A portable computer includes a display portion comprising a display and a base portion pivotally coupled to the display portion. The base portion may include a bottom case and a top case, formed from a dielectric material, coupled to the bottom case. The top case may include a top member defining a top surface of the base portion and a sidewall integrally formed with the top member and defining a side surface of the base portion. The portable computer may also include a sensing system including a first sensing system configured to determine a location of a touch input applied to the top surface of the base portion and a second sensing system configured to determine a force of the touch input.

A device includes a display portion that includes a display housing and a display within the display housing. The device also includes a base portion flexibly coupled to the display portion and comprising a glass member defining a keyboard region configured to receive user input, a first haptic actuator configured to produce a first haptic output at a first area of the keyboard region, and a second haptic actuator configured to produce a second haptic output at a second area of the keyboard region that is different from the first area.

A portable computer includes a display portion comprising a display, a base portion pivotally coupled to the display portion and including a glass top case. The glass top case defines an exterior surface and a keyboard opening through the glass top case from the exterior surface to an interior surface. The portable computer further includes a keyboard positioned at least partially within the keyboard opening and comprising a substrate, a key configured to move relative to the substrate, and a fabric cover disposed over the key and defining a user interface surface of the key.

A system includes a robot having contact surfaces and a sensor array having a spatially distributed touch sensors disposed on the contact surfaces. Each touch sensor has an identifier and outputs an analog signal at a set of frequencies associated with the identifier The sensor array outputs a combined analog signal representative of a combination of the analog signals outputted by the touch sensors. The system includes an analog-to-digital converter that generates a digital signal in a time domain based on the combined analog signal. The system includes one or more processing units that transforms the digital signal from the time domain to a frequency domain and detects locations of touch within the sensor array based on frequencies observed the frequency domain and the identifiers of the touch sensors.

A refrigerator includes a door that has a front panel with an operation area to receive a touch operation of a user, a touch sensor assembly that is located rearward of the operation area and that includes sensors to generate an input signal based on the touch operation, and a sensor controller connected to the touch sensor assembly and configured to process the input signal received from the touch sensor assembly. The sensor controller is configured to determine whether the touch operation is a push operation or a release operation based on comparison of a voltage value of the processed input signal to predetermined first and second threshold voltage values.

An apparatus for sensing user input includes a first strain gauge grouping attached to an inner surface of a housing of a device, and a second strain gauge grouping attached to the inner surface of the housing. The apparatus includes a circuit coupled to the first and second strain gauge groupings, the circuit being configured to: (i) receive a first parameter signal from the first strain gauge grouping in response to user input that interacts with the housing over a location of the first strain gauge grouping, (ii) indicate that a first type of user input has been received in response to receipt of the first parameter signal, (iii) receive a second parameter signal from the second strain gauge grouping in response to user input that interacts with the housing over a location of the second strain gauge grouping, and (iv) indicate that a second type of user input has been received in response to receipt of the second parameter signal.

A portable computer includes a display portion comprising a display and a base portion pivotally coupled to the display portion. The base portion may include a bottom case and a top case, formed from a dielectric material, coupled to the bottom case. The top case may include a top member defining a top surface of the base portion and a sidewall integrally formed with the top member and defining a side surface of the base portion. The portable computer may also include a sensing system including a first sensing system configured to determine a location of a touch input applied to the top surface of the base portion and a second sensing system configured to determine a force of the touch input.

An apparatus and method wherein the apparatus comprises;a sensor arrangement comprising a plurality of sensor cells wherein a sensor cell comprises a transistor and a sensor coupled to the transistor;first selection circuitry configured to sequence a subset of sensor cells to which a gate input signal is provided, wherein the gate input signal is provided to the gate of the transistors within the sensor cells; second selection circuitry configured to sequence a subset of sensor cells from which an output signal is received;sensing signal circuitry configured to provide a sensing signal, wherein the sensors are provided between the sensing signal circuitry and the second selection circuitry such that the output signal provides an indication of the impedance of the sensors.

A keyboard with a distance detecting function includes a plurality of keyswitches, and each keyswitch includes a keycap, a base, a supporting component, a recovering component and a distance detecting unit. The base has a guide slot structure. The supporting component has a first end connecting to the keycap, and a second end movably assembled with the guide slot structure. The recovering component is disposed between the supporting component and the guide slot structure. The distance detecting unit is detachably disposed on the base, and adapted to detect a movement of the keycap relative to the base for determining whether the keyswitch is actuated.

A portable computer includes a display portion comprising a display and a base portion pivotally coupled to the display portion. The base portion may include a bottom case and a top case, formed from a dielectric material, coupled to the bottom case. The top case may include a top member defining a top surface of the base portion and a sidewall integrally formed with the top member and defining a side surface of the base portion. The portable computer may also include a sensing system including a first sensing system configured to determine a location of a touch input applied to the top surface of the base portion and a second sensing system configured to determine a force of the touch input.