Class 400/481 - By regulating key force or movement (e.g., key dip or stroke)

Subclass of Class 400 - Typewriting machines
Definition: Subject matter wherein significance is attributed to the
No. of patents: 24
Last issue date: 02/26/2008

Number	Title	Issue Date
7336260	Method and apparatus for providing tactile sensations Products and processes for providing tactile sensations to input devices or electronic devices are provided. Input devices include mechanical input devices (such as, for example, mechanical switches) and non-mechanical input devices (such as, for example, touchpads)...	02/26/2008
7252444	Switch configuration A switch configuration for use with a keyboard comprises a plurality of support structures positioned adjacent each other in spaced relation and a plurality of dome switches, with at least one dome switch being coupled to each of the plurality of support structures....	08/07/2007
7164089	Thin keyboard structure A thin keyboard structure comprises a substrate, a flexible circuit and a keycap. The substrate comprises a base, a first portion with a first end, and a second portion with a second end. At least one of the first portion and the second portion protrudes from the ba...	01/16/2007
7119296	Keypad A manufacturing method for a keypad is provided. First, a patterned thin plastic sheet, which includes a first surface and a second surface, is provided. A plurality of touch buttons which can be operated independently are included. The touch buttons have a pluralit...	10/10/2006
7109973	Mobile device with rotatable keyboard A mobile device is provided having a rotatable keyboard. The keyboard is attached to the mobile device and is rotatable in a single plane with respect to the device's housing between a first and second position. A plurality of keys are provided having first indicia ...	09/19/2006
7106222	Keypad assembly A keypad assembly utilizes touch-detecting apparatus such as force sensors or touchpad assemblies for registering key presses. In exemplary embodiments, the keypad assembly is suitable for use in electronic devices such as a mobile telephones, calculators, hand-held...	09/12/2006
7091952	Liquid proof switch array Switch arrays such as keyboards are described. The switch arrays may include an array of dome spring elements. Each dome spring element may define a chamber, and a plurality of channels may interconnect the chambers of the dome spring elements such that each chamber...	08/15/2006
6962452	Keyboard having key floating device A keyboard includes a housing having a number of passages formed by cylindrical members, a number of keys each having a shank slidably engaged in the passages of the housing, and an electromagnetic floating force generating device having a number of coils arranged t...	11/08/2005
6747579	Variable whistle pitch control for model train layouts New techniques are presented for providing proportional activation of model railroad functions with control keys. This permits for example a compact throttle device connected to a digital layout control system to provide for a “playable” or variable-pitch whistl...	06/08/2004
6497521	No-impact keyboard A no-impact keyboard for decreasing the risk of a repetitive stress injury to the user. The keyboard comprises a plurality of keys having a key cap and a stem, an impact absorbing mechanism which prevents any part of a key from striking a hard surface dur...	12/24/2002
6313762	Keyboard with keys for moving cursor The present invention comprises a signal generator for sending an electrical signal from an expandable, flexible layer of material, the signal generator comprising an upper layer of flexible, resilient material and a lower layer of flexible, resilient mat...	11/06/2001
6307739	Computer system form factor A form factor for use in the manufacture of a portable computer includes a U-shaped member having at least two distinct elements attached together. In one form factor, the U-shaped member includes two distinct elements: a unitary wall element having a fir...	10/23/2001
5995026	Programmable multiple output force-sensing keyboard Representatively using force sensing resistors as key switch elements, keys on a computer keyboard are each provided with pluralities of different keystroke output function signals which may be selectively varied in response to simply altering the user ke...	11/30/1999
5879088	Computer keyboard with adjustable force keystroke feature using air pressure A computer keyboard 10 having a plurality of keys 18 at desired locations being supported above a support plate 20 having a plurality of apertures 22 at the desired locations. A membrane keyswitch assembly 24 is mounted on the support plate 20 having keys...	03/09/1999
5742241	Flexible data entry panel The present invention includes a flexible, pressurizable keyboard made of resilient layers of plastic material, with molded keys which are deformable when pressed so as to send a signal to an electrical device. The keys are arranged with a flexible electr...	04/21/1998
5648771	Wrist rest bag for flexible keyboard The present invention includes a flexible, pressurizable keyboard made of resilient layers of plastic material, with molded keys which are deformable when pressed so as to send a signal to an electrical device. The keys are arranged with a flexible electr...	07/15/1997
5642109	Flexible inflatable multi-chamber signal generator The present invention comprises a signal generator for sending an electrical signal upon receipt of an input force, the signal generator having a first outside layer of flexible, resilient plastic with a periphery and an inner surface, a second outside la...	06/24/1997
5459461	Inflatable keyboard The present invention includes a flexible, pressurizable keyboard made of resilient layers of plastic material, with molded keys which are deformable when pressed so as to send a signal to an electrical device. The keys are arranged with a flexible electr...	10/17/1995
5434566	Key touch adjusting method and device A key touch adjusting device wherein the position of a key top is detected, and a resistive force corresponding to that position is generated and applied to the key top. The numeral array for the position data and the force data is stored in a memory. To ...	07/18/1995
5220318	Apparatus for selectively varying keyboard switching force Apparatus for adjusting the key activating force or "touch" for a keyboard or for one or more function key groups on that keyboard to the needs of any individual operator....	06/15/1993
4859100	Keyboard to prevent erroneous simultaneous activation of keys An improved keyboard assembly is provided wherein a partition is positioned between adjacent keys and prevents an inadvertent simultaneous operation of two or more keys. The paartition can be advantageously utilized to control the cursor moving keys on a ...	08/22/1989
4362408	Means for avoiding accidental actuation of a critical function key A keyboard having a plurality of keys thereon, with each key being moveable from a rest position along an actuation path having a makepoint therealong, whereby completion of an electrical circuit is effected by moving a key with a predetermined force alon...	12/07/1982
4343557	Spacebar touch control apparatus A typewriter space bar touch control apparatus comprises a bell crank member, mounted on a support frame, which supports the space bar and a lever member which engages the bell crank when the space bar is depressed more than a small initial displacement. ...	08/10/1982
4188137	Low silhouette keyboard A low silhouette keyboard having a plurality of keylevers arranged in rows and in parallel relationship to one another are suspended, guided and biased to restore by opposing flexible support members. The keylevers are "T" shaped which includes a cross ar...	02/12/1980

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Class 400/481 - By regulating key force or movement (e.g., key dip or stroke)