A detachable mechanical keyboard includes a first mechanical keyboard and a second mechanical keyboard. The first mechanical keyboard has a first function key section, a first numeric key section, and a first alphabetic key section. The first mechanical keyboard has a first side, and a first connector adjacent to the first side. The second mechanical keyboard has a second function key section, a second numeric key section, and a second alphabetic key section. The second mechanical keyboard has a second side, and a second connector adjacent to the second side. The first mechanical keyboard is detachably assembled with the second mechanical keyboard to form a standard layout keyboard. When the first mechanical keyboard is detached from the second mechanical keyboard, the first mechanical keyboard can be used independently.

An electronic device includes an enclosure and a keyboard positioned within the enclosure. The keyboard includes a substrate and a key mechanism. The key mechanism includes a keycap support mechanism, a keycap supported by the keycap support mechanism and movable relative to the substrate, a ferromagnetic component attached to the keycap support mechanism, and a selectively magnetizable magnet. The selectively magnetizable magnet system may include a magnetizable material and a coil configured to selectively magnetize and demagnetize the magnetizable material. The key mechanism may include a collapsible dome biasing the keycap toward the extended position.

A key structure includes a key cap, a supporting board, a bridge assembly, a first supporting part, a second supporting part, an attractable element and a magnet. The bridge assembly includes first and second hinge parts. The first hinge part has a first pivot coupling portion. The second hinge part has a second pivot coupling portion. The first and second supporting parts are coupled to two ends of the first and second pivot coupling portions, respectively, wherein the first and the second supporting parts are disposed on the supporting board, a material of the first supporting part is different from a material of the supporting board, and a material of the second supporting part is different from the material of the supporting board. The attractable element is disposed on the second hinge part. The magnet is correspondingly located under the attractable element.

An information handling system integrated keyboard selectively retracts and extends keys based upon detected conditions, such as housing configuration, housing motion and end user indications. Extension and retraction shuttle plates motivated by actuator wires moves a sliding plate to extended and retracted positions that define the key positions. Nickel titanium alloy actuator wires shorten upon application of current to pull the shuttle plates to the extended or retracted positions that are maintained by a lock. Limit switches remove current at detection of a desired shuttle plate position. One or more controllers manage actuator wire operation based upon detected conditions and actuator wire temperature and electrical characteristics.

An information handling system integrated keyboard selectively retracts and extends keys based upon detected conditions, such as housing configuration, housing motion and end user indications. Extension and retraction shuttle plates motivated by actuator wires moves a sliding plate to extended and retracted positions that define the key positions. Nickel titanium alloy actuator wires shorten upon application of current to pull the shuttle plates to the extended or retracted positions that are maintained by a lock. Limit switches remove current at detection of a desired shuttle plate position. One or more controllers manage actuator wire operation based upon detected conditions and actuator wire temperature and electrical characteristics.

A foldable portable keyboard includes a first input module, a second input module, a connecting unit and a handgrip unit. The first input module has opposing front and back faces, and opposing first and second ends. The second input module has opposing front and back faces, and opposing first and second ends. The connecting unit is configured to be connected to the first end of the first input module and the first end of the second input module. The handgrip unit is configured to be engaged to the second end of the first input module and the second end of the second input module. The first input module and the second input module are configured to be in a flat configuration or in a folded configuration.

A multidirectional button, key, or menu for use in a user interface of a computing device (10). An object of the user interface may include a software keyboard (14) on a display screen (16) comprised of multidirectional buttons, keys, or menus.

Systems and methods are disclosed for transitioning a magnetic keyboard between retracted and extended states using a retractable keyboard hinge structure. An information handling system may include a housing having a first housing portion and a second housing portion rotatably coupled by the retractable keyboard hinge structure. The first housing portion may include a magnetic keyboard, and a sliding plate including a plurality of magnets that may be disposed underneath the magnetic keyboard. The retractable keyboard hinge structure may include a first hinge and a first cam. The first hinge and the first cam, when the first housing portion is rotated in relation to the second housing portion, may cause the sliding plate to move in a first linear direction. In response to the sliding plate moving, the plurality of magnets may cause the magnetic keyboard to move in a second linear direction perpendicular to the first linear direction.

An input system includes a first base portion and a second base portion that each include a keying surface. A base portion manipulation mechanism couples the first base portion to the second base portion. The base portion manipulation mechanism includes a moveable coupling that is configured to allow relative movement of the first base portion and the second base portion into at least one of a tented orientation and a splayed orientation. A locking mechanism provides a biasing force that causes an engagement between portions of the moveable coupling that resists relative movement of the first base portion and the second base portion absent an unlocking force, wherein the locking mechanism is responsive to the unlocking force that overcomes the biasing force to allow relative movement of the first base portion and the second base portion into the at least one of the tented orientation and the splayed orientation.

A travel-proofed portable computer keyboard with keys sealed against dust and minor impacts includes an alphanumeric keyboard, a numeric keypad, and a first locking mechanism. The alphanumeric keyboard includes an open cavity. The numeric keypad is received in or protruding from the cavity. The numeric keypad includes a first notch and a second notch. The first locking mechanism includes an engaging member which can lock the numeric keypad in place. The numeric keypad is held in the cavity of the alphanumeric keyboard when the engaging member engages the first notch of the numeric keypad, thereby facilitating the carrying of the computer keyboard. The numeric keypad is held to protrude from the cavity of the alphanumeric keyboard when the engaging member engages the second notch of the numeric keypad, thereby enabling the use of the computer keyboard.