An illuminated film-covered keyboard includes: a backlit keyboard module which includes a plurality of keys that are light-permeable, and at least one backlight source; a frame body disposed on the backlit keyboard module, the frame body including a key area, wherein the top surface of each of the plurality of keys is exposed at the key area; and a cover film disposed at the key area and on top of the top surface of each of the plurality of keys, wherein the cover film includes a light-permeable film, a base color layer, a light-shielding layer that is opaque, and a protection layer disposed on a side of the light-shielding layer opposing the base color layer, and wherein the portions of the light-shielding layer that respectively correspond to each of the plurality of keys are removed so as to form a plurality of light-transparent patterns.

A backlit operating portion of a control device includes a veneer having indicia defining an open portion exposing a backlit component, a floating portion, and one or more ribs that suspend the floating portion. The rib defines an upper surface recessed relative to a front surface of the veneer, and opposed sides that extend from a base of the rib to the upper surface, such opposed sides tapered between the base and the upper surface, such that the upper surface is narrower than the base.

A keyboard key structure includes a plurality of keycaps. Each keycap has a keycap body and an outward layer. The keycap body has an appearance with a first color. The outward layer has an appearance with a second color different from the first color. The outward layer is formed above the keycap body. The outward layer is formed with an engraving portion. The first color is exposed in the engraving portion. The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing a keycap of a keyboard key.

A veneer configured to be secured to a backlit button of a control device may include a plate portion. The plate portion may have one or more laser-cut indicia defined therethrough, may have laser-cut rounded corners, and may have angularly offset outer edges that may be defined during an embossing process. The laser-cut indicia may be representative of a command for controlling an electrical load. The indicia may include an alphanumeric character, an icon, or the like, may define one or more substantially zero-radius corners, and may define respective inner surfaces that are substantially perpendicular to an outer surface of the plate portion. A laser-cut alphanumeric character may have variable (e.g., continuously variable) line width. The plate portion may define a rib that suspends a floating portion of the alphanumeric character relative to an open portion. The rib may define a thickness that does not exceed 0.003 inches.

A control device includes one or more buttons having an illuminated indicia indicating a function. Each button has a translucent button body and an associated lighting element. A veneer covers a front surface of the button body, the veneer being opaque to block transmission of light through the veneer except for an area defining the indicia. The control device may further comprise a button lighting circuit, wherein the button lighting circuit and the associated lighting element are configured to operate at a first illumination intensity and a second illumination intensity. Selection of the button by a user, such as by pressing the button, results in the selected button displaying a greater illumination intensity.

A veneer configured to be secured to a backlit button of a control device may include a plate portion. The plate portion may have one or more laser-cut indicia defined therethrough, may have laser-cut rounded corners, and may have angularly offset outer edges that may be defined during an embossing process. The laser-cut indicia may be representative of a command for controlling an electrical load. The indicia may include an alphanumeric character, an icon, or the like, may define one or more substantially zero-radius corners, and may define respective inner surfaces that are substantially perpendicular to an outer surface of the plate portion. A laser-cut alphanumeric character may have variable (e.g., continuously variable) line width. The plate portion may define a rib that suspends a floating portion of the alphanumeric character relative to an open portion. The rib may define a thickness that does not exceed 0.003 inches.

A veneer may be configured to be secured to a backlit button of a control device. A plate portion of the veneer may have one or more indicia machined therethrough. The indicia may define an open portion, a floating portion, and one or more ribs that suspend the floating portion. The one or more ribs may be configured to create an optical illusion that conceals the ribs from view relative to a user of the control device. The rib may define an upper surface that is recessed relative to a front surface of the veneer, and may define opposed sides that extend from a base of the rib to the upper surface. The sides may be tapered between the base and the upper surface, such that the upper surface is narrower than the base. The sides and the upper surface of the rib may be unfinished.