A keyboard includes a backlight module, a base plate, a membrane circuit disposed on the base plate, and a plurality of key structures disposed on the membrane circuit. The backlight module includes a light source, a reflective layer, a light guide layer, and a shielding layer. The light source is disposed corresponding to the light guide layer. The light guide layer is located between the shielding layer and the reflective layer. The light guide layer has a through-hole. The shielding layer and the reflective layer are in contact with each other in the through-hole of the light guide layer. The base plate is disposed on the shielding layer. The base plate has a positioning portion disposed corresponding to the through-hole of the light guide layer, which protrudes toward the reflective layer or the membrane circuit.

A keyboard includes a backlight module, a base plate, a membrane circuit disposed on the base plate, and a plurality of key structures disposed on the membrane circuit. The backlight module includes a light source, a reflective layer, a light guide layer, and a shielding layer. The light source is disposed corresponding to the light guide layer. The light guide layer is located between the shielding layer and the reflective layer. The light guide layer has a through-hole. The shielding layer and the reflective layer are in contact with each other in the through-hole of the light guide layer. The base plate is disposed on the shielding layer. The base plate has a positioning portion disposed corresponding to the through-hole of the light guide layer, which protrudes toward the reflective layer or the membrane circuit.

A keyboard system comprises a housing and a key structure having a key body and key cap. The key body includes a transceiver circuit. The key cap includes a key cap transceiver and a memory structure storing a key cap ID data and/or a key function data corresponding to a key function. The transceiver circuit can poll the key cap memory via the key cap transceiver and retrieve the key cap ID data and/or the key function data. The keyboard system can determine a mapping of a location of the key cap on the keyboard by polling it and can generate and transmit a control signal to a host computing device communicatively coupled to the keyboard system based to the key cap ID and/or the key function data.

A keyboard system comprises a housing and a key structure having a key body and key cap. The key body includes a transceiver circuit. The key cap includes a key cap transceiver and a memory structure storing a key cap ID data and/or a key function data corresponding to a key function. The transceiver circuit can poll the key cap memory via the key cap transceiver and retrieve the key cap ID data and/or the key function data. The keyboard system can determine a mapping of a location of the key cap on the keyboard by polling it and can generate and transmit a control signal to a host computing device communicatively coupled to the keyboard system based to the key cap ID and/or the key function data.

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 switching system may include a body and a set of key elements. The body may be electrically connectable to a first electrical device and a second electrical device, and may have a keypad with key element attachment features to which the key elements can be attached. The key elements may be attachable in various positions and/or combinations on the keypad. The key elements may include one or more buttons of various sizes and/or a rocker. The keypad may have multiple positions to which key elements can be attached, with larger key elements requiring multiple positions. The key element attachment features may be domes, which may be inserted into holes in tabs extending from the key elements to pivotably attach the key elements to the keypad. Each key element may be retained on the keypad independently of any other component aside from the keypad and the key element.

A switching system may include a body and a set of key elements. The body may be electrically connectable to a first electrical device and a second electrical device, and may have a keypad with key element attachment features to which the key elements can be attached. The key elements may be attachable in various positions and/or combinations on the keypad. The key elements may include one or more buttons of various sizes and/or a rocker. The keypad may have multiple positions to which key elements can be attached, with larger key elements requiring multiple positions. The key element attachment features may be domes, which may be inserted into holes in tabs extending from the key elements to pivotably attach the key elements to the keypad. Each key element may be retained on the keypad independently of any other component aside from the keypad and the key element.

Embodiments describing a method of forming a multi-layered keycap structure are disclosed herein. The method includes forming a first polymer layer on a second polymer layer, wherein the first polymer layer includes a first color and the second polymer layer includes a second color, and coupling the first polymer layer and second polymer layer to a substrate layer such that the first polymer layer is closer to the substrate than the second polymer layer. The method may further include forming a third polymer layer on the second polymer layer; and etching the multi-layered keycap structure to form an opening having a bottom surface that exposes at least one of the first or second color.

The present invention discloses a multi-functional touch keyboard having a touch sensor, including: a key cap unit 110; a driving circuit unit (not shown); a support 120; a touch pad 130 composed of touch sensors respectively formed on the upper ends of multiple key caps 111 grouped in a specific shape; a left click key 141 and a right click key 142 formed adjacent to both ends of the touch pad 130; and a control unit (not shown) which moves a cursor in conjunction with a touch of the touch pad 130 and performs a click function by means of pressing of the click key, in which the multi-functional touch keyboard performs a touch pad function as a graphic controller while performing basic functions as a keyboard.