Patent Description:
Electronic devices such as personal or desktop computers which utilise electronic keyboards for providing an input into the electronic devices are widely known and are highly utilised in both home and work environments.

An electronic keyboard of this type provides an instruction and data input device used to operate the electronic device or other equipment.

In known related art, a typical keyboard includes a keyboard substrate, a plurality of keys, and a circuit board. In operation, a user presses the keys so that the circuit board can generate corresponding electrical signals, thereby completing corresponding processing by the corresponding electronic device. In these existing devices, a signal is only generated when a key is pressed, and the corresponding processing is completed on the corresponding electronic device, which reduces the user's experience and is inconvenient for the user's operation.

<CIT> describes an input device layer in which a pressure sensitive key assembly is arranged between a force concentrator layer and pads, and a support layer. The pressure sensitive key assembly is positioned across the support layer.

<CIT>, describes an electronic musical keyboard instrument and corresponding piano action device which includes a hammer arm arrangement which swings in response to the pressing of a key which works to push a switch unit to indicate the start of generation of musical sounds.

<CIT>, describes a keyboard comprising a housing and a plurality of keys arranged in a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic keyboard as claimed in claim <NUM>.

Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The detailed embodiments show the best mode known to the inventor and provide support for the invention as claimed. However, they are only exemplary and should not be used to interpret or limit the scope of the claims. Their purpose is to provide a teaching to those skilled in the art. Components and processes distinguished by ordinal phrases such as "first" and "second" do not necessarily define an order or ranking of any sort.

<FIG> shows a typical electronic device <NUM> comprising a keyboard <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

In the embodiment, electronic device <NUM> may be a desktop computer, a notebook computer, or any other suitable type of electronic device in which a keyboard may be utilised.

In an example practical application, electronic device <NUM> is a personal computer as shown, and, in an embodiment, game applications are configured to run on the personal computer. Consequently, a keyboard provided in accordance with the present invention allows a user to control the relative actions of a virtual character in such a game by operating keyboard <NUM> in accordance with the invention.

For example, if a user wishes to control a game character such that the character runs in the game at a high speed, the user can press a designated key, such as key <NUM>, with a relatively high applied pressure, or hard key press. Alternatively, when a user wishes to control a game character to move more slowly, the user can tap designated key <NUM> lightly at a reduced applied pressure.

<FIG> shows a cross sectional view of keyboard <NUM> in accordance with the present invention. Keyboard <NUM> comprises a plurality of keys <NUM> arranged to enable a user to provide an input into electronic device <NUM>, for example.

Keyboard <NUM> further comprises a cavity <NUM> which accommodates a circuit board, pressing layer and at least one pressure sensor in the manner which will be described further in <FIG>, which illustrates a portion of keyboard <NUM> falling within area <NUM>.

In this illustrated example, keyboard <NUM> comprises key <NUM>, circuit board <NUM>, pressing layer <NUM> and pressure sensor <NUM>.

In the embodiment, pressure sensor <NUM> is provided between a lower portion <NUM> of cavity <NUM> and circuit board <NUM>. Pressing layer <NUM> is moveably connected to key <NUM> and circuit board <NUM> is provided between pressing layer <NUM> and lower portion <NUM>.

In the embodiment, pressure sensor <NUM> is electrically connected to circuit board <NUM>, such that a force-receiving surface of pressure sensor <NUM> is aligned with a projection area <NUM> of key <NUM>.

In the embodiment, keyboard <NUM> further comprises a support plate <NUM> arranged between lower portion <NUM> and circuit board <NUM>.

As will be described further with respect to <FIG>, keyboard <NUM> further comprises a force concentrator <NUM> which is bonded to circuit board <NUM> and positioned between circuit board <NUM> and lower portion <NUM> of keyboard cavity <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, any of the described pressure sensors herein, such as pressure sensor <NUM>, may be substantially similar to pressure sensor <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. In the embodiment, pressure sensor <NUM> is a thin film pressure sensor.

In the embodiment, pressure sensor <NUM> comprises a first conductive layer <NUM>, a second conductive layer <NUM> and an intermediate layer <NUM>. Intermediate layer <NUM> is arranged between conductive layer <NUM> and conductive layer <NUM>. In use, when intermediate layer <NUM> is brought into contact with the two conductive layers <NUM> and <NUM>, intermediate layer <NUM>, conductive layer <NUM> and conductive layer <NUM> form an electrical connection and pathway through the layers. In the embodiment, the layers may be brought into contact with each other by means of an applied force, such as applied force <NUM>, onto a force-receiving surface <NUM> of pressure sensor <NUM>.

In addition, when a detected pressure is different across the layers, the contact area between the intermediate layer and the two conductive layer layers is also different, that is, the resistance generated is also different, so that different pressures will produce different resistances.

Thus, when a key such as key <NUM> of keyboard <NUM> is pressed and pressure is transmitted via pressing layer <NUM>, circuit board <NUM>, and force concentrator <NUM>, intermediate layer <NUM> of pressure sensor <NUM> is squeezed by the two conductive layers to form an electrical path thereby generating a corresponding resistance. Thus, detection of the applied pressure can be made.

In an embodiment, the number of keys <NUM> on keyboard <NUM> is greater than or equal to the number of pressure sensors <NUM> on keyboard <NUM>.

In the embodiment of the present invention, and referring to the example of <FIG>, one pressure sensor <NUM> is provided in the projection area <NUM> of each key <NUM> of the plurality of keys <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a schematic structural diagram of a longitudinal section of keyboard <NUM> provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

Keyboard <NUM> comprises a plurality of keys <NUM>, a housing <NUM>, a pressing layer <NUM>, a circuit board <NUM> and at least one pressure sensor <NUM>.

In the embodiment, housing <NUM> comprises a cavity <NUM> which is configured to accommodate circuit board <NUM>, pressing layer <NUM> and at least one pressure sensor <NUM>. Thus, in the embodiment, circuit board <NUM>, pressing layer <NUM> and the at least one pressure sensor <NUM> are all arranged in cavity <NUM>.

The at least one pressure sensor <NUM> is arranged between a lower portion <NUM> of cavity <NUM> and circuit board <NUM>. Each pressure sensor <NUM> is provided with a pressing layer <NUM> arranged on one side of circuit board <NUM>, and a plurality of keys <NUM> are movably arranged on pressing layer <NUM>.

In addition, each pressure sensor <NUM> is connected to circuit board <NUM>, and the force-receiving surface (<NUM>) of each pressure sensor <NUM> is aligned with a projection area <NUM> of a corresponding key <NUM>.

It is noted that lower portion <NUM> of housing <NUM> has a certain thickness and comprises at least one placement slot <NUM> which is provided in lower portion <NUM> facing circuit board <NUM>. The position of each placement slot <NUM> corresponds to the projection area of a corresponding key <NUM>. Each placement slot <NUM> is utilised for positioning each pressure sensor <NUM>. In the embodiment, the cross-sectional area of each placement slot <NUM> is slightly larger than that of its corresponding pressure sensor <NUM>. The depth of each placement slot <NUM> and the thickness of its corresponding pressure sensor <NUM> may be substantially similar.

In the embodiment of the present invention, when a user presses one of the plurality of keys <NUM>, the pressing layer <NUM> is pressed to contact circuit board <NUM>, and accordingly, circuit board <NUM> receives a signal in response to the user's applied press.

The magnitude of pressure generated by the user's pressing can also be transmitted to the pressure sensor in question through pressing layer <NUM> and circuit board <NUM>. In this way, each pressure sensor <NUM> can detect a pressure signal and transmit this pressure signal to circuit board <NUM>. Circuit board <NUM> can then transmit a contact signal to an electronic device, such as electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>. Thus, the electronic device is configured to receive an input signal and a pressure signal such that the electronic device can perform corresponding processing in accordance with the contact signal and pressure signal.

By positioning pressure sensor <NUM> between lower portion <NUM> of cavity <NUM> and circuit board <NUM>, pressure sensor <NUM> can be electrically connected to circuit board <NUM>, and the corresponding pressure signal can be generated according to the pressure applied by a user pressing a key. In this way, the corresponding processing can be completed on the corresponding electronic device thereby improving the user experience and facilitating user operations.

A schematic diagram of a longitudinal cross-sectional structure of a key <NUM> and pressing layer <NUM> provided by the embodiment of the present invention of <FIG> is shown in <FIG>. As shown, pressing layer <NUM> is provided with a plurality of grooves <NUM>. Each groove <NUM> is provided with a key <NUM>, which is moveable within its respective groove <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the number of grooves <NUM> and the number of keys <NUM> are substantially similar, and the area where the groove <NUM> is located overlaps and falls within the projection area of a corresponding key <NUM>.

In the embodiment, each key <NUM> includes a connecting portion <NUM>, and connecting portion <NUM> is disposed to the side of key <NUM> closest to pressing layer <NUM>. The cross-sectional area of each connecting portion <NUM> is slightly smaller than the cross-sectional area of its corresponding groove <NUM>. In an embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the connecting portion <NUM> and the cross-sectional area of its corresponding groove <NUM> is substantially similar.

Additionally, in the embodiment, the connection between each groove <NUM> and pressing layer <NUM> is a detachable connection. In a specific embodiment, the detachable connection is a snap connection.

In the embodiment, pressing layer <NUM> comprises an elastic material.

A schematic longitudinal cross-sectional structure diagram of a keyboard in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in <FIG>.

As shown, keyboard <NUM> comprises a support plate <NUM> arranged between the lower portion <NUM> of keyboard <NUM> and a circuit board <NUM>. Support plate <NUM> is provided with at least one placement slot on a first side which faces circuit board <NUM>. A pressure sensor is provided in each placement slot.

In the embodiment, support plate <NUM> has a thickness and the cross-sectional area of support plate <NUM>, circuit board <NUM> and pressing layer <NUM> are substantially similar. Additionally, the cross-sectional shape of support plate <NUM>, circuit board <NUM> and pressing layer <NUM> are also substantially similar.

A longitudinal section structural diagram of a support plate <NUM> and a circuit board <NUM> in accordance with the embodiment of <FIG> is shown in <FIG>.

As indicated in <FIG>, support plate <NUM> is provided with at least one placement slot <NUM> on a first side <NUM> of the support plate <NUM> which faces circuit board <NUM>. A pressure sensor <NUM> is provided in each placement slot <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of each placement slot <NUM> may be square, circular, or any other suitable geometric figure, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present invention.

In a specific implementation, support plate <NUM> is provided with three placement slots <NUM>. Correspondingly, a pressure sensor <NUM> is placed in each placement slot <NUM>. In an embodiment, the projection area of each key <NUM> of keyboard <NUM> aligns with a corresponding placement slot <NUM>. Thus, in this example embodiment, the projection area of a first key coincides with a first placement slot, the projection area of a second key coincides with a second placement slot, and the projection area of a third key coincides with a third placement slot.

Optionally, as shown in <FIG>, keyboard <NUM> further comprises at least one force concentrator <NUM>. In the embodiment, each placement slot <NUM> is provided with a force concentrator <NUM>, and each force concentrator <NUM> is located between each pressure sensor <NUM> and circuit board <NUM>. In an embodiment, force concentrator <NUM> is bonded to circuit board <NUM>.

In the embodiment of the present invention, when a user presses a key <NUM>, pressing layer <NUM> is brought into contact with circuit board <NUM>. The applied pressure acts on circuit board <NUM>, before transmitting through circuit board <NUM> and acting on force concentrator <NUM>. Force concentrator <NUM> transmits the applied pressure to pressure sensor <NUM> such that pressure sensor <NUM> is able to detect the applied pressure.

In an embodiment, the cross-sectional area of force concentrator <NUM> and the cross-sectional area of pressure sensor <NUM> are substantially similar. In an alternative embodiment, the cross-sectional area of force concentrator <NUM> is larger than the cross-sectional area of pressure sensor <NUM> and smaller than the cross-sectional area of placement slot <NUM>. It is appreciated that in further embodiments, any suitable variation in cross-sectional area or size may be utilised to suit the specific application.

Optionally, force concentrator <NUM> comprises a polyester resin material such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate). However, it is appreciated that force concentrator <NUM> may comprise any other alternative material which facilitates the concentration of pressure.

In an embodiment, the total thickness of each pressure sensor <NUM> and its corresponding force concentrator <NUM> together is substantially similar to the depth of placement slot <NUM>. It is noted that if the thickness of placement slot <NUM> is represented as a, the total thickness of pressure sensor <NUM> and force concentrator <NUM> together is represented as b, the difference between a and b can be determined as falling within a pre-set size range.

The present invention therefore provides an improvement over the prior art for the following reasons at least. Firstly, in the prior art of record, a signal generated from the keyboard is only generated when a key on the keyboard is actually pressed and is further only processed by the connected electronic device. The additional processing required in this case provides added inconvenience and a reduction in the user experience.

By positioning a pressure sensor between the bottom of the keyboard accommodating cavity and the circuit board, the pressure sensor is electrically connected to the circuit board, meaning the corresponding pressure signal can be generated according to a pressure applied by a user pressing the key in question. Thus, the corresponding processing can be completed on the corresponding electronic device.

Claim 1:
An electronic keyboard (<NUM>) comprising:
a plurality of keys (<NUM>, <NUM>); and
a housing (<NUM>) comprising a cavity (<NUM>);
said cavity accommodating a circuit board (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), a pressing layer (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and at least one pressure sensor (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) arranged in said cavity; wherein
said at least one pressure sensor is provided between a lower portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of said cavity and said circuit board;
said pressing layer is moveably connected to each one of said plurality of keys and said circuit board is provided between said pressing layer and said lower portion; and
said at least one pressure sensor is connected to said circuit board, and a force-receiving surface (<NUM>) of each said at least one pressure sensor aligns with a projection area (<NUM>) of the corresponding one of said plurality of keys; characterised in that:
said electronic keyboard further comprises a support plate (<NUM>, <NUM>) arranged between said lower portion of said cavity and said circuit board; and
said support plate comprises at least one placement slot (<NUM>, <NUM>) on a first side (<NUM>) facing said circuit board, each said at least one placement slot including one of said at least one pressure sensors arranged therein.