Electrical equipment such as a tablet computer cover, a laptop computer, or other equipment may include keys. Each key may have a key member. Coatings such as opaque coating layers may be formed on the key members. Opaque coating layers may be patterned to form symbol-shaped openings associated with key labels. Opaque coating layers may also have recessed peripheral portions and other features to enhance the appearance of the keys. Metal coating layers such as physical vapor deposition metal layers may be incorporated into the keys. Key members may have outer surfaces and opposing inner surface on which patterned coating layers may be formed. Peripheral edge portions of the key members may extend between the outer and inner surfaces and may be coated with metal coating layers to form reflective metal trim structures. Backlight illumination for the keys may be formed form light sources such as light-emitting diodes.

A haptic keyboard of an information handling system comprising a coversheet to identify keys of the haptic keyboard, a contact foil and a piezoelectric element to receive an applied mechanical stress at a first key of the coversheet and generate an electric actuation signal. A processor executing instructions of a haptic smart typing assistance system to detect and anticipate a next letter of a word being typed and a controller to receive an instruction of the anticipated next letter and increasing force required actuate at least one key for a letter adjacent to the anticipated next letter, and to send a response haptic feedback control signal to the piezoelectric element to cause the piezoelectric element to generate a first haptic feedback at the first key if the anticipated next letter is selected and to generate a second haptic feedback if a typographical error is detected.

A haptic keyboard of an information handling system comprising a coversheet to identify keys of the haptic keyboard, a contact foil and a piezoelectric element to receive an applied mechanical stress at a first key of the coversheet and generate an electric actuation signal. A processor executing instructions of a haptic smart typing assistance system to detect and anticipate a next letter of a word being typed and a controller to receive an instruction of the anticipated next letter and increasing force required actuate at least one key for a letter adjacent to the anticipated next letter, and to send a response haptic feedback control signal to the piezoelectric element to cause the piezoelectric element to generate a first haptic feedback at the first key if the anticipated next letter is selected and to generate a second haptic feedback if a typographical error is detected.

Various implementations include a battery disconnect device that includes a breaker, a housing, and a bus bar. The breaker has a pivot portion and an actuation portion, and the actuation portion has an actuation face. The pivot portion has an axis of rotation about which the breaker is pivotable. The housing defines a chamber, and the chamber is in fluid communication with a gas generator via an inlet defined by an inlet wall of the housing. The breaker is disposed within the chamber in a first position in which the actuation face is adjacent the inlet and inlet wall and combustion gas from the gas generator pushes on the actuation face to cause the breaker to pivot about the axis of rotation of the pivot portion to a second position, which causes the breaker to break the bus bar.

A veneer configured to be secured to a backlit button of a control device may include a plate portion. The plate portion may have one or more laser-cut indicia defined therethrough, may have laser-cut rounded corners, and may have angularly offset outer edges that may be defined during an embossing process. The laser-cut indicia may be representative of a command for controlling an electrical load. The indicia may include an alphanumeric character, an icon, or the like, may define one or more substantially zero-radius corners, and may define respective inner surfaces that are substantially perpendicular to an outer surface of the plate portion. A laser-cut alphanumeric character may have variable (e.g., continuously variable) line width. The plate portion may define a rib that suspends a floating portion of the alphanumeric character relative to an open portion. The rib may define a thickness that does not exceed 0.003 inches.

A veneer configured to be secured to a backlit button of a control device may include a plate portion. The plate portion may have one or more laser-cut indicia defined therethrough, may have laser-cut rounded corners, and may have angularly offset outer edges that may be defined during an embossing process. The laser-cut indicia may be representative of a command for controlling an electrical load. The indicia may include an alphanumeric character, an icon, or the like, may define one or more substantially zero-radius corners, and may define respective inner surfaces that are substantially perpendicular to an outer surface of the plate portion. A laser-cut alphanumeric character may have variable (e.g., continuously variable) line width. The plate portion may define a rib that suspends a floating portion of the alphanumeric character relative to an open portion. The rib may define a thickness that does not exceed 0.003 inches.

A keyboard apparatus includes a key cover having a plurality of holes that extend through a thickness of the cover from a top side of the cover to a bottom side of the cover. The plurality of holes are arranged to collectively form a predetermined shape. A mask layer is disposed at the bottom side of the cover. A first region of the mask layer is opaque and a second region of the mask layer allows light to pass therethrough to the plurality of holes. A light source is disposed beneath the mask layer and positioned such that light emitted from the light source passes through the second region of the mask layer to the plurality of holes. A sensory contact terminal is disposed beneath the mask layer, and the terminal detects a keystroke movement.

A keycap for a luminous keyboard comprises a base and a cap made of a transparent material. The base is provided with a first stage, and the top surface thereof is transparent. The cap covers the first stage, and is fixedly connected with the base. The cap is provided with a light-shielding layer, and the surface of which and opposite to the first stage is engraved with a light-transmitting area by laser. A manufacturing method for the same is described. Using the disclosed keycap and the manufacturing method thereof, the operator can accurately and quickly operate the keyboard in a dark environment, making the usage more convenient. As the light-transmitting area in the shape of characters or patterns is not likely to be rubbed or erased, the lifetime of the keycap is prolonged.

An input mechanism is disclosed. The input mechanism includes a dome support structure defining an opening that extends through the dome support structure, a collapsible dome positioned in the opening and engaged with the dome support structure, and a cover member coupled to the dome support structure and covering the collapsible dome, thereby retaining the collapsible dome within the opening of the dome support structure.

This application relates to illuminated dome switches and a dome switch assembly having a first contact carried by a switch base and a dome shaped structure coupled to and supported by the switch base, the dome shaped structure comprising a material that is flexible and capable of internally transmitting visible light. The switch assembly can include a second contact coupled to the dome shaped structure and arranged opposite the first contact, and a light source configured to emit visible light, the light source in optical communication with the dome shaped structure such that at least some of the visible light emitted by the light source passes into the material and is subsequently emitted by the material in a generally uniform manner.