US 11,874,687 B1
System and method for obtaining user input using passive human interface device
Loo Shing Tan, Singapore (SG); Michiel Sebastiaan Emanuel Petrus Knoppert, Amsterdam (NL); Gerald Rene Pelissier, Mendham, NJ (US); and Thomas Marcus Hinskens, Utrecht (NL)
Assigned to Dell Products L.P., Round Rock, TX (US)
Filed by Dell Products L.P., Round Rock, TX (US)
Filed on Mar. 9, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/181,112.
Int. Cl. G06F 3/0354 (2013.01); G06F 3/046 (2006.01)
CPC G06F 3/03545 (2013.01) [G06F 3/046 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A human interface device, comprising:
a body movable through application of force by a user;
a magnet positioned with the body, the magnet emanating a magnetic field distribution that extends into an ambient environment proximate to the human interface device;
a magnet coat that is disposed within the human interface device and that covers the magnet;
a button; and
a mechanical linkage adapted to:
receive a force from the button;
in a first instance of the force that falls below a threshold:
retain a first position of the magnet within the body; and
in a second instance of the force that exceeds the threshold:
accelerate the magnet in a first direction to move the magnet to a second position within the body; and
after the force is reduced, return the magnet to the first position.