PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11953952-B2
Application Number: US-202217814454-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Parallel motion trackpad

Abstract:
An input device includes a touch plate having a central axis and a top surface with three outer points evenly spaced away from the central axis. A touch sensor is used to detect a user touch on the top surface at the first outer point, and a support mechanism supports the touch plate and is configured to translate the touch plate at the second and third outer points upon application of the user touch and translation of the touch plate at the first outer point. Translation of the three outer points is substantially equal along the central axis.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An input device, comprising:
 a base enclosure; 
 a plate; and 
 a support mechanism including:
 a flexible sheet layer including a set of base attachments rotatably linking the flexible sheet layer to the base enclosure, a set of plate attachments linking the flexible sheet layer to the plate, and a set of rotatable connections, wherein the set of rotatable connections is positioned between a first base attachment and a second base attachment of the set of base attachments and between a first plate attachment and a second plate attachment of the set of plate attachments; and 
 a reinforcement layer stiffening the flexible sheet layer and attached to the flexible sheet layer between the first base attachment and the first plate attachment. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The input device of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible sheet layer comprises a central joint positioned between the first base attachment and the second base attachment and between the first plate attachment and the second plate attachment. 
     
     
       3. The input device of  claim 2 , further comprising a reinforcement structure stiffening the central joint. 
     
     
       4. The input device of  claim 1 , further comprising a reinforcement structure stiffening the set of base attachments of the flexible sheet layer. 
     
     
       5. The input device of  claim 1 , wherein, in response to vertical displacement of a first end of the flexible sheet layer, the support mechanism vertically displaces a second end of the flexible sheet layer, the second end being positioned on the flexible sheet layer opposite the first end. 
     
     
       6. The input device of  claim 5 , wherein the reinforcement layer comprises a frame portion attached to the frame of the flexible sheet layer. 
     
     
       7. The input device of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible sheet layer includes a frame attached to the plate and an opening through the flexible sheet layer, the frame extending around the opening. 
     
     
       8. The input device of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible sheet layer defines a first wing and a second wing, and wherein the reinforcement layer includes a first portion stiffening the first wing and a second portion stiffening the second wing. 
     
     
       9. The input device of  claim 1 , further comprising a capacitive touch sensor attached to the plate. 
     
     
       10. The input device of  claim 1 , further comprising a switch positioned between the base enclosure and the plate. 
     
     
       11. The input device of  claim 1 , wherein the set of base attachments are positioned laterally internal to the set of plate attachments of the flexible sheet layer. 
     
     
       12. The input device of  claim 1 , wherein the set of rotatable connections bias the plate away from the base enclosure. 
     
     
       13. An electronic input device, comprising:
 a housing; 
 a cover; 
 a pivotable mechanism positioned between the cover and the housing, the pivotable mechanism including: 
 a first wing including a first outer rotatable connection to the cover, a first inner rotatable connection to the housing, and a first stiffened portion between the first outer rotatable connection and the first inner rotatable connection; and 
 a second wing including a second outer rotatable connection to the cover, a second inner rotatable connection to the housing, and a second stiffened portion between the second outer rotatable connection and the second inner rotatable connection. 
 
     
     
       14. The electronic input device of  claim 13 , further comprising a touch sensor attached to the cover, and a switch actuatable in response to displacement of the cover relative to the housing. 
     
     
       15. The electronic input device of  claim 13 , wherein the first wing is attached to the second wing at a central joint portion of the pivotable mechanism. 
     
     
       16. The electronic input device of  claim 13 , wherein the pivotable mechanism includes a frame surrounding and attached to the first wing and the second wing. 
     
     
       17. The electronic input device of  claim 13 , wherein the first wing is thicker at the first stiffened portion relative to the first outer rotatable connection. 
     
     
       18. An input device, comprising:
 a cover; 
 a flexible layer including:
 a first end rotatably attached to the cover; 
 a second end rotatably attached to the cover; 
 a rotatable joint positioned between the first end and the second end; 
 a first reinforced portion between the first end and the rotatable joint; and 
 a second reinforced portion between the second end and the rotatable joint; and 
 
 a switch biasing the rotatable joint away from the cover. 
 
     
     
       19. The input device of  claim 18 , wherein the first reinforced portion includes a flexible material is reinforced by a rigid material attached to the flexible material. 
     
     
       20. The input device of  claim 18 , wherein the flexible layer further comprises:
 a first attachment point positioned between the first end and the rotatable joint; and 
 a second attachment point positioned between the second end and the rotatable joint.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCED TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/797,971, filed Feb. 21, 2020, and titled “Parallel Motion Trackpad,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The described embodiments relate generally to input devices for computers. More particularly, the present embodiments relate to trackpad input device support and motion control. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There exist today many styles of input devices for performing input operations in electronic devices. The operations generally correspond to moving a cursor and making selections on a display screen. By way of example, such input devices may include buttons, switches, keyboards, mice, trackballs, touch pads, joysticks, touch screens, and the like. Each of these devices has advantages and disadvantages that are taken into account when designing the consumer electronic device. In handheld computing devices, the input devices are generally selected from buttons and switches. Buttons and switches are generally mechanical in nature and provide limited control with regards to the movement of a cursor (or other selector) and making selections. For example, they are generally dedicated to moving the cursor in a specific direction (e.g., arrow keys) or to making specific selections (e.g., enter, delete, number, etc.). 
     In portable computing devices such as laptop computers, the input devices are commonly trackpads (also known as touch pads). With a trackpad, the movement of an input pointer (i.e., cursor) corresponds to the relative movements of the user&#39;s finger (or stylus or other compatible object) as the finger is moved along a surface of the trackpad. Trackpads can also make a selection on the display screen when one or more taps are detected on the surface of the track pad. In some cases, any portion of the trackpad may be tapped, and in other cases a dedicated portion of the trackpad may be tapped. In stationary devices such as desktop computers, the input devices are generally selected from mice, trackballs, or peripheral trackpads. Trackpads can also receive touch gestures in which a user slides multiple fingers across the trackpad to initiate different functions such as scrolling or zooming. Makers and users of these devices are in constant need for improvements and enhancements that improve the overall user experience. 
     SUMMARY 
     An aspect of the disclosure relates to a trackpad device comprising a touch plate having a central axis and a top surface, with the central axis being perpendicular to the top surface and with the top surface having a first outer point, a second outer point, and a third outer point each evenly spaced away from the central axis on the top surface. The trackpad device can also include a touch sensor to detect a user touch on the top surface at the first outer point and a support mechanism supporting the touch plate. The support mechanism can be configured to translate the touch plate at the second and third outer points upon application of the user touch and translation of the touch plate at the first outer point, wherein translation of the first, second, and third outer points can be substantially equal along the central axis. 
     In some embodiments, the trackpad device can further comprise a switch to transduce movement of the touch plate along the central axis. The first, second, and third outer points can be positioned in corners of the top surface of the touch plate. A first downward force required to translate the touch plate at the first outer point can be substantially equal to a second downward force required to translate the touch plate at the second outer point and equal to a third downward force required to translate the touch plate at the third outer point. 
     In some embodiments, the trackpad device can further comprise a base, wherein the support mechanism can comprise at least two arm portions each being pivotally connected to the touch plate, pivotally connected to the base, and connected to each other at a central pivot. In some embodiments, the at least two arm portions can be each pivotally connected to the touch plate at a radially outer end of the respective arm portion and the at least two arm portions can be each pivotally connected to the base between the radially outer ends and the central pivot. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a computer input device comprising a substrate, a trackpad mechanism, and a touch sensor to sense a position of a user touch on the trackpad plate. The trackpad mechanism can be coupled to the substrate and can comprise a trackpad plate and a hinge mechanism movably supporting the trackpad plate above the substrate and comprising at least two arm portions, with each of the at least two arm portions including: a first rotatable connection to the substrate, a second rotatable connection to the trackpad plate, and a third rotatable connection to another arm portion of the at least two arm portions. The first rotatable connection can be positioned between the second and third rotatable connections, the second rotatable connection can be positioned at an outer portion of the trackpad plate, and the third rotatable connection can be positioned at a central portion of the trackpad plate. 
     In some embodiments, at least one of the first, second, and third rotatable connections comprises a living hinge or a pivot hinge. The second rotatable connection can define a first axis of rotation of the hinge mechanism relative to the trackpad plate, and each of the at least two arm portions can include a fourth rotatable connection to the substrate, wherein the first and fourth rotatable connections can be aligned along a second axis of rotation that is parallel to the first axis of rotation. In some embodiments, the hinge mechanism can comprise at least two layers of material attached to each other. The outer portion of the trackpad plate can be a corner of the trackpad plate. 
     In some embodiments, the computer input device can further comprise a deflectable switch configured to be actuated upon translation of the trackpad plate relative to the substrate. The trackpad plate can comprise a rigid frame attached to the trackpad plate and the second rotatable connection of each of the at least two arm portions can be a connection to the rigid frame. 
     Yet another aspect of the disclosure relates to an input device comprising an enclosure having an outer edge, a keyboard in the enclosure, and a trackpad in the enclosure between the keyboard and the outer edge, with the trackpad including a touch surface having a keyboard-side portion adjacent to the keyboard an outer-side portion adjacent to the outer edge, a touch sensor to detect an object at the touch surface, and a hinge mechanism. Application of a downward force at the keyboard-side portion or the outer-side portion of the touch surface can induce vertical displacement of the keyboard-side portion of the touch surface equal to vertical displacement of the outer-side portion of the touch surface via the hinge mechanism. 
     In some configurations, the keyboard-side portion can be oriented parallel to the outer-side portion of the touch surface. The hinge mechanism can comprise a pair of centrally-joined wings. The hinge mechanism can comprise a set of parallel pivot portions connecting the hinge mechanism to the enclosure. In some embodiments, the vertical displacement of the touch surface can induce a force feedback having a click ratio. A switch can be positioned between the hinge mechanism and the touch sensor. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: 
         FIG.  1    shows a perspective view of a computing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    shows an exploded view of the input device and enclosure portion of the computing system of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    shows a top view of a support mechanism. 
         FIG.  4    shows a diagram of parts of the support mechanism of  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  5    shows a diagrammatic side view of an input device in an enclosure in a raised position. 
         FIG.  6    shows a diagrammatic side view of the input device of  FIG.  5    in a lowered position. 
         FIG.  7    shows a diagrammatic top view of a cover and enclosure portion of a computing system. 
         FIG.  8    shows a diagrammatic bottom view of a support mechanism and cover. 
         FIG.  9    shows a diagrammatic bottom view of another embodiment of a support mechanism and cover. 
         FIG.  10    shows a diagrammatic bottom view of another embodiment of a support mechanism and cover. 
         FIG.  11    shows a diagrammatic side view of an input device in an enclosure. 
         FIG.  12    shows a diagrammatic side view of another embodiment of an input device in an enclosure. 
         FIG.  13    shows a diagrammatic top view of an input device assembly and an enclosure portion. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims. 
     The following disclosure relates to trackpads and related touch-based input devices for computers such as laptops, notebooks, tablets, and related devices and accessories. Although some trackpads implement capacitive touch sensors and force sensors, they may not be as intuitive and comfortable to use if they do not provide feedback to the user when a touch or downward force is applied by the user. Accordingly, conventional trackpads have been accompanied by a clickable, tactile button or an electronic haptic feedback system configured to vibrate the user&#39;s finger in response to pressing the tracking surface itself. Generally, the diminishing size of electronic devices, and especially portable electronic devices, makes the addition of a button undesirable due to lack of available surface area on a housing. Also, the area in which a button is implemented can often be more beneficially used as additional area for receiving touch and gesture input. In devices with an electronic haptic feedback system, the cost of the system, the size of its components, and its requirement for electrical power all make that source of feedback less desirable for some applications. 
     Some conventional trackpad devices have used a movable trackpad, wherein the trackpad itself is rotatable upon application of the user&#39;s downward force. This type of trackpad can be referred to as a “diving board” or similar configuration since it is pivotally connected along one edge of its rectangular shape to a hinge. The “diving board” trackpad can have a low threshold click force (i.e., the force required to trigger a click input) at one end of the trackpad, but it can have a very high threshold click force at the other end thereof. Accordingly, a user may find it much easier to click far from the hinge-supporting edge of the trackpad, but the user may find it difficult to click nearby the hinge-supporting edge. This detracts from the user experience and makes portions of the trackpad less effective and comfortable to use than other portions. 
     Aspects of the present disclosure relate to trackpads that are low-cost, have low power requirements, and are effective and comfortable to use at all points on the touch surface. The trackpad can comprise a touch plate or cover that the user touches, a touch sensor configured to detect the position of a touch on the plate or cover, and a support mechanism supporting the cover so that it translates along a vertical axis with substantially no rotation of the top surface, even when the user provides a downward force to “click into” the surface of the trackpad at multiple different ends of the trackpad. This feature can manifest in various embodiments. 
     For example, the support mechanism can be configured to equally vertically translate the cover at at least three different evenly-spaced-apart points on the top surface when a downward force is applied to one of the three points. Thus, the trackpad can require a single magnitude of downward force to translate the cover at at least three points that are equally spaced from the center of the trackpad. The at least three points can be positioned on a substantially circular or elliptical line centered at or near the middle of the trackpad. A series of other concentric and substantially circular or elliptical lines can be positioned radially within or outward from that line, wherein along each line, there are a continuous set of input points at which the cover evenly deflects when a downward force is applied to one of the input points. In some embodiments, this movement of the trackpad cover can be referred to as “parallel motion” since the top surface of the cover remains substantially parallel to a support surface below the trackpad or a surface surrounding the borders of the trackpad while the cover moves, unlike a “diving board”-type trackpad that rotates or pivots about one outer edge when its top surface moves and therefore tilts and loses its parallel orientation relative to the support surface. 
     In some embodiments, the parallel motion of the cover is defined by opposite side portions of the touch surface moving with equal vertical displacement when a downward force is applied to one of the opposite sides. For example, in a trackpad positioned adjacent to a keyboard in a laptop computer, the trackpad can have a keyboard-side portion and an outer-side portion positioned opposite the keyboard-side portion. The trackpad can be configured to vertically move with equal displacement at the keyboard-side portion and the outer-side portion whether the user pressed on the keyboard-side portion or on the outer-side portion thereof. 
     The support mechanism can comprise a pivotable mechanism that stabilizes the movement of the cover by transferring a downward force on one side of the central axis of the cover to also pull down the cover on an opposite side of the central axis. To implement this function, the support mechanism can comprise a pair of rotatable wings or arms that are rotatably joined to each other at one end in the middle of the trackpad and that are rotatably joined to the cover (or a touch sensor assembly that is joined to the cover) at their opposite ends near the edges or corners of the trackpad. The wings or arms can be rotatably attached to a chassis, substrate, or other base support (e.g., a housing of the input device) between their ends. Thus, when a downward force is applied to one side of the cover, can cause one wing or arm to rotate downward at an outer end thereof and to rotate upward at an inner/central end thereof. The other wing or arm then rotates upward at the inner/central end since it is joined to the first wing or arm, and the rotation of the inner/central end causes the outer end of the second wing or arm to rotate downward, thereby pulling the cover down on the opposite side of the trackpad relative to where the input force is applied. 
     In some cases, a switch can be positioned between the cover and a support surface to which the support mechanism is attached, and the switch can provide a predetermined amount of force feedback to the user as the cover is moved by the downward force. For example, the switch can comprise a collapsible or compressible dome configured to transition between two stable conditions when depressed in order to provide a tactile force-feedback profile to the user through the cover. In some embodiments, the switch can be actuated by the support mechanism, such as by being compressed between the support mechanism and the cover of the trackpad. In some cases, the switch can be actuated by being compressed between the cover and the chassis or housing of the input device. 
     These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to  FIGS.  1  through  13   . However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a perspective view of a computing system  100  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The computing system  100  can include an input device  102  positioned in a lower enclosure  104  that also includes a keyboard  106 . The computing system  100  can also include a display  108  in an upper enclosure  110 . The system  100  can be a notebook or laptop computer, wherein the display  108  and upper enclosure  110  are pivotally connected to the lower enclosure  104  and one of the enclosures  104 ,  110  includes a computer processor, memory, electronic storage device, and other related computer components (not shown). In some embodiments, the system  100  can comprise a tablet computer, wherein the upper enclosure  110  can be a tablet device in which the processor, memory, storage, and other related computer components are positioned, and the lower enclosure  104  can be an extension of the upper enclosure  110  or a cover, case, or accessory that is reversibly attachable/detachable from the upper enclosure  110 . In some cases, the system  100  can omit the display  108  and upper enclosure  110 . In some cases, the input device  102  can be positioned in its own enclosure (i.e., the input device  102  can be its own “peripheral” device connected remotely to a computing device), and the keyboard  106  can be omitted or used in its own, separate enclosure. 
     The input device  102  can be a touch sensitive pointing and gesture device such as a trackpad or touch pad.  FIG.  2    shows an exploded view of the input device  102  and a portion of the lower enclosure  104 . The input device  102  can comprise a cover or top plate  200 , a touch sensor  202 , a switch  204 , and a support mechanism  206  in a layered assembly that is positioned in an opening  208  in the lower enclosure  104 . The cover  200  can be positioned above (i.e., vertically external to) the touch sensor  202 , the switch  204  can be positioned between the touch sensor  202  and the support mechanism  206 , and the support mechanism  206  can be attached to the cover  200  or touch sensor  202  at an outer edge (e.g., around frame  210 ) and to a base surface  212  of the lower enclosure  104  at a set of attachment points  214  on the support mechanism  206 . 
     The cover  200  can comprise a substantially planar piece of rigid material. The top surface  216  of the cover  200  can be configured to come into contact with and touch one or more user objects (e.g., a finger, stylus, or similar pointing object) as the input device  102  is operated. Thus, in various cases a user can provide input against the top surface  216  by tapping, sliding, rubbing, pressing downward against, or otherwise applying a force to the top surface  216  using one or more user objects/pointing objects. The cover  200  can comprise a rigid material such as ceramic, glass, metal, a rigid polymer, a composite material (e.g., a fiber-reinforced composite), related materials, or combinations thereof. Thus, the cover  200  can have sufficient stiffness to be resistant to flexing, curving, or bending when a downward force is applied to the top surface  216 . The top surface  216  can be flat and smooth or provided with a relatively rough texture in order for the cover  200  to have a desired aesthetic appearance (e.g., to make it appear similar to the surrounding lower enclosure  104 ) or to manage the amount of surface friction produced when the user object comes into contact (e.g., tap, holding, or sliding contact) with the top surface  216 . The cover  200  can have a substantially rectangular shape, such as, for example, the shape of a rectangle with four outer edges  218 ,  220 ,  222 ,  224 . Each outer edge (e.g.,  218 ) can be oriented substantially perpendicular to its two adjoining edges (e.g.,  220 ,  224  corresponding to edge  218 ). In some embodiments, the corners of the cover  200  can be rounded or otherwise truncated where the outer edges  218 ,  220 ,  222 ,  224  meet. The shape of the cover  200  can alternatively be round, triangular, hexagonal, or another similar basic shape for receiving touch input. 
     The touch sensor  202  can be positioned under the cover  200 . In some embodiments, the touch sensor  202  is part of the cover  200 . Thus, a touch plate or cover can comprise the cover  200  and touch sensor  202  of  FIG.  2   . The touch sensor  202  can comprise a substrate (e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB)) or a similar electronic component connected to a touch sensor matrix or array for detecting a user touch on the top surface  216 . For example, the touch sensor  202  can comprise a capacitive touch sensor configured to sense a change in capacitance at the top surface  216  in response to the presence or contact of a user object with the top surface  216 . In some embodiments, the touch sensor  202  can comprise a resistive touch sensor or similar device configured to detect a touch based on a change in resistance in the touch sensor  202  caused by application of a force to the top surface  216 . The touch sensor  202  can therefore be used to detect a touch, tap, sliding movement, or other type of user input against the top surface  216  and can further detect a position of the user input in two dimensions (e.g., a left/right position relative to the width of the cover  200  and a front/back position relative to the length of the cover  200 ). 
     The touch sensor  202  can be mounted to a bottom surface of the cover  200  and can therefore move with the cover  200  as the cover  200  translates relative to the lower enclosure  104 . This can beneficially ensure that the distance between the top surface  216  and the touch sensor  202  remains consistent as the cover  200  moves. In some embodiments, the touch sensor  202  can comprise a touch sensor array that moves with the cover  200  and that array is connected to a sensor controller (e.g., a PCB) that is positioned remote from the cover  200  and not movable with the cover  200  (e.g., in the lower or upper enclosures  104 ,  110 ). The touch sensor  202  can extend across substantially the entire underside of the cover  200 , and in some cases, the touch sensor  202  can cover only a portion of the underside of the cover  200 . Thus, the support mechanism  206  can be mounted to the bottom of the cover  200  or to the touch sensor  202 , depending on the size of the touch sensor  202  and its positioning on the cover  200 . 
     The switch  204  can comprise a deflectable member configured to change shape as the cover  200  moves relative to the base surface  212 . In some configurations, the switch  204  is a collapsible or compressible structure, wherein the switch  204  collapses or compresses upon application of a force to the switch  204  by the support mechanism  206 , base surface  212 , cover  200 , or touch sensor  202 . For example, the switch  204  can comprise a bistable flexible dome configured to collapse and buckle from a first stable shape to a second stable shape upon compression. The switch  204  can therefore provide resistance to compression (i.e., force feedback) to the user that follows a curved, tactile force versus displacement profile. In some embodiments, the switch  204  can have a force versus displacement profile wherein the force increases in a manner directly related to an increase in compression of the switch  204  until an initial peak in force is reached, at which time the force decreases as the compression of the switch increases. At the inflection point, the switch  204  can begin to transition from its first stable configuration to its second stable configuration. Afterward, the force versus displacement profile can reach a local minimum that then transitions to increasing again toward infinity as the switch  204  continues to be compressed. The switch  204  can be referred to as having tactility or a “tactile event” in the force versus displacement profile due to the drop in force between the peak inflection point and the local minimum force. This feedback can be discerned by the user as a “drop” or “click” in the cover  200  as the switch  204  buckles during compression. In some cases, the switch  204  can provide non-tactile or linear resistance, wherein no “click” or “tactile event” is present in its force versus displacement profile. 
     In some embodiments, the switch  204  can comprise a flexible, resilient, and durable material such as a rubber or flexible metal. The switch  204  can also comprise a conductive material, wherein collapsing the switch  204  closes a circuit or otherwise generates an electrical signal indicating that the switch  204  has been actuated. The switch  204  can therefore provide tactility, an electrical signal indicating that the cover  200  has moved or been actuated, or both tactility and the electrical actuation/cover-moving signal. The switch  204  can comprise an elastically compressible material, wherein the switch  204  can bias the cover  200  and touch sensor  202  upward (i.e., away from the base surface  212 ) when the switch  204  has been compressed. In some embodiments, the support mechanism  206  can comprise flexures having an inherent upward bias configured to urge the cover  200  and touch sensor  202  upward. The switch  204  can be centrally located on the bottom of the touch sensor  202 , as indicated by position  203  in  FIG.  2   . 
     The lower enclosure  104  can comprise a body for supporting the input device  102 . To this end, the lower enclosure  104  can comprise a rigid construction such as surfaces comprising rigid metals, polymers, composite materials, ceramic materials, other similar materials or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the lower enclosure  104  can include a substrate or electronic component to support the input device  102 . The rigid construction can help ensure that the attachment points  214  of the support mechanism  206  remain stationary as the cover  200  moves. The opening  208  in the lower enclosure  104  can contain the input device  102  and can be slightly larger than the cover  200  to allow the cover  200  to move relative to the top of the opening  208 . See  FIGS.  5  and  6   . The depth of the opening  208  can correspond to the combined thickness of the cover  200 , touch sensor  202 , switch  204 , and support mechanism  206 . In some embodiments, an outer layer can overlay the opening  208  and the cover  200  in a manner concealing the presence of the opening  208  in the lower enclosure  104 . In some embodiments, the outer layer can bridge gaps between the cover  200  and the lower enclosure  104  to prevent ingress of particles or fluids between the edges of the cover  200  and the opening  208  or to provide a different aesthetic appearance. 
     The support mechanism  206  can be a linkage for synchronizing and parallelizing the movement of opposite sides of the cover  200  and touch sensor  202  as they translate relative to the base surface  212 . The support mechanism  206  can also be used to apply a force to the switch  204 , increase the rigidity of the cover  200  or touch sensor  202 , and anchor the input device  102  to the lower enclosure  104 .  FIG.  3    shows a top view of the support mechanism  206  isolated from the rest of the input device  102 . The support mechanism  206  can comprise a frame  210  extending around the perimeter of the support mechanism  206  and surrounding a pair of wings  300 ,  302  that are joined to the frame  210  at a pair of outer rotatable connections  304 ,  306 . In some embodiments, the frame  210  is part of the cover  200  or touch sensor  202  instead of the support mechanism  206 . The pair of wings  300 ,  302  are joined to each other at a central joint  308  by two inner rotatable connections  310 ,  312 . The wings  300 ,  302  are also joined to the attachment points  214  by a set of middle rotatable connections  314 ,  316  that are positioned between the outer and inner rotatable connections  304 ,  306 ,  310 ,  312  of each respective wing  300 ,  302 . Each wing  300 ,  302  can be respectively connected to two middle rotatable connections  314 ,  316 . A pair of the middle rotatable connections  314  can be aligned with each other along an axis that is parallel to an axis of rotation defined by the outer rotatable connections  304 . 
     The rotatable connections  304 ,  306 ,  310 ,  312 ,  314 ,  316  can each comprise a flexible, bendable, or pivotable hinge joint configured to flex, bend, or pivot in response to forces applied to the top surface  216  of the cover  200  and reactive forces applied to each of the wings  300 ,  302  by the attachment points  214 , switch  204 , central joint  308 , and the other wing, as explained in further detail in connection with  FIGS.  5  and  6    elsewhere herein. In order to enable rotation, flexing, bending, and pivoting at the rotatable connections  304 ,  306 ,  310 ,  312 ,  314 ,  316 , the support mechanism  206  can comprise a joint element at each rotatable connection. 
     In some embodiments, a rotatable connection can comprise a joint element including a pivotable hinge, such as a pin-in-tube (i.e., “door hinge”). For example, an outer rotatable connection  304  can comprise a connection between the frame  210  and the wing  300  that comprises a set of pins extending from the frame  210  into a corresponding set of recesses or apertures in the wing  300  on each side of the wing  300 , or vice versa, and the wing  300  can therefore pivot relative to the frame  210  at the outer rotatable connection  304  by rotation of the pins within the recesses. 
     In some embodiments, a rotatable connection can comprise a joint element including a bendable or flexible hinge, such as a living hinge that resiliently bends. For example, the frame  210  and wing  300  can comprise a piece of connective material that is elastically bendable or flexible along an outer rotatable connection  304 , and the wing  300  can therefore rotate relative to the frame  210  by bending or flexing at the connective material. 
     The joint elements at each of the rotatable connections  304 ,  306 ,  310 ,  312 ,  314 ,  316  can comprise a pivotable hinge or a bendable or flexible hinge. For example, the outer rotatable connections  304 ,  306  can be bendable hinges, and the inner and middle rotatable connections  310 ,  312 ,  314 ,  316  can be pivotable hinges. In the embodiment of  FIGS.  3  and  4   , the support mechanism  206  can have rotatable connections  304 ,  306 ,  310 ,  312 ,  314 ,  316  that are all bendable or flexible hinges. 
       FIG.  4    is an exploded view of the parts assembled into the support mechanism  206  of  FIG.  3   . As shown in  FIG.  4   , the support mechanism  206  can comprise a flexible sheet layer  400  and a reinforcement layer  402  comprising a set of reinforcement parts configured to be attached to the flexible sheet layer  400 . The flexible sheet layer  400  can comprise a single layer of an elastically bendable material such as a metal or a polymer material (e.g., stainless steel or spring steel). The flexible sheet layer  400  can be stamped or machined to have a set of openings  404 ,  406  that define wings  408 ,  410 , a central joint  412 , a frame  414 , and attachment point connections  416 . The openings  404  can permit the wings  408 ,  410  and central joint  412  to move relative to the frame  414  (e.g., in a direction perpendicular to the page in  FIG.  4    along the rotatable connections indicated by broken lines or along axis Z in  FIG.  5   ). 
     In some embodiments, the flexible sheet layer  400  may comprise a material that is too flexible to properly transfer force from the end of one wing  408  to the opposite end of the flexible sheet layer  400  at the end of the other wing  410 . The flexible sheet layer  400  can therefore be selectively reinforced, stiffened, and rigidized by the parts of the reinforcement layer  402 . The reinforcement layer  402  can comprise a frame reinforcement  418 , wing reinforcements  420 ,  422 , a central joint reinforcement  424 , and attachment point reinforcements  426 .  FIG.  3    shows where the elements of the reinforcement layer  402  are attached to the flexible sheet layer  400 . Where these reinforcement elements are attached to the flexible sheet layer, the flexible sheet layer can have reduced flexibility that allows the wings  408 ,  410  to act as substantially rigid levers and allows the frame  414  to act as a substantially rigid frame. In this manner, the support mechanism  206  can bend and can be flexible at the rotatable connections  304 ,  306 ,  310 ,  312 ,  314 ,  316  while still having limited bending between the rotatable connections  304 ,  306 ,  310 ,  312 ,  314 ,  316 . For example, the support mechanism  206  can have a high yield-to-modulus ratio where the reinforcement layer  402  elements are located. 
     In some embodiments, the reinforcement layer  402  can be welded, stamped, adhered, co-molded, or otherwise attached to or formed with the flexible sheet layer  400 . In various cases, the reinforcement layer  402  and flexible sheet layer  400  can comprise different materials, similar or the same materials having different thicknesses, hardnesses, or other properties affecting bending and stiffness properties. In some embodiments, the frame reinforcement  418  can be part of the support mechanism  206 , and in some cases, the frame reinforcement  418  can be part of the cover  200  or touch sensor  202 . In some embodiments, the frame  210  is a separate part from the wings  300 ,  302  that is attached to the wings  300 ,  302  by separate pivotable or unlocking parts at the outer rotatable connections  304 ,  306 . 
     In one embodiment, the functions of the flexible sheet layer  400  and the reinforcement layer  402  can be performed by a single layer, wherein the flexibility of the single layer is selectively increased along the locations of the rotatable connections  304 ,  306 ,  310 ,  312 ,  314 ,  316 . For example, the flexibility can be increased by reducing the thickness of the single layer along the rotatable connections  304 ,  306 ,  310 ,  312 ,  314 ,  316  or by cutting, machining, forging, or otherwise forming aligned apertures along the rotatable connections to increase their flexibility. 
     The openings  406  aligned with the outer rotatable connections  304 ,  306  can be positioned in the flexible sheet layer  400  to increase flexibility of the flexible sheet layer  400  at the outer rotatable connections  304 ,  306  and to reduce weight and size of the wings  408 ,  410 . The size of the openings  406  can be designed to increase or decrease the amount of force required to bend the wings  300 ,  302  relative to the frame  210  at the outer rotatable connections  304 ,  306 , wherein larger openings  406  decrease the amount of force by reducing the lengths of the rotatable connections  304 ,  306  and smaller openings  406  increase the amount of force by increasing the lengths of the rotatable connections  304 ,  306 , particularly when the rotatable connections  304 ,  306  are flexures instead of pivot joints. 
       FIG.  5    shows a diagrammatic side view of an input device  500  illustrating the function of a parallel motion trackpad similar to the input device  102  of  FIG.  2   . Accordingly, parts with similar names in input devices  102  and  500  can have similar functions and capabilities. This input device  500  is shown with exaggerated scale and dimensions to improve visibility of the interaction of parts. In  FIG.  5   , the input device  500  is at a default, rest position. The position of  FIG.  5    can also be referred to as a raised or unactuated position or configuration. In this position, the top surface  502  of the cover  504  is substantially horizontally aligned with a surrounding surface  506  of the enclosure  508 . The touch sensor  510  is attached to the bottom of the cover  504 . A switch  512  is attached to the touch sensor  510  and is compressible between the touch sensor  510  and a support mechanism  514 . The support mechanism  514  can include wings  516 ,  518  with a central joint  520  in contact with the switch  512 . Outer rotatable connections  522 ,  524  provide a rotatable link between the wings  516 ,  518  and the touch sensor  510  or cover  504 , inner rotatable connections  526 ,  528  provide a rotatable link between the wings  516 ,  518  and the central joint  520 , and middle rotatable connections  530 ,  532  provide a rotatable link between the wings  516 ,  518  and the base surface  534 . While in the position of  FIG.  5   , the switch  512  can provide a biasing force that urges apart the central joint  520  and the touch sensor  510 . Due to the positioning of the middle rotatable connections  530 ,  532  being spaced away from the base surface  534  (i.e., there is open area below and between the middle rotatable connections  530 ,  532 ), the central joint  520  is positioned below and between the middle rotatable connections  530 ,  532 . The biasing force applied to the central joint  520  urges the central joint  520  in a downward direction which in turn causes the wings  516 ,  518  to rotate about the middle rotatable connections  530 ,  532  to move the outer rotatable connections  522 ,  524  upward. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  5   , the input device  500  can be mounted to the base surface  534 . The input device  500  can be only mounted to the base surface, meaning it is not affixed or connected to any other lateral side surfaces (e.g., the vertical sides of the opening  525  of the enclosure  508 ). In some embodiments, a top layer (e.g.,  527 ) can enclose the cover  504  within the opening  525  and can bridge the gaps or cracks between the cover  504  and the surrounding surface  506  of the enclosure  508 . In either case, the support mechanism  514  and all rotatable connections for the input device  500  can be below the cover  504  (i.e., between the cover  504  and the base surface  534 ) unlike a hinge for a “diving board” style trackpad or other similar device. 
     While in the position of  FIG.  5   , the biasing force of the switch  512  can be sufficient to prevent the weight of the cover  504  and touch sensor  510  from collapsing the switch  512 , thereby keeping the support mechanism  514  from pivoting, flexing, or bending. The top surface  502  can therefore remain stationary in this position when no input is being provided to the input device  500 . Additionally, the biasing force of the switch  512  can prevent the top surface  502  from translating downward, even when a downward force is applied to the top surface  502 , unless the force applied to the top surface exceeds a minimum vertically-oriented threshold magnitude. Thus, the downward force must exceed the minimum threshold for the switch  512  to begin to noticeably compress and deflect, thereby allowing the top surface  502  to move in response to the downward force. In this manner, the input device  500  can be used as a trackpad to receive light touches, taps, sliding contact gestures, and similar inputs on the top surface  502  without triggering the tactile deflection of the switch  512 . In some embodiments, an independent biasing member (e.g. a spring) can be positioned under the input device  500  in conjunction with, or independent of, the switch  512 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  6   , which is another diagrammatic side view of the input device  500 , a downward-oriented force F 1  can be applied to the top surface  502 . The downward-oriented force F 1  can be applied by a user object pressing into the top surface  502 , such as when a user intends to provide a “click” input to the input device  500 . The downward-oriented force F 1  can have a magnitude sufficient to overcome the minimum threshold required to cause significant deflection (e.g., buckling) of the switch  512 . As a result of the application of this force F 1 , the cover  504  and touch sensor  510  can be pushed downward along a central longitudinal axis Z of the input device  500 . The movement of the cover  504  and touch sensor  510  can move the outer rotatable connections  522 ,  524  downward, thereby inducing rotation of the wings  516 ,  518  about the middle rotatable connections  530 ,  532 . The inner rotatable connections  526 ,  528  can also rotate, thereby driving the central joint  520  upward along arrow A in a direction parallel to (or aligned with) the central longitudinal axis Z. The switch  512  compresses or buckles, thereby actuating the switch  512  or another sensor. In some embodiments, a switch (which may or may not be switch  512 ) is configured to actuate upon sufficient deflection of the cover  504  relative to the base surface  534 . A signal can be produced upon actuation of the switch  512 , and that signal can be sent to a controller (e.g., a computer processor, input device processor, or other connected controller device) that a depression of the input device  500  has been detected. In some embodiments, the depression of the input device  500  is interpreted as a “click” for a pointing device. 
     Still referring to  FIG.  6   , an off-axis or off-center downward-oriented force F 2  can be applied to the top surface  502 . In this case, the force F 2  can have a magnitude sufficient to overcome a minimum threshold required to cause significant deflection of the outer side  536  of the cover  504 . If the support mechanism  514  were omitted and only a switch  512  were positioned underneath the center of the cover  504 , this force F 2  would cause the cover  504  to rotate and tilt at its center point  538  on the central longitudinal axis Z. As a result, the force F 2  could potentially fail to compress the switch  512  sufficient to cause actuation of the switch (e.g., buckling of the switch), and the force F 2  could therefore fail to be registered as a click or similar input on the cover  504 . Additionally, the off-center force F 2  could require the user to provide a much greater force F 2  than force F 1  in order to compress and actuate the switch  512  due to the off-center force F 2  being a greater distance from the switch  512 . However, because the support mechanism  514  is present, the force F 2  is transferred through the wings  516 ,  518  and central joint  520  to cause the switch  512  to compress upward (along arrow A) and to cause the opposite outer side  540  of the cover  504  to move downward (along arrow B). The wing  516  nearest to the location of the application of force F 2  is driven downward at the outer rotatable connection  522  while being driven upward at the inner rotatable connection  526 . Further, the opposite wing  518  is driven upward at the inner rotatable connection  528  and downward at the outer rotatable connection  524 . This substantially prevents the cover  504  from rotating about its center point  538  and ensures that the top surface  502  remains parallel to the base surface  534  or surrounding surface  506  as it moves in response to the force F 2 . 
     In some embodiments, the wings  516 ,  518  and cover  504  are not perfectly stiff and therefore slightly bend in a manner that causes the vertical translation of the outer side  536  to be slightly different than the vertical translation at the center point  538  or the opposite outer side  540 . Additionally, the support mechanism can have losses in its rotatable connections. However, the magnitude of vertical translation (i.e., translation parallel to the central longitudinal axis Z) can be substantially equal at all three areas  536 ,  538 ,  540 . In some embodiments, the magnitude of vertical translation at each area can be within 10 percent of each other. 
       FIG.  7    shows a top view of a cover  700  positioned in an enclosure  702 . In this figure, parts and features having similar names to the parts and features of the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure can have similar functions and characteristics. When a downward force is applied to the cover  700 , it can therefore translate into the page relative to the enclosure  702  (i.e., parallel to central longitudinal axis Z, shown as a point in  FIG.  7   ). The cover  700  can have four outer edges  704 ,  706 ,  708 ,  710  arranged in a rectangular shape. Due to operation of a support mechanism beneath the cover  700  (e.g., a support mechanism  206  or  514 ), the cover  700  can be stabilized against rotation when a downward force is applied to its top surface, even when the downward force is applied off-center along the X-axis and/or the Y-axis. For example, a downward force applied at a first point  712  that is a first distance  714  from the central longitudinal axis Z (i.e., the axis of motion of the cover  700 ) can deflect the entire cover  700  a substantially equal amount of deflection. Similarly, a downward force applied at a second point  716  that is a second distance  718  from the central longitudinal axis Z can deflect the entire cover  700  a substantially equal amount of deflection relative to the deflection caused at the first point  712 . 
     Furthermore, the amount of force input required to deflect the cover  700  can vary depending on the distance across the cover  700  from the central longitudinal axis Z (i.e., primarily along axis X). This variation can be caused by minor losses in the bending or yielding of the cover  700  and support mechanism. Accordingly, the force required to overcome a threshold actuation bias of a switch or other biasing member positioned centrally beneath the cover  700  (i.e., the switch-triggering force or threshold actuation force) can be lowest at the central longitudinal axis Z, higher at the first point  712 , and higher still at the second point  716  since the first point  712  and second point  716  are spaced away from the central longitudinal axis Z to different degrees. The curved series of lines (e.g.,  715 ) emanating from the center of the cover  700  in  FIG.  7    represent lines along which a constant amount of downward force is required to trigger an actuation of the switch. Thus, the amount of force required to actuate the switch at the first point  712  is equal to the amount of downward force required at third point  720  that is the same distance  722  from the axis Z as the distance  714  of the first point  712  and both lie on the same curve  713 . In some embodiments, the cover  700  can have constant-force profile lines that are substantially straight lines (i.e., lines from edge  704  to edge  708  instead of curves (e.g.,  715 )). In some embodiments, the straight lines can be vertical lines when viewed from above, and in some embodiments, the straight lines can be angled or V-shaped and mirrored across axis Y, with the broadened ends of the corresponding angled lines or V-shapes being at the top edge  704  or inverted (i.e., the broadened ends being at the bottom edge  708 ). 
     The amount of force required at each curved line in  FIG.  7    increases from line to line in a manner that is directly proportional to the distance of the line from the central longitudinal axis Z. Thus, a switch-triggering downward force applied at the center of the cover  700  (i.e., at axis Z) can be lower than the amount of switch-triggering downward force required to be applied at first point  712  or second point  716 , and the amount of force required at second point  716  can be greater than the amount required at first point  712 . In an example embodiment, the switch-triggering force at axis Z can be about 180 to about 200 grams and the switch-triggering force at points  716 ,  730 ,  732 , and  734  can be about 275 grams. Thus, the variation in the switch triggering force across the cover  700  can be within a range of about 110 grams or less. In another embodiment, the switch-triggering force at axis Z can be about 225 grams and the switch-triggering force at points  716 ,  730 ,  732 , and  734  can be about 265 grams. Thus, in some embodiments, the range of variation can be about 40 grams or less. In some embodiments, the maximum switch triggering force on the cover can be up to about 20 percent higher, about 30 percent higher, about 50 percent higher, or up to about 100 percent higher than the minimum force required for switch triggering. These ranges of variation are significantly less than many conventional trackpads, where a maximum force at a “diving board” hinge side of the trackpad may be at least 200 percent higher, and in some cases is 500 percent higher or more, than the minimum switch-triggering force at the opposite side. 
     As shown in  FIG.  7   , the curvatures of the curved lines (e.g.,  713 ) do not have centers of curvature at the axis Z and instead have centers of curvature laterally offset from the central longitudinal axis Z on axis X. Additionally, the curved lines shown in  FIG.  7    are illustrative of different constant triggering force areas on the cover  700  but do not show all possible variations of the force profile lines. In other words, the amount of force required to trigger the switch can continuously vary between the central longitudinal axis Z and first point  712  and between each line spaced further away from the axis Z relative to the line on which the first point  712  is located. In this manner, the curved lines of  FIG.  7    indicate an example subset of all possible points that lie along additional, independent curved lines that are positioned continuously and with infinite gradation between the lines shown in  FIG.  7   . 
     The third point  720  is also positioned at a distance  722  from the central longitudinal axis Z that is equal to the distance  714 . As illustrated by this example and by the curved lines, the input force required to actuate the switch can be mirrored across the axis X. Furthermore, the downward force required to actuate the switch at point  712  can be mirrored across axis Y, wherein an equal amount of force is required to actuate the switch at a fourth point  724  which is on a curved line  715  that mirrors the line having points  712  and  720  across axis Y. In this manner, at least three points (e.g.,  712 ,  720 ,  724 ) on the cover  700  that are each separated from the central longitudinal axis Z by an equal amount of distance (e.g.,  714 ,  722 ,  726 ) can have an equal switch-triggering threshold force value. Similarly, in some embodiments, four points (e.g.,  712 ,  720 ,  724 ,  728 ) can have equal switch-triggering threshold force values. 
     For the constant-force line  717  on which third point  716  is located, three other corresponding points  730 ,  732 ,  734  can be positioned on the cover  700  at which an equal amount of force is required to actuate the switch, and each of those points  730 ,  732 ,  734  can be spaced the same distance (i.e.,  718 ) from the central longitudinal axis Z. As illustrated by these points  716 ,  730 ,  732 ,  734 , the cover  700  can have four corners in which the switch-triggering threshold force is equal or substantially equal. Said another way, the cover  700  can have a first half (e.g., on one side of axis X in  FIG.  7   ) that has a mirrored switch-triggering force threshold profile (as defined by the curved lines) as compared to the opposite half (e.g., on the other side of axis X). The same can be said of the cover  700  having a mirrored switch-triggering force threshold profile across axis Y. Therefore, in some embodiments, such as where the support mechanism is centered below the cover  700 , the switch-triggering force threshold profile can be symmetrical across two centrally-located and perpendicularly-intersecting axes (e.g., X and Y), thereby causing each quadrant of the cover  700  to have a switch-triggering force profile that is a symmetric analog of the triggering force profiles the other quadrants of the cover  700 . In other words, each quadrant can comprise a set of curved line profiles that is a horizontally flipped, vertically flipped, or horizontally and vertically flipped version of another quadrant when viewed from above. 
     In some embodiments, an edge  704  of the cover  700  can be positioned adjacent to another input device (e.g., keyboard  106 ), and the opposite edge  708  can be positioned adjacent to an outer edge or outer side of the enclosure  702 . In this case, downward displacement of a keyboard-side portion of the cover  700  (next to edge  704 ) induces substantially equal vertical displacement of the outer-side portion of the cover  700  (next to edge  708 ). The keyboard-side portion can be oriented parallel to the outer-side portion of the cover  700 . 
       FIG.  8    shows another example embodiment of a support mechanism  800  positioned on an underside of a cover  802 . In this figure, parts and features having similar names to the parts and features of the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure can have similar functions and characteristics. The support mechanism  800  can have four arms  804 ,  806 ,  808 ,  810  that each comprise an outer rotatable connection  812  to the cover  802 , an inner rotatable connection  814  to a central joint  815 , and a middle rotatable connection  816  to a base surface. The arms  804 ,  806 ,  808 ,  810  can be rigid across the middle rotatable connections  816 . 
     The support mechanism  800  can have similar operation to other support mechanisms described herein, wherein downward force applied to the cover  802  is transferred via one or more outer rotatable connections  812  as an upward movement at the inner rotatable connections  814  and central joint  815  that causes downward movement of the other outer rotatable connections  812  and stationary rotation at the middle rotatable connections  816 . In this embodiment, however, application of a force to one arm  804 ,  806 ,  808 ,  810  can be transferred to three other arms. 
     Furthermore, the rotatable connections  812 ,  814 ,  816  are all positioned at non-perpendicular angles (e.g., angle C) relative to the edges of the cover  802 . Using non-perpendicular rotatable connections  812 ,  814 ,  816  can be beneficial in cases where the rotatable connections are pivoting hinges (e.g., barrel hinges/door hinges) that allow a small amount of axial translation of a pin in a receiving slot or tube. When such hinges are all aligned (e.g., all aligned with axis Y in  FIG.  7   ), the cover  802  can move parallel to the axis of alignment (e.g., parallel to axis Y) in a manner that can cause vibration, shaking, or other unwanted deflection of the cover  802  while the user touches or presses into the surface of the cover  802 . However, when the hinges of the rotatable connections  812 ,  814 ,  816  are not all aligned, movement of a pivoting portion of one hinge in one direction (e.g., along a direction aligned with one of the middle rotatable connections  816 ) can be restricted by mechanical interference in that direction between a pivoting portion of another of the same type of rotatable connections (e.g., another middle rotatable connection  816 ) and its receiving recess or slot. Accordingly, the non-aligned rotatable connections  812 ,  814 ,  816  can help limit unwanted lateral movement or noise caused by imprecision (e.g., dimensional tolerance variation) in pivoting hinges used for the rotatable connections. 
       FIG.  9    shows yet another embodiment of a support mechanism  900  positioned on an underside of a cover  902 . In this figure, parts and features having similar names to the parts and features of the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure can have similar functions and characteristics. The support mechanism  900  can have two wings  904 ,  906  positioned with outer rotatable connections  908 ,  910  at outer ends of the cover  902 . The outer rotatable connections  908 ,  910  can be at the extreme edges of the cover  902  to increase the overall length of the wings  904 ,  906  and thereby increase the amount of deflection of the wings  904 ,  906  when the ends of the wings  904 ,  906  rotate about the middle rotatable connections  912 . Inner rotatable connections  914  can join the wings  904 ,  906  to a central joint  916 . In support mechanism  900 , a single pair of middle rotatable connections  912  can be used as compared to the set of four middle rotatable connections  314  of support mechanism  206 . See  FIG.  3   . The configuration of support mechanism  900  simplifies the shape and construction of the support mechanism due to a frame and more complex cuts or openings in the support mechanism  900  being omitted. This can be beneficial in cases where the stiffness of the wings  904 ,  906  needs to be maximized (e.g., a more flexible material is used for the wings  904 ,  906  as compared to other support mechanisms disclosed herein, so the wings are stiffened to compensate). The simplified shape can also beneficially reduce manufacturing and assembly costs. 
       FIG.  10    shows another embodiment of a support mechanism  1000  positioned on an underside of a cover  1002 . Here, the wings  1004 ,  1006  are oriented substantially 90 degrees rotated relative to support mechanism  900  so that the rotatable connections  1008 ,  1010 ,  1012  extend along the longer width dimension of the cover  1002  instead of the shorter width dimension. This embodiment further shows that the support mechanism  1000  can be adjusted to various orientations relative to the cover  1002  and that the pivot axes of the rotatable connections  1008 ,  1010 ,  1012  can be oriented parallel to the long width dimension of a rectangular cover  1002 . This can be beneficial in applications where a user is expected to apply horizontal force against the cover  1002  in a direction parallel to the short width dimension of the rectangular cover  1002  since the rotatable connections  1008 ,  1010 ,  1012 , being perpendicular to that direction, can be constructed with less rattle or loose displacement as the cover  1002  is manipulated. This configuration can also be beneficial in embodiments where stiffness in the rotatable connections  1008 ,  1010 ,  1012  is desirably maximized (e.g., when a more naturally flexible material is used for the wings  1004 ,  1006 ) since the lengths of the rotatable connections are large relative to other embodiments. 
       FIG.  11    shows another alternative embodiment of a support mechanism  1100  in a side view comparable to  FIG.  5   . In this case, the support mechanism  1100  can be attached to a cover  1102  and touch sensor  1104  at outer rotatable connections  1106  linked to a series of alternating arms  1108 ,  1110 ,  1112 . The arms  1108 ,  1110 ,  1112  each have a middle rotatable connection  1114  coupled or grounded to a base surface  1116 . A pair of intermediate connections  1118  join arms  1108  and  1110  on each side of a central joint  1120  with inner rotatable connections  1122 . When the outer rotatable connections  1106  move downward, the arms  1108 ,  1110 ,  1112  all rotate and compress the switch  1119  at the central joint  1120 . This support mechanism  1100  can enable the width of the cover  1102  and touch sensor  1104  to cover a greater distance while keeping the height of the support mechanism  1100  substantially equal to the height of other support mechanisms disclosed herein (e.g.,  206 ). For input devices with very high width dimensions, additional sets of intermediate connections  1118  and arms can be added. 
       FIG.  12    shows another alternative embodiment of a support mechanism  1200  with a simplified construction in which a central joint is omitted and a single inner rotatable connection  1202  joins the wings  1204 ,  1206 . In this embodiment, the wings  1204 ,  1206  can transfer forces across the cover  1208  to preserve parallel motion of the cover  1208 . The wings  1204 ,  1206  can be horizontally offset from, and out of contact with, a switch  1210  under the cover  1208 . Thus, movement of the cover  1208  and touch sensor  1212  relative to a base surface  1214  can compress the switch  1210  as it is pressed against the base surface  1214  instead of a central joint. The amount of compression displacement of the switch  1210  can be reduced as compared to embodiments having a central joint. For example, the switch  1210  can be displaced about half as much as a switch mounted between a central joint and touch sensor of an embodiment described above. Furthermore, in some embodiments, a switch  1210  can be configured to actuate and trigger a signal by contacting a conductor or sensor at the touch sensor  1212  upon collapse. In other cases, the switch  1210  can actuate by contacting a conductor or sensor at the base surface  1214  (e.g., on a substrate positioned below the touch sensor  1212 ). In other cases, the switch  1210  can merely provide a tactile feedback sensation and biasing force to the trackpad and can thus have no electrical function. In such cases, other sensors or switches (e.g., a force, displacement, or strain sensor) can be used to determine whether a user has provided a “click” input or similar input to the cover  1208 . A switch with solely non-electrical function can be referred to as a tactile dome or biasing member. Other switches described herein (e.g.,  204 ,  512 ,  1119 ) can have solely non-electrical function paired with an alternative “click” sensor as well. 
       FIG.  13    shows a top view of an input device  1300  positioned in an enclosure  1302 , wherein the input device  1300  is in an opening  1304  of the enclosure  1302  that is significantly larger than the support mechanism  1306 . In this case, the cover and touch sensor (both of which not shown, but would have properties similar to other covers and touch sensors described herein) can be sized substantially equal to the size of the opening  1304  and can overlay and cover the support mechanism  1306 , a set of non-deflecting regions  1308 , and a gap  1310  laterally between the support mechanism  1306  and the edges of the opening  1304  or the set of non-deflecting regions  1308  (shown as a dotted region). As a result, a touch input provided to the cover or touch sensor can be detected at any point within the two-dimensional area defined by the opening  1304 , but when a downward force is applied to the non-deflecting regions  1308 , the cover and touch sensor are prevented from deflecting downward or actuating movement of the support mechanism  1306 . When a downward force is applied to the cover or touch sensor over the support mechanism  1306 , the mechanism  1306  can actuate and downwardly translate a two dimensional central region of the cover and touch sensor with parallel motion. When a downward force is applied above the gap  1310 , a greater force may be required, but the cover and touch sensor can deflect and bend in response to the force to actuate a switch beneath the support mechanism  1306 . This input device  1300  therefore defines regions in which downward deflection is possible (e.g., over support mechanism  1306  and gap  1310 ) and regions in which downward deflection is not possible (e.g., over non-deflection regions  1308 ). This behavior of the input device  1300  can help to guide the user to provide a “click” input centrally on the cover and touch sensor while still allowing the user to use other parts of the input device  1300  to provide sliding or tapping input. Furthermore, this input device  1300  can help prevent accidental “click” inputs from being triggered when a user touches a portion of the cover and touch sensor that is not typically used for such inputs, such as in a palm rest area of a keyboard. 
     To the extent applicable to the present technology, gathering and use of data available from various sources can be used to improve the delivery to users of invitational content or any other content that may be of interest to them. The present disclosure contemplates that in some instances, this gathered data may include personal information data that uniquely identifies or can be used to contact or locate a specific person. Such personal information data can include demographic data, location-based data, telephone numbers, email addresses, TWITTER® ID&#39;s, home addresses, data or records relating to a user&#39;s health or level of fitness (e.g., vital signs measurements, medication information, exercise information), date of birth, or any other identifying or personal information. 
     The present disclosure recognizes that the use of such personal information data, in the present technology, can be used to the benefit of users. For example, the personal information data can be used to deliver targeted content that is of greater interest to the user. Accordingly, use of such personal information data enables users to calculated control of the delivered content. Further, other uses for personal information data that benefit the user are also contemplated by the present disclosure. For instance, health and fitness data may be used to provide insights into a user&#39;s general wellness, or may be used as positive feedback to individuals using technology to pursue wellness goals. 
     The present disclosure contemplates that the entities responsible for the collection, analysis, disclosure, transfer, storage, or other use of such personal information data will comply with well-established privacy policies and/or privacy practices. In particular, such entities should implement and consistently use privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining personal information data private and secure. Such policies should be easily accessible by users, and should be updated as the collection and/or use of data changes. Personal information from users should be collected for legitimate and reasonable uses of the entity and not shared or sold outside of those legitimate uses. Further, such collection/sharing should occur after receiving the informed consent of the users. Additionally, such entities should consider taking any needed steps for safeguarding and securing access to such personal information data and ensuring that others with access to the personal information data adhere to their privacy policies and procedures. Further, such entities can subject themselves to evaluation by third parties to certify their adherence to widely accepted privacy policies and practices. In addition, policies and practices should be adapted for the particular types of personal information data being collected and/or accessed and adapted to applicable laws and standards, including jurisdiction-specific considerations. For instance, in the US, collection of or access to certain health data may be governed by federal and/or state laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA); whereas health data in other countries may be subject to other regulations and policies and should be handled accordingly. Hence different privacy practices should be maintained for different personal data types in each country. 
     Despite the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplates embodiments in which users selectively block the use of, or access to, personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplates that hardware and/or software elements can be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, in the case of advertisement delivery services, the present technology can be configured to allow users to select to “opt in” or “opt out” of participation in the collection of personal information data during registration for services or anytime thereafter. In another example, users can select not to provide mood-associated data for targeted content delivery services. In yet another example, users can select to limit the length of time mood-associated data is maintained or entirely prohibit the development of a baseline mood profile. In addition to providing “opt in” and “opt out” options, the present disclosure contemplates providing notifications relating to the access or use of personal information. For instance, a user may be notified upon downloading an app that their personal information data will be accessed and then reminded again just before personal information data is accessed by the app. 
     Moreover, it is the intent of the present disclosure that personal information data should be managed and handled in a way to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use. Risk can be minimized by limiting the collection of data and deleting data once it is no longer needed. In addition, and when applicable, including in certain health related applications, data de-identification can be used to protect a user&#39;s privacy. De-identification may be facilitated, when appropriate, by removing specific identifiers (e.g., date of birth, etc.), controlling the amount or specificity of data stored (e.g., collecting location data a city level rather than at an address level), controlling how data is stored (e.g., aggregating data across users), and/or other methods. 
     Therefore, although the present disclosure broadly covers use of personal information data to implement one or more various disclosed embodiments, the present disclosure also contemplates that the various embodiments can also be implemented without the need for accessing such personal information data. That is, the various embodiments of the present technology are not rendered inoperable due to the lack of all or a portion of such personal information data. For example, content can be selected and delivered to users by inferring preferences based on non-personal information data or a bare minimum amount of personal information, such as the content being requested by the device associated with a user, other non-personal information available to the content delivery services, or publicly available information. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not target to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20220722
Publication Date: 20240409
Grant Date: 20240409
Priority Date: 20200221
Inventors: DEGNER, BRETT W.
MATZINGER, THOMAS R.
HAMEL, BRADLEY J.
BROOKS, Ryan P.
KRAHN, Scott J.
ROY, ARKA P.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F1/169", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/016", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0338", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/03547", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0414", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/04142", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/04883", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04808", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0414", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/016", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/03547", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/169", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/03547", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/016", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04105", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/03547", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/169", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1662", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/169", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/03547", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04808", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/04142", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/04883", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0414", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0338", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/016", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 77318954