Abstract:
A steering wheel having a pressure sensitive horn activator (30) integrated within a cover (22) of an air bag assembly. The horn activator (30) is configured for quick activation, while avoiding accidental activation due to changes in ambient temperatures and pressures.
Abstract:
A keyswitch-integrated pointing assembly in which a plurality of substantially planar force sensing elements (24) are disposed on a planar surface (22) adjacent a keyswitch on a keyboard. The keyswitch includes a plunger (12) which extends downwardly from a key cap (10) for actuating a switch (32) at the lower end of vertical key cap travel. The key cap (10) engages an indexing surface (11) when fully depressed which transmits force applied to the key cap (10) to the force sensing elements (24). The force sensing elements (24) are sandwiched between a pair of opposing plates (20 and 30) thereby biasing the elements into a substantially linear operating region when no force is applied to the key cap (10).
Abstract:
Pressure sensitive key techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a device includes at least one pressure sensitive key having a flexible contact layer spaced apart from a sensor substrate by a spacer layer, the flexible contact layer configured to flex responsive to pressure to contact the sensor substrate to initiate an input, for a computing device, associated with the pressure sensitive key. At least one of the flexible contact layer or the sensor substrate are configured to at least partially normalize an output resulting from pressure applied at a first location of the flexible contact layer with an output resulting from pressure applied at a second location of the flexible contact layer that has lesser flexibility than the first location.
Abstract:
Input device adhesive techniques are described. A pressure sensitive key includes a sensor substrate having one or more conductors, a spacer layer, and a flexible contact layer. The spacer layer is disposed proximal to the sensor substrate and has at least one -opening. The flexible contact layer is spaced apart from the sensor substrate by the spacer layer and configured to flex through the opening in response to an applied pressure to initiate an input. The flexible contact layer is secured to the spacer layer such that at first edge, the flexible contact layer is secured to the spacer layer at an approximate midpoint of the first edge and is not secured to the spacer along another portion of the first edge and at a second edge, the flexible contact layer is not secured to the spacer layer along an approximate midpoint of the second edge.
Abstract:
Techniques for mobile device power state are described. In one or more implementations, a mobile device includes a computing device that is flexibly coupled to an input device via a flexible hinge. Accordingly, the mobile device can operate in a variety of different power states based on a positional orientation of the computing device to an associated input device. In one or more implementations, an application that resides on a computing device can operate in different application states based on a positional orientation of the computing device to an associated input device. In one or more implementations, techniques discussed herein can differentiate between vibrations caused by touch input to a touch functionality, and other types of vibrations. Based on this differentiation, techniques can determine whether to transition between device power states.
Abstract:
A pressure sensitive keyboard includes multiple pressure sensors associated with the keys of the keyboard. In response to pressure applied to one or more keys of the keyboard, a determination is made as to whether the pressure applied is a key strike (a user selection of a key). Various different factors can be used in determining whether the pressure applied is a key strike, such as the amount of the pressure applied, a rate at which the pressure is applied, a number of keys to which pressure is applied, when the pressure is applied relative to previous key strikes, and so forth.
Abstract:
One or more sensors are disposed to sense user inputs in an active display area as well as user inputs in an extended area that is outside of the active display area. Data for user inputs, such as gestures, may include data from user inputs sensed in both the active display area and outside of the active display area. The user inputs can begin and/or end outside of the active display area.
Abstract:
Different types of user inputs can be input by a user via a keyboard of an input device. These different types of user inputs include, for example, key strikes, multi-touch interactions, single finger motions, and/or mouse clicks. Touch information regarding the pressure applied to the keys of a pressure sensitive keyboard over time (or the contact area of the user input for other types of keyboards over time) is used to classify the intent of the user input as one of the various types of user inputs.
Abstract:
A dynamic user interface (1000) is configured to present one of a plurality of keypad configurations to a user. Each keypad configuration includes a plurality of user actuation targets that may be selectively presented to, or hidden from, a user. A segmented optical shutter having segments configured for selective transition from opaque to translucent states is disposed above an segmented optical shutter having a plurality of transparent electrodes, each operating as an electroluminescent element. When each segment is active and in a transparent state, a corresponding electroluminescent element is actuated so as to project light both through the corresponding segment at a first luminosity and about the corresponding segment at a second luminosity, so as to circumscribe the segment. The illuminated segment and the circumscription together form a user actuation target.
Abstract:
A pressure sensor is configured and arranged for determining a characteristic of pressure applied to the sensor. The pressure sensor comprises a first electrode arrangement including a series of first conductive electrodes, the first conductive electrodes being disposed along a straight or curved virtual line. The pairs of next neighbors in the series of the first conductive electrodes are resistively interconnected in such a way that the series of first conductive electrodes has a finite electrical resistance between its extremal electrodes. An intrinsically pressure-sensitive organic layer is arranged along the virtual line in contact with the first conductive electrodes in such a way that, in response to pressure exceeding a predefined minimum pressure being applied to the pressure sensor, the intrinsically pressure-sensitive organic layer becomes at least locally conductive and causes those of the first conductive electrodes that lie at least partially in a region in which the applied pressure exceeds the predefined minimum pressure to become conductively interconnected.