Keyboard having keys with configurable surface displays

Abstract

Disclosed embodiments provide a durable keyboard that provides haptic feedback and configurable surface display that is brightly lit. The keyboard includes microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) for generating the key surface displays, such as one or more MEMS lasers and software-controllable scanning mirrors. The keyboard also includes an optical medium, having for example beam splitters, optical waveguides, and lenses, to divide each projected image among a number of keys, and route each divided portion to the correct key for display. Finally, the key contact circuitry and depressible keys themselves are designed to be transparent or translucent, so the respective image is shown with high contrast on the pressable surface of each key.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.