WO2020101697A1

WO2020101697A1 - Devices with powerless translucent keyboards

Info

Publication number: WO2020101697A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/061472
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hai Qi XIANG; Dimitre D. Mehandjiysky
Original assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Priority date: 2018-11-16
Filing date: 2018-11-16
Publication date: 2020-05-22

Abstract

In example implementations, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a display, a powerless translucent keyboard with tactile keys, wherein the powerless translucent keyboard is located on the display, a sensor, and a processor. The sensor is to detect the powerless translucent keyboard. The processor is communicatively coupled to the display and the sensor. The processor is to translate the selection of the key detected by the sensor to an input associated with the key.

Description

DEVICES WITH POWERLESS TRANSLUCENT KEYBOARDS

BACKGROUND

[0001] Computers have input devices connected to them to allow a user to provide inputs to the computer. For example, a keyboard may be connected, via a wired or wireless connection, to the device. The user may provide input to the device via the keyboard. For example, the keyboard may have various buttons associated with various letters, numbers, symbols, and the like, that the user may press to cause the associated letter, number, or symbol to be transmitted to the electronic device. The keyboard may contain electronic components or electrical connections powering the keyboard via an internal or external power source (e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) interface connection to the electronic device).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example electronic device with a powerless translucent keyboard;

[0003] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of another example electronic device with a powerless translucent keyboard;

[0004] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example electronic device with a sensor to detect the powerless translucent keyboard;

[0005] FIG. 4 is a top view of an example of the powerless translucent keyboard on an electronic device;

[0006] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of an example of a key of the powerless translucent keyboard;

[0007] FIG. 6 is a flow chart of an example method for enabling a powerless translucent keyboard on an electronic device; and

[0008] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an example non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions executed by a processor to enable a powerless translucent keyboard on an electronic device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] Examples described herein provide a device with a powerless translucent keyboard. As noted above, keyboards can be used as input devices for electronic devices. The keyboards may include electronic components or connections to a power source (e.g., a USB interface connection with the device). In addition, the keyboard may have a firm housing to support the printed circuit board and key stroke sensors within the keyboard.

[0010] These components may make travel with the keyboard difficult. The internal components may make the keyboard complex, and may stop working over time. The internal key-domes may get dirty or damaged over time. The internal sealed batteries may be constantly charged, and may lose capacity over time. The internal components (e.g., the Bluetooth antennas or USB interfaces) may get damaged and stop working over time. In addition, the power requirements may be cumbersome. For instance, a user may travel with additional batteries or cords to connect to the electronic device.

[0011] The present disclosure provides an electronic device that has a powerless translucent keyboard. The keyboard may have no internal components and can be fabricated from a combination of structural and flexible clear material. The keyboard may have no batteries or power source. The keyboard may include a flexible structure under each key to provide a tactile feedback as the keys are pressed. The keyboard can be placed on top of a display.

[0012] The electronic device may include at least one sensor that can detect the keyboard on the display and track the keys that are pressed by a user. The device may then translate the detection of a key that is pressed with an input associated with the key that is pressed. As a result, the present disclosure provides a powerless translucent keyboard for electronic devices that does not use any power, may be flexible, and is easily portable.

[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates an example electronic device 100 with a powerless translucent keyboard 104 of the present disclosure. In one example, the electronic device may any tablet device that has a display 102. In one example, the display 102 may be a touch screen that is flexible. As a result, the display 102 may be bent into a laptop form or an“L” shape.

[0014] In one example, the powerless translucent keyboard 104 may have no internal components, electronics, power, and the like. However, the powerless translucent keyboard 104 may include tactile keys to provide the feel of a button press that some users may prefer when typing. The powerless translucent keyboard 104 may be fabricated from an optically clear material.

For example, the material may be a plastic, a silicone rubber, and the like. The material may also be flexible to allow the powerless translucent keyboard 104 to be rolled-up or folded for easy transportation.

[0015] In one example, the display 102 may display inputs that may be associated with each key of the powerless translucent keyboard 104. The input may be seen through the clear keys of the powerless translucent keyboard 104. Thus, a user may see what keys are associated with what inputs by looking through the keys at the portion of the display 102 below the powerless translucent keyboard 104.

[0016] By using a powerless translucent keyboard 104 of the present disclosure, the inputs associated with the keyboard 104 may be changed on the fly. For example, the inputs may be an English QWERTY keyboard layout. At a later time, the user may change the inputs to be a Korean alphabet. Thus, some of the keys may be associated with Korean letters instead of English letters that are shown by the display 102.

[0017] In another example, the inputs may be associated with a video game that a user may be playing. Thus, the display 102 may show icons, graphics, images, arrows for control, and the like under each key of the powerless translucent keyboard 104. In one example, inputs for portions of the powerless translucent keyboard 104 may be changed. For example, a user may be listening to music on the electronic device 100. The display 102 may show music control icons (e.g., square for stop, triangle for play, two triangles for fast forward or rewind, and the like) under some of the keys of the powerless translucent keyboard 104.

[0018] In one example, the electronic device 100 may include at least one sensor 106. The sensor 106 may be used to detect the powerless translucent keyboard 104, track and monitor hand movements of a user on the powerless translucent keyboard 104, and the like, as discussed in further details below. In one example, the sensor 106 may be a video camera, a digitizing sensor, a mapping sensor, a depth sensor, a motion sensor, or any combination thereof.

[0019] The electronic device 100 may include more than one sensor 106 that may work together to detect the powerless translucent keyboard 104 and track and monitor hand movements of a user on the powerless translucent keyboard 104. For example, the mapping sensor may map the coordinates of an area below the powerless translucent keyboard 104. A digitizing sensor may scan and create a digitized image of the powerless translucent keyboard 104 that can be displayed on the display 102. A video camera may capture video image images of a user’s hands to determine which keys on the powerless translucent keyboard 104 are selected. A depth sensor may detect when a user presses a key. A motion sensor may detect movement of a user’s hand to activate the video camera to begin capturing and processing video images of the user’s hand over the powerless translucent keyboard, and so forth.

[0020] In one example, when the display 102 is a touch screen, the display 102 may help to detect which keys are selected on the powerless translucent keyboard 104. For example, the display 102 may detect which part of the display 102 is touched. Then the electronic device 100 may determine which input was displayed at that part and determine the key that was pressed on the powerless translucent keyboard 104.

[0021] In some examples, the powerless translucent keyboard 104 may include labels over each of the keys when the powerless translucent keyboard 104 is to be placed over portions of the electronic device 100 that are not part of the display 102. The sensor 106 may then track the movements and selection of keys on the powerless translucent keyboard 104. [0022] In one example, the electronic device 100 may include a mechanical coupling 108 to secure the powerless translucent keyboard 104 on the display 102. In one example, the mechanical coupling 108 may be a magnet. The powerless translucent keyboard 104 may also include a corresponding flexible magnet that mates with the magnet of the mechanical coupling 108.

[0023] In one example, the mechanical coupling 108 may have a sensor that can detect the connection of the powerless translucent keyboard 104. As a result, the electronic device 100 may automatically enter a mode to enable operation of the powerless translucent keyboard 104. For example, the inputs associated with the powerless translucent keyboard 104 may be displayed on the display 102 under the keys of the powerless translucent keyboard 104. In addition, the sensor 106 may be activated to being tracking movement of a user’s hand to detect selection of keys and the associated inputs.

[0024] In addition, the mechanical coupling 108 may define a fixed area of the display 102 for the powerless translucent keyboard 104. In other words, the mechanical coupling 108 may position the powerless translucent keyboard 104 in a predefined location 102 where the sensor 106 may be focused. Thus, the electronic device 100 may know the area of the display 102 that will receive the powerless translucent keyboard 104. As a result, the electronic device 100 may display the inputs in the same area and know that the inputs may be aligned with each key of the powerless translucent keyboard 104.

[0025] Thus, the powerless translucent keyboard 104 may be used with the electronic device 100. The powerless translucent keyboard 104 may provide tactile feedback to users who enjoy the“click” of a real keyboard. In addition, the powerless translucent keyboard 104 may allow users to type on a touch screen device without looking at the keyboard as they can feel the physical separation of the keys. In addition, the powerless translucent keyboard 104 avoids the use of batteries, components that may fail, and the like. The powerless translucent keyboard 104 may be flexible to allow for being rolled-up or folded for easy transportation. Lastly, the powerless translucent keyboard 104 may be washed or cleaned without fear of shorting any electronics inside of the keyboard. [0026] FIG. 2 illustrates another electronic device 200 that may be used with the powerless translucent keyboard 104. The electronic device 200 may include a display 202. The display 202 may be on a flat table top. The display 202 may be a touch screen display. The powerless translucent keyboard 104 may be placed anywhere on the display 202.

[0027] The electronic device 200 may also include at least one sensor 206. For example, the sensor 206 may be a video camera. The video camera may detect where the powerless translucent keyboard 104 is placed. Based on the placement of the powerless translucent keyboard 104, the electronic device 200 may cause the display 202 to display inputs for each key. The inputs may be displayed in an area of the display 202 that is below the powerless translucent keyboard 104 and be aligned with each key.

[0028] In one example, the electronic device 200 may include a plurality of sensors 206 that work together to detect the powerless translucent keyboard 104, movement of a user’s hand, selection of keys made by the user, and the like. Similar to the electronic device 100, the sensors may include a video camera, a digitizing sensor, a mapping sensor, a depth sensor, a motion sensor, or any combination thereof.

[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an example electronic device 300. In one example, the electronic device may include a processor 302, a sensor 304, and a display 306. The processor 302 may be communicatively coupled to the sensor 304 and the display 306.

[0030] The electronic device 300 may also include the powerless translucent keyboard 104. Notably, the powerless translucent keyboard 104 is not electronically coupled to the electronic device 300. Rather, the powerless translucent keyboard 104 may be placed over a portion of the display 306, as described above.

[0031] The sensor 304 may include a single sensor (e.g., a video camera) or a combination of sensors (e.g., a digitizer, a motion sensor, a depth sensor, a mapping sensor, and the like). When a mode to enable the powerless translucent keyboard 104 is activated, the sensor 304 may track movement of a user’s hand. The mode may be enabled either automatically (e.g., through the mechanical coupling 108) or through a user selection made via a user interface of the electronic device 300. The sensor 304 may track which keys are selected.

[0032] The selection of a key may be provided to the processor 302. The processor 302 may translate the selection of the key detected by the sensor 304 to an input associated with the key that was selected. For example, a user may select a key that is located over the letter“A” shown by the display 306. The sensor 304 may detect the key that was selected is located in a location of the display 306 over the letter“A”. The processor 302 may determine that the portion of the display 306 below the key that was selected is associated with the letter“A”. As a result, the processor 302 may cause the letter“A” to appear on a different portion of the display 306. In some instances, if the display 306 is a touch screen display, the touch screen display may also help provide input to the processor 302 regarding which location of the display 306 was touched via a key on the powerless translucent keyboard 104.

[0033] For example, the user may have a word processing application open on a different portion of the display 306. Thus, key selections that are translated into inputs by the processor 302 may be displayed in the word processing application in the different portion of the display 306.

[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of an example of the powerless translucent keyboard 104 on the display 102 of the electronic device 100.

However, it should be noted that the example illustrated in FIG. 4 may be similar on the electronic devices 200 and 300.

[0035] In one example, the powerless translucent keyboard 104 may include a plurality of keys 402i to 402_n (hereinafter also referred to individually as a key 402 or collectively as keys 402). Each key 402 may be aligned with a respective input 404i to 404_n (hereinafter also referred to individually as an input 404 or collectively as inputs 404). The inputs 404 may be shown by the display 102. Notably, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the inputs 404 are not written on the keys 402.

[0036] In one example, when the user presses on the key 402i , the sensor 106 may detect that the key 402i was pressed. The electronic device 100 may determine that the location of the display 102 that is below the key 402i is displaying an input 404i of the number Ί”. Thus, the electronic device 100 may receive an input of“1”. The input 404i may displayed, processed, entered, and the like, to the electronic device 100.

[0037] As noted above, the inputs 404 may be changed to different languages, different icons for different applications, and the like. For example, the inputs 404 may be changed from English to Chinese inputs. The inputs 404 may be changed to icons or graphics for controls of a video game. Portions of the inputs 404 may be changed to control a music application, and the like.

[0038] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of an example of a key 402 of the powerless translucent keyboard 104. In one example, the powerless translucent keyboard 104 may be molded as a single continuous form of the material (e.g., formed in a mold) having the structures illustrated in FIG. 5. In another example, the powerless translucent keyboard 104 may be fabricated by coupling the different structures made of the same clear flexible material together. For example, the structures may be coupled to the keys 402 via an optical clear adhesive or glue.

[0039] In one example, the key 402 may be supported by a flex structure 502. The flex structure 502 may give when pressure is applied downward (e.g., as shown by an arrow 504). For example, the flex structure 502 may allow a user to feel the key 402 being pressed down and provide a tactile response. When the pressure is removed, the flex structure 502 may return to a natural position that supports the key 402. Thus, the flex structure 502 may provide a feel of a“click” of the key 402 to the user.

[0040] FIG. 5 also illustrates part of a bezel 508 that is formed around the keys 402. In addition, a support structure 506 may be molded between the bezel 508 and the flex structure 502. The support structure 506 may also be flexible and give or bend when the key 402 is pressed down, similar to how the flex structure 502 moves. The support structure 506 may provide additional stability and support to the key 402 such that the key 402 has a“firm” feel when being pressed.

[0041] FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method 600 for enabling a powerless translucent keyboard on an electronic device. In an example, the method 600 may be performed by the electronic device 100, 200, 300, or the apparatus 700 illustrated in FIG. 7, and discussed below.

[0042] At block 602, the method 600 begins. At block 604, the method 600 enables a powerless translucent keyboard that is placed on a display of an electronic device of the processor. In one example, the powerless translucent keyboard may be enabled automatically. For example, a mechanical coupling or a sensor on the electronic device may detect the placement of the powerless translucent keyboard on the display.

[0043] In one example, the powerless translucent keyboard may be enabled via a user selection on the electronic device. For example, the electronic device may have a switch to toggle on and off a powerless translucent keyboard mode. In another example, the user may enable the powerless translucent keyboard via a selection made via a graphical user interface shown on the display.

[0044] In one example, when the powerless translucent keyboard is enabled, an input array may be displayed. The input array may be rows of individual inputs that may be associated with each key of the powerless translucent keyboard. The powerless translucent keyboard may be placed such that each key of the powerless translucent keyboard is aligned with a respective input of the input array displayed by the display.

[0045] At block 606, the method 600 causes the display of the electronic device to display a selected input array below the powerless translucent keyboard. As noted above, the user may select the input array that is displayed. For example, the input array may be one of a plurality of different languages, functional icons for an application, icons, graphics, or controls for a video game, and the like.

[0046] At block 608, the method 600 detects a selection of a key of the powerless translucent keyboard via at least one sensor of the electronic device. When the powerless translucent keyboard is enabled, the sensor may be activated. The sensor may include a single sensor (e.g., a video camera) or a combination of sensors that may work together. The sensor may be, for example, a video camera, a digitizing sensor, a mapping sensor, a depth sensor, a motion sensor, and the like.

[0047] In one example, the sensor may be a video camera. The video camera may detect the selection of the key by receiving an image of a user interacting with the powerless translucent keyboard. A processor of the electronic device may analyze the image to detect the selection of the key. For example, the image may be a video image. Each frame of the video image may be analyzed to detect movement of a finger of the user pressing down a particular key.

[0048] In another example, the display may be a touch screen device. The sensor may be the touch detection of the display. The touch screen device may detect where on the display the user has touched via the key.

[0049] In another example, a combination of the sensors may be used to detect the selection of the key. A digitizing sensor may digitize a physical shape of the powerless translucent keyboard. A mapping sensor may map a location of each key relative to the input array that is displayed based on the digitized physical shape of the powerless translucent keyboard. A tracking sensor may track a location of the powerless translucent keyboard. A motion sensor may track hand and finger movement. Thus, the electronic device may adjust the location of the input array and alignment with the keys of the powerless translucent keyboard if the powerless translucent keyboard is moved. In addition, the motion sensor may detect a movement of a finger of the user to detect which keys are selected.

[0050] At block 610, the method 600 determines an input of the selected input array associated with the key that is selected. For example, a location of the selected key may be determined. Then the input of the input array at the same location as the selected key may be determined. The input at the same location as the key that was selected may be determined to be the input that was selected based on the key that was selected.

[0051] At block 612, the method 600 causes the input to be displayed on the display. For example, selecting a key to type an input may cause the input to appear on the display. As noted above, the powerless translucent keyboard may allow a user to type on a touch screen display without looking at the keyboard. As the user types, the inputs associated with the selected keys may be determined and the inputs may appear on the display.

[0052] In one example, when the user is done typing, the user may disable the powerless translucent keyboard. The sensors may stop tracking the user’s hand movements. In addition, the input array may be removed from the display. At block 614, the method 600 ends.

[0053] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of an apparatus 700. In an example, the apparatus 700 may be the electronic device 100, 200, or 300. In an example, the apparatus 700 may include a processor 702 and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium 704. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium 704 may include instructions 706, 708, 710, 712, and 714 that, when executed by the processor 702, cause the processor 702 to perform various functions.

[0054] In an example, the instructions 706 may include instructions to detect an enablement option for a powerless translucent keyboard. The instructions 708 may include instructions to display a selected input array and a guide to place the powerless translucent keyboard that aligns each key of the powerless translucent keyboard with a respective input of the selected input array that is displayed. The instructions 710 may include instructions to detect placement of the powerless translucent keyboard. In one example, the instructions 712 may include instructions to detect a selection of a key of the powerless translucent keyboard. The instructions 714 may include instructions to detect an input associated with the key that is selected.

[0055] It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising:

a display;

a powerless translucent keyboard with tactile keys, wherein the powerless translucent keyboard is located on the display;

a sensor to detect the powerless translucent keyboard and track a selection of a key on the powerless translucent keyboard; and

a processor communicatively coupled to the display and the sensor, wherein the processor is to translate the selection of the key detected by the sensor to an input associated with the key.

2. The electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising:

a mechanical coupling to secure the powerless translucent keyboard on the display and detect a presence of the powerless translucent keyboard on the display.

3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the mechanical coupling is to position the powerless translucent keyboard in a predefined location on the display and the sensor is focused on the predefined location.

4. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the powerless translucent keyboard is aligned an associated input for each key of the powerless translucent keyboard that is shown by the display.

5. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the associated input is visible through the powerless translucent keyboard.

6. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the display comprises a touch screen display and the processor is to translate the selection of the key detected by the sensor and the touch screen display.

7. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the powerless translucent keyboard comprises an optically clear silicone, wherein each key of the powerless translucent keyboard is supported by a flexible structure of the optically clear silicone to provide a tactile feedback when pressed.

8. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises at least one of: a video camera, a digitizing sensor, a mapping sensor, a depth sensor, or a motion sensor.

9. A method, comprising:

enabling, by a processor, a powerless translucent keyboard that is placed on a display of an electronic device of the processor;

causing, by the processor, the display of the electronic device to display a selected input array below the powerless translucent keyboard;

detecting, by the processor, a selection of a key of the powerless translucent keyboard via a sensor of the electronic device;

determining, by the processor, an input of the selected input array associated with the key that is selected; and

causing, by the processor, the input to be displayed on the display.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the enabling is performed via a user selection on the electronic device.

1 1. The method of claim 9, wherein the placement of the powerless translucent keyboard is positioned such that each key of the powerless translucent keyboard is aligned with each input of the selected input array that is displayed by the display.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the selected input array comprises one of a plurality of different languages.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the sensor comprises a video camera, and the detecting comprises:

receiving, by the processor, an image of a user interacting with the powerless translucent keyboard; and

analyzing, by the processor, the image of the user interacting with the powerless translucent keyboard to detect the selection of the key.

14. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium encoded with instructions executable by a processor of an electronic device, the non- transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising:

instructions to detect an enablement option for a powerless translucent keyboard;

instructions to display a selected input array and a guide to place the powerless translucent keyboard that aligns each key of the powerless translucent keyboard with a respective input of the selected input array that is displayed;

instructions to detect placement of the powerless translucent keyboard; instructions to detect a selection of a key of the powerless translucent keyboard; and

instructions to detect an input associated with the key that is selected.

15. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the instructions to detect the selection of the key is performed by a sensor of the electronic device.