A keyboard device includes a key structure, a base plate and a soft fixing element. The key structure includes a keycap and a stabilizer bar. The stabilizer bar is connected with the keycap and the soft fixing element. The soft fixing element is disposed on the base plate. The soft fixing element has an accommodation space. The stabilizer bar is inserted into the accommodation space, so that the stabilizer bar is connected with the base plate. After a fixing post of the soft fixing element is penetrated through a fixing hole of the base plate, the fixing post is thermally treated to form the hot melt fixing structure. Consequently, the soft fixing element is firmly fixed on the base plate. Since the metallic stabilizer bar and the metallic base plate are separated by the soft fixing element, the keyboard device is capable of reducing noise.

A keyswitch includes a base plate, a cap having a longitudinal axis, a returning device, a support mechanism, and a lifting mechanism including first and second support plates. The first support plate has first and second edges parallel to the longitudinal axis for respectively abutting against the base plate and the cap. The second support plate has third and fourth edges parallel to the longitudinal axis for respectively abutting against the base plate and the cap. The base plate is disposed through openings of the first and second support plates to make the first and second support plates movably connected to the base plate. The returning device drives the cap to a non-pressed position with rotation of the first and second support plates. The support mechanism has first and second support members pivoted to each other to be movably connected to the cap and the base plate.

The control panel and display of a cart-borne ultrasound system are support by a lift which can be controlled to allow the control panel and display to be raised, lowered, and rotated. The lift has a first pivot elbow mounted to the ultrasound system cart and a second pivot elbow on which the control panel and display are mounted. A four-bar linkage is coupled between the pivot elbows which enables to control panel and display to be raised and lowered while maintaining the inclination of the control panel. The pivot elbows allow the control panel and display to be turned and rotated. A pair of hydraulic struts are mounted to the four-bar linkage to support the weight of the control panel and display. When a control button on the handle of the control panel is depressed the control panel and display can be freely raised, lowered and rotated. When the control button is released the pivot elbows and four-bar linkages are locked in their current positions.

The control panel and display of a cart-borne ultrasound system are support by a lift which can be controlled to allow the control panel and display to be raised, lowered, and rotated. The lift has a first pivot elbow mounted to the ultrasound system cart and a second pivot elbow on which the control panel and display are mounted. A four-bar linkage is coupled between the pivot elbows which enables to control panel and display to be raised and lowered while maintaining the inclination of the control panel. The pivot elbows allow the control panel and display to be turned and rotated. A pair of hydraulic struts are mounted to the four-bar linkage to support the weight of the control panel and display. When a control button on the handle of the control panel is depressed the control panel and display can be freely raised, lowered and rotated. When the control button is released the pivot elbows and four-bar linkages are locked in their current positions.

Devices and methods for capacitively sensing key cap position during the initial and latter stages of a keystroke. A key assembly includes a stationary key guide magnet, a movable key cap magnet, and a transmitter/receiver electrode pair. One or both of the electrodes underlies the key cap. The capacitance change between the electrodes during a keystroke includes the capacitance change between the key cap and the electrode pair, and the change in capacitance between the key cap and the key guide. Key cap position may thus be accurately detected throughout the entire keystroke.

To provide a key switch structure where the outline of a key top becomes well-defined. A reflection sheet is adhered on top of a membrane sheet, so that light reflected by a back surface of a key top is reflected by the reflection sheet and emitted toward the outer side of the outer periphery of the key top. Because of this, the outer side of the key top is lighted up and the outline of the key top becomes well-defined.

A key structure includes a circuit board, a housing, a first metallic element, a second metallic element, a keycap and a conductive strip. The conductive strip is disposed within the housing. The first metallic element and the second metallic element are electrically connected with the circuit board. The housing is disposed on the circuit board. The keycap is fixed on the housing. While the keycap is depressed, a first end of the conductive strip is pressed by the triggering part and the conductive strip is swung relative to the housing. Moreover, a second end of the conductive strip collides with the second metallic element. Consequently, the key structure is triggered. When the second end of the conductive strip collides with the second metallic element, a click sound is generated.

An illuminated keyboard device includes plural keys, plural light-emitting elements and a membrane switch circuit module. Each key includes a keycap and an elastic element. Each elastic element has a protrusion. The plural elastic elements are located over plural contacts of the membrane switch circuit module and connected with the plural keycaps. The plural light-emitting elements are located under the corresponding elastic elements. Moreover, the protrusions within the elastic elements and the contacts of the membrane switch circuit module are all ring-shaped structures, and each light-emitting element is aligned with the center region of the corresponding contact of the membrane switch circuit module. Consequently, while the protrusion is moved downwardly to push the corresponding contact, a corresponding key signal is generated.

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.

A button structure comprises a keycap, an elastic body, a scissor mechanism, and a piezoresistive film sensor arranged on a support plate. The scissor mechanism and the elastic body are arranged between the keycap and the piezoresistive film sensor. The piezoresistive film sensor comprises a first pressure sensing area and a second pressure sensing area. The elastic body corresponds to the first pressure sensing area and the scissor mechanism corresponds to the second pressure sensing area, such that, when a pressure is applied to the keycap, a first pressure acts on the elastic body to generate pressure on the first pressure sensing area and a second pressure acts on the scissor mechanism to generate pressure on the second pressure sensing area.