present disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:

fig. 1 illustrates a simplified example of a computing device.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the computing device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of a base portion of the computing device shown in FIG. 1.

Fig. 4A-4B illustrate exemplary configurations of a glass top shell.

Fig. 4C illustrates an exemplary force-deflection curve for the key area of the top glass cover shown in fig. 4A-4B.

Fig. 5A-5H illustrate cross-sectional views of exemplary glass top shells.

Fig. 6A-6B illustrate another exemplary configuration of a glass top shell.

Fig. 6C illustrates an exemplary force-deflection curve for the key area of the top glass cover shown in fig. 6A-6B.

Fig. 7A-7F show cross-sectional views of other exemplary glass top shells.

Fig. 8A-8D illustrate exemplary cross-sectional views of a glass top shell having a resilient member aligned with a key region.

Fig. 9A shows another exemplary configuration of a glass top shell.

Fig. 9B-9E show exemplary cross-sectional views of a glass top shell exhibiting global buckling.

10A-10C illustrate exemplary cross-sectional views of a double-glazed top shell.

Fig. 10D illustrates exemplary force-deflection curves for the key area of the top glass shell shown in fig. 10A-10C.

Fig. 11A-11B illustrate an exemplary glass top case with retractable key protrusions.

Fig. 12A-14B illustrate exemplary cross-sectional views of a device having an actuator for generating retractable key protrusions.

Fig. 15A-15B illustrate a top glass cover for an actuator having selectively formed raised key regions.

Fig. 16A-16B illustrate exemplary cross-sectional views of a device having a support structure.

FIG. 17A illustrates a detailed view of the computing device shown in FIG. 1.

17B-17D illustrate exemplary cross-sectional views of the glass top shell shown in FIG. 17A.

Fig. 18A shows a simplified example of a computing device.

18B-18D illustrate exemplary cross-sectional views of the computing device shown in FIG. 18A.

Fig. 19 shows a schematic view of an electronic device.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following description is not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as defined by the appended claims.

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a keypad including a glass member defining an input surface of the keypad. In particular, a user may directly touch or apply a force (e.g., push or tap) or otherwise contact the glass member to provide input to the keyboard. The glass member (also referred to as a glass cover) may be formed from a thin glass sheet that is flexible enough to locally deform in response to application of a force. For example, the glass sheet can be strengthened glass having a thickness of about 40 microns or less. Due to the thinness and flexibility of the glass, when typical typing forces (e.g., via fingers) are applied to a thin glass sheet, the glass may deform primarily directly under the forces (e.g., directly under the fingers), while other areas of the glass sheet remain substantially undeformed or less deformed. Local deformation of thin glass may provide a more pleasing typing experience as compared to thicker or less flexible glass, as a user may actually experience deformations or depressions similar to or suggestive of a conventional moveable key pad. Furthermore, the local deformation may produce a softer typing feel (e.g., less jarring shock) than a less compliant surface (such as a conventional touch screen) upon tapping.

In some cases, the glass cover of the keyboard may include protrusions, contours, depressions, and/or other shapes or features that define different key areas of the keyboard. For example, the glass cover may be thermoformed or otherwise processed to form an array of raised key regions (e.g., protrusions, contoured key regions, etc.) that define the key regions of the keyboard. The raised key regions may provide a more familiar feeling keyboard surface to the user, as the individual key regions may have a similar shape and feel as conventional movable keys. Further, the user may be able to type faster and with fewer errors because they may feel the boundaries and limits of each key region without having to look at the keyboard to align their fingers with the keys. The ability to feel the different key regions may also help prevent the user's hand from inadvertently shifting out of position during typing.

Further, due to the flexibility of the thin glass cover, the raised key regions may be configured to deform in response to typing input. Such deformations may provide a similar tactile feel as a conventional movable key keyboard. Additionally, the raised key regions may be configured to provide various types of haptic responses. For example, a key region may be configured to have a shape that flexes when pressed, provides a flexion response, or otherwise produces a perceptible tactile output (e.g., a click or a click). As used herein, "buckling," "buckling response," and "buckling force" may refer to the force response of a key region or input area characterized by a gradual increase in opposing force as the key region or input area is pressed, followed by a sudden or significant decrease in opposing force. The reduction in the opposing force results in a familiar "click" sensation, and optionally a sound. An exemplary force-deflection curve illustrating a buckling response is described herein with reference to fig. 6C. As another example, the key regions may be configured to not buckle or have significant force peaks, thus providing more continuous force feedback during typing.

The glass cover of the keyboard described herein may also make possible other features and benefits. For example, since the glass may be transparent, the display may be placed under the glass cover. The display may allow the keyboard and any other area of the glass cover to act as a display in addition to the input device. The display may allow the computer to display different keyboard layouts, keyboard alphabet systems, keyboard colors, or otherwise change the appearance of the keyboard by displaying different images through the transparent glass. In addition, the dielectric properties of the glass can allow for the use of various touch and/or force sensors under the glass cover to detect touch and/or force inputs (or other types of user inputs) to the key area, as well as inputs applied to other non-key areas of the glass cover (e.g., the touch input area under the keyboard). As used herein, the non-key regions may correspond to regions of the cover that are not configured as key regions of the keyboard, including, for example, regions between key regions (which may be similar to a key network), regions outside of the keyboard regions, and the like. The glass sheet may also provide a surface that may be free of openings, which may help protect the internal components from contaminants and spills.

FIG. 1 illustrates a computing device 100 (or simply "device 100") that may include a glass cover, as described above. In particular, the base portion 104 of the device 100 may include a top case 112 (also referred to as a cover) that is at least partially formed of glass and defines a keyboard of the device 100 and optionally defines other input regions (e.g., a trackpad or touch input region) of the device 100.

The device 100 is similar to a laptop computer having a display portion 102 and a base portion 104 flexibly or pivotally coupled to the display portion 102. The display portion 102 includes a display housing 107 and a display 101 at least partially positioned within the display housing 107. The display 101 provides the primary means of conveying visual information to the user, such as by displaying a graphical user interface. The base portion 104 is configured to receive various types of user input (also referred to herein as input), such as touch input (e.g., a gesture, a multi-touch input, a swipe, a tap, etc.), force input (e.g., a press or other input that meets a force or deflection threshold), touch input in combination with force input, and so forth. Touch and/or force input may correspond to a user tapping a key pad or other input surface, similar to a conventional typing motion or action.

The base portion 104 may also provide an output for conveying information to the user, such as with indicator lights, tactile output devices, a display mounted in the base portion 104, and the like. In some cases, providing various types of inputs and outputs via the base portion 104 is facilitated or enabled by the use of a glass top shell 112 on the base portion 104, as described herein.

The display portion 102 and the base portion 104 can be coupled to each other such that they can be positioned in an open position and a closed position. In the open position, a user may be able to provide input to the device 100 via the base portion 104 while viewing information on the display portion 102. In the closed position, the display portion 102 and the base portion 104 are folded against each other. More specifically, the display portion 102 and the base portion 104 may be hinged together (e.g., via a pivot or hinge mechanism 103) to form a clamshell device that is movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration.

As described above, the base portion 104 may include the top shell 112 coupled to the bottom shell 110. The bottom shell 110 may be formed from any suitable material, such as metal (e.g., magnesium, aluminum, titanium, etc.), plastic, glass, etc., and may define a portion of the interior volume of the base portion 104 with the top shell 112. The top shell 112 may be attached to the bottom shell 110 in any suitable manner, including adhesives, mechanical interlocks, engagement members, fusion bonds, and the like.

The top case 112 may be formed at least partially, and in some cases entirely, of glass. The glass top shell 112 may be configured to locally flex or deform in response to an input force applied thereto. For example, the glass of the top case may be sufficiently thin and may be formed into a shape that allows the top case to sag or otherwise flex when a user presses on the glass. In contrast, thicker or more rigid glass may not flex significantly in response to typical input forces applied by a user's finger. Such a non-yielding glass surface may not produce the desired tactile feel of typing input and may not flex enough to facilitate force sensing (such as if the force is detected based on the amount of deflection of the glass). Thus, as described herein, the thin glass top shell may flex locally, thereby providing a desired tactile response (e.g., a sensation similar to or suggestive of a moveable keypad) as well as the ability to detect touch inputs with mechanical devices such as domes, flex sensors, and the like.

The top shell 112 may be formed from one or more layers of strengthened glass (e.g., chemically strengthened, ion exchanged, heat treated, tempered, annealed, etc.). The glass may be thinner than about 100 μm, thinner than about 40 μm, or thinner than about 30 μm. The glass top shell 112 may be configured to locally deflect or deform any suitable amount in response to typing forces. For example, the glass top shell 112 may be configured to locally deflect about 0.1mm, about 0.2mm, about 0.3mm, about 0.4mm, about 0.5mm, or any other suitable amount in response to a sample typing force (e.g., 100g, 250g, 500g, 1kg, etc.).

The top case 112 may define or include input areas, such as a keyboard area 114 and a touch input area 116. The keypad region 114 may include or define a key region 115, which may correspond to keys or other input regions of a keyboard. The top case 112, and in particular the keyboard region 114, may be free of raised or otherwise protruding key regions (e.g., which may be smooth and/or substantially flat). In such cases, key regions 115 may be distinguished using ink, paint, dye, texture, display, or any other suitable technique. In other cases, the keyboard region 114 of the top case 112 may be shaped to define a physically distinct key region 115. For example, as described herein, the top case 112 may include depressions, protrusions, boundaries, or other physical features on its outer surface that define and/or delimit different key regions 115 that may be felt by a user when typing on the keyboard region 114 or otherwise touching the keyboard region 114. The top case 112 may alternatively or additionally include grooves or recesses on its inner surface corresponding to different key regions. Such internal and external features may isolate or position deformations caused by forces (e.g., typing forces) applied to key region 115. For example, deformation of top housing 112 due to a force applied to a protrusion (which may be similar to a keycap of a conventional keyboard) may be substantially isolated to the protrusion, thereby providing a user with a sensation of pressing a key of a conventional mechanical keyboard.

In some cases, the entire top surface of top housing 112 may be touch and/or force sensitive and may allow touch input to be detected at substantially any location along its top surface, including in the keyboard region as well as the surrounding regions (e.g., touch input region 116). In addition to receiving or detecting input, the top case 112 may be configured to provide tactile (haptic), haptic, visual, auditory, or other perceptible output to the user. For example, the top case 112 may include or be integrated with a display, light source, haptic actuator, or the like that provides an output that is detectable via the top case 112. The composition and configuration of the top housing 112 may facilitate and integrate these (and other) input and output functions. For example, a continuous non-conductive top shell 112 formed from a thin deformable glass may allow input to be detected through the top shell 112 while also providing tactile feedback in the form of key regions 115 that flex, deform, or otherwise move in response to an applied force.

The top shell 112 may define a continuous, uninterrupted top surface of the base portion 104. For example, the top shell 112 may not have seams, openings, through-holes, or other discontinuities in the portion of the top shell 112 that forms the outer surface of the base portion 104. The top shell 112 may extend to the outer edge of the base portion 104. Thus, the top housing 112 may prevent or reduce the likelihood of liquid, dust, dirt, or other contaminants or debris entering the base portion 104 through the top surface of the top housing 112.

The touch input area 116 may be configured to detect touch and/or force based inputs and may be or include any portion of the top housing 112, including substantially the entire top housing 112, including the keypad area 114, the touch input area 116, or any other portion of the top housing 112. In some cases, substantially the entire top case 112 may define a touch-sensitive surface from edge to edge. In this manner, touch or trackpad inputs, such as clicks, taps, gestures (e.g., swipes), and multi-touch inputs, may be detected on any portion of the top case 112, including on various key regions 115 within the keyboard region 114 and on portions of the top case 112 outside of the keyboard region 114.

Fig. 2 is a partially exploded view of the device 100. As described above, device 100 includes a top case 112 that forms a portion of base portion 104 and defines an array of key regions 115 (e.g., raised or otherwise physically or visually distinct key regions, as described herein). As shown in fig. 2, the base portion 104 is pivotally coupled to the display portion 102 via a hinge 103 (or any other suitable mechanism) to form a foldable or flip-top laptop or notebook computer.

The base portion 104 may include a bottom shell 110 and a top shell 112 that together define the interior volume of the base portion 104, as described above. The base portion 104 may also include components 208 within the interior volume, such as a processor, memory device, battery, circuit board, input/output device, haptic actuator, wired and/or wireless communication device, communication port, disk drive, and the like. As described above, the top housing 112 may be a continuous surface (e.g., without holes or openings in its top surface) to prevent or limit the ingress of liquids, debris, or other contaminants into the interior volume, thereby reducing the likelihood of damage to the component 208. Examples of components that may be included in the component 208 are discussed herein with reference to fig. 19.

Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of the base portion 104. The base portion 104 includes the top shell 112, the bottom shell 110, and a touch and/or force sensing system 302 (e.g., disposed within an interior volume defined by the top shell 112 and the bottom shell 110) below the top shell 112. The touch and/or force sensing system 302 can provide touch and/or force sensing functionality for detecting touch inputs and/or force inputs (and/or other types of user inputs) applied to the top case 112. For example, the touch sensing functionality of touch and/or force sensing system 302 can detect the presence and location of a touch input applied to top case 112 (such as on keypad region 114), while the force sensing functionality can detect the magnitude (and optionally also the location) of the force input that caused top case 112 to deform.

Touch and/or force sensing system 302 may include any suitable components and may rely on any suitable force and/or touch sensing technology, including capacitive, resistive, inductive, or optical sensing, electromechanical switches, collapsible domes, or any other suitable technology. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, touch and/or force sensing system 302 generally represents one or more components that provide a touch and/or force sensing system. Although the touch and/or force sensing system 302 is illustrated as a single block or component, in many implementations, the touch and/or force sensing system 302 will be formed from multiple components and/or layers. Thus, the touch and/or force sensing system 302 need not be configured as a sheet as shown in fig. 3, but may take any physical form and may be integrated with the base portion 104 in any suitable manner. For example, the touch and/or force sensing system 302 may be or may include an array of collapsible domes or switches, or an array of electroactive polymer switches, or the like. As another example, touch and/or force sensing system 302 can include multiple sensors for detecting touch inputs (e.g., each sensor associated with a different region of the top case) and multiple sensors for detecting force inputs. Further, the touch and force sensing functions may be provided by separate components or systems, or integrated into a single component or system.

The base portion 104 may also include an optional display 304 below the touch and/or force sensing system 302. The display 304 may be used to generate images on different areas of the top case 112, such as the keypad area 114, the touch input area 116, and the like. For example, the display 304 may generate images of characters, glyphs, symbols, key caps, or other images that are visible through the top case 112 and optionally aligned with the respective key regions 115. Since the display 304 may dynamically change the displayed content, different images may be displayed at different times, allowing the device 100 to display different keyboard layouts, different key glyphs, and so forth. If the base portion 104 includes the display 304, portions of the touch and/or force sensing system 302 and the top case 112 may be transparent or substantially transparent and aligned with the display 304 or active portions of the display 304 to allow the display 304 to be visible to a user through the top case 112.

Fig. 4A-4C relate to an exemplary configuration of a glass top shell 400 (which may correspond to top shell 112, fig. 1, and which may be referred to simply as top shell 400) in which the glass is configured to deform in response to an actuation force applied to a key region (e.g., protrusion 402) without producing a clicking or "buckling" type tactile response. As described above, the top case 400 may be formed of chemically strengthened glass having a thickness that facilitates local deformation in response to an actuation force (e.g., a finger press on a key area). For example, the top case 400 may be formed from one or more layers of strengthened glass (e.g., chemically strengthened, ion exchanged, heat treated, tempered, annealed, etc.) and may be thinner than about 100 μm, thinner than about 40 μm, or thinner than about 30 μm.

Fig. 4A is a partial cross-sectional view of top case 400, corresponding to a view of the top case along line a-a in fig. 1, showing an example in which a key region (e.g., key region 115) is defined by protrusions 402 formed in top case 400. The protrusion 402 may extend or otherwise protrude above the portion of the top case 400 adjacent to the key region.

The protrusion 402 protrudes above the reference surface 403 of the top shell 400 by a height 407. Height 407 may be about 0.5mm, 0.2mm, 0.1mm, or any other suitable height. The protrusion 402 may include a rim 404 that defines an outer perimeter of a top surface 405 of the protrusion 402. The protrusion 402 may also include a sidewall (e.g., corresponding to item 410) that extends from a datum surface 403 of the top case 400 (e.g., a surface of the top case 400 that is not the protrusion 402) to a top surface 405 of the protrusion 402. The sidewalls may support the top surface 405 of the protrusion 402. The sidewall may be a continuous sidewall extending around the perimeter of the top surface 405. The sidewalls may provide structural rigidity to the key region. In some cases, as described herein, the sidewalls may flex, bend, or otherwise deform to provide typing compliance and/or tactile feedback. For example, in some configurations, the sidewalls of the protrusions 402 may be deformable (e.g., to provide typing compliance and/or tactile feedback), while the top surfaces 405 of the protrusions 402 may remain substantially undeformed (or otherwise contribute less to the deflection of the protrusions 402 than the sidewalls). In this case, the top surface 405 may be less flexible or less deformable (e.g., stiffer) than the sidewalls.

As described above, the protrusion 402 may provide useful tactile information to a user of the keyboard because the various key regions may be distinguished by touch, allowing the user to accurately and consistently position their finger on the key region by feeling the edge or corner 404 of the protrusion 402.

The top shell 400 may be processed in any suitable manner to form the protrusions 402. For example, the top shell 400 may be thermoformed, molded, machined, or otherwise processed to produce a desired shape. In some cases, top case 400 has a substantially uniform thickness over at least a keyboard region (e.g., keyboard region 114, fig. 1) of top case 400, and in some cases across top case 400. For example, the thickness of the top case 400 at the reference plane (dimension 408), the sides of the protrusion 402 (dimension 410), and the top portion of the protrusion 402 (dimension 412) may be substantially the same. In other cases, the top shell 400 may have different thicknesses at different locations on the top shell 400, such as a first thickness of dimension 412 and another thickness of dimension 410. For example, the thickness of the sides of the protrusion (dimension 410) may be less than the thickness of the top portion (dimension 412), such that the sides of the protrusion deform more than the top portion of the protrusion in response to a force applied to the top surface 405.

Fig. 4B is another partial cross-sectional view of top shell 400, illustrating how top shell 400, and in particular protrusion 402, may deform in response to a force exerted on top surface 405. In particular, fig. 4B shows the finger 406 pressing on the protrusion 402 and deforming the protrusion 402, which may correspond to typing input. As shown, the protrusion 402 may deform while other portions of the top shell 400 remain substantially undeformed or undeflected. In some cases, large-scale flexure of the entire top case 400 is resisted, limited, or prevented by a support structure that cradles or otherwise supports the top case 400 relative to another portion of the device (e.g., the bottom case 110) in which it is integrated. The shape of the deformed protrusion 402 shown in fig. 4B is merely exemplary, and the protrusion 402 may have a different shape or profile when the protrusion 402 is deformed than illustrated.

As described above, the top shell 400 may be configured to deform without producing buckling or collapsing output. Fig. 4C shows a force-deflection (e.g., travel) curve 414 that characterizes the force response of the protrusion 402 when deformed. In particular, when an actuation force (e.g., from finger 406) causes protrusion 402 to deform downward, the force response of protrusion 402 increases along the path from point 416 to point 418. As shown, the path increases along the stroke (e.g., has a positive slope) without a sudden or significant decrease in force, and thus does not collapse or produce a buckling response (e.g., "click"). In some cases, as described herein, a haptic actuator or other component may be used with a top case having a non-flexed configuration to generate a haptic response that simulates a flexed response or otherwise indicates that an input has been detected and registered by the keyboard.

4A-4B illustrate one exemplary configuration of a top case having non-flexing key regions, other top cases having non-flexing key regions may have different configurations, protruding shapes, depressions, or other features. Fig. 5A-5H illustrate a variety of such examples. In the examples shown in fig. 5A-5H, where the key regions are defined by or include ridges or sidewalls, the sidewalls may be configured such that they do not collapse or flex in response to normal typing forces. In some cases, the sidewalls or ridges defining the key region may have a greater stiffness than the top surface. The higher stiffness of the sidewalls may help isolate and/or position the flexure to the top surface. In some cases, the sidewalls or ridges may be less stiff than the top surface, which may result in the deformation being substantially isolated to the sidewalls. This may cause the top surface to flex in a more uniform manner (e.g., it may not substantially bend or buckle). In other cases, the sidewalls or ridges are not significantly stiffer than the top surface, and the flexing of the key region can include flexing of both the top surface and the sidewalls. In any of these embodiments, the deflection of the top surface and/or the sidewall may not produce a buckling response or other abrupt reduction in force response, as described above.

Unless specifically noted, all of the exemplary top shells shown in fig. 5A-5H may be formed of glass and may have a substantially uniform thickness (e.g., less than about 100 μm, 40 μm, 30 μm, or any other suitable dimension). The glass can be any suitable glass, such as a strengthened glass (e.g., chemically strengthened, ion exchanged, heat treated, tempered, annealed, etc.).

Fig. 5A shows a partial cross-sectional view of a top case 500 (which may correspond to top case 112, fig. 1) defining a protrusion 502. The protrusion 502 is similar to the protrusion 402 in fig. 4A-4B, but has an edge 504 with a larger radius of curvature between the sidewall and the top surface than the edge 404 in fig. 4A-4B. The rounded edges 504 may create a different feel to the user and may have greater resistance to chipping, cracking, or other damage. In some cases, the radius of rounded edge 504 may be about 10 μm, 5 μm, or any other suitable dimension that produces a sharp rounded edge (e.g., not a sharp, discontinuous corner). The protrusion 502 of the top case 500 may protrude above the reference plane of the top case 500 by a height 506. The height 506 may be about 0.5mm, 0.2mm, 0.1mm, or any other suitable height.

Fig. 5B shows a partial cross-sectional view of top shell 510 (which may correspond to top shell 112, fig. 1) defining protrusion 512. The protrusion 512 is similar to the protrusion 402 in fig. 4A-4B, but has a concave top surface 513 instead of the substantially flat top surface 405. The concave top surface 513 may provide a comfort surface that substantially matches the shape of a user's fingertip. The concave top surface 513 may have a substantially cylindrical profile, a substantially spherical profile, or any other suitable shape. The protrusion 512 of the top case 510 may protrude above a reference plane of the top case 510 by a height 516. The height 516 may be about 0.5mm, 0.2mm, 0.1mm, or any other suitable height. Although fig. 5B shows a concave top surface 513, in other implementations, the top surface may be convex.

Fig. 5C shows a partial cross-sectional view of top case 520 (which may correspond to top case 112, fig. 1) defining protrusions 524 that extend around key area 522 and define key area 522. While the protrusions in the top case 400, 500, 510 define key zones that are raised relative to surrounding or adjacent portions of the top case, the protrusions 524 of the top case 520 extend around a surface that is substantially flush or flat with adjacent portions of the top case (e.g., the areas of the top case 520 between the key zones 522). This may provide a shorter stack height for the top case 520, and thus a shorter height for the device in which it is incorporated.

Because protrusions 524 define key area 522 and/or extend around key area 522, a user may be able to distinguish key area 522 by touch, allowing for faster typing, easier finger alignment, and the like. The protrusions 524 may be any height 526 above a reference plane of the top case 520 (e.g., the top surface of the key zones 522 or the area between the protrusions 524 and extending around the key zones 522), such as about 0.5mm, 0.2mm, 0.1mm, 0.05mm, or any other suitable height. The depressions 528 may be artifacts of the process used to form the top shell 520, such as thermoforming or molding a glass sheet of uniform thickness, or they may be machined into the bottom surface of the top shell 520.

As shown, the top shell 520 may have a complementary recess 528 below the protrusion 524, and the top shell 520 may have a substantially uniform thickness, as described above. The curved portions of top case 520 that define protrusion 524 and complementary recess 528 may act as a flexible joint that facilitates the flexing of key region 522 relative to the rest of top case 520. In some cases, the portions of the top shell 520 defining the projections 524 and depressions 528 are thinner than the surrounding areas, which may result in more deformation of the top shell in response to a given force.

In other instances, the top shell 520 may include the protrusion 524, but maintain a substantially flat bottom layer (e.g., omit the depression 528). This configuration may stiffen the glass around key region 522, which may help isolate and position the deflection of key region 522 in response to the application of force.

Fig. 5D shows a partial cross-sectional view of the top case 530 (which may correspond to the top case 112, fig. 1) with a key region 532 defined by a raised portion 533 and a recessed portion 534. The recessed portion 534 can extend around the raised portion 533 and can act as a flexible joint that facilitates flexing of the key region 532 relative to the rest of the top case 530. The recessed portions 534 can also be used to visually and tactilely distinguish the key regions 532 from one another. The protruding portion 533 may be any height 536 above the reference plane of the top case 530, such as about 0.5mm, 0.2mm, 0.1mm, 0.05mm, or any other suitable height. In addition, the top case 530 may have a substantially uniform thickness, or it may have different thicknesses at different positions. For example, the glass forming the sides of recessed portions 534 and protruding portions 533 may be thinner or thicker than the glass between key regions 532.

Fig. 5E shows a partial cross-sectional view of top case 540 (which may correspond to top case 112, fig. 1) with key region 542 defined by recess 544 on the bottom surface of top case 540. The top surface of the top shell 540 may be substantially flat or featureless. Recess 544 may visually define a key region 542 on top case 540. In particular, if the top case 540 is transparent or translucent glass, the recess 544 may be visible through the glass material. Depression 544 may also define an area of thinner glass, which may increase the amount of deformation of top case 540 in response to a force applied to key region 542 as compared to a top case having a uniform thickness. In addition, recesses 544 can help isolate and position the deflection of key region 542 in response to forces applied to key region 542.

Fig. 5F shows a partial cross-sectional view of top case 550 (which may correspond to top case 112, fig. 1) with key areas 552 defined by protrusions formed by attaching a pad 554 to a substrate 553. The substrate 553 may be formed of glass (e.g., strengthened glass) and may have a thickness (e.g., less than about 40 μm) that facilitates local deformation of the substrate 553 in response to an applied force. The pad 554 may protrude above the top surface of the substrate 553 by a height 556 (e.g., about 0.5mm, 0.2mm, 0.1mm, or any other suitable height).

The pad 554 may be any suitable material, such as glass, metal, plastic, ceramic, sapphire, etc., and may be attached to the substrate 553 using an adhesive, fusion bonding, intermolecular forces (e.g., hydrogen bonding, van der waals forces, etc.), or any other suitable technique. As shown, the pad 554 is a single component. In other cases, they may comprise multiple components or members, such as multiple layers of the same or different materials. The saucer 554 may be transparent or opaque, and may have the same or different appearance (e.g., color, texture, material, opacity, etc.) as the substrate 553. In some cases, the pad 554 and the base plate 553 can be a unitary component (e.g., formed from a single continuous piece of glass).

The pad 554 may provide several functions. For example, they may visually and tactilely distinguish the different key regions 552, as described herein. In some cases, a glyph or other mark may be formed on the top of substrate 553 or on the bottom of pad 554 (or otherwise positioned between substrate 553 and pad 554), which may be visible through pad 554. In addition, the pad 554 may increase the stiffness or resistance to deformation of the substrate 553 in the key region 552. This may help provide a more uniform or flat deflection of key region 552 in response to the application of force. For example, rather than forming a curved pocket in substrate 553, pad 554 may result in a deformation having a flatter shape due to the increased stiffness in key region 552 that results.

Fig. 5G shows a partial cross-sectional view of top case 560 (which may correspond to top case 112, fig. 1) having key regions 562 defined by pads 564 coupled to a bottom surface of base plate 563. The pad 564 and the substrate 563 may be substantially similar to the pad 554 and the substrate 553 described with reference to fig. 5F and may have similar materials, dimensions, and functionality. For example, the pad 564 may increase the stiffness or resistance to deformation of the substrate 563 in the key region 562. Additionally, where the substrate 563 is transparent, the pad 564 may be visible through the substrate 563 to visually distinguish the key region 562.

Fig. 5H shows a partial cross-sectional view of top case 570 (which may correspond to top case 112, fig. 1) having key areas 572 defined by protrusions 571 formed in base plate 573. The top case 570 also includes a pad 574 positioned on a bottom surface of the projections 571 and aligned with the input surface of the projections 571. The baseplate 573 may be substantially similar to the top case 500 described with reference to fig. 5A, and may have similar materials, dimensions, and functions. The pad 574 may be substantially similar to pads 554 and 564 (fig. 5F, 5G), and may likewise have similar materials, dimensions, and functions. For example, the pad 574 may be formed of or include glass, and may be bonded to the glass substrate 573. The shims 574 may locally stiffen the base plate 573 to increase the uniformity of deformation of the base plate 573 in response to application of force, and may also direct or isolate deformation to particular areas of the base plate 573, such as the side edges 576 of the projections 571.

As described above, the aforementioned example top case configurations may be configured with non-flexing key regions. However, due to the thinness and relative deformability of the glass used for the top case, the glass top case described herein may be configured with key regions that flex, collapse, or otherwise create tactile "clicks" when pressed. Fig. 6A-7F illustrate exemplary top case configurations with flex key regions.

Fig. 6A is a partial cross-sectional view of top case 600, corresponding to a view of the top case taken along section a-a in fig. 1, illustrating an example in which a key region (e.g., key region 115, fig. 1) is defined by a convex or dome-shaped protrusion 602 formed in top case 600. As described with reference to fig. 6C, these key regions (as well as those shown in fig. 7A-7F) may be configured to produce a buckling response.

The dome-shaped protrusion 602 protrudes above a reference plane 603 of the top case 600 by a height 604. Height 604 may be about 0.5mm, 0.2mm, 0.1mm, or any other suitable height. As described above, the protrusion 602 may provide useful tactile information to a user of the keyboard because the various key regions may be distinguished by touch, allowing the user to accurately and consistently position their finger on the key region by feeling the protrusion 602.

Fig. 6B is another partial cross-sectional view of the top case 600, illustrating how the top case 600, and in particular the protrusion 602, may deform in response to a force applied thereto. In particular, fig. 6B shows a finger 606 pressing on the protrusion 602 and deforming the protrusion 602, which may correspond to typing input. As shown, the protrusion 602 may deform while other portions of the top case 600 remain substantially undeformed or undeflected.

Fig. 6C shows a force-deflection (e.g., stroke) curve 608 that characterizes the force response of the protrusion 602 when deformed. In particular, when an actuation force (e.g., from finger 606) causes protrusion 602 to deform downward, the force response of protrusion 602 increases from point 610 along the path until inflection point 612 is reached. When inflection point 612 is reached, protuberance 602 collapses or buckles, and the force response of the protuberance abruptly decreases along the path from point 612 to point 614. Inflection point 612 may define or correspond to a deflection threshold of the protrusion. For example, once the deflection of the key region reaches or exceeds a threshold distance (e.g., corresponding to inflection point 612), the protrusion 602 flexes and provides a flex response to the key region.

After point 614, the force response begins to increase again (e.g., once the protrusion 602 inverts and the glass stops deforming easily). This force response may produce a sudden or significant reduction in force similar to the clicking of a mechanical keyboard, and thus may produce a typing experience similar to or suggestive of using a moveable keypad, despite the structural integrity of the glass top shell.

Under normal operating conditions and forces, the device may detect an input (e.g., the check-in key has been pressed) at point 612 (where the force begins to decrease) or at point 614 (where the force begins to increase again). As described herein, any suitable sensor or sensing system may be used to detect deformation of the top case and determine when to register an input, including touch sensors, force sensors, optical sensors, and the like.

7A-7F illustrate additional examples of top shell shapes that may produce a buckling haptic output, and exemplary geometries of the top shell when flexed beyond the inflection point described with reference to FIG. 6. In particular, fig. 7A-7B illustrate partial cross-sectional views of a top case 700 that includes protrusions 702 similar to those of the top case 500 (fig. 5A). The projections 702 may be configured such that they invert and flex when deformed. This can be achieved by: different dimensions are selected for the protrusion 702 than those shown in fig. 5A, such as a greater height, more slightly curved protrusion sidewalls, thinner sidewalls, a smaller top surface (e.g., in the horizontal direction, as shown), and so forth.

Fig. 7C-7D show partial cross-sectional views of a top shell 720 that is similar to top shell 510 (fig. 5B) but has been configured to have a buckling mode. For example, the protrusions may be sized differently, and/or the sides 722 of the protrusions may have different dimensions and/or material properties (e.g., different thicknesses, different heights, different radii of curvature, different stiffness) that yield when pressed, as shown in fig. 7D.

Fig. 7E-7F show partial cross-sectional views of top case 730 including protrusion 734, which protrusion 734 has a pad 732 on the top surface of protrusion 734. The pad 732 may be similar to pads 564 and 574 described herein and may be formed of the same material, coupled to the substrate 736, and provide the same functionality of pads 564 and 574. In some cases, the stiffening function of the pad 732 results in a different deflection pattern of the underlying substrate 736 than would occur in the absence of the pad 732. For example, the increased stiffness of the projection 734 with the saucer 732 attached may result in deformation being isolated to the sidewalls of the projection 734, which may result in a buckling-type deformation and force response (as shown in fig. 7F), rather than a linear or continuous force response (as shown in fig. 4A-4C, for example).

In some cases, a resilient member may be incorporated into a device using a deformable glass top shell to increase or change the force response of the key area of the top shell. For example, a spring, a leaf spring, an elastomeric material, or the like may be provided under the top case. Such an elastic member may provide a return force to the protrusion formed in the top case. For example, if the protrusion of the top shell is configured to reverse (e.g., collapse or buckle), the protrusion may not return to its original protrusion orientation without a return force. Thus, the resilient member may bias the protrusion toward an undeflected or undeformed position to prepare the protrusion to receive another input. In examples where the top shell is not configured to collapse or buckle, the resilient member may be used to change the force response, for example to increase the amount of force to be applied in order to deform the top shell by an amount, or to change the spring rate or other characteristic of the force response of the top shell.

Fig. 8A-8C illustrate partial cross-sectional views of an exemplary top case 800 having various types of resilient members that interact with protrusions in the top case to impart a return force on the protrusions, for example. The resilient member may be configured to deform or compress when a force is applied and return to an initial state or shape when the force is removed. Examples of the elastic member are described below. The protrusions 802 in the top shell 800 may be configured to flex or collapse, as described with reference to fig. 6A-6C, or deform without flexing or collapsing, as described with reference to fig. 4A-4C.

For example, FIG. 8A shows a top case 800 having coil springs 804 aligned with protrusions 802. The coil springs 804 may be supported by a lower member 806, which may correspond to a bottom case of a housing (e.g., bottom case 110, fig. 1), or any other component or structure of an electronic device. The coil spring 804 may be metal, rubber, plastic, or any other suitable material, and may have any suitable spring rate, including linear spring rates, non-linear spring rates, and the like. As mentioned, the coil spring 804 may provide a return force to the protrusion 802.

Fig. 8B shows the top case 800 with the dome 808 aligned with the protrusion 802. The clips 808 may be collapsible clips (e.g., clips that follow a force-deflection curve similar to that shown in fig. 6C), or they may be spring clips that do not collapse or otherwise produce a tactile "click". In the case where the top shell 800 does not provide a buckling force response (e.g., as described with reference to fig. 6A-6C), the collapsible dome may be used to generate a tactile "click," although the top shell itself does not provide a buckling force response. This may allow for different shapes to be used for key regions (e.g., protrusions, depressions, featureless layers, etc.), which alone may not be sufficient to produce a tactile click, while still providing the tactile feel of the collapsible dome. The spring 808 may have any suitable shape and may be formed from any suitable material, including metal, rubber, plastic, carbon fiber, and the like.

Fig. 8C shows top case 800 having leaf spring 810 aligned with and attached to the bottom surface of protrusion 802. Leaf spring 810 may be a strip or pad of metal, carbon fiber, plastic, or any other suitable material, and may be attached to top case 800 in any suitable manner, including adhesive, fusion bonding, mechanical attachment, and the like. In some cases, the leaf spring 810 may conform to the shape of the underside of the protrusion 802 such that the leaf spring 810 is in substantially full contact with the bottom surface of the top case 800. The leaf spring 810 can resist deformation in a manner that imparts a return force on the protrusion 802. As described above, the return force may be configured to return the flexed or collapsed protrusion to a resting (e.g., upward protruding) position, or to increase, change or modify the force response of the non-flexed protrusion or top shell.

Fig. 8D illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary top housing 812 defining a protrusion 814 with a key mechanism 816 positioned below the protrusion. The protrusions 814 in the top shell 812 may be configured to flex or collapse, as described with reference to fig. 6A-6C, or deform without flexing or collapsing, as described with reference to fig. 4A-4C. The top housing 812 may be the same as or similar to other top housings described herein. For example, the top shell 812 may be glass having a thickness of about 40 microns or less.

Similar to the resilient member in fig. 8A-8C, key mechanism 816 may interact with protrusion 814 to, for example, impart a return force on protrusion 814 to bias protrusion 814 in an undepressed position and/or to provide tactile feedback (e.g., "clicking") when protrusion 814 is actuated.

The key mechanism 816 may include an actuating member 818, a base plate 824, a collapsible member 822, and a support mechanism 820 configured to support the actuating member 818 and allow the actuating member 818 to move between an undepressed position and a pressed position. Support mechanism 820 may be coupled to base plate 824 and actuation member 818 and may have any suitable configuration. For example, as shown, the support mechanism is similar to a scissor mechanism, but other types and configurations are possible, such as butterfly hinges, linear guides, linkages, and so forth.

The collapsible member 822 may be any suitable collapsible member, such as a collapsible leaf spring. Collapsible member 822 may be formed of or may include an electrically conductive material to allow collapsible member 822 to act as a switch to detect or register actuation of the key regions defined by protrusions 814. For example, when the collapsible member 822 collapses (e.g., by a user pressing on the protrusions 814), the collapsible member 822 may contact electrical contacts or electrodes on the substrate 824, thereby closing the circuit and allowing the computing device to register a key input. Further, collapsible member 822 may provide a biasing force to actuating member 818, and even projection 814, and the collapse of collapsible member 822 may provide a tactile "click" to the key region when projection 814 is pressed and deformed.

The actuation member 818 may contact the underside of the protrusion 814 and may be adhered or otherwise bonded to the top shell 812, or it may not be adhered or bonded to the top shell 812. In some cases, actuating member 818 may define a glyph or symbol on the top surface of actuating member 818 that may be visible through top shell 812. Because the glyph or symbol that indicates the function of that particular key region is underneath the transparent (e.g., glass) top case 812, the glyph or symbol can be protected from wear and abrasion due to typing input on the key region.

While the above discussion describes various aspects of local deformation and local buckling of the key region, the glass top case may also or alternatively be configured to provide global buckling. For example, fig. 9A shows a top shell 900 having a shape configured to provide global buckling. More specifically, substantially the entire top case 900, or at least a portion of the top case 900 corresponding to the keyboard region, may be configured to flex in response to a force applied to the top surface of the top case 900. The particular shape of the top shell 900 in fig. 9A (e.g., a generally dome shape or convex shape) is merely exemplary, and other shapes or configurations may alternatively be used to create an integrally curved top shell.

Fig. 9B-9E show partial cross-sectional views of top shell 900, corresponding to views of top shell 900 taken along section D-D in fig. 9A. While fig. 9B-9E generally correspond to the shape of the top shell 900 shown in fig. 9A, it should be understood that this is merely an exemplary shape and that the cross-sectional shape of the top shell may vary from the illustrated shape depending on the particular shape or configuration used to buckle the top shell as a whole.

As shown in fig. 9B-9C, when the top shell 900 is depressed in one area (e.g., by a user's finger 902, a stylus, or another object), the entire flexure of the top shell 900 collapses or flexes, thus producing a tactile click response when a particular force threshold is reached. When the user's finger 902 is removed from the top shell 900, the flexed portion of the top shell 900 returns to a resting (e.g., upwardly protruding) position (as shown in fig. 9D). When a force is applied on another region of the top case 900, as shown in fig. 9D-9E, the top case 900 may collapse or buckle in substantially the same manner as shown in fig. 9C. In this way, the user can click or press anywhere on the top case 900 and detect a tactile click. The integral flexing shown and described in fig. 9A-9E can provide tactile feedback to the keypad area. For example, the keys may be sequentially struck (e.g., one after the other) during typing. Thus, it may not be necessary for each key region to generate a buckling response, as the overall buckling response may be able to generate a tactile click for each sequential key stroke. Further, the integrally curved top case may be used with top cases having a substantially flat or planar top surface or top cases having physically distinct key areas (such as pads, protrusions, depressions, etc.).

In some cases, the top shell may be configured to produce both a local and global buckling response in response to a force input. Fig. 10A-10D relate to a multiple layer glass top case 1000 that produces both a partial and a full buckling response. Referring to fig. 10A, the top case 1000 may include a first glass layer 1004, and fig. 10A is a partial cross-sectional view of the top case 1000, corresponding to a view of the top case along line B-B in fig. 1. The first glass layer 1004 may define an array of protrusions 1006 that define a key region of a keyboard. The first glass layer 1004 is substantially similar in material, dimension, and function to the top case 700 described with reference to fig. 7A-7B. For example, the first glass layer 1004 may be formed of strengthened glass having a thickness of less than about 40 μm, and each protrusion 1006 may be configured to flex or collapse in response to application of a force to generate a first tactile click.

The top case 1000 may also include a second glass layer 1002. The second glass layer 1002 may be substantially similar to the top case 900 (fig. 9A-9E) and may be formed of the same materials and provide the same functionality. For example, the second glass layer 1002 may be formed of strengthened glass and may have a shape that provides a buckling response when a force is applied to different areas on the second glass layer 1002. The first glass layer 1004 may be above the second glass layer 1002 and may be attached to the second glass layer 1002. For example, the first glass layer 1004 may be bonded, adhered, fused, or otherwise attached to the second glass layer 1002. The space under the protrusions 1006 may be empty, or they may be occupied by material. For example, the space under the protrusion 1006 may be vacuum or filled with air, liquid, elastomeric material (e.g., gel, silicone, etc.), or any other suitable material.

Fig. 10B and 10C illustrate how the two glass layers of the top case 1000 may flex in response to application of a force input (e.g., from a user's finger 1008), and fig. 10D illustrates an exemplary force-deflection curve 1010 for the two-layer top case 1000. In particular, the top case 1000 may produce a buckling response at two different force levels, each corresponding to the buckling of a different one of the layers. Fig. 10B shows finger 1008 deforming protrusion 1006 of first glass layer 1004, which may correspond to a path from point 1012 to point 1014 in force-deflection curve 1010. The force response may correspond to typical typing input and may produce a tactile click indicating that the key region has been actuated and that input has been detected. If the user continues to increase the force after the deformation of the protrusion 1006 (e.g., past point 1014 in curve 1010), the second glass layer 1002 may eventually buckle or collapse, as shown in fig. 10C. This additional force may correspond to the path on the curve 1010 from point 1014 to point 1016. When the second glass layer 1002 flexes, the keyboard may register another input, and thus perform another action, than when the first glass layer 1004 flexed. For example, when a protrusion of the first glass layer 1004 or buckling of a key region (e.g., at or near point 1014) is detected, the keyboard may register selection of a character key and cause a lower case character to be displayed on the display. When buckling of the second glass layer 1002 (e.g., at or near point 1016) is detected, the keyboard may replace the lower case characters with upper case characters. Other functions may also or alternatively be associated with each of the first and second flexion points.

As described herein, the glass top shell can be made sufficiently thin so that force input from a user's finger, such as typing input, can locally deform the glass. This can be used to provide an easier and more intuitive "move" key area to type on, and even generate tactile clicks and other tactile feedback. In some cases, the flexibility and/or deformability of the thin glass top shell may be used in conjunction with an actuator to selectively form protrusions or depressions to define key regions. For example, fig. 11A-11B illustrate a top case 1100, which can be formed from a thin glass having the dimensions and compositions described herein, having an array of key regions 1102 defined by selectively formed protrusions. In particular, fig. 11A shows top case 1100 having a key region 1102 that is substantially flush with the rest of top case 1100. Fig. 11B shows top case 1100 when an actuator under key region 1102 or otherwise associated with key region 1102 extends, thereby creating a raised key region 1102 on top case 1100.

The key region 1102 can be retracted (fig. 11A) or extended (fig. 11B) for various reasons. For example, if top case 1100 is incorporated into a laptop computer (e.g., device 100, fig. 1), key region 1102 may be extended when the computer is turned on (e.g., display portion 102 is rotated upward to a viewable position) to allow the user to apply typing input. As another example, the key region 1102 may be stretched when the device 100 is in a text entry mode, such as when a word processor or other application program accepting text input is active on the device 100. On the other hand, key region 1102 can retract when the device is closed or being closed, which allows the closed device to occupy less space. Thus, because the key region 1102 is selectively extendable and retractable, it can be extended when the keyboard is in use or potentially in use, thereby providing an excellent typing experience, and can be retracted when the keyboard is not in use, such that the keyboard assembly occupies less space and the overall size of the device 100 is reduced.

Although fig. 11A-11B illustrate all of key regions 1102 retracted or extended, key regions 1102 may be individually controlled such that one or more key regions may be retracted while one or more other key regions are extended (or vice versa). Further, as shown, the top case 1100 in fig. 11A has a substantially flat top surface, but this is just one example. In other cases, when key regions 1102 are retracted, they protrude less than when key regions 1102 are extended, but are not flush with the surrounding area of top case 1100.

Top shell 1100 may be substantially flat when no force is acting on the top shell (e.g., from an internal actuator), or the top shell may define a raised key region when no force is acting on the top shell. That is, the neutral state of top case 1100 can be substantially flat, and the raised key region can be formed by deforming top case 1100 with an actuator. In other cases, the neutral state of top case 1100 can include a raised key region, and top case 1100 can be made substantially flat (or the protrusion can be reduced in size) by applying a retraction force with the actuator.

Various types of actuators or other mechanisms may be used to extend and/or retract the key area of the top glass cover. For example, fig. 12A-12B are partial cross-sectional views of the electronic device, viewed along line E-E in fig. 11B, illustrating an exemplary mechanical actuator 1200 that may be positioned below the top case 1100. Mechanical actuator 1200 may include a plunger 1206 that engages a bottom surface of top case 1100 to locally deform key region 1102 when actuator 1200 is extended. The actuator 1200 may be any suitable type of actuator including a solenoid, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, a lead screw, a cam, and the like. In some cases, plunger 1206 may be bonded, adhered, or otherwise secured to the bottom surface of top case 1100, which allows actuator 1200 to further retract key region 1102 to form a cavity relative to the rest of top case 1100.

The actuator 1200 may be supported by a base 1202, which base 1202 may be a portion of a housing (e.g., the bottom case 110, fig. 1), or any other component or structure of an electronic device. Further, the top case 1100 may be supported by a support structure 1204, the support structure 1204 cradling or otherwise supporting the top case 1100 relative to another portion of the device (such as the base 1202) in which it is integrated. The support structure 1204 may be adhered or bonded to the top case 1100 to isolate and/or position the deformation created by the actuator 1200, thereby allowing the actuator 1200 to create discrete protrusions for different key regions 1102, rather than simply lifting the entire top case 1100.

Despite the presence of the actuator, key region 1102 of top case 1100 can flex locally in response to an applied force. For example, fig. 12C shows key region 1102 of top case 1100 flexing in response to force applied by finger 1210. Although fig. 12C shows key region 1102 flexing to form a depression, this is only one exemplary configuration. In other cases, key region 1102 can be flexed from a raised configuration (as shown in fig. 12B) to a substantially flat configuration (e.g., as shown in fig. 12A) or to a lower raised configuration than shown in fig. 12B.

The actuator 1200 may be configured to remove or reduce the force applied to the top case 1100 (or generate a reverse force that tends to retract the key region 1102) when a force is detected on the key region 1102. In some cases, actuator 1200 may be used to impart a return force to key region 1102, such as to provide a desired tactile feel to key region 1102 and/or to return a collapsed or flexed key region to its undeflected or undeformed position. In some cases, actuator 1200 may be a haptic actuator that generates haptic output. For example, the actuator 1200 may generate a force response substantially similar to the force-deflection curve discussed with reference to fig. 6C or 10D, thereby generating a tactile click that may be felt and/or heard by the user. In some cases, the actuator 1200 generates a motion or vibration that can be sensed by the user and provides a haptic response (e.g., "click"). Such haptic outputs may be used in conjunction with both flexed and unflexed top shells.

Magnetic actuators may be used instead of or in addition to mechanical actuators. For example, fig. 13A-13C are partial cross-sectional views of the electronic device, viewed along line E-E in fig. 11B, illustrating an exemplary magnetic actuator 1300 that can be positioned under the top case 1100 to extend and/or retract the key region 1102. Fig. 13A shows top case 1100 with key region 1102 retracted, and fig. 13B shows top case 1100 with key region 1102 extended. Fig. 13C shows top case 1100 with key region 1102 partially deflected in response to force applied by finger 1210.

The magnetic actuators 1300 may each include a first magnetic element 1301 and a second magnetic element 1302. The first magnetic element 1301 and the second magnetic element 1302 may be any of a magnet (e.g., a permanent magnet, a rare earth magnet, an electromagnet, etc.) magnetic material, a magnetizable material, a ferromagnetic material, a metal, etc. The first magnetic element 1301 and the second magnetic element 1302 may be selectively energized or magnetized to generate a repulsive force (as shown in fig. 13B) or an attractive force (as shown in fig. 13A). In some cases, the magnet or magnetic material may be selectively magnetized and demagnetized by subjecting the magnetic material to a particular magnetic field to produce a repulsive or attractive force (or to produce no force). This may allow the magnetic elements 1301, 1302 to generate a continuous force without the need for constant application of energy or power to the electromagnet. In some cases, the magnetic actuator 1300 may include shielding, bypasses, induction coils, and/or other components to facilitate selectively magnetizing and demagnetizing or otherwise operating the magnetic actuator 1300.

The magnetic actuator 1300 may provide the same or similar functionality as the mechanical actuator described above. For example, the magnetic actuator 1300 may be configured to impart a return force to a top case having a buckling or non-buckling protrusion. As another example, the magnetic actuator 1300 may be configured to generate a tactile click that may be felt and/or heard by a user. As described above, the haptic output produced by such actuators may be used in conjunction with both buckling and non-buckling top shells.

Piezoelectric actuators may also be used to selectively extend and retract the key regions of the protrusions. 14A-14B are partial cross-sectional views of the electronic device as viewed along line E-E in FIG. 11B, illustrating an exemplary piezoelectric actuator 1400 that may be positioned under the top case 1100 to partially deform the top case 1100 to extend and/or retract the key region 1102. Fig. 14A shows top case 1100 with key region 1102 extended, and fig. 14B shows top case 1100 with key region 1102 retracted. Fig. 14B shows key area 1102 retracted to form a cavity in the top surface of top case 1100, but this is merely one exemplary configuration, and piezoelectric actuator 1400 may alternatively retract key area 1102 to a substantially flush configuration.

The piezoelectric actuators may include actuator strips 1402, which may be formed of piezoelectric material. The force spreading layer 1404 may be disposed between the actuator strip 1402 and the bottom surface of the top casing 1100 (and directly under or adjacent to the key region 1102). The force spreading layer 1404 may increase the area of influence of the actuator strip 1402. More specifically, the force spreading layer 1404 may increase the area of the top case 1100 that may be deformed by the actuator strips 1402. The force spreading layer 1404 may be formed of or include any suitable material, such as silicone, metal, glass, elastomeric material, polymer, and the like.

As shown in fig. 14A, a voltage may be applied to the piezoelectric material of the actuator strip 1402, causing the actuator strip 1402 to shrink or decrease in length. If the actuator strip 1402 is not allowed to shear relative to the top casing 1100, the change in length may create a raised or protruding key region 1102. The local deformation may also be characterized as a convex or bulging of top shell 1100.

As shown in fig. 14B, a voltage may be applied to the piezoelectric material of the actuator strip 1402, causing the actuator strip 1402 to grow or increase in length. Similar to the previous example, if actuator strip 1402 is not allowed to shear relative to top case 1100, the change in length may create a depression or depressed key region 1102. Local deformation may also be characterized as a concavity or a depression.

The top shell 1100 in fig. 14A-14B can have a protrusion formed therein, and the protrusion can be configured as a buckled or collapsed protrusion that produces a tactile click, as described with reference to fig. 6A-6C. In this case, and similar to the mechanical and magnetic actuators described above, the piezoelectric actuator 1400 may be configured to impart a return force to the protrusions such that they return to a neutral, undeformed position after buckling or collapsing in response to a force input.

When an actuator is used to selectively locally deform the top shell, the support structure may be positioned below the top shell or otherwise configured to position and isolate the deformation produced by the actuator. Exemplary supports are shown and described with reference to fig. 12A-13C. However, in some cases, multiple actuators may cooperate to produce localized deformation, such as deformation of only a single key region, without deformation of the support structure surrounding or isolating a particular key region.

Fig. 15A-15B illustrate examples of how actuators may cooperate to produce localized deformation in the top case 1500 without the effect of a support structure isolating each actuator. For example, fig. 15A shows a top case 1500 (which can be a glass top case having the dimensions and/or characteristics of any of the top cases described herein) with key regions 1502 protruding from surrounding areas 1504. Fig. 15B shows a partial cross-sectional view of the device with top case 1500 as viewed along line F-F in fig. 15A. Actuators 1506-1, …, 1506-n positioned below the top case 1500 act on the top case 1500 to impart a force on the top case 1500 to create a deformation. For example, to create a raised key region 1502 without using a support that extends around the key region 1502 or defines the key region 1502, the actuator 1506-3 can extend, thereby forcing the key region 1502 upward. Without a support structure, extended actuator 1506-3 may result in a protrusion that is larger than a single key region. Accordingly, actuators (e.g., including actuators 1506-2 and 1506-4) around or near the region 1504 can retract, thus imparting a reaction force to the top case 1500 that will help create a more pronounced localized protrusion of the key region 1502.

The surrounding region 1504 is illustrated retracted relative to the rest of the top case 1500. However, this is for illustration only, and the surrounding actuators may instead generate a reaction force that maintains the surrounding region 1504 substantially unmoved relative to the undeformed height or position of the top case 1500. Additionally, although the actuator 1506 is illustrated as a magnetic actuator, other types of actuators may be used in a similar manner to help position deformations from other actuators (including, for example, mechanical actuators, piezoelectric actuators, etc.).

The mating actuators described above may not be sufficient to allow all key regions to retract or extend simultaneously. Thus, these techniques may be implemented in devices where it is not necessary to simultaneously create protrusions for the entire keyboard. For example, in some cases, a keyboard may only produce a local deformation of individual key regions when the key regions are being pressed or are about to be pressed (e.g., as determined by optical sensors, touch sensors, presence sensors, etc.). Thus, the actuator 1506 may, for example, cooperate to cause the key region 1502 to protrude just before and/or during a key being pressed, and then may cooperate to cause another key region to protrude before and/or during the other key region being pressed.

Although the actuators described herein are primarily described as producing localized deformations in a glass top shell, these (or other) actuators may also be used to produce other haptic outputs. For example, the actuator may produce motion, vibration, pulses, oscillations, or any other motion or tactile output that may be felt by a user through the top case. For example, such tactile outputs may be used to indicate when an input has been registered, or to simulate the tactile "click" sensation of flexing a dome or spring. In the latter case, such haptic actuators may be used in conjunction with a top case that does not have a buckled or collapsed shape to provide familiar haptic sensations to the key areas of the top case.

As described above, a support structure can be incorporated into an electronic device to support the top case and optionally help position the deflection of the top case to individual key regions or subsets of key regions. Fig. 16A-16B are partial cross-sectional views of an electronic device, and in particular a base portion of an electronic device, corresponding to views of the top case taken along section B-B in fig. 1. These figures show examples of top shells supported by a support structure. For example, fig. 16A shows a top case 1600, such as a glass top case, attached to a bottom case 1602. The bottom case 1602 may correspond to the bottom case 110, fig. 1. The top case 1600 can define an array of key regions 1604. As shown in fig. 16A, the top housing 1600 defines substantially flat top and bottom surfaces. However, key region 1604 may correspond to any of the key regions described herein, including raised or protruding key regions, recessed key regions, collapsed or flexed key regions, key regions defined by grooves or features on the bottom surface of the top case, and so forth.

The electronic device shown in fig. 16A includes a support structure 1606 within the base portion. Support structure 1606 is positioned to support an area of top case 1600 between adjacent key regions 1604 (e.g., in a non-key region of top case 1600). As shown, each key region 1604 can be isolated from other key regions by support structures 1606, thereby isolating and/or locating deflection caused by user input applied to the key region to the respective key region. In some cases, support structure 1606 can define a closed region that extends completely around the outer perimeter of key region 1604 or defines the outer perimeter of key region 1604. For example, support structure 1606 may resemble a keyboard web having openings that define individual key regions. The openings may have any shape or configuration, such as square, circular, rectangular, or any other suitable shape.

As noted, fig. 16A shows an example where a support structure is positioned between each key region. Fig. 16B illustrates a configuration of an electronic device in which there is no support structure between each key region, but a plurality of key regions are present between the support structures. In particular, fig. 16B shows top case 1610 (e.g., a glass top case) attached to a base portion of bottom case 1612. The top housing 1610 defines a key region 1604 (which may have any shape described herein, as noted above for the top housing 1600). Support structure 1616 contacts the underside of top housing 1610 to support the top housing, position the flexure, etc.

Support structures 1606, 1616 are illustrated as extending from top housings 1600, 1610 to bottom housings 1602, 1612. However, this is only an exemplary configuration. In other configurations, at least some of support structures 1606, 1616 do not directly contact the bottom case, but rather contact another internal component or structure of the electronic device. In other configurations, bottom shells 1602, 1612 and support structures 1606, 1616 are a unitary structure (e.g., they form a unitary component). For example, the bottom shell may be formed (e.g., machined or cast) with posts or walls extending upwardly from a surface of the bottom shell. In further configurations, support structures 1606, 1616 are part of a web, such as a sheet having an array of openings therein. The openings may correspond to or substantially define an order key area or a multi-key area. If the support structures 1606, 1616 are defined by webs, the webs may be adhered to the bottom surface of the top housing 1600, 1610.

The use of a glass member for the top case, and more particularly for the input surface of the keyboard, may also provide unique opportunities for forming wear-resistant glyphs (or other symbols) on individual key regions. Fig. 17A-17D illustrate various techniques for forming glyphs on a continuous glass (or other transparent material) top shell.

FIG. 17A is a detailed view of area C-C (FIG. 1) of top case 112 of computing device 100, illustrating exemplary key region 1702. The key region 1702 may correspond to one of the key regions 115 of the keyboard region 114. The key region 1702 may include glyphs 1704, which may indicate the function of the key region 1702. As described herein, the glyph 1704 may be defined on the bottom surface of the top case 112 such that the top surface of the top case 112 that the user touches while typing is simply a plain glass surface.

Fig. 17B-17D are partial cross-sectional views of top case 112, viewed along line G-G in fig. 17A, illustrating various exemplary techniques for forming a glyph on the bottom surface of top case 112. For example, fig. 17B shows a mask layer 1706 disposed on the bottom surface of the top case 112. The mask layer 1706 may include openings, such as openings 1708 in fig. 17B, that define glyphs. The masking layer 1706 may have a visual appearance that contrasts with the openings 1708 (or with anything visible through the openings 1708) to allow the glyphs 1704 to be visually distinguished from surrounding areas of the key region 1702. Mask layer 1706 can be any suitable material, such as paint, dye, ink, film layer, etc., and can be any suitable color. The mask layer 1706 may also be opaque to enclose underlying components, materials, structures, adhesives, or other internal components of the apparatus 100. In some cases, another layer or material is positioned below the opening 1708 such that the underlying layer or material is visible through the top case 112.

Fig. 17C shows an example in which an opening in masking layer 1706 has an additional layer 1710 positioned therein. The additional layer 1710 may have a visual appearance that contrasts with the mask layer 1706 to define a glyph. The additional layer 1710 may be any suitable material, such as paint, dye, ink, film layer, etc., and may be opaque or translucent. In some cases, the additional layer 1710 may be a half-mirror material (e.g., a metal film) that may be reflective under certain external lighting conditions and transparent (or at least partially transparent or translucent) under other external lighting conditions. For example, if the light source under the additional layer 1710 is active, the additional layer 1710 may appear to the user to be backlit (e.g., the glyph 1704 may appear to be illuminated).

Fig. 17D shows an example in which the bottom surface of top case 112 has a contrasting surface finish or other treatment 1712 in mask layer 1706 to define glyph 1704. For example, the portion of the bottom surface of top shell 112 corresponding to the glyph opening may have a different roughness, texture, or other physical characteristic than the surrounding non-glyph regions. The surface finish or treatment may be produced in any suitable manner, such as etching (e.g., chemical etching, laser etching, plasma etching), machining, grinding, sandblasting, and the like. The different surface finish or treatment 1712 may have a different visual appearance when viewed through the top surface of the top housing 112 than the surrounding area. In some cases, additional layers may be used in conjunction with top case 112 shown in fig. 17D. For example, a mask layer 1706 (shown in FIGS. 17B-17C) can be applied to the non-glyph region of the top shell 112 (as described above), and an additional layer 1710 can be applied over the surface finish or treatment 1712.

While the foregoing examples show glyphs defined by material on the bottom surface of the top shell 112, these are just some exemplary techniques for forming glyphs. In some cases, the glyphs may be defined on the top surface of the top shell 112 using the same or similar configurations as shown in fig. 17B-17D (e.g., a mask layer, additional layers, and surface treatments may be applied to the top surface). In some cases, both the top and bottom surfaces of top housing 112 may include coatings, inks, dyes, paints, surface treatments, etc. to define a glyph (or any other graphical object desired to be visible on top housing 112).

The glass member of the keypad surface can be coupled to the electronic device in various ways. For example, as shown in fig. 1, the glass top case 112 may define substantially all of the top surface of the computing device and may be directly coupled to the bottom case 110. 18A-18D illustrate other exemplary techniques for coupling a glass member of a keyboard surface to a computing device.

Fig. 18A illustrates a computing device 1800 (or simply "device 1800") that may include a glass member that defines a keyboard surface. In particular, the base portion 1804 of the device 1800 can include a top shell 1812 and a separate keypad component 1811 that is at least partially formed of glass and defines a keypad area 1814 of the device 1800. The device 1800 may otherwise be the same as or similar to the device 100 described above, and the aspects of the device 100 discussed herein will be understood to apply equally to the device 1800.

The keyboard member 1811 may have any of the characteristics and/or employ any of the features described herein for other top cases, including deformable protrusions, flexed configurations, underlying elastic members, etc. For example, the keyboard member 1811 may be formed from one or more layers of strengthened glass (e.g., chemically strengthened, ion exchanged, heat treated, tempered, annealed, etc.). The glass may be thinner than about 100 μm, thinner than about 40 μm, or thinner than about 30 μm. Keyboard member 1811 may be configured to locally deflect or deform any suitable amount in response to typing forces. For example, keyboard member 1811 may be configured to locally deflect about 0.1mm, about 0.2mm, about 0.3mm, about 0.4mm, about 0.5mm, or any other suitable amount in response to a sample typing force (e.g., 250g, 500g, 1kg, etc.).

Top case 1812 may be formed of or include any suitable material, such as glass, plastic, metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel, magnesium, alloys, etc.). Top case 1812 may also define an opening in which keyboard member 1811 may be positioned. The top shell 1812 may also define or include an input area, such as a touch input area 1816. Although both the keyboard member 1811 and the top case 1812 may be formed of glass, they may be formed of different glass materials or have other different properties or characteristics. For example, top shell 1812 may be thicker than keyboard member 1811 to provide additional strength and/or rigidity. For another example, the top case 1812 may be formed of glass having a higher hardness than that of the keyboard member 1811. In this way, various glass components can be customized to the specific design goals of each component. More specifically, a thicker top shell 1812 may provide greater structural stability, but may not provide sufficient local flexure to provide a good typing experience. Thus, a thinner keyboard member 1811 may provide deformability for providing a desired typing experience, while a thicker top shell 1812 provides desired structural strength and/or rigidity.

18B-18D are partial cross-sectional views of the device 1800 as viewed along line H-H in FIG. 18A, illustrating an exemplary technique for joining the keyboard member 1811 to the top case 1812. In fig. 18B, for example, top case 1812 defines a flange that supports a peripheral portion of keyboard member 1811. An adhesive 1815 may be positioned on the flange to secure the keyboard member 1811 to the top case 1812. Adhesive 1815 may be any suitable adhesive or bonding agent, including Pressure Sensitive Adhesives (PSA), Heat Sensitive Adhesives (HSA), epoxies, contact cements, and the like. As shown in fig. 18B-18D, the top surface of the top case 1812 and the top surface of the keyboard member 1811 may be substantially flush (e.g., coplanar), thereby creating a substantially flat top surface to the base portion 1804 of the device 1800.

Fig. 18C shows an example in which a keyboard member 1811 is fused to a top case 1812 along a fused area 1813. The keyboard member 1811 may be fused to the top shell 1812 by at least partially melting or softening the top shell 1812 and keyboard member 1811 to form a fused area 1813. Fusing may be accomplished using any suitable method, including laser welding, ultrasonic welding, direct heat and/or flame application, pressure, and the like.

Fig. 18D shows an example in which keyboard member 1811 defines a flange that is adhered or otherwise bonded to the bottom surface of top case 1812. Keyboard member 1811 can be bonded to top case 1812 with adhesive 1818, which adhesive 1818 can be any suitable adhesive or bonding agent, including Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA), thermal adhesive (HSA), epoxy, contact cement, and the like.

Fig. 19 shows an exemplary schematic of an electronic device 1900. By way of example, device 1900 of fig. 19 may correspond to computing device 100 shown in fig. 1 and/or computing device 1800 shown in fig. 18A. If multiple functions, operations, and structures are disclosed as part of device 1900, incorporated into device 1900, or performed by device 1900, it should be understood that various embodiments may omit any or all of such described functions, operations, and structures. Thus, different embodiments of the apparatus 1900 may have some, all, or none of the various capabilities, devices, physical features, modes, and operating parameters described herein. Electronic device 1900 may include a thin glass top case on which various key regions may be formed as described herein. For example, the key regions of the keyboard may be defined by protrusions formed into the top glass shell, as described herein.

As shown in fig. 19, device 1900 includes one or more processing units 1902 that are configured to access a memory 1904 having instructions stored thereon. The instructions or computer programs may be configured to perform one or more of the operations or functions described for device 1900 (and/or any device described herein, such as devices 100, 1800). For example, the instructions may be configured to control or coordinate operation of one or more displays 1920, one or more touch sensors 1906, one or more force sensors 1908, one or more communication channels 1910, and/or one or more actuators 1912.

The processing unit 1902 of fig. 19 may be implemented as any electronic device capable of processing, receiving, or transmitting data or instructions. For example, the processing unit 1902 may include one or more of: a microprocessor, a Central Processing Unit (CPU), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), or a combination of such devices. As described herein, the term "processor" is intended to encompass a single processor or processing unit, a plurality of processors, a plurality of processing units, or one or more other suitably configured computing elements.

Memory 1904 may store electronic data that may be used by device 1900. For example, the memory may store electronic data or content, such as, for example, audio and video files, documents and applications, device settings and user preferences, timing and control signals or data for various modules, data structures, or databases, and so forth. The memory 1904 may be configured as any type of memory. By way of example only, the memory 1904 may be implemented as random access memory, read only memory, flash memory, removable memory, or other types of storage elements or combinations of such devices.

Touch sensor 1906 (which can be part of a touch and/or force sensing system) can detect various types of touch-based input and generate signals or data that can be accessed with processor instructions. The touch sensor 1906 may use any suitable components and may rely on any suitable phenomena to detect physical input. For example, touch sensor 1906 can be a capacitive touch sensor, a resistive touch sensor, an acoustic wave sensor, and the like. Touch sensor 1906 can include any suitable components for detecting touch-based input and generating signals or data that can be accessed with processor instructions, including electrodes (e.g., electrode layers), physical components (e.g., substrates, spacer layers, structural supports, compressible elements, etc.), processors, circuitry, firmware, and so forth. The touch sensor 1906 can be used in conjunction with various input mechanisms to detect various types of inputs. For example, the touch sensors 1906 may be used to detect touch inputs (e.g., gestures, multi-touch inputs, taps, etc.), keyboard inputs (e.g., actuations and/or local deformations of a key region of a glass top case), and so on. The touch sensor 1906 can be integrated or otherwise configured to detect touch input on a top case of a computing device (e.g., the top case 112, 1812, or any other top case discussed herein), or on another component configured to detect touch input, such as the keyboard member 1811 (fig. 18A) and/or a deformation thereof. The touch sensors 1906 may operate in conjunction with the force sensors 1908 to generate signals or data in response to touch inputs or deformations of the key pad or other areas of the top glass cover.

Force sensors 1908 (which may be part of a touch and/or force sensing system) may detect various types of force-based inputs and generate signals or data that can be accessed with processor instructions. Force sensor 1908 may use any suitable components and may rely on any suitable phenomena to detect physical input. For example, the force sensor 1908 may be a strain-based sensor, a piezoelectric-based sensor, a piezoresistive-based sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor, or the like. Force sensor 1908 can include any suitable components for detecting force-based inputs and generating signals or data that can be accessed with processor instructions, including electrodes (e.g., electrode layers), physical components (e.g., substrates, spacer layers, structural supports, compressible elements, etc.), processors, circuitry, firmware, and so forth. The force sensor 1908 may be used with various input mechanisms to detect various types of inputs. For example, force sensor 1908 can be used to detect a click, press, or other force input applied to a trackpad, keyboard, key pad of a glass top case, touch or force sensitive input area, or the like (any or all of which can be located on or integrated with a top case of a computing device (e.g., top case 112, 1812, or any other top case discussed herein) or integrated with a keyboard member (e.g., keyboard member 1811)). The force sensor 1908 may operate in conjunction with the touch sensor 1906 to generate signals or data in response to touch and/or force based input or local deformation of the top glass shell.

The device 1900 may also include one or more actuators 1912. The actuator 1912 may include one or more of a variety of haptic technologies, such as, but not necessarily limited to, a mechanical actuator, a solenoid, a hydraulic actuator, a cam, a piezoelectric device, a magnetic actuator, and so forth. In general, the actuator 1912 may be configured to provide a return force to a key area of the top glass shell and/or provide a distinct feedback (e.g., a tactile click) to a user of the device. For example, the actuator 1912 may be adapted to produce a tapping or tapping sensation and/or a vibratory sensation, to produce a biasing force that biases the protrusion toward the un-depressed position, and so forth.

The one or more communication channels 1910 may include one or more wireless interfaces adapted to provide communication between the one or more processing units 1902 and external devices. In general, the one or more communication channels 1910 may be configured to transmit and receive data and/or signals that may be interpreted by instructions executing on the processing unit 1902. In some cases, the external device is part of an external communication network configured to exchange data with the wireless device. In general, the wireless interface may include, but is not limited to, radio frequency, optical, acoustic, and/or magnetic signals, and may be configured to operate over a wireless interface or protocol. Exemplary wireless interfaces include a radio frequency cellular interface, a fiber optic interface, an acoustic interface, a bluetooth interface, an infrared interface, a USB interface, a Wi-Fi interface, a TCP/IP interface, a network communication interface, or any conventional communication interface.

As shown in fig. 19, device 1900 may include a battery 1914 for storing power and providing power to other components of device 1900. Battery 1914 may be a rechargeable power source configured to provide power to device 1900 while device 1900 is being used by a user.

The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required in order to practice the embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. Further, as used herein to refer to the position of a component, the terms above and below, or their synonyms, do not necessarily refer to an absolute position relative to an external reference, but rather to a relative position of the component relative to the drawings.

Claims (20)

1. An apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a display portion, the display portion comprising:

a display housing; and

a display at least partially located within the display housing; and

a base portion pivotally coupled to the display portion and comprising:

a bottom case;

a glass top shell coupled to the bottom shell and defining an array of raised key areas; and

a sensing system located below the top glass cover and configured to detect an input applied to a raised key area of the array of raised key areas.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the array of raised key regions forms a keyboard of the device;

the top glass shell further defines a touch input area along a side of the keyboard;

the input comprises a force applied to the raised key region of the array of raised key regions;

the raised key region is configured to locally deflect in response to an applied force; and is

The sensing system is configured to:

detecting the local deflection of the raised key region; and

detecting a touch input applied to the touch input area.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the array of raised key regions forms a keyboard of the device; and is

The device also includes a support structure within the base portion, below the top glass shell, and configured to resist deflection of the top glass shell in a non-key area of the keyboard.

4. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein the raised key region defines a substantially flat top surface.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the raised key region is defined at least in part by a sidewall that extends around the raised key region and is configured to deform in response to the input.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the device further includes a support structure positioned below an area of the top glass shell between two adjacent raised key regions; and is

The support structure is configured to resist deflection of the area in response to a force applied to one of the two adjacent raised key areas.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the array of raised key regions defining a keyboard of the device;

the top glass shell defining a transparent portion along a side of the keyboard;

the display is a first display;

the apparatus further comprises a second display positioned below the top glass shell; and is

The second display is aligned with the transparent portion of the top glass shell.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the glass top case includes:

a first glass layer defining the array of raised key regions and configured to flex in response to a first force applied to the raised key regions; and

a second glass layer located below the first glass layer and configured to provide a buckling response in response to a second force applied to the raised key region that is greater than the first force.

9. A keyboard for an electronic device, comprising:

a bottom case;

a glass top shell coupled to the bottom shell and defining an array of raised key areas; and

a sensing system located below the top glass shell, wherein

A raised key region of the array of raised key regions is configured to deflect in response to an actuation force applied to the raised key region; and is

The sensing system is configured to detect the deflection of the raised key region.

10. The keyboard of claim 9, further comprising an elastic member below the raised key region and configured to impart a return force to the raised key region.

11. The keyboard of claim 10, wherein:

the elastic member provides a buckling response to the raised key region; and is

The buckling response is provided in response to a deflection of the raised key region exceeding a threshold distance.

12. The keyboard of claim 11, wherein the resilient member is a collapsible dome.

13. The keyboard of claim 9, further comprising a haptic actuator configured to impart a force to the raised key region in response to the sensing system detecting the deflection of the raised key region.

14. The keyboard of claim 9, wherein the raised key region comprises a curved top surface.

15. The keyboard of claim 9, wherein:

the raised key region includes a sidewall extending from a base surface of the top glass shell and supporting a top surface of the raised key region; and is

The sidewall is configured to deform in response to the actuation force.

16. An apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a display portion comprising a display; and

a base portion hinged to the display portion and comprising:

a bottom case; and

a top glass shell coupled to the bottom shell and defining an array of key areas, wherein the key areas of the array of key areas are configured to produce a buckling response in response to an applied force.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the key region defines a top surface having a convex curved shape configured to collapse to provide the buckling response.

18. The device of claim 17, further comprising a spring below the key area and configured to impart a return force to the key area.

19. The device of claim 16, further comprising a support structure supporting the glass top shell relative to the bottom shell and configured to prevent a force applied to the key area from flexing an additional key area adjacent to the key area.

20. The device of claim 16, wherein each key area in the array of key areas has a thickness of less than about 40 μ ι η.

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