Input Device Securing Techniques

Abstract

Input device equalization techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an input device includes a sensor substrate having a plurality of sets of one or more conductors of a respective plurality of pressure sensitive keys, a spacer layer disposed proximal to the sensor substrate and having a plurality of openings that expose the plurality of sets of conductors, respectively, a flexible contact layer, and a press equalization device. The pressure equalization device is formed as a series of connected channels that connect one or more of the plurality of openings to an outside area of the input device to permit air pressure of the outside area to generally equalize with air pressure within the one or more of the plurality of openings.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An input device comprising:
 a sensor substrate having a plurality of sets of one or more conductors of a respective plurality of pressure sensitive keys;   a spacer layer disposed proximal to the sensor substrate and having a plurality of openings that expose the plurality of sets of conductors, respectively;   a flexible contact layer spaced apart from the sensor substrate by the spacer layer and configured to flex through the plurality of openings responsive to respective applied pressures to respective said sets of conductors to initiate respective inputs, and   a pressure equalization device formed as a series of connected channels that connect one or more of the plurality of openings to an outside area of the input device to permit air pressure of the outside area to generally equalize with air pressure within the one or more of the plurality of openings.   
     
     
         2 . An input device as described in  claim 1 , wherein the series of connected channels of pressure equalization device a plurality of bends that restrict entry of contaminates from the outside are into the one or more of the plurality of openings. 
     
     
         3 . An input device as described in  claim 1 , wherein the series of connected channels of pressure equalization device form a labyrinth. 
     
     
         4 . An input device as described in  claim 1 , wherein the series of connected channels are defined using an adhesive disposed on a layer of the input device that is configured to secure the flexible contact layer. 
     
     
         5 . An input device as described in  claim 1 , wherein the series of connected channels are defined using an adhesive disposed on the spacer layer. 
     
     
         6 . An input device as described in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one adhesive layer configured to join adjoining said layers using a plurality of portions configured to permit air to escape from between the at least one adhesive layers and the adjoining said layers during bonding. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of pressure sensitive keys having a plurality of openings, the plurality of pressures sensitive keys forming keys of a keyboard of an input device, and   a pressure equalization device formed as a series of connected channels that connect one or more of the plurality of openings of the plurality of pressure sensitive keys to an outside area of the input device to permit air pressure of the outside area to generally equalize with air pressure within the one or more of the plurality of openings.   
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as described in  claim 7 , wherein the series of connected channels of pressure equalization device a plurality of bends that restrict entry of contaminates from the outside are into the one or more of the plurality of openings. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as described in  claim 7 , wherein the series of connected channels of pressure equalization device form a labyrinth. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as described in  claim 7 , wherein the series of connected channels are defined using an adhesive disposed on a layer that is configured to secure a flexible contact layer of the plurality of pressure sensitive keys. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus as described in  claim 7 , wherein the series of connected channels are defined using an adhesive disposed on a spacer layer of the plurality of pressure sensitive keys. 
     
     
         12 . An input device as described in  claim 7 , further comprising at least one adhesive layer configured to join adjoining said layers using a plurality of portions configured to permit air to escape from between the at least one adhesive layers and the adjoining said layers during bonding. 
     
     
         13 . An input device comprising:
 a sensor substrate having a plurality of sets of one or more conductors of a respective plurality of pressure sensitive keys;   a spacer layer disposed proximal to the sensor substrate and having a plurality of openings that expose the plurality of sets of conductors, respectively;   a flexible contact layer spaced apart from the sensor substrate by the spacer layer and configured to flex through the plurality of openings responsive to respective applied pressures to respective said sets of conductors to initiate respective inputs, and   a pressure equalization device formed as a labyrinth of channels that connect one or more of the plurality of openings to an outside area of the input device to permit air pressure of the outside area to generally equalize with air pressure within the one or more of the plurality of openings.   
     
     
         14 . An input device as described in  claim 13 , wherein the labyrinth of connected channels of pressure equalization device a plurality of bends that restrict entry of contaminates from the outside are into the one or more of the plurality of openings. 
     
     
         15 . An input device as described in  claim 13 , wherein the labyrinth of connected channels are defined using an adhesive disposed on a layer of the input device that is configured to secure the flexible contact layer. 
     
     
         16 . An input device as described in  claim 13 , wherein the labyrinth of connected channels are defined using an adhesive disposed on the spacer layer. 
     
     
         17 . An input device as described in  claim 13 , further comprising at least one adhesive layer configured to join adjoining said layers using a plurality of portions configured to permit air to escape from between the at least one adhesive layers and the adjoining said layers during bonding. 
     
     
         18 . An input device as described in  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of pressure sensitive keys form a QWERTY keyboard. 
     
     
         19 . An input device as described in  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of pressure sensitive keys form a game controller. 
     
     
         20 . An input device as described in  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of pressure sensitive keys mimic a configuration of a musical instrument.