PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11119582-B2
Application Number: US-201916670810-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Actuation lock for a touch sensitive input device

Abstract:
Touch sensitive mechanical keyboards and methods of configuring the depressibility of one or more keys of a keyboard are provided. A touch sensitive mechanical keyboard can accept touch events performed on the surface of the keys. Additionally, the keyboard can accept key depressions as textual input. The keyboard can be placed in a gesture operation mode, which can lock the keys to prevent a user from inadvertently depressing a key while attempting to perform a touch event on the surface of the keys. The keyboard can also be placed in a key press mode, which can allow depression of the keys by a user.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for configuring a keyboard having a plurality of keys with touch sensitive surfaces, comprising:
 detecting one or more objects at one or more keys in the keyboard; and 
 configuring the keyboard in a first operational mode and interpreting the detected one or more objects in accordance with the first operational mode when a text input field is detected on a device communicatively coupled to the keyboard. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising configuring the keyboard in the first operational mode when an active text input field is detected. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first operational mode is a keypress mode. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising configuring the keyboard in a default operational mode until the text input field is detected. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , further comprising selecting the default operational mode based on a state of the text input field associated with the keyboard. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 4 , further comprising selecting the default operational mode to be a keypress mode until a gesture or touch event is detected on the keyboard. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising configuring the keyboard in a second operational mode and interpreting the detected one or more objects in accordance with the second operational mode when an inactive text input field or no text input field is detected. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the second operational mode is a gesture mode. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising detecting the one or more objects using at least one of self-capacitance sensing and mutual capacitance sensing. 
     
     
       10. A touch sensitive keyboard, comprising:
 a plurality of mechanical keys, each of the plurality of mechanical keys including one or more touch sensors; and 
 a processor configured for
 detecting one or more objects at one or more of the mechanical keys in the keyboard; and 
 configuring the mechanical keys in a first operational mode and interpreting the detected one or more objects in accordance with the first operational mode when a text input field is detected on a device communicatively coupled to the keyboard. 
 
 
     
     
       11. The touch sensitive keyboard of  claim 10 , further comprising configuring the keyboard in the first operational mode when an active text input field is detected. 
     
     
       12. The touch sensitive keyboard of  claim 10 , wherein the first operational mode is a keypress mode. 
     
     
       13. The touch sensitive keyboard of  claim 10 , the processor further configured for configuring the keyboard in a default operational mode until the text input field is detected. 
     
     
       14. The touch sensitive keyboard of  claim 13 , the processor further configured for selecting the default operational mode based on a state of the text input field associated with the keyboard. 
     
     
       15. The touch sensitive keyboard of  claim 13 , the processor further configured for selecting the default operational mode to be a keypress mode until a gesture or touch event is detected on the keyboard. 
     
     
       16. The touch sensitive keyboard of  claim 10 , further comprising configuring the keyboard in a second operational mode and interpreting the detected one or more objects in accordance with the second operational mode when an inactive text input field or no text input field is detected. 
     
     
       17. The touch sensitive keyboard of  claim 16 , wherein the second operational mode is a gesture mode. 
     
     
       18. The touch sensitive keyboard of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more touch sensors are at least one of self-capacitance sensors and mutual capacitance sensors. 
     
     
       19. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions stored therein, which, when executed by an apparatus communicatively coupled to a keyboard having a plurality of keys with touch sensitive surfaces, performs a method of configuring the keyboard, the method comprising:
 detecting one or more objects at one or more keys in the keyboard; and 
 configuring the keyboard in a first operational mode and interpreting the detected one or more objects in accordance with the first operational mode when a text input field is detected on a device communicatively coupled to the keyboard. 
 
     
     
       20. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 19 , the method further comprising configuring the keyboard in a second operational mode and interpreting the detected one or more objects in accordance with the second operational mode when no text input field is detected.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/727,281, filed on Oct. 6, 2017 and published on Apr. 5, 2018 as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2018/0095545, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No 13/232,968, filed on Sep. 14, 2011 and issued on Oct. 10, 2017 as U.S. Pat. No. 9,785,251, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     This relates generally to input devices and, more specifically, to keyboard input devices. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Keyboards are widely used and are generally accepted as the preferred way to provide textual input to a computing system. These keyboards have mechanical keys that are arranged in the so-called QWERTY layout and are configured to move independently of one another and to comply with standards for key spacing and actuation force. Textual input is received when the keys are depressed. Keyboard layout specifications have been provided in both extended and compact forms by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS). 
     There have been numerous attempts made to introduce an alternative to the standard keyboard. The changes include, but are not limited to, non-QWERTY layouts, concave and convex surfaces, capacitive keys, split designs, membrane keys, etc. However, while such alternative keyboards may provide improved usability or ergonomics, they have failed to replace or duplicate the commercial success of the conventional mechanical keyboard. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     This relates to touch sensitive mechanical keyboards and methods of configuring the depressibility of one or more keys of a keyboard. A touch sensitive mechanical keyboard can accept touch events performed on the surface of the keys. Additionally, the keyboard can accept key depressions as textual input. The keyboard can be placed in a gesture operation mode, which can lock the keys to prevent a user from inadvertently depressing a key while attempting to perform a touch event on the surface of the keys. The keyboard can also be placed in a key press mode, which can allow depression of the keys by a user. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary touch sensitive mechanical keyboard having mechanical keys and a touch sensitive area located on the surfaces of mechanical keys according to embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a portion of an exemplary touch sensor that can be used to detect touch events on touch sensitive mechanical keyboard according to embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary keyboard in a key press mode according to embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary keyboard in a gesture mode according to embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 5A  illustrates an exemplary actuator in a key press mode according to embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 5B  illustrates an exemplary actuator in a gesture mode according to embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 6A  illustrates an exemplary actuator with a driver in a key press mode according to embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 6B  illustrates an exemplary actuator with a driver in a gesture mode according to embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary actuator containing magnetorheological fluid according to embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a high-level flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method of configuring the depressibility of keys on a keyboard according to embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 9A  illustrates an exemplary key and actuator according to embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 9B  illustrates an exemplary depressed key and a partially collapsed actuator according to embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 9C  illustrates an exemplary cambered key and a partially collapsed actuator according to embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 10A  illustrates an exemplary key and adjacent keys according to embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 10B  illustrates an exemplary key that has slid relative to adjacent keys according to embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 10C  illustrates an exemplary key that has rotated relative to the orientation of adjacent keys according to embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates an exemplary computing system that can include a keyboard according to embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates an exemplary personal computer that can include a touch sensitive mechanical keyboard according to embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates another exemplary personal computer that can include a touch sensitive mechanical keyboard according to embodiments of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description of embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which it is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments that can be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments can be used and structural changes can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosed embodiments. 
     Various embodiments relate to touch sensitive mechanical keyboards and methods of configuring the depressibility of one or more keys of a keyboard. A touch sensitive mechanical keyboard can accept touch events performed on the surface of the keys. Additionally, the keyboard can accept key depressions as textual input. The keyboard can be placed in a gesture operation mode, which can lock the keys to prevent a user from inadvertently depressing a key while attempting to perform a touch event on the surface of the keys. The keyboard can also be placed in a key press mode, which can allow depression of the keys by a user. 
     Although embodiments disclosed herein may be described and illustrated in terms of touch sensitive mechanical keyboards, it should be understood that the embodiments are not so limited, but are additionally applicable to mechanical keyboards without a touch sensitive element. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary touch sensitive mechanical keyboard  100  having mechanical keys  101  and a touch sensitive area located on the surfaces of mechanical keys  101 . In some embodiments, keyboard  100  can be configured to have the look and feel of a conventional keyboard. For instance, each mechanical key  101  can be individually depressible, giving the user of keyboard  100  tactile feedback associated with each depression of a key. Mechanical keys  101  can be used for text entry in a manner similar to a conventional keyboard. Additionally, the touch sensitive area of keyboard  100  can be used to detect touch events, such as taps or swipes, on the surface of mechanical keys  101 . In this way, keyboard  100  can also be used for cursor input functions, such as point, click, scroll, drag, select, zoom, and the like, without requiring the user to remove their hands from keyboard  100 . These functions, and more, can be driven by hand/finger motion while the fingers are sliding over and touching mechanical keys  101 . 
     In some embodiments, the touch sensitive area of keyboard  100  can include the surfaces of all mechanical keys  101 . In other embodiments, the touch sensitive area can include the surfaces of only a portion of mechanical keys  101 . By integrating multi-touch input capability into keyboard  100  without altering its overall appearance or, more importantly, the familiar way in which it is used for typing, many of the benefits of multi-touch gesture-based input capability can be realized without having any negative impact on the user&#39;s text entry experience. 
     In some embodiments, keyboard  100  can further include mechanical key flexible printed circuit (FPC)  103 , first touch sensor FPC  105 , and second touch sensor FPC  107  for coupling keyboard  100  to a processor or host computer system. For example, mechanical key FPC  103  can be used by keyboard  100  to output information relating to the depression of one or more of mechanical keys  101 . Specifically, a signal indicating that one or more mechanical keys  101  have been depressed can be transmitted through mechanical key FPC  103  to a processor. Similarly, first and second touch sensor FPCs  105  and  107  can be used to output or receive information relating to a touch sensor included within keyboard  100 . For example, in some embodiments, keyboard  100  can include a capacitive touch sensor having multiple drive lines and multiple sense lines. In these embodiments, one of first touch sensor FPC  105  and second touch sensor FPC  107  can be used to receive stimulation signals for driving the drive lines while the other touch sensor FPC can be used to transmit touch signals received on the sense lines. In other embodiments, two or more of mechanical key FPC  103 , first touch sensor FPC  105 , and second touch sensor FPC  107  can be combined into a single FPC. 
     While specific examples of touch sensitive mechanical keyboard  100  are provided above, it should be appreciated that the principals described in the present disclosure can similarly be applied to touch sensitive mechanical keyboards having other features and configurations. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a portion of an exemplary touch sensor  200  that can be used to detect touch events on touch sensitive mechanical keyboard  100 . Touch sensor  200  can include an array of pixels  205  that can be formed at the crossing points between rows of drive lines  201  (D 0 -D 3 ) and columns of sense lines  203  (S 0 -S 4 ). Each pixel  205  can have an associated mutual capacitance Csig  211  formed between the crossing drive lines  201  and sense lines  203  when the drive lines are stimulated. The drive lines  201  can be stimulated by stimulation signals  207  provided by drive circuitry (not shown) and can include an alternating current (AC) waveform. The sense lines  203  can transmit touch or sense signals  209  indicative of a touch at the panel  200  to sense circuitry (not shown), which can include a sense amplifier for each sense line. 
     To sense a touch at the touch sensor  200 , drive lines  201  can be stimulated by the stimulation signals  207  to capacitively couple with the crossing sense lines  203 , thereby forming a capacitive path for coupling charge from the drive lines  201  to the sense lines  203 . The crossing sense lines  203  can output touch signals  209 , representing the coupled charge or current. When a user&#39;s finger (or other object) touches the panel  200 , the finger can cause the capacitance Csig  211  to reduce by an amount ΔCsig at the touch location. This capacitance change ΔCsig can be caused by charge or current from the stimulated drive line  201  being shunted through the touching finger to ground rather than being coupled to the crossing sense line  203  at the touch location. The touch signals  209  representative of the capacitance change ΔCsig can be transmitted by the sense lines  203  to the sense circuitry for processing. The touch signals  209  can indicate the pixel where the touch occurred and the amount of touch that occurred at that pixel location. As discussed above, in some embodiments, stimulation signals  207  and touch signals  209  can be received and transmitted via first and second touch sensor FPCs  105  and  107 . 
     While the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  includes four drive lines  201  and five sense lines  203 , it should be appreciated that touch sensor  200  can include any number of drive lines  201  and any number of sense lines  203  to form the desired number and pattern of pixels  205 . Additionally, while the drive lines  201  and sense lines  203  are shown in  FIG. 2  in a crossing configuration, it should be appreciated that other configurations are also possible to form the desired pixel pattern. While  FIG. 2  illustrates mutual capacitance touch sensing, other touch sensing technologies may also be used in conjunction with embodiments of the disclosure, such as self-capacitance touch sensing, resistive touch sensing, projection scan touch sensing, and the like. Furthermore, while various embodiments describe a sensed touch, it should be appreciated that the touch sensor  200  can also sense a hovering object and generate hover signals therefrom. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary keyboard  300  in a key press mode. A key  302  can be situated on an actuator  304 . In some embodiments, a touch sensor  306  can be situated between the key  302  and the collapsible actuator  304 . One or more keys and actuators can be held in place by a housing  308 . Each key can be configured to be depressed, for example, by a finger  310 . When the key  302  is depressed, it can cause the actuator  304  to collapse, which can then cause a control signal to be sent to a device indicating that the key  302  has been depressed. When the key  302  is released, the actuator  304  can return to its initial shape, pushing the key back into its initial position. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary keyboard  400  in a gesture mode. In this mode, an actuator  404  can be rigid and non-collapsible. The rigidity of the actuator  404  can prevent a key  402  from being depressed. Additionally, the rigidity of the actuator  404  can prevent the key  402  from cambering, sliding, or rotating, as illustrated in  FIGS. 9A-9C and 10A-10C . Accordingly, the rigidity of the actuator  404  can provide a stable surface for touch events. 
     According to various embodiments, a single actuator can be collapsible in a key press mode and rigid in a gesture mode.  FIG. 5A  illustrates an exemplary actuator in a key press mode. In some embodiments, the housing  504  can be in contact with both a shell  500  and an arm  502 . Additionally, the arm  502  can be connected to a stimulator  506 . The shell  500  can be formed of a collapsible material, such as rubber. Accordingly, the actuator can be collapsible in a key press mode. 
     In some embodiments, the arm  502  can be formed of a dynamic shape-memory material having several states. The material may change its state when a stimulus is applied and return to its original state when the stimulus is reduced or terminated. The material may have two states—a bent state and an upright state. An example material may include nitinol. For example, in  FIG. 5A , the arm  502  may naturally flex or bend until a stimulus is applied to make the material rigid and straight in an upright position. 
       FIG. 5B  illustrates an exemplary actuator in a gesture mode. The stimulator  506  can apply a stimulus to arm  502 , causing the arm to become rigid and straight in an upright position in direct contact with the shell  500 . Example stimuli may include electrical current, heat, or any suitable stimulus capable of changing such a material. The contact between the shell  500  and the arm  502  can prevent the shell from collapsing. Accordingly, the actuator can be rigid in a gesture mode. 
       FIG. 6A  illustrates an exemplary actuator with a driver in a key press mode. According to some embodiments, the arm  602  can be connected to a driver  606  that can rotate the arm. The driver  606  can be an electromechanical device such as a microelectromechanical device or a piezoelectronic device, and the arm  602  can be a rigid material. The arm  602  can be rotated by the driver  606  such that it is not in direct contact with the shell  600 , which can allow the shell to be collapsible, as shown in  FIG. 6A . 
       FIG. 6B  illustrates an exemplary actuator with a driver in a gesture mode. In a gesture mode, the driver  606  can rotate the arm  602  so that the arm is in direct contact with the shell  600 , which can prevent the shell from collapsing. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary actuator containing magnetorheological fluid. According to some embodiments, a shell  700  can be formed of a collapsible material, such as rubber, and further contain a magnetorheological fluid  702  having several states. The fluid  702  may change its state when a stimulus is applied by stimulator  704  and return to its original state when the stimulus is reduced or terminated. For example, the fluid  702  can have increased viscosity when stimulated by the stimulator  704  with an electric charge or other suitable stimulus capable of changing such a fluid. In such a state, the fluid  702  can be so viscous as to prevent the shell  700  from collapsing. Accordingly, the actuator can be rigid in a gesture mode. 
     Additionally, the stimulator  704  can reduce or terminate the electric charge applied to the fluid  702 , causing the fluid to have reduced viscosity. In such a state, the fluid  702  can have such a reduced viscosity that the shell  700  is collapsible. Accordingly, the actuator can be collapsible in a key press mode. 
     The actuator itself can be thin to fit in a keyboard housing. Additionally, the driver or stimulator of the actuator can consume a low amount of power to facilitate inclusion in a battery-powered device, such as a laptop. The actuator material can be chosen to be thin and to require only a low amount of power. The actuators can be controlled by a processor or state machine located within the keyboard housing or in a separate unit. 
       FIG. 8  is a high-level flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method of configuring the depressibility of keys on a keyboard. At block  800 , an operation mode of a keyboard can be determined. An operation mode can determine whether one or more keys should allow depression. For example, in a key press mode, one or more keys can be configured to allow depression. Alternatively, in a gesture mode, one or more keys can be configured to disallow depression. Additionally, an operation mode might apply differently to a subset of keys. For example, in a gesture mode, text input keys can be configured to disallow depression, whereas other keys can be configured to allow depression. 
     The operation mode can be determined by any number of methods, according to various embodiments. In some embodiments, the default operation mode can be a key press mode. Based on the default operation mode, the operation mode can be determined to be a key press mode unless a gesture or other touch event is detected. In other embodiments, the default operation mode can be a gesture mode. Based on the default operation mode, the operation mode can be determined to be a gesture mode unless a key press is expected. For example, a key press may be expected only if there is an active text input field on a connected device. If the text input field has an inactive status, then a key press may not be expected. 
     In other embodiments, the mode can be determined by virtual or mechanical switches or buttons, detected touch gestures, and the like. For example, the detection of objects (e.g., fingers) resting on the keys in a “home row” configuration, whether or not the fingers are actually over the home row, can be used to switch to the key press mode. In another example, the detection of only two fingers resting on nearby keys may be an indication that a two-fingered gesture is forthcoming, and therefore can be used to switch to a gesture mode. Touch data from the touch sensors can be sent to a processor or state machine located within the keyboard housing or in a separate unit, which can process the touch data to determine the position of the touching objects and control the actuators and modes accordingly. 
     Additionally, the operation mode may be determined only for certain keys. For example, the default mode for text input keys may be a gesture mode because a key press might only be expected if there is a text input field on a connected device. However, the default mode for function keys may be a key press mode because a function key press may be expected at any time and also a gesture may not be expected on a function key. 
     At decision diamond  802 , if the operation mode is a key press mode, then depression of keys can be allowed at block  804 . The depression of a key can be allowed either by maintaining an actuator&#39;s collapsibility or by making collapsible a rigid actuator. For example, a processor can cause a stimulator to reduce or terminate an electrical charge applied to an arm formed of shape-memory material, causing the arm to fall out of contact with the actuator shell. As a result, the actuator can become collapsible. 
     At decision diamond  802 , if the operation mode is not a key press mode, then it can be determined whether the operation mode is a gesture mode at decision diamond  806 . If the operation mode is a gesture mode, then depression of keys can be disallowed at block  808 . The depression of a key can be disallowed either by maintaining an actuator&#39;s rigidity or by making rigid a collapsible actuator. For example, a processor can cause a stimulator to apply an electrical charge to an arm formed of shape-memory material, causing the arm to come into direct contact with the actuator shell. As a result, the actuator can become rigid. 
     The rigidity of an actuator can prevent a key from depressing or cambering, as illustrated in  FIGS. 9A-9C .  FIG. 9A  illustrates an exemplary key  900  and actuator  902 .  FIG. 9B  illustrates an exemplary depressed key  900  and a partially collapsed actuator  902 .  FIG. 9C  illustrates an exemplary cambered key  900  and a partially collapsed actuator  902 . 
     Additionally, the rigidity of an actuator can prevent a key from sliding or rotating, as illustrated in  FIGS. 10A-10C .  FIG. 10A  illustrates an exemplary key  1000  and adjacent keys  1002  and  1004 .  FIG. 10B  illustrates an exemplary key  1000  that has slid relative to adjacent keys  1002  and  1004 .  FIG. 10C  illustrates an exemplary key  1000  that has rotated relative to the orientation of adjacent keys  1002  and  1004 . 
     One or more of the functions relating to configuring the depressibility of keys on a keyboard can be performed by a computing system similar or identical to computing system  1100  shown in  FIG. 11 . Computing system  1100  can include instructions stored in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, such as memory  1103  or storage device  1101 , and executed by processor  1105 . The instructions can also be stored and/or transported within any non-transitory computer readable storage medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system, or other system that can fetch the instructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions. In the context of this document, a “non-transitory computer readable storage medium” can be any medium that can contain or store the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium can include, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus or device, a portable computer diskette (magnetic), a random access memory (RAM) (magnetic), a read-only memory (ROM) (magnetic), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) (magnetic), a portable optical disc such a CD, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, DVD-R, or DVD-RW, or flash memory such as compact flash cards, secured digital cards, USB memory devices, memory sticks, and the like. 
     The instructions can also be propagated within any transport medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system, or other system that can fetch the instructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions. In the context of this document, a “transport medium” can be any medium that can communicate, propagate or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The transport medium can include, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic or infrared wired or wireless propagation medium. 
     Computing system  1100  can further include keyboard  1107  coupled to processor  1105 . Keyboard  1107  can be similar or identical to keyboard  100 ,  300 , or  400  described above. In some embodiments, keyboard  1107  can include mechanical keys  1109 , keypad  1111 , and touch sensor  1113  for detecting touch events and key depressions and for providing signals indicating a detection of a touch event or key depression to processor  1105 . Processor  1105  can configure the depressibility of mechanical keys  1109  on keyboard  1107  in a manner similar or identical to that described above with respect to  FIG. 8 . 
     It is to be understood that the computing system is not limited to the components and configuration of  FIG. 11 , but can include other or additional components in multiple configurations according to various embodiments. Additionally, the components of computing system  1100  can be included within a single device, or can be distributed between two or more devices. For example, while processor  1105  is shown separate from keyboard  1107 , in some embodiments, processor  1105  can be located within keyboard  1107 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates an exemplary personal computer  1200  that can include a touch sensitive mechanical keyboard  1201  according to various embodiments. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates another exemplary personal computer  1300  that can include a touch sensitive mechanical keyboard  1301  according to various embodiments. 
     The personal computers of  FIGS. 12 and 13 , as well as other computing devices, can receive both touch input and mechanical key input by utilizing a touch sensitive mechanical keyboard according to various embodiments. 
     Although the disclosed embodiments have been fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as being included within the scope of the disclosed embodiments as defined by the appended claims.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20191031
Publication Date: 20210914
Grant Date: 20210914
Priority Date: 20110914
Inventors: Martisauskas, Steven J.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F3/0446", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/016", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1662", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04809", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04809", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1662", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0446", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/016", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0202", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0202", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04809", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/016", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0202", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1662", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0446", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 47829388