Back to results
US 10,490,368 B2Granted
Keyboard device
AssigneePrimax Electronics Ltd.
InventorChung-Yuan Chen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A keyboard device includes plural key structures, an electronic paper display element and an illumination module. The electronic paper display element is disposed under the plural key structures. The plural key symbols corresponding to the plural key structures are displayed on the electronic paper display element. The illumination module is disposed over the electronic paper display element to provide a light beam to the electronic paper display element. Consequently, the plural key symbols are illuminated.
Claims8
A keyboard device, comprising:
- plural key structures comprising plural keycaps, respectively, wherein when the plural keycaps are not depressed, the plural keycaps are returned to an original position in response to a magnetic force or an elastic force, wherein each of the plural key structures further comprises:
- a frame module, wherein the corresponding keycap is movable within the frame module, wherein the frame module comprises a key frame and a connecting element, wherein the connecting element is disposed under the key frame, the keycap is movable upwardly or downwardly relative to the key frame through the connecting element;
- a first magnetic element disposed on the corresponding keycap;
- and
- a second magnetic element disposed on the frame module, wherein the magnetic force is generated by the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element, and the second magnetic element is disposed on the connecting element;
- an electronic paper display element, wherein plural key symbols are displayed on the electronic paper display element;
- plural optical switch modules corresponding to the plural key structures, wherein each of the plural optical switch modules comprises an optical emitter and an optical sensor, wherein the optical emitter emits a first light beam, and the optical sensor senses the first light beam;
- a processing unit electrically connected with the optical sensor and generating a corresponding key signal according to a sensing result of the optical sensor, wherein the sensing result is determined according to a location of the corresponding keycap;
- and
- an illumination module emitting a second light beam to the electronic paper display element so as to illuminate the plural key symbols.
7 more elements
A keyboard device, comprising:
- plural key structures comprising plural keycaps, respectively;
- an electronic paper display element, wherein plural key symbols are displayed on the electronic paper display element;
- plural optical switch modules corresponding to the plural key structures, wherein each of the plural optical switch modules comprises an optical emitter and an optical sensor, wherein the optical emitter emits a first light beam, and the optical sensor senses the first light beam;
- a processing unit electrically connected with the optical sensor and generating a corresponding key signal according to a sensing result of the optical sensor, wherein the sensing result is determined according to a location of the corresponding keycap;
- and
- an illumination module emitting a second light beam to the electronic paper display element so as to illuminate the plural key symbols, wherein the illumination module is a fiber-optic light source, and each of the plural key structure further comprises a frame module, wherein the fiber-optic light source is buried within the frame module.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.