PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9454239-B2
Application Number: US-201113232941-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Enabling touch events on a touch sensitive mechanical keyboard

Abstract:
Touch sensitive mechanical keyboards and processes for detecting touch events and key depressions on the touch sensitive mechanical keyboard are provided. The touch sensitive mechanical keyboard can include a set of individually depressible mechanical keys having a touch sensitive area located on their surface. A touch sensor can be included to detect touch events on the surface of the mechanical keys. A keypad can also be included to detect a depression of the mechanical keys. The touch sensitive mechanical keyboard can further include a processor for distinguishing detected touch events from detected key depressions. The processor can generate either a key depression command or a touch event command.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for generating a keyboard command signal, the method comprising:
 monitoring a plurality of depressible keys for a plurality of touch events on a surface of one or more of the plurality of depressible keys; 
 monitoring the plurality of depressible keys for a depression of a key of the plurality of depressible keys; and 
 generating one or more command signals based on the monitoring of the plurality of depressible keys for touch events on the surface of one or more of the plurality of depressible keys and the monitoring of the plurality of depressible keys for the depression of the key of the plurality of depressible keys, 
 wherein each of the one or more command signals is a touch event command signal or a key depression command signal and each touch event corresponds to one respective command signal of the one or more command signals, 
 wherein a touch event command signal is generated in response to detecting a first touch event on the surface of the one or more of the plurality of depressible keys and detecting the depression of a key of the plurality of depressible keys within a threshold length of time from detecting the first touch event, wherein the one or more of the plurality of depressible keys at which the first touch event is detected is different than the depressed key. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 receiving a touch event signal in response to a detection of a second touch event on the surface of one or more of the plurality of depressible keys; and 
 receiving a key depression signal in response to the detection of the depression of the key of the plurality of depressible keys. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein generating one or more command signals further comprises:
 generating the touch event command signal in response to receiving the touch event signal without receiving the key depression signal within a threshold length of time from receiving the touch event signal; and 
 generating the key depression command signal in response to receiving the key depression signal within the threshold length of time from receiving the touch event signal 
 wherein the one or more of the plurality of depressible keys at which the second touch event occurs is at the depressed key. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the second touch event occurs at the depressed key. 
     
     
       5. A method for generating a keyboard command signal, the method comprising:
 receiving a touch event signal indicating that a touch event has been detected on a surface of a first key of a plurality of depressible keys; 
 determining whether a key depression signal is received within a threshold length of time from receiving the touch event signal; and 
 in response to the touch event signal, generating a command signal based on the determination, wherein the command signal is a touch event command signal or a key depression command signal, and wherein generating the command signal comprises: 
 generating the touch event command signal in response to a determination that the threshold length of time elapsed without receiving the key depression signal; and 
 generating the touch event command signal in response to a determination that the key depression signal is received within the threshold length of time from receiving the touch event signal, wherein the key depression signal indicates that a second key of the plurality of depressible keys has been depressed, and the first key and the second key are different keys. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the key depression signal is received from a switch sensor operable to detect the depression of the first key of the plurality of depressible keys. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 5 , wherein generating the command signal comprises generating a key depression command signal in response to the key depression signal being received within the threshold length of time from receiving the touch event signal, the key depression command signal indicating that both the touch event has occurred and the first key has been depressed. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the touch event signal is received from an array of capacitive sensors. 
     
     
       9. A keyboard comprising:
 a plurality of depressible keys; 
 a plurality of switch sensors operable to detect a depression of one or more of the plurality of depressible keys; 
 an array of capacitive sensors operable to detect a touch event on a surface of one or more of the plurality of depressible keys opposite the array of capacitive sensors; and 
 a processor configured to receive a touch event signal indicating that a touch event has been detected by the array of capacitor sensors on the surface of the plurality of depressible keys, the processor further configured to receive a key depression signal indicating that a depression of a key of the plurality of depressible keys has been detected by the plurality of switch sensors, 
 wherein the processor is operable to generate a command signal based at least in part on the touch event signal, and the command signal is a touch event command signal or a key depression command signal, 
 wherein the processor is further operable to generate the touch event command signal in response to receiving the touch event signal, wherein the touch event occurs coextensive in time with the key of the plurality of depressible keys being depressed, and wherein the touch event and the depression occur at different keys of the plurality of depressible keys; and 
 wherein the processor is further operable to generate the key depression command signal in response to receiving the key depression signal coextensive in time with the touch event signal, wherein the touch event and the depression occur at a same key of the plurality of depressible keys. 
 
     
     
       10. The keyboard of  claim 9 , wherein the processor is further operable to generate the touch event command signal in response to receiving the touch event signal without receiving the key depression signal within the threshold length of time from receiving the touch event signal. 
     
     
       11. The keyboard of  claim 9 , wherein the keyboard is incorporated within a computing device. 
     
     
       12. The keyboard of  claim 9 , wherein the keyboard is coupled to a computing device. 
     
     
       13. An apparatus comprising:
 a surface having a plurality of locally collapsible areas; 
 a plurality of switch sensors operable to detect a depression of one or more of the locally collapsible areas; 
 an array of capacitive sensors operable to detect a touch event on the surface; and 
 a processor configured to receive a touch event signal indicating that a touch event has been detected by the array of capacitor sensors on a surface of the plurality of locally collapsible areas, the processor further configured to receive a depression signal indicating that a locally collapsible area of the plurality of locally collapsible areas has been depressed, wherein the processor is operable to generate a command signal in response to and based at least in part on the touch event signal, wherein the command signal is a touch event command signal or a key depression command signal, 
 wherein the processor is further operable to:
 generate the key depression command signal in response to receiving the depression signal wherein the touch event occurs coextensive in time with the locally collapsible area being depressed, and the touch event and the depression occur at a same locally collapsible area; and 
 generate the touch event command signal in response to receiving the touch event signal, wherein the touch event occurs coextensive in time with the locally collapsible area being depressed, and the touch event and the depression occur at different locally collapsible areas. 
 
 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the touch event and the depression occur at the same locally collapsible area.

Description:
FIELD 
     This relates generally to input devices and, more specifically, to touch-sensitive input devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Keyboards are widely used and are generally accepted as the preferred way to provide textual input to a computing system. These keyboards typically have mechanical keys that are arranged in the so-called QWERTY layout and are configured to move independently of one another and comply with standards for key spacing and actuation force. 
     One of the most common keyboard types is a “dome-switch” keyboard that works as follows. When a key is depressed, the key pushes down on a rubber dome sitting beneath the key. The rubber dome collapses, giving tactile feedback to the user depressing the key, and causes a conductive contact on the underside of the dome to touch a pair of conductive lines on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) below the dome, thereby closing the switch. A chip in the keyboard emits a scanning signal along the pairs of lines on the PCB to all the keys. When the signal in one pair of the lines changes due to the contact, the chip generates a code corresponding to the key connected to that pair of lines. This code is sent to the computer either through a keyboard cable or over a wireless connection where it is received and decoded into the appropriate key. The computer then decides what to do on the basis of the key depressed, such as display a character on the screen or perform some action. Other types of keyboards operate in a similar manner, with the main differences being how the individual key switches work. Some examples of other keyboards include capacitive-switch keyboards, mechanical-switch keyboards, Hall-effect keyboards, membrane keyboards, roll-up keyboards, and the like. 
     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 
     This relates to touch sensitive mechanical keyboards and processes for detecting touch events and key depressions on the touch sensitive mechanical keyboard. The touch sensitive mechanical keyboard can include a set of individually depressible mechanical keys having a touch sensitive area located on their surface. A touch sensor can be included within the keyboard to detect touch events on the surface of the mechanical keys. A keypad can also be included within the keyboard to detect a depression of one or more of the mechanical keys. In some embodiments, the touch sensitive mechanical keyboard can include a processor for distinguishing detected touch events from detected key depressions. The processor can generate either a touch event command or a key depression command. These will be described in more detail below. 
     Processes for detecting touch events and key depressions are also disclosed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a top view of an exemplary touch sensitive mechanical keyboard according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary touch sensor panel that can be used with a touch sensitive mechanical keyboard according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded view an exemplary touch sensitive mechanical keyboard according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a user performing a touch event on a surface of a key of a touch sensitive mechanical keyboard according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a user depressing a key of a touch sensitive mechanical keyboard according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary process for detecting touch events and key depressions of a touch sensitive mechanical keyboard according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary system including an input device according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary personal computer including an input device according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates another exemplary personal computer including an input device according to various embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description of example embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings 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 various embodiments. 
     This relates to touch sensitive mechanical keyboards and processes for detecting touch events and key depressions on the touch sensitive mechanical keyboard. A touch event, such as a tap or a slide, may be detected when a finger or other object is placed near or in contact with a touch sensitive surface followed by a slide or when a finger or other object is placed near or in contact with the touch sensitive surface followed closely in time with a lift of the finger or object (tap). The touch sensitive mechanical keyboard can include a set of individually depressible mechanical keys having a touch sensitive area located on their surface. A touch sensor can be included within the keyboard to detect touch events on the surface of the mechanical keys. A keypad can also be included within the keyboard to detect a depression of one or more of the mechanical keys. In some embodiments, the touch sensitive mechanical keyboard can include a processor for distinguishing detected touch events from detected key depressions. The processor can generate either a touch event command or a key depression command. These will be described in more detail below. The touch sensitive mechanical keyboard can advantageously allow users to enter textual input using a device having the same look and feel of a conventional keyboard while allowing the users to enter touch events without requiring the users to remove their hands from the keyboard. Processes for detecting touch events and key depressions are also disclosed. 
     Although various embodiments describe touch events, it is to be understood that hover events can be detected as well. 
       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 slides, 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 exploded view of an exemplary touch sensitive mechanical keyboard  300 . Touch sensitive mechanical keyboard  300  is an example of touch sensitive mechanical keyboard  100  and includes a touch sensor similar to touch sensor  200  for detecting touch events on the surface of some or all of the mechanical keys (not shown) of keyboard  300 . Keyboard  300  can further include keypad  301  for detecting a depression of one or more of the mechanical keys of keyboard  300 . In some embodiments, keypad  301  can include multiple dome-switches that are configured to couple pairs of conductive lines on a PCB below each dome to detect depression of one or more of the mechanical keys. Keyboard  300  can further include a processor (not shown) that emits a scanning signal along the pairs of lines on the PCB to all the keys. When the signal in one pair of the lines changes due to coupling by the dome-switch, the processor generates a code corresponding to the key connected to that pair of lines. This information can be transmitted through mechanical key FPC  103  to a processor or computing device, such as a laptop computer, desktop computer, mobile device, mobile phone, or the like. 
     In other embodiments, keypad  301  can detect depression of mechanical keys using other technologies, such as capacitive-switch circuitry, mechanical-switch circuitry, Hall-effect sensors, and the like. It should be appreciated that any known method for detecting depression of mechanical keys can be used. 
     Keyboard  300  can further include a touch sensor FPC layer  305  containing touch sensor circuitry for detecting touch events on the surface of the mechanical keys. Touch sensor FPC layer  305  can be applied to keypad  301  using an adhesive layer, such as pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA)  303 . Touch sensor FPC layer  305  can be located beneath keycaps  309 , and can be applied to keycaps  309  using an adhesive layer, such as pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA)  307 . Keycaps  309  can include multiple discrete portions forming the front surface of the mechanical keys. The surface of keycaps  309  can include printed or engraved letters, symbols, or numbers. When depressed, the keycaps  309  can directly or indirectly contact the keypad  301  through touch sensor FPC layer  305 , causing keypad  301  to detect the depression of the mechanical keys. 
     In some embodiments, touch sensor FPC layer  305  can include clusters of intersecting drive lines and sense lines forming sensor nodes similar to drive lines  201 , sense lines  203 , and pixels  205  of touch sensor  200  shown in  FIG. 2 . Each mechanical key can have associated therewith any number of sensor nodes depending on the desired touch resolution. For example, the drive lines and sense lines can form a grid beneath each keycap  309  to detect touch events along the surface of keycaps  309 . To allow the depression of the mechanical keys to be detected by keypad  301 , touch sensor FPC layer  305  can be configured to allow a portion of keycaps  309  to directly or indirectly contact keypad  301 . For instance, in some embodiments, a plunger located on the bottom of keycaps  309  can be allowed to protrude through touch sensor FPC layer  305 . In these embodiments, touch sensor FPC layer  305  can be formed from a stretchable or deformable material to allow depression of the keys through FPC layer  305 . Alternatively, in other embodiments, FPC layer  305  can be positioned below keypad  301 . Since, in these embodiments, key caps  309  can directly or indirectly contact keypad  301  without protruding through FPC layer  305 , FPC layer  305  can be formed from non-stretchable or non-deformable materials. 
     Touch sensor FPC layer  305  can further include first and second touch sensor FPCs  105  and  107  for outputting and receiving signals associated with the operation of touch sensor FPC layer  305 . For example, 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 of touch sensor FPC layer  305  while the other touch sensor FPC can be used to transmit touch signals received on the sense lines of touch sensor FPC layer  305 . These signals can be transmitted to, and received from, a processor or other computing device, such as a laptop computer, desktop computer, and the like. In some embodiments, the processor coupled to touch sensor FPC layer  305  can be the same processor coupled to keypad  301 . 
     As discussed above, keyboards  100  and  300  can be capable of receiving both mechanical key depression input and touch event input. As a result, keyboards  100  and  300  can output two streams of information: a first data stream containing signals representative of a detected depression of one or more mechanical keys via mechanical key FPC  103  and a second data stream containing signals representative of one or more detected touch events via first touch sensor FPC  105  or second touch sensor FPC  107 . When a user contacts a surface of a mechanical key, touch sensor FPC layer  305  can report a detected touch event. However, when a key is depressed, both touch sensor FPC layer  305  and keypad  301  can report a detected event. Specifically, touch sensor FPC layer  305  can report a detected touch event and keypad  301  can report a detected key depression. 
     To illustrate,  FIG. 4  shows a user inputting a touch event by applying finger  401  to the surface of keycap  309  without exerting sufficient downward force to depress dome-switch  403 . This action can cause the touch sensor, such as touch sensor FPC layer  305 , to detect the touch event and transmit a signal indicative of a detected touch event via touch sensor FPC  105  or  107 . Since the dome-switch  403  is not depressed, the keypad may not transmit a signal indicative of a depression of mechanical key  101 . Similarly, when a user enters a hover event by placing their finger near the surface of keycap  309 , the touch sensor may transmit a signal indicative of a detected hover event via touch sensor FPC  105  or  107 . Additionally, since the dome-switch  403  is not depressed, the keypad may not transmit a signal indicative of a depression of mechanical key  101 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a user entering a key stroke by applying finger  401  to the surface of keycap  309  and exerting downward force sufficient to depress dome-switch  403 . This action can cause dome-switch  403  to transmit a signal indicative of a depression of mechanical key  101  via mechanical key FPC  103 . However, since the user&#39;s finger  401  also contacts keycap  309 , the touch sensor, such as touch sensor FPC layer  305 , can detect the touch event and transmit a signal indicative of a detected touch event via touch sensor FPC  105  or  107 . Thus, in this example, both a touch event signal and a key depression signal can be transmitted from the touch sensitive mechanical keyboard. 
       FIG. 6  shows an exemplary process  600  for detecting touch events and key depressions on a touch sensitive mechanical keyboard similar or identical to touch sensitive mechanical keyboards  100  or  300 . Additionally, process  600  can provide a way to distinguish between touch events and key depressions on a touch sensitive mechanical keyboard. 
     At block  601  of process  600 , the surface of some or all of the mechanical keys of a touch sensitive mechanical keyboard can be monitored for a touch event. In some embodiments, a touch sensor similar or identical to touch sensor  200  or touch sensor FPC layer  305  can be used to detect touch events on or near the surface of mechanical keys  101 . If no touch event is detected, the process can repeat back to block  601  where the surface of some or all of mechanical keys  101  can continue to be monitored. However, if a touch event is detected, the process can proceed to block  605 . In some embodiments, if a touch event is detected, the touch sensor of the touch sensitive mechanical keyboard can transmit a signal indicating that a touch event has occurred as well as information relating to the touch event (e.g., location, duration, motion, or the like). For example, a touch event signal can be transmitted by touch sensor  200  or touch sensor FPC layer  305  to a processor via first or second touch sensor FPC  105  or  107 . The processor can be located within the touch sensitive mechanical keyboard or can be located separate from the touch sensitive mechanical keyboard. 
     Similarly, at block  603  of process  600 , the mechanical keys of a touch sensitive mechanical keyboard can be monitored for a depression of one or more of the mechanical keys. In some embodiments, a keypad similar or identical to keypad  301  can be used to detect a depression of one or more mechanical keys  101  of keyboard  100  or  300 . If no key depression is detected, the process can repeat back to block  603  where the mechanical keys  101  can continue to be monitored. However, if a key depression is detected, the process can proceed to block  605 . In some embodiments, if a depression of one or more mechanical keys are detected, the keypad of the touch sensitive mechanical keyboard, such as keyboard  100  or  300 , can transmit a signal indicating that a key depression has occurred as well as information relating to the key depression (e.g., key depressed, duration, or the like). For example, a key depression signal can be transmitted by keypad  301  to a processor via mechanical key FPC  103 . In some embodiments, the processor can be the same processor that receives the touch signal from touch sensor  200  or touch sensor FPC layer  305  via first or second touch sensor FPC  105  or  107 . In other embodiments, a separate processor can be used. 
     At block  605 , it can be determined whether only a touch event has been detected or if both a touch event and a key depression have been detected. If a touch event has been detected and no key depression has been detected, the process can proceed to block  607 . However, if both a touch event and key depression have been detected, the process can proceed to block  609 . 
     In some embodiments, a processor located in a host computer, in the keyboard assembly, or elsewhere, can be used to determine if only a touch event has been detected, or if both a touch event and a key depression have been detected. The processor can be the same processor used to receive the touch event signal and key depression signal described above. Alternatively, the processor can be a different processor than that used to receive the touch event signal and key depression signal described above. For example, in some embodiments, the processor can be coupled to receive touch and key depression signals from the sensors within touch sensitive mechanical keyboard (e.g., keyboard  100  or  300 ) via a connector (e.g., FPCs  103 ,  105 , and  107 ). 
     In some embodiments, upon receipt of a signal indicating a touch event has been detected, the processor can wait a threshold length of time for a signal indicating a key depression has been detected. This can be done because when a user depresses a key to input a character, number, or symbol, the user&#39;s finger can contact the surface of the key, causing the touch sensor circuitry to detect the touch event. The touch sensor circuitry can then send a signal to the processor indicating a touch event has been detected. However, since the user is attempting to enter a keystroke, the key can also be depressed a short time after the user&#39;s finger contacts the surface of the key. This can cause the keypad circuitry to detect the depression of the key and transmit a signal indicating that a key depression has been detected. Thus, to prevent the generation of excessive or erroneous signals, the processor may wait a threshold length of time after receiving the touch event signal to account for the delay between the user touching the key and the key being depressed. The threshold length of time may have a duration that is sufficiently long to allow the user to fully depress the key without causing a noticeable delay between the time the user presses the key and the time a computer system reacts to the input. Thus, if the key depression signal is received within the threshold length of time after receiving the touch event signal, the input can be interpreted as a key depression and the process can proceed to block  609 . If, however, the key depression signal is not received within the threshold length of time after receiving the touch event signal, the input can be interpreted as a touch event and the process can proceed to block  607 . 
     It should be appreciated that the determination performed at block  605  can be done on a per-key basis. For example, if a touch event is detected on a particular key (e.g., the “F” key), it can be determined whether the same key (the “F” key) has been depressed. If the same key has been depressed, the process can proceed to block  609 . If, however, a different key is depressed (e.g., the “R” key), the input can be interpreted as a touch event on the “F” key and the process can proceed to block  607 . In this way, the touch sensitive mechanical keyboard can detect touch events on one portion of the keyboard while receiving textual input at another portion of the keyboard. For the different depressed key (e.g., the “R” key), the process  600  can repeat in order to interpret its input and eventually proceed to block  609 . 
     At block  607 , a touch event command, such as a tap or slide event command, can be transmitted. In some embodiments, a processor can transmit a signal to another processor or host computer indicating that a tap or slide has been received by the touch sensitive mechanical keyboard. 
     At block  609 , a key depression command identifying the depressed key can be transmitted. In some embodiments, a processor can transmit a signal to another processor or host computer indicating that a key depression has been received by the touch sensitive mechanical keyboard. 
     One or more of the functions relating to the detection of a touch event or key depression can be performed by a computing system similar or identical to computing system  700  shown in  FIG. 7 . Computing system  700  can include instructions stored in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, such as memory  703  or storage device  701 , and executed by processor  705 . 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  700  can further include touch sensitive mechanical keyboard  707  coupled to processor  705 . Touch sensitive mechanical keyboard  707  can be similar or identical to touch sensitive mechanical keyboard  100  or  300  described above. In some embodiments, keyboard  707  can include mechanical keys  709 , keypad  711 , and touch sensor  713  for detecting touch events and key depressions and for providing signals indicating a detection of a touch event or key depression to processor  705 . In some embodiments, mechanical keys  709  can be similar or identical to mechanical keys  101 , keypad  711  can be similar or identical to keypad  301 , and touch sensor  713  can be similar or identical to touch sensor  200  or touch sensor FPC layer  305 , described above. Processor  705  can receive the detection signals from keyboard  707  and interpret them as touch events or key depressions in a manner similar or identical to that described above with respect to process  600 . 
     It is to be understood that the computing system is not limited to the components and configuration of  FIG. 7 , but can include other or additional components in multiple configurations according to various embodiments. Additionally, the components of computing system  700  can be included within a single device, or can be distributed between two or more devices. For example, while processor  705  is shown separate from keyboard  707 , in some embodiments, processor  705  can be located within keyboard  707 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary personal computer  800  that can include a touch sensitive mechanical keyboard  801  according to various embodiments. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates another exemplary personal computer  900  that can include a touch sensitive mechanical keyboard  901  according to various embodiments. 
     The personal computers of  FIGS. 8 and 9 , 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 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 various embodiments as defined by the appended claims.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20110914
Publication Date: 20160927
Grant Date: 20160927
Priority Date: 20110914
Inventors: ELIAS JOHN GREER
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F3/03547", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0213", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/044", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/038", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0443", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0446", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0213", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0443", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/038", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0213", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/038", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0446", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/03547", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/03547", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 46826928