Double-optical-path optical switch keyboard comprising light-shading silica gel elastic sheet and using light guide plate as light source

Abstract

The invention discloses a dual-optical-path optical switch keyboard comprising a light-transmitting shielding silica gel elastic sheet and taking a light guide plate as a light source. The dual-optical-path optical switch keyboard comprises the light-transmitting shielding silica gel elastic sheet, the light guide plate and a circuit board, and the chip is one of a control device chip, a control device chip, a control device chip, a control device standby device chip and a control device standby device chip. The light-sensitive element is located under the light-transmitting-shielding silica gel elastic piece, the light-transmitting-shielding silica gel elastic piece is made of light-transmitting color materials and light-shielding color materials, the LED light source of the light guide plate can provide an emitting light source in a positioning mode, one path directly provides illumination for characters of a key cap, and the other path directly provides illumination for the characters of the key cap. One path directly penetrates through the light-transmitting shielding silica gel elastic sheet to provide an emission light source for the light-sensitive element under the light-transmitting shielding silica gel elastic sheet, so that one light source has two purposes. The invention provides the optical switch keyboard with serial-parallel hot standby, the communication circuit is simple, the reliability is high, full-key non-punching can be realized, the keyboard MCU can communicate with the keyboard through a maximum 6-PIN electrical network, and the optical switch keyboard is particularly suitable for notebook computer production.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an optical switch keyboard, specifically a dual-path optical switch keyboard containing a light-shielding silicone spring and a light guide plate as the light source. Background Technology

[0002] There are currently no membrane optical switch keyboards on the market, no dual-light-path membrane optical key keyboards with a single-sided PCB, and no dual-light-path membrane optical switch keyboards that use a light guide plate as the light source. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention directly provides a dual-light path optical switch keyboard with a light-shielding silicone spring sheet and a light guide plate as the light source, and uses the light guide plate as the emission light source.

[0004] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0005] A dual-path optical switch keyboard with a light-shielding silicone spring and a light guide plate as the light source includes a circuit board, a light-shielding silicone spring, and a light guide plate. The circuit board has several chips with control signal interface pins. These pins are connected to the photosensitive element of the optical switch to receive optical switch signals. Each control signal interface pin corresponds to a key. A light-shielding silicone spring is located below the keycap of each key. The light-shielding silicone spring serves as a key's rebound reset element and also as the switching valve for the optical switch.

[0006] The circuit board is mounted on the light guide plate; the LED light source of the light guide plate can be positioned to provide the emission light source, one path directly provides backlight for the keycap characters, and the other path provides the emission light source for the light switch, thus forming a dual light path for each key;

[0007] The light-blocking silicone elastic sheet includes a silicone shell and an inner liner; wherein, the inner liner is located in the hollow part of the silicone shell and extends from the top of the silicone shell downwards; the silicone shell is light-transmitting, the inner liner is light-blocking, and the depth of the silicone shell is greater than the depth of the inner liner;

[0008] The light-blocking silicone spring is placed directly above the photosensitive element; when the light-blocking silicone spring is not pressed down, the light guide plate light source shines on the photosensitive element through the silicone shell; when the light-blocking silicone spring is pressed down to the bottom, the light guide plate light source is blocked by the inner lining, the photosensitive element completes the signal change from light to no light, and the light switch signal is generated.

[0009] A dual-path optical switch keyboard with a light-shielding silicone spring and a light guide plate as the light source includes a light guide plate and a light-shielding silicone spring. The light guide plate serves as both a light source and a circuit board. Several chips with control signal interface pins are disposed on the light guide plate. The control signal interface pins of the chips are connected to the photosensitive element of the optical switch to receive optical switch signals. Each control signal interface pin corresponds to a key. A light-shielding silicone spring is disposed below the keycap of the key. The light-shielding silicone spring serves as a key rebound reset element and also as a switching valve for the optical switch.

[0010] The LED light source of the light guide plate can be positioned to provide an emission light source. One path directly provides backlight for the keycap characters, and the other path provides an emission light source for the light switch, thus forming a dual light path for each key.

[0011] The light-blocking silicone elastic sheet includes a silicone shell and an inner liner; wherein, the inner liner is located in the hollow part of the silicone shell and extends from the top of the silicone shell downwards; the silicone shell is light-transmitting, the inner liner is light-blocking, and the depth of the silicone shell is greater than the depth of the inner liner;

[0012] The light-blocking silicone spring is placed directly above the photosensitive element; when the light-blocking silicone spring is not pressed down, the light guide plate light source shines on the photosensitive element through the silicone shell; when the light-blocking silicone spring is pressed down to the bottom, the light guide plate light source is blocked by the inner lining, the photosensitive element completes the signal change from light to no light, and the light switch signal is generated.

[0013] Furthermore, the light guide plate is a rigid light guide plate or a flexible light guide plate; the circuit board is a rigid circuit board or a flexible circuit board.

[0014] Furthermore, the LED light source of the light guide plate is any combination of G, R, B, W, and IR. IR is used to ensure that the light switch can still work intermittently after the visible light is turned off, and the keyboard MCU controls the emission of the light source.

[0015] Furthermore, the chip is a driver chip, which integrates a control signal interface circuit, an address code memory, and a serial communication circuit with a single bus; it includes control signal interface pins, power supply pins, ground pins, parallel data line pins, address code input pins, and address code output pins; the power supply pins are used to supply power to the driver chip, and the ground pins are used for signal grounding and power grounding;

[0016] The control signal interface pins are connected to the receiving photosensitive element for communication. The control signal interface circuit is responsible for processing the optical switch signal and connecting it to the serial communication circuit of the serial single bus in series and parallel connection.

[0017] The address code input pins and address code output pins of n controller chips are cascaded to form a serial data line network DIN(1)-DOUT(n). The two ends of the serial data line network DIN(1) and DOUT(n) are connected to the MCU respectively. The MCU writes the sequence bit formed by the cascaded controller chips into the address code memory through the serial data line network DIN(1)-DOUT(n) and uses it as the communication address code. The power supply pins of the n controller chips are connected in parallel to share the power supply network VCC, the ground pins are connected in parallel to share the ground network GND, and the parallel data line pins are connected in parallel to form a parallel data line network DIO, which is then connected to the MCU.

[0018] Serial-parallel single-bus serial communication circuits are used to process serial data line network information and parallel data line network information.

[0019] Optical switch control information can be transmitted on the parallel data line network (DIO).

[0020] Optical switch control information can also be transmitted on the serial data line network DIN(1)-DOUT(n);

[0021] Both the parallel data line network DIO and the serial data line network DIN(1)-DOUT(n) use the serial single-bus communication protocol to transmit optical switch control information and serve as hot backups for each other.

[0022] Furthermore, the chip is a driver chip;

[0023] The controller chip integrates a control signal interface circuit, an address code memory, and a parallel single-bus serial communication circuit; it includes control signal interface pins, power supply pins, ground pins, and parallel data line pins. The power supply pins are used to power the controller chip, and the ground pins are used for signal grounding and power grounding.

[0024] The control signal interface pins are connected to the receiving photosensitive element for communication. The control signal interface circuit is responsible for processing the optical switch signal and connecting it to the parallel single-bus serial communication circuit.

[0025] The parallel data pins of n controller chips are connected together to form a parallel data line network (DIO), which is then connected to the MCU. The address code of the controller chip is written into the address code memory through an external fixture and used as the communication address code.

[0026] Parallel single-bus serial communication circuits are used to process information from parallel data line networks;

[0027] Optical switch control information is transmitted on the parallel data line network DIO;

[0028] The parallel data line network uses a serial single-bus communication protocol to transmit optical switch control information.

[0029] Furthermore, the chip is a magic-controlling chip;

[0030] The device chip integrates a control signal interface circuit and a serial single-bus serial communication circuit, including a control signal interface pin, a power supply pin, a ground pin, a serial signal input pin, and a serial signal output pin; the power supply pin is used to power the device chip, and the ground pin is used for signal grounding and power grounding;

[0031] The control signal interface pins are connected to the receiving photosensitive element for communication. The control signal interface circuit is responsible for processing the optical switch signal and connecting it to the serial communication circuit on a single-bus serial bus.

[0032] The serial signal input pins and serial signal output pins of n control chip are cascaded to form a serial data line network DIN(1)-DOUT(n). The two ends of the serial data line network DIN(1) and DOUT(n) are connected to the MCU respectively. The MCU transmits the optical switch control information to the MCU through the serial data line network DIN(1)-DOUT(n).

[0033] A serial single-bus serial communication circuit is used to process information from a serial data line network.

[0034] Optical switch control information is transmitted on the serial data line network DIN(1)-DOUT(n);

[0035] The serial data line network uses a serial single-bus communication protocol to transmit optical switch control information.

[0036] Furthermore, the chip is a Yuhui backup chip; the Yuhui backup chip integrates a control signal interface circuit, a parallel single-bus serial communication circuit, and an address code memory; it includes control signal interface pins, power supply pins, ground pins, a first parallel data line pin and a second parallel data line pin, the power supply pin is used to supply power to the Yuhui backup chip, and the ground pin is used for signal grounding and power grounding;

[0037] The control signal interface pins are connected to the receiving photosensitive element for communication. The control signal interface circuit is responsible for processing the optical switch signal and connecting it to the parallel single-bus serial communication circuit.

[0038] The first parallel data pins of n backup chips are connected together to form a first parallel data line network DIO1, which is then connected to the MCU; the second parallel data pins of n backup chips are connected together to form a second parallel data line network DIO2, which is then connected to the MCU. The second parallel data line network DIO2 serves as a backup data line network for the first parallel data line network DIO1; the address code of the backup chip is written into the address code memory through an external fixture and used as the communication address code.

[0039] Parallel single-bus serial communication circuits are used to process information from parallel data line networks;

[0040] Optical switch control information is transmitted on either the first parallel data line network DIO1 or the second parallel data line network DIO2;

[0041] The parallel data line network uses a serial single-bus communication protocol to transmit optical switch control information.

[0042] Furthermore, the chip is a backup chip for the Yuhuan device; the backup chip integrates a control signal interface circuit and a serial single-bus serial communication circuit, including a control signal interface pin, a power supply pin, a ground pin, a first serial signal input pin, a first serial signal output pin, a second serial signal input pin, and a second serial signal output pin; the power supply pin is used to supply power to the backup chip, and the ground pin is used for signal grounding and power grounding;

[0043] The control signal interface pins are connected to the receiving photosensitive element for communication. The control signal interface circuit is responsible for processing the optical switch signal and connecting it to the serial communication circuit on a single-bus serial bus.

[0044] The first serial signal input pin and the first serial signal output pin of n Yuhuan backup chips are cascaded to form a first serial data line network DIN1(1)-DOUT1(n). The two ends of the first serial data line network DIN1(1) and DOUT1(n) are connected to the MCU respectively. The MCU transmits the optical switch control information to the MCU through the first serial data line network DIN1(1)-DOUT1(n).

[0045] The second serial signal input pins and second serial signal output pins of n backup chips are cascaded to form a second serial data line network DIN2(1)-DOUT2(n). The two ends of the second serial data line network DIN2(1) and DOUT2(n) are connected to the MCU respectively. The second serial data line network DIN2(1)-DOUT2(n) serves as a backup data line network for the first serial data line network DIN1(1)-DOUT1(n).

[0046] A serial single-bus serial communication circuit is used to process information from a serial data line network.

[0047] Optical switch control information is transmitted on either the first serial data line network DIN1(1)-DOUT1(n) or the second serial data line network DIN2(1)-DOUT2(n);

[0048] The serial data line network uses a serial single-bus communication protocol to transmit optical switch control information.

[0049] Furthermore, each keycap is equipped with a pressing component underneath; several pressing components are mounted on a mounting plate.

[0050] The mounting plate is provided with several light-blocking silicone spring clip clearance holes;

[0051] The pressing component is a scissor-foot component or a crater-shaped structure component.

[0052] Furthermore, the dual-optical-path keyboard is a folding keyboard or a detachable keyboard, and the connection cable between the folding keyboard and the detachable keyboard is 6-pin, 5-pin, 4-pin, or 3-pin.

[0053] Furthermore, the photosensitive element is a phototransistor or a photodiode.

[0054] Furthermore, the control signal interface circuit of the chip has an AD function, and the light source is set to emit light at a constant current. The photosensitive element exhibits a linear voltage change as the light-blocking silicone spring is pressed, which can act as an adjustable light switch and allows for customizable button conduction stroke.

[0055] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages and beneficial effects:

[0056] 1. Compared to a light switch with a light source for each key, this invention, which uses a light guide plate as the light source, eliminates nearly a hundred LEDs, reducing costs and significantly lowering the power consumption of the LEDs in the entire light switch keyboard, highlighting the advantages of manufacturing a wireless light switch keyboard.

[0057] 2. The light switch keyboard of this invention uses a light guide plate as the light source, which is compatible with the current practice of backlit laptops, making mass production of light switch keyboards more convenient.

[0058] 3. This invention utilizes a light-blocking silicone spring as the key's rebound reset element, and also directly serves as the switching valve for the light switch, eliminating the need for a dedicated light-blocking plate for optical axis keyboards, further reducing material and assembly costs.

[0059] 4. The present invention places the photosensitive element directly below the light-blocking silicone spring sheet, which has good dustproof and light-blocking effects.

[0060] 5. This invention can be used with scissor-switch or crater-type keyboards, making it widely applicable, especially suitable for laptop keyboards.

[0061] 6. The overall circuit composed of the controller chip, or controller chip, or device chip, or device backup chip, or device backup chip of the present invention is simpler, and the PCB can be made into a single single-sided PCB or flexible FPC, further reducing costs.

[0062] 7. The overall circuit composed of the controller chip, or controller chip, or device chip, or backup controller chip, or device chip is simpler. The MCU with USB function only needs 6 pins to complete the communication between the keyboard and the computer, which further reduces the cost.

[0063] 8. The overall circuit composed of the controller chip, or controller chip, or device chip, or device backup chip, or device backup chip of the present invention is simpler. The MCU with USB function can be externally placed at the line terminal, making the heart of the entire keyboard less susceptible to contamination by external liquids and dust. The MCU has good reliability, and the reliability and stability of the keyboard are further enhanced.

[0064] 9. The controller chip of this invention is a serial communication circuit with series and parallel connections. The series and parallel connections are hot standby for each other. This hot standby is not a simple repetitive dual-serial hot standby, nor is it the same as a simple dual-parallel hot standby. The series-parallel hot standby has stronger complementarity, better hot standby effect, and more stable performance.

[0065] 10. The chip programming of the present invention can be completed by the serial data network formed by the cascading of its own chips, without relying on any external fixtures. The process is simple, stable and reliable, and the manufacturing cost is further reduced.

[0066] 11. The connection between the chips of this invention is 3 to 6 pins (i.e., 2 to 5 communication networks), which can be made into a natural folding keyboard or a split keyboard;

[0067] For example, the communication network between the backup chips of the Yuhuan device consists of 6: VCC, GND, DIN1, DOUT1, DIN2, DOUT2; the communication network between the chips of the Yuquan device consists of 5: VCC, GND, DIO, DIN, DOUT; the communication network between the backup chips of the Yuhui device consists of 4: VCC, GND, DIO1, DIO2; the communication network between the chips of the Yuhui device consists of 3: VCC, GND, DIO; and the communication network between the chips of the Yuhuan device consists of 4: VCC, GND, DIN, DOUT.

[0068] 12. In order to minimize power consumption, the control signal interface pin of this invention operates in a time-division multiplexing manner: when the button is being detected, it is an input port (INPUT); when the button is not being detected, the control signal interface pin is an output port (OUTPUT), and the internal pull-up resistor is removed to output a low level, and the button is in a zero-power state.

[0069] 13. Each of the external control I / O ports of the chip described in this invention corresponds to a key, providing natural full-key rollover, which is something that traditional membrane keyboards simply cannot achieve. Attached Figure Description

[0070] Figure 1 This is a functional diagram of the controller chip described in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0071] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of one of the control chip and silicone spring in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0072] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the n controller chips and n silicone springs in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0073] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the dual-light-path optical switch keyboard described in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0074] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A magnified view of a portion of region A.

[0075] Figure 6 for Figure 4 A magnified view of a portion of region B.

[0076] Figure 7 This is a front view of the overall structure of the dual-light-path optical switch keyboard described in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0077] Figure 8 This is a side view of the overall structure of the dual-light-path optical switch keyboard described in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0078] Figure 9 for Figure 8 A magnified view of a portion of region C.

[0079] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram showing the depth comparison between the silicone outer shell and the inner liner of a silicone spring.

[0080] Figure 11 This is a functional diagram of the controller chip described in Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0081] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the function of the magic controller chip described in Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

[0082] Figure 13 This is a functional schematic diagram of the backup chip described in Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

[0083] Figure 14 This is a functional diagram of the Yuhuan Backup Chip described in Embodiment 6 of the present invention.

[0084] Figure 15 This is an electrical connection diagram of the three photosensitive elements and the controller chip described in this invention.

[0085] Figure 16 This is an electrical connection diagram of the five photosensitive elements and the controller chip described in this invention.

[0086] Figure 17 This is an overall electrical connection diagram of the dual-light-path optical switch keyboard (excluding silicone springs) of the present invention.

[0087] Figure 18 This is an overall electrical connection diagram of the dual-light-path optical switch keyboard (including silicone spring) of the present invention.

[0088] Figure 19 for Figure 18 A magnified view of a portion of region D.

[0089] The meanings of the reference numerals in the attached figures are as follows:

[0090] 1-Silicone shell, 2-Inner liner, 3-Photosensitive element, 4-LED light source, 5-Circuit board, 6-Light guide plate, 7-Control chip. Detailed Implementation

[0091] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments and accompanying drawings, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto.

[0092] Example 1

[0093] like Figures 4 to 6 A dual-path optical switch keyboard with a light-shielding silicone spring and a light guide plate as the light source includes a circuit board 5, a light-shielding silicone spring, and a light guide plate 6. The circuit board 5 is provided with several chips with control signal interface pins. The control signal interface pins of the chips are connected to the photosensitive element 3 of the optical switch to receive optical switch signals. Each control signal interface pin corresponds to a key. A light-shielding silicone spring is provided under the keycap of the key. The light-shielding silicone spring serves as the key's rebound reset element and also as the switching valve of the optical switch.

[0094] The circuit board 5 is mounted on the light guide plate 6; the LED light source 4 of the light guide plate 6 can be positioned to provide an emission light source, one path directly providing backlight for the keycap characters, and the other path providing an emission light source for the light switch, thereby forming a dual light path for each key.

[0095] like Figure 10 The light-blocking silicone elastic sheet includes a silicone shell 1 and an inner liner 2; wherein, the inner liner 2 is located in the hollow part of the silicone shell 1 and extends from the top of the silicone shell 1 from top to bottom; the silicone shell 1 is light-transmitting, the inner liner 2 is light-blocking, and the depth D1 of the silicone shell 1 is greater than the depth D2 of the inner liner 2.

[0096] The light-blocking silicone spring is placed directly above the photosensitive element 3. When the light-blocking silicone spring is not pressed down, the light source of the light guide plate 6 shines on the photosensitive element 3 through the silicone shell 1. When the light-blocking silicone spring is pressed down to the bottom, the light source of the light guide plate 6 is blocked by the inner liner 2, and the photosensitive element 3 completes the signal change from light to no light, and the light switch signal is generated.

[0097] The light guide plate 6 is a regular light guide plate or a flexible light guide plate; the PCB is a regular PCB or a flexible circuit board.

[0098] like Figure 4All light-shielding silicone springs are simultaneously placed on the PCB, which is made of a light-transmitting material and serves as a light guide channel. To achieve better light-shielding effect, a layer of dark insulating ink is applied to the bottom area of ​​the light-shielding silicone springs.

[0099] Alternatively, the PCB can be made of opaque material with through holes to allow the light source from the light guide plate to be projected; during assembly, the PCB and the light guide plate are attached together with clearances between them.

[0100] The LED light source 4 of the light guide plate 6 is any combination of G, R, B, W, and IR. IR is used to ensure that the light switch can still work intermittently after the visible light is turned off, and the keyboard MCU controls the emission of the light source.

[0101] like Figure 1 The chip is a driver chip, which integrates a control signal interface circuit, an address code memory, and a serial communication circuit with a single bus. It includes control signal interface pins, power supply pins, ground pins, parallel data line pins, address code input pins, and address code output pins. The power supply pin is used to supply power to the driver chip, and the ground pin is used for signal grounding and power grounding.

[0102] The control signal interface pins are connected to the receiving photosensitive element for communication. The control signal interface circuit is responsible for processing the optical switch signal and connecting it to the serial communication circuit of the serial single bus in series and parallel connection.

[0103] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of a single controller chip and a silicone spring. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the working principle of n control chip and n silicone springs; the address code input pin and address code output pin of the n control chip are cascaded to form a series data line network DIN(1)-DOUT(n), and the two ends of the series data line network DIN(1) and DOUT(n) are connected to the MCU respectively. The MCU writes the sequence number formed by the cascaded control chip into the address code memory through the series data line network DIN(1)-DOUT(n) and uses it as the communication address code; the power supply pins of the n control chips are connected in parallel to share the power supply network VCC, the ground pins are connected in parallel to share the ground network GND, and the parallel data line pins are connected in parallel to form a parallel data line network DIO, which is then connected to the MCU;

[0104] Serial-parallel single-bus serial communication circuits are used to process serial data line network information and parallel data line network information.

[0105] Optical switch control information can be transmitted on the parallel data line network (DIO).

[0106] Optical switch control information can also be transmitted on the serial data line network DIN(1)-DOUT(n);

[0107] Both the parallel data line network DIO and the serial data line network DIN(1)-DOUT(n) use the serial single-bus communication protocol to transmit optical switch control information and serve as hot backups for each other.

[0108] Each keycap is further provided with a pressing component below it; several pressing components are mounted on a fixed plate;

[0109] The mounting plate is provided with several light-blocking silicone spring clip clearance holes;

[0110] The pressing component is a scissor-foot component or a crater-shaped structure component.

[0111] The dual-optical-path keyboard is either a folding keyboard or a detachable keyboard, and the connection cable between the folding keyboard and the detachable keyboard is 6-pin, 5-pin, 4-pin, or 3-pin.

[0112] The photosensitive element 3 is a phototransistor or a photodiode.

[0113] The chip's control signal interface circuit has an AD function, and the light source is set to emit light at a constant current. The photosensitive element 3 exhibits a linear voltage change as the light-blocking silicone spring is pressed, which can act as an adjustable light switch and allows for customizable button activation stroke.

[0114] Example 2

[0115] Example 2 is identical to Example 1 except for the following content:

[0116] like Figures 7 to 9 A dual-path optical switch keyboard with a light-shielding silicone spring and a light guide plate as the light source includes a light guide plate 6 and a light-shielding silicone spring. The light guide plate 6 serves as both a light source and a circuit board. Several chips with control signal interface pins are disposed on the light guide plate 6. The control signal interface pins of the chips are connected to the photosensitive element 3 of the optical switch to receive optical switch signals. Each control signal interface pin corresponds to a key. A light-shielding silicone spring is disposed below the keycap of the key. The light-shielding silicone spring serves as a key rebound reset element and also as a switching valve for the optical switch.

[0117] The LED light source 4 of the light guide plate 6 can be positioned to provide an emission light source. One path directly provides backlight for the keycap characters, and the other path provides an emission light source for the light switch, thus forming a dual light path for each key.

[0118] The light-blocking silicone elastic sheet includes a silicone shell 1 and an inner liner 2; wherein, the inner liner 2 is located in the hollow part of the silicone shell 1 and extends from the top of the silicone shell 1 downwards; the silicone shell 1 is light-transmitting, the inner liner 2 is light-blocking, and the depth D1 of the silicone shell 1 is greater than the depth D2 of the inner liner 2.

[0119] The light-blocking silicone spring is placed directly above the photosensitive element 3. When the light-blocking silicone spring is not pressed down, the light source of the light guide plate 6 shines on the photosensitive element 3 through the silicone shell 1. When the light-blocking silicone spring is pressed down to the bottom, the light source of the light guide plate 6 is blocked by the inner liner 2, and the photosensitive element 3 completes the signal change from light to no light, and the light switch signal is generated.

[0120] like Figure 8 All light-blocking silicone springs are directly mounted on the light guide plate.

[0121] At this point, the circuit board uses a light guide plate as a substrate.

[0122] Example 3

[0123] Example 3 is identical to Example 1 except for the following content:

[0124] like Figure 11 The chip is a controller chip; the controller chip integrates a control signal interface circuit, an address code memory, and a parallel single-bus serial communication circuit; it includes control signal interface pins, power supply pins, ground pins, and parallel data line pins. The power supply pins are used to supply power to the controller chip, and the ground pins are used for signal grounding and power grounding.

[0125] The control signal interface pins are connected to the receiving photosensitive element for communication. The control signal interface circuit is responsible for processing the optical switch signal and connecting it to the parallel single-bus serial communication circuit.

[0126] The parallel data pins of n controller chips are connected together to form a parallel data line network (DIO), which is then connected to the MCU. The address code of the controller chip is written into the address code memory through an external fixture and used as the communication address code.

[0127] Parallel single-bus serial communication circuits are used to process information from parallel data line networks;

[0128] Optical switch control information is transmitted on the parallel data line network DIO;

[0129] The parallel data line network uses a serial single-bus communication protocol to transmit optical switch control information.

[0130] Example 4

[0131] Example 4 is identical to Example 1 except for the following content:

[0132] like Figure 12The chip is a magic controller chip; the magic controller chip integrates a control signal interface circuit and a serial single-bus serial communication circuit, including a control signal interface pin, a power supply pin, a ground pin, a serial signal input pin, and a serial signal output pin; the power supply pin is used to supply power to the magic controller chip, and the ground pin is used for signal grounding and power grounding;

[0133] The control signal interface pins are connected to the receiving photosensitive element for communication. The control signal interface circuit is responsible for processing the optical switch signal and connecting it to the serial communication circuit on a single-bus serial bus.

[0134] The serial signal input pins and serial signal output pins of n control chip are cascaded to form a serial data line network DIN(1)-DOUT(n). The two ends of the serial data line network DIN(1) and DOUT(n) are connected to the MCU respectively. The MCU transmits the optical switch control information to the MCU through the serial data line network DIN(1)-DOUT(n).

[0135] A serial single-bus serial communication circuit is used to process information from a serial data line network.

[0136] Optical switch control information is transmitted on the serial data line network DIN(1)-DOUT(n);

[0137] The serial data line network uses a serial single-bus communication protocol to transmit optical switch control information.

[0138] Example 5

[0139] Example 5 is identical to Example 1 except for the following content:

[0140] like Figure 13 The chip is a Yuhui backup chip; the Yuhui backup chip integrates a control signal interface circuit, a parallel single-bus serial communication circuit, and an address code memory; it includes a control signal interface pin, a power supply pin, a ground pin, a first parallel data line pin, and a second parallel data line pin. The power supply pin is used to supply power to the Yuhui backup chip, and the ground pin is used for signal grounding and power grounding.

[0141] The control signal interface pins are connected to the receiving photosensitive element for communication. The control signal interface circuit is responsible for processing the optical switch signal and connecting it to the parallel single-bus serial communication circuit.

[0142] The first parallel data pins of n backup chips are connected together to form a first parallel data line network DIO1, which is then connected to the MCU; the second parallel data pins of n backup chips are connected together to form a second parallel data line network DIO2, which is then connected to the MCU. The second parallel data line network DIO2 serves as a backup data line network for the first parallel data line network DIO1; the address code of the backup chip is written into the address code memory through an external fixture and used as the communication address code.

[0143] Parallel single-bus serial communication circuits are used to process information from parallel data line networks;

[0144] Optical switch control information is transmitted on either the first parallel data line network DIO1 or the second parallel data line network DIO2;

[0145] The parallel data line network uses a serial single-bus communication protocol to transmit optical switch control information.

[0146] Example 6

[0147] Example 6 is identical to Example 1 except for the following content:

[0148] like Figure 14 The chip is a Yuhuan backup chip; the Yuhuan backup chip integrates a control signal interface circuit and a serial single-bus serial communication circuit, including a control signal interface pin, a power supply pin, a ground pin, a first serial signal input pin, a first serial signal output pin, a second serial signal input pin, and a second serial signal output pin; the power supply pin is used to supply power to the Yuhuan backup chip, and the ground pin is used for signal grounding and power grounding;

[0149] The control signal interface pins are connected to the receiving photosensitive element for communication. The control signal interface circuit is responsible for processing the optical switch signal and connecting it to the serial communication circuit on a single-bus serial bus.

[0150] The first serial signal input pin and the first serial signal output pin of n Yuhuan backup chips are cascaded to form a first serial data line network DIN1(1)-DOUT1(n). The two ends of the first serial data line network DIN1(1) and DOUT1(n) are connected to the MCU respectively. The MCU transmits the optical switch control information to the MCU through the first serial data line network DIN1(1)-DOUT1(n).

[0151] The second serial signal input pins and second serial signal output pins of n backup chips are cascaded to form a second serial data line network DIN2(1)-DOUT2(n). The two ends of the second serial data line network DIN2(1) and DOUT2(n) are connected to the MCU respectively. The second serial data line network DIN2(1)-DOUT2(n) serves as a backup data line network for the first serial data line network DIN1(1)-DOUT1(n).

[0152] A serial single-bus serial communication circuit is used to process information from a serial data line network.

[0153] Optical switch control information is transmitted on either the first serial data line network DIN1(1)-DOUT1(n) or the second serial data line network DIN2(1)-DOUT2(n);

[0154] The serial data line network uses a serial single-bus communication protocol to transmit optical switch control information.

[0155] In Examples 1 to 6, the chip contains five types of LEDs: G LEDs, R LEDs, B LEDs, W LEDs, and IR LEDs. A combination of one, two, three, or four of these five types can serve as a light source. For example, it can be used by encapsulating one R (red), one G (green), one B (blue), one W (white), or even just one IR LED. Alternatively, RG+IR can be used to meet various needs.

[0156] G: Green, green visible light;

[0157] R: Red, visible red light;

[0158] B: Blue, visible blue light;

[0159] W: White, visible light;

[0160] IR: Infrared Radiation, infrared LED.

[0161] In Examples 1 to 6, the control signal interface circuit of the chip can also include an AD (analog-to-digital converter) function, setting the light source to emit light at a constant current. This allows the photosensitive element to exhibit a linear voltage change as the light-blocking silicone spring is pressed, enabling a light switch with adjustable travel and customizable button activation travel. The chip's AD circuitry processes external control signals, and the GRB (Glass Reflector) is designed for constant current emission. This allows the photosensitive element to exhibit a linear voltage change as the button is pressed, enabling a light switch with adjustable travel. The timing of button activation / deactivation can be customized, resulting in a better button experience.

[0162] In Examples 1 to 6, the light-shielding silicone spring can be made of a two-color injection-molded silicone shell and inner liner, integrally molded, or the silicone shell and inner liner can be injection-molded in two parts and then hot-pressed together. For optimal light-shielding effect, the PCB film is dark-colored, the entire silicone film holding the light-shielding silicone spring is also dark-colored, and the scissor-leg fixing plate is also dark-colored. When the circuit board, light guide plate, and pressing components (such as scissor legs, crater, or other pressing components) are attached and assembled, clearance holes are provided between them.

[0163] In Examples 1 to 6, assuming the light-blocking silicone spring is pressed down 2mm, the lower edge of the light-blocking liner can be designed to be 1.2mm from the bottom of the silicone film. This way, pressing down 1.2mm blocks the light from the photosensitive element, and pressing down further to 2mm still blocks light. Thus, while traditional films require a 2mm press to trigger the button, in this invention, a 1.2mm press is sufficient. The button remains active regardless of the 1.2mm to 2mm pressing distance, eliminating the need for bottoming out. A light tap on the button provides an instant response, resulting in high reliability and fast trigger response. This is something traditional films cannot achieve.

[0164] In Examples 1 to 6, in the same electrical system, all networks with the same name (such as VCC, GND, DIO, DIN, DOUT, DIO1, DIO2, DIN1, DOUT1, DIN2, DOUT2) are electrically connected together.

[0165] In Embodiment 1, the controller chip 7 is provided with multiple control signal interface pins, each control signal interface pin corresponding to a button (i.e., one control signal interface pin is connected to a photosensitive element 3 of one button). Figure 15 The controller chip 7 has three control signal interface pins, meaning one controller chip 7 corresponds to three buttons; for example... Figure 16 The controller chip 7 has 5 control signal interface pins, meaning one controller chip 7 corresponds to 5 buttons; for example... Figure 17 , 18 19. One controller chip can correspond to 3, 5, or 6 buttons.

[0166] Similarly, the controller chip in Example 3, the magic controller chip in Example 4, the controller backup chip in Example 5, and the magic backup chip in Example 6 can also be configured with multiple control signal interface pins.

[0167] A chip with multiple control signal interface pins can save the use of dual-optical keyboard chips, greatly reducing the number of I / O ports connected to the chip and MCU, and reducing costs.

[0168] The above embodiments are preferred embodiments of the present invention, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above embodiments. Any changes, modifications, substitutions, combinations, or simplifications made without departing from the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be considered equivalent substitutions and shall be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A dual-path optical switch keyboard with a light-shielding silicone spring and a light guide plate as the light source, characterized in that, It includes a circuit board, a light-blocking silicone spring, and a light guide plate; the circuit board is equipped with several chips with control signal interface pins, the control signal interface pins of the chips are connected to the photosensitive element of the optical switch to receive optical switch signals; each control signal interface pin corresponds to a button; a light-blocking silicone spring is set under the keycap of the button; the light-blocking silicone spring serves as the button's rebound reset element and also as the switching valve of the optical switch; The circuit board is mounted on the light guide plate; the LED light source of the light guide plate can be positioned to provide the emission light source, one path directly provides backlight for the keycap characters, and the other path provides the emission light source for the light switch, thus forming a dual light path for each key; The light-blocking silicone elastic sheet includes a silicone shell and an inner liner; wherein, the inner liner is located in the hollow part of the silicone shell and extends from the top of the silicone shell downwards; the silicone shell is light-transmitting, the inner liner is light-blocking, and the depth of the silicone shell is greater than the depth of the inner liner; The light-blocking silicone spring is placed directly above the photosensitive element; when the light-blocking silicone spring is not pressed down, the light guide plate light source shines on the photosensitive element through the silicone shell; when the light-blocking silicone spring is pressed down to the bottom, the light guide plate light source is blocked by the inner lining, the photosensitive element completes the signal change from light to no light, and the light switch signal is generated.

2. A dual-path optical switch keyboard with a light-shielding silicone spring and a light guide plate as the light source, characterized in that: It includes a light guide plate and a light-shielding silicone spring. The light guide plate serves as both a light source and a circuit board. Several chips with control signal interface pins are arranged on the light guide plate. The control signal interface pins of the chips are connected to the photosensitive element of the optical switch to receive optical switch signals. Each control signal interface pin corresponds to a button. A light-shielding silicone spring is arranged below the keycap of the button. The light-shielding silicone spring serves as the button's rebound reset element and also as the switching valve of the optical switch. The LED light source of the light guide plate can be positioned to provide an emission light source. One path directly provides backlight for the keycap characters, and the other path provides an emission light source for the light switch, thus forming a dual light path for each key. The light-blocking silicone elastic sheet includes a silicone shell and an inner liner; wherein, the inner liner is located in the hollow part of the silicone shell and extends from the top of the silicone shell downwards; the silicone shell is light-transmitting, the inner liner is light-blocking, and the depth of the silicone shell is greater than the depth of the inner liner; The light-blocking silicone spring is placed directly above the photosensitive element; when the light-blocking silicone spring is not pressed down, the light guide plate light source shines on the photosensitive element through the silicone shell; when the light-blocking silicone spring is pressed down to the bottom, the light guide plate light source is blocked by the inner lining, the photosensitive element completes the signal change from light to no light, and the light switch signal is generated.

3. The dual-path optical switch keyboard with a light-shielding silicone spring and a light guide plate as the light source, as described in claim 1 or 2, is characterized in that... The light guide plate is a rigid light guide plate or a flexible light guide plate; the circuit board is a rigid circuit board or a flexible circuit board.

4. The dual-path optical switch keyboard with a light-shielding silicone spring and a light guide plate as the light source, as described in claim 1 or 2, is characterized in that... The LED light source of the light guide plate is any combination of G, R, B, W, and IR. IR is used to ensure that the light switch can still work intermittently after the visible light is turned off, and the keyboard MCU controls the emission of the light source.

5. The dual-light-path optical switch keyboard with a light-shielding silicone spring and a light guide plate as the light source, as described in claim 1 or 2, is characterized in that... The chip is a controller chip, which integrates a control signal interface circuit, an address code memory, and a serial communication circuit with a single bus; it includes control signal interface pins, power supply pins, ground pins, parallel data line pins, address code input pins, and address code output pins; The power pin is used to supply power to the controller chip, and the ground pin is used for signal grounding and power grounding. The control signal interface pins are connected to the receiving photosensitive element for communication. The control signal interface circuit is responsible for processing the optical switch signal and connecting it to the serial communication circuit of the serial single bus in series and parallel connection. The address code input pins and address code output pins of n controller chips are cascaded to form a serial data line network DIN(1)-DOUT(n). The two ends of the serial data line network DIN(1) and DOUT(n) are connected to the MCU respectively. The MCU writes the sequence bit formed by the cascaded controller chips into the address code memory through the serial data line network DIN(1)-DOUT(n) and uses it as the communication address code. The power supply pins of the n controller chips are connected in parallel to share the power supply network VCC, the ground pins are connected in parallel to share the ground network GND, and the parallel data line pins are connected in parallel to form a parallel data line network DIO, which is then connected to the MCU. Serial-parallel single-bus serial communication circuits are used to process serial data line network information and parallel data line network information. Optical switch control information can be transmitted on the parallel data line network (DIO). Optical switch control information can also be transmitted on the serial data line network DIN(1)-DOUT(n); Both the parallel data line network DIO and the serial data line network DIN(1)-DOUT(n) use the serial single-bus communication protocol to transmit optical switch control information and serve as hot backups for each other.

6. The dual-path optical switch keyboard with a light-shielding silicone spring and a light guide plate as the light source, as described in claim 1 or 2, is characterized in that... The chip is a driver chip; The controller chip integrates a control signal interface circuit, an address code memory, and a parallel single-bus serial communication circuit; it includes control signal interface pins, power supply pins, ground pins, and parallel data line pins. The power supply pins are used to power the controller chip, and the ground pins are used for signal grounding and power grounding. The control signal interface pins are connected to the receiving photosensitive element for communication. The control signal interface circuit is responsible for processing the optical switch signal and connecting it to the parallel single-bus serial communication circuit. The parallel data pins of n controller chips are connected together to form a parallel data line network (DIO), which is then connected to the MCU. The address code of the controller chip is written into the address code memory through an external fixture and used as the communication address code. Parallel single-bus serial communication circuits are used to process information from parallel data line networks; Optical switch control information is transmitted on the parallel data line network DIO; The parallel data line network uses a serial single-bus communication protocol to transmit optical switch control information.

7. The dual-path optical switch keyboard with a light-shielding and light-transmitting silicone spring sheet and a light guide plate as the light source according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The chip is a magic-controlling chip; The device chip integrates a control signal interface circuit and a serial single-bus serial communication circuit, including a control signal interface pin, a power supply pin, a ground pin, a serial signal input pin, and a serial signal output pin; the power supply pin is used to power the device chip, and the ground pin is used for signal grounding and power grounding; The control signal interface pins are connected to the receiving photosensitive element for communication. The control signal interface circuit is responsible for processing the optical switch signal and connecting it to the serial communication circuit on a single-bus serial bus. The serial signal input pins and serial signal output pins of n control chip are cascaded to form a serial data line network DIN(1)-DOUT(n). The two ends of the serial data line network DIN(1) and DOUT(n) are connected to the MCU respectively. The MCU transmits the optical switch control information to the MCU through the serial data line network DIN(1)-DOUT(n). A serial single-bus serial communication circuit is used to process information from a serial data line network. Optical switch control information is transmitted on the serial data line network DIN(1)-DOUT(n); The serial data line network uses a serial single-bus communication protocol to transmit optical switch control information.

8. The dual-path optical switch keyboard with a light-shielding silicone spring and a light guide plate as the light source, as described in claim 1 or 2, is characterized in that... The chip is a Yuhui backup chip; the Yuhui backup chip integrates a control signal interface circuit, a parallel single-bus serial communication circuit, and an address code memory; it includes control signal interface pins, power supply pins, ground pins, a first parallel data line pin and a second parallel data line pin, the power supply pin is used to supply power to the Yuhui backup chip, and the ground pin is used for signal grounding and power grounding; The control signal interface pins are connected to the receiving photosensitive element for communication. The control signal interface circuit is responsible for processing the optical switch signal and connecting it to the parallel single-bus serial communication circuit. The first parallel data pins of n backup chips are connected together to form a first parallel data line network DIO1, which is then connected to the MCU; the second parallel data pins of n backup chips are connected together to form a second parallel data line network DIO2, which is then connected to the MCU. The second parallel data line network DIO2 serves as a backup data line network for the first parallel data line network DIO1; the address code of the backup chip is written into the address code memory through an external fixture and used as the communication address code. Parallel single-bus serial communication circuits are used to process information from parallel data line networks; Optical switch control information is transmitted on either the first parallel data line network DIO1 or the second parallel data line network DIO2; The parallel data line network uses a serial single-bus communication protocol to transmit optical switch control information.

9. The dual-path optical switch keyboard with a light-shielding silicone spring and a light guide plate as the light source, as described in claim 1 or 2, is characterized in that... The chip is a Yuhuan backup chip; the Yuhuan backup chip integrates a control signal interface circuit and a serial single-bus serial communication circuit, including a control signal interface pin, a power supply pin, a ground pin, a first serial signal input pin, a first serial signal output pin, a second serial signal input pin, and a second serial signal output pin; the power supply pin is used to supply power to the Yuhuan backup chip, and the ground pin is used for signal grounding and power grounding; The control signal interface pins are connected to the receiving photosensitive element for communication. The control signal interface circuit is responsible for processing the optical switch signal and connecting it to the serial communication circuit on a single-bus serial bus. The first serial signal input pin and the first serial signal output pin of n Yuhuan backup chips are cascaded to form a first serial data line network DIN1(1)-DOUT1(n). The two ends of the first serial data line network DIN1(1) and DOUT1(n) are connected to the MCU respectively. The MCU transmits the optical switch control information to the MCU through the first serial data line network DIN1(1)-DOUT1(n). The second serial signal input pins and second serial signal output pins of n backup chips are cascaded to form a second serial data line network DIN2(1)-DOUT2(n). The two ends of the second serial data line network DIN2(1) and DOUT2(n) are connected to the MCU respectively. The second serial data line network DIN2(1)-DOUT2(n) serves as a backup data line network for the first serial data line network DIN1(1)-DOUT1(n). A serial single-bus serial communication circuit is used to process information from a serial data line network. Optical switch control information is transmitted on either the first serial data line network DIN1(1)-DOUT1(n) or the second serial data line network DIN2(1)-DOUT2(n); The serial data line network uses a serial single-bus communication protocol to transmit optical switch control information.

10. The dual-light-path optical switch keyboard with a light-shielding silicone spring and a light guide plate as the light source, as described in claim 1 or 2, is characterized in that... Each keycap also has a pressing component underneath; several pressing components are mounted on a mounting plate; The mounting plate is provided with several light-blocking silicone spring clip clearance holes; The pressing component is a scissor-foot component or a crater-shaped structure component.

11. The dual-path optical switch keyboard with a light-shielding silicone spring and a light guide plate as the light source, as described in claim 1 or 2, is characterized in that... The dual-optical-path keyboard is either a folding keyboard or a detachable keyboard, and the connection cable between the folding keyboard and the detachable keyboard is 6-pin, 5-pin, 4-pin, or 3-pin.

12. The dual-light-path optical switch keyboard with a light-shielding silicone spring and a light guide plate as the light source, as described in claim 1 or 2, is characterized in that... The photosensitive element is a phototransistor or a photodiode.

13. The dual-light-path optical switch keyboard with a light-shielding and light-transmitting silicone spring sheet and a light guide plate as the light source according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The chip's control signal interface circuit has an AD function, and the light source is set to emit light at a constant current. The photosensitive element exhibits a linear voltage change as the light-blocking silicone spring is pressed, enabling it to function as an adjustable light switch with customizable button travel.

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