Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110242756 | COMPUTER HINGE HAVING A HOLLOW CLUTCH - A hinge assembly having a hollow clutch is arranged to pivotally couple a portable computer base portion to a portable computer lid portion. The hinge assembly includes at least a hollow cylindrical portion that includes an annular outer region and a central bore region, the central bore region suitably arranged to provide support for electrical conductors between the base and lid portions. The hinge assembly also includes a plurality of fastening components that couple the hollow clutch to the base portion and the lid portion of the portable computer, with at least one of the fastening regions being integrally formed with the hollow cylindrical portion such that space, size and part count are minimized. The integrally formed fastening region(s) can be flat with holes dispersed therethrough for screws, bolts or the like. The central bore can also support a heat transfer element and can also serve as a lubricant reservoir. | 10-06-2011 |
20120099264 | PORTABLE COMPUTING DEVICE - A portable computing device includes at least a base portion of a lightweight material that includes at least a wedge shaped top case having a trough formed at an interfacing edge thereof. The trough includes a raised portion having a first contact surface and a receiving area, and a bottom case coupled to the top case to form a complete housing for at least a portion of the portable computing device for enclosing at least a plurality of operational components and a plurality of structural components. The portable computing device also includes at least a lid portion pivotally connected to the base portion by a hinge assembly. In the described embodiments, the lid portion has a display in communication with one or more of the plurality of components in the base portion by way of or more electrical conductors that electrically connect the base portion to the lid portion. | 04-26-2012 |
20130161171 | Keyboard Mechanisms for Electronic Devices - An input device configured to communicate with a computing device includes at least one keycap, a support mechanism operably connected to the keycap and configured to move the keycap from a first position to a second position, and a feature plate operably connected to the support mechanism. The support mechanism includes a first support and a second support. The first support and the second support are each connected to the at least one keycap and the feature plate. The first support and second support pivot to allow vertical movement of the keycap but lateral movement of the first support and second support are restricted. | 06-27-2013 |
20130161172 | Keyboard with Position Sensing Mechanism - An input device configured to communicate with a computing device includes at least one keycap, a support mechanism operably connected to the keycap and configured to move the keycap from a first position to a second position, a feature plate operably connected to the support mechanism, and a sensing member. The sensing member is configured to detect at least one of a change of position of the at least one keycap, a speed of the at least one keycap, an amount of force applied to the at least one keycap, or a location of a finger. The sensing member may be a capacitive sensor. In some embodiments, the input device may not include the support mechanism and the sensing member may be configured to detect the location of a finger regardless whether or not the keycap moves. | 06-27-2013 |
20130162450 | Illuminated Keyboard - In a first embodiment, an input device includes at least one keycap, a support mechanism configured to move the keycap from a first position to a second position, a feature plate having at least one anchoring mechanism operably connected to the support mechanism, and an illumination panel. The illumination panel is positioned between the at least one keycap and the feature plate. The at least one anchoring member extends through a portion of the illumination panel. In a second embodiment, an input device includes a keycap, a support mechanism configured to move the keycap, a support plate operably connected to the support mechanism, and an illumination panel. The illumination panel includes a light source, a light guide, and a frame substantially surrounding the light guide. Light illuminated from the light source is directed by the light guide and the frame towards the keycap. | 06-27-2013 |
20130164068 | BONDED KEYBOARD AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME - A bonded keyboard and method for making the same are disclosed. The bonded keyboard uses adhesive as the primary agent, and in some embodiments, as the sole agent for coupling various components of the keyboard stackup together. The keyboard stackup uses a skeletal adhesive to couple a top case to a backcase assembly. In one embodiment, the skeletal adhesive is an interconnected matrix of ribs dimensioned to fit within the spacing existing between adjacent keys, which are mounted on the backcase assembly. The skeletal adhesive is fixed to the backcase assembly, occupies a portion of the spacing that exists between keys, and the top case is fixed to the top of the skeletal adhesive. | 06-27-2013 |
20130286578 | COMPUTER HINGE HAVING A HOLLOW CLUTCH - A hinge assembly having a hollow clutch is arranged to pivotally couple a portable computer base portion to a portable computer lid portion. The hinge assembly includes at least a hollow cylindrical portion that includes an annular outer region and a central bore region, the central bore region suitably arranged to provide support for electrical conductors between the base and lid portions. The hinge assembly also includes a plurality of fastening components that couple the hollow clutch to the base portion and the lid portion of the portable computer, with at least one of the fastening regions being integrally formed with the hollow cylindrical portion such that space, size and part count are minimized. The integrally formed fastening region(s) can be flat with holes dispersed therethrough for screws, bolts or the like. The central bore can also support a heat transfer element and can also serve as a lubricant reservoir. | 10-31-2013 |
20130328741 | INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF A PORTABLE COMPUTING DEVICE - The present application describes various embodiments of systems and methods for providing internal components for portable computing devices having a thin profile. More particularly, the present application describes internal components configured to fit within a relatively thin outer enclosure. | 12-12-2013 |
20130328785 | KEYBOARD BACKLIGHT FEATURES FOR A PORTABLE COMPUTER - The present application describes various embodiments of systems and methods for internal components for portable computing devices relating to keyboard components and keyboard backlighting. In one embodiment, a keyboard module can include a rectangular light guide panel and a driver board including discrete light sources mounted on the driver board where the driver board is disposed along one edge of the light guide panel and light emitted for the discrete light sources is captured by the light guide panel and distributed to predetermined locations. | 12-12-2013 |
20130329354 | MASS STORAGE DEVICE WITH ELASTOMERIC MATERIAL AND RELATED PORTABLE COMPUTING DEVICE AND METHOD - Absorbers for a mass storage device are provided. The absorbers may be configured to protect the mass storage device from drop events and reduce the transmission of vibrations from and/or to the mass storage device. Additionally, the absorbers may occupy a smaller amount of space than traditional snubber mounting arrangements. The absorbers may include major surface absorbers formed from a first elastomeric material that engage major surfaces of the mass storage device. Corner absorbers formed from a second elastomeric material may engage the corners of the mass storage device and the side walls of a compartment in a case. The major surface absorbers and the corner absorbers may distribute and absorb load applied during a drop event. A related portable computing device and a related method are also provided. | 12-12-2013 |
20140076607 | Flexible Data Cable - A multi-layered cable consisting of three or more conductive layers separated by layers of dielectric and/or adhesive material. The bottom layer and the top layer may act as return path for the transmitted signals and as a shield to prevent interference between these and external electrical signals. Located between the bottom layer and the top layer, the middle layer may transmit desired signals through the flexible cable. The material selection and specifics of each of the layers should be selected so as to achieve a balance in which the desired electrical impedance and mechanical flexibility requirements are met. The cable may also include one or more vias connecting the bottom layer to the top layer, providing shielding all the way around the flex cable. An additional conductive sock may be used to improve shielding effectiveness of the top and bottom layer and to connect to I/O connector shells and the system Faraday cage. | 03-20-2014 |
20140116865 | LOW-TRAVEL KEY MECHANISMS USING BUTTERFLY HINGES - A key mechanism can include one or more butterfly hinges. Each butterfly hinge includes a double wing design operative to move between a depressed position and non-depressed position. Hinged coupling mechanisms couple respective arms of the wings together. | 05-01-2014 |
20140116867 | LOW TRAVEL DOME AND SYSTEMS FOR USING THE SAME - A low travel dome and systems for using the same are disclosed. A low travel switch may include a key cap and an elastomeric dome that may be configured to provide a predefined tactile feedback over a predefined travel amount of the key. | 05-01-2014 |
20140118264 | MULTI-FUNCTIONAL KEYBOARD ASSEMBLIES - Multi-functional keyboard assemblies include an array of keys formed from stacked component layers. A top portion of the key may be capable of travelling vertically with respect to a base of the key. The top portion can include a keycap and a circuitry module coupled to the keycap. The keys may be capable of receive at least two distinct types of inputs and/or receiving at least one type of input and providing at least one type of output. Such output may include use of one or more light sources, displays, and/or haptic feedback devices. | 05-01-2014 |
20140251772 | RATTLE-FREE KEYSWITCH MECHANISM - A keyswitch mechanism having reduced key rattle and a keyboard having reduced key rattle. A rattle suppression mechanism may be formed on a portion of the scissor mechanism or on a portion of the keycap. The rattle suppression mechanism is configured to maintain force on the portion of the scissor mechanism abutting the keycap. | 09-11-2014 |