This disclosure relates to touch-sensitive mechanical keyboards and methods for detecting touch events and key depression events on the touch-sensitive mechanical keyboard. The keypad can include a plurality of domes, a plurality of key make electrodes, first touch electrodes, and second touch electrodes. The first touch electrodes may be located underneath the plurality of key make electrodes, and the second touch electrodes may not. Both touch electrodes can detect touch events based on self-capacitance sensing. A key depression event can cause the key make electrode to make electrical contact with a corresponding first touch electrode, creating a short circuit that may cause the measured signal to saturate. The keyboard can include a plurality of sensing circuits coupled to the key make electrodes, the first touch electrodes, and the second touch electrodes. The plurality of sensing circuits can be used to detect both touch events and key depression events.

A keyboard backlight module includes a light guide plate, a reflector, a light-emitting device and a first microstructure. The light guide plate has an output surface, a light guide pattern and a bottom surface disposed on an opposite side of the output surface. The light guide pattern is arranged on at least one of the bottom surface and the output surface. The reflector has a reflecting surface facing the bottom surface. The light-emitting device is disposed on one side of the light guide plate and configured to provide an incident light to the reflecting surface. The first microstructure is disposed on the reflecting surface, at least partially overlaps with the light guide pattern, and is configured to transform the incident light into a first reflected light.

A keyboard backlight module includes a light guide plate, a reflector, a light-emitting device and a first microstructure. The light guide plate has an output surface, a light guide pattern and a bottom surface disposed on an opposite side of the output surface. The light guide pattern is arranged on at least one of the bottom surface and the output surface. The reflector has a reflecting surface facing the bottom surface. The light-emitting device is disposed on one side of the light guide plate and configured to provide an incident light to the reflecting surface. The first microstructure is disposed on the reflecting surface, at least partially overlaps with the light guide pattern, and is configured to transform the incident light into a first reflected light.

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 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.

One variation of a touch sensor system includes a set of touch layers: spanning a first area; and including a set of electrodes. The system further includes a set of inductor layers: arranged below the set of touch layers; spanning a second area less than the first area; and including a set of spiral traces defining an inductor. The system also includes a magnetic element arranged below the set of inductor layers and defining a first polarity facing the inductor. The system further includes a controller configured to: read a set of electrical values from the set of electrodes; interpret a force magnitude of a touch input based on the set of electrical values; and in response to the force magnitude exceeding a force magnitude, drive an oscillating voltage across the inductor to induce alternating magnetic coupling between the inductor and the magnetic element.

A backlit keyboard includes key switches and a backlight module. The backlight module includes a light guide plate, a reflecting surface, and at least one light-emitting device. The light guide plate is provided with light-guiding dots disposed on a bottom surface thereof. A light-shielding layer disposed on the light guide plate has a light-shielding portion and a light-transmitting portion corresponding to at least one of the key switches. The reflecting surface faces the bottom surface of the light guide plate, and a pattern at least partially overlaps the light-shielding portion. A first light-emitting device and a second light-emitting device are disposed in an opening of the light guide plate, and the first light-emitting device and the second light-emitting device face respective sidewalls of the opening. The first light-emitting device is located underneath the light-shielding portion.

A backlit keyboard includes key switches and a backlight module. The backlight module includes a light guide plate, a reflecting surface, and at least one light-emitting device. The light guide plate is provided with light-guiding dots disposed on a bottom surface thereof. A light-shielding layer disposed on the light guide plate has a light-shielding portion and a light-transmitting portion corresponding to at least one of the key switches. The reflecting surface faces the bottom surface of the light guide plate, and a pattern at least partially overlaps the light-shielding portion. A first light-emitting device and a second light-emitting device are disposed in an opening of the light guide plate, and the first light-emitting device and the second light-emitting device face respective sidewalls of the opening. The first light-emitting device is located underneath the light-shielding portion.

A keyboard backlight module includes a light guide plate, a reflector, a light-emitting device and a first microstructure. The light guide plate has an output surface, a light guide pattern and a bottom surface disposed on an opposite side of the output surface. The light guide pattern is arranged on at least one of the bottom surface and the output surface. The reflector has a reflecting surface facing the bottom surface. The light-emitting device is disposed on one side of the light guide plate and configured to provide an incident light to the reflecting surface. The first microstructure is disposed on the reflecting surface, at least partially overlaps with the light guide pattern, and is configured to transform the incident light into a first reflected light.

A keyboard backlight module includes a light guide plate, a reflector, a light-emitting device and a first microstructure. The light guide plate has an output surface, a light guide pattern and a bottom surface disposed on an opposite side of the output surface. The light guide pattern is arranged on at least one of the bottom surface and the output surface. The reflector has a reflecting surface facing the bottom surface. The light-emitting device is disposed on one side of the light guide plate and configured to provide an incident light to the reflecting surface. The first microstructure is disposed on the reflecting surface, at least partially overlaps with the light guide pattern, and is configured to transform the incident light into a first reflected light.