KEYCAP AND PRESS KEY STRUCTURE USING THE SAME

• US 20100006412A1
• Filed: 06/22/2009
• Published: 01/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Darfon Electronics Corporation
• Original Assignee: Darfon Electronics Corporation
• Inventors: CHAI, YUNG-NIEN, TSAI, LEI-LUNG, WANG, YI-CHEN
• Application Number:
  US12/488,782
• Publication Number:
  US 20100006412A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 200/314
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/03 in transparent keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/056 Diffuser; Uneven surface
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/07 transparent
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/125 using a scissor mechanism as stabiliser

Abstract

A keycap and a press key structure along with a keyboard using the same are disclosed. The keycap, being comprised of a top and a bottom having a concave-convex structure formed thereon, is structured for allowing light to pass therethrough. There is a connecting component sandwiched between the keycap and a substrate in a manner that it is pivotally connected to the two in respective for allowing the keycap to move up and down in relative to the substrate. Moreover, there is at least a light source being disposed between the keycap and the substrate for projecting light to the concave-convex structure on the keycap′ bottom and out of the keycap through the top thereof after being uniformly scattered by the concave-convex structure. Thus a press key is constructed. It is noted that by arranging a plurality of the aforesaid press keys in an array, a keyboard is constructed.

Claims

1. A keycap designed for allowing light to pass therethrough, comprising:

a top; and

a bottom, having a concave-convex structure formed thereon.

2. The keycap of claim 1, wherein the concave-convex structure is formed by an embossing process using a textured mold.

3. The keycap of claim 1, wherein the concave-convex structure is a structure selected from the group consisting of:

regular structures and irregular structures.

4. The keycap of claim 1, wherein the concave-convex structure is a microstructure selected from the group consisting of:

a light-scattering microstructure, a light-gathering microstructure, and a diffraction microstructure.

5. The keycap of claim 1, wherein the keycap is formed with a pattern of good light transmittance and is capable of blocking light from passing through other area of the keycap except the pattern.

6. The keycap of claim 5, wherein the concave-convex structure is disposed on the bottom of the keycap at a position corresponding to the pattern.

7. A press key structure, comprising:

a keycap, configured with a top a bottom, having a concave-convex structure formed thereon, and being formed for allowing light to pass therethrough;

a substrate;

a connecting component, sandwiched between the keycap and the substrate in a manner that it is pivotally connected to the two in respective for allowing the keycap to move up and down in relative to the substrate; and

at least a light source, each being disposed at a position between the keycap and the substrate for projecting light to the concave-convex structure on the keycap′

bottom and out of the keycap through the top thereof after being uniformly scattered by the concave-convex structure.

8. The press key structure of claim 7, wherein the concave-convex structure is formed by an embossing process using a textured mold.

9. The press key structure of claim 7, wherein the concave-convex structure is a structure selected from the group consisting of:

regular structures and irregular structures.

10. The press key structure of claim 7, wherein the concave-convex structure is a microstructure selected from the group consisting of:

a light-scattering microstructure, a light-gathering microstructure, and a diffraction microstructure.

11. The press key structure of claim 7, wherein the keycap is formed with a pattern of good light transmittance and is capable of blocking light from passing through other area of the keycap except the pattern.

12. The press key structure of claim 11, wherein the concave-convex structure is disposed on the bottom of the keycap at a position corresponding to the pattern.

13. The press key structure of claim 7, wherein each light source is a light emitting diode.

14. A keyboard, comprising:

a plurality of key caps, each configured with a top a bottom, having a concave-convex structure formed thereon, and being formed for allowing light to pass therethrough;

a substrate;

a plurality of connecting components, each sandwiched between its corresponding keycap and the substrate in a manner that it is pivotally connected to the two in respective for allowing its corresponding keycap to move up and down in relative to the substrate; and

at least a light source, each being disposed at a position between the plural keycaps and the substrate for projecting light to the concave-convex structures on the keycap′

bottoms and out of the keycaps through the tops thereof after being uniformly scattered by the concave-convex structures.

15. The keyboard of claim 14, wherein the concave-convex structures are formed by an embossing process using a textured mold.

16. The keyboard of claim 14, wherein the concave-convex structure is a structure selected from the group consisting of:

regular structures and irregular structures.

17. The keyboard of claim 14, wherein the concave-convex structure is a microstructure selected from the group consisting of:

a light-scattering microstructure, a light-gathering microstructure, and a diffraction microstructure.

18. The keyboard of claim 14, wherein the keycap is formed with a pattern of good light transmittance and is capable of blocking light from passing through other area of the keycap except the pattern.

19. The keyboard of claim 18, wherein the concave-convex structure is disposed on the bottom of the keycap at a position corresponding to the pattern.

The keyboard of claim 14, wherein each light source is a light emitting diode.