Abstract:
Keyboard keys are outfitted with alignment features whose configuration, placement and geometry on a key serve to allow the key to automatically self-locate when the key returns from a pressed down, accessed, position, to its home, resting, position. In this manner, keyboards can be designed with keys with minimal keycap gaps that reduce the perceptible variance in the keycap spacing to be ascetically pleasing with minimal manufacturing costs.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Inherent in the manufacturing of massed produced keycaps, also referred to herein as keys, for keyboards is individual keycap imperfections; i.e., not every key is created precisely the same as every other key. To attempt to hide these manufacturing imperfections from consumers, typical keyboards have relatively large keycap gaps, e.g., two and a half to three mm (2.5-3 mm), with a not insignificant keycap wall sloping angle. With such large keycap gaps and sloping wall design the typical keycap placement tolerance on a keyboard of plus or minus three-tenths millimeters (+/−0.3 mm) is not necessarily detrimental to the use of the keyboard. However, when these keycaps are positioned on a keyboard the large keycap gaps, sloping wall design and various inherent key imperfections can result in a keyboard that looks cheap and sloppy, e.g., key rows are crooked because the imperfections in the keycaps result in misalignment, the gaps between keys are perceptively different, etc. For example, the current keyboard tolerance of plus or minus three-tenths millimeters (+/−0.3 mm) can account for greater than an eighty percent (80%) variance in keycap gaps on a keyboard which is negatively perceptible to consumers. 
         [0002]    Ultimately these issues can translate into buyer and user dissatisfaction with a company&#39;s keyboards. 
         [0003]    Moreover, as keyboard companies attempt to create more aesthetically pleasing keyboards with cleaner, crisper lines the keycap gaps become tighter, i.e., smaller, which can actually serve to highlight keycap imperfections and result in an even more sloppy keyboard look. Thus, companies have been known to spend time, resources and money to attempt to reduce keycap manufacturing imperfections with a resultant attempted crisper keyboard look. 
         [0004]    Thus it is desirable to develop a keyboard and keycap design that enables keys to self-align themselves in their home, resting, position to reduce the perceptible variance in keycap spacing and result in a cleaner, crisper, keyboard look. It is further desirable to create a universal keycap design that can be easily implemented. It is also advantageous to implement a keycap design that will continue to optimize keyboard manufacturing costs. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form which are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0006]    Embodiments discussed herein include keyboard keys and keyboards with keys that can self-locate independent of the manufacturing tolerances currently achievable with minimal keycap gaps. In embodiments keys of a keyboard are outfitted with alignment features whose configuration, placement and geometry contribute to automatic self-aligning keys when they resume their home position from a pressed down, accessed, position. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    These and other features will now be described with reference to the drawings of certain embodiments and examples which are intended to illustrate and not to limit, and in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  depicts an exemplary embodiment keycap design for keycap self-alignment with minimal keycap gaps. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  depicts a portion of an exemplary embodiment keyboard utilizing keycaps with self-aligning nubs. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment nub design for an embodiment self-aligning keycap. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments described herein. It will be apparent however to one skilled in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances well-known structures and devices are either simply referenced or shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessary obscuration. Any and all titles used throughout are for ease of explanation only and are not for any limiting use. 
         [0012]    As previously discussed, keycaps are massed manufactured. To help minimize manufacturing costs a typical keycap manufacturing process results in keycaps that are not all exactly the same; e.g., slightly different sizes resulting in slightly differing shapes, etc. When these keycaps are subsequently positioned on a keyboard their imperfections can result in the appearance of sloppy keyboards with keys that appear misaligned; i.e., keyboards with keys in crooked rows. This unpleasing look results in user perceived inadequate and potentially undesirable keyboards that lack the preferred quality. 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment self-locating, also referred to herein as self-aligning, keycap  100 , also referred to herein as a key  100 . In an embodiment when keycap  100  is positioned on an embodiment keyboard  200 , a portion of which is depicted in  FIG. 2 , with other self-aligning keycaps  100  the keys  100  of the keyboard  200  will be aligned, i.e., in even rows, with minimal keycap  100  gaps  270  independent of the manufacturing tolerances currently achievable in the keyset manufacturing process. The resultant keyboard  200  is ascetically pleasing to users and results in a perceived quality keyboard  200 . Additionally the resultant keyboard  200  helps to minimize debris that falls between its keys  100 . 
         [0014]    Keycap  100  is for an embodiment keyboard  200  designed to embrace the inherent imperfections of manufactured keycaps. In an embodiment keycap  100  is manufactured with alignment features  105 , also referred to herein as nubs  105 , that cause a keycap  100  to mechanically self-align with its neighboring keys  100  when the keycap  100 , after having been suppressed, or otherwise pushed down, by a user, returns to its normal, home, i.e., resting or unused, position on the keyboard  200 . The embodiment keyboard  200  of  FIG. 2 , with embodiment keycaps  100 , has the resultant capability to self-align keycaps  100  within the keyboard  200 . 
         [0015]    In an embodiment the nubs  105  of a keycap  100  are manufactured of the same material as the keycap  100 . In alternative embodiments nubs  105  can be derived from materials other than the material of the keycap  100 . 
         [0016]    In an embodiment the nubs  105  of a keycap  100  are formed as a portion of, or alternatively, otherwise attached to, the base of one or more sides of a keycap  100  as can be seen in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0017]    Referring again to  FIG. 1 , in an embodiment all the keys  100  of a keyboard  200  are designed with at least one nub  105 . In an alternate embodiment only the qwerty keys  100  of a keyboard  200 , i.e., the keys used to type letters and numbers, are outfitted with at least one nub  105 . In other alternative embodiments other subsets of a keyboard&#39;s keys  100  are designed with at least one nub  105 . 
         [0018]    In an embodiment each embodiment keycap  100 , i.e., each keycap that is designed with at least one nub  105 , has a minimum of two contact points with neighboring keys top and bottom when the keycaps  100  are in their home, resting, position. Thus, in an embodiment at least two nubs  105  on the top of a keycap  100  come into contact with, also referred to herein as touch, at least two nubs  105  on a keycap(s)  100  above it and at least two nubs  105  on the bottom of a keycap  100  touch at least two nubs  105  on a keycap(s)  100  below it when the keycaps  100  are in their home position. For example, and referring to  FIG. 2 , in an embodiment the S key  205  has at least two nubs  105  that touch at least two nubs on the W key  215  positioned above it when both the S key  205  and the W key  215  are in their home position. In this example and embodiment the S key  205  also has at least two nubs  105  that touch at least two nubs  105  on the X key  225  positioned below it when both the S key  205  and the X key  225  are in their home position. 
         [0019]    In an embodiment nubs  105  are included on one or more sides framing the keyboard  200 . 
         [0020]    In an embodiment nubs  105  are included on the top keyboard frame  230  which is a top portion, or side, of the keyboard  200  that houses keys  100  of the keyboard  200 . In an aspect of this embodiment the nubs  105  on the top keyboard frame  230 , also referred to herein as top keyboard side  230 , of simply keyboard side  230 , are positioned so that each embodiment key  100  in the top keyboard row  210 , i.e., the top row positioned keys  100  within a keyboard frame, e.g., keys  100  for the numbers one through nine (1-9) of a qwerty keyboard  200 , has a minimum of two nubs  105  that touch at least two nubs  105  on the top keyboard frame  230  when the key  100  in the top keyboard row  210  is in its home position. 
         [0021]    In an embodiment nubs  105  are included on the bottom keyboard frame  240  which is a bottom portion or side, of the keyboard  200  that houses keys  100  of the keyboard  200 . In an aspect of this embodiment the nubs  105  on the bottom keyboard frame  240 , also referred to herein as bottom keyboard side  240 , or simply keyboard side  240 , are positioned so that each embodiment key  100  in the bottom keyboard row  220 , i.e., the bottom row positioned keys  100  within a keyboard frame, e.g., the space bar, CTRL key(s), etc. of a qwerty keyboard  200 , has a minimum of two nubs  105  that touch at least two nubs  105  on the bottom keyboard frame  240  when the key  100  in the bottom keyboard row  220  is in its home position. 
         [0022]    In an embodiment each key  100  has at least one nub  105  on one keycap side that will come into contact, i.e., touch, with at least one nub  105  on a neighboring key  100  to its right and/or left when the key  100  is in its home position. 
         [0023]    In an aspect of this embodiment each key  100  has two nubs  102  on each of its keycap sides that will each come into contact with at least one nub  102  on the neighboring keys to its right and left when the key  100  is in its home position. For example, in an embodiment the S key  205  has two nubs  105  that each touch a nub  105  on its left neighboring A key  245  when the S key  205  and the A key  245  are both in their home position. In this example and embodiment the S key  205  also has two nubs  105  that each touch a nub  105  on its right neighboring D key  235  when the S key  205  and the D key  235  are both in their home position. 
         [0024]    In an embodiment nubs  105  are included on a left-side keyboard frame  250  which is a portion, or side, of the keyboard  200  positioned on the left of a section of the keyboard  200  housing keys  100 . In an aspect of this embodiment the nubs  105  on a left-side keyboard frame  250 , also referred to herein as left keyboard side  250 , or simply keyboard side  250 , are positioned so that each embodiment key  100  bordering the left-side keyboard frame  250 , e.g., a TAB key, a CAPS LOCK key, etc. of a qwerty keyboard  200 , has a minimum of two nubs  105  that touch at least two nubs  105  on the left-side keyboard frame  250  when the key  100  bordering the left-side keyboard frame  250  is in its home position. 
         [0025]    In an embodiment nubs  105  are included on a right-side keyboard frame  260  which is a portion, or side, of the keyboard  200  positioned on the right of a section of the keyboard  200  housing keys  100 . In an aspect of this embodiment the nubs  105  on a right-side keyboard frame  260 , also referred to herein as right keyboard side  260 , or simply keyboard side  260 , are positioned so that each embodiment key  100  bordering the right-side keyboard frame  260 , e.g., a BACKSPACE key, a SHIFT key, etc. of a qwerty keyboard  200 , has a minimum of two nubs  105  that touch at least two nubs  105  on the right-side keyboard frame  260  when the key  100  bordering the right-side keyboard frame  260  is in its home position. 
         [0026]    In an embodiment the number, size and position of nubs  105  on a keycap  100  is designed to ensure the keycap  100  mechanically locates its intended home position relative to its neighbor keycaps  100  with a minimal amount of friction and a minimal manufacturing cost when the key  100  is released from a suppressed position. In an embodiment each keycap  100  for an embodiment keyboard  200  is designed with the same configuration of nubs  105  to minimize manufacturing expense. In an embodiment keycaps  100  for differing keyboard  200  constructions may embody differing nub  105  positioning and/or configurations to minimize friction within the specific keyboard  200  design. 
         [0027]    Referring again to  FIG. 1 , in an embodiment a keycap  100  is configured with two nubs  105  on three sides  110 ,  115  and  120  and three nubs  105  on the forth side  125 . In an aspect of this embodiment two nubs  105  on one side  110  of a keycap  100  are designed larger, i.e., are longer in length, than the four nubs  105  positioned on the other two sides  115  and  120  of the keycap  100  that each include two nubs  105 . In an aspect of this embodiment the two nubs  105  on keycap side  115  and the two nubs  105  on keycap side  120  are all designed to be the same size. 
         [0028]    In an embodiment the nubs  105  configured on the keycap side  125  with three nubs are each smaller, i.e., are shorter in length, than each of the two nubs  105  configured on the keycap side  110 . In an embodiment the nubs  105  configured on the keycap side  125  are also each smaller, i.e., are shorter in length, than each of the four nubs  105  configured on the keycap sides  115  and  120 . In an embodiment the three nubs  105  on the keycap side  125  are all designed to be the same size. 
         [0029]    In an embodiment each nub  105  is designed to be the minimum size that can still negate keycap misalignment from the vertical offset of the keys  100  of the keyboard  200 . 
         [0030]    In alternative embodiments the nubs  105  on any particular keycap  100  side can be differing sizes; e.g., all the nubs  105  on sides  115 ,  120  and  125  can be the same size, nubs  105  on sides  115  and  120  can each be smaller, i.e., can be shorter in length, than any of the three nubs  105  on side  125 , etc. 
         [0031]    In alternative embodiments the number of nubs  105  on any particular keycap side can be different, e.g., sides  115 ,  120  and  125  can each support three nubs  105 , etc. 
         [0032]    In an embodiment the number of nubs  105  designed on a keycap  100  and each of their sizes is minimized to the extent allowable for accommodating their purpose in keycap alignment as well as manufacturing variances in the nubs  105  themselves. 
         [0033]    In an embodiment a keycap  100  is designed so that its side  125  with three nubs  105 , when it rests in its home position against a neighboring keycap  100 , will have contact with at least one nub  105  on the side  110  of the neighboring keycap  100  that houses the two larger nubs  105 . In an aspect of this embodiment at least two nubs  105  on side  125  of a keycap  100  in its home position will come into contact with the two nubs  105  on side  110  of a neighboring key  100  positioned below it in the keyboard  200  as depicted in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0034]    In an embodiment the nubs  105  on side  115  of a keycap  100  are positioned parallel to the nubs  105  on side  120  of the keycap  100  as depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0035]    In an embodiment the configuration and placement of the keycap nubs  105  is designed to ensure that a keycap  100  resuming its home position from a suppressed, i.e., typed, position, will settle into the desired home position that provides for aligned keyboard keys  100  by coming into contact with nubs  105  on neighboring keys  100 . In an embodiment the configuration and placement of the keycap nubs  105  is designed to ensure that a keycap  100  resuming its home position from a suppressed position will settle into the desired home position that provides for aligned keyboard keys  100  by coming into contact with nubs  105  on respective neighboring keyboard sides, e.g., keyboard side  230 , keyboard side  240 , keyboard side  250  and/or keyboard side  260 . 
         [0036]    In an embodiment the configuration and placement of nubs  105  on a keyboard side, e.g., keyboard side  230 , keyboard side  240 , keyboard side  250  and/or keyboard side  260 , is designed to ensure that when a keycap  100  neighboring one or more keyboard sides resumes its home position from a suppressed position it will settle into the desired home position that provides for aligned keyboard keys  100  by coming into contact with nubs  105  on the respective neighboring keyboard side(s). 
         [0037]    In alternative embodiments differing nub  105  configurations and/or placements can be utilized. 
         [0038]    In an embodiment the geometry of each nub  105  is designed to ensure that keys  100  will not lock or otherwise hang on one another when the keys  100  are in their home position, when they are in their suppressed position and when they are in movement either to or from their home position. In an embodiment the geometry of each nub  105  is further designed to minimize friction between keys  100  when the nubs  105  are being employed to assist a key  100  to self-align itself to its intended home position. In this manner keys  100  will not feel “sticky” to a user when a user is typing and the nubs  105  on the keycaps  100  will not wear down to become less or even totally ineffectual. 
         [0039]    In an embodiment the configuration and placement of nubs  105  on the various sides of a keycap  100  are also designed to ensure no key locking and minimize key friction. In an embodiment the configuration and placement of nubs  105  on a keyboard side, e.g., keyboard side  230 , keyboard side  240 , keyboard side  250  and keyboard side  260 , are designed to ensure no key locking and minimize key friction. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 3  an embodiment nub geometry  300  is depicted. In an embodiment each nub  105  is positioned on the base  310  of a keycap  100 . In an embodiment each nub  105  has a nub angle  305 . In an aspect of this embodiment each nub angle  305  is seventy-seven (77) degrees from vertical. In other aspects of this embodiment each nub angle  305  can be a different size and/or various nubs  105  on a keycap  100  can have differing angles  305  that may be influenced by one or more factors including, but not limited to, the depth of the keycaps  100  and key  100  travel. 
         [0041]    In an embodiment the geometry  300  of a keycap nub  105  is designed to ensure keys  100  will not lock or otherwise hang on each other. 
         [0042]    In an embodiment the geometry  300  of a keycap nub  105  is designed to ensure that the nubs  105  positioned between neighboring keys  100  only come into contact when the keys  100  are in their home position. In an embodiment the geometry  300  of a nub  105  is designed to ensure that the nubs  105  between a keycap  100  and a keyboard side, e.g., keyboard side  230 , keyboard side  240 , keyboard side  250  and keyboard side  260 , only come into contact when the key  100  is in its home position. 
         [0043]    In an embodiment when a user presses a keycap  100  for the key  100  to go down the nub geometry  300  is such that there will be no discernible interference between the pressed key  100  and its neighboring keys and/or keyboard side(s). 
       CONCLUSION 
       [0044]    While various embodiments are described herein, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Many variations are possible which remain within the scope of the following claims. Such variations are clear after inspection of the specification, drawings and claims herein. Accordingly, the breadth and scope of the claimed subject matter is not to be restricted except as defined with the following claims and their equivalents.