Configurable hot keys for an input device of an information handling system

Aspects of this disclosure implement at least one sensor in a user input device with an identifiable user input on an information handling system. A method may include receiving, by an information handling system, an indication that at least one sensor, located on an outward facing surface of a frame housing a user input device, is actuated; comparing, by the information handling system, the indication to an active profile configuration; and identifying, by the information handling system, the indication as an input based on the active profile configuration. Other aspects are also disclosed.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The instant disclosure relates to information handling systems. More specifically, portions of this disclosure relate to user input devices for information handling systems.

BACKGROUND

SUMMARY

When typing on a keyboard of the information handling system, most users conventionally use either one or both thumbs to actuate the spacebar, resulting in underutilization of the user's thumbs. Typists typically require wrist swing movement in order to actuate keys on a keyboard along the outer edges. Prolonged usage in this manner can increase the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome and cause strain on thumb joints.

Aspects of this disclosure implement at least one sensor in a user input device with an identifiable user input on an information handling system. In one embodiment, a row of configurable “hot keys” is implemented in front of the spacebar region of a keyboard for an information handling system. In certain embodiments of the disclosure, the hot keys may be actuated via proximity or touch sensing by the user's thumbs in front of the spacebar region with the projected direction of the sensors on a plane in front of the spacebar key cover facing the user. It may also have haptic features at these sensor locations which are implemented by means of Piezo solution. The functionality of each hot key or a combination thereof is configurable by the user.

Shortcomings mentioned here are only representative and are included to highlight problems that the inventors have identified with respect to existing information handling systems and sought to improve upon. Aspects of the information handling systems described below may address some or all of the shortcomings as well as others known in the art. Aspects of the improved information handling systems described below may present other benefits than, and be used in other applications than, those described above.

According to one embodiment, an apparatus may include a frame housing a first input device for receiving user input; and at least one sensor located on an outward facing surface of the frame.

In certain embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise piezoelectric actuators configured to provide haptic feedback.

In certain embodiments, the at least one sensor of the apparatus comprises at least one of: a proximity mutual-capacitance sensor comprising a pair of X-Y traces configured to provide a directive capacitance field; a touch mutual-capacitance sensor comprising a pair of X-Y traces configured to provide a directive capacitance field; a self-capacitance sensor comprising a sensor electrode configured to measure a capacitance between the electrode and a ground of a touch sensor circuit; or an infrared proximity sensor.

In some embodiments, the first user input device comprises a plurality of keys arranged in a plurality of rows on a first surface of the frame, wherein the at least one sensor is located on a second surface of the frame adjacent to the first surface. The at least one sensor may be located on the second surface approximately centered with regard to the first user input device on the first surface.

In certain embodiments, the apparatus comprises a controller coupled to the first input device and the at least one sensor, wherein the controller is configured to interface with an information handling system and transmit indications of user input received at the first input device and the at least one sensor.

According to another embodiment, a method may include receiving, by an information handling system, an indication that at least one sensor, located on an outward facing surface of a frame housing a user input device, is actuated; comparing, by the information handling system, the indication to an active profile configuration; and identifying, by the information handling system, the indication as an input based on the active profile configuration.

In some embodiments, a controller of the information handling system is configured to support a plurality of profile configurations, wherein each profile configuration maps input to the at least one sensor with an input to the first input device, and wherein the controller is configured to switch from a first profile to a second profile of the plurality of profiles when the controller detects a predefined user input to a combination of the first input device and the at least one sensor.

The method may be embedded in a computer-readable medium as computer program code comprising instructions that cause a processor to perform operations corresponding to the steps of the method. In some embodiments, the processor may be part of an information handling system including a first network adaptor configured to transmit data over a first network connection; and a processor coupled to the first network adaptor, and the memory.

As used herein, the term “coupled” means connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically; two items that are “coupled” may be unitary with each other. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless this disclosure explicitly requires otherwise. The term “substantially” is defined as largely but not necessarily wholly what is specified (and includes what is specified; e.g., substantially parallel includes parallel), as understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the disclosure include apparatuses, configurations, and/or methods for implementing at least one sensor in a user input device with an identifiable user input on an information handling system. In one embodiment of the disclosure, a row of configurable hot keys is implemented in front of the spacebar region of a keyboard for an information handling system.

FIG.1AandFIG.1Billustrate a user input device, such as a computer keyboard according to certain embodiments of the disclosure, comprising at least one sensor for retrieving user input. Referring toFIG.1A, the user input device100illustrates a computer keyboard, but could be any user input device connected to an information handling system. The frame housing a first user input device130, such as a plurality of keys, may also include at least one sensor120for receiving user input. Additionally, the housing may further include a visual indicator110of the at least one sensor120to mark its location on the user input device100.

Referring toFIG.1B, the user input device100is a computer keyboard according to certain embodiments of the disclosure. Visual indicators110may represent the location of the at least one sensor located on an outward facing surface of the frame housing the user input device100. Visual indicators110may be recessed into the housing frame, raised, silkscreen, color-coded, etc. Sensor identifiers120represent each of the at least one sensor of the user input device to assist the user in locating the sensors.

FIG.2AandFIG.2Billustrate the assembly of an example user input device and the positioning of the at least one sensor according to certain embodiments of the disclosure. Referring toFIG.2A, the user input device200, such as a keyboard according to certain embodiments, can be assembled within a housing frame to comprise at least one sensor. The top cover subassembly210can be further disassembled into a top cover and key cap assembly. Between the top cover subassembly210and the bottom cover240may be a printed circuit assembly (PCA)220and a capacitive flexible printed circuit (FPC)230. The battery cover250may be used in certain embodiments with a user input device powered separately from the information handling system, such as in wireless input devices. The PCA220may include a FPC connector and a capacitive controller chipset to function with the capacitive FPC230, wherein the capacitive FPC230comprises the at least one sensor.

Referring toFIG.2B, the user input device200is a computer keyboard according to certain embodiments of the disclosure. The capacitive FPC230comprises the at least one sensor and is housed within the user input device200, with the at least one sensor located on an outward facing surface of the housing frame of the user input device200. In the illustrated example, there may be four sensors210A-210D configured to detect a presence of a user's digit in proximity with the respective one of the sensors210A-210D. The location of the sensors210A-D may be centered on the first input device, such as approximately centered with respect to the space bar, which is one configuration that allows the user to interact with the sensors210A-D without making large wrist movements.

In the event that more than one sensor is actuated, and the multi-input is not identified as a recognized command, the user input device may send a first indication of the first sensor and a second indication of the second sensor. In one embodiment, there may be four sensors, labeled A, B, C, and D, respectively, configured to detect a presence of a user's digit. The location of the sensors may be centered on the first input device, such as approximately centered with respect to the space bar of a US QWERTY keyboard. One digit, such as the user's left thumb, may be responsible for actuating left-most sensors A and B. A second digit, such as the user's right thumb, may be responsible for actuating right-most sensors C and D. Multiple sensors may be actuated by the user to provide a certain user input. For example, if sensor A indicates input “3” and sensor D indicates input “5,” and both sensors are actuated simultaneously, the resulting input on the information handling system may be “35” or “53,” depending on which sensor indication was received first. In certain embodiments, the sensors are actuated by proximity, and, particularly the innermost sensors in a horizontal row, may be accidentally actuated due to the placement and reach of the user. In an example embodiment, if the user meaning to actuate sensor B accidentally also actuates sensor A, the information handling system may only receive an indication of sensor B being actuated, as the inner-most sensor. Similarly, if right-most sensors C and D are simultaneously activated, the information handling system may only receive an indication of sensor C being activated, as the inner-most sensor. However, it is possible for a user to actuate other combinations, such as A+C, B+D, B+C, and A+D.

In another example, when one sensor is actuated and held down, the information handling system receives a repeated indication of the actuation. Therefore, the user input results in repetitive output on the information handling system. When two or more sensors are actuated and held down, the information handling system would receive an indication from the first sensor, followed by an indication of the second sensor. The immediate actuation of more than one sensor is likely to not be perfectly simultaneous, resulting in an indication of first sensor being actuated followed by an indication of a second sensor being actuated.

FIG.3is a flowchart illustrating a method300of operating a user input device according to certain embodiments of the disclosure. At block302, the user actuates the at least one proximity mutual-capacitance sensor on the first input device. The proximity mutual-capacitance sensor enables directive detection of capacitive field changes in front of the outward facing surface of the housing frame where the at least one sensor is being projected. This directive capacitance field is disrupted by the user to actuate the sensor. For example, the at least one proximity mutual-capacitance sensor is located near the spacebar of a computer keyboard, with the at least one sensor facing outward directly toward the user. The user may actuate the proximity mutual-capacitance sensor through thumb movement in front of the at least one outward facing sensor. The at least one sensor will not be actuated by thumb movement or interaction with the top cover of the input device.

At block304, the controller transmits an indication of the user input received from the user input device to the information handling system. If there is more than one sensor, each sensor will indicate a different user input to be executed on the information handling system according to a preset profile configuration. At block306, the controller identifies the user input according to the active profile configuration. At block308, the identified user input is executed on the information handling system.

FIG.4is a flowchart illustrating a method400of operating a user input device according to certain embodiments of the disclosure. At block402, the user actuates the at least one touch mutual-capacitance sensor on the first input device. The touch mutual-capacitance sensor enables directive detection of capacitive field changes in front of the outward facing surface of the housing frame where the at least one sensor is being projected. This directive capacitance field is disrupted by the user to actuate the sensor upon touch. For example, the at least one touch mutual-capacitance sensor is located near the spacebar of a computer keyboard, with the at least one sensor facing outward directly toward the user. The user may actuate the touch mutual-capacitance sensor through thumb contact with the least one outward facing sensor. In some embodiments, the user input device may further comprise piezoelectric actuators configured to provide haptic feedback in response to the user touching the at least one sensor. The at least one sensor is not actuated by thumb movement or interaction with the top cover of the input device.

At block404, the controller transmits an indication of the user input received from the user input device to the information handling system. If there is more than one sensor, each sensor will indicate a different user input to be executed on the information handling system according to a preset profile configuration. At block406, the controller identifies the user input according to the active profile configuration. At block408, the identified user input is executed on the information handling system.

FIGURES is a flowchart illustrating a method500of operating a user input device according to certain embodiments of the disclosure. At block502, the user actuates the at least one self-capacitance sensor on the first input device. The self-capacitance sensor comprises a sensor electrode configured to measure a capacitance between the electrode and a ground of a sensor circuit. The self-capacitance sensor may be actuated through proximity or touch, and detection is monitored by a capacitive sensing controller. The at least one sensor is not actuated by thumb movement or interaction with the top cover of the input device.

At block504, the controller transmits an indication of the user input received from the user input device to the information handling system. If there is more than one sensor, each sensor will indicate a different user input to be executed on the information handling system according to a preset profile configuration. At block506, the controller identifies the user input according to the active profile configuration. At block508, the identified user input is executed on the information handling system.

FIG.6is a flowchart illustrating a method600of operating a user input device according to certain embodiments of the disclosure. At block602, the user actuates the at least one infrared proximity sensor on the first input device. The infrared proximity sensor may comprise light pipes facing outward of the input device toward the user. In certain embodiments, the transmitting and receiving lights are of the same light transmission frequency, and the transmitting light pipe is flush with the front surface of the top cover of the input device. The receiving sensor may be slightly recessed to reduce the angle of receptance of the transmitting light in some embodiments. For example, the at least one receiving sensor is located near the spacebar of a computer keyboard, with the at least one sensor facing outward directly toward the user. The user may actuate the infrared proximity sensor through thumb movement in front of the at least one outward facing sensor.

In some embodiments, the receiving sensor may also be flush with the front surface of the top cover of the input device. In an example in which there is more than one sensor, each transmitting light pipe may have a unique on-off-keying frequency modulated light signal. There is a receiving sensor for each of the on-off-keying modulated light transmissions. This results in high noise immunity towards ambient lighting or neighboring transmitter noise, such as other light signals. For example, the at least one receiving sensor is located near the spacebar of a computer keyboard, with the at least one sensor facing outward directly toward the user. The user may actuate the infrared proximity sensor through thumb movement in front of the at least one outward facing sensor.

At block604, the controller transmits an indication of the user input received from the user input device to the information handling system. If there is more than one sensor, each sensor will indicate a different user input to be executed on the information handling system according to a preset profile configuration. At block606, the controller identifies the user input according to the active profile configuration. At block608, the identified user input is executed on the information handling system.

FIG.7illustrates profile configurations for identifying a user input according to some embodiments of the disclosure. Referring toFIG.7, the profile configuration table700displays the profiles702and sensor identifiers704. In one embodiment, there may be four sensors, labeled A, B, C, and D, respectively. Each sensor corresponds to an input706to be executed on the information handling system. In one embodiment, the active profile configuration is “Math,” for which the user may actuate any of the one or more sensors to execute the respective operation input706for that profile702. Profiles702may be any desired keys or combination of keys for the user's convenience. The user may switch between profiles702while using the user input device by actuating a combination of sensors, or “hot keys,” physical keys, such as on a computer keyboard, or any other variation of inputs from a user input device. The switching of profiles702may be done through software on the information handling system, or through a predetermined combination of hot key and physical key actuation. Switching of profiles may, for example, be indicated by the user by holding the spacebar, left extreme sensor, and right extreme sensor in an embodiment in which there are four respective sensors in front of the spacebar of a keyboard. The user may alternatively configure an “fn” key, for example, to enable this functionality of quickly switching between profile configurations in other embodiments.

The key mappings for the sensors may map the sensor input to keys that are along an outside of the keyboard or key combinations that involve at least one key along an outside of the keyboard. These keys would require a large wrist swing movement if actuating keys along the edges of the keyboard. Examples of such keys in certain keyboard layouts include delete, backspace, enter, tab, and navigation keys (Up/Down/Left/Right Arrow). In some embodiments, certain sensor configurations may identify the at least one sensor to actuate a combination of keys on a user input device. Examples may include adjusting screen brightness (fn+F5), muting volume (fn+F1), actuating Ctrl+Alt+Delete, etc.

The sensors facing the user while the user is interacting with the keyboard thus provide a row of configurable hot keys that may improve user speed when interacting with the keyboard and reduce risk of injury while interacting with the keyboard. The location of the sensors may be chosen to be at a position where the user's fingers idle during interaction with the keyboard. For example, most users utilize either thumb to actuate the spacebar when typing on a computer keyboard. As compared to other fingers, there is underutilization of both thumbs because both thumbs are conventionally used to actuate only one key function.

These example embodiments describe and illustrate various implementations of receiving user input from at least one sensor on an input device of an information handling system.

FIG.8illustrates an example information handling system800. Information handling system800may include a processor802(e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)), a memory (e.g., a dynamic random-access memory (DRAM))804, and a chipset806. In some embodiments, one or more of the processor802, the memory804, and the chipset806may be included on a motherboard (also referred to as a mainboard), which is a printed circuit board (PCB) with embedded conductors organized as transmission lines between the processor802, the memory804, the chipset806, and/or other components of the information handling system. The components may be coupled to the motherboard through packaging connections such as a pin grid array (PGA), ball grid array (BGA), land grid array (LGA), surface-mount technology, and/or through-hole technology. In some embodiments, one or more of the processor802, the memory804, the chipset806, and/or other components may be organized as a System on Chip (SoC).

The processor802may execute program code by accessing instructions loaded into memory804from a storage device, executing the instructions to operate on data also loaded into memory804from a storage device, and generate output data that is stored back into memory804or sent to another component. The processor802may include processing cores capable of implementing any of a variety of instruction set architectures (ISAs), such as the x86, POWERPC®, ARM®, SPARC®, or MIPS® ISAs, or any other suitable ISA. In multi-processor systems, each of the processors802may commonly, but not necessarily, implement the same ISA. In some embodiments, multiple processors may each have different configurations such as when multiple processors are present in a big-little hybrid configuration with some high-performance processing cores and some high-efficiency processing cores. The chipset806may facilitate the transfer of data between the processor802, the memory804, and other components. In some embodiments, chipset806may include two or more integrated circuits (ICs), such as a northbridge controller coupled to the processor802, the memory804, and a southbridge controller, with the southbridge controller coupled to the other components such as USB810, SATA820, and PCIe buses808. The chipset806may couple to other components through one or more PCIe buses808.

Some components may be coupled to one bus line of the PCIe buses808, whereas some components may be coupled to more than one bus line of the PCIe buses808. One example component is a universal serial bus (USB) controller810, which interfaces the chipset806to a USB bus812. A USB bus812may couple input/output components such as a keyboard814and a mouse816, but also other components such as USB flash drives, or another information handling system. Another example component is a SATA bus controller820, which couples the chipset806to a SATA bus822. The SATA bus822may facilitate efficient transfer of data between the chipset806and components coupled to the chipset806and a storage device824(e.g., a hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state disk drive (SDD)) and/or a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)826. The PCIe bus808may also couple the chipset806directly to a storage device828(e.g., a solid-state disk drive (SDD)). A further example of an example component is a graphics device830(e.g., a graphics processing unit (GPU)) for generating output to a display device832, a network interface controller (NIC)840, and/or a wireless interface850(e.g., a wireless local area network (WLAN) or wireless wide area network (WWAN) device) such as a Wi-Fi® network interface, a Bluetooth® network interface, a GSM® network interface, a 3G network interface, a 4G LTE® network interface, and/or a 5G NR network interface (including sub-6 GHz and/or mmWave interfaces).

The chipset806may also be coupled to a serial peripheral interface (SPI) and/or Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) bus860, which couples the chipset806to system management components. For example, a non-volatile random-access memory (NVRAM)870for storing firmware872may be coupled to the bus860. As another example, a controller, such as a baseboard management controller (BMC)880, may be coupled to the chipset806through the bus860. BMC880may be referred to as a service processor or embedded controller (EC). Capabilities and functions provided by BMC880may vary considerably based on the type of information handling system. For example, the term baseboard management system may be used to describe an embedded processor included at a server, while an embedded controller may be found in a consumer-level device. As disclosed herein, BMC880represents a processing device different from processor802, which provides various management functions for information handling system800. For example, an embedded controller may be responsible for power management, cooling management, and the like. An embedded controller included at a data storage system may be referred to as a storage enclosure processor or a chassis processor.

System800may include additional processors that are configured to provide localized or specific control functions, such as a battery management controller. Bus860can include one or more busses, including a Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) bus, an Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) bus, a system management bus (SMBUS), a power management bus (PMBUS), or the like. BMC880may be configured to provide out-of-band access to devices at information handling system800. Out-of-band access in the context of the bus860may refer to operations performed prior to execution of firmware872by processor802to initialize operation of system800.

Firmware872may include instructions executable by processor102to initialize and test the hardware components of system800. For example, the instructions may cause the processor802to execute a power-on self-test (POST). The instructions may further cause the processor802to load a boot loader or an operating system (OS) from a mass storage device. Firmware872additionally may provide an abstraction layer for the hardware, such as a consistent way for application programs and operating systems to interact with the keyboard, display, and other input/output devices. When power is first applied to information handling system800, the system may begin a sequence of initialization procedures, such as a boot procedure or a secure boot procedure. During the initialization sequence, also referred to as a boot sequence, components of system800may be configured and enabled for operation and device drivers may be installed. Device drivers may provide an interface through which other components of the system800can communicate with a corresponding device. The firmware872may include a basic input-output system (BIOS) and/or include a unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI). Firmware872may also include one or more firmware modules of the information handling system. Additionally, configuration settings for the firmware872and firmware of the information handling system800may be stored in the NVRAM870. NVRAM870may, for example, be a non-volatile firmware memory of the information handling system800and may store a firmware memory map namespace800of the information handling system. NVRAM870may further store one or more container-specific firmware memory map namespaces for one or more containers concurrently executed by the information handling system.

Information handling system800may include additional components and additional busses, not shown for clarity. For example, system800may include multiple processor cores (either within processor802or separately coupled to the chipset806or through the PCIe buses808), audio devices (such as may be coupled to the chipset806through one of the PCIe busses808), or the like. While a particular arrangement of bus technologies and interconnections is illustrated for the purpose of example, one of skill will appreciate that the techniques disclosed herein are applicable to other system architectures. System800may include multiple processors and/or redundant bus controllers. In some embodiments, one or more components may be integrated together in an integrated circuit (IC), which is circuitry built on a common substrate. For example, portions of chipset806can be integrated within processor802. Additional components of information handling system800may include one or more storage devices that may store machine-executable code, one or more communications ports for communicating with external devices, and various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display.

In some embodiments, processor802may include multiple processors, such as multiple processing cores for parallel processing by the information handling system800. For example, the information handling system800may include a server comprising multiple processors for parallel processing. In some embodiments, the information handling system800may support virtual machine (VM) operation, with multiple virtualized instances of one or more operating systems executed in parallel by the information handling system800. For example, resources, such as processors or processing cores of the information handling system may be assigned to multiple containerized instances of one or more operating systems of the information handling system800executed in parallel. A container may, for example, be a virtual machine executed by the information handling system800for execution of an instance of an operating system by the information handling system800. Thus, for example, multiple users may remotely connect to the information handling system800, such as in a cloud computing configuration, to utilize resources of the information handling system800, such as memory, processors, and other hardware, firmware, and software capabilities of the information handling system800. Parallel execution of multiple containers by the information handling system800may allow the information handling system800to execute tasks for multiple users in parallel secure virtual environments.

Certain elements of embodiments described in this specification have been labeled as modules. A module may include a component of that information handling system suitably programmed to operate according to executable instructions. For example, a module may be implemented as a hardware circuit comprising custom VLSI circuits or gate arrays, semiconductor chips comprising logic circuitry, transistors, or other discrete components. A module may also be implemented in programmable hardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logic devices, a controller, or the like.

Modules may also include software-defined units or instructions that, when executed by a component of an information handling system, retrieve and transform data stored on a data storage device from a first state to a second state. An identified module of executable code may, for example, comprise one or more physical blocks of computer instructions which may be organized as an object, procedure, or function. The executables of an identified module need not be physically located together, but may comprise disparate instructions stored in different locations which, when joined logically together, comprise the module, and when executed by the processor, achieve the stated data transformation.

The operations described above as performed by a controller may be performed by any circuit configured to perform the described operations. Such a circuit may be an integrated circuit (IC) constructed on a semiconductor substrate and include logic circuitry, such as transistors configured as logic gates, and memory circuitry, such as transistors and capacitors configured as dynamic random access memory (DRAM), electronically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or other memory devices. The logic circuitry may be configured through hard-wire connections or through programming by instructions contained in firmware. Further, the logic circuitry may be configured as a general purpose processor capable of executing instructions contained in software and/or firmware.

Although the present disclosure and certain representative advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Further, a device or system that is configured in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but it can also be configured in other ways than those specifically described. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. For example, although processors are described throughout the detailed description, aspects of the invention may be applied to the design of or implemented on different kinds of processors, such as graphics processing units (GPUs), central processing units (CPUs), and digital signal processors (DSPs). As another example, although processing of certain kinds of data may be described in example embodiments, other kinds or types of data may be processed through the methods and devices described above. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the present disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.