CN205485954U

CN205485954U - Input structure , keyboard and electronic equipment

Info

Publication number: CN205485954U
Application number: CN201620238700.9U
Authority: CN
Inventors: J·B·莫雷尔; R·A·霍普金森; P·M·阿诺德; M·M·西尔瓦托; W·F·勒盖特
Original assignee: Apple Computer Inc
Current assignee: Apple Inc
Priority date: 2014-09-30
Filing date: 2015-09-29
Publication date: 2016-08-17
Anticipated expiration: 2025-09-29

Abstract

The utility model discloses an input structure, keyboard and electronic equipment. Input structure includes: the definition user imports the surface and has the deformed base plate of micropunch array, the developments illumination layer that can dispose, its configuration that configures the illumination layer that can dispose based on developments into via the micropunch is in the user imports surface department and shows the symbol set, the setting is in can deform base plate below and configure into in response to the deformation of base plate and produce the input structure of electric response, and configure into based on electric response generates user incoming signal's treater, user incoming signal corresponding to corresponding symbol in the symbol set.

Description

Input structure, keyboard and electronic equipment

The application is filing date JIUYUE in 2015 29 days, Application No. 201520763398.4, the divisional application of the utility application of utility model entitled " electronic equipment and the input structure for electronic equipment ".

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

The application is U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/057 of entitled " Zero-Travel Input Structure (the zero displacement input structure) " of JIUYUE in 2014 submission on the 30th, the non-provisional of 350 and claimed, be incorporated in this in full by the disclosure of this temporary patent application by way of reference.The application further relates to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/057 of entitled " Dynamic Track Pad for Electronic Devices (for the dynamic tracking plate of electronic equipment) " of JIUYUE in 2014 submission on the 30th, 425 and claimed, by way of reference the disclosure of this temporary patent application is incorporated in this in full.

Technical field

Present disclosure relates generally to electronic equipment, more particularly to for the quick input structure of configurable power of electronic equipment.

Background technology

Traditional electronic equipment generally includes the multiple different input equipment formed by multiple assembly.For example, traditional lap-top computing devices generally includes keyboard and tracking plate to allow user to interact with laptop computer.Each in the middle of these equipment includes multiple assembly, and it is likely located at shell inside and outside of laptop computer.For example, keyboard can include from the keycap that shell is prominent, and is positioned at corresponding internal shell fragment (dome) switch, electric contact piece and the trace of shell.So that keycap is prominent from shell and keeps contacting with intraware, the shell through electronic equipment forms keycap aperture.

But traditional input equipment (such as keyboard or the tracking plate of laptop computer) is easily subject to damage.For example, chip and other pollutant may enter the shell of electronic equipment by keycap aperture, and may damage the intraware of electronic equipment subsequently.Damage for intraware may make electronic equipment inoperable.Similarly, the frame for movement of input equipment is formed possibly for dropping or mechanical shock is the most fragile.

Additionally, due to many traditional input equipments have is positioned at the enclosure of electronic equipment and outside some assemblies, therefore the risk of component faults also can increase.That is, the outside being positioned at shell with some assembly combines, in the case of some assemblies are used to form each traditional input equipment, if single component is damaged, lose or become inoperable, the most whole input equipment all may become inoperable.

Utility model content

Disclose a kind of input structure, including: definition user input surface and there is micropunch array can deformation substrate；The illuminating layer of dynamic and configurable, its configuration being configured to illuminating layer based on dynamic and configurable is closed via described micropunch display symbol set at described user input surface；Be arranged on described can be below deformation substrate and be configured to the deformation of described substrate and produce the input structure of electrical response；And it being configured to generate the processor of user input signal based on described electrical response, described user input signal is corresponding to the respective symbol in described assemble of symbol.

According to an embodiment, described assemble of symbol is the first assemble of symbol；And the illuminating layer of described dynamic and configurable is further configured to show the second assemble of symbol at described user input surface via described micropunch.

According to an embodiment, described user input signal is corresponding to the symbol in described first assemble of symbol or the symbol in described second assemble of symbol.

According to an embodiment, described configuration is corresponding to described first assemble of symbol or described second assemble of symbol.

According to an embodiment, described input structure includes: sensed layer；And it is coupled capacitively to the driving layer of sensed layer.

According to an embodiment, the deformation of described substrate makes described sensed layer translate relative to described driving layer.

According to an embodiment, described sensed layer causes the change of the electric capacity measured between described sensed layer and described driving layer relative to the translation of described driving layer.

Disclose a kind of keyboard, including: shell, comprising: the contact portion of definition user input surface；And it is coupled to the base part of contact portion；Input structure between contact portion and base part, described input structure is configured to power and the position of power that detection receives in the contact site office of described shell；And the illuminating layer of dynamic and configurable, it is configured to: illuminate described user input surface according to the first configuration；Illuminating described user input surface according to the second configuration, described second configuration has and described first differently configured illumination style.

According to an embodiment, the power receiving described contact site office and the detection of the position of power are based on the electric capacity measured at input structure.

According to an embodiment, the position of the position of the measurement of the described electric capacity power corresponding to receiving in described contact site office.

According to an embodiment, the value of described electric capacity is corresponding to the power received in described contact site office.

According to an embodiment, described contact portion also includes the one group of hole extended through described user input surface.

According to an embodiment, the first described first configuration of subset definition of described one group of hole；And the second described second configuration of subset definition of described one group of hole.

According to an embodiment, the surface of described input structure is directly attached to the inner surface of described contact portion.

According to an embodiment, the deformation of described contact portion makes the surface of described input structure deform upon.

Disclose a kind of electronic equipment, including: having can the shell of contact portion of deformation；And be positioned at below described shell and be configured to the deformation of described contact portion to detect the input structure of capacitance variations；It is arranged on the illuminating layer in described shell；And it being operatively connected to described input structure and the processor of described illuminating layer, wherein said processor is configured to: optionally activate described illuminating layer to show the labelling of the first configuration of described contact site office；Optionally activate described illuminating layer to show the labelling of the second configuration of described contact site office；And the detection in response to the deformation to described contact portion, generate user input signal based on the output from described input structure.

According to an embodiment, the labelling of described first configuration is different from the labelling of described second configuration.

According to an embodiment, the labelling of described first configuration or the tag definitions of described second configuration are at least one following: the single button border in described contact portion；And the single symbol in described contact portion.

According to an embodiment, described input structure includes: sensed layer；And it is coupled capacitively to the driving layer of sensed layer..

According to an embodiment, compliant layer is between described sensed layer and described driving layer.

According to an embodiment, described sensed layer includes the first pel array；And described driving layer includes the second pel array.

Driving sensor pixel pair according to an embodiment, the pixel of described first pel array and the pixel definition of described second pel array, described driving sensor pixel senses the position of the power being applied on contact position to cooperation.

According to an embodiment, described electronic equipment also includes haptic feedback module, and it is operatively connected to described processor and is configured to the deformation of described contact portion to provide tactile feedback signal.

Disclose a kind of input structure.Described input structure includes: the metal contact layer of the definition configurable inflow section of specification；It is positioned at the sensed layer below metal contact layer；It is coupled capacitively to the driving layer of sensed layer；Compliant layer (compliant layer) between sensed layer and driving layer；And it is positioned at the rigid substrate layer driven below layer, wherein sensed layer and driving layer cooperation sense the power being applied on metal contact layer.

According to an embodiment, metal contact layer is in response to being applied to power thereon the most perceivable flexing.

According to an embodiment, sensed layer includes the first pel array；And drive layer to include the second pel array.

According to an embodiment, each pixel of the first pel array is corresponding to unique pixel of the second pel array；And corresponding unique pixel cooperation of each pixel of the first pel array and the second pel array senses the position applying power on the contact layer.

According to an embodiment, described input structure also includes the support member extending to the rigidity of metal contact layer from rigid substrate layer.

According to an embodiment, the support member of described rigidity stops the deformation of metal contact layer.

According to an embodiment, layer is driven to be coupled to rigid substrate layer at each turning of described driving layer.

According to an embodiment, layer is driven to be disposed on the whole surface of rigid substrate layer and be coupled to the whole surface of rigid substrate layer.

According to an embodiment, compliant layer includes can the array of deformation assembly.

Additionally disclose a kind of electronic equipment.Described electronic equipment includes that metal shell, described metal shell have contact portion and be positioned at below contact portion and be coupled to the base part of contact portion.Described electronic equipment also includes: the one group of hole formed through contact portion；And be positioned at shell and be positioned at the input structure below described one group of hole.Described input structure includes；It is positioned at the sensed layer below the contact portion of metal shell；It is positioned at the driving layer under sensed layer；In sensed layer and drive between layer and be coupled to sensed layer and the compliant layer of driving layer；And it is positioned at the support member set of compliant layer.Described input structure can capacitively detect the power in the contact portion being applied to metal shell and the position of power.

According to an embodiment, the support member set of described input structure is in sensed layer and drives between layer.

According to an embodiment, the support member set of described input structure is between the contact portion and the base part of shell of shell.

According to an embodiment, described input structure also includes: the photoconductive layer between sensed layer and the contact portion of shell；And the light source of adjacent light guides layer.

According to an embodiment, described one group of hole is by light source lighting, thus forms at least one of the following items: the single button border in the contact portion of shell；And the single figure pictograph in the contact portion of shell.

According to an embodiment, the contact portion of described shell is molded.

According to an embodiment, described electronic equipment also include with input structure telecommunication and to shell contact portion provide haptic signal haptic feedback module.

According to an embodiment, described input structure is directly attached to the inner surface of the contact portion of shell.

Disclose a kind of electronic equipment.Described electronic equipment includes: include the metal shell of contact portion；And be positioned at below the contact portion of shell and be fixed to the input structure of contact portion of shell.Described input structure includes at least one input area being formed in a part for described contact portion.Described input structure provides one group of interchangeable input equipment in being configured at least one input area described in the most described part being formed at described contact portion.

According to an embodiment, described input structure includes at least one stepped construction, comprising: be positioned at the sensed layer below contact portion；The driving layer that neighbouring sensed layer is placed；And in sensed layer and drive between layer and be coupled to sensed layer and the compliant layer of driving layer.

According to an embodiment, described input structure includes being positioned at the simple layer stack structure below at least one input area described.

According to an embodiment, described input structure includes one group of stepped construction, and each in the middle of described one group of stepped construction forms exclusive input area.

According to an embodiment, described one group of interchangeable input equipment is from including selection in the middle of the group of the following: keyboard, tracking plate and numeric keypad.

According to an embodiment, described electronic equipment also includes and the mode key of input structure telecommunication, and described mode key changes the second input equipment in the middle of described one group of interchangeable input equipment at least one input area described first input equipment in the middle of described one group of interchangeable input equipment.

Accompanying drawing explanation

Will readily appreciate that present disclosure by the detailed description carried out below in conjunction with accompanying drawing, the most identical reference refers to identical construction unit, and wherein:

Figure 1A shows and includes the electronic equipment including the configurable quick input structure of power according to some embodiments.

Figure 1B shows the top view of the electronic equipment of the Figure 1A according to some embodiments.

Fig. 2 shows the cross sectional side view of the stepped construction of the quick input structure of power of the electronic equipment of the Figure 1A along the acquirement of 2-2 mono-line according to some embodiments.The quick input structure of described power includes compliant layer formed therein.

Fig. 3 shows the cross sectional side view of the stepped construction of the quick input structure of power of the electronic equipment of the Figure 1A along the acquirement of 2-2 mono-line according to additional embodiment.The quick input structure of described power include formed therein can deformation comply with support member.

Fig. 4 shows the bottom view of a part for the electronic equipment including the configurable quick input structure of power and haptic feedback module according to some embodiments.

Fig. 5 shows the cross sectional side view of a part for the stepped construction of the quick input structure of power of the electronic equipment of the Figure 1A along the acquirement of 2-2 mono-line according to some embodiments.As shown in Figure 5, the stepped construction of the quick input structure of described power is fixed in electronic equipment in the first configuration.

Fig. 6 shows the cross sectional side view of a part for the stepped construction of the quick input structure of power of the electronic equipment of the Figure 1A along the acquirement of 2-2 mono-line according to additional embodiment.As shown in Figure 6, the stepped construction of the quick input of described power is fixed in electronic equipment in the second configuration.

Fig. 7 shows the cross sectional side view of a part for the stepped construction of the quick input structure of power of the electronic equipment of the Figure 1A along the acquirement of 2-2 mono-line according to further embodiment.As shown in Figure 7, the stepped construction of the quick input structure of described power is fixed in electronic equipment in the third configuration.

Fig. 8 shows a part for the stepped construction of the driving pixel including sensor and the configurable quick input structure of power of formation according to some embodiments.

Fig. 9 shows including sensor and forming the top view of the stepped construction driving row that can configure the quick input structure of power according to additional embodiment.

Figure 10 shows the top view of the electronic equipment including the configurable quick input structure of power according to further embodiment.Before being configured for the specific input equipment of electronic equipment, wherein show the input area of the described quick input structure of configurable power.

Figure 11 shows the top view of the electronic equipment including the configurable quick input structure of power of the Figure 10 according to further embodiment.After the specific input equipment being configured for electronic equipment, wherein show the input area of the described configurable quick input structure of power.

Figure 12 shows the amplification vertical view of a part for the electronic equipment of the Figure 11 according to further embodiment.

Figure 13 A shows the top view of the electronic equipment including the configurable quick input structure of power according to some embodiments, and the wherein said quick input structure of configurable power is in the first configuration including keyboard.

Figure 13 B shows the top view of the electronic equipment including the configurable quick input structure of power according to some embodiments, and the wherein said quick input structure of configurable power is in the second configuration of the arrow button only including the keyboard shown in Figure 13 A.

Figure 14 shows the top view of the electronic equipment including the configurable quick input structure of power according to some embodiments, and the wherein said quick input structure of configurable power has the contact surface of molding.

Figure 15 A shows the top view of the electronic equipment including the configurable quick input structure of power according to some embodiments, and the wherein said quick input structure of configurable power is under the first operator scheme including keyboard and mode key.

Figure 15 B shows the top view of the electronic equipment including the configurable quick input structure of power according to some embodiments, and the wherein said quick input structure of configurable power is under the second operator scheme including tracking plate and mode key.

Detailed description of the invention

Reference will now be made in detail to now the representative embodiment shown in accompanying drawing.It should be appreciated that description below is not intended to described embodiment to be restricted to a preferred embodiment.On the contrary, its intention contains various alternatives, amendment and the equivalents in the spirit and scope that can be included in the described embodiment being defined by the appended claims.

Disclosure below relates generally to electronic equipment, more particularly to for the quick input structure of configurable power of electronic equipment.In certain embodiments, the described quick input structure of configurable power can be zero displacement or low displacement structure.

Term used herein above " zero displacement " can not require not move, but may be defined as the user of electronic equipment for input structure assembly can not perception or the most cognizable movement, and/or the flexing of structure or bending rather than assembly are relative to the displacement of another assembly.Electronic equipment discussed herein and/or the assembly of input structure can provide the power (" such as inputting power ") of input to deform upon in response to user to electronic equipment.But the deformation of these assemblies when user interacts with electronic equipment and/or input structure may perceived, feel or detect, or can be insignificant relatively.

In a specific embodiment, the described quick input structure of configurable power is configured for the multiple input equipment of electronic equipment, including and be not limited to keyboard, numeric keypad or tracking plate.Described electronic equipment can utilize single input structure to form some different input equipments, or can include the some input structures for forming different input equipment on the contrary.Described electronic equipment can include the contact portion formed by the material of flexible (or partly flexible), and it can bend or be deflected in the part of input layer stack structure and/or contact a part for input layer stack structure.For example, described contact portion can be foil, or a part for the metal housing of electronic equipment.The deformation of the contact portion that input layer stack structure can cause owing to applying input power in the corresponding contact part of electronic equipment with capacitively sensing.In certain embodiments, typical input power can be approximation 20-350 gram, but this scope is intended merely as example and unrestricted.The value of the input power being applied to contact portion be enough to cause contact portion to be deflected in stepped construction, so that described stepped construction capacitively sensing is to power.In certain embodiments, described power makes the bending of caused contact portion or deformation be non for user in vision and/or sense of touch.

When applying input power and detected electric capacity beyond certain threshold value, electronic equipment can be provided the input of the deformation of any or all position changed corresponding to electric capacity, the quantity of capacitive character change and/or contact portion.The position that capacitive character changes can correspond to provide the position of power input on the surface of electronic equipment, thus corresponding to touch location.Correspondingly, embodiment here can not only detect continuous print power (rather than the binary detection for power), but also can detect the position of touch/mutual.In addition, owing to embodiment as described herein does not relies on the capacitive couplings between sensor and the equipment or the people that provide touch input, therefore some embodiments can sense power and/or touch by the ground connection of such as metal etc and/or shielding construction, and can sense the input touching electronic equipment by non-electrical capacitive structure and provide.

Additionally, due to the described quick input structure of configurable power can form multiple different input equipment, the most described contact layer may be configured to include one or more input area, they different input equipments including having the difference in functionality for electronic equipment.

As discussed herein, configurable during the quick input structure of described power, and can be to take for the multiple different input equipment of electronic equipment or the form of assembly or shape.As a result of which it is, the quick input structure of described power can provide a user with uniqueness/configurable input equipment or assembly；Such equipment/assembly may not be associated with electronic equipment, and/or may not integrate with electronic equipment.

Additionally, the location of the input equipment of the quick input structure of power can be customizable.It is to say, in the quick input structure of power, input equipment can be moved to the diverse location on shell.As a result, it is possible to input equipment to be moved to based on user preference the ad-hoc location of shell.It is likewise possible to the operation of electronic equipment by user's input, being associated, software, firmware, other hardware etc. adjust size or the shape of wherein one or more these type of input equipments.Therefore, it can be said that specification is configurable during described input structure, this is that the input equipment (section) being on its surface can be moved and/or adjust size and/or adjust shape.

Additionally, as discussed herein, formed the assembly of the quick input structure of power or layer substantially by the shell of electronic equipment around and/or close.As a result of which it is, in addition to contact surface, do not have the part of the quick input structure of power to be exposed.As a result of which it is, described shell can be formed by solid material, such that it is able to prevent from damaging intraware and/or the assembly of the quick input structure of power of electronic equipment.

Later with reference to Figure 1A-15B, foregoing and other embodiment is discussed.But those skilled in the art will readily recognize that, describe in detail merely for the sake of explanatory purpose herein in relation to what these accompanying drawings were given, and be not interpreted as restricting.

Figure 1A and 1B shows the electronic equipment 100 according to some embodiments, and it includes the configurable quick input structure of power 200.In a limiting examples, as shown in Figure 1A and 1B, electronic equipment 100 can be laptop computer.It should be understood, however, that electronic equipment 100 is configured to utilize any suitable electronic equipment of the quick input structure of configurable power 200 (referred to hereinafter as " input structure 200 ").

As discussed herein, the quick input structure of power 200 is formed in the shell of electronic equipment 100, and be formed on the lower section of the contact portion of the shell of electronic equipment 100 especially, so that the user of electronic equipment 100 and input structure 200 interact and/or utilize input structure 200.The quick input structure of power 200 is configurable structure, and it can be to take for the multiple different input equipment of electronic equipment 100 or the form of assembly or shape.Its result is, the user that the input structure 200 of electronic equipment 100 is electronic equipment 100 provides unique input equipment or assembly, it may not be associated with electronic equipment 100, and/or need the additional accessory part as " circumscribed adnexa (add-on) ", and/or do not integrate with electronic equipment 100.In a limiting examples, and with may only include the conventional laptop computer of standard " QWERTY " keyboard and tracking plate as a comparison, the electronic equipment 100 with the quick input structure of power 200 can include qwerty keyboard, tracking plate, independent numeric keypad, special character or figure pictograph (glyph) keypad and/or the directionkeys part of amplification.

In addition, owing to the quick input structure of power 200 may be configured to multiple input equipment or assembly and can switch between various input equipments or assembly, the input equipment therefore formed by the quick input structure of power 200 be positioned at electronic equipment 100 in can be customizable.It is to say, if the quick input structure of power 200 is formed on a part or the lower section of the most whole contact portion of the shell of electronic equipment 100, then the location of the input equipment formed by the quick input structure of power 200 can be moved on the contact surface.As a result of which it is, when user mainly uses keyboard to key in when utilizing electronic equipment 100, tracking plate can be moved to the specific side of the contact portion of shell, or can be placed on the top of the keyboard formed by the quick input structure of power 200.Likewise it is possible to configured the size and/or shape of a certain section of input structure 200 by user.For example, user can specify to accept the specific region of input, section etc..In other words, input structure can be that specification is configurable.

Additionally, as discussed herein, formed the assembly of the quick input structure of power 200 or layer substantially by the shell of electronic equipment 100 around and/or close.As a result of which it is, do not have the part of the quick input structure of power 200 to be exposed and/or be placed between outside and the interior section of the shell forming electronic equipment 100.As a result of which it is, interact therewith to utilize the contact portion of the shell of the quick input structure of power 200 can be formed by solid material, and/or can not there is in the interior section of the shell of electronic equipment 100 any hole, depression or entrance.Solid shell is possible to prevent the assembly of electronic equipment 100 and/or the assembly of the quick input structure of power 200 to cause being damaged owing to being directly exposed to impact event (such as dropping) and/or be exposed to environment or external contaminants (such as dust, water etc.).

In many examples, the quick input structure of described power can be zero displacement input structure.As previously discussed, term used herein above " zero displacement " may be not related to not move, but the user that can more accurately be defined as electronic equipment 100 assembly of input structure 200 is caused can not perception or the most cognizable movement.As discussed herein, the assembly of electronic equipment 100 and/or input structure 200 can deform upon to provide input to electronic equipment 100.But, the deformation of these assemblies may by the user's perception interacted with electronic equipment 100 and/or input structure 200, feel or detect.

Electronic equipment 100 can include shell 102.Shell 102 can take external protective shell or the form of housing of the various intrawares (such as input structure 200) for electronic equipment 100 and electronic equipment 100.Shell 102 can be formed to may be configured to different assemblies coupled to each other.In a limiting examples, as shown in Figure 1A and 1B, shell 102 can be formed by contact layer or part 104 and the basal layer being coupled to contact portion 104 or part 106.Contact layer or part 104 and basal layer or part 106 can be coupled to each other along the jointing line 108 of electronic equipment 100.As discussed herein, the contact portion 104 including input structure 200 can be mutual (such as being touched by user) with user, in order to provides input and/or interacts with electronic equipment 100.Base part 106 can be input structure 200 and electronic equipment 100 provides structure to support, as discussed herein.Contact layer or part 104 can only extend in a part for shell, or can extend on whole shells.For example, contact layer or part 104 can extend in the part on the single surface of shell 102, or can extend on whole surfaces, or can extend on multiple surfaces.Additionally, single equipment (and/or single shell) can have multiple contact portion 104.

Contact layer 104 and basal layer 106 can be formed by any suitable material of the various assemblies offer protectiveness shell for electronic equipment 100 and being included in electronic equipment 100 or housing.Additionally, the contact layer 104 of shell 102 can be formed by the different materials or identical material with different physical specification and/or characteristic with basal layer 106, in order to help the function of each part of shell 102.In a limiting examples, contact layer 104 can be made of metal, such as aluminum flat board, outer housing (such as shell) etc..In another limiting examples, contact layer 104 can be formed by pottery, plastics or another kind of polymer or fibre substrate complex etc..When being pressed by user, contact layer 104 can be flexible at least in part.But when applying on the contact layer typically to input power, contact layer can not perceivable flexing (such as experience zero displacement) from the perspective of user.In certain embodiments, contact portion can move under typical input power, flexing or shift about some tens of pm or less, all these is all contained by term " zero displacement ".For example, contact layer 104 can shift 100 microns or less under typical input power, 50 microns or less, or 10 microns or less.Other embodiments can allow bigger displacement, and can allow the appreciable displacement of user.

Basal layer 106 can be made by from the similar or different material of contact portion 104.As discussed herein, in a limiting examples, base part 106 can by metal (such as aluminum or any other suitable metal), pottery, plastics or another kind of polymer, fibre substrate complex or can be substantially rigid any other suitable material is formed, in order to support electronic equipment 100 and input structure 200.Basal layer or part 106 can function as sensed layer and one of them or all the two ground connection and/or the shieldings that drive layer, as described herein.

As shown in Figure 1A and 1B, electronic equipment 100 can also include display 110 and accommodate the display casing 112 of display 110.Display casing 112 can form outer jacket and/or the protectiveness encapsulation of the display 110 for electronic equipment 100, as discuss similarly herein in relation to shell 102.Display 110 may be implemented such that any suitable display technology utilized by electronic equipment 100.

Input structure 200 can be formed and/or be placed on electronic equipment 100 or in electronic equipment 100.As discussed herein, the various telecommunication assemblies of input structure 200 are formed or between contact portion 104 and/or the base part 106 of shell 102 that layer (it is collectively referred to as " stepped construction ") may be located at electronic equipment 100 or be fixed at least one of contact portion 104 and/or base part 106.As shown in Figure 1A and 1B, input structure 200 can provide or be formed some input area 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d (illustrating with imaginary drawing (phantom)) in the contact portion 104 of electronic equipment 100.Input area 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d are allowing user to interact and/or providing the presumptive area of input to electronic equipment 100 of contact portion 104.

Although showing four different input area 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d in figs. 1 a and 1b, but electronic equipment 100 can having any number of input area being defined in contact portion 104.In a limiting examples, the contact portion 104 of electronic equipment 100 can include single input area, its can be formed on contact portion 104 at least some of on (seeing Figure 13 A and 13B).In another limiting examples, the contact portion 104 of electronic equipment 100 can include being formed at contact portion 104 at least some of on two equal sized input areas.Additionally, input area can be formed in other parts of outer housing (such as shell), in the outside of such as outer housing, the side of outer housing, display casing 112 etc..

Additionally, as discuss in detail below, each input area 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d in contact portion 104 can be formed by stepped construction described later；Each input area can have the stepped construction of himself, or multiple input area can be with inclusion layer stack structure.In a limiting examples, electronic equipment 100 can have the different stepped construction corresponding to each input area 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d in the contact portion 104 of electronic equipment 100.In another limiting examples, electronic equipment 100 can have the simple layer stack structure corresponding to all input area 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d in the contact portion 104 of electronic equipment 100.In the limiting examples with simple layer stack structure, part that is that the part of the contact portion 104 in being not located at input area or not defining the electronic equipment 100 of input area can correspond to the electric insulation of stepped construction and/or that be not configured to put forward supply input in response to the action of user.

Although electronic equipment 100 is shown as laptop computer it should be appreciated that, electronic equipment 100 may be configured to utilize any suitable electronic equipment of input structure 200.In nonrestrictive example, other embodiments can implement electronic equipment 100, such as desk computer, tablet computing device, smart phone, game station, display, digital music player, wearable computing equipment or display, health monitoring equipment etc. in different ways.

Although additionally, discuss herein as input structure it should be appreciated that, the disclosed embodiments can be used in the multiple input equipment that various electronic is utilized.As discussed herein, the assembly of input structure 200 and described structure can be utilized or be implemented in the multiple input equipment of electronic equipment, including and be not limited to button, switch, trigger, roller, mouse, stick, tracking plate etc..

Fig. 2 and 3 shows the side cutaway view of a part for the electronic equipment 100 along the 2-2 mono-line acquirement in Figure 1A.As shown in Figure 2 and as discussed herein, the various telecommunication assemblies of input structure 200 are formed or between contact portion 104 and the base part 106 of shell 102 that layer (such as stepped construction) may be located at electronic equipment 100.The stepped construction of input structure 200 can include sensed layer 204 and corresponding driving layer 206 separate with sensed layer 204.As shown in Figures 2 and 3, sensed layer 204 may be located at below contact portion 104, drives the layer 206 can be with the base part 106 of nearby electron equipment 100 and/or be positioned at above the base part 106 of electronic equipment 100.It should be appreciated that in certain embodiments, the position of sensed layer 204 and driving layer 206 can exchange.In a limiting examples, sensed layer 204 may be located at above base part 106 or neighbouring base part 106, and drives the layer 206 can neighbouring contact portion 104 and/or be positioned at below contact portion 104.

The sensed layer 204 of input structure 200 and driving layer 206 can cooperate and measure sensed layer 204 and drive the electric capacity between layer 206, particularly the electric capacity (and electric capacity change) at the specific region of sensed layer 204 and driving layer 206 overlap.The capacitive behavior of sensed layer 204 and driving layer 206 can be utilized to when being applied power (F) by the user of electronic equipment 100 detect the deflection in contact portion 104.As discussed herein, power (F) can be applied to the contact portion 104 of electronic equipment 100 in input area 202, in order to by user to electronic equipment 100 provide input and/or interact with electronic equipment 100.Determine input owing to sensed layer 204 and driving layer 206 can change based on measured electric capacity, the power being therefore applied to contact portion 104 can be from any user or object.Input structure 200 does not require user's direct touch input structure.On the contrary, user can utilize any object to apply power to contact portion 104.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, between sensed layer 204 and the driving layer 206 of the stepped construction that compliant layer 208 may be located at input structure 200.Compliant layer 208 can also be physically coupled to sensed layer 204 and drive each in the middle of layer 206 or all the two.Compliant layer 208 can utilize any suitable binding agent be coupled to sensed layer 204 and drive layer 206.

Compliant layer 208 can be formed to support sensed layer 204 by substantial flexibility and elastic material, and/or prevent sensed layer 204 from touching driving layer 206 when applying power to the contact portion 104 of electronic equipment 100.In addition, the resilient property of compliant layer 208 can allow sensed layer 204 relatively quickly to return neutral state (such as bouncing back into uncompressed position), thus allows the power detecting at the same position in contact portion 104 and/or input area 202 or applying in succession near it.Compliant layer 208 can have aperture formed therein, or can be the set of the structure of such as column or pillar etc, in order to the space of provided extension when compliant layer 208 stress and deformation.Or compliant layer 208 can be the continuous layer of material that (multiple) are solid, as discussed herein.

In a limiting examples, as shown in Figure 2, compliant layer 208 by being placed in sensed layer 204 and can drive the single thin slice of the elastomeric material between layer 206 to be formed.The elastomer forming compliant layer 208 can be any suitable material, as applying the result of power (F) and removal force subsequently to contact portion 104, it can be deformed upon along with sensed layer 204 (or its a certain discrete parts) and be rebounded subsequently towards driving layer 206 be compressed.Described elastomer can be such as responsive gel (compliant gel).

In another limiting examples, as shown in Figure 3, compliant layer 208 such as deformation can be complied with structure 210 by can the array of deformation assembly be formed.For convenience's sake, be used herein term " gel point (gel dot) " describe described in comply with structure, but this term is not intended to be restricted to described structure any specific material or shape.Can be formed by the similar material discussed herein in relation to the compliant layer 208 in Fig. 2 by deformation gel point 210, and can have any suitable shape, size or configuration；In certain embodiments, described point is cylindrical, and is formed between driving layer and sensed layer the pillar-shaped structure extended.Therefore, the structural support characteristic similar with compliant layer 208 and/or elastic characteristic can also can be included by deformation gel point 210.Can the array of deformation gel point 210 can be single assembly, its can combined, lamination or by other means coupling formed can the simple layer of deformation gel point 210.Although being here illustrated and being described as gel point, it should be understood, however, that, the array of the independent assembly forming compliant layer 208 can be any shape, have different toughness and/or any material of stickiness, as long as the array forming the independent assembly of compliant layer 208 operates according to the mode being substantially similar to gel point 210 discussed herein.

Limiting examples at Fig. 3 includes the array of deformation gel point 210 can to help to detect the power (F) of the contact portion 104 being applied to electronic equipment 100.In a limiting examples, wherein compliant layer 208 include can the array of deformation gel point 210, power (F) can be more localized or concentrate on those gel points 210 being directed at power (F) (such as near the beneath portions of the power that is applied in of contact portion 104 or its).In this nonlimiting example, the gel point 210 being not located at below power (F) or be directed at power (F) by other means is possible will not deformation.Additionally, power (F) can will not be disperseed or be otherwise diffused on surrounding's sections of compliant layer 208 by deformation gel point 210.So can improve accuracy and/or the response time of the power (F) of the contact portion 104 being applied to electronic equipment 100 by user, can by power (F) and can deform upon as result by deformation gel point 210 this is because only have selected one group.

Described stepped construction can also have the set (the most one or more support member) of the support member 212 between the contact portion 104 and base part 106 of electronic equipment 100.As shown in Figures 2 and 3, may be located at least partially in compliant layer 208 of each support member 212.Additionally, support member 212 can be distributed in the whole contact portion 104 of electronic equipment 100, in order to provide structure to support for contact portion 104.In a limiting examples, support member 212 can be placed throughout electronic equipment 100, to provide structure to support for contact portion 104, thus the bending undesirably being essentially prevented from or minimize in contact portion 104 when not applied power (F) by user or flexing, or under the power that user applies, reduce bending or flexing (such as displacement).It is in above support member 212 and/or the region of neighbouring contact portion 104 is probably and can not be bent by user, be therefore probably " dead band (dead zone) " when input cannot be detected by input structure 200.The set of described support member 212 can be formed by any suitable material that can support contact portion 104.In a limiting examples, support member 212 can be formed by the polymer of such as plastics etc or metal.In any one example, described support member can be analogous to the contact portion 104 of shell 102 and/or base part 106 or otherwise integrated the material formed.

In the limiting examples shown in Fig. 2, in the set of described support member 212 may be located at sensed layer 204 and drives the compliant layer 208 between layer 206.As shown in Figure 2, the set of support member 212 can contact sensed layer 204 and drive each in the middle of layer 206, neighbouring compliant layer 208, or extend to substrate and contact portion all the two.In this nonlimiting example, the set of support member 212 can provide support by sensed layer 204 for contact portion 104.It is to say, support member 212 can stop the deformation (at least in the localization section of each support member) of contact portion 104, and prevent from contacting section (such as contact portion) flexing or bending out specified point.In certain embodiments, described support member is such that it is able to limit the motion of contact section, so that its motion is non for applying the user of power on contact section, as long as this power occurs permanent warpage or deformation insufficient for contact section.In other words, contact section can be zero displacement section, is at least partially such near support member.In certain embodiments, contact section can be zero displacement section (and/or input structure can be zero displacement structure) on whole or substantially all section (or structure).In other embodiments, described support member can disturb so that it will not sense with the power in any part contacting section only in the outside formation of contact section, but still provides enough supporting so that contact section is zero displacement.

In another limiting examples as shown in Figure 3, support member 212 may be located in the compliant layer 208 between the contact portion 104 of electronic equipment 100 and base part 106.As shown in Figure 3, the set of support member 212 can with the contact portion 104 of contacting electronic equipments 100 and base part 106 all the two.Additionally, each support member 212 can be formed on compliant layer 208, sensed layer 204 and drives layer 206 interior and/or be placed through compliant layer 208, sensed layer 204 and drive layer 206.Support member 212 can be formed in contact portion 104, is formed at the outside of contact portion, or is concurrently formed at the inside and outside of contact portion.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the stepped construction of input structure 200 can also include the photoconductive layer 218 between sensed layer 204 and the contact portion 104 of the shell 102 of electronic equipment 100.Photoconductive layer 218 may be located between sensed layer 204 and contact portion 104, in order to provides light to contact portion 104.In limiting examples shown in figs 2 and 3, one group of micropunch or hole 220 that photoconductive layer 218 can be utilized to be formed to the contact portion 104 through electronic equipment 100 provide light.In certain embodiments, hole 220 can utilize optically transparent sealant (or any other suitable sealant) to seal, in order to reduces chip and/or the entrance of liquid, allows light through hole 220 simultaneously.As be discussed in greater detail about Figure 10-12 later, hole 220 can be formed throughout input area 202, and hole 220 can be utilized to be formed, provide and/or display button border, input equipment border and/or button figure pictograph together with photoconductive layer 218.

Although shown in the concrete configuration of Fig. 2 and 3 it should be appreciated that, formed input structure 200 stepped construction can in a different order or point to formed.In a limiting examples, sensed layer 204 and driving layer 206 can be reversed in stepped construction or switch.In another limiting examples, photoconductive layer 218 can be placed neighbouring base part 106.During photoconductive layer 218 is placed the limiting examples of neighbouring base part 106 wherein, the each layer of remaining in stepped construction (such as compliant layer 208) can be formed by the material of the attribute and/or characteristic with substantial transparent, in order to allows light through the stepped construction of input structure 200.

In another limiting examples, independent a layer rather than the part for shell 102 as electronic equipment 100 that base part 106 can be formed in the stepped construction corresponding to input structure 200.In this nonlimiting example, base part 106 can be another individual course in stepped construction, and can be formed by the adamantine material of such as steel etc.

Fig. 4 shows the bottom view of a part for electronic equipment 100 and input structure 200.The base part 106 of electronic equipment 100 is removed in the diagram, in order to clearly illustrate input structure 200.As shown in Figure 4, photoconductive layer 218 can extend beyond other layers of the stepped construction of input structure 200, such as, drive layer 206.Additionally, one or more light sources 222 may be located on photoconductive layer 218, are positioned near photoconductive layer 218 or adjacent light guides layer 218.Light source 222 can be any suitable light source, such as LED, and it can be luminous in photoconductive layer 218, and photoconductive layer 218 can pass the hole 220 of contact portion 104 to illuminate some part of input area 202d, as discussed herein with direct light subsequently.

As shown in Figure 4, the stepped construction of input structure 200 can also include the circuit connector 224 of each layer telecommunication with input structure 200.Circuit connector 224 can be with sensed layer 204 and driving layer 206 telecommunication, in order to the electric capacity change detecting when power is applied to the contact portion 104 of electronic equipment 100 and/or determining in input structure 200.Circuit connector 224 may be configured to any suitable telecommunication pipeline or circuit, including and be not limited to spark line (electrical flex) or electric trace.

Additionally, circuit connector 224 can be from the various different assembly telecommunications of electronic equipment 100.In limiting examples shown in the diagram, circuit connector 224 can be with haptic feedback module 226 telecommunication of electronic equipment 100.In this nonlimiting example, haptic feedback module 226 can be electrically coupled to the stepped construction of input structure 200 by circuit connector 224.As shown in Figure 4, haptic feedback module 226 may be located at formed input structure 200 stepped construction on or aligned therewith, wherein base part 106 is formed by independent one layer as discussed herein.Haptic feedback module 226 can also be at least partially situated at input area 202d in or (multiple) tactile actuator 227 (not shown) communication of neighbouring input area 202d.Haptic feedback module 226 can provide haptic signal to the contact portion 104 of the shell 102 including input area 202d by (multiple) tactile actuator 227.As discussed herein, owing to providing, not used for the user to input structure 200, the button that sense of touch feeds back, therefore haptic feedback module 226 by communicating the input of discriminating user with the stepped construction of input structure 200, and can provide a user with sense of touch feedback by the haptic signal (such as ultrasound wave) generated by tactile actuator 227 subsequently.As discussed herein, the simulation of described haptic signal is pressed the button in conventional keyboard or carries out the sense of touch clicked on tradition tracking plate.

Fig. 5-7 shows the limiting examples of the stepped construction of the input structure 200 in the shell 102 being fixed and/or being coupling in electronic equipment 100.In the limiting examples shown in Fig. 5, the stepped construction of input structure 200 can be by directly against attached and/or be laminated to the inner surface 118 of contact portion 104 of shell 102.Described lamination can occur afterwards being coupled by each layer of the stepped construction of input structure 200, and input structure 200 is placed on inner surface 118.Laminated material 228 can be disposed on a part for the inner surface 118 of the stepped construction of input structure 200 and contact portion 104.In order to ensure desired combination and in order to keep desired combination in the operation lifetime of electronic equipment 100, in certain embodiments, laminated material 228 can be completely covered the stepped construction of input structure 200, and covers a part for the inner surface 118 of the contact portion 104 around input structure 200.In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 5, input structure 200 can be suspended in the shell 102 of electronic equipment.As a result of which it is, input structure mainly by the support of laminated material 228, thus can be laminated to contact portion 104 by input structure 200.Input structure 200 can be subject to be placed the support of the neighbouring base part 106 driving layer 206 in time strategic point.

In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 6 and 7, layer 206 is driven can be mainly responsible for input structure 200 to be fixed in the shell 102 of electronic equipment 100.In described exemplary embodiment, as discussed herein, each layer of the stepped construction forming input structure 200 can utilize binding agent coupled to each other, so that the stepped construction of input structure 200 is the single structure formed by multiple binder courses or assembly.In exemplary embodiment as shown in Figure 6, the layer 206 that drives of input structure 200 can extend and coupled thereto on the whole surface of the base part 106 of electronic equipment 100.Binding agent 230 can be used to driving layer 206 to be coupled to base part 106.The example being different from Fig. 5, in the example shown in Fig. 6, the stepped construction of input structure 200 can be only by the support of base part 106 of shell 102 of electronic equipment 100.Additionally, by the surface whole driving layer 206 being coupled to base part 106, the rigid material of base part 106 can support the stepped construction of input structure 200.Although being shown as in figure 6 on the whole surface of base part 106 extending it should be appreciated that, drive layer 206 can extend and/or cover the only only a part of base part 106 on the only only a part of base part 106.

In the limiting examples shown in Fig. 7, on the part driving layer 206 base part 106 that can be deployed in electronic equipment 100 of input structure 200 and coupled thereto.As shown in Figure 7, layer 206 is driven can be coupled to the base part 106 of electronic equipment 100 in each corner driving layer 206.Binding agent 230 can be used to driving layer 206 is coupled to base part 106.Being similar to Fig. 6, in the example shown in Fig. 7, the stepped construction of input structure 200 can be by the support of the base part 106 of the shell 102 of electronic equipment 100.By only driving layer 206 being coupled to base part 106 at the corner driving layer 206, it is possible to reduce be used for input structure 200 to be coupling in the material in shell 102.Additionally, by only driving layer 206 being coupled to base part 106 at the corner driving layer 206, when user provides input by applying power to electronic equipment 100, sensed layer 204 and compliant layer 208 can have the deflection of increase.The deflection of described increase may insure that electronic equipment 100 receives customer-furnished input.Although being shown as in the figure 7 utilizing binding agent 320 driving layer 206 to be coupled to base part 106, it should be appreciated that other suitable coupling and/or coupling units can be used.In some limiting examples, drive layer 206 that adhesive tape, lamination etc. can be utilized to be coupled to base part 106.

As discussed herein, sensed layer 204 and the driving layer 206 of input structure 200 can capacitively detect and input, from user, the power (F) obtained.Fig. 8 shows sensed layer 204, drives layer 206 and a part for therebetween compliant layer 208.In the limiting examples shown in Fig. 8, sensed layer 204 can be formed by the array of sensor pixel 232, and drives layer 206 can be formed by the array driving pixel 234." pixel " used herein above is not necessarily referring to the pixel (independence of such as display can illuminate section) of display device, and refers to be formed discrete electrodes or other discrete electric elements of a part for sensor or sensing region.

Each sensor pixel 232 of sensed layer 204 can correspond to drive the single driving pixel 234 of layer 206, and wherein the respective pixel of sensed layer 204 and driving layer 206 can be directed at and be positioned at the opposite side of compliant layer 208.Therefore, every a pair sensing and driving pixel can be considered a capacitor.As shown in this nonrestrictive exemplary embodiment, sensor pixel 232 and driving pixel 234 can be directed in corresponding layer, and can directly be placed and/or be coupled to compliant layer 208.In another limiting examples, the sensor pixel 232 of sensed layer 204 and the driving pixel 234 of driving layer 206 are alternatively coupled to substrate (not shown), its be used for placing an electrode within input structure 200 independent one layer.As discussed herein, single-sensor pixel 232 and accordingly driving pixel 234 can be used by the single input module of input structure 200 or button, or an array of sensor pixel 232 and corresponding driving pixel 234 can be by single input module or button uses.When distance between sensor pixel 232 and driving pixel 234 changes as the result of the deformation in contact portion 104, can detect that electric capacity changes.The change of described electric capacity may indicate that by providing the user of input the power applied to electronic equipment 100.Additionally, the position occurring electric capacity to change may indicate that the position of the power applied by user.It is to say, embodiment as described herein can be determined by being in below the position of applying power or power is positioned by the most corresponding a pair pixel.Therefore, embodiment as described herein is possible not only to sensing power, but also can sense the position of applying power, thus senses touch or the position of power.In another embodiment, the pixel of one layer or one array can only be used；Described pixel can be the most capacitive about neighborhood pixels.The change of this mutual capacitance can be used to any one in the middle of the position of detection power and quantity or all the two, as already described above.

In another limiting examples as shown in Figure 9, sensed layer 204 can be formed by the multiple sensor capacitance row 236 arranged in a first direction.Additionally, in this nonlimiting example, layer 206 is driven can be formed by the multiple driving capacitive character row 238 arranged in a second direction different from the first direction.It is not shown, can by compliant layer 208 separately with the corresponding capacitive character row 236 of driving layer 206 and capacitive character row 238 but form the sensed layer 204 of input structure 200, as discussed herein.When sensed layer 204 utilizes sensor capacitance row 236 and drives layer 206 by when driving capacitive character row 238 to be formed, and sensor capacitance row 236 may indicate that by providing the user of input the power applied to electronic equipment 100 with the electric capacity change of the point of intersection driving capacitive character row 238.Change to detect the electric capacity of point of intersection, in predetermined sequence, can repeatedly provide electric charge or electric current by each sensor capacitance row 236 or driving capacitive character row 238.When detected electric capacity is in time stablizing or uncompressed state electric capacity changes, position and/or the quantity of the power being applied to sensed layer 204 can be detected.Can be according to being similar to be previously with regard to mode that Fig. 8 describes to determine the position of touch；This is e.g. determined by realizing corresponding to experiencing or report the position of the intersection point driving row to arrange that maximum capacitor changes with sensing.

Figure 10 shows the top view of the electronic equipment 100 including input structure 200.As shown in Figure 10 and here being discussed about Fig. 2 and 3, shell 102 can have the one group of micropunch or hole 220 (illustrating with imaginary drawing) formed through contact portion 104.In this nonlimiting example, in predetermined input area 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d of electronic equipment 100, hole 220 can be formed through contact portion 104.Each input area 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d can include one group of hole 220.Additionally, as discussed herein, input area 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d can have when being configured by border defined in illuminated hole 220.Although being shown as being arranged in grid geometry it should be appreciated that, formed in any geometry or configuration that described one group of hole 220 can be placed in contact portion 104 through contact portion 104.Additionally it is understood that hole 220 can be formed on the whole surface of contact portion 104；But as discussed herein, when being provided light by photoconductive layer 218 and/or light source 222, those holes 220 being only formed at input area 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d kind just can be seen by the user.

Figure 11 shows electronic equipment 100 and the top view of input structure 200 of the specific input area being configured to correspond to specific input equipment or structure.As shown in Figure 11, and with continued reference to Figure 10, it is mutual that input area 202a, 202c, 202d (seeing Figure 10) may be configured to the user with electronic equipment 100, and each of which input area 202a, 202c, 202d are configured to different input equipments.Input area 202b (seeing Figure 10) can be not configured to input equipment, therefore can be deactivated or the most inoperable for electronic equipment 100.Additionally, each input area can be the different exclusive part of contact portion and/or input structure 200；Any or all this type of sections size, shape or other specifications can be different from each other and different from overall input structure and/or contact portion.Correspondingly, it is configurable that described input structure can be considered specification, and this is to be that the specification of the different input areas being formed thereon can be different, and such specification can change according to the function of input area and/or user preference.

In the limiting examples shown in Figure 11, the selected hole 220 that can be formed through the contact portion 104 in active input area 202a, 202c, 202d by photoconductive layer 218 and/or light source lighting, in order to show that these input areas are interactively to user by visual manner.For example, if being formed at the input structure 200 (seeing Figure 10) below input area 202a to be configured to qwerty keyboard input equipment 239 (referred to hereinafter as " qwerty keyboard 239 "), then can illuminate the selected hole 220 of contact portion 104 to form input area border 240 and each single keycap border 242, thus form each single input button 244 of qwerty keyboard 239.Input area border 240 may indicate that input area 202a terminates wherein, and keycap border 242 can show each input button 244 location in input area 202a of qwerty keyboard 239 to user.

Referring briefly to Figure 12, illustrated therein is the amplifier section 12 (seeing Figure 11) of the input structure 200 formed in input area 202a.The selected hole 220 that contact portion 104 through electronic equipment 100 is formed can also be illuminated, in order to the user to electronic equipment 100 provides button figure pictograph 246.As shown in the limiting examples in Figure 12, each illuminated input button 244 can have the illuminated button figure pictograph 246 of the corresponding input button 244 of the qwerty keyboard 239 corresponding to being formed in input area 202a.For the sake of clarity, the most not shown illuminated figure pictograph 246 micropunch.

Returning to Figure 11, input area 202c, 202d (seeing Figure 10) can be configured to use the different input equipments of input structure 200.In this nonlimiting example, the input area 202c formed from input structure 200 may be configured to tracking plate 248.As shown in the limiting examples of Figure 11, the hole 220 of the input area 202c being positioned at input structure 200 can provide the tracking plate border 250 corresponding to tracking plate 248.Tracking plate border 250 can provide the user visually indicating of the position that the funtion part about tracking plate 248 terminates in the contact portion 104 of electronic equipment 100.Moreover, it should be appreciated that data area 202c, 202d have the specification being different from input area 202a.

In another shown in fig. 11 limiting examples, input area 202d (seeing Figure 10) may be configured to numeric keypad 252.In this nonlimiting example, and as be previously with regard to qwerty keyboard 239 and input area 202a discusses similarly, numeric keypad 252 can have the single keycap border 254 defined by optionally illuminating the hole 220 of contact portion 104, thus forms numeric keypad input button 256.Numeric keypad input button 256 can include the button corresponding to mathematical operations such as numeral and/or such as addition, subtraction, multiplication.Being different from the input area border 240 of qwerty keyboard 239 and the tracking plate border 250 of tracking plate 248, the numeric keypad 252 formed in input area 202d can not include zone boundary indicator.That is, as shown in Figure 11, numeric keypad 252 can only include the keycap border 254 corresponding to each numeric keypad input button 256, and can not include showing the border of position that input area 202d terminates in the contact portion 104 of electronic equipment 100.

As institute's short discussion here, haptic feedback module 226 (seeing Fig. 4) can be with each input area 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d telecommunication of the input structure 200 being formed in electronic equipment 100.Haptic feedback module 226 can provide haptic signal to input area 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d of electronic equipment 100 and/or contact portion 104, in order to is felt by the user of electronic equipment 100 or experiences.The haptic signal providing contact portion 104 can depend on the type of the input equipment being included in input area 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d configured by input structure 200, and/or the action of the user detected in input area 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d.

In a limiting examples, haptic feedback module 226 (seeing Fig. 4) can press the input button 244 of qwerty keyboard 239 user to provide haptic signal to input area 202a and/or contact portion 104 when interacting with electronic equipment 100.The haptic signal provided by haptic feedback module 226 can simulate the sensation of the button external member pressed in conventional keyboard.When user presses the input button 256 of numeric keypad 252, can be provided, to contact portion 104 and/or input area 202d, the haptic signal being similar to by haptic feedback module 226.Additionally, when user presses tracking plate 248 to provide input, haptic signal can be provided by haptic feedback module 226 to contact portion 104 and/or input area 202c.

Haptic feedback module 226 (seeing Fig. 4) can also provide haptic signal using as the instruction on border or the warning showing input area 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d that user is just interacting close to this user to contact portion 104.In the limiting examples shown in Figure 11, when its finger is moved to corresponding near the tracking plate border 250 of tracking plate 248 and/or when it is upper by user, and haptic feedback module 226 can be to contact portion 104 and/or input area 202c offer haptic signal.Once haptic signal is felt, user can leave input area 202c and the part outside input area 202c that falls with contact portion interact before in tracking plate 248, reorientate its finger.

Although being shown as different input equipments, but input structure 200 may be configured to the identification input corresponding to other input equipments.In the limiting examples of Figure 11, the input structure 200 forming the qwerty keyboard 239 in input area 202a may be configured to the touch on identification use tracking plate 248 in input area 202c and/or finger motion.The sensed layer 204 of input structure 200 and driving layer 206 (seeing Fig. 2) can sense at least one finger sweeping campaign along the contact portion 104 in the input area 202a being configured to qwerty keyboard 239 of user, and its form or mode are similar to be configured to the input area 202c of tracking plate 248.As a result of which it is, the user of electronic equipment 100 can need not from input area 202a, its finger is moved to input area 202c, but input area 202a can be used as qwerty keyboard 239 and tracking plate 248.

Input structure 200 operator scheme based on electronic equipment 100 can dynamically change specification and/or the configuration of input equipment.In another limiting examples, as shown in FIG. 13A, the input structure 200 being directed at input area 202a can be initially configured to qwerty keyboard 239, and is similar to the input structure 200 discussed herein in relation to Figure 11.The input structure 200 being configured to qwerty keyboard 239 such as can include arrow button 258.As shown in FIG. 13A, when under electronic equipment 100 is used in traditional operator scheme or when utilizing traditional program (such as word processing, internet browsing etc.) to use, the arrow button 258 of qwerty keyboard 239 may be located at the section below of input area 202a, and it is relative to input button 244 with alphanumeric and symbol.

But when electronic equipment 100 is used for exclusive operator scheme or exclusive program, input structure 200 can dynamically change its shape and/or configuration or other specifications based on described exclusive operator scheme or program.Continue Figure 13 A limiting examples, Figure 13 B can depict be used to run can be merely with the exclusive program (such as interactive entertainment) of arrow button 258.Show as a result of which it is, input structure 200 may be reconfigured to only user to electronic equipment 100 and/or arrow button 258 is provided.As shown in Figure 13 B, input structure 200 can regulate its configuration so that only display direction button 258, and arrow button 258 can be repositioned onto the center of input area 202a.Additionally, in this nonlimiting example and compare with Figure 13 A, input structure 200 can also amplify arrow button 258.For input structure 200 the reconfiguring of arrow button 258, reorientate and/or size adjusting can be realized, as discussed herein by the selected hole 220 of the contact portion 104 that amendment or regulation can be illuminated by input structure 200.

In another limiting examples illustrated in fig. 14, the contact portion 104 of electronic equipment 100 can be molded.Comparing with Figure 11, the contact portion 104 of electronic equipment 100 can not include hole 220 (seeing Figure 11), but can be molded to demonstrate the feature of input structure 200 in contact portion 104.In limiting examples illustrated in fig. 14, contact portion 104 can include style 260, and it is in order to illustrate input area border 240 and single keycap border 242, thus forms input button 244 (seeing Figure 10) in input area 202a.Additionally, in this nonlimiting example, contact portion 104 can be molded 260, thus forms the tracking plate border 250 (seeing Figure 10) corresponding to tracking plate 248 in input area 202c.The style 260 of contact portion 104 can utilize any suitable technology or process to be formed, including and be not limited to etch, cast, mold, deposit, grind, milling etc..

As discussed herein, input structure 200 is configured for the multiple different interchangeable input equipment of electronic equipment 100.In the limiting examples shown by Figure 15 A and 15B, the single input structure 200 of electronic equipment 100 is configured with two kinds of different operator schemes or input equipment, and wherein each input equipment of input structure 200 is different input equipment.As shown in figure 15 a, input structure 200 can be configured in the first mode of operation or be configured to the first input equipment, and wherein the first input equipment can correspond to or input structure 200 can be configured to qwerty keyboard 239.Unlike this, Figure 15 B shows the input structure 200 of the electronic equipment 100 being configured in the second mode of operation or being configured to the second input equipment, and it is different from the first input equipment of the input structure 200 shown in Figure 15 A.Second operator scheme or second input equipment of input structure 200 can correspond to or be manipulated into tracking plate 248.

Can switch between the first input equipment and the second input equipment with Land use models button 262 or change input structure 200.As shown in Figure 15 A and 15B, the mode key 262 being included in electronic equipment 100 can be with input structure 200 telecommunication.Based on user for the operational requirements of input structure 200, mode key 262 can be used to change between the first operator scheme or the first input equipment (qwerty keyboard 239 of such as Figure 15 A) and the second operator scheme or the second input equipment (tracking plate 248 of such as Figure 15 B) or switch input structure 200.Although being shown as being different from button or the button of input structure 200 in Figure 15 A and 15B it should be appreciated that, mode key 262 can be merged into the input button being included in input structure 200.

For illustrative purposes, description above employs specific nomenclature and provides the thorough understanding about described embodiment.It will be recognized to those skilled in the art that need not described detail to put into practice described embodiment.For example, during embodiment as described herein can be integrated into mouse or other input equipments, in order to provide function described above for this type of input equipment.Therefore, the description previously for specific embodiment as described herein is in order at the purpose of illustration and description and is given.Its target is not by exhaustive or described embodiment is restricted to exact form disclosed.It would be recognized by those skilled in the art that may have many amendments and modification according to teaching above.

Claims

1. an input structure, it is characterised in that including:

Definition user input surface and there is micropunch array can deformation substrate；

The illuminating layer of dynamic and configurable, its configuration being configured to illuminating layer based on dynamic and configurable is closed via described micropunch display symbol set at described user input surface；

Be arranged on described can be below deformation substrate and be configured to the deformation of described substrate and produce the input structure of electrical response；And

Being configured to generate the processor of user input signal based on described electrical response, described user input signal is corresponding to the respective symbol in described assemble of symbol.

Input structure the most according to claim 1, it is characterised in that:

Described assemble of symbol is the first assemble of symbol；And

The illuminating layer of described dynamic and configurable is further configured to show the second assemble of symbol at described user input surface via described micropunch.

Input structure the most according to claim 2, it is characterised in that described user input signal is corresponding to the symbol in described first assemble of symbol or the symbol in described second assemble of symbol.

Input structure the most according to claim 2, it is characterised in that described configuration is corresponding to described first assemble of symbol or described second assemble of symbol.

Input structure the most according to claim 1, it is characterised in that described input structure includes:

Sensed layer；And

It is coupled capacitively to the driving layer of sensed layer.

Input structure the most according to claim 5, it is characterised in that the deformation of described substrate makes described sensed layer translate relative to described driving layer.

Input structure the most according to claim 6, it is characterised in that described sensed layer causes the change of the electric capacity measured between described sensed layer and described driving layer relative to the translation of described driving layer.

8. a keyboard, it is characterised in that including:

Shell, comprising:

The contact portion of definition user input surface；And

It is coupled to the base part of contact portion；

Input structure between contact portion and base part, described input structure is configured to power and the position of power that detection receives in the contact site office of described shell；And

The illuminating layer of dynamic and configurable, it is configured to:

Described user input surface is illuminated according to the first configuration；

Illuminating described user input surface according to the second configuration, described second configuration has and described first differently configured illumination style.

Keyboard the most according to claim 8, it is characterised in that the power receiving described contact site office and the detection of the position of power are based on the electric capacity measured at input structure.

Keyboard the most according to claim 9, it is characterised in that the position of the position of the measurement of the described electric capacity power corresponding to receiving in described contact site office.

11. keyboards according to claim 9, it is characterised in that the value of described electric capacity is corresponding to the power received in described contact site office.

12. keyboards according to claim 8, it is characterised in that described contact portion also includes the one group of hole extended through described user input surface.

13. keyboards according to claim 12, it is characterised in that:

First described first configuration of subset definition of described one group of hole；And

Second described second configuration of subset definition of described one group of hole.

14. keyboards according to claim 8, it is characterised in that the surface of described input structure is directly attached to the inner surface of described contact portion.

15. keyboards according to claim 14, it is characterised in that the deformation of described contact portion makes the surface of described input structure deform upon.

16. 1 kinds of electronic equipments, it is characterised in that including:

Having can the shell of contact portion of deformation；

It is positioned at below described shell and is configured to the deformation of described contact portion to detect the input structure of capacitance variations；

It is arranged on the illuminating layer in described shell；And

Being operatively connected to described input structure and the processor of described illuminating layer, wherein said processor is configured to:

Optionally activate described illuminating layer to show the labelling of the first configuration of described contact site office；

Optionally activate described illuminating layer to show the labelling of the second configuration of described contact site office；And

In response to the detection of the deformation to described contact portion, generate user input signal based on the output from described input structure.

17. electronic equipments according to claim 16, it is characterised in that the labelling of described first configuration is different from the labelling of described second configuration.

18. electronic equipments according to claim 16, it is characterised in that the labelling of described first configuration or the tag definitions of described second configuration are at least one following:

Single button border in described contact portion；And

Single symbol in described contact portion.

19. electronic equipments according to claim 16, it is characterised in that described input structure includes:

Sensed layer；And

It is coupled capacitively to the driving layer of sensed layer.

20. electronic equipments according to claim 19, it is characterised in that compliant layer is between described sensed layer and described driving layer.

21. electronic equipments according to claim 19, it is characterised in that:

Described sensed layer includes the first pel array；And

Described driving layer includes the second pel array.

22. electronic equipments according to claim 21, it is characterized in that, the pixel of described first pel array and the pixel definition of described second pel array drive sensor pixel pair, and described driving sensor pixel senses the position of the power being applied on contact position to cooperation.

23. electronic equipments according to claim 16, it is characterised in that also include haptic feedback module, it is operatively connected to described processor and is configured to the deformation of described contact portion to provide tactile feedback signal.