Bi-stable Keycap Display with Segmented Mask
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bi-stable displays in keyboards face issues such as ghosting, high power consumption, aspect ratio mismatch, and complex assembly processes, which affect user experience and reliability, particularly due to limitations in integrating active elements like displays within the thin mechanical profile of keycaps.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a bi-stable e-paper display within the keycap that uses a segmented design with a mask layer to minimize ghosting, reduce power consumption, and simplify the assembly process, while maintaining the ergonomic feel and reliability of traditional mechanical keyboards by reusing existing components and assembly methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a bi-stable display is integrated into the keycap, then interactive functionality is added, but the mechanical profile thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bi-stable display is nested within the keycap structure by integrating it into the scissor mechanism assembly. The display is positioned between the scissor arms and the keycap housing, utilizing the existing mechanical space without significantly increasing the overall profile thickness. This nesting approach allows the display to be embedded within the mechanical structure rather than adding to it externally.
Solution Approach 2:
The display is oriented in a plane parallel to the keycap surface rather than protruding perpendicular to it. By arranging the display elements (front plane, back plane, and dielectric layers) in a compact stacked configuration that lies flat within the keycap, the design achieves interactive functionality without substantially increasing the vertical mechanical profile thickness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a bi-stable display is integrated into the keycap, then interactive functionality is added, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bi-stable display components (front plane, back plane, dielectric layers, and electrode connections) are merged with the existing keycap manufacturing process. The display is integrated into the scissor mechanism assembly, which is then incorporated into the keycap as a single unit. This merging approach allows the display to be manufactured using existing keycap production lines and assembly methods, minimizing the need for separate complex manufacturing processes.
3Illumination intensity
If power is continuously supplied to the display, then display visibility is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bi-stable display utilizes periodic electrical signals to switch between two stable states (displayed and non-displayed). Once switched to a state, the display maintains that state without requiring continuous power supply. The electrode connections receive periodic signals only when state changes are needed, allowing the display to remain visible in its current state with minimal or zero power consumption during static periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The display operates by changing the electrical state (voltage parameter) of the dielectric layers between two distinct levels, creating two stable states. By transitioning between these parameter states rather than maintaining a continuous intermediate state, the display achieves visibility with minimal energy input, consuming power only during state transitions rather than continuously.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides an interactive and contextual keyboard experience with minimal added cost, power consumption, and maintenance, while ensuring reliable operation over millions of cycles without compromising the feel or function of traditional keyboards, and allows for daylight readability.
Implementation Method 1
a dielectric between each top electrode and each bottom electrode, wherein a color of the dielectric between a specific top electrode and a corresponding bottom electrode changes when a differential voltage is applied between the specific top electrode and the corresponding bottom electrode
Data Source
AI summary
Particular embodiments described herein provide a keycap that includes a plurality of front plane elements, where each front plane element includes a top electrode, a conductive region under each of the plurality of front plane elements, where each conductive region includes a bottom electrode and a top electrode coupling area, where each top electrode coupling area is electrically coupled to a common top electrode node, an electrical path between each top electrode and each corresponding top electrode coupling area such that each top electrode is connected to the common top electrode node, and a dielectric between each top electrode and each bottom electrode.