Abstract:
An energy conversion and transmission device is disclosed which, in its preferred embodiment, has a rigid substrate with a resistive area printed on its top surface, a spacer of non-conductive material with an aperture therethrough positioned in register with the rigid substrate resistive area, and a flexible substrate with a resistive area printed on its bottom surface in register with the aperture and the rigid substrate resistive area so that application of a force to the flexible substrate with an elastomeric actuator will move the flexible substrate resistive area to establish an electrical contact area with the rigid substrate resistive area, which electrical contact area increases and, thus, the resistivity of that area decreases as the applied force increases. Thus, when an electrical potential is applied across the two resistive areas, current flow through the two resistive areas increases as the applied force increases. Capacitive, inductive and other embodiments of the device are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A pressure transducer device particularly useful in an electronic musical instrument includes a flexible base folded to define upper and lower flexible base portions, a donut-shaped first spacer between the upper and lower base portions and a resiliently deformable diaphragm attached about its periphery to the upper flexible base portion with a second donut-shaped spacer therebetween. A center region of the diaphragm laterally spaced from the second spacer is adhesively attached to a central region of the upper flexible base portion so that the upper flexible base portion moves inwardly and outwardly in response to the movement of the diaphragm. A pair of conductors are disposed on the folded flexible base member to face one another. A pressure responsive composition disposed over the conductors provides a contact resistance across the pair of conductors which varies inversely with the amount of pressure force exerted against the diaphragm. The upper flexible base portion may be attached between the first and second spacers about its entire periphery or at a small hinge region with the upper base portion being a flap movable about the hinge region in the region surrounded by the first spacer.
Abstract:
The present invention switch comprises a pair of electrodes separated by resilient resistive material which changes resistance several orders of magnitude in response to light pressure. Sensing and amplifying means are provided to detect a predetermined change in resistance. An array of a plurality of such switches may be arranged in a switching matrix to provide any desired form of switch controls or a keyboard for numerous electronic applications.
Abstract:
One variation of a keyboard system includes: a substrate including an array of inductors; a tactile layer arranged over the substrate defining an array of key locations over the array of inductors; an array of magnetic elements, each arranged within the tactile layer at a key location configured to inductively couple to an adjacent inductor and configured to move relative to the adjacent inductor responsive to application of a force on the tactile layer at the key location; and a controller configured to read electrical values from the inductors. In response to detecting a change in electrical value at a first inductor, the controller also configured to: register a first keystroke of a first key type associated with a first key location defined over the first inductor; and drive an oscillating voltage across the first inductor to oscillate the tactile layer over the substrate during a haptic feedback cycle.
Abstract:
One variation of a system for a haptic actuator includes: a substrate; a baseplate; a magnetic element; and a set of spacer elements. The substrate includes: a first layer including a first spiral trace coiled in a first direction; and a second layer. The second layer is arranged below the first layer and includes a second spiral trace: coiled in a second direction opposite the first direction; and coupled to the first spiral trace to form an inductor. The substrate further includes terminals arranged about a periphery of the substrate and coupled to the inductor. The baseplate is arranged opposite the substrate. The magnetic element is: arranged on the baseplate; and defines a first polarity facing the inductor. The first set of spacer elements are: interposed between the baseplate and the substrate; arranged proximal edges of the baseplate; and defines a nominal gap between the magnetic element and the inductor.
Abstract:
A device includes a display portion that includes a display housing and a display within the display housing. The device also includes a base portion flexibly coupled to the display portion and comprising a glass member defining a keyboard region configured to receive user input, a first haptic actuator configured to produce a first haptic output at a first area of the keyboard region, and a second haptic actuator configured to produce a second haptic output at a second area of the keyboard region that is different from the first area.
Abstract:
A hinge for component attachment is described. In at least some implementations, a kickstand is rotatably attached to a mobile computing device. The kickstand can be rotated to various positions to provide support for different orientations of the computing device. In at least some implementations, hinges are employed to attach a kickstand to a mobile computing device. One example hinge utilizes preset hinge stops that enable the kickstand to be placed at different preset positions. Another example hinge exerts pressure on an edge of the kickstand, providing stability and vibration dampening to the kickstand.
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:
A pressure-sensitive switch includes a first substrate, a conductive structure provided on the first substrate, and an electrode unit disposed to face the first substrate with the conductive structure interposed therebetween. The conductive structure includes an elastic component extending to protrude from the first substrate toward the electrode unit, and an electrode layer covering the elastic component.
Abstract:
A press detection sensor contains a base member having predetermined length and width and also having a predetermined shape, a first conductor having predetermined length and being arranged on the base member, and a second conductor that is arranged on the base member with the second conductor being faced to the first conductor. The press detection sensor also contains a conductive contact body that is arranged between the first conductor and the second conductor. The conductive contact body connects the first and second conductors electrically in response to an external force. The press detection sensor further contains a covering member that includes the contact body on the inside thereof. The covering member covers a top of the base member which includes the first and second conductors. The covering member contains at least one of flexibility and elasticity.