A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a controller to collect a plurality of User Interface (UI) device configurations, receive a request from a computing device to download one or more of the plurality of UI device configurations, and transmit to the computing device the one or more UI device configurations requested to configure one or more UI devices of the computing device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a controller to collect a plurality of User Interface (UI) device configurations, receive a request from a computing device to download one or more of the plurality of UI device configurations, and transmit to the computing device the one or more UI device configurations requested to configure one or more UI devices of the computing device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

An input apparatus includes an operation interface configured to receive an input operation from a user, a piezoelectric element attached to the operation interface, and a controller configured to acquire output based on the input operation to the operation interface from the piezoelectric element and to execute different control with respect to a controlled apparatus in accordance with the output.

The present invention relates to a handheld keyboard or keypad device used for interacting with one or more video teleconferencing programs running on a separate system, such as, a laptop or any other computing device. The keyboard has a plurality of functional keys for emulating controls or functions of video teleconferencing programs and can be paired with the video teleconferencing programs using a Bluetooth channel established using a wireless transceiver. The functional keys can include functional keys related to a microphone, a camera, emojis, a chat, and more, of the video teleconferencing programs. In some embodiments, the functionality of the keypad is provided by a software application installed in an electronic device. The keypad device enables users to move around and exercise while participating in their teleconference meetings and obviates the need to remain in chairs for multiple hours per day.

For mechanical keyboards or other input devices with individual mechanical key buttons, and particularly for compact keyboards used for laptops and other such devices, the size of the up and down arrow keys is usually half the size of most other keys on the keyboard. For example, each letter key on a physical keyboard is typically double the size of each of the up and down arrow keys on that same keyboard. Due to the smaller physical size of the up and down arrow keys, a modified mechanical configuration is used which results in a variation in the tactile feel of the various buttons of the keyboard for a user. The present disclosure discloses a capacitive touch enabled key with a corresponding tactile button to allow the key to represent multiple different inputs while also maintaining a same tactile response as other single input keys of the input device.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for providing customized keyboards for receiving user inputs, and view regions for displaying information for users in useful arrangements. Such keyboards include keys that are pre-programmed to reflect the issues present in each trading pane of the view regions. Using such keys, a user may direct the trading application to quickly and efficiently switch between multiple issues, and place, manipulate or cancel orders on them. The keyboard may also be designed such that multiple keys may be disabled, replaced or mapped to perform different functions.

One variation of a keyboard system includes: a substrate including an array of inductors; a tactile layer arranged over the substrate defining an array of key locations over the array of inductors; an array of magnetic elements, each arranged within the tactile layer at a key location configured to inductively couple to an adjacent inductor and configured to move relative to the adjacent inductor responsive to application of a force on the tactile layer at the key location; and a controller configured to read electrical values from the inductors. In response to detecting a change in electrical value at a first inductor, the controller also configured to: register a first keystroke of a first key type associated with a first key location defined over the first inductor; and drive an oscillating voltage across the first inductor to oscillate the tactile layer over the substrate during a haptic feedback cycle.

An input device that is mountable on an image forming apparatus includes a plurality of numerical keys arranged as hardware keys, a connector provided in a casing of the input device and configured to electrically connect the image forming apparatus and the input device, and a USB port provided in the casing and configured to USB-connect external equipment, which is different from the image forming apparatus, to the input device. As viewed in an up-down direction that the numerical keys are pressed, the USB port is provided on a front side surface of the casing.

An example apparatus Includes a first hinge, a first housing having a hinge region and a support panel, where the support panel is to extend from the hinge region. The apparatus also Includes a first display device rotatably coupled to the support panel via the first hinge, a second housing having a set of external electrical contact to provide power to a removable input device, a second hinge to rotatably couple the first housing to the second housing, and a second display device fixedly coupled to the second housing.

An electronic apparatus includes a host, a main display, a keyboard, an auxiliary display, and a supporting mechanism. The main display is pivotally connected to the host. The keyboard is slidably disposed on the host. The auxiliary display is disposed on the host and is arranged side by side with the keyboard. The auxiliary display includes a movable end and a lifting end, the keyboard contacts the movable end, and the movable end is slidably connected to the host. The supporting mechanism includes a first link, a second link, and a third link. The first link is slidably connected to the host and is pivotally connected to the second link. The second link is pivotally connected to the host and is pivotally connected to the third link. The third link is pivotally connected to the lifting end.