A keyboard includes a mechanical structure and a key attached to the mechanical structure. A light emitting diode configured to emit light into a light guide panel. A reflector may be attached to the light guide panel and be configured to reflect light from the light guide panel through an opening in the mechanical structure to illuminate a periphery of the key.

A slim-type keyboard includes a first flexible layer, a pressed frame and a circuit board assembly. The first flexible layer includes plural pressed regions. The pressed frame includes plural cantilever strips. The circuit board assembly includes plural dome switches. The plural cantilever strips are covered by the first flexible layer. The pressed regions are aligned with the cantilever strips and the dome switches, respectively. When one of the pressed regions is pressed, the cantilever strip is pushed down to trigger the corresponding dome switch. Each cantilever strip includes a U-shaped groove and a suspension end. The U-shaped groove opens to the suspension end. Consequently, the tactile feel of pressing the cantilever strip is improved.

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.

Described herein are several examples of an apparatus that features receptacles configured to accept interchangeable buttons. Each of the interchangeable buttons has a receptacle interface on a first side, which allows them to electrically connect to and communicate with the aforementioned apparatus, and a unique user-perceivable label on a second side. Electronic elements embedded in each interchangeable button, or alternatively located on its first side, correspond to a unique user-perceivable label. Based on these electronic elements, the apparatus recognizes each button individually, and identifies their user-perceivable label. As a result, the interchangeable buttons may be re-positioned on the apparatus and maintain their intended functionality according to their user-perceivable label. In addition, new interchangeable buttons with different user-perceivable labels and new functionality, according to their labels, can be introduced to the apparatus.

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.

A keyboard includes key caps, bridge structures, a circuit board, resilient members, fingerprint identification modules, a microprocessor, and an aluminum board. Each key cap is disposed on top of the bridge structure. Each bridge structure is pivotably disposed on top of the aluminum board. The circuit board is disposed between the bridge structures and the aluminum board. Each resilient member is disposed between the key cap and the circuit board. Each fingerprint identification module is disposed on the key cap and electrically connected to the circuit board. The microprocessor is disposed on the circuit board and electrically connected to the fingerprint identification modules. The aluminum board is configured to support the circuit board from below and includes a plurality of pivotal seats on a top, each pivotal seat passing through the circuit board to fasten the bridge structure, the circuit board, and the aluminum board together.

A thin keyboard device is described herein. In one or more implementations, a keyboard device includes a plurality of keys, and a housing that includes a structural printed circuit board (PCB). The structural PCB includes, for each of the plurality of keys, a first conductive trace and a second conductive trace. The keyboard device further includes a key-switch mechanism for each of the plurality of keys. The key-switch mechanism includes a conductive material oriented towards the first conductive trace and the second conductive trace, and is configured to cause the conductive material to move downwards, when the key is depressed, to electrically connect the first conductive trace and the second conductive trace of the depressed key.

Described herein are several examples of an apparatus that features receptacles configured to accept interchangeable buttons. Each of the interchangeable buttons has a receptacle interface on a first side, which allows them to electrically connect to and communicate with the aforementioned apparatus, and a unique user-perceivable label on a second side. Electronic elements embedded in each interchangeable button, or alternatively located on its first side, correspond to a unique user-perceivable label. Based on these electronic elements, the apparatus recognizes each button individually, and identifies their user-perceivable label. As a result, the interchangeable buttons may be re-positioned on the apparatus and maintain their intended functionality according to their user-perceivable label. In addition, new interchangeable buttons with different user-perceivable labels and new functionality, according to their labels, can be introduced to the apparatus.

A thin keyboard device is described herein. In one or more implementations, a keyboard device includes a plurality of keys, and a housing that includes a structural printed circuit board (PCB). The structural PCB includes, for each of the plurality of keys, a first conductive trace and a second conductive trace. The keyboard device further includes a key-switch mechanism for each of the plurality of keys. The key-switch mechanism includes a conductive material oriented towards the first conductive trace and the second conductive trace, and is configured to cause the conductive material to move downwards, when the key is depressed, to electrically connect the first conductive trace and the second conductive trace of the depressed key.

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.