# US 10,504,670 B2 · Keycap with an active element > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,504,670 B2 - Document ID: US10504670B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/749,483 - Filed: 2016-04-02 - Published: 2018-08-16 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2015-07-31 - Assignees: Intel Corporation - Applicants: Intel Corporation - Inventors: Sukanya Sundaresan; Reji Varghese; Ramesh Pendakur; Ayeshwarya B. Mahajan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10504670B2 ## CPC - H01H 13/83: characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements - A61B 5/0537: Measuring body composition by impedance, e.g. tissue hydration or fat content - A61B 5/6897: {Computer input devices, e.g. mice or keyboards} - A61B 5/6898: {Portable consumer electronic devices, e.g. music players, telephones, tablet computers} - G06F 3/0233: {Character input methods} - G06F 3/0238: {Programmable keyboards (key guide holders G06F3/0224)} - H01H 13/705: characterised by construction, mounting or arrangement of operating parts, e.g. push-buttons or keys - H01H 13/79: characterised by the form of the contacts, e.g. interspersed fingers or helical networks - H01H 3/125: {using a scissor mechanism as stabiliser} - H01H 13/704: characterised by the layers, e.g. by their material or structure (H01H13/703 takes precedence) - H01H 13/7065: characterised by the mechanism between keys and layered keyboards - H01H 2203/038: to be bridged by a dome shaped contact - H01H 2219/002: replaceable; adaptable - H01H 2219/01: Liquid crystal - H01H 2219/012: programmable - H01H 2219/02: programmable - H01H 2227/026: Separate dome contact - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract Particular embodiments described herein provide a display that includes a mask that includes a one or more exposed areas, a top electrode, one or more bottom electrodes, a dielectric between the top electrode and the one or more bottom electrodes, and an electrical connection to create a differential voltage between the top electrode and the one or more bottom electrodes. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A bi-stable display in a keycap of a key, the bi-stable display comprising: a mask that includes a one or more exposed areas; a top electrode; one or more bottom electrodes; a dielectric between the top electrode and the one or more bottom electrodes, wherein the dielectric changes from one state to another state when a differential voltage is applied between the top electrode and the one or more bottom electrodes; and an electrical connection to create the differential voltage between the top electrode and the one or more bottom electrodes, wherein the bi-stable display is above a dome of the key. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The bi-stable display of claim 1, wherein a color of the dielectric changes when the differential voltage is applied between the top electrode and the one or more bottom electrodes. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The bi-stable display of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the mask, top electrode, one or more bottom electrodes, and dielectric is less than about three (3) millimeters. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The bi-stable display of claim 1, wherein the electrical connection is within an active area. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The bi-stable display of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more bottom electrodes corresponds to an exposed area from the one or more exposed areas. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The bi-stable display of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more bottom electrodes is associated with an exposed area and a visibility of each one or more exposed areas is independently controlled by creating an associated differential voltage between the top electrode and each of the one or more bottom electrodes. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The bi-stable display of claim 1, wherein an image on the keycap is visible to a user when the dielectric is in a first state but is not visible to the user when the dielectric is in a second state. ### Claim 8 A method comprising: creating a bi-stable display in a keycap of a key, wherein the bi-stable display includes: a mask that includes a one or more exposed areas; a top electrode; one or more bottom electrodes; a dielectric between the top electrode and the one or more bottom electrodes, wherein the dielectric changes from one state to another state when a differential voltage is applied between the top electrode and the one or more bottom electrodes; and an electrical connection to create the differential voltage between the top electrode and the one or more bottom electrodes, wherein the bi-stable display is above a dome of the key. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein a color of the dielectric changes when the differential voltage is applied between the top electrode and the one or more bottom electrodes. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein a thickness of the mask, top electrode, one or more bottom electrodes, and dielectric is less than about three (3) millimeters. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the electrical connection is within an active area. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein each of the one or more bottom electrodes corresponds to an exposed area from the one or more exposed areas. ### Claim 13 An electronic device, comprising: a first housing, wherein the first housing includes a keyboard, wherein the keyboard includes a plurality of keys and each of the plurality of keys includes a keycap above a dome, wherein each of the plurality of keys includes a bi-stable display in the keycap above the dome, wherein the bi-stable display includes: a mask that includes a one or more exposed areas; a top electrode; one or more bottom electrodes; a dielectric between the top electrode and the one or more bottom electrodes, wherein the dielectric changes from one state to another state when a differential voltage is applied between the top electrode and the one or more bottom electrodes; and an electrical connection to create the differential voltage between the top electrode and the one or more bottom electrodes, wherein the display is above the dome of the key. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The electronic device of claim 13, wherein a color of the dielectric changes when the differential voltage is applied between the top electrode and the one or more bottom electrodes. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The electronic device of claim 13, wherein a thickness of the mask, top electrode, one or more bottom electrodes, and dielectric is less than about three (3) millimeters. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the electrical connection is within an active area. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The electronic device of claim 13, wherein each of the one or more bottom electrodes corresponds to an exposed area from the one or more exposed areas. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The electronic device of claim 13, wherein each of the one or more bottom electrodes is associated with an exposed area and a visibility of each one or more exposed areas is independently controlled by creating an associated differential voltage between the top electrode and each of the one or more bottom electrodes.