Keyboards and other input devices are provided with membranes that extend under the keycaps or buttons. The membranes are flexible and can support conductive structures, traces, and electrical switch connections to enable effective key switches, lighting, and fluid-tightness for the keyboard. The flexible membrane is positioned near the keycaps to prevent ingress of fluids and debris into the lower portions of the key assemblies. In some cases, the flexible membrane also provides support for an interstitial layer that extends between keycaps.

Keyboards and other input devices are provided with membranes that extend under the keycaps or buttons. The membranes are flexible and can support conductive structures, traces, and electrical switch connections to enable effective key switches, lighting, and fluid-tightness for the keyboard. The flexible membrane is positioned near the keycaps to prevent ingress of fluids and debris into the lower portions of the key assemblies. In some cases, the flexible membrane also provides support for an interstitial layer that extends between keycaps.

A keyswitch structure includes a keycap, a base, and two supports pivotally connected to each other relative to a rotation axis and connected to and between the keycap and the base. One of the supports includes a first shaft recess, a first shaft portion, and a division slot formed therebetween; the other support includes a second shaft recess, a second shaft portion, and a division wall therebetween. The two supports are pivotally connected relative to the rotation axis by the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion rotatably disposed in the first shaft recess and the second shaft recess respectively. Therein, the division wall is inserted into the division slot. The keycap can move up and down relative to the base through the two supports.

A keyswitch structure includes a keycap, a base, and two supports pivotally connected to each other relative to a rotation axis and connected to and between the keycap and the base. One of the supports includes a first shaft recess, a first shaft portion, and a division slot formed therebetween; the other support includes a second shaft recess, a second shaft portion, and a division wall therebetween. The two supports are pivotally connected relative to the rotation axis by the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion rotatably disposed in the first shaft recess and the second shaft recess respectively. Therein, the division wall is inserted into the division slot. The keycap can move up and down relative to the base through the two supports.

The present invention provides an illuminated keyboard, including a light guide backplate and a plurality of keys connected to the light guide backplate. The light guide backplate of the present application is made of a light guide material and configured to transmit and project light rays to the keys. A printed circuit layer is formed on the light guide backplate and includes a plurality of conductive switch contacts. Each key includes a key cap, a connection member, and a support member, and the support member has a conductive contact. When the key cap is pressed, the conductive contact of the support member moves downward to trigger a conductive switch contact of the printed circuit layer to generate a switch signal. In the present application, a light guide backplate provides functions, such as guiding light, a function of printed circuit layer, and connecting a key, so as to reduce thickness of the illuminated keyboard.

The present invention provides an illuminated keyboard, including a light guide backplate and a plurality of keys connected to the light guide backplate. The light guide backplate of the present application is made of a light guide material and configured to transmit and project light rays to the keys. A printed circuit layer is formed on the light guide backplate and includes a plurality of conductive switch contacts. Each key includes a key cap, a connection member, and a support member, and the support member has a conductive contact. When the key cap is pressed, the conductive contact of the support member moves downward to trigger a conductive switch contact of the printed circuit layer to generate a switch signal. In the present application, a light guide backplate provides functions, such as guiding light, a function of printed circuit layer, and connecting a key, so as to reduce thickness of the illuminated keyboard.

Systems and methods are disclosed for user configurable pressure sensitive keys and techniques for controlling these keys for keyboards. User configuration information, including information for user configurable granularity scales for pressure levels, can be communicated from a host system to the keyboard and stored for later use by a keyboard controller to control the operation of the pressure sensitive keys. In this way, greater control of the pressure sensitive keys can be provided. This configurability is of particular use for applications such as where the keyboard is being used for gaming by a user running a gaming application on an information handling system.

Systems and methods are disclosed for user configurable pressure sensitive keys and techniques for controlling these keys for keyboards. User configuration information, including information for user configurable granularity scales for pressure levels, can be communicated from a host system to the keyboard and stored for later use by a keyboard controller to control the operation of the pressure sensitive keys. In this way, greater control of the pressure sensitive keys can be provided. This configurability is of particular use for applications such as where the keyboard is being used for gaming by a user running a gaming application on an information handling system.

A keyboard (110) comprises a base board (116), keys (112), pitfalls (120) and a mode control mechanism (118). The keys (112) include cups (1124), and the mode control mechanism (118) may switch the keyboard (110) especially the key cups (1124) between different modes. In case that the keyboard (110) is not in use, these cups (1124) can be received in the pitfalls (120) to reduce the profile of the keyboard (110). In case that the keyboard (110) is to be used, the keys (112) may be raised up and arranged on the base board (116) in order to enable long keystroke and provide good typing experience.

A keyboard (110) comprises a base board (116), keys (112), pitfalls (120) and a mode control mechanism (118). The keys (112) include cups (1124), and the mode control mechanism (118) may switch the keyboard (110) especially the key cups (1124) between different modes. In case that the keyboard (110) is not in use, these cups (1124) can be received in the pitfalls (120) to reduce the profile of the keyboard (110). In case that the keyboard (110) is to be used, the keys (112) may be raised up and arranged on the base board (116) in order to enable long keystroke and provide good typing experience.