A key module includes a bottom plate, a circuit layer, a key cap, a supporting structure, a touch member, and a flexible circuit board. The bottom plate has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other. The circuit layer is disposed on the first surface and has a first opening. The key cap is disposed above the circuit layer and covers the first opening. The supporting structure is disposed between the bottom plate and the key cap. The touch member is disposed at the key cap. The flexible circuit board is electrically connected to the touch member and passes through the first opening to extend next to the second surface of the bottom plate. When the key cap moves downward relative to the bottom plate, a portion of the flexible circuit board located between the key cap and the bottom plate is bent.

An analog input device including at least one mounting panel and a matrix of analog push button assemblies mounted thereon. Each analog push button assembly including an analog pressure sensor including a pressure reception arrangement having an optical sensing sub-arrangement configured to measure an amount of light varied according to a pressure sensed at the pressure reception arrangement and an output terminal for outputting an analog signal corresponding to the amount of light measured, and a plunger element configured to exert the pressure on the pressure reception arrangement. The analog input device may include a multiplexer including an input side coupled to the push button assemblies and an output side; an analog-to-digital converter coupled to the output side of the multiplexer; a processor coupled to the analog-to-digital converter and configured to output a data packet; and a communication interface configured to transmit the data packet to a host computing device.

An analog input device including at least one mounting panel and a matrix of analog push button assemblies mounted thereon. Each analog push button assembly including an analog pressure sensor including a pressure reception arrangement having an optical sensing sub-arrangement configured to measure an amount of light varied according to a pressure sensed at the pressure reception arrangement and an output terminal for outputting an analog signal corresponding to the amount of light measured, and a plunger element configured to exert the pressure on the pressure reception arrangement. The analog input device may include a multiplexer including an input side coupled to the push button assemblies and an output side; an analog-to-digital converter coupled to the output side of the multiplexer; a processor coupled to the analog-to-digital converter and configured to output a data packet; and a communication interface configured to transmit the data packet to a host computing device.

A method and corresponding system for providing a depressed state signal from a keyboard or button. The method comprises sensing movement of an actuator of the keyboard or button, determining, during depression of the actuator, a velocity of the actuator at a depression sense position of the actuator and at a first time, processing the determined velocity to predict when the actuator will reach a second depression sense position of the actuator at a later point during depression of the actuator, and generating the depressed state signal with a timing based on the prediction of when the actuator will reach the second depression sense position. A complementary method and system provides a released state signal.

In some examples, a first keyboard includes a plurality of light-sensing electrodes, where individual ones of the light-sensing electrodes correspond to individual keys of the first keyboard. The first keyboard includes a microprocessor electrically coupled to individual ones of the light-sensing electrodes. A second keyboard comprised of light-transmitting material may be placed on top of the first keyboard. The second keyboard may include a plurality of keys, with individual keys including a keycap having opaque material attached to a bottom surface and a scissors mechanism to lower the opaque material when a predetermined amount of pressure is applied to the keycap. The microprocessor is configured to perform operations including determining that the opaque material is obstructing light to a first particular light-sensing electrode of the plurality of light-sensing electrodes and sending a signal indicating a selection of a first key corresponding to the first particular light-sensing electrode.

In some examples, a first keyboard includes a plurality of light-sensing electrodes, where individual ones of the light-sensing electrodes correspond to individual keys of the first keyboard. The first keyboard includes a microprocessor electrically coupled to individual ones of the light-sensing electrodes. A second keyboard comprised of light-transmitting material may be placed on top of the first keyboard. The second keyboard may include a plurality of keys, with individual keys including a keycap having opaque material attached to a bottom surface and a scissors mechanism to lower the opaque material when a predetermined amount of pressure is applied to the keycap. The microprocessor is configured to perform operations including determining that the opaque material is obstructing light to a first particular light-sensing electrode of the plurality of light-sensing electrodes and sending a signal indicating a selection of a first key corresponding to the first particular light-sensing electrode.

A keyboard device includes plural key structures, an electronic paper display element and an illumination module. The electronic paper display element is disposed under the plural key structures. The plural key symbols corresponding to the plural key structures are displayed on the electronic paper display element. The illumination module is disposed over the electronic paper display element to provide a light beam to the electronic paper display element. Consequently, the plural key symbols are illuminated.

In some examples, a first keyboard includes a plurality of light-sensing electrodes, where individual ones of the light-sensing electrodes correspond to individual keys of the first keyboard. The first keyboard includes a microprocessor electrically coupled to individual ones of the light-sensing electrodes. A second keyboard comprised of light-transmitting material may be placed on top of the first keyboard. The second keyboard may include a plurality of keys, with individual keys including a keycap having opaque material attached to a bottom surface and a scissors mechanism to lower the opaque material when a predetermined amount of pressure is applied to the keycap. The microprocessor is configured to perform operations including determining that the opaque material is obstructing light to a first particular light-sensing electrode of the plurality of light-sensing electrodes and sending a signal indicating a selection of a first key corresponding to the first particular light-sensing electrode.

In some examples, a first keyboard includes a plurality of light-sensing electrodes, where individual ones of the light-sensing electrodes correspond to individual keys of the first keyboard. The first keyboard includes a microprocessor electrically coupled to individual ones of the light-sensing electrodes. A second keyboard comprised of light-transmitting material may be placed on top of the first keyboard. The second keyboard may include a plurality of keys, with individual keys including a keycap having opaque material attached to a bottom surface and a scissors mechanism to lower the opaque material when a predetermined amount of pressure is applied to the keycap. The microprocessor is configured to perform operations including determining that the opaque material is obstructing light to a first particular light-sensing electrode of the plurality of light-sensing electrodes and sending a signal indicating a selection of a first key corresponding to the first particular light-sensing electrode.

An analog input device including at least one mounting panel and a matrix of analog push button assemblies mounted thereon. Each analog push button assembly including an analog pressure sensor including a pressure reception arrangement having an optical sensing sub-arrangement configured to measure an amount of light varied according to a pressure sensed at the pressure reception arrangement and an output terminal for outputting an analog signal corresponding to the amount of light measured, and a plunger element configured to exert the pressure on the pressure reception arrangement. The analog input device may include a multiplexer including an input side coupled to the push button assemblies and an output side; an analog-to-digital converter coupled to the output side of the multiplexer; a processor coupled to the analog-to-digital converter and configured to output a data packet; and a communication interface configured to transmit the data packet to a host computing device.