System and method for generating sound effects on fingertips with piezoelectric actuators of a haptic keyboard

A haptic keyboard of an information handling system may comprise a coversheet to identify a key location, a support layer, a contact foil placed between the coversheet and support layer, and a controller operatively coupled to the contact foil. The controller may receive a haptic actuation indicator signal via a processor or via the contact foil, send a first haptic feedback control signal to a first piezoelectric element to cause the first piezoelectric element to generate haptic tactile movement feedback at the key location, and send a second haptic feedback control signal to the first or a second piezoelectric element to cause the second piezoelectric element to generate haptic sound feedback in response to the haptic actuation indicator signal.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a key switch assembly of, for example, an information handling system. The present disclosure more specifically relates to generation of haptic sound feedback and haptic movement feedback at one or more piezoelectric elements of a haptic keyboard assembly.

BACKGROUND

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

User demand drives the market for mobile information handling systems toward ever-slimmer, more lightweight laptop devices, prompting a need for ever-thinner keyboards and laptop bases. A solid-state piezoelectric keyboard provides a thinner, more light-weight improvement over traditional scissor mechanism keyboards. The use of piezoelectric elements within the keyboard may eliminate the use of other devices such as a scissor mechanism that are used to maintain a keycap of a key above an electrical connection or for a dive board type mechanism under a touchpad. Instead, such piezoelectric elements may reduce or eliminate those mechanical elements that may fail after a number of actuations while also reducing the thickness of the keyboard or the touchpad itself. Instead of the keys of the keyboard requiring travel of a scissor mechanism within a C-cover of the information handling system, the relatively thinner keys defined (either physically or visibly) on the solid-state keyboard of the presently-described information handling system may reduce the physical thickness of the keyboard within the information handling system. Further, the solid-state touchpad may eliminate the dive board mechanism and underlying click switch for selection of items via the mechanically actuated touchpad. This may enable a thinner, more streamlined information handling system.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for a keyboard of an information handling system. The keyboard may include, in an embodiment, a coversheet to identify an actuation location of an input actuation device. In an embodiment a support layer may be placed underneath the coversheet to support the coversheet and other layers within the keyboard. The keyboard may, in an embodiment, include a contact foil placed between the coversheet and support layer. In the embodiments presented herein, the keyboard may include a piezoelectric element placed between the contact foil and support layer to receive an applied mechanical stress at the actuation location of the input actuation device. The keyboard of the information handling system, in an embodiment, may include a controller of the information handling system operatively coupled to the contact foil to receive a haptic actuation indicator signal (e.g., a piezo actuation signal) in the form of an electric charge from the piezoelectric element placed under the mechanical stress. The haptic actuation indicator signal may indicate to the controller that a responsive haptic event (e.g., haptic sound feedback or haptic movement feedback) is appropriate. The controller may send a responsive haptic feedback control signal to the piezoelectric element varying in polarity, voltage or current to cause the piezoelectric element to provide haptic feedback at the actuation location.

During operation of the solid-state keyboard or touchpad of the information handling system described in embodiments herein, a key on the keyboard or the touchpad may be actuated by a user pressing down on a specific location. In an embodiment, this specific location may be visually indicated by an alphanumeric symbol such as those found on a QWERTY keyboard, a key pedestal or raised location, or another designation such as a tactile frame or depression in a cover sheet. The actuations of these specific locations by, for example, a user's finger causes a mechanical stress to be applied to the piezoelectric element resulting in the deformation of the piezoelectric element. Upon application of this mechanical stress and the deformation of the piezoelectric element, the piezoelectric element accumulates an electric charge that is passed to a controller of the information handling system in the form of a piezo actuation signal via the contact foil described herein. In an embodiment, the controller receives the piezo actuation signal and sends an electrical charge in the form of a haptic feedback control signal back to the piezoelectric element. Upon application of the haptic feedback control signal on the piezoelectric element by the controller, the piezoelectric element may be mechanically stretched or compressed so as to create a tactile haptic feedback event such as the piezoelectric element warping up or down and returning to its pre-deformed state. This warping of the layers of the piezoelectric element causes the user to additionally hear an audible haptic sound (e.g., click, or buzz) in some embodiments, and feel a haptic sensation at the actuated key or the specific location where the user pressed in order to actuate a key or touchpad. This audible haptic sound and haptic feedback against the user's finger causes a sensation of pressing a mechanical key thereby creating a feeling and sound effect to a user that the key was pressed or that a touchpad has been clicked to select an item such as one displayed on a display screen. Various haptic feedback may be utilized in embodiments herein to generate any variety of tactile haptic feedback sensations or a variety of audio feedback signals. In particular embodiments, the operating software applications may determine the type of tactile haptic feedback sensations or audio feedback utilized.

The haptic feedback control signal in embodiments described herein may be a haptic movement feedback control signal causing haptic movement feedback at one or more piezoelectric elements, a haptic sound feedback control signal causing haptic sound feedback at one or more piezoelectric elements, or a combined haptic feedback control signal causing both haptic sound feedback and haptic movement feedback at a single piezoelectric element, as described directly above. In other embodiments described herein, the controller may transmit a haptic movement feedback control signal to a first piezoelectric element to cause haptic movement feedback (tactile sensations felt by the user's finger) at a first location on the haptic keyboard, touchpad, or palm rest, and transmit a separate haptic sound feedback control signal to a second piezoelectric element. The haptic sound feedback control signal in such an example embodiment may cause haptic sound feedback (e.g., click, buzz) at a second location on the haptic keyboard, touchpad, or palm rest. In such a way, the controller may cause two separate piezoelectric elements to provide haptic movement feedback and haptic sound feedback in tandem, and in response to a single received haptic actuation indicator signal (e.g., a piezo actuation signal).

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, such an audible haptic response may be generated in response to a received haptic actuation indicator signal, other than the piezo actuation signal received by the controller indicating the piezoelectric element has been deformed under mechanical stress. For example, the controller may transmit a haptic feedback control signal causing a piezoelectric element to generate a haptic sound feedback in response to receiving a notification from a software application currently running on the information handling system. Such a notification or alarm from the software application may be played via one or more piezoelectric elements in lieu of, or in addition to an audible sound played through the audio speakers of the information handling system in embodiments described herein. As another example, the controller may transmit the haptic feedback control signal to generate a haptic sound feedback at one or more piezoelectric elements in response to receiving an audio signal with surround-sound capabilities. Such an audio signal in an embodiment may include multiple audio channel signals, including a right channel signal intended to play sound associated with video or images playing toward the right-hand side of the screen and a left channel signal intended to play sound associated with video or images playing toward the left-hand side of the screen. One or more piezoelectric elements or groups thereof in embodiments described herein may also be mapped to the right channel signal or the left channel signal. In such embodiments, the controller may transmit a haptic sound feedback control signal in response to the right channel signal or the left channel signal to the one or more piezoelectric elements mapped to that channel. These one or more piezoelectric elements in embodiments described herein may make audible sound upon receipt of the haptic sound feedback control signal in response to receipt by the controller of the audio signal.

The overall thickness of the information handling system may be reduced so as to decrease the size and weight of the information handling system. In other embodiments, because the keyboard described herein has a reduced thickness, the space within the information handling system used to house other components, such as a battery, of the information handling system may be increased allowing for the increase in size of these components or the inclusion of additional components within the chassis of the information handling system. Additionally, because the solid-state keyboard described herein does not include the mechanical components (i.e., scissor mechanism and coupled key cap or dive board mechanism) as other keyboards or touchpads, the keyboard may be less susceptible to wear or mechanical strain over time. Instead, the solid-state keyboard of embodiments herein use fewer mechanical parts and may be more robust, resulting in longer usable life.

Turning now to the figures,FIG.1illustrates an information handling system100similar to information handling systems according to several aspects of the present disclosure. In the embodiments described herein, an information handling system includes any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or use any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, entertainment, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system100may be a personal computer, mobile device (e.g., personal digital assistant (PDA) or smart phone), server (e.g., blade server or rack server), a consumer electronic device, a network server or storage device, a network router, switch, or bridge, wireless router, or other network communication device, a network connected device (cellular telephone, tablet device, etc.), IoT computing device, wearable computing device, a set-top box (STB), a mobile information handling system, a palmtop computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a communications device, an access point (AP), a base station transceiver, a wireless telephone, a control system, a camera, a scanner, a printer, a pager, a personal trusted device, a web appliance, or any other suitable machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine, and may vary in size, shape, performance, price, and functionality.

In a networked deployment, the information handling system100may operate in the capacity of a server or as a client computer in a server-client network environment, or as a peer computer system in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. In a particular embodiment, the information handling system100may be implemented using electronic devices that provide voice, video or data communication. For example, an information handling system100may be any mobile or other computing device capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. Further, while a single information handling system100is illustrated, the term “system” shall also be taken to include any collection of systems or sub-systems that individually or jointly execute a set, or multiple sets, of instructions to perform one or more computer functions.

The information handling system may include memory (volatile (e.g. random-access memory, etc.), nonvolatile (read-only memory, flash memory etc.) or any combination thereof), one or more processing resources, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), hardware or software control logic, or any combination thereof. Additional components of the information handling system100may include one or more storage devices, one or more communications ports for communicating with external devices, as well as, various input and output (I/O) devices112, such as a keyboard114, a touchpad, one or more speakers, one or more microphones, ambient light sensors, a mouse, a video/graphic display110, or any combination thereof. The information handling system100may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components. Portions of an information handling system100may themselves be considered information handling systems100.

Information handling system100may include devices or modules that embody one or more of the devices or execute instructions for the one or more systems and modules described herein, and operates to perform one or more of the methods described herein. The information handling system100may execute code instructions124that may operate on servers or systems, remote data centers, or on-box in individual client information handling systems according to various embodiments herein. In some embodiments, it is understood any or all portions of code instructions124may operate on a plurality of information handling systems100.

The information handling system100may include a processor102such as a central processing unit (CPU), control logic or some combination of the same. Any of the processing resources may operate to execute code that is either firmware or software code. Moreover, the information handling system100may include memory such as main memory104, static memory106, or other memory of computer readable medium122storing instructions124of the haptic feedback keyboard and touchpad control system132, and drive unit116(volatile (e.g. random-access memory, etc.), nonvolatile memory (read-only memory, flash memory etc.) or any combination thereof. A processor102may further provide the information handling system with a system clock for which a time of day clock may be tracked along with any location detector such as global positioning system or in coordination with a network interface device120connecting to one or more networks128. The information handling system100may also include one or more buses108operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components such as any combination of various input and output (I/O) devices.

The information handling system100may further include a video display110. The video display110in an embodiment may function as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flat panel display, or a solid-state display. Additionally, the information handling system100may include an input device112, such as a cursor control device (e.g., mouse, touchpad, or gesture or touch screen input), and a keyboard114. Various drivers and control electronics may be operatively coupled to operate input devices112such as the haptic keyboard114and haptic touchpad according to the embodiments described herein. Further, the information handling system100may include input/output devices112, such as a one or more speakers or one or more microphones use along with the keyboard114of embodiments according to the present disclosure. Various drivers and control electronics may be operatively coupled to operate input devices112such as the speakers, microphones, as well as the haptic keyboard114and haptic touchpad according to the embodiments described herein.

The network interface device shown as wireless adapter120may provide connectivity to a network128, e.g., a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), a wireless personal area network (WPAN), a wireless wide area network (WWAN), or other network. Connectivity may be via wired or wireless connection. The wireless adapter120may operate in accordance with any wireless data communication standards. To communicate with a wireless local area network, standards including IEEE 802.11 WLAN standards, IEEE 802.15 WPAN standards, WWAN such as 3GPP or 3GPP2, or similar wireless standards may be used. In some aspects of the present disclosure, one wireless adapter120may operate two or more wireless links.

Wireless adapter120may connect to any combination of macro-cellular wireless connections including 2G, 2.5G, 3G, 4G, 5G or the like. Utilization of radiofrequency communication bands according to several example embodiments of the present disclosure may include bands used with the WLAN standards and WWAN carriers, which may operate in both licensed and unlicensed spectrums.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the methods described herein may be implemented by firmware or software programs executable by a controller or a processor system. Further, in an exemplary, non-limited embodiment, implementations may include distributed processing, component/object distributed processing, and parallel processing. Alternatively, virtual computer system processing may be constructed to implement one or more of the methods or functionalities as described herein.

The present disclosure contemplates a computer-readable medium that includes instructions, parameters, and profiles124or receives and executes instructions, parameters, and profiles124responsive to a propagated signal, so that a device connected to a network128may communicate voice, video or data over the network128. Further, the instructions124may be transmitted or received over the network128via the network interface device or wireless adapter120.

The information handling system100may include a set of instructions124that may be executed to cause the computer system to perform any one or more of the methods or computer-based functions disclosed herein. For example, instructions124may execute a haptic feedback keyboard and touchpad control system132, software agents, or other aspects or components. Various software modules comprising application instructions124may be coordinated by an operating system (OS), and/or via an application programming interface (API). An example operating system may include Windows®, Android®, and other OS types. Example APIs may include Win 32, Core Java API, or Android APIs.

The disk drive unit116and the haptic feedback keyboard and touchpad control system132may include a computer-readable medium122in which one or more sets of instructions124such as software may be embedded. Similarly, main memory104and static memory106may also contain a computer-readable medium for storage of one or more sets of instructions, parameters, or profiles124including haptic feedback modulation instructions that allow for a user to input a desired level of haptic feedback at a key or location on a touchpad. The disk drive unit116and static memory106may also contain space for data storage. Further, the instructions124may embody one or more of the methods or logic as described herein. For example, instructions relating to the haptic feedback keyboard and touchpad control system132software algorithms, processes, and/or methods may be stored here. In a particular embodiment, the instructions, parameters, and profiles124may reside completely, or at least partially, within the main memory104, the static memory106, and/or within the disk drive116during execution by the processor102of information handling system100.

Main memory104may contain computer-readable medium, such as RAM in an example embodiment. An example of main memory104includes random access memory (RAM) such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), non-volatile RAM (NV-RAM), or the like, read only memory (ROM), another type of memory, or a combination thereof. Static memory106may contain computer-readable medium (not shown), such as NOR or NAND flash memory in some example embodiments. The haptic feedback keyboard and touchpad control system132may be stored in static memory106, or the drive unit116on a computer-readable medium122such as a flash memory or magnetic disk in an example embodiment. While the computer-readable medium is shown to be a single medium, the term “computer-readable medium” includes a single medium or multiple media, such as a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions. The term “computer-readable medium” shall also include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying a set of instructions for execution by a processor or that cause a computer system to perform any one or more of the methods or operations disclosed herein.

In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, the computer-readable medium may include a solid-state memory such as a memory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatile read-only memories. Further, the computer-readable medium may be a random-access memory or other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally, the computer-readable medium may include a magneto-optical or optical medium, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device to store information received via carrier wave signals such as a signal communicated over a transmission medium. Furthermore, a computer readable medium may store information received from distributed network resources such as from a cloud-based environment. A digital file attachment to an e-mail or other self-contained information archive or set of archives may be considered a distribution medium that is equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more of a computer-readable medium or a distribution medium and other equivalents and successor media, in which data or instructions may be stored.

The information handling system100may also include the haptic feedback keyboard and touchpad control system132that may be operably connected to the bus108. The haptic feedback keyboard and touchpad control system132computer readable medium122may also contain space for data storage. The haptic feedback keyboard and touchpad control system132may, according to the present description, perform tasks related to receiving an electric charge from a piezoelectric element and return a haptic feedback control signal to that piezoelectric element causing a haptic feedback at a key of the keyboard114associated with that piezoelectric element. In these embodiments, the haptic feedback keyboard and touchpad control system132may receive an electric charge (e.g., a piezo actuation signal) from any of a plurality of piezoelectric elements each associated with a key on keyboard114(i.e., a QWERTY keyboard), a key pad, or a location on a touchpad. Input may be received by the haptic feedback keyboard and touchpad control system132either simultaneously or concurrently so as to provide a return haptic feedback control signal to the corresponding piezoelectric elements as described herein. The haptic feedback control signal may provide tactile or audio feedback to the actuated piezoelectric element or piezoelectric elements according to some embodiments herein. In other embodiments, a separate haptic feedback control signal for tactile movement feedback may be provided to the actuated piezoelectric element or piezoelectric elements while another haptic feedback control signal for audio feedback may be provided to other piezoelectric elements such as adjacent piezoelectric elements to the actuated piezoelectric elements or located elsewhere according to some embodiments herein.

In an embodiment of the present description, each of the keys of keyboard114may be associated with a piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element may be used to, as described herein, create an electrical charge (e.g., piezo actuation signal) relative to a key on the keyboard114and send that electrical charge to a controller130. In an embodiment, the controller may receive the piezo actuation signal and send a haptic feedback control signal to the piezoelectric element. Upon application of the haptic feedback control signal at the piezoelectric element (i.e., having a specific current and voltage) associated with the actuated key of keyboard114causes the piezoelectric element to convert that haptic feedback control signal into a mechanical stress by, for example, causing the piezoelectric element to warp upward or warp downward. The mechanical stress of the piezoelectric element due to the application of the haptic feedback control signal to the piezoelectric element may be felt or heard by a user who actuated the key of keyboard114.

In an embodiment, the keyboard controller130may execute instructions, parameter, and profiles124to enact the functions of the keyboard114as described herein. The haptic feedback keyboard and touchpad control system132in an embodiment may include one or more sets of instructions that, when executed by a keyboard controller130, causes a current, at a voltage, to be applied to a piezoelectric element upon detection of an electrical charge (e.g., a piezo actuation signal or other type of haptic actuation indicator signal) from the piezoelectric element. The one or more sets of instructions of the haptic feedback keyboard and touchpad control system132may also include one or more sets of instructions that, when executed by the keyboard controller130, determines which of any plurality of keys of keyboard114were activated. In an example, the keyboard controller130may receive, from a piezoelectric element, an electric charge (e.g., a piezo actuation signal) and produce a haptic feedback control signal to the piezoelectric element.

In an embodiment, the haptic feedback keyboard and touchpad control system132may also include one or more sets of instructions that, when executed by a controller130, a processor, or both, adjusts the polarity, voltage, or current of haptic feedback control signals applied to any piezoelectric element. This adjustment may be completed based on the desired haptic responses from the piezoelectric elements, the lifespan of the piezoelectric element, the electrical characteristics of the piezoelectric element, the mechanical characteristics of the piezoelectric element, or combinations thereof. Because these characteristics may be different from one piezoelectric element to the other, the haptic feedback control signal applied to any given piezoelectric element by the keyboard controller130may be customized to produce a specific level of haptic feedback (e.g., haptic movement feedback or haptic sound feedback) at any given key of keyboard114. In an embodiment, the keyboard controller130of the information handling system100may access one or more look-up tables (e.g., movement look-up table or sound look-up table). In this embodiment, the keyboard controller130of the information handling system100may access the look-up tables in order to determine characteristics (e.g., voltage magnitude, frequency, polarity) of a haptic feedback control signal to be applied to any given piezoelectric element to achieve known, user-specified, or learned (e.g., by a neural network) haptic movement intensity levels, haptic sound volume levels, or both.

The one or more sets of instructions of the haptic feedback keyboard and touchpad control system132may also include one or more sets of instructions that, when executed by the keyboard controller130, causes any number of subsequent voltage pulses to be applied to any piezoelectric element. In this embodiment, the subsequent electrical pulses may cause a haptic feedback event to a user who actuated a key of keyboard114or changes in magnitude or pulses of haptic feedback to emulate the feel of a mechanical keystroke including adjustment of the feel of depth of the haptic-emulated keystroke. In other embodiments, the haptic feedback of the keyboard114may not need to emulate a keystroke of a mechanically actuated keyboard but instead provide a distinct haptic feel to indicate that a keystroke has occurred on the solid-state keyboard114to the user. Further, the haptic feedback of the keyboard114may include audio feedback form the actuated piezoelectric element or other piezoelectric elements of the keyboard114in various embodiments.

In an embodiment, the application of any current and voltage applied to any of the piezoelectric elements associated with any of the keys of keyboard114may be dependent on an application being executed by the processor102. By way of example, a user may be engaged in providing input, via the keys of the keyboard114, to a processor102in order to cause output to be provided. In a specific embodiment, the information handling system100may execute a basic input/output system (BIOS). Upon execution of the BIOS, the haptic feedback keyboard and touchpad control system132may begin to detect electrical signals (e.g., a piezo actuation signals) emitted from a piezoelectric element being placed in a strain by the actuation of a corresponding key on the keyboard114. This may allow the haptic feedback keyboard and touchpad control system132to receive input at times when the information handling system100is in an on state. In an alternative embodiment, the execution of other application programs by a processor102of the information handling system100, such as word processing application program or email program, may trigger the haptic feedback keyboard and touchpad control system132to begin to detect and discern haptic actuation indicator signals (e.g., notifications associated with running applications, piezo actuation signals produced at any given piezoelectric element, or multi-channel audio signals) to generate haptic feedback control signals to yield tactile or sound haptic feedback from one or more piezoelectric elements in the keyboard114depending on the operating application program. By deferring input received from the piezoelectric element at the keyboard controller130or any other controller or processor, accidental input may be prevented by any errant touch of the keyboard214.

In an embodiment, the haptic feedback keyboard and touchpad control system132may communicate with the main memory104, the processor102, the video display110, the alphanumeric input device112, and the network interface device120via bus108, and several forms of communication may be used, including ACPI, SMBus, a 24 MHZ BFSK-coded transmission channel, or shared memory. Keyboard or touchpad driver software, firmware, controllers and the like may communicate with applications on the information handling system100. Similarly, speaker or microphone driver software, firmware, controllers and the like may communicate with applications on the information handling system100as well as with the piezo keyboard driver in some embodiments herein.

When referred to as a “system”, a “device,” a “module,” a “controller,” or the like, the embodiments described herein may be configured as hardware. For example, a portion of an information handling system device may be hardware such as, for example, an integrated circuit (such as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), a structured ASIC, or a device embedded on a larger chip), a card (such as a Peripheral Component Interface (PCI) card, a PCI-express card, a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) card, or other such expansion card), or a system (such as a motherboard, a system-on-a-chip (SoC), or a stand-alone device). The system, device, controller, or module may include software, including firmware embedded at a device, such as an Intel® Core class processor, ARM® brand processors, Qualcomm® Snapdragon processors, or other processors and chipsets, or other such device, or software capable of operating a relevant environment of the information handling system. The system, device, controller, or module may also include a combination of the foregoing examples of hardware or software. In an embodiment an information handling system100may include an integrated circuit or a board-level product having portions thereof that may also be any combination of hardware and software. Devices, modules, resources, controllers, or programs that are in communication with one another need not be in continuous communication with each other, unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices, modules, resources, controllers, or programs that are in communication with one another may communicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.

FIG.2is a side cut-out view of a key200of a haptic feedback keyboard implementing a piezoelectric element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As described herein, one or more layers of the keyboard in embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a haptic sound feedback or audible notifications by deforming a piezo element such that it generates audible sound waves in addition to tactile haptic feedback according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

According to an embodiment, the key200may be formed of a plurality of layers, one layer of which is a piezoelectric element220. AlthoughFIG.2shows a cross-sectional view of a single key200, the present specification contemplates that a keyboard may also include a plurality of these similar keys200arranged as, for example, a QWERTY-type keyboard.

Consequently,FIG.2is not intended to be limiting but merely intended as a description of operation of any type of input device contemplated by the present disclosure.

The key200includes a coversheet205. The coversheet205may be made of any type of elastically resilient material. The elastically resilient material may allow, at least, a portion of the key200to be deformed upon application of a pressure from a user's finger. Upon withdrawal of the pressure from the user's finger, the material the coversheet205is made of allows the coversheet205of the key200to bend back to its pre-deformed state. In an embodiment, the resilient material may allow the coversheet205to travel a minimal distance and still deform a piezoelectric element220. For example, a distance of between 0.01 mm and 2 mm. In an embodiment, the distance is between 0.05 mm and 0.15 mm. In an embodiment, the distance is 0.1 mm.

In an embodiment, the shape of the coversheet205may have a selection of key pedestals206of various sizes and shaped so as to conform to a user's finger. In an embodiment, in order to shape the coversheet205, the material used to form the coversheet205may be subjected to an injection molding process. As such, a top portion of the coversheet205may be formed to be ergonomically beneficial to a user's actuation such as by conforming to the user's fingers and including a pedestal206to highlight the key location, for example. In other embodiments, no key pedestals may be formed and a key location may be described in coversheet205via markings, depressions, key framing, or other methods. The injection molding process may be completed prior to the installation of the coversheet205into the remaining layers within the keyboard200as described herein. Any number of processes may be included with the injection molding process. In an embodiment, the injection molding process used to form the coversheet205may include forming a number of holes within a translucent sheet of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). These holes may correlate with a number of keys on a keyboard. The formation of the coversheet205may continue with injection molding a translucent ABS through the holes to form a raised portion correlating with each of the number of keys on the keyboard. Opposite the raised portions a number of runners may be machined away to accommodate for receipt of other layers of the keyboard such as each of the piezoelectric elements. The surface of the coversheet on which the raised portions are formed may be painted and any number or type of graphics may be laser etched on each raised portion indicating a specific key of the keyboard.

In other embodiments, the coversheet of the C-cover may include a plurality of vias for keys200having a cover sheet205or cap for each key. A key pedestal206for each key200in a solid-state keyboard of the present embodiments may be disposed through the vias in the C-cover in such embodiments. Each haptic key of the haptic keyboard in such an embodiment may include a cover layer with portions similar to those described directly above that protrudes through the key vias in the coversheet205. Layering under the coversheet may include material layers that are hydrophobic or have other properties. Though gaps between haptic keys and key vias may be minimized, such gaps may be useful for cooling ventilation of the base chassis or for allowing backlighting to frame the haptic keys. Similarly, a touchpad top touch interface layer may be attached under the coversheet205to seamlessly provide a designated touchpad area in the C-cover coversheet205. Any combination of continuous coversheet for haptic keys and vias in the coversheet for placement of haptic keys of a keyboard coversheet layer are contemplated in various embodiments. Further, it is contemplated that in some embodiments one or the other of a haptic keyboard or haptic touchpad may be used with a keyboard having mechanically actuated or a touchpad with a mechanically actuated diving board mechanism.

The key200may further include a number of adhesive layers215that physically couple the various layers of the key200together. In an embodiment, a first adhesive layer215may be formed on the coversheet205to adhere the coversheet205to the contact foil210. The first adhesive layer215may include the placement of the adhesive at locations that may enhance the movement and prevent the hindrance of the actuation of the coversheet205. In a specific embodiment, the first adhesive layer215may include placing the adhesive along borders of the key200as well as placing the adhesive at a central location of the key200.

The contact foil210may be adhered to the coversheet205and may be made of any elastically resilient material that, when the coversheet205of key200is actuated or the contact foil210is bent towards a lower portion of the key200, returns to its original state when the key200is no longer being actuated. The contact foil in an embodiment may be a flexible material, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) serving as a polyester printed circuit board or other type of flexible printed circuit board, in several example embodiments. The contact foil210may include a number of metal traces formed on one or more of its surfaces that electrically and communicatively couple each of the corresponding piezoelectric element220of key200to a keyboard controller such as a processor of an information handling system that includes a haptic feedback keyboard control system such as described herein. Formation of metal traces may be made according to a variety of methods including photolithographic techniques for applying metal or lamination of copper strips or other metal layers.

In an embodiment, portions of the contact foil210may be physically coupled to a support plate230via a second layer of adhesive216. The location of the placement of the second adhesive layer216may include placing the adhesive along borders of the key200.

In an embodiment presented herein, the piezoelectric element220may include a first portion222that may be any solid piezoelectric material that accumulates an electric charge when a mechanical stress is applied to it or specifically, in the embodiments presented herein, when the solid material is deformed. Solid materials used to form the piezoelectric element220may include crystals, ceramics, or protein layers, among other types of materials. For ease of explanation, the piezoelectric element220may be made of a type of ceramic although the present specification contemplates the use of other types of piezoelectric materials.

The piezoelectric element220may be housed over a cavity231formed in the support plate230. The piezoelectric element220may comprise two portions222and225each electrically coupled via electric contact points such as soldering points235and240, respectively, to a different electrical trace on the surface of the contact foil210. The first portion222may be a ceramic disc in an embodiment. Second portion225of the piezoelectric element220may be a metal plate or ring, such as a brass plate, that extends beyond the edges of cavity231. The first portion222and the second portion225may be operatively coupled via adhesive including conductive adhesives. The soldering points235and240may be silver solder contact points for operative electrical coupling to metal traces on the surface of contact foil210. As so oriented, the first soldering point235and second soldering point240may be formed to receive an electrical charge (e.g., a piezo actuation signal) upon deflection of the piezoelectric element220as a user actuates the key200. The brass plate225supports deflection of the piezoelectric element220into the cavity231to detect mechanical actuation of the key200. In an embodiment, the support plate230may have a cavity230formed therein such that the piezoelectric element220may be allowed to be deflected therein when the key200is actuated by a user and cavity231may be an aperture or hole through support plate230or may be a depression or hole in support plate230that does not pass through230.

In an embodiment presented herein, the piezoelectric element220may be any solid material that accumulates an electric charge when a mechanical stress is applied to it or specifically, in the embodiments presented herein, the solid material is deformed. Solid materials used to form the piezoelectric disk222or other piezoelectric material as part of a first portion222of the piezoelectric element220may include crystals, ceramics, biological matter, protein layers, among other types of materials. For ease of explanation, the piezoelectric disk material222may be made of a type of ceramic although the present specification contemplates the use of these other types of materials.

During operation of the key200, the contact foil210may transmit the piezo actuation signal from the piezoelectric element220via the metal traces that conduct the electrical charge to the keyboard controller or other processor associated with the key200. For example, as the piezoelectric disk material222is compressed by deflection and the metal plate or ring225warped downward toward the cavity231within support plate230, a change in voltage may be detected. The piezo actuation signal (electrical charge) created when the user actuates the key200and the piezoelectric element220is subjected to a mechanical stress may be detected between soldering points235and240. The piezo actuation signal (electrical charge) may be communicated down metal traces formed on the contact foil210to a controller (not shown).

The metal traces formed on the contact foil210may further be used to conduct a return haptic feedback control signal from the controller to the piezoelectric element220so that the voltage and current of the haptic feedback control signal may cause the piezoelectric element220to return to a planar piezoelectric element220or otherwise move, as required to cause a specified haptic response (e.g., haptic movement feedback or haptic sound feedback) felt or heard by the user via coversheet205. For example, this haptic feedback control signal may have a certain voltage, current, and polarity (−,+) sufficient to render the piezoelectric material of the piezoelectric element220to cause a haptic movement or sound. Such a haptic feedback control signal may be a sine wave, a square wave, a pulsed signal, or other waveform of changing current, voltage, or polarity applied to the piezoelectric element220. This application of voltage in the haptic feedback control signal may cause an upward or downward warping of the piezoelectric element220, and consequently, a haptic feedback (e.g., haptic movement feedback or haptic sound feedback) presented at the key200via the contact foil210, adhesive215, and coversheet205that the user may feel or hear. Upon receiving a piezo actuation signal, the controller in an embodiment may send the haptic feedback control signal back to the piezoelectric element220via the metal traces formed on the contact foil210, through the soldering points235and240and to a conductive layer of metallic plate or ring225formed below the piezoelectric disk material222.

Such a haptic feedback control signal, such as a sine wave signal, or other haptic feedback control signals with varying polarities, frequencies, or voltage (magnitude or amplitude) and current may be used by the keyboard controller to create the haptic feedback (e.g., haptic sound feedback or haptic movement feedback) felt or heard by the user as described herein. In these embodiments, the piezo actuation signal sent from the piezoelectric element220to the keyboard controller and the haptic feedback control signal sent from the controller to the piezoelectric element220may propagate along the two metal traces formed on a surface of the contact foil210. The contact foil210may therefore, in an embodiment, include double the number of metal traces on at least one of its surface as that of the number of piezoelectric elements220used to form a keyboard that includes multiple keys200. This haptic feedback may be relayed to the user within microseconds of the user actuating the key200such that the user physically detects a sensation or hears an audible sound indicating that the key200was pressed. This sensation felt or heard by the user may be present despite no actual mechanical devices such as a scissor mechanism or other types of keyboard mechanical devices being present among the layers of the key200. The haptic feedback control signal to the piezoelectric element220may vary in magnitude and pulsing to create the desired haptic feedback (e.g., haptic sound feedback or haptic movement feedback) at key200.

FIG.2shows an image of a single key200. The present specification contemplates that a plurality of keys200may be formed alongside each other in order to form, for example, a number pad, a keyboard, or a combination thereof. Consequently, although the features of the key200depicted inFIG.2apply to a single key200, the present specification contemplates that any number of keys200may be formed on the keyboard so as to allow for the formation of an input device such as a keyboard. The keys200may be of any size (e.g., spacebar, tab key, or the like) and depending on size may include more than one piezoelectric element220associated with it. As the user actuates each of the keys200, a haptic feedback (e.g., haptic sound feedback or haptic movement feedback) may be felt or heard by the user so as to present to the user a sensation that the key was pressed. This operation of key200may be conducted every time the user actuates the key200. In some embodiments, the haptic sound feedback operation of key200may also be conducted separately from actuation of the key200, as a user notification.

The formation of the key200may, in the embodiments presented herein, provide for a keyboard that has a relatively shorter distance of key travel as compared to piezoelectric haptic keyboards that comprise two separate contact foil layers, and as compared to those keyboards that implement mechanical devices such as a scissor mechanisms and key caps. In an embodiment, the distance of travel of the key200may be smaller than 0.1 mm. With the shorter distance of key travel, the overall thickness of the keyboard placed within an information handling system may be reduced. This increases the available footprint within a base chassis of, for example, a notebook-type information handling system that may be used for more or larger components (e.g., batteries) to be placed within the base chassis. Additionally, or alternatively, the reduction in thickness of the keyboard may reduce the overall thickness of the information handling system improving the aesthetics of the design of the information handling system. This reduction in size of the information handling system may also result in the reduction of the size or weight of the information handling system thereby increasing the portability of the information handling system by the user.

The keys200of the present embodiments also include no moving mechanical parts. With the absence of mechanical moving parts, the key200of the presently described embodiments may be relatively more robust thereby increasing the useful life of the key200. This may increase user satisfaction over the useful lifetime of the information handling system.

FIG.3Ais a side cut-out view of a key300of a haptic feedback keyboard implementing a piezoelectric element in a downward warped position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As described herein, a haptic feedback control signal may be transmitted from the controller to the piezoelectric element to a piezoelectric element of a haptic keyboard to cause a haptic movement or sound. For example, upon receiving a haptic actuation indicator signal indicating a haptic movement or sound is needed, the controller (not shown) in an embodiment may send a haptic feedback control signal to the piezoelectric element320via the metal traces formed on the contact foil310, through the soldering points335and340and to a conductive layer of metallic plate or ring325formed below the piezoelectric disk material322. Such a haptic actuation indicator signal in an embodiment may be a piezo actuation signal received at the controller or processor, indicating a key situated above the piezoelectric element320has been actuated by a user, as described in greater detail with respect toFIG.2. In other embodiments, a haptic actuation indicator signal may comprise a notification or code instructions received at the processor or controller from a software application currently operating on the information handling system. For example, some applications may include alarms or notifications that may be set to make an audible sound via the haptic keyboard, rather than through the main speaker system of the information handling system. As another example, some applications may cause the haptic keyboard, in lieu of or in combination with the main speakers of the information handling system to emit sound in accordance with an audio signal having one or more channels for one or more speakers. Such notifications or audio signals in an embodiment may comprise a haptic actuation indicator signal.

The conductive layer of metallic plate or ring325may apply the haptic feedback control signal to the piezoelectric disk material322so as to cause the piezoelectric disk material322to stretch or shrink depending on the polarity of the signal applied. For example, a negative voltage haptic feedback control signal applied to piezoelectric disk material element322at soldering point335relative to a positive voltage haptic feedback control signal applied at soldering point340may cause piezoelectric disk322to compress or shrink in embodiments herein. This may, in turn, cause the metallic layer or disk325adhered to the ceramic piezoelectric disk322to warp downward. Further in the example shown inFIG.3B, a positive voltage haptic feedback control signal applied to piezoelectric disk material element322at soldering point335relative to a negative voltage haptic feedback control signal applied at soldering point340may cause piezoelectric disk322to expand or stretch in embodiments herein. This may, in turn, cause the metallic layer or disk325adhered to the ceramic piezoelectric disk322to warp upward. The principle of haptics applied to the piezoelectric disk322includes an input voltage that is applied through the two electrodes (voltage change as sine wave, square wave etc.) to generate movement on piezoelectric material322of the piezoelectric element320and a warping of the metallic layer or disk325. The haptic feedback control signal in an embodiment may comprise a haptic movement feedback control signal for causing haptic movement feedback at the piezoelectric element322, a haptic sound feedback control signal for causing haptic sound feedback at the piezoelectric element322through one or more frequencies of upward and downward movement, or a single haptic feedback control signal for causing both haptic movement feedback and haptic sound feedback, simultaneously, at the piezoelectric element322.

This haptic movement feedback control signal in an embodiment may be used to cause a haptic movement feedback such as a depression and return of the key300or a tactile “click” or movement of a touchpad. The haptic sound feedback control signal may be used to cause a haptic sound feedback such as an audible clicking or buzzing sound. For example, movement of the piezoelectric element320from a planar or neutral position to an upward or downward position, or between an upward warped position and downward warped position may generate audible sound waves. The pitch and volume of such sound waves in an embodiment may depend, at least partially, on various adjustable aspects (e.g., frequency, magnitude, polarity of voltage) of the haptic feedback control signal. Such a haptic sound feedback control signal, such as a sine wave signal, or other haptic feedback control signals with varying polarities or voltage and current may be used by the keyboard controller to create the haptic feedback (e.g., haptic movement feedback or haptic sound feedback) felt or heard by the user as described herein.

FIG.3Bis a side cut-out view of a key300of a haptic feedback keyboard implementing a piezoelectric element in an upward warped position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As described herein, upon receiving a piezo actuation signal or other haptic actuation indicator signal, the controller (not shown) in an embodiment may send a haptic feedback control signal to the piezoelectric element320via the metal traces formed on the contact foil310, through the soldering points335and340and to a conductive layer of metallic plate or ring325formed below the piezoelectric disk material322to cause a haptic movement feedback or haptic sound feedback. The conductive layer of metallic plate or ring325may apply the haptic feedback control signal to the piezoelectric disk material322so as to cause the piezoelectric disk material322to stretch or shrink depending on the polarity of the signal applied. For example, reversing polarity of voltage applied by a haptic feedback control signal to the piezoelectric disk322as described with reference toFIG.3Amay cause the piezoelectric disk322to compress or shrink and metallic plate325may warp upwards. More specifically, a positive voltage haptic feedback control signal applied to piezoelectric disk material element322at soldering point335relative to a negative voltage haptic feedback control signal applied at soldering point340may cause piezoelectric disk322to stretch or expand in embodiments herein. This may, in turn, cause the metallic layer or disk325adhered to the ceramic piezoelectric disk322to warp upward. By oscillating the voltage (e.g., reversing polarity) of the haptic feedback control signals applied to the soldering points335and340in such a way, the controller in an embodiment may cause the piezoelectric element320to move between its upward warped position and downward warped positions as shown inFIGS.3A and3B. Such a movement of the metallic plate or disc325in an embodiment may generate audible sound waves at various frequencies and magnitude of the haptic feedback control signal to the piezoelectric elements. Additionally, the warping of the piezoelectric elements as described may be used to generate tactile haptic feedback events as well via haptic feedback control signals in embodiments herein.

The sound generated by such movement of the piezoelectric element320in an embodiment may have a higher frequency or volume than that achievable by linear resonant actuators or eccentric rotating mass haptic feedback systems. The sound volume created by the piezoelectric element320in an embodiment may depend, at least partially, on the amplitude at which the voltage applied to the soldering points335and340is oscillated (e.g., the magnitude of the voltage supplied at the soldering points335and340). For example, a higher voltage amplitude or magnitude applied at soldering points335and340may result in a higher sound pressure, and thus, a higher audible volume of sound.

In some embodiments, the oscillating voltage applied to soldering points335and340may be driven at a resonant frequency of the piezoelectric element320. In other words, the rate at which the voltage polarities applied at soldering points335and340are switched or oscillated may match a known resonant or natural frequency for the material of which the ceramic disc322, metallic ring325, or other components of the piezoelectric element320are comprised. This may cause the metallic ring325to move from its upward warped to downward warped positions at the resonant frequency of the metallic ring325. The volume of the sound generated by application of oscillating voltage at soldering points335and340in an embodiment may also depend upon the frequency at which the voltage is applied, and thus, the frequency of the vibration of the metallic ring325as it moves from its upward warped to downward warped positions. Thus, the volume of sound generated by the piezoelectric element320may be decreased by either increasing the frequency of voltage oscillation beyond the natural frequency of the metallic ring325or decreasing the frequency of voltage oscillation below this natural frequency. The maximum volume achievable by such an oscillating voltage may be associated with voltage delivered at the natural frequency of the material of which the ceramic disc322, metallic ring325, or other components of the piezoelectric element320are comprised in an embodiment.

Such a change in frequency of voltage oscillation in an embodiment may effectively change the volume of sound generated thereby, even if the voltage amplitude or magnitude remains constant. As described herein, the magnitude of voltage applied by the controller to the piezoelectric element320at the soldering points335and340in an embodiment may affect the degree to which the piezoelectric element320warps upward or downward, and thus, the degree of haptic movement feedback felt by the user. Because the volume of the sound generated by such a movement of the piezoelectric element320may be controlled, at least partially, by altering the frequency of voltage oscillation without altering the magnitude of voltage applied, the volume of sound generated by movement of the piezoelectric element320may be controlled somewhat independently from the haptic movement feedback felt by the user. In other words, two different haptic feedback control signals having identical voltage magnitudes, but two different voltage frequencies may cause a piezoelectric element320to generate identical haptic movement feedbacks, but different haptic sound feedbacks. Thus, the user may be able to vary the volume of haptic sound feedback without affecting the intensity of the haptic movement feedback and may vary the haptic movement feedback without varying the volume of haptic sound feedback associated therewith in an embodiment.

The controller in an embodiment may determine the polarity, frequency, and magnitude of voltage to be applied within a haptic feedback control signal by accessing a haptic sound look-up table. Such a look-up table may provide one or more voltage magnitudes that may be applied in order to generate audible sound at a sound volume level for each of a plurality of piezoelectric elements in an embodiment. For example, such a look-up table may provide a first voltage magnitude that may be applied at a resonant frequency of the piezoelectric element to meet a sound volume level. As described herein, the volume may be increased in an embodiment by applying a voltage at such a resonant frequency, without adjusting the magnitude of the applied voltage. Thus, such a look-up table may also provide one or more additional voltage magnitudes that may be applied at non-resonant frequencies to also meet the same sound volume level. In some embodiments, the sound volume level may be associated with a range of combinations of voltage amplitudes and frequencies.

The sound volume level and movement intensity level in one embodiment may be set according to user input received from a graphical user interface, as described in greater detail with respect toFIG.6. In other embodiments, sound volume level and movement intensity level may be set through a machine learning process in which a typing profile machine learning module may determine optimal haptic keyboard settings (e.g., movement intensity level and sound volume level) based on one or more indicators of current operating conditions, user behavior or mood, or conditions of the surrounding environment. Although embodiments described herein may refer to user-specified movement intensity level and user-specified sound volume level, such as the known values received via the graphical user interface, other embodiments contemplate a processor or controller causing one or more piezoelectric elements to generate haptic movement feedback or haptic sound feedback meeting movement intensity levels and sound volume levels determined by the machine learning neural network to be optimal for a given set of conditions.

In some embodiments, a piezoelectric element320may have a movement intensity level and sound volume level (e.g., as set by the user, as determined by an operating software application, or by a predictive machine learning algorithm) that does not utilize a single piezoelectric element for both movement and sound or cannot be simultaneously achieved by activating a single piezoelectric element. In one example embodiment, a design choice for utilization of sound feedback with a piezo haptic keyboard of embodiments herein may have a user, an operating application, or predictive machine learning algorithm for a customized user typing profile adopt setting such that separate piezoelectric elements are used for tactile haptic feedback events from those used for sound haptic feedback events. In other example embodiments, a user, an operating application, or a neural network may choose a movement intensity level (e.g., a force with which the controller causes the ceramic disc322and metallic plate325to warp upward or downward) that is associated with a first voltage magnitude, and choose a sound volume level that is associated with a second voltage magnitude, or a range of voltage magnitudes. If the first voltage magnitude does not match the second voltage magnitude, or fall within the range of voltage magnitudes associated with the sound volume level, a single piezoelectric element may not be capable of simultaneously providing the desired haptic movement feedback and using that movement to generate the desired haptic sound feedback in accordance with the sound volume level. For example, the user may choose a relatively low movement intensity level associated with a polarity swing voltage between negative 50V and positive 50V. The same user may choose a relatively high sound volume level associated with a polarity swing voltage between negative 100V and positive 100V. In other example embodiments, the volume level chosen may be associated with a polarity swing voltage that is less than the range of polarity swing for the movement intensity level. For example, the polarity swing associated with the user-specified sound volume level may be between negative 25V and positive 25V.

As described herein, the volume of the haptic sound feedback may be increased in an embodiment by adjusting the magnitude of voltage applied, or by adjusting the frequency of the voltage polarity switches applied. However, if the voltage or frequency is already set to the natural frequency of the material of which the ceramic disc322, metallic ring325, or other components of the piezoelectric element320are comprised, the volume of the haptic sound feedback may be limited and only be increased further by increasing the magnitude of voltage applied. In an embodiment in which the greater voltage magnitude or a different frequency is required to achieve the sound and volume level that is incompatible with the voltage or frequency required to meet the movement or movement intensity level, or other haptic setting levels, the controller may send a first haptic feedback control signal (e.g., a haptic movement feedback control signal) to the piezoelectric element situated beneath the key that was actuated by a user to allow the user to feel the haptic movement feedback at that key, while concurrently or near simultaneously sending a second haptic control signal (e.g., a haptic sound feedback control signal) to one or more piezoelectric elements situated beneath nearby or surrounding keys to also allow the user to hear the haptic sound feedback at the desired sound or sound volume level near the actuated key.

FIG.4is an exploded perspective view of a keyboard stack up400of an information handling system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The keyboard stack up400shows a plurality of keys, similar to those described in connection withFIG.2, arranged so as to receive input from a user at multiple keys.FIG.4also shows a top coversheet405having both a keyboard401and a touchpad402. Either or both of the keyboard401and touchpad402may be haptic systems as described in embodiments herein. In an embodiment, the keys may be arranged similar to a QWERTY design of a keyboard401. However, other arrangements of any alphabetic, numeric, or symbolic keys is contemplated by the present description.

The keyboard stack up400may include several layers similar to those described in connection withFIG.2,3A, or3B. In an embodiment, the keyboard stack up400includes a coversheet layer405. The coversheet layer405may be made of any type of elastically resilient material. Coversheet layer405may include a plurality of key designations, such as key pedestals as shown in keyboard401and a touchpad402area designation. The elastically resilient material may allow, at least, a portion of the coversheet layer405to be deformed upon application of a pressure from a user's finger. Upon withdrawal of the pressure from the user's finger, the material the coversheet layer405is made of allows the coversheet layer405of the key to bend back to its pre-deformed form.

In an embodiment, in order to shape the coversheet405, the material used to form the coversheet405may be subjected to an injection molding process completed prior to the installation of the coversheet405into the remaining layers within the keyboard400as described herein. Any number of processes may be included with the injection molding process, including forming a number of holes correlated with a number of keys401on the keyboard400within a translucent sheet of ABS, and injection molding a translucent ABS through the holes to form a raised portion correlating with each of the number of keys401on the keyboard400. Opposite the raised portions a number of runners may be machined away to accommodate for receipt of other layers of the keyboard such as each of the piezoelectric elements420.

In other embodiments, the coversheet of the C-cover435may include a plurality of vias for keys401having a cover sheet405or cap for each key401. A key pedestal for each key401in a solid-state keyboard of the present embodiments may be disposed through the vias in the C-cover435in such embodiments. Each haptic key of the haptic keyboard in such an embodiment may include a cover layer similar to those described directly above that protrudes through the key vias in the coversheet405. Layering under the coversheet may include material layers that are hydrophobic or have other properties. Though gaps between haptic keys and key vias may be minimized, such gaps may be useful for cooling ventilation of the base chassis or for allowing backlighting to frame the haptic keys. Similarly, a touchpad402top touch interface layer may be attached under the coversheet405to seamlessly provide a designated touchpad area in the C-cover435coversheet405. Any combination of continuous coversheet for haptic keys and vias in the coversheet for placement of haptic keys of a keyboard coversheet layer405are contemplated in various embodiments. Further, it is contemplated that in some embodiments one or the other of a haptic keyboard or haptic touchpad may be used with a keyboard400having mechanically actuated keys401or a touchpad402with a mechanically actuated diving board mechanism. Any combination of the above coversheet405layouts described is contemplated in embodiments described herein.

The keyboard stack up400may further include a C-cover substructure435forming part of the base chassis with a cutout for keyboard401and touchpad402. The C-cover substructure435may be made of a rigid material that prevents little or no movement. The rigidity of the C-cover substructure435allows the other layers within the keyboard401to be maintained within the information handling system. In an embodiment, the C-cover substructure435may be made of a metal.

The keyboard stack up400, in an embodiment, may further include any number of adhesive layers415. In an embodiment, a first adhesive layer415may mechanically couple the coversheet layer405to a contact foil layer410. The first adhesive layer415may include the placement of the adhesive at locations that may enhance the movement and prevent the hindrance of the actuation of the coversheet layer405at those locations across the coversheet layer405where keys are present. In a specific embodiment, the first adhesive layer415may include placing the adhesive along borders of each of the keys as well as placing the adhesive at a central location of each of the keys.

The contact foil layer410may be adhered to the coversheet layer405via the first adhesive layer415and may be made of any elastically resilient material that, when any given key is actuated or the contact foil layer410is bent towards a lower portion of the respective key, returns to its original state when the respective key is no longer being actuated. The contact foil layer410may include a number of metal traces445formed on at least one surface of the contact foil layer410that electrically and communicatively couples each of the keys and a corresponding piezoelectric element420to a keyboard controller425of an information handling system that includes a haptic feedback keyboard control system such as described in connection withFIG.1. In an embodiment, the keyboard controller425may be a dedicated controller communicatively coupled to the contact foil layer410so as to detect electrical charges (e.g., a piezo actuation signals) from each of the piezoelectric elements420and provide haptic feedback control signals (e.g., haptic movement feedback control signals and haptic sound feedback control signals) back to the respective piezoelectric elements420. In an alternative embodiment, the keyboard controller425may operate in connection with a processor of the information handling system that, among other computations and execution of other computer readable program code, also executes computer readable program code associated with the haptic feedback keyboard control system as described inFIG.1.

During operation of each key on the keyboard401, the contact foil layer410may receive an electrical charge (e.g., a piezo actuation signal) from the respective piezoelectric elements420as they are compressed upon actuation at the metal traces445that conduct the electrical charge (e.g., a piezo actuation signal) to the controller425associated with the keyboard400. The metal traces445formed on the contact foil layer410may further be used to conduct a haptic feedback control signal from the controller425to the piezoelectric elements420. Varying polarities, voltages, or currents of the haptic feedback control signal may cause the piezoelectric elements420to stretch or contract in response. For example, as described herein, the controller425may apply an oscillating voltage haptic feedback control signal that causes one or of the piezoelectric elements420to move between its upward warped and downward warped positions to generate an audible sound. The magnitude and frequency of oscillation of the voltage supplied in the form of the haptic feedback control signal by the controller425in an embodiment may be set according to sound volume levels provided via a graphical user interface (e.g., user-specified sound volume level), via setting of an operating software application, or provided by a predictive machine learning module customizing user personal typing profiles. For example, the keyboard controller425may access a haptic sound volume look-up table in order to determine characteristics of a haptic feedback control signal voltage (e.g., magnitude, polarity, frequency) to be applied to any given piezoelectric element to meet preset, user-specified, or otherwise sound volume levels appropriate for an operating application. In such a way, a user selection settings or a particular application's requirement may control the volume of sound generated at a key401in response to the user pressing the key401.

This haptic feedback control signal transmitted to of each of the actuated piezoelectric elements420may also cause a haptic movement feedback presented at each of the keys that the user may feel. This haptic movement feedback may be relayed to the user within microseconds of the user actuating any of the keys on the keyboard401such that the user physically detects a sensation that the key was pressed. This sensation felt by the user may be present despite no actual mechanical devices such as a scissor mechanism or other types of keyboard mechanical devices being present among the layers of the keyboard401. This concurrent haptic movement feedback and haptic sound feedback may be selected by users of haptic keyboards. In an embodiment, the keyboard controller425may access a haptic movement look-up table in order to determine characteristics of a haptic feedback control signal voltage (e.g., magnitude, polarity, frequency) to be applied to any given piezoelectric element to meet preset, user-specified, or otherwise required haptic movement intensity levels (e.g., intensity of force caused by upward or downward warping of piezoelectric elements420).

The keyboard stack up400may further include a second adhesive layer416that mechanically couples the contact foil layer410to a support plate430. In an embodiment, the second adhesive layer416may include the placement of an adhesive along borders of each piezoelectric element420of the keyboard stack up400. As shown inFIG.4, the second adhesive layer416includes circular voids that conform to a shape of each piezoelectric element420within the keyboard stack up400.

The support plate430may be made of rigid material such as a metal. The support plate430prevents deformation of the keyboard stack up400except for, in some embodiments, the contact foil layer410, piezoelectric element420, first adhesive layer415, and second adhesive layer416as for operation of the haptic keys. As such, the contact foil layer410may be allowed to detect the deformation of the piezoelectric elements420. Additionally, a user using the keyboard401may feel a level of rigidity in the keyboard401except that at the locations of the keys where the user has expected that some level of deformation occurs when pressure is applied to provide for key actuation of the piezoelectric element420.

In an embodiment, the support plate430may include a number of cavities431formed therein. The cavities431may be sized to have a relatively smaller diameter than the diameter of each of the respective piezoelectric elements420. By including these cavities431, the piezoelectric elements420may be allowed to deform into the cavities431so that the deformation of the piezoelectric element420creates the electrical charge (e.g., a piezo actuation signal) described herein. The metal plate of the piezoelectric elements420may have a diameter greater than cavities431. Upon compression or contraction of the piezoelectric material portions, such as a ceramic disk of the piezoelectric element420, the metal plate may warp downward into the cavity431. The depth of the cavities431may also be selected to allow for at least a central portion of each piezoelectric element420to be deflected into the cavities431some distance. This distance of deflection, in an embodiment, may be 0.1 mm or smaller or may be greater. In an embodiment, the cavities431may also be holes punched or machined through the support plate430.

In an embodiment, the support plate430may be secured to other rigid elements of the information handling system. In an embodiment, the support plate430may be secured to the C-cover substrate435via a number of bolts, screws, or other mechanical or chemical coupling device as shown in an embodiment. In some embodiments, the support plate430may be operatively coupled to the D-cover of the information handling system.

FIG.5is a graphical diagram illustrating piezoelectric elements of a haptic keyboard capable of generating sound within specific regions of the keyboard pursuant to downward force applied by a user on a key or touchpad, or as instructed by software applications running on the information handling system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.5shows an information handling system500implementing a haptic keyboard area501and a haptic touchpad area502of a coversheet for a base chassis520of the information handling system according to embodiments herein. Information handling system500includes the base chassis520which may house the haptic keyboard501and the haptic touchpad502including the stack up layers of each as described in embodiments herein. Further, the C-cover of the base chassis520may include the coversheet505that operates to provide user interface locations for keys of haptic keyboard501and for a touchpad interface area for haptic touchpad502. The base chassis520may further house components of the information handling system including processor, graphics processor, motherboard, graphics board, bus systems, power and battery systems, wireless systems, thermal controls, data and power ports, and other components in accordance with the description ofFIG.1. Those components may be installed according to techniques understood by those of skill. Further, base chassis520may be hinged to a display chassis510for housing a display device and other components according to embodiments herein.

As described herein, a separate piezo element may be situated directly beneath each key cap within the cover sheet in some embodiments. In other embodiments, a plurality of piezo elements may be distributed horizontally across a layer disposed beneath the cover sheet, but the placement of each of the plurality of piezo elements may not directly correspond to the location of individual keys within the cover sheet. For example, in some embodiments, a single piezo element may be situated directly beneath a point504on the cover sheet at which the user applies a downward force. In one such embodiment, only a single piezo element situated directly beneath the point504may deform, causing the controller to register a keystroke. In another such embodiment, the downward force applied at point504may also cause some deflection of piezo elements situated within the region506, situated nearby the point504, but not directly beneath it.

In other embodiments, the point504on the cover sheet at which the user applies downward force may not be situated directly above a single piezo element. In such an embodiment, the downward force applied at point504may cause full or partial deflection of one or more of the nearby piezo elements within the region506. Determination of the degree to which each of the piezo elements within region506deflect in such embodiments may be used to triangulate the center of the downward force applied at point504. Because some of these piezo elements may be situated beneath the base chassis top cover, where a user may rest her palms while typing, the degree to which each of these piezo elements deflect may indicate placement of a user's palms upon the base chassis top cover at a given point in time in some embodiments.

As described herein, a single piezo element may be situated directly beneath a single key504on the cover sheet at which the user applies a downward force. In one such embodiment, only a single piezo element (not shown) situated directly beneath the point504may deform, causing the controller to register a keystroke. In such an embodiment, the controller may respond with a haptic feedback control signal that causes the single piezo element situated beneath key504to generate haptic movement feedback or haptic sound feedback the user can feel or hear. The controller in such an embodiment may perform a similar response each time a separate key of the keyboard is pressed while the user types. Thus, in such an embodiment, the user may perceive a separate haptic sound feedback and haptic movement feedback at each key, as the user presses those keys individually.

In one embodiment, it may be a design selection to use one piezoelectric element for a tactile haptic feedback event such as for an actuated key while one or more other piezoelectric elements may be used for sound generation for haptic sound feedback or other audio signaling purposes. In some embodiments, a user adjusted setting or a predictive machine learning algorithm adjusting user setting for a personal typing profile may cause election of separate tactile movement and sound haptic feedback control signals to different piezoelectric elements. In some embodiments, an operating application may be designed to work with the haptic piezoelectric elements and optionally other speakers, to coordinate separate tactile movement and sound haptic feedback control signals to different piezoelectric elements. In some other embodiments, a piezoelectric element may have a movement intensity level or sound volume level (e.g., as set by the user, an operating software application, or by a predictive machine learning algorithm adjusting user setting for a personal typing profile) or other factors of the tactile haptic feedback signal and haptic sound feedback signal that cannot be simultaneously combined into a single haptic feedback control signal to a single piezoelectric element. In one example, a user may choose a movement intensity level for the piezoelectric element situated beneath the point504that is associated with a haptic movement feedback control signal that conflicts with a haptic sound feedback control signal of a chosen sound tone or sound volume. The single piezoelectric element situated beneath point504may not be capable of simultaneously providing haptic movement feedback at the desired movement intensity level and using that movement to generate haptic sound feedback in accordance with the defined sound volume level or tone for example. For example, the user may choose a relatively low movement intensity level associated with a voltage having a magnitude of 5V. The same user may choose a relatively high sound volume level associated with a voltage of at least 20V. This may require the controller to apply a haptic feedback control signal voltage having a magnitude of at least 20V to the piezoelectric element situated beneath point504to achieve the defined sound volume level, even if the controller is switching the polarity of the 20V at the resonant frequency of the material of which the ceramic disc, metallic ring, or other components of the piezoelectric element situated beneath point504are comprised. In such a scenario, it may not be possible for the controller to send a single haptic feedback control signal to the piezoelectric element situated beneath point504that can cause the piezoelectric element to generate both a haptic movement feedback meeting the defined movement intensity level and a haptic sound feedback meeting the defined sound volume level.

In such embodiment where separate piezoelectric elements are to be used for tactile movement haptic feedback and haptic sound feedback, the controller may transmit a haptic movement feedback control signal to the piezoelectric element situated beneath point504via the same metal traces through which the controller received the piezo actuation signal to cause haptic movement feedback at point504. The haptic movement feedback control signal in such an embodiment may apply a voltage having a magnitude sufficient to cause the ceramic disc of the piezoelectric element situated beneath point504to warp upward or downward so as to cause haptic movement feedback in accordance with the desired movement intensity level. The controller in such an embodiment may also transmit a haptic sound feedback control signal to one or more piezoelectric elements situated nearby the piezoelectric element beneath point504to cause haptic sound feedback nearby point504. For example, the controller may transmit a haptic sound feedback control signal to one or more piezoelectric elements situated within the region506, surrounding the point504from which the controller received the piezo actuation signal. The haptic sound feedback control signal in such an embodiment may have a voltage magnitude and frequency capable of generating haptic sound feedback in accordance with the defined sound volume level. In such a way, the controller in embodiments described herein may simultaneously provide haptic movement feedback and haptic sound feedback through a plurality of piezoelectric elements, even when a single piezoelectric element is not used for both the haptic movement feedback as well as the haptic sound feedback.

In other embodiments, groups or regions of keys of the keyboard or the touchpad may generate haptic sound feedback, as instructed by the controller, either in response to the user typing or otherwise interacting with the keyboard/touchpad, or in response to an application running on the information handling system. As described herein, a haptic actuation indicator signal in an embodiment may be a piezo actuation signal received at the controller or processor, indicating a key situated above the piezoelectric element has been actuated by a user, or may comprise a notification or code instructions received at the processor or controller from a software application currently operating on the information handling system. For example, some applications may include alarms or notifications that may be set to make an audible sound via the haptic keyboard, rather than through the main speaker system of the information handling system. As another example, some applications may cause the haptic keyboard, in lieu of or in combination with the main speakers of the information handling system to emit sound in accordance with an audio signal having one or more channels for one or more speakers. Such notifications or audio signals in an embodiment may comprise a haptic actuation indicator signal.

In another aspect of an embodiment, the controller may cause piezoelectric elements situated beneath the palm rest509of the C-cover, outside the keyboard501to provide such haptic sound feedback or may provide haptic feedback with piezoelectric elements not currently being actuated within the keyboard501during typing if the user is also typing. For example, in an embodiment in which the controller detects the user currently typing, or detects an actuation of a key or the touchpad within a preset period of time, the controller may transmit a haptic sound feedback control signal to a piezoelectric element situated within region509, beneath the palm rest of the C-cover or elsewhere within haptic keyboard501at locations not currently being actuated. One or more piezoelectric elements within region509or elsewhere within haptic keyboard501at locations not currently being actuated may then produce the haptic sound feedback associated with receipt of the notification from the currently running application. In such a way, the controller may use piezoelectric elements situated outside the keyboard or elsewhere within haptic keyboard501at locations not currently being actuated to produce an audible notification, without altering the haptic movement feedback and haptic sound feedback from the piezoelectric elements situated beneath the actuated keys of the keyboard501where the user experiences tactile movement haptic feedback while typing.

In some embodiments, notifications or alerts from one or more applications currently running on the information handling system may be set to be played through one or more of the piezoelectric elements of the haptic keyboard, either in tandem with, or in place of the information handling system speaker system. This may be useful to a user, for example, if the user is listening to a separate audio stream through the speakers and does not wish to hear the notifications or alerts through those speakers. For example, if the user is watching a movie, listening to music, or is engaged in an audio conference via the main speaker system, it may be preferable to set background applications to deliver notifications through the haptic keyboard, rather than overlaying or interrupting the audio currently playing through the speaker system. In such an embodiment, the keyboard controller may set one or more piezoelectric elements of the keyboard, or groups of the piezoelectric elements to generate an audible sound. For example, in one embodiment in which the user is not currently typing, the keyboard controller may set all of the piezoelectric elements of the keyboard to generate an audible sound (e.g., buzzing or a tone) when a background application generates a notification or alarm.

In other embodiments, the keyboard controller may cause groupings of the piezoelectric elements to generate sound. For example, the keyboard controller in an embodiment may cause all piezoelectric elements within the region507, to the right of the keyboard to generate audible sound at one instance in time, then cause the piezoelectric elements within the region508, to the left of the keyboard to generate audible sound at a later point in time. This may be used, for example, to enhance surround sound effects. In such an embodiment, a speaker system may include an audio controller that controls the level of audio played in each speaker of the information handling system based on the placement of the speaker with respect to the user, and upon an embedded multi-channel audio signal within the streaming video indicating the directionality of the audio accompanying the video signal. For example, the embedded audio signal may instruct a sound of an explosion shown on the right side of the screen to be played predominantly through speakers situated to the right side of the viewer. Such an audio signal may include multiple channels, with each channel mapped to one or more speakers of the information handling system. For example, in a traditional 5.1 channel surround sound system, an audio signal may include five channels—a center channel, a front right channel, a front left channel, a rear right channel, and a rear left channel. The center channel may be mapped to a speaker situated in the center of the viewing area (e.g., twelve o'clock from the viewer's perspective), the right front channel at roughly two o'clock, the right rear channel at roughly four o'clock, and so forth in a clockwise manner. In embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more piezoelectric elements or groups of piezoelectric elements within the haptic keyboard may be mapped to one of these channels. For example, the piezoelectric elements situated within the region507in an embodiment may be mapped to the right rear channel of a 5.1 surround sound audio signal, while the piezoelectric elements situated within the region508may be mapped to the left rear channel. As another example, the piezoelectric elements situated within the region507in an embodiment may be mapped to the right front channel of a 5.1 surround sound audio signal, while the piezoelectric elements situated within the region508may be mapped to the left front channel. In still other examples, the piezoelectric elements situated within the region507in an embodiment may be mapped to a limited subset of the frequency range for sounds played within either the right front channel or the right rear channel.

If a user is streaming video that supports such surround sound effects on the information handling system, the keyboard controller may instruct the piezoelectric elements situated within specific region correlating to that region's mapped channel according to the received audio signal. For example, if the embedded signal instructs the information handling system to play audio predominantly through speakers situated to the right side of the viewer in an embodiment, the keyboard controller may transmit a haptic feedback control signal to cause the group of piezoelectric elements within region507, to the right of the screen, to generate a haptic sound feedback in tandem with the sound played through the speakers on the right side of the information handling system. In such a way, the piezoelectric elements in embodiments of the present disclosure may generate audible sound to enhance user experience while typing, and to enhance user experience of other audible sounds traditionally generated through the speakers of the information handling system.

FIG.6is a graphical diagram illustrating a personal typing profile graphical user interface allowing a user to personalize several factors dictating haptic response of a piezo haptic keyboard assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As described herein, the tactile sensation and sound of traditional mechanical keyboards is dictated mainly by the structural dynamics of the key cap, scissor mechanism, and rubber dome within the traditional keyboard assembly. In other words, these structures and the way in which they move when a user applies downward pressure dictate the user's tactile and audible experience. By applying a haptic feedback control signal with varying magnitudes, polarities, and frequencies of voltage to one or more of the piezo elements in a piezo haptic keyboard assembly, a controller may control each of these factors influencing a user's tactile and audible experience. In contrast to conventional keyboard assemblies, each of these factors may be adjusted, allowing for a wide range of tactile and audible experiences for users. The personal typing profile user interface502in an embodiment may allow a user to set each of these factors according to their personal preferences. A controller operably connected to each of the piezo elements within a piezo haptic keyboard may receive instructions based on adjustable piezo element settings, and apply those settings to control the ways in which each of the piezo elements deflects in embodiments described herein.

Each of the factors dictating a user's tactile and audible haptic experience may be preset to a default position designed to mimic a conventional keyboard in an example embodiment, and adjusted by a user via the personal typing profile user interface602in an embodiment. In other embodiments, one or more sets of default settings of the haptic feedback factors may be set or required by particular applications operating on the information handling system. In yet other embodiments, a personal typing profile may adjust such settings based on time or day or based on detected physical surroundings factor such as location, ambient audio noises, ambient light conditions or similar inputs. The personal typing profile user interface602in an embodiment may include a plurality of inputs or controls for adjusting, manipulating, and configuring one or more of these factors dictating a user's tactile and audible haptic experience. This can include receiving user commands from a mouse, keyboard, speech input, web site, remote web service, and/or other device such as a camera or video input to affect or modify operations of the personal typing profile user interface602. For example, the personal typing profile user interface602in an embodiment may include a plurality of configurable icons, buttons, sliders, input boxes, selection options, menus, tabs and so forth having multiple configurable positions, shapes, text, data, and sounds to facilitate operations of the controller operably connected to the plurality of piezo elements of the piezo haptic keyboard assembly.

The factors dictating a user's tactile and audible haptic experience which may be manipulated via the user interface602in an embodiment may include, for example, the force threshold610required for the controller to register that a keystroke has occurred in some embodiments, and the size of the area620in which the user must apply such a force in order for the controller to register a keystroke due to required force of the piezo element to application of force. In an example embodiment, the personal typing profile user interface602may allow the user to move the position of an indicator614along a slider to indicate a user-selected force threshold610for required force (between a minimum and maximum allowable value) at which the controller may detect that a keystroke has occurred. Upon receipt of such a change in required force, the typing profile personalization system in an embodiment may adjust a threshold voltage value, or a threshold change in voltage value that must be detected at one or more piezo elements in order to register a keystroke. In another example of such an embodiment, the personal typing profile user interface602may allow the user to move the position of an indicator624along a slider to indicate a user-selected detection area620surrounding the piezo element (between a minimum and maximum required force allowable value) in which a user may apply downward pressure to cause the controller to detect that a keystroke has occurred.

Other factors dictating a user's tactile haptic experience that may be manipulated via the user interface602in an embodiment may include the intensity630, duration640, and sharpness650at which a piezoelectric element vibrates or otherwise moves in response to a haptic feedback control signal following registering of a keystroke, and the burst count660and interval670of sustained vibrations or other such movement occurring in response to use of specific applications. In some embodiments, in response to receiving a haptic actuation indicator signal (e.g., a piezo actuation signal), for example, indicating a piezoelectric element has been pressed downward by the user, the controller may apply a haptic feedback control signal to the same piezoelectric element, causing it to move between its upward warped and downward warped positions over a preset time period. For example, this haptic feedback control signal may have a certain voltage (magnitude or amplitude), frequency, current, or polarity (−,+) sufficient to render the piezoelectric material of the piezoelectric element to cause a haptic movement. Such a haptic feedback control signal in an embodiment may be a sine wave, a square wave, a pulsed signal, or other waveform of changing current, voltage, or polarity applied to the piezoelectric element.

The personal typing profile user interface602may allow the user to set one or more of these factors controlling the characteristics of such haptic responses. For example, the user in an embodiment may move the position of an indicator634along a slider to indicate a user-selected vibration intensity630(between a minimum and maximum allowable value) or force at which a piezoelectric element moves between its upward and downward warped positions during haptic response following a keystroke. As another example, the user in such an embodiment may move the position of an indicator644along a slider to indicate a user-selected vibration time duration640. In still another example, the user in an embodiment may move the position of an indicator654along a slider to indicate a user-selected vibration sharpness650setting the duration of time between detection of the keystroke and deflection of the piezo element to its upward or downward warped positions.

The controller in some embodiments may also cause a piezoelectric element to vibrate for a prolonged period, or in a burst under certain conditions. Still other factors dictating a user's haptic experience that may be manipulated via the user interface602in an embodiment may include the burst count660and interval670of sustained vibrations or haptic response movements occurring in response to use of specific applications. The personal typing profile user interface602may allow the user to set one or more of these factors controlling the characteristics of such vibration bursts. For example, the user in an embodiment may move the position of an indicator664along a slider to indicate a user-selected burst count660or number of vibrations or other haptic response movements occurring during each such burst. As another example, the user in an embodiment may move the position of an indicator674along a slider to indicate a user-selected burst interval670or duration of such vibration bursts. The controller in such an embodiment may apply the user-selected burst count660and burst interval670by setting the number of voltage pulses, and the timing between them that the contact foil applies to the piezo element. In such a way, the user may set the haptic dynamics for a piezo haptic keyboard to her personal preferences using the personal typing profile user interface602.

The controller in some embodiments may also cause a piezo element to vibrate or move to generate a sound under certain conditions. Such a factor dictating a user's haptic experience may be manipulated via the user interface602in an embodiment and may include the user-specified sound volume level680for sound occurring in response to use of specific applications when registering keystrokes. The personal typing profile user interface602may allow the user to set or specify one or more sound volume levels680controlling the characteristics of such auditory output in response to a keystroke. For example, the user in an embodiment may move the position of an indicator684along a slider to indicate a user-specified sound volume level680for how loud an auditory response may be. For example, a minimum setting may represent a silent mode for typing on the haptic keyboard. Further a specified volume or silent mode may be determined from an application setting, time of day, or detected physical surroundings factors of an information handling system. A silent mode or quiet mode may be implemented for example when ambient noise is detected via a microphone indicating a user is in a meeting or conducting a conference call or video chat in one embodiment. In another embodiment, a silent mode or quiet mode may be utilized in low ambient light conditions detected by a light detector or in evening hours or at a home location. In yet other embodiments, a higher volume or more robust tactile haptic feedback settings may apply depending on the application operating such as with a gaming application. As another example, the user in an embodiment may move the position of an indicator684along a slider to indicate a sound volume level680provided in response to keystrokes during typing on the haptic keyboard. The controller in such an embodiment may apply the user-specified sound volume level680by applying voltage of a magnitude and frequency associated with the user-specified sound volume level680in a volume look-up table in an embodiment to one or more piezoelectric elements. For example, this haptic feedback control signal may have a certain voltage (magnitude or amplitude), frequency, current, or polarity (−,+) sufficient to cause the piezoelectric element to vibrate, disturbing nearby air, and create an audible sound. Such a haptic feedback control signal may be a sine wave, a square wave, a pulsed signal, or other waveform of changing current, voltage, or polarity applied to the piezoelectric element. In such a way, the user may set the haptic sound feedback for a piezo haptic keyboard to her personal preferences using the personal typing profile user interface602.

FIG.7is a flow diagram illustrating a method of generating a haptic sound feedback and a haptic movement feedback at separate piezoelectric elements, in response to receiving a haptic actuation indicator signal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As described herein, in some embodiments, the controller may transmit a haptic movement feedback control signal to a first piezoelectric element to cause haptic movement feedback (tactile sensations felt by the user's finger) at a first location on the haptic keyboard, touchpad, or palm rest, and transmit a separate haptic sound feedback control signal to a second piezoelectric element. The haptic sound feedback control signal in such an example embodiment may cause haptic sound feedback (e.g., click, buzz) at a second location on the haptic keyboard, touchpad, or palm rest. In such a way, the controller may cause two separate piezoelectric elements to provide haptic movement feedback and haptic sound feedback in tandem, and in response to a single received haptic actuation indicator signal (e.g., a piezo actuation signal).

At block702, the controller in an embodiment may receive a haptic movement intensity level and a haptic sound volume level for a piezoelectric element situated below a first key of the keyboard. For example, in an embodiment described with reference toFIG.6, the intensity630, duration640, and sharpness650at which a piezoelectric element vibrates or otherwise moves in response to a haptic control feedback signal following registering of a keystroke may be manipulated via the user interface602or may be set by currently operating applications. User specified or otherwise specified settings may apply to all keys of a piezo haptic keyboard or a subset of keys of the haptic keyboard according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The user in such an embodiment may move the position of an indicator634along a slider to indicate a user-selected vibration intensity level630(between a minimum and maximum allowable value) or force at which a piezoelectric element moves between its upward and downward warped positions during haptic response following a keystroke. The sound volume level680for sound occurring in response to use of specific applications when registering keystrokes may also be manipulated via the user interface602in an embodiment. For example, the user in an embodiment may move the position of an indicator684along a slider to indicate a user-selected sound volume level680for how loud an auditory response may be. A minimum sound volume level in such an embodiment may represent a silent mode for typing on the haptic keyboard. As another example, the user in an embodiment may move the position of an indicator684along a slider to indicate a sound volume level680provided in response to keystrokes during typing on the haptic keyboard. An operating application may be designed or detected surroundings conditions for the information handling system may provide for default factor settings for the haptic tactile movement or haptic sound feedback provided via the piezoelectric elements of embodiments herein.

In some embodiments, sound volume level and movement intensity level received at block702may be set through a machine learning process in which a typing profile machine learning module may determine optimal haptic keyboard settings (e.g., movement intensity level and sound volume level) based on one or more indicators of current operating conditions, user behavior or mood, or conditions of the surrounding environment. Although embodiments described herein may refer to user-specified movement intensity level and user-specified sound volume level, such as the known values received via the graphical user interface, other embodiments contemplate a processor or controller causing one or more piezoelectric elements to generate haptic movement feedback or haptic sound feedback meeting movement intensity levels and sound volume levels determined by the machine learning neural network to be optimal for a given set of conditions.

The piezoelectric element situated below the first key of the keyboard may receive a mechanical stress in an embodiment to create a haptic actuation indicator signal (e.g., a piezo actuation signal) in the form of an electrical charge at block704. For example, in an embodiment described with reference toFIG.2, a piezoelectric element220may be situated beneath a key pedestal206, and housed over a cavity231formed in the support plate230. A mechanical stress applied to the key pedestal206, and thus, to the piezoelectric element220may cause deformation of the ceramic disc222and the metal plate or ring225comprising the piezoelectric element220into the cavity. As the piezoelectric disk material222is compressed by deflection and the metal plate or ring225warped downward, a change in voltage may be detected. The electrical charge created when the user actuates the key200with the user's finger and the piezoelectric element220is subjected to a mechanical stress may be detected between soldering points235and240. This electrical charge in an embodiment may be referred to herein as a piezo actuation signal. The piezo actuation signal may further comprise one of a plurality of types of haptic actuation indicator signals, which indicate to the controller that haptic feedback (e.g., haptic sound feedback or haptic movement feedback) is appropriate such as from particular applications or including a customized set of tactile and audio haptic feedback events during operation. The electrical charge (e.g., a piezo actuation signal) is communicated down metal traces formed on the contact foil210to a keyboard controller (not shown).

At block706, a contact foil may conduct the piezo actuation signal to a processor through a first metal trace formed on its surface in an embodiment. For example, in an embodiment described with reference toFIG.2, the piezoelectric element220may be electrically and communicatively coupled at a first portion222to a metallic trace formed on a surface of a contact foil210by a first soldering point235and at a second portion225to a metallic trace in contact foil210via a second soldering point240. The first soldering point235and second soldering point240may be formed to receive the electrical charge (e.g., a piezo actuation signal) upon deflection of the piezoelectric element220as a user actuates the key200. The contact foil210may include a number of metal traces formed on its surface that electrically and communicatively couple each of the corresponding piezoelectric elements220of key200to a controller such as a processor of an information handling system that includes a haptic feedback keyboard control system such as described herein. During operation of the key200, the contact foil210may transmit the piezo actuation signal from the piezoelectric element220via the metal traces that conduct the electrical charge to the keyboard controller or other processor associated with the key200.

The controller or processor may determine that a first key of the keyboard has been actuated at block708, in an embodiment. This determination may be made based on the piezo actuation signal that the controller or processor receives from one or more specific metal traces formed on the surface of the contact foil. For example, in an embodiment described with reference toFIG.2, during operation of the key200, the contact foil210may transmit the piezo actuation signal from the piezoelectric element220via the metal traces that conduct the electrical charge to the keyboard controller or other processor associated with the key200. The piezo actuation signal (electrical charge) created when the user actuates the key200and the piezoelectric element220is subjected to a mechanical stress may be detected between soldering points235and240, and communicated down metal traces formed on the contact foil210to a controller (not shown). Alternative embodiments may be used to allow the controller or processor to determine which key on the keyboard generated the electrical charge (e.g., a piezo actuation signal). In some embodiments, where the controller or processor receives a haptic actuation indicator signal form an operating application, blocks704,706, and708, may be skipped since the application may control the levels of factors for the tactile movement haptic feedback or haptic sound feedback.

The controller or processor in an embodiment may receive a haptic actuation indicator signal other than a piezo actuation signal at block710. As described herein, a haptic actuation indicator signal in an embodiment may be a piezo actuation signal received at the controller or processor, indicating a key or touchpad situated above the piezoelectric element has been actuated by a user. In other embodiments, a haptic actuation indicator signal may comprise a notification or code instructions received at the processor or controller from a software application currently operating on the information handling system. For example, some applications may include alarms or notifications that may be set to make an audible sound via the haptic keyboard, rather than through the main speaker system of the information handling system. As another example, some applications may cause the haptic keyboard, in lieu of or in combination with the main speakers of the information handling system to emit sound in accordance with an audio signal having one or more channels for one or more speakers. Such notifications or audio signals in an embodiment may comprise a haptic actuation indicator signal that is not a piezo actuation signal. In yet other embodiments, a notification or code instruction from an application may also be received to generate a tactile movement haptic feedback event. If the processor or controller has received any haptic actuation indicator signal, including a piezo actuation signal, the method may proceed to block712.

At block712, the processor or the controller may determine whether the combination of the haptic movement intensity setting and haptic sound volume setting are associated with a single combination of voltage frequency and amplitude within one or more look-up tables. For example, in an embodiment described with reference toFIG.3B, the controller may determine the polarity, frequency, and magnitude of voltage to be applied within a haptic feedback control signal in order to meet the movement intensity level and sound volume level received at block702by accessing a haptic sound look-up table and a haptic movement look-up table. A haptic movement look-up table in an embodiment may provide a combined haptic feedback control signal with a range to accommodate the received movement intensity level and a resonant frequency of the piezoelectric element to meet the settings for haptic sound feedback such as sound volume level. Thus, such a look-up table may also provide one or more additional voltage magnitudes that may be applied at non-resonant frequencies to also meet the received sound volume level. In some embodiments, the sound volume level received at block702may be associated with a range of combinations of voltage amplitudes and frequencies. The combined haptic feedback control signal to a single piezoelectric element versus separate haptic feedback control signals to different piezoelectric elements for tactile and sound haptic feedback may be a design choice in some embodiments. In some other embodiments, a combined haptic feedback control signal to a single piezoelectric element may not work effectively for both tactile movement and sound haptic feedback and distinct piezoelectric elements must be used.

The sound volume created by the piezoelectric element320in an embodiment may depend, at least partially, on the amplitude at which the voltage applied to the soldering points335and340is oscillated (e.g., the magnitude of the voltage supplied at the soldering points335and340). For example, a higher voltage amplitude or magnitude applied at soldering points335and340may result in a higher sound pressure, and thus, a higher audible volume of sound. Additionally, changes in frequency of voltage oscillation in an embodiment may effectively change the volume of sound generated, even if the voltage amplitude or magnitude remains constant. As a consequence, the volume of sound generated by movement of the piezoelectric element320may be controlled somewhat independently from the haptic movement feedback felt by the user. In other words, two different haptic feedback control signals having identical voltage magnitudes, but two different voltage frequencies may cause a piezoelectric element320to generate identical haptic movement feedbacks, but different haptic sound feedbacks. Thus, the user may be able to vary the volume of haptic sound feedback without affecting the intensity of the haptic movement feedback and may vary the haptic movement feedback without varying the volume of haptic sound feedback in an embodiment.

However, in some cases, a piezoelectric element320may have a movement intensity level and sound volume level (e.g., as set by the user or by a predictive machine learning algorithm) that cannot be simultaneously achieved in any known single activation of a single piezoelectric element via a haptic feedback control signal. For example, in an embodiment, the haptic movement intensity level received at block702may be associated with a first voltage magnitude in a haptic movement look-up table, and the haptic sound volume level received at block702may be associated with a second voltage magnitude, or a range of voltage magnitudes in the haptic sound look-up table. If the first voltage magnitude cannot match the second voltage magnitude, or fall within the range of voltage magnitudes associated with the received sound volume level for example, a single piezoelectric element may not be capable of simultaneously providing the desired haptic movement feedback and using that movement to generate the desired haptic sound feedback in accordance with the sound volume level. In other embodiments, applications or a user selection may be made such that a combination haptic feedback control signal for one piezoelectric element may not meet both the tactile movement haptic feedback and the haptic sound feedback intended or desired when using the piezo haptic keyboard. In such circumstances as described above at712where no combined haptic feedback control signal is used, the method may proceed block714. If, however, circumstances as described above provide for use of a combined haptic feedback control signal, the method may proceed block716.

In an embodiment in which the combination of the haptic tactile movement and haptic sound are not associated with a single combination haptic feedback control signal for a single piezoelectric element at block714, the controller may pass a haptic movement feedback control signal to the piezoelectric element associated with the first key of the keyboard via a first metal trace, to create haptic movement feedback to be felt at the first key of the keyboard. For example, in an embodiment described with reference toFIG.5, it may not be possible for the controller to send a single haptic feedback control signal to the piezoelectric element situated beneath point504that can cause the piezoelectric element to generate both a haptic movement feedback and a haptic sound feedback. In such an embodiment, the controller may transmit a haptic movement feedback control signal to the piezoelectric element situated beneath point504via the same metal traces through which the controller received the piezo actuation signal to cause haptic movement feedback at point504.

The haptic movement feedback control signal in such an embodiment may apply a voltage having a magnitude sufficient to cause the ceramic disc of the piezoelectric element situated beneath point504to warp upward or downward so as to cause haptic movement feedback in accordance with the movement intensity level received at block702. For example, in an embodiment described with reference toFIG.3AorFIG.3B, the controller in an embodiment may send a haptic movement feedback control signal to the piezoelectric element320via the metal traces formed on the contact foil310, through the soldering points335and340and to a conductive layer of metallic plate or ring325formed below the piezoelectric disk material322to cause a haptic tactile movement feedback. The conductive layer of metallic plate or ring325may apply the haptic movement feedback control signal to the piezoelectric disk material322so as to cause the piezoelectric disk material322to stretch or shrink depending on the polarity of the haptic feedback control signal applied.

At block716, the controller in an embodiment may pass a haptic sound feedback control signal to a piezoelectric element situated nearby the first key of the keyboard via a second metal trace, to create a haptic sound feedback to be heard nearby the first key of the keyboard. For example, in an embodiment described with reference toFIG.5, it may not be designed within an application for or possible for the controller to send a single haptic feedback control signal to the piezoelectric element situated beneath point504to cause the piezoelectric element to generate both a haptic movement feedback and a haptic sound feedback in response to a haptic actuation indicator signal received at block710for example or in response to a piezo actuation signal received at704. The controller in such an embodiment may transmit a haptic sound feedback control signal to one or more piezoelectric elements situated nearby the piezoelectric element beneath point504to cause haptic sound feedback nearby point504. For example, the controller may transmit a haptic sound feedback control signal to one or more piezoelectric elements situated within the region506, surrounding the point504from which the controller received the piezo actuation signal.

For example, in an embodiment described with reference toFIGS.3A and3B, the conductive layer of metallic plate or ring325may apply a changing positive or negative voltage haptic sound feedback control signal to the piezoelectric disk material322at soldering point335relative to a voltage haptic feedback control signal polarity applied at soldering point340to cause the piezoelectric disk322to expand or contract depending on the polarity. This may, in turn, cause the metallic layer or disk325adhered to the ceramic piezoelectric disk322to warp upward or downward in accordance with the applied haptic feedback control signal to the piezoelectric element320. The controller may oscillate the polarity of the haptic sound feedback control signal, according to the voltage frequency associated with the sound volume level received at block702in the haptic sound look-up table. Such a movement at specified frequency of the metallic plate or disc325(e.g., from warped downward to warped upward) in an embodiment may generate audible haptic sound feedback at various tones and volume.

The haptic sound feedback control signal in such an embodiment may have a voltage magnitude and frequency capable of generating haptic sound feedback in accordance with the sound volume level received at block702or as set by operating applications. The controller may transmit the haptic movement feedback control signal at block714and the haptic sound feedback control signal at block716simultaneously, to at least two different piezoelectric elements. In such a way, the controller in embodiments described herein may simultaneously provide haptic movement feedback and haptic sound feedback through a plurality of piezoelectric elements, even when a single piezoelectric element is not capable of meeting both the movement intensity level and the sound volume level.

In an embodiment in which the combination of the haptic movement and haptic sound are associated with a single combination of voltage frequency and amplitude in a haptic feedback control signal at block718, the controller may pass a haptic feedback control signal to the piezoelectric element associated with the first key of the keyboard, via the first metal trace, to create haptic feedback to be heard and felt at the first key of the keyboard. For example, in an embodiment described with reference toFIG.5, a single piezo element may be situated directly beneath a single key504on the cover sheet at which the user applies a downward force. In one such embodiment, only a single piezo element (not shown) situated directly beneath the point504may deform, causing the controller to register a keystroke. In such an embodiment, the controller may respond with a haptic feedback control signal that causes the single piezo element situated beneath key504to generate haptic movement feedback or haptic sound feedback the user can feel and hear. The controller in such an embodiment may perform a similar response each time a separate key of the keyboard is pressed while the user types. Thus, in such an embodiment, the user may perceive a separate haptic sound feedback and haptic movement feedback at each key, as the user presses those keys individually. The method may then end.

FIG.8is a flow diagram illustrating a method of generating a haptic sound feedback at a piezoelectric element in response to haptic actuation indicator signals other than piezo actuation signals according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As described herein, a haptic sound feedback or haptic tactile movement feedback may be generated in response to a received haptic actuation indicator signal, other than the piezo actuation signal received by the controller indicating the piezoelectric element has been deformed under mechanical stress. For example, the controller may transmit a haptic feedback control signal causing a piezoelectric element to generate a haptic sound feedback in response to receiving a notification from a software application currently running on the information handling system. Such a notification or alarm from the software application may be played via one or more piezoelectric elements in lieu of, or in addition to an audible sound played through the audio speakers of the information handling system in embodiments described herein. As another example, the controller may transmit the haptic feedback control signal to generate a haptic sound feedback at one or more piezoelectric elements in response to receiving an audio signal, including a right channel signal intended to play sound associated with video or images playing toward the right-hand side of the screen and a left channel signal intended to play sound associated with video or images playing toward the left-hand side of the screen. One or more piezoelectric elements or groups thereof in embodiments described herein may also be mapped to the right channel signal or the left channel signal, and the controller may transmit a haptic sound feedback control signal in response to the right channel signal or the left channel signal to the one or more piezoelectric elements mapped to that channel.

At block802, the keyboard controller or processor may receive a notification, alert, or audio signal from an application currently running on the information handling system in an embodiment. As described herein, a haptic actuation indicator signal in an embodiment may be a piezo actuation signal received at the controller or processor, indicating a key situated above the piezoelectric element has been actuated by a user. In other embodiments, a haptic actuation indicator signal may comprise a notification or code instructions received at the processor or controller from a software application currently operating on the information handling system. For example, some applications may include alarms or notifications that may be set to make an audible sound via the haptic keyboard, rather than through the main speaker system of the information handling system. As another example, some applications may cause the haptic keyboard, in lieu of or in combination with the main speakers of the information handling system to emit sound in accordance with an audio signal having one or more channels for one or more speakers. Such notifications or audio signals in an embodiment may comprise a haptic actuation indicator signal. Further, in some embodiments an application may provide the haptic actuation indicator signal to generate tactile movement haptic feedback.

The keyboard controller may determine at block804in an embodiment whether a user is currently typing. While the user is currently typing, the controller may prioritize haptic movement feedback (e.g., tactile feel of using a traditional keyboard) over haptic sound feedback (e.g., buzzing to indicate an alarm associated with a running application) for the piezoelectric elements situated beneath the keyboard in some embodiments. Movement of the piezoelectric elements within the keyboard that are not coordinated with the user's typing in such a scenario, as may occur when using one or more of those piezoelectric elements to provide haptic sound feedback or tactile movement feedback not associated with the user's typing, may cause disorientation or an undesirable haptic experience. Thus, the controller may determine whether the user is currently typing in an embodiment to avoid such disorientation or undesirable effects. The controller may make such a determination based on the time that has elapsed since the most recent receipt of a piezo actuation signal from a plurality of the piezoelectric elements situated beneath the keyboard in an embodiment as compared to a limited subset of piezoelectric elements associated with a limited number of keys such as may be used with a gaming application. For example, if more than a preset time period (e.g., 30 seconds, two minutes, five minutes, ten minutes, etc.) has passed since the controller has last received such a piezo actuation signal from multiple keys depending on the type of application executing on the information handling system, the controller may determine the user is not currently typing. Further, the condition for determining if a user is currently typing may depend on application usage data indicating the type of application executing on the information handling system. For example, of a word processing application or an email application is being used, this may indicate typing is likely or a prominent action via the haptic keyboard of embodiments of the present disclosure. By contrast, application usage data indicating applications such as browsing or gaming applications may indicate typing is not likely occurring or that any typing activity is less prominent or important for that application. This may lead to a determination that typing is not currently occurring at804. In some embodiments, this preset time period for multiple key actuation pauses may be set or customized by the user or by an application operating on the information handling system. If the controller determines the user is currently typing, the method may proceed to block806to cause the haptic sound feedback to occur at piezoelectric elements not situated beneath the keys of the keyboard. If the controller determines the user is not currently typing, the method may proceed to block808.

At block806, in an embodiment in which the keyboard controller has determined a user is currently typing, the keyboard controller may pass a haptic feedback control signal via a first metal trace to a piezoelectric element situated beneath the touchpad or palm rest of a C-cover to create haptic feedback to be heard and felt outside the keyboard. For example, in an embodiment described with reference toFIG.5, in which the controller detects the user currently typing, or detects an actuation of several keys or the touchpad has occurred within a preset period of time (e.g., within a pause period of the last five minutes), the controller may transmit a haptic feedback control signal to a piezoelectric element situated within region509, beneath the palm rest of the C-cover. One or more piezoelectric elements within region509may then produce the haptic sound feedback associated with receipt of the notification from the currently running application or other haptic actuation indicator signal. In another embodiment in which the keyboard controller has determined a user is currently typing, the keyboard controller may pass a haptic feedback control signal via a first metal trace to a piezoelectric element or elements situated beneath the keyboard but which are not currently being actuated by the typing activity to create haptic feedback to be heard or felt from within the keyboard. For example, in an embodiment described with reference toFIG.5, in which the controller detects the user currently typing and detects which keys are currently actuated during typing, the controller may transmit a haptic feedback control signal to one or more piezoelectric element situated within keyboard501, that are not at that time during typing activity being actuated. One or more piezoelectric elements within region501may then produce the haptic sound feedback associated with receipt of the notification from the currently running application or other haptic actuation indicator signal while the actuated haptic keys are providing tactile movement and potentially other sound haptic feedback. In such a way, the controller may use piezoelectric elements situated outside the keyboard to produce an audible notification, without altering the haptic movement feedback and haptic sound feedback from the piezoelectric elements situated beneath the multiple keys of the keyboard initiated in response to a received actuation signal. The method in such an embodiment may then end.

The keyboard controller may determine at block808in an embodiment in which the user is not currently typing whether the signal received at block802includes a multi-channel audio signal. For example, a speaker system of an information handling system may include an audio controller that controls the level of audio played in each speaker of the information handling system based on the placement of the speaker with respect to the user, and upon an embedded multi-channel audio signal within the streaming video or streaming audio indicating the directionality of the audio to be played. For example, the embedded audio signal may instruct a sound of an explosion shown on the right side of the screen to be played predominantly through speakers situated to the right side of the viewer. Such an audio signal may include multiple channels, with each channel mapped to one or more speakers of the information handling system. In embodiments described herein, one or more piezoelectric elements of the haptic keyboard may be mapped to one or more of these channels. If the haptic actuation indicator signal received at block802is an audio signal including a plurality of such channels, the method may proceed to block812to identify piezoelectric elements mapped to the channels of such an audio signal. If the haptic actuation indicator signal received at block802is not an audio signal including a plurality of such channels, and the user is not currently typing, the method may proceed to block810to cause a haptic sound feedback to occur at piezoelectric elements situated beneath the keys of the keyboard.

At block810, in an embodiment in which the signal received at block802does not include a multi-channel audio signal, the keyboard controller may pass a haptic feedback control signal via a plurality of metal traces to a group of piezoelectric elements of the keyboard to create a haptic feedback to be heard or felt within any group of keys of the keyboard. Such a haptic sound feedback may be made in response to receipt of a haptic actuation indicator signal such as an alarm or other notification associated with a running application, for example. As described herein, using the piezoelectric elements situated beneath the keyboard to play such an alarm or notification may be disorienting if the user is currently using the keyboard to type on keys utilizing the same piezoelectric elements. However, in an embodiment in which the user is not currently typing, piezoelectric elements situated beneath the keyboard, touchpad, or C-cover may be used to provide such haptic sound feedback. For example, in an embodiment described with reference toFIG.5, any one or a plurality of piezoelectric elements situated beneath the keyboard501, the touchpad502, or the C-cover505outside the keyboard501and touchpad502(e.g., under palm rest509) may be used. The method may then end in such an embodiment.

The keyboard controller in an embodiment in which the signal received at block802includes an audio signal with sound directionality instructions may identify a subset of piezoelectric elements situated beneath the keyboard, touchpad, or palm rest associated with one or more of the channels in the audio signal. For example, in a traditional 5.1 channel surround sound system, an audio signal may include five channels—a center channel, a front right channel, a front left channel, a rear right channel, and a rear left channel. The center channel may be mapped to a speaker situated in the center of the viewing area (e.g., twelve o'clock from the viewer's perspective), the right front channel at roughly two o'clock, the right rear channel at roughly four o'clock, and so forth in a clockwise manner. In embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more piezoelectric elements or groups of piezoelectric elements within the haptic keyboard may be mapped to one of these channels.

For example, in an embodiment described with reference toFIG.5, the piezoelectric elements situated within the region507in an embodiment may be mapped to the right rear channel of a 5.1 surround sound audio signal, while the piezoelectric elements situated within the region508may be mapped to the left rear channel. As another example, the piezoelectric elements situated within the region507in an embodiment may be mapped to the right front channel of a 5.1 surround sound audio signal, while the piezoelectric elements situated within the region508may be mapped to the left front channel. In still other examples, the piezoelectric elements situated within the region507in an embodiment may be mapped to a limited subset of the frequency range for sounds played within either the right front channel or the right rear channel.

At block814, the keyboard controller in an embodiment may pass a haptic feedback control signal via a plurality of metal traces to the group of piezoelectric elements of the keyboard identified at block812to create haptic feedback to be heard within a specific region of the keyboard, touchpad or palm rest, in accordance with the received sound directionality instructions. For example, in an embodiment described with reference toFIG.5, if a user is streaming video that supports such surround sound effects on the information handling system, the keyboard controller may instruct the piezoelectric elements situated within specific region correlating to that region's mapped channel according to the received audio signal. For example, if the embedded audio signal associates speakers situated to the right side of the viewer with a right channel in an embodiment, the keyboard controller may transmit a haptic feedback control signal to cause the group of piezoelectric elements within region507, to the right of the screen, to generate a haptic sound feedback in tandem with the sound played through the speakers on the right side of the information handling system. In such a way, the piezoelectric elements in embodiments of the present disclosure may generate haptic sound feedback to enhance user experience while typing, and to enhance user experience of other audible sounds traditionally generated through the speakers of the information handling system. The method may then end.