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.

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.

A key unit and a keyboard using the same are provided. The key unit includes a circuit board, an elastic element, a keycap, and a processing circuit. The circuit board includes a capacitance sensing circuit embedded therein, and the capacitance sensing circuit includes a pair of sensor electrodes. The elastic element is disposed on the circuit board. The keycap is moveably disposed above and spaced apart from the circuit board. The elastic element is disposed between the keycap and the circuit board so that the keycap moves between a non-depressed position and a depressed position with respect to the circuit board. The processing circuit is electrically connected to the pair of sensor electrodes to obtain a variation of a coupling capacitance between the pair of sensor electrodes and to determine whether the keycap is touched or depressed according to the variation of coupling capacitance.

A key unit and a keyboard using the same are provided. The key unit includes a circuit board, an elastic element, a keycap, and a processing circuit. The circuit board includes a capacitance sensing circuit embedded therein, and the capacitance sensing circuit includes a pair of sensor electrodes. The elastic element is disposed on the circuit board. The keycap is moveably disposed above and spaced apart from the circuit board. The elastic element is disposed between the keycap and the circuit board so that the keycap moves between a non-depressed position and a depressed position with respect to the circuit board. The processing circuit is electrically connected to the pair of sensor electrodes to obtain a variation of a coupling capacitance between the pair of sensor electrodes and to determine whether the keycap is touched or depressed according to the variation of coupling capacitance.

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 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.

The embodiments disclosed herein relate to a method for the capacitive detection of at least a contact of a capacitive sensor by an operator. The method includes providing the capacitive sensor and providing an electronic evaluation system; applying a first constant electric potential to the counter electrode of the capacitive sensor; applying a second constant electric potential, which differs from the first potential, to the counter electrode of the capacitive sensor; calculating a first parameter from the first measured value and the second measured value; calculating a second parameter from the first measured value and the second measured value; and respectively comparing the first parameter and the second parameter with a predefined quantity.

A key unit and a keyboard using the same are provided. The key unit includes a circuit board, an elastic element, a keycap, and a processing circuit. The circuit board includes a capacitance sensing circuit embedded therein, and the capacitance sensing circuit includes a pair of sensor electrodes. The elastic element is disposed on the circuit board. The keycap is moveably disposed above and spaced apart from the circuit board. The elastic element is disposed between the keycap and the circuit board so that the keycap moves between a non-depressed position and a depressed position with respect to the circuit board. The processing circuit is electrically connected to the pair of sensor electrodes to obtain a variation of a coupling capacitance between the pair of sensor electrodes and to determine whether the keycap is touched or depressed according to the variation of coupling capacitance.

A key unit and a keyboard using the same are provided. The key unit includes a circuit board, an elastic element, a keycap, and a processing circuit. The circuit board includes a capacitance sensing circuit embedded therein, and the capacitance sensing circuit includes a pair of sensor electrodes. The elastic element is disposed on the circuit board. The keycap is moveably disposed above and spaced apart from the circuit board. The elastic element is disposed between the keycap and the circuit board so that the keycap moves between a non-depressed position and a depressed position with respect to the circuit board. The processing circuit is electrically connected to the pair of sensor electrodes to obtain a variation of a coupling capacitance between the pair of sensor electrodes and to determine whether the keycap is touched or depressed according to the variation of coupling capacitance.