Particular embodiments described herein provide a display that includes a mask that includes a one or more exposed areas, a top electrode, one or more bottom electrodes, a dielectric between the top electrode and the one or more bottom electrodes, and an electrical connection to create a differential voltage between the top electrode and the one or more bottom electrodes.

A membrane keyboard structure and a conductive method thereof allows a first surrounding portion of a first flexible circuit layer to be deformed to pass through an through hole to be in direct contact and conduction with a second surrounding portion temporarily when it is pressed through the coordination of a first flexible sheet body, first flexible circuit layer configured on the first flexible sheet body, spacer layer positioned on one side of the first flexible sheet body adjacent to the first flexible circuit layer, second flexible sheet body configured on one side of the spacer away from the first flexible circuit layer and second flexible circuit layer configured on one side of the second flexible sheet body adjacent to the spacer layer. Whereby, the present invention can achieve the contact and conduction anywhere to make the use thereof easier and more convenient.

A portable computer includes a display portion comprising a display and a base portion pivotally coupled to the display portion. The base portion may include a bottom case and a top case, formed from a dielectric material, coupled to the bottom case. The top case may include a top member defining a top surface of the base portion and a sidewall integrally formed with the top member and defining a side surface of the base portion. The portable computer may also include a sensing system including a first sensing system configured to determine a location of a touch input applied to the top surface of the base portion and a second sensing system configured to determine a force of the touch input.

To provide a user with descriptive images for each function performed by a button, the embodiments described herein use a transforming graphical expression that presents different images depending on the particular function the button is currently performing. For example, if the button is used to increase speaker volume, the graphical expression may display plus sign, but if the button is currently being used to navigate through a display menu, the graphical expression may be transformed into an arrow to indicate the direction a selection element in the menu moves if the button is activated. Thus, as the current function of the button changes, the graphical expression presented to the user also changes. In this manner, the same button may be used to perform multiple functions while presenting to a user a customized graphical expression indicating the current function of the button.

A portable computer includes a display portion comprising a display and a base portion pivotally coupled to the display portion. The base portion may include a bottom case and a top case, formed from a dielectric material, coupled to the bottom case. The top case may include a top member defining a top surface of the base portion and a sidewall integrally formed with the top member and defining a side surface of the base portion. The portable computer may also include a sensing system including a first sensing system configured to determine a location of a touch input applied to the top surface of the base portion and a second sensing system configured to determine a force of the touch input.

Particular embodiments described herein provide a display that includes a mask that includes a one or more exposed areas, a top electrode, one or more bottom electrodes, a dielectric between the top electrode and the one or more bottom electrodes, and an electrical connection to create a differential voltage between the top electrode and the one or more bottom electrodes.

A physical computer keyboard which includes: a circuit board having touchpoints; physical programmable, pluggable keys such that each of the keys is programmable to provide the function of each of the keys, each of the keys having interlocking elements to join with an adjoining key, each key having connectors on a bottom surface of each key to make electrical contact with the touchpoints; and display panels with one display panel on a top surface of each key, the function of each key being displayed on the display panel of each key.

An electrical switch with identifying features. Embodiments include a toggle assembly for an electrical switch that comprises a switch body including a contact mechanism configured to control an electrical circuit. A movement of the toggle assembly from a first position to a second position is mechanically communicated to the contact mechanism. The toggle assembly can also include a user-operable actuator portion elongated between the switch engagement portion and a front end of the toggle assembly enabling a user to pivot the toggle assembly from the first position to the second position. Embodiments include an interchangeable tile removably coupleable to the toggle. The interchangeable tile can comprise an identifier. Embodiments include an illuminating element.

A membrane keyboard structure and a conductive method thereof allows a first surrounding portion of a first flexible circuit layer to be deformed to pass through an through hole to be in direct contact and conduction with a second surrounding portion temporarily when it is pressed through the coordination of a first flexible sheet body, first flexible circuit layer configured on the first flexible sheet body, spacer layer positioned on one side of the first flexible sheet body adjacent to the first flexible circuit layer, second flexible sheet body configured on one side of the spacer away from the first flexible circuit layer and second flexible circuit layer configured on one side of the second flexible sheet body adjacent to the spacer layer. Whereby, the present invention can achieve the contact and conduction anywhere to make the use thereof easier and more convenient.

A control device includes a button assembly having one or more buttons and a button carrier that includes a plurality of resilient, independently deflectable spring arms. The control device may be configured as a wall-mounted keypad to control a load control device, or as a thermostat to control a temperature regulation appliance. The button carrier may be configured to prevent interference between the buttons during operation of the control device. The button assembly may be captured between a faceplate of the control device and a housing that is attached to a rear side of the faceplate. The control device may include one or more button retainers that are attached to the buttons and that are configured to align respective outer surfaces of the buttons relative to each other, and relative to the faceplate of the control device, when the buttons are in respective rest positions.