Electronic device

Abstract

The invention provides an electronic device. The electronic device comprises a machine body, a touch panel and a keyboard module. The body has a surface having a first portion and a second portion adjacent to each other. The touch panel is arranged on the first part. The keyboard module is arranged on the second part and comprises a first key. The first key comprises a bottom plate, a circuit layer, a return structure, a key cap and a conductor layer. The circuit layer is arranged on the base plate and used for generating a first input signal. The return structure is arranged on the bottom plate. The key cap is arranged on the return structure. The conductor layer is arranged below the key cap and is divided into a plurality of areas, and the areas are separated from one another and used for generating a plurality of second input signals.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electronic device, and more particularly to an electronic device having a touch panel and a physical keyboard. Background Art

[0002] Traditional notebook computers are all provided with a touchpad and a keyboard as input devices. Some notebook computers further provide a touchpad button above or below the touchpad for user convenience.

[0003] These touchpad buttons are designed as separate components to facilitate the pressing effect. This design method will produce a separation gap between the touchpad and the touchpad buttons, which affects the appearance of the notebook computer. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present disclosure provides an electronic device. The electronic device includes a body, a touch pad and a keyboard module. The body has a surface, and the surface has a first part and a second part adjacent to each other. The touch pad is arranged in the first part. The keyboard module is arranged in the second part and includes a first key. The first key includes a base plate, a circuit layer, a recovery structure, a key cap and a conductor layer. The circuit layer is arranged on the base plate to generate a first input signal. The recovery structure is arranged on the base plate. The key cap is arranged on the recovery structure. The conductor layer is arranged below the key cap and is divided into a plurality of regions, which are separated from each other to generate a plurality of second input signals.

[0005] The electronic device disclosed in the present invention has a conductor layer disposed under the keycap of the first key of the keyboard module, and the conductor layer is divided into a plurality of regions, and these regions can sense the user's touch action and generate a plurality of second input signals. The arrangement of the conductor layer can replace the traditional touch pad keys, and avoid the dividing line between the touch pad keys and the touch pad affecting the appearance of the electronic device, and also avoid the size of the touch pad being limited due to the arrangement of the touch pad keys. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of an electronic device provided according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0007] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A block diagram of an electronic device;

[0008] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a first embodiment of the first button in FIG.

[0009] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the first button in FIG.

[0010] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a third embodiment of the first button in FIG.

[0011] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a fourth embodiment of the first button in FIG.

[0012] Figure 7 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of an electronic device provided according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0013] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A block diagram of an electronic device;

[0014] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device provided according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0015] Fig.10 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device provided according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0016] Fig.11 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of an electronic device provided according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The specific implementation of the present disclosure will be described in more detail below in conjunction with the schematic diagram. The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become clearer according to the following description and claims. It should be noted that the drawings are all in a very simplified form and are not in exact proportions, and are only used to conveniently and clearly assist in explaining the purpose of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of an electronic device provided according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 In one embodiment, the electronic device 100 is a notebook computer.

[0019] As shown in the figure, the electronic device 100 includes a body 120, a touch pad 140 and a keyboard module 160. The body 120 is the body of the host part of the electronic device 100. The body 120 has a surface 122, and the surface 122 has a first part A1 and a second part A2 adjacent to each other. The touch pad 140 is disposed in the first part A1. The keyboard module 160 is disposed in the second part A2 and includes a first key 162. The touch pad 140 of this embodiment is a hidden design, so it is shown in dotted lines in the figure.

[0020] The first button 162 is located at a position of the keyboard module 160 close to the first portion A1 and adjacent to the touch pad 140. The first button 162 is adapted to generate a first input signal S1 in response to a user's pressing behavior. In one embodiment, the keyboard module 160 is a standard keyboard, and the first button 162 is located at the space bar in the middle of the bottom row of the standard keyboard. The first input signal S1 is an input signal corresponding to the space bar.

[0021] The first key 162 includes a conductor layer 1622. The conductor layer 1622 is hidden under the key cap of the first key 162, and is therefore shown in dashed lines in the figure. The conductor layer 1622 is divided into two mutually separated regions along the long side direction of the first key 162, namely, the left region B1 and the right region B2 in the figure. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The following paragraphs will provide more detailed explanations.

[0022] The left area B1 and the right area B2 of the conductor layer 1622 can detect the capacitance change caused by the user's finger approaching by means of capacitive sensing to generate two second input signals S21, S22 corresponding to the left button and the right button of the touch panel 140. In this way, the user can perform operations corresponding to the left button and the right button of the touch panel 140 through the left area B1 and the right area B2. In one embodiment, the left area B1 and the right area B2 have the same size. However, it is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the left area B1 corresponding to the more commonly used left button can have a larger size.

[0023] The electronic device 100 of this embodiment has a control unit 180. The control unit 180 is electrically coupled to the first button 162 to receive the first input signal S1 and the second input signals S21, S22 from the first button 162, and controls the first button 162 to switch between a button mode and a touchpad auxiliary mode according to a switching signal S3, so as to select to operate according to the first input signal S1 or according to the second input signal S21, S22. In one embodiment, the control unit 180 can be the mainboard of the electronic device 100.

[0024] In one embodiment, the switching signal S3 may be a gesture signal generated by the conductor layer 1622, such as a double-click signal corresponding to the left area B1 or the right area B2, or a signal corresponding to a simultaneous click on the left area B1 and the right area B2. The switching signal S3 generated by the gesture operation on the left area B1 is shown in the figure as an example. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the switching signal S3 may also be a signal generated corresponding to a simultaneous click on the conductor layer 1622 and the touch pad 140.

[0025] When the first button 162 is in the button mode, the control unit 180 executes a button function according to the first input signal S1, that is, the first button 162 is used to execute the function originally set by the button module 160, such as data input. For example, if the first button 162 is a space bar, when executing a file editing application, this function can be to enter a space.

[0026] When the first button 162 operates in the touchpad auxiliary mode, the control unit 180 performs a touchpad function according to the second input signals S21 and S22 corresponding to the left area B1 and the right area B2. For example, the control unit 180 can perform the functions of the left and right keys of the touchpad 140 according to the second input signals S21 and S22 generated by the left area B1 and the right area B2 on the first button 162, so that it provides an operation function similar to a mouse. In one embodiment, the control unit 180 can set the button mode to the default mode.

[0027] In one embodiment, in order to facilitate the user to identify the current operating mode of the first button 162, the first button 162 may be provided with a light-emitting diode lighting, so that when the first button 162 operates in the touchpad auxiliary mode, the first button 162 will light up to prompt the user.

[0028] Please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The cross-sectional diagram of the first embodiment of the first key in FIG. The cross-sectional direction in the figure is parallel to Figure 1 In the short side direction of the body 120.

[0029] As shown in the figure, the first key 300 includes a base plate 310 , a circuit layer 320 , a recovery structure 330 , a key cap 340 and a conductor layer 350 .

[0030] The circuit layer 320 is disposed on the bottom plate 310 to generate a first input signal S1. The recovery structure 330 is disposed on the bottom plate 310. The key cap 340 is disposed on the recovery structure 330. The recovery structure 330 can support the key cap 340 and provide an elastic recovery force to return the key cap 340 to its original position after the user presses the key cap 340. In one embodiment, the recovery structure 330 can include a scissor foot structure 332 and an elastic member 334. The key cap 340 is disposed on a side of the scissor foot structure 332 away from the bottom plate 310. The elastic member 334 is disposed directly below the key cap 340.

[0031] The conductive layer 350 is disposed on a lower surface 342 of the key cap 340. The conductive layer 350 can detect the capacitance change caused by the user's finger approaching through capacitive sensing to generate the second input signals S21, S22.

[0032] The second input signals S21 and S22 generated by the conductor layer 350 are transmitted to the touch panel 365 located on the side of the first button 300 through a conductive structure 360, and then transmitted to the main board 370 for processing through the touch panel 365. In this embodiment, the existing signal transmission path between the touch panel 365 and the main board 370 can be directly applied to transmit the second input signals S21 and S22.

[0033] The first key 300 of this embodiment is a key with a scissor foot structure, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Other key structures with a key cap 340 and a pressing stroke that can provide a physical pressing effect can also be applied to the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the first button in FIG.

[0035] The first button 400 of this embodiment is Figure 3 The main difference of the first button 300 shown is the connection method of the conductor layers 350 , 450 .

[0036] Compared to Figure 3 In the embodiment of the present invention, the second input signals S21 and S22 generated by the conductor layer 350 are transmitted to the outside through the touch panel 365. The second input signals S21 and S22 generated by the conductor layer 450 of the present embodiment are directly transmitted to the main board 470 disposed under the first key 400 through the conductive structure 460 for processing. The conductive structure 460 extends downward from the conductor layer 450 disposed on the lower surface 442 of the key cap 440 to the bottom plate 410, and then penetrates the bottom plate 410 and extends downward to the main board 470.

[0037] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a third embodiment of the first button in FIG.

[0038] The first button 500 of this embodiment is Figure 3 The main difference of the first button 300 shown is the connection method of the conductor layers 550 , 350 .

[0039] Compared to Figure 3 In the embodiment of the present invention, the second input signals S21, S22 generated by the conductor layer 350 are transmitted to the outside through the touch panel 365. The second input signals S21, S22 generated by the conductor layer 550 of the present embodiment are transmitted to the circuit layer 520 on the bottom plate 510 of the first key 500 through the conductive structure 560, and then transmitted to the main board 570 for processing through the circuit layer 520 on the bottom plate 510 of the first key 500. The conductive structure 560 extends downward from the conductor layer 550 disposed on the lower surface 542 of the keycap 540 to the circuit layer 520 on the bottom plate 510.

[0040] In this embodiment, the existing signal transmission path between the keyboard module where the first button 500 is located and the mainboard 570 can be directly applied to transmit the second input signals S21 and S22.

[0041] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a fourth embodiment of the first button in FIG.

[0042] The first button 600 of this embodiment is Figure 3 The main difference of the first key 300 shown is the location of the conductor layers 350, 650. Figure 3 In the embodiment of FIG. 1 , the conductor layer 350 is disposed on the lower surface 342 of the key cap 340, while the conductor layer 650 of this embodiment is disposed on the upper surface 612 of the base plate 610. This embodiment is particularly suitable for a thin keyboard with a key cap 640 having a small thickness.

[0043] In addition, since the conductor layer 650 of this embodiment is disposed on the upper surface 612 of the base plate 610, the second input signals S21, S22 generated by the conductor layer 650 can be directly transmitted to the main board 670 under the first button 600 through the conductive structure 660 penetrating the base plate 610 to simplify the circuit design.

[0044] Figure 7 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of an electronic device 700 provided according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 8 yes Figure 7 FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an electronic device 700. In one embodiment, the electronic device 700 is a notebook computer.

[0045] Similar to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The electronic device 100 shown in the embodiment includes a body 720, a touch panel 740 and a keyboard module 760. The body 720 has a surface 722, and the surface 722 has a first portion A1 and a second portion A2 adjacent to each other. The touch panel 740 is disposed in the first portion A1. The keyboard module 760 is disposed in the second portion A2 and includes a first key 762. The first key 762 has a conductor layer 7622.

[0046] exist Figure 1In the illustrated embodiment, the conductor layer 1622 of the first key 162 is divided into two mutually separated regions, namely, the left region B1 and the right region B2, for generating two corresponding second input signals S21, S22. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the conductor layer 7622 of the first key 762 is divided into three mutually separated regions along the long side direction of the first key 762, namely, a left region C1, a middle region C2, and a right region C3. The left region C1, the middle region C2, and the right region C3 can generate three corresponding second input signals S21', S22', S23'.

[0047] The electronic device 700 of this embodiment further includes a control unit 780. The control unit 780 is electrically coupled to the first button 762 to receive the first input signal S1 and the second input signal S21', S22', S23' from the first button 762, and controls the first button 762 to switch between a button mode and a touchpad auxiliary mode according to a switching signal S3. In one embodiment, the control unit 780 is a mainboard.

[0048] In one embodiment, the switching signal S3 may be a gesture signal generated by the conductor layer 7622, ​​such as a double-click signal. The figure shows the switching signal S3 generated by the gesture operation in the left area C1 as an example. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The switching signal S3 may also be a signal generated by the gesture operation corresponding to the middle area C2 or the right area C3.

[0049] When the first button 762 is in the button mode, the control unit 780 executes the button function according to the first input signal S1, that is, the first button 762 is used to execute the function originally set by the button module 760, such as data input. For example, if the first button 762 is a space bar, when executing a file editing application, this function can be to enter a space.

[0050] When the first button 762 operates in the touchpad auxiliary mode, the control unit 780 performs the touchpad function according to the second input signals S21', S23' corresponding to the left area C1 and the right area C3, that is, the left area C1 and the right area C3 on the first button 762 are used as the left and right buttons of the touchpad 740, so that it provides an operation function similar to that of a mouse. At the same time, the control unit 780 performs the button function according to the second input signal S22' corresponding to the middle area C2. That is, the function originally set by the button module 760 for the first button 762 is executed according to the second input signal S22'.

[0051] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the middle area C2 can also be used as a custom input key, and the user can set the key corresponding to the middle area C2. Specifically, the second input signal S22' corresponding to the middle area C2 can be set to correspond to the space bar, the middle mouse button, or the user-defined key. The user can use the switching signal S3 to cycle through the three modes of the space bar, the middle mouse button, and the user-defined key.

[0052] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device 900 provided according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 The main difference between the embodiments is that the source of the switching signal S3 is different.

[0053] The keyboard module 960 of the electronic device 900 of this embodiment includes a second key 964 in addition to the first key 962. The second key 964 is different from the first key 962. For example, the second key 964 can be a function key on a standard keyboard.

[0054] Compared to Figure 2 In the embodiment, the switching signal S3 is generated by the conductor layer 1622 of the first button 162. As shown in the figure, the switching signal S3 of this embodiment is generated by the second button 964 and provided to the control unit 980, rather than being generated by the conductor layer 9622 of the first button 962.

[0055] In order to prevent the user from accidentally pressing the second button 964 and causing mode switching, in one embodiment, the switching signal S3 may also be a signal generated by pressing the second button 964 and clicking the touch pad 940 at the same time.

[0056] Fig.10 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device 1000 provided according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 The main difference between the embodiments is that the source of the switching signal S3 is different.

[0057] Compared to Figure 2 In the embodiment of FIG. 1 , the switching signal S3 is generated by the conductive layer 1622 of the first button 162 . In the present embodiment, the switching signal S3 is generated by the touch panel 1040 instead of the conductive layer 10622 of the first button 1062 .

[0058] Specifically, the switching signal S3 may correspond to the contact area D1 detected on the touch panel 1040. When the contact area D1 detected by the touch panel 1040 is smaller than a default value, such as zero, the touch panel 1040 generates the switching signal S3.

[0059] When the control unit 1080 detects the switching signal S3 and the first button 1062 of the keyboard module 1060 is in the touchpad auxiliary mode, the control unit 1080 controls the first button 1062 to switch to the key mode. On the other hand, when the control unit 1080 detects the switching signal S3 but the first button 1062 is already in the key mode, the control unit 1080 maintains the original key mode and does not switch to the touchpad auxiliary mode.

[0060] Fig.11 FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic diagram of an electronic device 1100 provided according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the electronic device 1100 is a notebook computer.

[0061] Similar to Figure 1 The electronic device 100 shown in the embodiment includes a body 1120, a touch panel 1140 and a keyboard module 1160. The body 1120 has a surface 1122, and the surface 1122 has a first portion A1 and a second portion A2 adjacent to each other. The touch panel 1140 is disposed in the first portion A1. The keyboard module 1160 is disposed in the second portion A2 and includes a first button 1162. The first button 1162 has a conductor layer 11622.

[0062] exist Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the conductive layer 1622 of the first button 162 is divided into two separate regions, namely a left region B1 and a right region B2 , and the left region B1 is adjacent to the right region B2 .

[0063] In contrast, the conductor layer 11622 of the first button 1162 of the present embodiment is also divided into a left area E1 and a right area E2 that are separated from each other, but a blank area E3 is reserved between the left area E1 and the right area E2 for the user to directly press the first button 1162. In this way, even if the first button 1162 is switched to the touchpad auxiliary mode, the user can also execute the original function of the first button 1162 by pressing the blank area E3 of the first button 1162 without switching the first button 1162 back to the key mode.

[0064] The electronic device disclosed in the present invention has a conductor layer disposed under the keycap of the first key of the keyboard module, and the conductor layer is divided into a plurality of regions, and these regions can sense the user's touch action and generate a plurality of second input signals. The arrangement of the conductor layer can replace the traditional touch pad keys, and avoid the dividing line between the touch pad keys and the touch pad affecting the appearance of the electronic device, and also avoid the size of the touch pad being limited due to the arrangement of the touch pad keys.

[0065] Although the present invention has been disclosed as above by way of embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art may make some changes and modifications without departing from the concept and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be determined by the definition of the claims.

Claims

1. An electronic device, characterized in that: Include: A body having a surface, wherein the surface has a first portion and a second portion adjacent to each other; A touch panel, provided on the first part; The keyboard module is provided in the second part and comprises a first key, wherein the first key comprises: Base plate; A circuit layer, disposed on the bottom plate, for generating a first input signal; A recovery structure is provided on the bottom plate; A key cap is arranged on the recovery structure; as well as The conductor layer is arranged below the key cap and is divided into a plurality of regions, and the plurality of regions are separated from each other to generate a plurality of second input signals.

2. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The first button is adjacent to the first part.

3. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The conductor layer is divided into the plurality of regions along the long side direction of the first key.

4. The electronic device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that: The plurality of regions include a left region and a right region.

5. The electronic device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that: The left area and the right area have the same size.

6. The electronic device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that: The plurality of regions include a left region, a right region and a middle region.

7. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The conductor layer is located on the lower surface of the key cap.

8. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The conductor layer is located on the upper surface of the bottom plate. 9 . The electronic device as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a control unit electrically coupled to the first button and configured to control the first button to switch between a button mode and a touchpad auxiliary mode according to a switching signal.

10. The electronic device as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that: The switching signal is generated by the conductor layer.

11. The electronic device as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that: The above switching signal is a double-click signal.

12. The electronic device as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that: The above-mentioned multiple areas include a left area and a right area. When the above-mentioned first button operates in the above-mentioned button mode, the above-mentioned control unit performs the button function according to the above-mentioned first input signal. When the above-mentioned first button operates in the above-mentioned touchpad auxiliary mode, the above-mentioned control unit performs the touchpad function according to the above-mentioned multiple second input signals corresponding to the above-mentioned left area and the above-mentioned right area.

13. The electronic device as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that: The above-mentioned multiple areas include a left area, a right area and a middle area, and when the above-mentioned first button operates in the above-mentioned button mode, the above-mentioned control unit performs the button function according to the above-mentioned first input signal, and when the above-mentioned first button operates in the above-mentioned touchpad auxiliary mode, the above-mentioned control unit performs the touchpad function according to the above-mentioned multiple second input signals corresponding to the above-mentioned left area and the above-mentioned right area, and performs the above-mentioned button function according to the above-mentioned second input signal corresponding to the above-mentioned middle area.

14. The electronic device as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that: The switching signal is generated by the keyboard module.

15. The electronic device as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that: The keyboard module includes a second key, which is different from the first key, and the switching signal is generated by the second key.

16. The electronic device as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that: The switching signal is generated by the touch panel.

17. The electronic device as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that: The switching signal corresponds to a contact area of ​​the touch panel. When the contact area is smaller than a default value, the control unit controls the first button to operate in the button mode.

18. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The first key is the space key.

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