• Full-Travel Notebook Keyboards Today
• Basic Notebook Keyboard Platform / Capabilities
• Custom Notebook Keyboard Capabilities

Advanced Input Systems' Basic Notebook Keyboard Platform / Capabilities

The Notebook keyboard platform that Advanced Input Systems has to meet basic needs is based on an 86 key, full-travel, ergonomic platform size (see illustration right). The layering in the picture reveals the keyboard, elastomer layer, PCB, rear gasket, adhesive layer and back plate. The reasons that make this notebook keyboard a well-rounded platform are important to note:

Key travel: Advanced Input Systems has developed a wide variety of keyboards using the basic platform of key travel as the distinguishing factor in choosing the appropriate application of the product. In the application of key travel, we at Advanced Input Systems think of keyboards as falling into three basic groups:

1. Flat panel (.000” to .020” in key depth travel)
2. Mid-travel (.030” to .080” in key depth travel)
3. Full-travel (.080 to .125” in key depth travel)

Each group has their specific application, but it is most appropriate to notebooks that we would use the full-travel, or what Advanced Input Systems named the “Ergo key” series. Ergonomics, defined as the applied science of arranging things so that people are able to interact most efficiently and safely with them, describes our philosophy behind why full-travel was the best fit for our notebook platform. In everyday use people expect efficient keyboards – with the same typing speed advantages, key travel and ease of movement that they find on their desk mounted PC’s.

In notebooks, the full-travel application is the most natural choice of selection for meeting the criteria just described. It makes your “home away from home” notebook keypad operate in a similar manner as your desktop unit. As the need for thinner and lighter keyboards continues to progress, Advanced Input Systems is developing ideas to recess the full-travel key to be thinner in height without losing those important elements of typing speed and tactile feel.

Elastomeric sealing: Since the notebook keyboard moves about in the environment that you do, Advanced Input Systems has chosen a sealable platform that allows our notebook keyboard to meet various NEMA standards for sealing against a wide spectrum of fluids and particles. The elastomeric layer not only seals the underlying PCB against weather and fluids under the keys, but also allows for perimeter sealing capabilities depending on the type of bezel platform into which it is mounted. Advanced Input Systems would coordinate with or assist directly in the design of any bezel design required on your next project. Lastly, the elastomer provides the force element underneath the key plungers for a solid responding tactile feel and sure electrical contact for over a million cycles, as tested.

Mounting schemes: Keys can be removed to provide access to screws for rear mounting the keyboard. This is done by the use of two screws that are used to attach the back sheet metal plate specifically, and the keyboard generally, to a bezel or back plane of your choice. Although this mounting scheme is specific and screw location fixed, the back sheet metal plate is easily removed to allow a bezel and mounting pattern that would meet your specific needs.

PCB variables: The basic application for our notebook keyboard is wire only PCB with a ZIF (zero insertion force) style connection points coming through the sheet metal back plate on the back side. The PCB is removable and modifiable to be converted to any variation of communication formats – PS2, USB, PS2/USB AutoSense for example – and electronic interfaces as you require for your application.