Input device outer layer and backlighting

Input device outer layer and backlighting techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an input device includes a light guide configured to transmit light, a sensor assembly having a plurality of sensors that are configured to detect proximity of an object as a corresponding one or more inputs, a connection portion configured to form a communicative coupling to a computing device to communicate the one or more inputs received by the sensor assembly to the computing device, and an outer layer disposed proximal to the light guide such that the light guide is positioned between the outer layer and the sensor assembly. The outer layer has one or more portions configured to permit transmission of light from the light guide to act as a backlight, the outer layer having a textured outer surface and a smooth inner surface that is disposed proximal to the light guide.

BACKGROUND

Mobile computing devices have been developed to increase the functionality that is made available to users in a mobile setting. For example, a user may interact with a mobile phone, tablet computer, or other mobile computing device to check email, surf the web, compose texts, interact with applications, and so on.

Because mobile computing devices are configured to be mobile, however, the settings in which the mobile computing device may be used may vary greatly. For example, an amount of light in an environment surrounding the mobile computing device may also vary from setting to setting. Accordingly, techniques were developed to aid a user in such situations.

One example of this is the use of a backlight such that a user may view indications of available inputs of a computing device, e.g., indications of keys of a keyboard. However, techniques that have been developed to improve a “look and feel” of the computing device may not be compatible with conventional backlight techniques, such as those involving use of a fabric that permits a pinhole effect to be viewed by a user caused by light passing through holes in the fabric.

SUMMARY

Input device outer layer and backlighting techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an input device includes a light guide configured to transmit light, a sensor assembly having a plurality of sensors that are configured to detect proximity of an object as a corresponding one or more inputs, a connection portion configured to form a communicative coupling to a computing device to communicate the one or more inputs received by the sensor assembly to the computing device, and an outer layer disposed proximal to the light guide such that the light guide is positioned between the outer layer and the sensor assembly. The outer layer has one or more portions configured to permit transmission of light from the light guide to act as a backlight, the outer layer having a textured outer surface and a smooth inner surface that is disposed proximal to the light guide.

In one or more implementations, an apparatus includes a light guide configured to transmit light and an outer layer formed as a fabric and disposed proximal to the light guide. The outer layer has one or more portions configured to permit transmission of light from the light guide. The outer layer includes a fabric layer having a textured outer surface and a fabric layer having a smooth surface disposed proximal to the light guide and configured to have a resistance to transmission of light from the light guide that is greater than the fabric layer having the textured outer surface.

In one or more implementations, a fabric layer is obtained that has a textured surface formed by disposing a material on a textured release paper and a fabric layer is obtained that has a smooth surface formed by disposing a material on a smooth release paper that is smoother than the textured release paper. The fabric layers are secured to each other such that the textured surface and the smooth surface are exposed. One or more portions are formed in the secured fabric layers to permit transmission of light and the secured fabric layers are disposed proximal to a light guide such that light from the light guide is configured to pass through the one or more portions in the secured fabric layers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview

Mobile computing devices may be utilized in a wide variety of different scenarios due to their mobile construction, e.g., configured to be held by one or more hands of a user. As previously described, however, conventional techniques that were utilized to improve interaction with these mobile computing devices could be limited when confronted with other techniques that may also be employed for improving user interaction. For example, conventional use of fabrics to improve tactile response could suffer from a pinhole effect when used with a backlight due to “peaks and valleys” and other spaces in the fabrics that could cause light to leak through the fabric.

Accordingly, input device outer layer and backlight techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an input device is configured for use with a mobile computing device (e.g., tablet, mobile phone, and so on), such as a keyboard integrated into a cover that is removably connected to the mobile computing device. The input device may include a light guide that is configured to provide backlighting to indications of functions on a surface of the input device. For example, the light guide may be configured as a universal light guide such that different indications (e.g., legends) may be indicated on the surface of the input device to support different languages, configurations, and so on without reconfiguration of the light guide.

Additionally, the input device may be configured to reduce and even eliminate the “bleeding” of light through an outer surface of the input device, which may help support use of the universal light guide. This may include configuration of an outer layer of the input device to resist unwanted leakage of light through the outer layer. For example, the outer layer may be configured from a fabric layer having a desired texture. Another fabric layer have a smooth surface may be bonded to the textured fabric layer to increase resistance to light transmission through the layers. Further, different shades may also be used for the layers to further increase this resistance to light transmission through unwanted areas of the outer layer. In this way, a pinhole effect may be reduced and even eliminated for use as part of the input device. Further discussion of these and other techniques may be found in relation to the following sections.

In the following discussion, an example environment is first described that may employ the techniques described herein. Examples of layers that are usable in the example environment (i.e., the input device) are then described which may be performed in the example environment as well as other environments. Consequently, use of the example layers is not limited to the example environment and the example environment is not limited to use of the example layers.

Example Environment

FIG. 1is an illustration of an environment100in an example implementation that is operable to employ the techniques described herein. The illustrated environment100includes an example of a computing device102that is physically and communicatively coupled to an input device104via a flexible hinge106. The computing device102may be configured in a variety of ways. For example, the computing device102may be configured for mobile use, such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer as illustrated, and so on that is configured to be held by one or more hands of a user. Thus, the computing device102may range from full resource devices with substantial memory and processor resources to a low-resource device with limited memory and/or processing resources. The computing device102may also relate to software that causes the computing device102to perform one or more operations.

The computing device102, for instance, is illustrated as including an input/output module108. The input/output module108is representative of functionality relating to processing of inputs and rendering outputs of the computing device102. A variety of different inputs may be processed by the input/output module108, such as inputs relating to functions that correspond to keys of the input device104, keys of a virtual keyboard displayed by the display device110to identify gestures and cause operations to be performed that correspond to the gestures that may be recognized through the input device104and/or touchscreen functionality of the display device110, and so forth. Thus, the input/output module108may support a variety of different input techniques by recognizing and leveraging a division between types of inputs including key presses, gestures, and so on.

In the illustrated example, the input device104is configured as having an input portion that includes a keyboard having a QWERTY arrangement of keys and track pad although other arrangements of keys are also contemplated. Further, other non-conventional configurations are also contemplated, such as a game controller, configuration to mimic a musical instrument, and so forth. Thus, the input device104and keys incorporated by the input device104may assume a variety of different configurations to support a variety of different functionality.

As previously described, the input device104is physically and communicatively coupled to the computing device102in this example through use of a flexible hinge106. The flexible hinge106is flexible in that rotational movement supported by the hinge is achieved through flexing (e.g., bending) of the material forming the hinge as opposed to mechanical rotation as supported by a pin, although that embodiment is also contemplated. Further, this flexible rotation may be configured to support movement in one or more directions (e.g., vertically in the figure) yet restrict movement in other directions, such as lateral movement of the input device104in relation to the computing device102. This may be used to support consistent alignment of the input device104in relation to the computing device102, such as to align sensors used to change power states, application states, and so on.

The flexible hinge106, for instance, may be formed using one or more layers of fabric and include conductors formed as flexible traces to communicatively couple the input device104to the computing device102and vice versa. This communication, for instance, may be used to communicate a result of a key press to the computing device102, receive power from the computing device, perform authentication, provide supplemental power to the computing device102, and so on.

The input device104is also illustrated as including a backlight mechanism112. The backlight mechanism112is representative of functionality that is configured to emit light from a surface of the input device104, such as to illuminate indications of inputs (e.g., letters of the keyboard as well as a border of the keys, track pad, and so on). In this way, the indications may be viewed in low light conditions. Further, an outer layer114of the input device104may be configured to resist unwanted transmission of light from the backlight mechanism112, such as to reduce a pinhole effect. The backlight mechanism112and the outer layer114may be implemented in a variety of ways, further discussion of which may be found beginning in relation to the discussion ofFIG. 4which follows further discussion of an example of the input device104as follows.

FIG. 2depicts an example implementation200of the input device104ofFIG. 1as showing the flexible hinge106in greater detail. In this example, a connection portion202of the input device is shown that is configured to provide a communicative and physical connection between the input device104and the computing device102. The connection portion202as illustrated has a height and cross section configured to be received in a channel in the housing of the computing device102, although this arrangement may also be reversed without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

The connection portion202is flexibly connected to a portion of the input device104that includes the keys through use of the flexible hinge106. Thus, when the connection portion202is physically connected to the computing device102the combination of the connection portion202and the flexible hinge106supports movement of the input device104in relation to the computing device102that is similar to a hinge of a book.

Through this rotational movement, a variety of different orientations of the input device104in relation to the computing device102may be supported. For example, rotational movement may be supported by the flexible hinge106such that the input device104may be placed against the display device110of the computing device102and thereby act as a cover. Thus, the input device104may act to protect the display device110of the computing device102from harm.

The connection portion202may be secured to the computing device in a variety of ways, an example of which is illustrated as including magnetic coupling devices204,206(e.g., flux fountains), mechanical coupling protrusions208,210, and a plurality of communication contacts212. The magnetic coupling devices204,206are configured to magnetically couple to complementary magnetic coupling devices of the computing device102through use of one or more magnets. In this way, the input device104may be physically secured to the computing device102through use of magnetic attraction.

The connection portion202also includes mechanical coupling protrusions208,210to form a mechanical physical connection between the input device104and the computing device102. The mechanical coupling protrusions208,210are shown in greater detail in relation toFIG. 3, which is discussed below.

FIG. 3depicts an example implementation300showing a perspective view of the connection portion202ofFIG. 2that includes the mechanical coupling protrusions208,210and the plurality of communication contacts212. As illustrated, the mechanical coupling protrusions208,210are configured to extend away from a surface of the connection portion202, which in this case is perpendicular although other angles are also contemplated.

The mechanical coupling protrusions208,210are configured to be received within complimentary cavities within the channel of the computing device102. When so received, the mechanical coupling protrusions208,210promote a mechanical binding between the devices when forces are applied that are not aligned with an axis that is defined as correspond to the height of the protrusions and the depth of the cavity.

The connection portion202is also illustrated as including a plurality of communication contacts212. The plurality of communication contacts212is configured to contact corresponding communication contacts of the computing device102to form a communicative coupling between the devices as shown. The connection portion202may be configured in a variety of other ways, including use of a rotational hinge, mechanical securing device, and so on. In the following, an example of a docking apparatus112is described and shown in a corresponding figure.

FIG. 4depicts an example implementation400showing a cross section of input device104ofFIG. 1. The outer layer402, which may correspond to the outer layer114ofFIG. 1, is configured to supply an outer surface of the input device104with which a user may touch and interact. The outer layer402may be formed in a variety of ways, such as from layers of fabric material (e.g., a backlight compatible polyurethane with a heat emboss for key formation) as further described beginning in relation toFIG. 6.

Beneath the outer layer is a smoothing layer404. The smoothing layer404may be configured to support a variety of different functionality. This may include use as a support to reduce wrinkling of the outer layer402, such as through formation as a thin plastic sheet, e.g., approximately 0.125 millimeters of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), to which the outer layer402is secured through use of an adhesive. The smoothing layer404may also be configured to including masking functionality to reduce and even eliminate unwanted light transmission, e.g., “bleeding” of light through the smoothing layer404and through a fabric outer layer402. The smoothing layer also provides a continuous surface under the outer layer, such that it hides any discontinuities or transitions between the inner layers.

A light guide406is also illustrated, which may be included as part of the backlight mechanism112ofFIG. 1to support backlighting of indications (e.g., legends) of inputs of the input device104. This may include illumination of keys of a keyboard, game controls, gesture indications, and so on. The light guide406may be formed in a variety of ways, such as from a 250 micron thick sheet of a plastic, e.g., a clear polycarbonate material with etched texturing. Additional discussion of the light guide406may be found beginning in relation toFIG. 5.

A sensor assembly408is also depicted. Thus, as illustrated the light guide406and the smoothing layer404are disposed between the outer layer402and the sensor assembly408. The sensor assembly408is configured detect proximity of an object to initiate an input. The detected input may then be communicated to the computing device102(e.g., via the connection portion202) to initiate one or more operations of the computing device102. The sensor assembly408may be configured in a variety of ways to detect proximity of inputs, such as a capacitive sensor array, a plurality of pressure sensitive sensors (e.g., membrane switches using a pressure sensitive ink arranged in an array to support key strokes and gestures), mechanical switches, a combination thereof, and so on.

A structure assembly410is also illustrated. The structure assembly410may be configured in a variety of ways, such as a trace board and backer that are configured to provide rigidity to the input device104, e.g., resistance to bending and flexing. A backing layer412is also illustrated as providing a rear surface to the input device104. The backing layer412, for instance, may be formed from a fabric similar to an outer layer402that omits one or more sub-layers of the outer layer402, e.g., a 0.38 millimeter thick fabric made of wet and dry layers of polyurethane. Although examples of layers have been described, it should be readily apparent that a variety of other implementations are also contemplated, including removal of one or more of the layers, addition of other layers (e.g., a dedicated force concentrator layer, mechanical switch layer), and so forth. Thus, the following discussion of examples of layers is not limited to incorporation of those layer in this example implementation400and vice versa.

FIG. 5depicts an example implementation500of the backlight mechanism ofFIG. 1as including a light guide406ofFIG. 4and a light source. As previously described, the light guide406may be configured in a variety of ways to support transmission of light that is to act as a backlight for the input device102. For example, the light guide406may be configured from a clear plastic or other material that supports transmission of light from a light source502, which may be implemented using one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). The light guide406is positioned to receive the emitted light from the light source502through a side of the light guide406and emit the light through one or more other sides and/or surface regions of the light guide406.

The light guide406, for instance, may be configured to output light at specific locations through use of etching, embossing, contact by another material having a different refractive index (e.g., an adhesive disposed on the plastic of the light guide406), and so on. In another example, the light guide406may be configured as a universal light guide such that a majority (and even entirety) of a surface of the light guide406may be configured output light, e.g., through etching of a majority of a surface504of the light guide406. Thus, instead of specially configuring the light guide406in this example, the same light guide may be used to output different indications of inputs, which may be used to support different languages, arrangements of inputs, and so on by the input device104.

As previously described, however, this could cause bleeding of light through adjacent surfaces to the light guide in conventional techniques, such as through an outer layer402of fabric to give a “galaxy” effect, pinholes, and so on. Accordingly, one or more of these adjacent layers may be configured to reduce and even prevent transmission of light in undesirable locations, an example of which that involves configuration of the outer layer402is described as follows and shown in a corresponding figure.

FIG. 6depicts an example implementation600of formation of fabric layers for inclusion as part of the outer layer402ofFIG. 4. The example implementation600is illustrated as including a plurality of stages602,604which may be performed in any order. At the first stage602, a fabric layer having a textured surface606is formed. This is performed by an extruding device610(e.g., a lamination device) that is configured to dispose a flexible material onto a textured release paper612.

The extruding device610, for example, may extrude a material such as polyurethane onto the textured release paper612to obtain a desired texture for an outer surface of an apparatus, such as the input device104ofFIG. 1. The textured relates paper612may be configured to support a variety of different textures, such as to mimic a feel of leather, a woven material, microfiber, and so on.

The textured release paper612is configured to supply a desired texture to these laminations. For example, the textured release paper612may be configured to mimic a desired texture, such as a fabric texture, woven texture, leather-like feel, and so on. In this way, the release paper502may provide a roughness to an outer surface of the outer layer402supporting a desired feel to an apparatus that incorporates the outer layer402, e.g., the input device104ofFIG. 1.

At the second stage604, a fabric layer having a smooth surface608is formed. This is also performed by an extruding device614(e.g., a lamination device) that is configured to dispose a flexible material onto a smooth release paper616in this example. Thus, the fabric layer having the smooth surface608may have a surface that is smoother than a surface of the fabric layer having the textured surface606. This may be utilized to support a variety of functionality.

For example, it has been found that a “pinhole” or “galaxy” effect is typically amplified for fabrics having a texture with deep peaks and valleys. Accordingly, the reverse is also true in that a fabric that does not have a texture with deep peaks and valleys may have a greater resistance to this effect, such as the fabric layer having a smooth surface608. Accordingly, these fabric layers may be combined to form the outer layer to support a desired texture yet permit use with a backlight mechanism112, an example of which is described in greater detail below and shown in a corresponding figure.

FIG. 7depicts an example implementation700of a system that is configured to secure the fabric layers ofFIG. 6to each other. In this example, a thermosetting device702is utilized to secure the fabric layer having the textured surface606to the fabric layer having the smooth surface608. Further, this is performed such that the textured704and smooth706surfaces are exposed once secured. In this way, the textured704surface may provide an outer surface of an apparatus (e.g., the input device104) and the smooth706surface may be disposed proximal to a light guide to reduce transmission of pinholes through the fabric layer having the texture surface606.

For instance, even if the fabric layer having the smooth surface608includes pinholes, a number of pinholes included is less than a number of pinholes in the fabric layer having the textured surface606. Additionally, a likelihood that pinholes in the fabric layer having the smooth surface608align with pinholes in the fabric layer having the textured surface606may be relatively small and thus further decrease an ability of light to pass through both layers. Although thermosetting was described, a wide variety of other techniques to secure the layers together are also contemplated without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, such as use of an adhesive, mechanical, and so on.

FIG. 8depicts an example implementation800in which the outer layer402ofFIG. 4is shown in greater detail. In this example, the outer layer402is disposed over a light guide406such that a smooth706surface faces the light guide406and the textured704surface is positioned as an outer surface of the device, e.g., the input device104ofFIG. 1.

The outer layer402includes the fabric layer having the textured surface606and the fabric layer having the smooth surface608as previously described. In this example, however, the fabric layers have different shades to support use of different colors for use on an outer surface of the device yet still resist light transmission from the light guide406through the layers.

The fabric layer having the textured surface606, for instance, may be disposed adjacent to the fabric layer having the smooth surface608that has a shade that is darker. Thus, in this example the layers get progressively darker to provide increasing amounts of resistance to light transmission the closer the layer is positioned to the light guide408ofFIG. 4. This may be used to support a variety of different functionality.

For instance, lighter colors may be configured to block less light and therefore use of these lighter colors by the input device104may cause additional light to “bleed” through these layers. However, in some instances it may be desirable to use a light color at the outer layer402, e.g., to create a red, yellow, orange, tan or other light colored input device. Additionally, if a significantly darker layer is disposed immediately beneath this fabric layer (e.g., to prevent light transmission by using a dark charcoal or black layer for the mask sub-layer608), that darker layer may also be viewable through the lighter-colored fabric.

Accordingly, the fabric layer having the smooth surface608may be utilized that is the same or similar (e.g., complimentary) in color to the color used by the fabric layer having the textured surface606but is a shade darker than that layer. In this way, the appearance of the fabric layers may be maintained and yet provide for reduced transmission of light emitted from the light guide408ofFIG. 4, such as to support use of a universal light guide as previously described.

A white dry sub-layer802and a white wet layer804are illustrated as disposed beneath the fabric layers. The white dry sub-layer802may be formed from a dry polyurethane that is bonded to a white wet layer804, formed from a wet bath of polyurethane. The white wet layer804may contain an embedded woven material that may be used to acts as a carrier and provide tensile and structural properties to the outer layer402and may be utilized to provide a plush, cushioned feel to the outer layer402.

An opening806may then be formed through the fabric layers having the textured and smooth surfaces606,608, respectively, through which light from the light guide406may pass. The light from the light guide406may also illuminate the white dry and wet sub-layer combination802,804, e.g., to provide a white backlighting in this example but other colors are also contemplated. The opening806may be formed in a variety of ways, such as through use of a laser808as illustrated, heat embossing, and so on. In this way, the resistance to light transmission supported by the fabric layers having the textured and smooth surface606,608of the outer layer402may support use of light guide406in a universal configuration such that different light guides are not utilized for different indications, e.g., different legends for different languages. Other layers may also be configured to support use of the universal light guide configuration, an example of which is described as follows and shown in a corresponding figure.

Example Procedures

FIG. 9depicts a procedure900in an example implementation in which a device is formed having an outer layer configured to support a backlight. A fabric layer is obtained that has a textured surface formed by disposing a material on a textured release paper (block902) and a fabric layer is obtained that has a smooth surface formed by disposing a material on a smooth release paper that is smoother than the textured release paper (block904). As shown inFIG. 6, for instance, different release papers may be used such that one release paper is smoother than the other.

The fabric layers are secured to each other such that the textured surface and the smooth surface are exposed (block906). As shown and discussed in relation toFIG. 7, a variety of different techniques may be utilized, such as thermosetting, adhesives, mechanical binding, and so on.

One or more portions are formed in the secured fabric layers to permit transmission of light (block908). The portions, for instance, may be used to indicate corresponding inputs, such as keys in a keyboard as shown inFIG. 1, branding of a device, logos, and so forth.

The secured fabric layers are disposed proximal to a light guide such that light from the light guide is configured to pass through the one or more portions in the secured fabric layers (block910). This configuration may be performed in a variety of ways, such as through use of openings806as shown inFIG. 8, use of a transparent or translucent material that is configured to also act as a light guide, and so forth.

A device is formed, for use in conjunction with a computing device, which includes the disposed secured fabric layers and light guide (block912). The device, for instance, may be configured as an input device104as shown inFIG. 1. A variety of other configurations are also contemplated, such as a cover for a device, clothing or other textile articles having backlit portions that are controllable by a computing device (e.g., an integrated controller), and so forth.

Example System and Device

FIG. 10illustrates an example system generally at1000that includes an example computing device1002that is representative of one or more computing systems and/or devices that may implement the various techniques described herein. The computing device1002may be, for example, be configured to assume a mobile configuration through use of a housing formed and size to be grasped and carried by one or more hands of a user, illustrated examples of which include a mobile phone, mobile game and music device, and tablet computer although other examples are also contemplated. The input device1014may also be configured to incorporate a backlight mechanism110and outer layer114as previously described. The outer layer114may also be incorporated as part of the computing device1002itself of any other peripheral device, cover, article of clothing, and so forth.

The computing device1002is further illustrated as being communicatively and physically coupled to an input device1014that is physically and communicatively removable from the computing device1002. In this way, a variety of different input devices may be coupled to the computing device1002having a wide variety of configurations to support a wide variety of functionality. In this example, the input device1014includes one or more keys1016, which may be configured as pressure sensitive keys, mechanically switched keys, and so forth.

The input device1014is further illustrated as include one or more modules1018that may be configured to support a variety of functionality. The one or more modules1018, for instance, may be configured to process analog and/or digital signals received from the keys1016to determine whether a keystroke was intended, determine whether an input is indicative of resting pressure, support authentication of the input device1014for operation with the computing device1002, and so on.

Combinations of the foregoing may also be employed to implement various techniques described herein. Accordingly, software, hardware, or executable modules may be implemented as one or more instructions and/or logic embodied on some form of computer-readable storage media and/or by one or more hardware elements1010. The computing device1002may be configured to implement particular instructions and/or functions corresponding to the software and/or hardware modules. Accordingly, implementation of a module that is executable by the computing device1002as software may be achieved at least partially in hardware, e.g., through use of computer-readable storage media and/or hardware elements1010of the processing system1004. The instructions and/or functions may be executable/operable by one or more articles of manufacture (for example, one or more computing devices1002and/or processing systems1004) to implement techniques, modules, and examples described herein.

CONCLUSION

Although the example implementations have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the implementations defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claimed features.