Keyboards are disclosed that are retractable. Movable magnetic or mechanical linkage elements are configured to reposition keycaps and stabilizers between different relative positions. Structures in a movable layer can act on the keycaps or stabilizers to move the keycaps and stabilizers into a retracted position for storage and for saving space in an electronic device. The stabilizers can be scissor mechanisms, butterfly mechanisms, and similar devices. The movable layer can be moved in response to rotation of a hinge or other mechanical element in the electronic device.

An adjustable keyboard having a number of keys is formed in at least two segments which are mutually movable relative-to one another using a hinge or joint. Each of the segments of the keyboard has mounted thereon some of the keys. The adjustable nature of the keyboard reduces stress and discomfort to the user by reducing contortion to the user's wrists. More particularly, discomfort to the user caused by pronation of the wrists and/or ulnar deviation of the wrists is reduced. The hinge or joint is in the form of a ball and socket-type joint with a locking mechanism, which preferably includes a pivoted handle, in the form of a lever, used for locking and unlocking the hinge or joint. The surface of at least one of the ball and socket of the joint define a plurality of recesses or a plurality of projections, to provide increased resistance to joint movement.

Example implementations relate to a rotatable keyboard. For example, an input control housing of a computing device according to the present disclosure may include a first segment including a first portion of keyboard keys, the first segment connected to a display housing via a first connection. The input control housing may include a second segment, physically separate from the first segment, including a second portion of the keyboard keys, the second segment connected to the display housing via a second connection. The first portion of keyboard keys may be rotatable three hundred and sixty degrees on a face of the first segment, and the second portion of the keyboard may be rotatable three hundred and sixty degrees on a face of the second segment.

An electronic device includes a host, a display, a sliding plate, and a keyboard. The host has an operating surface. The display is pivoted to the host. The sliding plate is slidably disposed in the host, where the display is mechanically coupled to the sliding plate, and the sliding plate includes a plat portion and a recess portion that are arranged side by side. The keyboard is integrated to the host. The keyboard includes a key structure, where the key structure includes a key cap and a reciprocating element, and the key cap is exposed from the operating surface of the host. The reciprocating element is disposed between the key cap and the sliding plate and has a first end connected to the key cap and a second end contacting the sliding plate. The second end is located on a sliding path of the plat portion and the recess portion.

A typing profile based mood sensing system may comprise a processor receiving a user identification associated with a personal typing profile identifying a repeated pattern of values for a combination of previously recorded haptic hardware typing or touch behavior parameters, and a piezo haptic keyboard controller operably connected to piezo electric elements situated beneath keys of the piezo keyboard detecting current haptic hardware typing or touch behavior parameters describing deformation characteristics for the piezo electric elements. The processor may compare the user personal typing behavior profile against the current haptic hardware typing or touch behavior parameters to identify a user personal typing behavior profile value change, and associate the change with a mood-based haptic keyboard setting adjustment. The piezo haptic keyboard controller may apply the mood-based haptic keyboard setting adjustment to operation of the haptic keyboard or touchpad.

The invention provides an input device, including: a substrate, including at least one connecting portion and at least one limiting portion; at least one key, including at least one first engagement portion and at least one second engagement portion located on two opposite sides, where the first engagement portion is in contact with the connecting portion, so that the key can rotate relative to the substrate by taking the connecting portion as a rotation center, and the second engagement portion faces the limiting portion and is spaced apart from the limiting portion; and a buffer unit, disposed on at least one of two surfaces of the limiting portion and the second engagement portion facing each other. By disposing the buffer unit, noise generated due to the collision between the second engagement portion and the limiting portion can be decreased.

The present invention provides a touch control device, including a cover plate, a circuit board, an elastic sheet body and a bracket. The circuit board is fixedly arranged below the cover plate. The circuit board is provided with a triggering region located on a bottom surface. The elastic sheet body is arranged under the circuit board and corresponds to the triggering region. The bracket is disposed below the circuit board. The bracket is provided with a first side and a second side which are opposite and a middle region located on the second side and further comprises two cantilevers which are located at both sides of the middle region of the second side and extend towards opposite directions. The elastic sheet body is in contact with the middle region. The end of each cantilever is provided with an abutting-joint structure and is in contact with the circuit board by the abutting-joint structure.

A typing profile based mood sensing system may comprise a processor receiving a user identification associated with a personal typing profile identifying a repeated pattern of values for a combination of previously recorded haptic hardware typing or touch behavior parameters, and a piezo haptic keyboard controller operably connected to piezo electric elements situated beneath keys of the piezo keyboard detecting current haptic hardware typing or touch behavior parameters describing deformation characteristics for the piezo electric elements. The processor may compare the user personal typing behavior profile against the current haptic hardware typing or touch behavior parameters to identify a user personal typing behavior profile value change, and associate the change with a mood-based haptic keyboard setting adjustment. The piezo haptic keyboard controller may apply the mood-based haptic keyboard setting adjustment to operation of the haptic keyboard or touchpad.

The disclosure provides a base plate adapted for disposing a support unit. The base plate includes a thermally sensitive material plate and a connecting member. The connecting member includes a junction part joined to the thermally sensitive material plate, and a connection part extending from the junction part. The connection part protrudes from a surface of the thermally sensitive material plate. A key assembly, an illuminated key input device, and a manufacturing method of the base plate are also provided.

The disclosure provides a base plate adapted for disposing a support unit. The base plate includes a thermally sensitive material plate and a connecting member. The connecting member includes a junction part joined to the thermally sensitive material plate, and a connection part extending from the junction part. The connection part protrudes from a surface of the thermally sensitive material plate. A key assembly are also provided.