An input device configured to communicate with a computing device includes at least one keycap, a support mechanism operably connected to the keycap and configured to move the keycap from a first position to a second position, a feature plate operably connected to the support mechanism, and a sensing member. The sensing member is configured to detect at least one of a change of position of the at least one keycap, a speed of the at least one keycap, an amount of force applied to the at least one keycap, or a location of a finger. The sensing member may be a capacitive sensor. In some embodiments, the input device may not include the support mechanism and the sensing member may be configured to detect the location of a finger regardless whether or not the keycap moves.

A key switch device includes: an operation member to be depressed; a switch disposed below the operation member; a reaction force generating member that is provided between the operation member and the switch, performs elastic buckling deformation by depression of the operation member, gives a reaction force according to the elastic buckling deformation to the operation member; and a depression member that is provided between the operation member and the switch, and depresses the switch; wherein the reaction force generating member includes a supporter that supports the depression member.

An arrangement of pushbutton switches with a programmable display that has a support structure with an assembly panel with openings for arranging there through an enclosure body of each push-button switch of the arrangement; a printed circuit board; and a shielding plate, wherein the enclosure body of each pushbutton comprises an appendix arranged through through-openings defined in the assembly panel, printed circuit board and plate; and a connector attached to the enclosure body that is opposite to and engaged with a connector of the printed circuit board, wherein each enclosure body is attached to the support structure by removable immobilizing means of said appendix with respect to said shielding plate, the immobilizing means comprising a nut with a coupling configuration to be coupled to a tubular shaft by a respective complementary coupling configuration integrated with or attached to the tubular shaft.

An operating panel device includes an operating ring, and a display device which is disposed to face a back surface of the operating ring. The display device includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion is located inside the operating ring, and the second portion is located outside the operating ring. The third portion connects the first portion and the second portion. A display of the first portion changes in conjunction with a rotational operation applied to the operating ring.

A keyboard translates key inputs to a touchscreen display disposed under the keyboard with the keys biased away from the touchscreen display by an elastic material that engages with the touchscreen display. The elastic material couples the keys to a lattice held within a frame and having a height of less than the frame. The keys extend to an input position if the lattice presses against the touchscreen display, such as by being held in place with magnetic attraction. The keys retract to within the lattice if the lattice is raised relative to the touchscreen display, the elastic material biasing the lattice upward away from the touchscreen display.

A mechanical keyboard includes printed circuit boards (PCBs), each having a pin holder; and a hole; mechanical switches to removably engage with the printed circuit boards, each of the mechanical switches having a body; a pin extending from the body to engage with the pin holder; a pillar extending from the body to engage with the hole; and a compressible switch extending upward from the body and associated with the pillar; a plurality of keys to engage with the compressible switch of the mechanical switches; the plurality of mechanical switches are to be removed from the PCBs by hand.

A key switch device includes: an operation member to be depressed; a switch disposed below the operation member; a reaction force generating member that is provided between the operation member and the switch, performs elastic buckling deformation by depression of the operation member, gives a reaction force according to the elastic buckling deformation to the operation member; and a depression member that is provided between the operation member and the switch, and depresses the switch; wherein the reaction force generating member includes a supporter that supports the depression member.

In some examples, a housing may include a keyboard having a plurality of keys. An individual key of the plurality of keys may include a keycap, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) film (or sheet), a key mechanism, and a base. When power is provided to contacts on the base of the individual key, the power may travel across conductive traces (or wires) in the key mechanism to pads on the OLED film, causing the OLED film to emit light. The light from the OLED film may illuminate a character or symbol embedded into the keycap or the OLED film may be shaped into the character or the symbol and embedded into the keycap. The housing may be (i) separate from and communicatively coupled to a second housing that includes one or more processors or (ii) physically attached to a display device as part of a laptop device.

A keyboard has a keyswitch capable of showing its movement depth. The keyswitch includes a substrate, a lifting unit, a multistage positioning component and a keycap. The lifting unit is disposed on the substrate. The multistage positioning component is disposed on the substrate and has a plurality of first actuating portions. The keycap is connected with the lifting unit and adjacent by the multistage positioning component. The keycap has a second actuating portion. The keycap is moved relative to the substrate via the lifting unit, and the second actuating portion can contact against one of the plurality of first actuating portions to generate a feedback signal.

This invention relates to a new magnetic proximity switch, comprising a shell, wherein a moving magnet that can move up and down is disposed on the upper part in the shell; a first terminal strip and a second terminal strip are fixedly disposed left and right in parallel at the bottom in the shell; a static contact is disposed on the second terminal strip; an elastic piece is disposed on the first terminal strip; a moving contact is disposed at the outer end of the elastic piece; an assistant rod is disposed at the middle part in the shell, an assistant portion is disposed at the inner end of the assistant rod, a limiting mechanism is disposed between the assistant rod and the shell, an elastic tongue piece is disposed on the elastic piece, and the outer end of the elastic tongue piece is disposed against the assistant portion.