Key structure

Abstract

This disclosure proposes a button structure. This button structure includes a circuit board, at least one light-emitting unit, a light guide plate, and a keycap. The circuit board has a touch-sensing circuit. The at least one light-emitting unit is electrically connected to the circuit board and located above the circuit board. The light guide plate is located adjacent to the at least one light-emitting unit and above the circuit board. The keycap is located above the at least one light-emitting unit, the light guide plate, and the circuit board.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a button structure, and more particularly to a button structure with touch and backlight functions. Prior Technology

[0002] Traditional keyboard keys (such as the space bar) only have a single press input function, which cannot meet the needs of modern users for multi-functional operation. With the rapid development of electronic devices and human-computer interaction technology, users have more demands for keyboard keys, expecting a single key to perform more functions.

[0003] Therefore, meeting users' needs for keyboard keys is a direction that practitioners in this field are striving to develop. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a button structure is proposed. This button structure includes a circuit board, at least one light-emitting unit, a light guide plate, and a keycap. The circuit board has a touch-sensing circuit. The at least one light-emitting unit is electrically connected to the circuit board and located above the circuit board. The light guide plate is located adjacent to the at least one light-emitting unit and above the circuit board. The keycap is located above the at least one light-emitting unit, the light guide plate, and the circuit board.

[0005] The above description is not intended to represent all embodiments or aspects of this disclosure. Rather, the foregoing description is merely an example illustrating some novel aspects and features of this disclosure. Preferred embodiments are provided to make the above embodiments and other objects, features, and advantages of this disclosure more apparent and understandable, and are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. After a detailed description of various embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will more readily understand other aspects of this disclosure. A brief description of the drawings is provided below. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0006] The following figures are merely illustrative of the embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments or the patent claims: Figure 1 is a diagram showing the stacked architecture of a button structure according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the stacked architecture of a button structure according to another embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 3 is a stacked architecture diagram of a button structure according to another embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 4 is a stacked architecture diagram of a button structure according to another embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the key structure shown in Figure 1 applied to the keyboard base. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the key structure shown in Figure 1 applied to the keyboard base. Implementation

[0007] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below, with accompanying drawings as examples. In addition to these detailed descriptions, this disclosure can be widely implemented in other embodiments, and any easy substitutions, modifications, or equivalent changes to the described embodiments are included within the scope of this disclosure and are subject to the following patent claims. In the description of the specification, many specific details are provided to give the reader a more complete understanding of this disclosure; however, this disclosure may still be implemented even if some or all of these specific details are omitted. Furthermore, well-known common steps or elements are not described in detail to avoid creating unnecessary limitations to this disclosure. Identical or similar elements in the drawings will be represented by the same or similar symbols. It should be noted that the drawings are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the actual size or quantity of elements unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0008] Please refer to Figure 1, which illustrates the stacked architecture of a button structure 100 according to an embodiment disclosed herein.

[0009] The key structure 100 may be, but is not limited to, a space bar on a keyboard. The key structure 100 mainly includes a circuit board 110, a light-emitting unit 120, a light guide plate 130, and a keycap 140. The circuit board 110 is, for example, a printed circuit board (PCB). The circuit board 110 may have a touch-sensing circuit (not shown), enabling the key structure 100 to have touch functionality (e.g., for user swiping operations), unlike the design of a typical space bar. For example, the touch-sensing circuit may be a capacitive touch-sensing circuit. The light-emitting unit 120 is, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED). The light-emitting unit 120 is electrically connected to the circuit board 110 and is located above the circuit board 110. For example, the light-emitting unit 120 can be mounted to the circuit board 110 using surface mount technology (SMT). More specifically, the circuit board 110 may have a backlight driving circuit to drive the light-emitting unit 120 to emit light, enabling the key structure 100 to have a backlight function. The backlight driving circuit and the touch sensing circuit can be integrated on the printed circuit board of the circuit board 110. The light guide plate 130 is located adjacent to the light-emitting unit 120 and above the circuit board 110. The light guide plate 130 has an optical microstructure to convert the side-emitting light of the point light of the light-emitting unit 120 into the upward-emitting light of the surface light source, so as to improve the backlight uniformity.

[0010] Keycap 140 is, for example, a plastic keycap. Keycap 140 is located above the light-emitting unit 120, the light guide plate 130, and the circuit board 110. Corresponding to the example of a spacebar key structure 100, keycap 140 corresponds to a long keycap for multiple keys. The top surface of keycap 140 may have a backlit symbol area 140P. The backlit symbol area 140P may employ a hidden character / pattern setting. That is, when the light-emitting unit 120 is not emitting light, the backlit symbol area 140P is not visible on the top surface of keycap 140. When the light-emitting unit 120 emits light, the backlit symbol area 140P is visible on the top surface of keycap 140 to display characters or patterns.

[0011] The key structure 100 may further include a reflective sheet 150, a diffuser plate 160, and a light-transmitting film 170. The reflective sheet 150 is located adjacent to the light-emitting unit 120, and further between the light guide plate 130 and the circuit board 110. The reflective sheet 150 can reflect light emitted from the bottom of the light guide plate 130 back into the light guide plate 130, allowing it to re-emit towards the keycap 140, thereby reducing light loss. The diffuser plate 160 is located above the light-emitting unit 120 and the light guide plate 130, and further between the keycap 140 and the light guide plate 130. The diffuser plate 160 can allow light emitted from the top of the light guide plate 130 to pass through and scatter, achieving a uniform diffusion of upward-emitting light. The light-transmitting film 170 is, for example, a semi-transparent film made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The light-transmitting film 170 is located between the keycap 140, the light guide plate 130, and the light-emitting unit 120. The light-transmitting film 170 can be used to further disperse the light that passes through the diffuser plate 160, making the backlighting effect under the keycap 140 more uniform.

[0012] Furthermore, the keycap 140 may have a top 141 and a side extension 142. The side extension 142 is formed extending downward from the edge of the top 141. In this embodiment, the side extension 142 shields the sides of the circuit board 110, the light-emitting unit 120, the light guide plate 130, the reflector 150, the diffuser plate 160, and the light-transmitting film 170.

[0013] Please refer to Figure 2, which illustrates a stacked architecture diagram of a button structure 200 according to another embodiment disclosed herein.

[0014] The key structure 200 may be, but is not limited to, a space bar on a keyboard device. The key structure 200 mainly includes a circuit board 210, a light-emitting unit 220, a light guide plate 230, and a keycap 240. The circuit board 210 is, for example, a printed circuit board. The circuit board 210 may have a touch-sensing circuit (not shown), so that the key structure 200 has touch functionality (e.g., for user swiping operations), unlike the design of a typical space bar. For example, the touch-sensing circuit is, for example, a capacitive touch-sensing circuit. The light-emitting unit 220 is, for example, a light-emitting diode. The key structure 200 includes multiple light-emitting units 220 (three are used as an example in this embodiment, but are not limited thereto), which are spaced apart and located below the keycap 240. The light-emitting units 220 are electrically connected to the circuit board 210 and located above the circuit board 210. For example, the light-emitting units 220 can be mounted to the circuit board 210 using surface mount technology. In detail, the circuit board 210 may have a backlight driving circuit to drive the light-emitting unit 220 to emit light, so that the button structure 200 has a backlight function. The backlight driving circuit and the touch sensing circuit can be integrated on the printed circuit board of the circuit board 210.

[0015] The light guide plate 230 is located adjacent to the light-emitting unit 220 and above the circuit board 210. Specifically, the light guide plate 230 is located between two adjacent light-emitting units 220. In this embodiment, the light guide plate 230 has a light guide plate hole 230H, and the middle light-emitting unit 220 is located within the light guide plate hole 230H. In other embodiments, a plurality of light guide plates 230 can be used instead of drilling holes in the light guide plate 230; that is, two adjacent light-emitting units 220 are provided with a single light guide plate 230, and a plurality of light guide plates 230 are spaced apart above the circuit board 210. The light guide plate 230 has optical microstructures for converting the lateral light emission of the point light from the light-emitting unit 220 into upward light emission of the surface light source, thereby improving backlight uniformity.

[0016] Keycap 240 is, for example, a plastic keycap. Keycap 240 is located above the light-emitting unit 220, the light guide plate 230, and the circuit board 210. Corresponding to the example of a spacebar key structure 200, keycap 240 corresponds to a long keycap for multiple keys. The top surface of keycap 240 may have a backlit symbol area 240P. The backlit symbol area 240P may employ a hidden character / pattern setting. That is, when the light-emitting unit 220 is not emitting light, the backlit symbol area 240P is not visible on the top surface of keycap 240. When the light-emitting unit 220 emits light, the backlit symbol area 240P is visible on the top surface of keycap 240 to display characters or patterns.

[0017] The button structure 200 may further include a reflective sheet 250, a diffuser plate 260, and a light-transmitting film 270. The reflective sheet 250 is located adjacent to the light-emitting unit 220, and further between the light guide plate 230 and the circuit board 210. Specifically, the reflective sheet 250 is located between two adjacent light-emitting units 220. In this embodiment, the reflective sheet 250 has a reflective sheet hole 250H, and the middle of these light-emitting units 220 is located within the reflective sheet hole 250H. The reflective sheet hole 250H may be aligned with the aforementioned light guide plate hole 230H. In other embodiments, a plurality of reflective sheets 250 may be used instead of drilling holes in the reflective sheet 250, that is, two adjacent light-emitting units 220 are provided with a single reflective sheet 250, and a plurality of reflective sheets 250 are spaced apart between the light guide plate 230 and the circuit board 210. The reflective sheet 250 can be used to reflect light emitted from the bottom of the light guide plate 230 back into the light guide plate 230 and emit light again toward the keycap 240 to reduce light loss.

[0018] A diffuser plate 260 is located above the light-emitting unit 220 and the light guide plate 230, and further between the keycap 240 and the light guide plate 230. The diffuser plate 260 allows light emitted from the top of the light guide plate 230 to pass through and scatter, achieving a uniform diffusion of upward-emitting light. A translucent film 270, for example, is a semi-transparent film made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The translucent film 270 is located between the keycap 240, the light guide plate 230, and the light-emitting unit 220. The translucent film 270 further disperses the light transmitted through the diffuser plate 260, making the backlighting effect under the keycap 240 more uniform.

[0019] Furthermore, the keycap 240 may have a top 241 and a side extension 242. The side extension 242 is formed extending downward from the edge of the top 241. In this embodiment, the side extension 242 shields the sides of the circuit board 210, the two light-emitting units 220 on both sides, the diffuser plate 260, and the light-transmitting film 270.

[0020] Please refer to Figure 3, which illustrates a stacked architecture diagram of a button structure 300 according to another embodiment.

[0021] The key structure 300 may be, but is not limited to, a space bar on a keyboard device. The key structure 300 mainly includes a circuit board 310, a light-emitting unit 320, a light guide plate 330, and a keycap 340. The circuit board 310 is, for example, a printed circuit board. The circuit board 310 may have a touch-sensing circuit (not shown), enabling the key structure 300 to have touch functionality (e.g., for user swiping operations), unlike the design of a typical space bar. For example, the touch-sensing circuit may be a capacitive touch-sensing circuit. The light-emitting unit 320 is, for example, a light-emitting diode. The light-emitting unit 320 is electrically connected to the circuit board 310 and is located above the circuit board 310. For example, the light-emitting unit 320 can be mounted to the circuit board 310 using surface mount technology. More specifically, the circuit board 310 may have a backlight driving circuit to drive the light-emitting unit 320 to emit light, enabling the key structure 300 to have a backlight function. The backlight driving circuit and the touch-sensing circuit can be integrated on the printed circuit board of the circuit board 310. The light guide plate 330 is located adjacent to the light-emitting unit 320 and above the circuit board 310. The light guide plate 330 has an optical microstructure to convert the side-emitting light of the point light of the light-emitting unit 320 into the upward-emitting light of the surface light source, so as to improve the backlight uniformity.

[0022] Keycap 340 is, for example, a plastic keycap. Keycap 340 is located above the light-emitting unit 320, the light guide plate 330, and the circuit board 310. Corresponding to the example of a spacebar key structure 300, keycap 340 corresponds to a long keycap for multiple keys. The top surface of keycap 340 may have a backlit symbol area 340P. The backlit symbol area 340P may employ a hidden character / pattern setting. That is, when the light-emitting unit 320 is not emitting light, the backlit symbol area 340P is not visible on the top surface of keycap 340. When the light-emitting unit 320 emits light, the backlit symbol area 340P is visible on the top surface of keycap 340 to display characters or patterns.

[0023] The key structure 300 may further include a reflective sheet 350, a diffuser plate 360, and a light-transmitting film 370. The reflective sheet 350 is located adjacent to the light-emitting unit 320, and further between the light guide plate 330 and the circuit board 310. The reflective sheet 350 can reflect light emitted from the bottom of the light guide plate 330 back into the light guide plate 330, allowing it to re-emit towards the keycap 340, thereby reducing light loss. The diffuser plate 360 ​​is located above the light-emitting unit 320 and the light guide plate 330, and further between the keycap 340 and the light guide plate 330. The diffuser plate 360 ​​can allow light emitted from the top of the light guide plate 330 to pass through and scatter, achieving a uniform diffusion of upward-emitting light. The light-transmitting film 370 is, for example, a semi-transparent film made of polyethylene terephthalate. The light-transmitting film 370 is located between the keycap 340, the light guide plate 330, and the light-emitting unit 320. The light-transmitting film 370 can be used to further disperse the light that passes through the diffuser plate 360, making the backlighting effect under the keycap 340 more uniform.

[0024] Furthermore, the keycap 340 may have a top 341 and a side extension 342. The side extension 342 is formed extending downward from the edge of the top 341. In this embodiment, the side extension 342 exposes the sides of the circuit board 310, the light-emitting unit 320, the light guide plate 330, and the reflector 350. That is, the extension length of the side extension 342 in this embodiment is shorter than the extension lengths of the side extensions 142 and 242 in the previous embodiments. In other words, the size of the side extension of the keycap can be adjusted according to practical needs.

[0025] Please refer to Figure 4, which illustrates a stacked architecture diagram of a button structure 400 according to another embodiment.

[0026] The key structure 400 may be, but is not limited to, a space bar on a keyboard device. The key structure 400 mainly includes a circuit board 410, a light-emitting unit 420, a light guide plate 430, and a keycap 440. The circuit board 410 is, for example, a printed circuit board. The circuit board 410 may have a touch-sensing circuit (not shown), so that the key structure 400 has touch functionality (e.g., for user swiping operations), unlike the design of a typical space bar. For example, the touch-sensing circuit is, for example, a capacitive touch-sensing circuit. The light-emitting unit 420 is, for example, a light-emitting diode. The key structure 400 includes multiple light-emitting units 420 (three are used as an example in this embodiment, but are not limited thereto), which are spaced apart and located below the keycap 440. The light-emitting units 420 are electrically connected to the circuit board 410 and located above the circuit board 410. For example, the light-emitting units 420 can be mounted to the circuit board 410 using surface mount technology. In detail, the circuit board 410 may have a backlight driving circuit to drive the light-emitting unit 420 to emit light, so that the button structure 400 has a backlight function. The backlight driving circuit and the touch sensing circuit can be integrated on the printed circuit board of the circuit board 410.

[0027] A light guide plate 430 is located adjacent to the light-emitting unit 420 and above the circuit board 410. Specifically, the light guide plate 430 is located between two adjacent light-emitting units 420. In this embodiment, the light guide plate 430 has a light guide plate hole 430H, and the middle light-emitting unit 420 is located within the light guide plate hole 430H. In other embodiments, a plurality of light guide plates 430 can be used instead of drilling holes in the light guide plate 430; that is, two adjacent light-emitting units 420 are provided with a single light guide plate 430, and a plurality of light guide plates 430 are spaced apart above the circuit board 410. The light guide plate 430 has optical microstructures for converting the lateral light emission of the point light from the light-emitting unit 420 into upward light emission of the surface light source, thereby improving backlight uniformity.

[0028] Keycap 440 is, for example, a plastic keycap. Keycap 440 is located above the light-emitting unit 420, the light guide plate 430, and the circuit board 410. Corresponding to the example of a spacebar key structure 400, keycap 440 corresponds to a long keycap for multiple keys. The top surface of keycap 440 may have a backlit symbol area 440P. The backlit symbol area 440P may employ a hidden character / pattern setting. That is, when the light-emitting unit 420 is not emitting light, the backlit symbol area 440P is not visible on the top surface of keycap 440. When the light-emitting unit 420 emits light, the backlit symbol area 440P is visible on the top surface of keycap 440 to display characters or patterns.

[0029] The key structure 400 may further include a reflective sheet 450, a diffuser plate 460, and a light-transmitting film 470. The reflective sheet 450 is located adjacent to the light-emitting unit 420, and further between the light guide plate 430 and the circuit board 410. Specifically, the reflective sheet 450 is located between two adjacent light-emitting units 420. In this embodiment, the reflective sheet 450 has a reflective sheet hole 450H, and the middle of these light-emitting units 420 is located within the reflective sheet hole 450H. The reflective sheet hole 450H may be aligned with the aforementioned light guide plate hole 430H. In other embodiments, a plurality of reflective sheets 450 may be used instead of drilling holes in the reflective sheet 450, that is, two adjacent light-emitting units 420 are provided with a single reflective sheet 450, and a plurality of reflective sheets 450 are spaced apart between the light guide plate 430 and the circuit board 410. The reflective sheet 450 can be used to reflect light emitted from the bottom of the light guide plate 430 back into the light guide plate 430 and re-emit towards the keycap 440 to reduce light loss.

[0030] A diffuser plate 460 is located above the light-emitting unit 420 and the light guide plate 430, and further between the keycap 440 and the light guide plate 430. The diffuser plate 460 allows light emitted from the top of the light guide plate 430 to pass through and scatter, achieving a uniform diffusion of upward-emitting light. A translucent film 470 is, for example, a semi-transparent film made of polyethylene terephthalate. The translucent film 470 is located between the keycap 440, the light guide plate 430, and the light-emitting unit 420. The translucent film 470 further disperses the light transmitted through the diffuser plate 460, making the backlighting effect under the keycap 440 more uniform.

[0031] Furthermore, the keycap 440 may have a top 441 and a side extension 442. The side extension 442 extends downward from the edge of the top 441. In this embodiment, the side extension 442 exposes the sides of the circuit board 410 and the two light-emitting units 420 on both sides. That is, the extension length of the side extension 442 in this embodiment is shorter than the extension lengths of the side extensions 142 and 242 in the previous embodiments. In other words, the size of the side extension of the keycap can be adjusted according to practical needs.

[0032] Please refer to Figure 5, which shows a schematic diagram of the key structure 100 shown in Figure 1 applied to the keyboard base plate 1.

[0033] The key structure 100 can serve as a key in a keyboard device, and the keyboard base plate 1 is included in the keyboard device. The key structure 100 can be connected to the keyboard base plate 1 via a piezoelectric sensing module 10. The piezoelectric sensing module 10 is electrically connected to the circuit board 110 of the key structure 100 and is located below the circuit board 110. Specifically, the circuit board 110 can be electrically connected to the piezoelectric sensing module 10 via a cable. When a user presses the key structure 100, the mechanical energy generated can be converted into electrical energy through the piezoelectric sensing module 10, and the corresponding electrical signal can be transmitted to the switching circuit board (e.g., a membrane circuit board) of the keyboard device to realize the key input function. In addition, when a user presses the key structure 100, the piezoelectric sensing module 10 can detect the corresponding pressure and convert it into a drive signal. The drive signal can cause the actuator in the piezoelectric sensing module 10 to vibrate, providing tactile feedback to the user. The content shown in Figure 5 is illustrated using the key structure 100 as an example, but is not limited thereto. It should be understood that the button structure 100 can be replaced with the aforementioned button structure 200, button structure 300 or button structure 400 for implementation.

[0034] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the key structure shown in Figure 1 applied to the keyboard base.

[0035] The key structure 100 can serve as a key in a keyboard device, and the keyboard base plate 1 is included in the keyboard device. The key structure 100 can be connected to the keyboard base plate 1 via a lifting member 20, so that the key structure 100 can reciprocate relative to the keyboard base plate 1. Specifically, the lifting member 20 is, for example, a scissor mechanism. When the user presses the key structure 100, the lifting member 20 allows the key structure 100 to travel downwards and contact the switching circuit board (e.g., a membrane circuit board) to realize the key input function. The content shown in Figure 6 is illustrated using the key structure 100 as an example, but is not limited thereto. It should be understood that the key structure 100 can be replaced with the aforementioned key structure 200, key structure 300, or key structure 400 for implementation.

[0036] Based on the above description, this disclosure proposes a novel key structure. Through the arrangement of a circuit board with touch-sensing circuitry, a light-emitting unit, and a light guide plate, a single key can achieve both touch and backlighting functions. Simultaneously, the keycaps in the key structure still retain the function of allowing users to press and input data. Furthermore, when the key structure is further integrated into the keyboard device via a piezoelectric sensing module, it can provide users with additional tactile feedback. Therefore, the key structure proposed in this disclosure can achieve more functional operations compared to conventional keyboard keys.

[0037] In summary, although this disclosure has been presented above with examples, it is not intended to limit the invention. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of this invention should be determined by the appended claims.

[0038] 1: Keyboard base 10: Piezoelectric sensing module 20: Lifting component 100, 200, 300, 400: Key Structure 110, 210, 310, 410: Circuit board 120, 220, 320, 420: Light-emitting units 130, 230, 330, 430: Light guide plate 140, 240, 340, 440: Keycaps 140P, 240P, 340P, 440P: Transparent light symbol area 141,241,341,441: Top 142, 242, 342, 442: Lateral extension 150, 250, 350, 450: Reflective sheet 160, 260, 360, 460: Diffuser plate 170, 270, 370, 470: Translucent film 230H, 430H: Light guide plate holes 250H, 450H: Reflector aperture

Claims

1. A button structure, comprising: A circuit board having a touch-sensing circuit; At least one light-emitting unit is electrically connected to the circuit board and located above the circuit board; a light guide plate is located adjacent to the at least one light-emitting unit and above the circuit board; and a keycap is located above the at least one light-emitting unit, the light guide plate and the circuit board, wherein the keycap has a side extension that covers the side of the at least one light-emitting unit, the light guide plate and the circuit board.

2. A button structure, comprising: A circuit board having a touch-sensing circuit; At least one light-emitting unit is electrically connected to the circuit board and located above the circuit board; a light guide plate is located adjacent to the at least one light-emitting unit and above the circuit board; and a keycap is located above the at least one light-emitting unit, the light guide plate and the circuit board, wherein the keycap has a side extension that exposes the side of the at least one light-emitting unit, the light guide plate and the circuit board.

3. The button structure as described in claim 1 or 2 further includes: A reflector is located adjacent to the at least one light-emitting unit and between the light guide plate and the circuit board.

4. The button structure as described in claim 1 or 2 further includes: A diffuser plate is located above the at least one light-emitting unit and the light guide plate.

5. The button structure as described in claim 1 or 2 further includes: A light-transmitting film is located between the keycap, the light guide plate, and the at least one light-emitting unit.

6. The key structure as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the key structure is connected to a keyboard base plate via a piezoelectric sensing module, the piezoelectric sensing module being electrically connected to the circuit board and located below the circuit board.

7. The key structure as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the key structure is connected to a keyboard base plate via a lifting member, and the key structure is reciprocating relative to the keyboard base plate.

8. The key structure as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the number of the at least one light-emitting unit is multiple, and the light-emitting units are spaced apart below the keycap.

9. The button structure as described in claim 8, wherein the light guide plate is located between adjacent light-emitting units.

10. The button structure as described in claim 8, wherein the light guide plate has a light guide plate hole, and one of the light-emitting units is located within the light guide plate hole.

11. The button structure as described in claim 8 further includes: A reflective sheet is located between two adjacent light-emitting units and below the light guide plate, wherein the reflective sheet has a reflective sheet hole, and one of the light-emitting units is located in the reflective sheet hole.

12. The key structure as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the top surface of the keycap has a light-transmitting symbol area, and the light-transmitting symbol area is not visible on the top surface of the keycap when the at least one light-emitting unit is not emitting light.

13. The key structure as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the top surface of the keycap has a light-transmitting symbol area, which is visible on the top surface of the keycap when the at least one light-emitting unit emits light.

14. The button structure as described in claim 1 or 2 further includes: A reflector is used to reflect light emitted from the bottom of the light guide plate back to the light guide plate so that it can be emitted back toward the keycap.

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