A sensor device 1A includes: an insulating substrate 11; a touch sensor TS that includes a sensor electrode 12 disposed on a first surface 15a disposed on an operation surface side; a shield electrode 131 disposed on the first surface 15a; and a detecting electrode 14 facing the shield electrode 131 and disposed on a second surface 15b different from the first surface 15a. The first surface 15a is located closer to the operation surface than the second surface 15b, the shield electrode 131 and the detecting electrode 14 constitute a pressure-sensitive sensor that detects a change in capacitance value caused by approaching of the shield electrode 131 and the detecting electrode 14, and the shield electrode 131 blocks capacitive coupling between an operator FIN and the detecting electrode 14 caused by approaching of the operator FIN to the operation surface.

Example low latency tactile capacitive keyboards are disclosed. An example compute system includes a keyboard including a housing, a plurality of keys, and a touch sensor positioned between the housing and at least one of the plurality of keys, keyboard circuitry to detect a signal output by the touch sensor, the signal corresponding to a keystroke, and generate a code corresponding to the detected signal and processor circuitry to process the code to effect the keystroke.

A keyboard may be provided that has keys overlapped by a touch sensor. The keyboard may have key sensor circuitry for monitoring switching in the keys for key press input. The keyboard may also have touch sensor circuitry such as capacitive touch sensor circuitry that monitors capacitive electrodes in the touch sensor for touch sensor input such as multitouch gesture input. The keyboard may include an outer layer of fabric that overlaps the keys. The fabric may have openings that are arranged to form alphanumeric characters. Light sources may emit light that passes through the openings and illuminates the alphanumeric characters. The touch sensor may have signal lines that are not visible through the openings. The signal lines may be transparent, may be covered by a diffuser, or may circumvent the openings so that they do not overlap.

A device includes a display portion that includes a display housing and a display within the display housing. The device also includes a base portion flexibly coupled to the display portion and comprising a glass member defining a keyboard region configured to receive user input, a first haptic actuator configured to produce a first haptic output at a first area of the keyboard region, and a second haptic actuator configured to produce a second haptic output at a second area of the keyboard region that is different from the first area.

An optical keyswitch includes a keycap, a supporting mechanism having a protrusion disposed under the keycap to support the keycap to move downward or upward, and a switch module including a circuit board, an emitter, and a receiver. The emitter and the receiver are electrically connected to the circuit board. The emitter emits an optical signal to the receiver. When the keycap is not pressed, the receiver receives the optical signal of a first intensity. When the keycap is pressed, the protrusion moves along with the keycap, and the protrusion changes the optical signal received by the receiver to have a second intensity different from the first intensity, so the switch module is triggered to generate a triggering signal.

An optical keyswitch includes a keycap, a supporting mechanism having a protrusion disposed under the keycap to support the keycap to move downward or upward, and a switch module including a circuit board, an emitter, and a receiver. The emitter and the receiver are electrically connected to the circuit board. The emitter emits an optical signal to the receiver. When the keycap is not pressed, the receiver receives the optical signal of a first intensity. When the keycap is pressed, the protrusion moves along with the keycap, and the protrusion changes the optical signal received by the receiver to have a second intensity different from the first intensity, so the switch module is triggered to generate a triggering signal.

Embodiments are directed to a sensing membrane that is coupled with electrical terminals of a key switch and a light source. This may allow the membrane to be both configured to transmit a signal in response to actuation of keyboard key cap and illuminate an illuminable symbol of key cap. In one aspect, the membrane includes a set of deformable layers separated by a spacer layer. Terminals of the key switch are connected to distinct ones of the set of deformable layers and positioned within a cavity defined by the spacer layer. A light assembly may be positioned along and configured to move with one of the set of deformable layers. Depression of a key cap toward the set of deformable layers causes the set of terminals to move and initiate a switch event.

An optical keyswitch includes a keycap, a support mechanism, and a switch module. The support mechanism is disposed below the keycap and configured to support the keycap moving upward and downward, the support mechanism comprising a first frame and a second frame, the first frame having a sliding end. The switch module includes a circuit board, an emitter, and a receiver, the emitter and the receiver are electrically connected to the circuit board, and the emitter emitting an optical signal to the receiver. When the keycap is pressed, the first frame is driven by the keycap to slide substantially parallel to the circuit board and block the optical signal with the sliding end, so the switch module is triggered to generate a triggering signal.

A portable computer includes a display portion comprising a display, a base portion pivotally coupled to the display portion and including a glass top case. The glass top case defines an exterior surface and a keyboard opening through the glass top case from the exterior surface to an interior surface. The portable computer further includes a keyboard positioned at least partially within the keyboard opening and comprising a substrate, a key configured to move relative to the substrate, and a fabric cover disposed over the key and defining a user interface surface of the key.

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.