Keyboard

Abstract

An illuminated glass keycap is provided for use on a key or keyboard as an input device for an electronic computing device. The illuminated glass keycap has a glyph diffusion layer that diffuses light through a glyph window opened in a background layer. The background layer is opaque and the glyph window is transparent. The keycap is attached to a scissor mechanism that is positioned above an electrical switch circuit. Contained within, beneath, or near the scissor mechanism are one or more light sources positioned to emit light through, around, and / or through the background layer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to an input device of a computing device or other similar information processing device, and more particularly to a thin keyboard.

Background Art

[0002] It is often difficult to pair the comfortable appearance of an electronic device with market demands such as functional progress, durability improvement, thickness and weight reduction. Some aesthetically pleasing materials do not have sufficient durability to be included in the device housing, and other aesthetically pleasing materials may hinder the functional progress of the electronic device. Further, for some input components such as buttons and keys, the user can physically engage with the selected material hundreds of thousands of times, if not millions of times, over the life of the device.

[0003] Many visually pleasing solutions lack durability for such intended functions. This is particularly true when the electronic device and / or related input device is made small, thin, or otherwise dimensionally reduced. For example, in the case of a reduction in the size of a keycap, the keycap is not structurally robust enough and can thus lead to breakage or defects earlier than a thick keycap made of the same material during its usage cycle.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Therefore, a durable and aesthetically comfortable outer surface of the input device is desired.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The present invention provides a technique for forming and manufacturing an illuminated glass keycap for use as a key or keyboard as an input device of an electronic computing device. In one embodiment, the input device includes a plurality of keys, and each key of the plurality of keys includes a transparent glass keycap having a top surface, a background layer including a glyph window, a glyph diffusion layer, a compressible scissor mechanism configured to activate an electrical switch circuit, and a light source having an on state and an off state. The light source is oriented to transmit light through the transparent glass keycap. In one embodiment, the transparent glass keycap is made of glass. In one case, the glass is a resilient glass such as sapphire glass or other scratch-resistant glass material. The periphery of the glass keycap is inclined or otherwise polished.

[0006] One embodiment relates to, or takes the form of, an illuminated input device having a glyph diffusion layer that diffuses light passing through a glyph window. In these embodiments, the background layer is opaque and the glyph window is transparent. In other embodiments, the background layer is translucent and the glyph window is transparent. In yet another embodiment, the light source is a light-emitting diode, a light-emitting polymer, or an optical pipe or other visible light waveguide oriented to direct light through a transparent glass cap.

[0007] Other embodiments described herein relate to, or take the form of, an illuminated input device having a light source including at least an on state and an off state. In one case, the on state includes a keycap perimeter illumination mode in which the light source emits visible light in the vicinity of or adjacent to the perimeter of the keycap. In yet another embodiment, the on state includes a background illumination mode in which the light source transmits light through the background layer. In this case, the background layer diffuses the transmitted light before it exits the top surface of the transparent glass keycap. In yet another embodiment, the on state includes a glyph illumination mode in which the light source transmits light through the glyph diffusion layer and further through the glyph window.

[0008] In other embodiments, the glyph diffusion layer is partially disposed within the glyph window such that at least a portion of the glyph diffusion layer is coplanar with the background layer. In such or similar embodiments, the glyph window is etched from the background layer.

[0009] Other embodiments described herein relate to or take the form of a method of manufacturing a light-transmissive keycap for illuminating a keyboard, the method including the steps of selecting a transparent glass keycap, depositing a background ink layer on a bottom surface of the transparent glass keycap, etching a symbol aperture in the background ink layer, depositing a translucent glyph diffusion layer at least over the symbol aperture in the background ink layer, and aligning the transparent glass keycap along a vertical axis with a compressible scissor mechanism disposed over an electrical switch circuit. The method also includes tilting a periphery of the transparent glass keycap.

[0010] Yet another embodiment also includes disposing a light-emitting element under the transparent glass keycap such that light emitted from the light-emitting element passes through the translucent glyph diffusion layer and the symbol aperture. In some cases, the symbol aperture is etched in a laser etching process, or in other embodiments, the symbol aperture is formed by etching in a chemical process.

[0011] Other embodiments described herein relate to or take the form of a keyboard with a plurality of keys each having a keycap. Each keycap includes a glass top layer having at least four slanted edges along a perimeter of a top surface of the keycap, an ink layer disposed along a bottom surface of the glass top layer, a glyph window within the ink layer, and a diffusion filling within the glyph window. The keyboard also includes a light-emitting layer such as a layer of light-emitting diodes disposed under the keys. The keyboard also includes an electrical switch layer having a number of electrical switches each associated with an individual key.

[0012] The representative embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings will be described below. It should be understood that the following description does not limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. On the contrary, alternatives, modifications, and equivalents within the spirit and scope of the invention defined in the claims are also intended to be covered.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The same reference numbers are used in different drawings to indicate similar, corresponding, or identical items.

[0015] The embodiments described herein relate to, or take the form of, a low-profile, light transmissive and power efficient input device with a durable outer surface. In particular, one embodiment takes the form of a fully or partially illuminated keyboard or keypad having glass keycaps or individual keys. Such an input device is used in connection with a personal computing device such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, or a desktop computer, either as an integral or peripheral device. Some other embodiments take the form of fully or partially illuminated buttons with a glass outer surface for use in other electronic devices such as a television, a portable media player, a cellular phone, a tablet computer, etc.

[0016] One embodiment is a backlit key associated with a keyboard. This embodiment includes a glass keycap. The glass keycap has a beveled or polished edge along the top surface. Disposed directly beneath the glass keycap is a background layer formed of ink or other pigment, which is translucent or opaque. In some embodiments, the background layer is applied to the glass keycap in a printing process, a screening process, a dipping process, or other suitable process.

[0017] Etched into the background layer are glyphs, symbols, windows or apertures (collectively referred to as "glyph windows"). Glyph windows take the form of numbers, symbols or characters in any language, or information holding symbols suitably adapted to the input device being used. For example, in one embodiment, the glyph window takes the form of English letters or symbols (one or more). In another embodiment, the glyph window takes the form of simplified Chinese characters (one or more). The glyph window is etched through the background layer, for example, by a laser scribing process. In other embodiments, the glyph window is etched through a mask and immersion chemical etching process. In yet another embodiment, the glyph window is not etched at all and is provided by selectively applying the background layer. For example, the background layer is printed on a surface such as the top or bottom surface of the glass key cap in all areas other than those designated for the glyph window. In yet another embodiment, the glyph window is formed within the background layer prior to applying the background layer to the glass key cap.

[0018] A glyph diffusion layer is disposed under the background layer. The glyph diffusion layer is formed of a translucent material doped with glass beads or another diffusion dopant. For example, in certain embodiments, titanium oxide is used to impart white when light passes through the glyph diffusion layer. In yet another embodiment, in screening, printing, dipping or other suitable processes, the glyph diffusion layer is disposed on the background layer, with and / or within the glyph window. While applying the glyph diffusion layer to the background layer, unwanted air pockets captured by applying the glyph diffusion layer are formed within the glyph window. To remove these unwanted air pockets, the keycap (on which the background layer and the glyph diffusion layer are formed) is placed in a vacuum chamber and the glyph diffusion layer is caused to remove the air pockets by the differential pressure between the pockets and the vacuum. In another embodiment, the keycap having the background layer and the glyph diffusion layer is placed in an autoclave or other high-pressure chamber and is facilitated to remove the air pockets by the pressure difference.

[0019] The glyph diffusion layer is then smoothed or polished to a planar surface such that the bottom surface of the glyph diffusion layer is substantially parallel to the top surface of the glass keycap. Once smoothed, the keycap is attached to the key's scissor mechanism and other elements to assemble the key. In certain embodiments, the glyph diffusion layer is polished such that the bottom surface of the layer is coplanar with the bottom surface of the background layer. In other embodiments, the glyph diffusion layer is polished such that the bottom surface of the layer is parallel to the bottom surface of the background layer but separated by a specified depth.

[0020] Within, below, or near the scissor mechanism are one or more light sources arranged to emit light through the keycap. In certain embodiments, the light source includes or is coupled to a light source such as an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a light emitting diode (LED), or other suitable light source. In a first embodiment, the light source is arranged to transmit light through a glyph diffusing layer and a glyph window. In such an embodiment, the background layer does not transmit the light emitted by the light source. Thus, when looking at the keycap from above, the glyphs are illuminated.

[0021] In yet another embodiment, the light source is arranged to transmit light near the perimeter of the keycap. Thus, when looking at the keycap from above, the perimeter of the key (or the area surrounding the perimeter of the key) is illuminated. In other words, the keycap appears to be surrounded by a light ring.

[0022] In yet another embodiment, the light source is arranged to transmit light through the background layer. In such an embodiment, it is not necessary for the light to pass through the glyph window. Thus, when looking at the keycap from above, the background of the glyphs appears to be illuminated, but the glyphs themselves remain dark.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a canonical embodiment of an illuminated keyboard 100 for use in an electronic device (not shown). This illuminated keyboard 100 is a peripheral component of a computing system, or in other embodiments, an integral part of a computing system. In yet another embodiment, the illuminated keyboard 100 may have a large number of keys or a small number of keys. The keys are arranged in various orders or configurations. Also, the illuminated keyboard 100 has one or more keys 110 and a housing 120 that completely or partially surrounds the internal components of the keyboard. Each of the one or more keys 110 has an associated glyph window 130 (e.g., visible on the keycap). As shown, the one or more keys 110 are of different sizes and / or are arranged at different positions along the top surface of the illuminated keyboard 100.

[0024] FIG. 2 is an enlarged exploded side cross-sectional view showing a key 200 of an embodiment of the illuminated keyboard 100 along line 2-2 of FIG. 1. The key 200 is at least partially disposed within a housing 220 of the illuminated keyboard 100. A key aperture 225 is defined through the housing 220. The key aperture 225 is sized such that there is a peripheral gap 230 between the key 200 and the housing 220. The peripheral gap 230 is selectively sized based on the size of the key 200. In certain embodiments, the key aperture 225 may not be present. Rather, one or more keys 110 (not shown in FIG. 2) may be arranged substantially adjacent to each other such that the peripheral gap 230 of each key is defined by its adjacent key.

[0025] As used herein, the term "horizontal" is defined as a plane parallel to the upper surface of the housing 220 of the illuminated keyboard 100, unless otherwise indicated. As used herein, the term "vertical" is defined as a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane, unless otherwise indicated. Similar terms regarding directions used herein (e.g., "up" or "down" or "top" or "bottom") are defined with respect to the orientation of the keyboard shown in FIG. 1.

[0026] The key 200 has a keycap 240. In certain embodiments, the keycap 240 is composed of silica glass, sapphire, or other similar substantially transparent scratch-resistant materials (which are chemically treated). The keycap 240 has a substantially flat top surface. In certain embodiments, the keycap 240 has a slightly concave shape to improve the feel of the key when pressed by the user. The top surface of the keycap 240 has one or more slanted edges 242. The slanted edges 242 are at a 45° angle as shown, or in certain embodiments, the slanted edges 242 may be machined to take another shape that decreases or increases the angle formed along its perimeter by the upper and side walls of the keycap 240.

[0027] A substantially opaque background layer 250 is formed on the lower surface of the keycap 240. This background layer 250 defines a glyph window 260 that extends through it. Although shown in cross-section, it is clear that the glyph window 260, when viewed from above, takes the form of numbers, symbols, or letters of a language, or a symbol set, that is suitably adapted for the illuminated keyboard 100 (not shown in FIG. 2). In essence, the lower surface portion of the keycap 240 that is not covered, treated, or coated by the background layer forms the glyph window 260. Since the glyph window corresponds to letters, symbols, characters, numbers, etc., the size, shape, and cross-section vary from keycap to keycap. Further, some keycaps have no glyph window at all, and the spacebar is an example of this.

[0028] On the lower surface of the background layer 250, a glyph diffusion layer 270 is formed, which (partially or completely) fills the glyph window 260. The glyph diffusion layer 270 is composed of a semi-transparent or translucent material doped with a diffusion dopant. In certain embodiments, the glyph diffusion layer 270 may be doped with a coloring pigment to color the layer. As an example, titanium oxide may be provided to give the glyph diffusion layer a white appearance. Also, the glyph diffusion layer 270 may include a shape complementary to the glyph window 260. Thus, the glyph diffusion layer 270 occupies the volume of the glyph window 260 within the background layer 250.

[0029] A mechanical support is positioned and attached under the keycap. For example, a scissor mechanism 284 or a butterfly mechanism is attached to the keycap receiving pad 280. This receiving pad 280 is adhered or otherwise joined to the glyph diffusion layer 270. The keycap receiving pad 280 includes a structure such as a stop, shelf, or aperture to receive one or more top crossbars forming part of the scissor mechanism 284.

[0030] More specifically, the keycap receiving pad 280 has a substantially flat top surface and is adhered or attached to the bottom surface of the glyph diffusion layer 270.

[0031] Under the keycap receiving pad 280, the membrane 282 of the dome switch is positioned. In certain embodiments, the membrane 282 contacts the bottom surface of the keycap receiving pad 280 when the key is in a neutral (e.g., non - pressed) state, while in other embodiments, the membrane 282 and the keycap receiving pad 280 are separated by an air gap when the key is in the neutral position. The membrane 282 is composed of a deformable material such as rubber, silicone, or a suitable polymer and includes one or more electrical contacts (not shown in the cross - sectional view of FIG. 2). In certain embodiments, the membrane 282 is substantially transparent, while in other embodiments, the membrane is translucent or opaque. In certain embodiments, light is transmitted to or through the keycap from a light source positioned on the side of the key, such as an LED or an optical pipe connected to an LED.

[0032] There is a compressible scissor mechanism 284 near the membrane 282. Under the membrane 282, there is a first contact wiring layer 286. Electrical contacts (not shown in the cross - sectional view of FIG. 2) are disposed on the top surface of the first contact wiring layer 286 such that when the membrane 282 and the compressible scissor mechanism 284 are compressed beyond a selected threshold, the electrical contacts of the membrane 282 and the electrical contacts of the first contact wiring layer 286 complete an electrical circuit, thereby signaling that the key 200 has been pressed.

[0033] The first contact wiring layer 286 is disposed on the first substrate layer 288 to provide structural support for the key 200. This substrate layer 288 is composed of a transparent or substantially transparent material. Below the substrate layer 288, there is an illumination layer 290 including a light-emitting element 292 centered under the key cap 240. The light-emitting element 292 is an LED, an OLED, or other suitable light source. Although shown as a single light source, it will be apparent that multiple light sources may be used. For example, the light-emitting element 292 is disposed in the illumination layer 290 to direct or transmit light through the peripheral gap 230. In this way, the light-emitting element 292 illuminates the periphery of the key 200 and generates a halo effect regarding the key 200 when viewed from above.

[0034] In another embodiment, the light-emitting element 292 is arranged to direct light only through the glyph window 260. In this way, the light-emitting element 292 illuminates the glyph window 260 and generates an illuminated glyph effect on the surface of the key 200 when viewed from above.

[0035] In another embodiment, the light-emitting element is arranged to direct light only through the background layer 250. In this way, the light-emitting element 292 illuminates the background area around the glyph window and leaves the area of the glyph window unlit. In such an embodiment, it will be apparent that the background layer 250 is composed of a translucent material. For example, in this embodiment, the background layer 250 is composed of a translucent material doped with glass beads or other diffusion dopants.

[0036] Furthermore, it is clear that a plurality of light-emitting elements 292 are arranged on or within the light-emitting layer 290. In this way, multiple portions of the key 200 are selectively or jointly illuminated. Below the light-emitting layer 290, a second substrate layer 294 is disposed to form a structural support for the key 200.

[0037] It is clear that FIG. 2 is not necessarily drawn to an exact scale. For clarity, the relative heights of the items shown are exaggerated in some cases to show the relationships between the multiple layers that form key 200. For example, background layer 250 and glyph diffusion layer 270 are only a few microns in height. Further, it is clear that keycap 240 is less than 1 mm in height.

[0038] FIG. 3A is a top view of keycap 300 showing a glyph as part of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. This keycap includes at least a background area 310 and a glyph area 315 showing the English letter "A" as shown. Keycap 300 is positioned within housing 320 of illuminated keyboard 100 (not shown, see FIG. 1). Keycap 300 is positioned within key aperture 325. The horizontal plane area of key aperture 325 is slightly larger than the horizontal plane area of keycap 300, and a peripheral gap 380 around the keycap is exposed.

[0039] FIGS. 3B - 3E are each an enlarged side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, along cross-sections 3B - 3E. Visible in all four cross-sections shown in FIGS. 3B - 3E is keycap 340. This keycap 340 is placed within a key aperture (not shown) formed in keyboard housing 320. A peripheral gap 330 is formed between the edges of the key aperture and the keycap. As described with respect to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, keycap 340 is composed of glass and has slanted or polished edges.

[0040] Visible in all four cross-sections shown in FIGS. 3B - 3E is background layer 350. Also, as described with respect to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, background layer 350 is disposed directly below glass keycap 340. Below background layer 350 is disposed glyph diffusion layer 370.

[0041] It is clear that line 3B-3B in FIG. 3A does not intersect any part of the glyph area 315 in FIG. 3A. Therefore, in the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 3B, the part of the glyph window does not exist or is not shown. However, line 3C-3C in FIG. 3A intersects a part of the glyph area 315 in FIG. 3A. More specifically, line 3C-3C intersects at the top of the "A" glyph shown in FIG. 3A. Therefore, in the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 3C, a part of the glyph window 360 is shown. Since line 3C-3C intersects the glyph window only once, FIG. 3C shows only a single part of the glyph window 360.

[0042] FIG. 3D is an enlarged side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A along line 3D-3D that intersects both legs of the character "A" shown as glyph area 315 in FIG. 3A. Therefore, the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3D shows two parts of the glyph window 360 separated by a part of the background layer 350.

[0043] Similar to FIG. 3B, FIG. 3E does not intersect any part of the glyph area 315 in FIG. 3A, and therefore, the part of the glyph window does not exist or is not shown.

[0044] Regarding FIGS. 4A-4D, the term "horizontal" is defined as a plane parallel to the surface of the glass keycap. The term "vertical" regarding FIGS. 4A-4D is defined as a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane. Similar terms regarding directions used herein (e.g., "above" or "below" or "on" or "under") are defined with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0045] FIG. 4A is an inverted enlarged side view of an embodiment showing a standard cross-section of the keycap 440 after applying the background layer 450. The background layer 450 is composed of ink or pigment and is translucent or opaque. In certain embodiments, the background layer 450 is applied to the glass keycap 440 in a printing process, a screening process, an immersion process, or other suitable processes.

[0046] FIG. 4B is a reverse enlarged side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4A, showing a normative cross-section after etching the background layer 450 to expose the portion of the glyph window 460. The glyph window 460 is etched through the background layer in the laser grid writing process. For example, the laser cuts through the background layer 450 to expose the glyph window 460. In some cases, the laser is powerful enough to cut or remove the material of the background layer 450, but not powerful enough to cut or etch or damage the material selected for the keycap 440.

[0047] In other embodiments, the glyph window 460 is etched in a chemical etching process. For example, a mask is applied over the background layer 450. The mask covers the portion of the background layer 450 that remains after etching, but exposes all portions of the background layer 450 that must be removed to expose the glyph window 460. After the mask is applied, the keycap 440 and the background layer 450 are immersed or exposed to an etching solution, which decomposes or reacts with the material selected as the background layer 450, but does not decompose the material selected as the mask or the material selected as the keycap 440. After a predetermined period, the keycap 440 is removed from the etching solution and the mask is removed from the background layer 450.

[0048] In yet another embodiment, the glyph window 460 is not etched at all, but rather is formed by selectively applying the background layer 450. For example, the background layer 450 is printed along the surface of the glass keycap 440 in all areas except where designated as the glyph window 460.

[0049] Figure 4C is an enlarged reverse side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 4B, showing a standard cross-section of the keycap 40 after the glyph diffusion layer 470 is applied over the background layer 460 and over the exposed portion of the glyph window 460. In certain embodiments, unwanted air pockets 490 remain within the glyph window 460 while applying the glyph diffusion layer 470 over the background layer 450. These unwanted air pockets 490 cause unwanted visual artifacts in the keycap 440.

[0050] To remove the unwanted air pockets 490, the keycap 440 (with the background layer 450 and the glyph diffusion layer 470 already formed) is placed into a vacuum chamber (not shown) to create a negative pressure differential to expel the air pockets 490. Generally, the air pockets 490 are formed at or near atmospheric pressure. Thus, when placed in a vacuum environment, the pressure of the air pockets 490 equalizes with the vacuum, pulling the diffusion layer 470 to fill the entire volume of the glyph window 460, as shown in Figure 4D.

[0051] In another embodiment, the keycap 440, along with the background layer 450 and the glyph diffusion layer 470, is placed into an autoclave or other high-pressure chamber to facilitate a positive pressure differential to remove the air pockets 490. As described above, the air pockets 490 are generated at or near atmospheric pressure. When placed in a high-pressure environment, as shown in Figure 4D, the pressure differential pushes the diffusion layer 470 to fill the entire volume of the glyph window 460.

[0052] Figure 4E is an enlarged reverse side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 4D, showing a standard cross-section of the keycap 440 with a glyph diffusion layer 470 finished to a smooth plane parallel to the plane of the keycap 440 and the background layer 450. When polished or smoothed, the glyph diffusion layer 470 is attached to a scissor mechanism (not shown) or other button mechanism arranged to activate an electrical switch circuit upon pressing. The glyph diffusion layer 470 is smoothed to provide a substantially parallel relationship between the scissor mechanism and the top surface of the keycap 440.

[0053] Figure 4F shows a normalized cross-section of the keycap 440 having a glyph diffusion layer 470 finished to a smooth plane that is coplanar with the surface of the background layer 450, which is a reverse enlarged side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 4D. In one embodiment, by smoothing the glyph diffusion layer in this way, a very thin overall key thickness is provided.

[0054] It is clear that Figures 3A - 4F are not drawn to an exact scale. For clarity, the relative heights of each item shown are, in some cases, substantially exaggerated to show the relationships between the numerous individual layers that form the keys shown. For example, it is clear that the background layers 350, 450 and the glyph diffusion layers 370, 470 are only a few microns in height. Further, it is clear that the keycaps 340, 440 are less than 1 mm in height.

[0055] Figures 5A - 5F show various configurations for selectively illuminating individual parts of a key in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] Figure 5A is a top view of a keycap showing the selective illumination of the peripheral gap portion 580, the glyph area portion 515 (not shown), and the background area portion 510 in an off state. Note that in the embodiment shown, the glyph portion 515 is not visible. In one embodiment, the boundary between the background portion 510 and the glyph area portion 515 is indistinguishable. Thus, Figure 5A shows the state where the glyph area is not visible.

[0057] Figure 5B is a top view of a keycap showing that the illumination of the peripheral gap portion 580 and the background area portion 510 is off and the illumination of the glyph area portion 515 is on.

[0058] Figure 5C is a top view of a keycap showing that the illumination of the background area portion 510 is off and the illumination of the peripheral gap portion 580 and the glyph area portion 515 is on.

[0059] FIG. 5D is a top view of a keycap showing that the illumination of the peripheral gap portion 580, the glyph area portion 515 (not shown), and the background area portion 510 is on. As described above with reference to FIG. 5A, the glyph portion 515 is not visible. In certain embodiments, the boundary between the background portion 510 and the glyph area portion 515 is indistinguishable. Accordingly, FIG. 5D shows the glyph area as not visible. Thus, FIG. 5D shows the peripheral illumination mode of the keycap.

[0060] FIG. 5E is a top view of a keycap showing that the illumination of the glyph area portion 515 is off and the illumination of the peripheral gap portion 580 and the background area portion 510 is on. In this embodiment, the glyph area 515 appears to the user as a shadow, and the background area portion 510 and the peripheral gap portion 580 appear as a single or substantially single illuminated area.

[0061] FIG. 5F is a top view of a keycap showing that the illumination of the glyph area portion 515 and the peripheral gap portion 580 is off and the background area portion 510 is on. In this embodiment, the glyph area 515 appears to the user as a shadow within the illuminated background area portion 510. The darkened peripheral gap portion 580 provides improved contrast with the background area 510. Thus, FIG. 5F shows the background illumination mode of the keycap.

[0062] FIGS. 5A - 5F show various combinations of the illuminated portions of the keycap, although it is clear that additional combinations or fewer combinations are also contemplated. Further, it will be apparent that individual keys on the same keyboard may be illuminated separately, sequentially, at different brightness levels, during varying periods, etc.

[0063] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of a canonical method of manufacturing an illuminated input device. At 610, a glass keycap is selected. In certain embodiments, the glass keycap is singulated from a large sheet, or in other embodiments, a large mother sheet containing a plurality of individual glass keycaps is singulated in a subsequent process.

[0064] At 620, a background layer is deposited on the glass keycap. In certain embodiments, the background layer is applied to the glass keycap by a printing process, a screening process, a dipping process, or other suitable process. In certain embodiments, the background layer is cured before continuing with other operations.

[0065] At 630, a glyph window is etched in the background layer. The glyph window is etched by a laser etching process or, in other embodiments, the glyph window is formed by etching in a chemical process. The glyph window takes the form of numbers, symbols, or characters in any language appropriately adapted to the keycap. Further, it is apparent that in certain embodiments, operations 620 and 630 may be performed simultaneously if the background layer is applied in a printing process.

[0066] At 640, a diffusion layer is applied to the background layer. The diffusion layer is composed of a translucent material doped with glass beads or other diffusion dopants. The diffusion layer is placed over the background layer with the glyph window in a screening, printing, dipping, or other suitable process.

[0067] At 650, the glass keycap, the background layer, and the diffusion layer are placed in a hardened state to solidify or otherwise bond them together. The hardened state includes, but is not limited to, an ultraviolet oven, a heating oven, a vacuum chamber, or an autoclave chamber. The curing process includes a process of removing unwanted air pockets from the background layer or the diffusion layer.

[0068] At 660, the diffusion layer is polished to a plane substantially parallel to the top surface of the glass key cap or otherwise finished. The process ends at 670.

[0069] Although a number of embodiments have been disclosed above, it is clear that the operations shown in FIG. 6 are merely illustrative and not exhaustive. Further, it is also clear that the intended method herein can be accomplished using a different step sequence, or additional or fewer steps.

[0070] The components or modules of the present invention can be implemented in whole or in part using software. In one embodiment, these software elements are implemented to operate in a computing or processing module that can perform the functions described with respect thereto.

[0071] The above disclosure has been described with respect to various exemplary embodiments and implementations. However, the various features, aspects, and functions described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited to application to the specific embodiments described herein. Rather, such embodiments can be applied singly or in various combinations to one or more other embodiments of the present invention, regardless of whether such embodiments have been described herein and regardless of whether such features are represented as part of the embodiments described herein. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is not limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments and is defined by the claims.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0072] 100: Illuminated Keyboard 110: Key 120: Housing 130: Glyph Window 200: Key 220: Housing 225: Key Aperture 230: Peripheral Gap 240: Key Cap 242: Tilted Edge 250: Background layer 260: Glyph window 270: Glyph diffusion layer 280: Keycap receiving pad 282: Membrane 284: Scissor mechanism 286: First contact wiring layer 288: Substrate layer 290: Lighting layer 292: Light-emitting element 294: Second substrate layer 300: Keycap 310: Background area 315: Glyph area 320: Keyboard housing 325: Key aperture 330: Peripheral gap 340: Keycap 350: Background layer 370: Glyph diffusion layer 440: Keycap 450: Background layer 460: Glyph window 470: Glyph diffusion layer 490: Air pocket 510: Background area portion 515: Glyph area portion 580: Peripheral gap portion

Claims

1. A keyboard for an electronic device, comprising: a housing defining a key aperture; a light source located within the housing; a key cap located within the key aperture, wherein the key cap comprises: a transparent body having a top surface and a bottom surface; a background layer formed on the bottom surface of the transparent body and defining a background area portion; a diffusion layer configured to disperse light through the background layer, the diffusion layer having the same width as the width of the background layer; the diffusion layer not being in contact with the housing, a gap being formed between the diffusion layer and the key aperture; the key cap being selectively illuminable in at least two states using the light source; wherein the at least two states comprise: a first state in which the background area portion is illuminated by the light source and the gap is not illuminated by the light source; a second state in which the gap is illuminated by the light source and the background area portion is not illuminated by the light source.

2. The keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the background layer defines a glyph area portion.

3. The keyboard according to claim 2, wherein the background layer and the glyph area portion are visually indistinguishable when the background layer and the glyph area portion are not illuminated.

4. The keyboard according to claim 2, wherein the key cap is selectively illuminable in the glyph area portion while the gap is illuminated.

5. The keyboard according to claim 2, wherein the key cap is selectively illuminable in the glyph area portion while the background area portion is illuminated.

6. The keyboard according to claim 2, wherein the key cap is selectively illuminable in the glyph area portion while the background area portion is illuminated and the gap is illuminated.

7. The keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the background area portion and the gap are simultaneously illuminable.

8. The keyboard according to claim 6, wherein in response to simultaneous illumination of the background area portion and the gap, the background area portion and the gap appear as a single illuminated area.

9. The keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the gap surrounds the keycap.

10. A keyboard of an electronic device, comprising: a housing defining a key aperture; a light source located below the key aperture in the housing; a keycap located in the key aperture, wherein the keycap has a transparent body having a bottom surface; a background layer formed on the bottom surface of the transparent body and defining a background area portion and a glyph area portion; a diffusion layer configured to disperse light through the background layer, the diffusion layer having the same width as the width of the background layer; the diffusion layer is not in contact with the housing, and a gap is formed between the diffusion layer and the key aperture; the keycap is selectively illuminable in at least four states using the light source; the at least four states include: a first state in which the glyph area portion is illuminated by the light source and the background area portion is not illuminated by the light source; a second state in which the background area portion is illuminated by the light source and the glyph area portion is not illuminated by the light source; a third state in which the background area portion is illuminated by the light source and the gap is not illuminated by the light source; a fourth state in which the gap is illuminated by the light source and the background area portion is not illuminated by the light source.

11. The keyboard according to claim 10, wherein the keycap is selectively illuminable with respect to the gap while the glyph area portion is illuminated.

12. The keyboard according to claim 10, wherein the keycap is selectively illuminable with respect to the gap while the background area portion is illuminated.

13. The keyboard according to claim 10, wherein the keycap is selectively illuminable with respect to the gap while the background area portion and the glyph area portion are illuminated.

14. The keyboard according to claim 10, wherein the at least four states further include a fifth state in which both the glyph area portion and the background area portion are illuminated by the light source.

15. The keyboard according to claim 10, wherein the at least four states further include a fifth state including illumination of the glyph area portion and the background area portion.

16. The keyboard according to claim 10, wherein the keycap is selectively illuminable such that the glyph area portion and the background area portion appear as a single illuminated area.

17. The keyboard according to claim 10, wherein the gap surrounds the periphery of the keycap.

18. The keyboard according to claim 10, wherein a boundary between the glyph area portion and the background area portion is invisible when the glyph area portion is not illuminated and the background area portion is not illuminated.

19. The keyboard according to claim 10, wherein the diffusion layer has a width equal to that of the background area portion.

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