IP Library Patent Application 13525614
Patent Application
App. No. 13/525,614

Audio Feedback

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
13/525,614
Abstract

Audio feedback techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a signal is received from a pressure sensitive key of an input device and audio feedback is determined, from the signal, which is to be output as corresponding to the pressure sensitive key. The determined audio feedback is then caused to be output.

Claims (23)

1 . A method comprising:

receiving a signal from a pressure sensitive key of an input device;

determining audio feedback, from the signal, that is to be output as corresponding to the pressure sensitive key; and

causing output of the determined audio feedback.

2 . A method as described in claim 1 , wherein the input device includes a plurality of said pressure sensitive keys and the determining is performed such that audio feedback that is determined as corresponding to a first said key is different than audio feedback that is determined as corresponding to a second said key.

3 . A method as described in claim 2 , wherein the first said key corresponds to a letter or number and the second said key does not.

4 . A method as described in claim 1 , wherein the determining is based at least in part on an amount of pressure indicated by the signal to select a volume or timbre for the audio feedback.

5 . A method as described in claim 1 , wherein the causing of the output of the determined audio feedback is performed such that sound of the determined audio feedback appears to originate from a location of the pressure sensitive key on the input device to a user that pressed the pressure sensitive key.

6 . A method as described in claim 5 , wherein the causing takes into account a likely position of the user with respect to the pressure sensitive key.

7 . A method as described in claim 6 , wherein the likely position of the user is detected dynamically using one or more sensors.

8 . A method as described in claim 1 , wherein the determining is performed such that audio feedback is based at least in part on which part of the pressure sensitive key is pressed.

9 . A method as described in claim 8 , wherein audio feedback that is determined for a press that is proximal to a center of the pressure sensitive key is different than audio feedback that is determined for a press that is proximal to an edge of the pressure sensitive key.

10 . A method as described in claim 1 , wherein the determining is based at least in part on an environment in which the input device is located.

11 . A method as described in claim 10 , wherein the determining is based on a detected ambient noise level in the environment.

12 . A method as described in claim 1 , wherein the determining is based at least in part on characteristics of an application that is executed on a computing device that is communicatively coupled to the input device.

13 . A system comprising one or more modules implemented at least partially in hardware and configured to cause output of audio feedback that is determined based on a location at which a key of a keyboard is pressed.

14 . A system as described in claim 13 , wherein the keyboard is a pressure sensitive keyboard.

15 . A system as described in claim 13 , wherein the one or more modules are configured to determine audio feedback for a press at a first location of the key that is different than audio feedback that is determined for a press at a second location of the key that is different than the first location of the key.

16 . A system as described in claim 13 , wherein the one or more modules are configured to further provide audio feedback that is indicative of location of one or more fingers of a user's hand on a home row of a keyboard that includes a plurality of said keys.

17 . A keyboard comprising a plurality of keys, each configured to be selected using one or more fingers of a user's hand and to cause output of audio feedback responsive to the selection, the output of the audio feedback configured to appear to the user as originating from a location of a respective said key.

18 . A keyboard as described in claim 17 , wherein the output of the audio feedback is performed using a plurality of audio output devices that are not positioned at the location of the respective said key.

19 . A keyboard as described in claim 17 , wherein the output of the audio feedback is caused to be performed by a computing device that is communicatively coupled to the keyboard.

20 . A keyboard as described in claim 17 , wherein the output of the audio feedback is modeled according to a head transfer function.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 9, 2014
From: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
To: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
Reel/Frame 034544/0541 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 21, 2013
From: DIETZ, PAUL HENRY; LUTZ, MOSHE R.
To: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 029851/0694 →