Abstract: A backlight module is disposed under a plurality of keyswitches of a lighting keyboard. The backlight module includes a lighting chip and a light guide plate. The lighting chip has a first illumination unit and a second illumination unit arranged side by side. The light guide plate has a hole structure where inside the lighting chip is disposed. A lateral side of the hole structure facing an illumination surface of the lighting chip includes a first area and a second area formed in a non-linear manner, respectively corresponding to the first illumination unit and the second illumination unit. The first area guides a first output beam of the first illumination unit toward the second area. The second area guides a second output beam of the second illumination unit toward the first area.

Abstract: A catheter procedure system includes a base and a robotic mechanism having a longitudinal axis and being movable relative to the base along the longitudinal axis. The robotic mechanism includes a robotic drive base including at least one drive mechanism, a cassette operatively secured to the robotic drive base, a rigid guide coupled to the cassette and fixed relative to the robotic mechanism and a flexible track having a distal end, a proximal end and a plurality of reflective sections. At least a portion of the flexible track is disposed within the rigid guide. The robotic mechanism also includes a position detector mounted to the robotic drive base and positioned beneath the flexible track. The position detector is configured to detect light reflected off of the reflective sections of the flexible track and to determine the position of the distal end of the flexible track based on the detected reflected light.

Abstract: A sensing system where the position and intensity of a force applied is detected with high resolution and an image and video of the surrounding environment is taken. A three-dimensional scanning thereof is performed, and the surface texture of the object touched and creep is detected. A two-dimensional and three-dimensional image (hologram) may be generated and physical and/or chemical features are detected.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electronic device and a manufacturing method for the electronic device. The electronic device includes a light permeable display screen, a light permeable cover plate and one or a plurality of light sensors. The light permeable display screen includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The light permeable cover plate faces the first surface, covers the light permeable display screen, and includes a flat plate portion and one or a plurality of curved surface portions. The one or the plurality of curved surface portions extends away from the flat plate portion, protrudes from the light permeable display screen horizontally, and bends towards the light permeable display screen vertically, so as to form one or a plurality of accommodating spaces together with the light permeable display screen. The light sensor is arranged in the accommodating space.

Abstract: A touch input device includes a base board, an upper board, and a touch unit. The base board has an elongate opening having opposite opening ends respectively defined by two end walls. The upper board is disposed on and above the base board and includes a touched sensing member. The touch unit is mounted to the base board and includes two positioning seats, a contact element, and two resilient arms. The positioning seats respectively abut against the end walls. The contact element corresponding in position to the touched sensing member is disposed. Each resilient arm interconnects the contact element and a respective one of the positioning seats.

Abstract: Provided is an infrared touch screen device including the transmission unit which contains the rectangular bezel which is constituted so that the touch screen panel is to be installed, and the multiple numbers of light transmitting elements which are installed in the lengthwise direction of corresponding bezel to one horizontal bezel and one vertical bezel respectively among the bezels and transmitting the infrared rays forward, and the reception unit which is further configured to have the multiple numbers of light receiving elements which are installed at two bezels among the bezels so that the infrared rays transmitted from the transmission unit is to be received and contain the band pass filter which makes only the infrared rays of specific wavelength band among the infrared rays transmitted from the transmission unit to be received by the multiple numbers of light receiving elements.

Abstract: A state machine for controlling a sensor including a chip package coupled with photo-emitters and photo-detectors mounted in a device, and with a host processor, including an emitter driver, a detector driver, a signal processor for generating signals representing amounts of light detected by the detectors, and a scan controller for controlling the emitter and detector drivers to activate an automated sequence of emitter-detector pairs, the scan controller including registers for storing parameters designating emitter-detector pairs that are to be activated during the automated sequence, and for storing the signals generated by the signal processor for the emitter-detector pair activations, and at least one input/output pin for receiving parameters from the host processor to be loaded into the registers, and for outputting the stored signals in the registers to the host processor, for the host processor to identify therefrom location coordinates of an object near or touching the device.

Abstract: A keyboard comprises: several keys operated by a user, the operating forming, for each key, a signal representative, a flat waveguide having a first and second external face for a wave of light to reflect between the faces, the first face of the waveguide comprising an altered zone so part of the wave leaves the waveguide via the altered zone to backlight the keyboard, for each key a plunger moved between two positions, one in contact with the first face and the other distant from the first face, contact of the plunger with the first face causing the reflection of the wave in the waveguide to be locally frustrated, associated with each of the plungers, a sensor arranged in an empty space delimited by the second face, the sensor associated with the plunger and configured to detect the frustration of the reflection, the sensor forming the representative signal.

Abstract: Electronic devices may be provided with light sensors. Light sensors may be proximity sensors or ambient light sensors. Proximity sensors may include a light-emitting component and a light-sensitive component. The electronic device may include an enclosure formed from housing structures and some or all of a display for the device. The enclosure may include openings such as openings formed from clusters of smaller openings. Each light sensor may receive light through one of the clusters of openings. The light sensor may receive the light directly through the openings or may receive light that passes through the openings and is guided to the light sensor by light guiding structures. The light guiding structures may include fiber optic structures or light-reflecting structures. Fiber optic structures may fill or partially fill the openings. Light reflecting structures may be machined cavities in an internal support structure.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an electronic device having an internal light source that emits light along a path through the housing. The housing has at least one flexible portion which, when subjected to external pressure flexes, thereby altering the path of the light. A processor receives a signal (from a light sensor receiver) indicating a change in the light and reacts by initiating a function of the device. The particular function that the processor initiates may depend on the mode that the device is currently in. For example, if the device is not currently in a camera mode, then the processor may launch a camera function. If the device is in a camera mode, then the processor may control the zoom of an imager. If the device is in a camera mode and is also motionless, then the processor may cause the imager to capture an image.

Abstract: A keyboard structure for improving the uniformity of illumination comprises a substrate having a reflective surface and a key switch assembly. The key switch assembly is disposed adjacent and specifically on top of the substrate and comprises a keycap, a contact assembly and a light emitting means. The light emitting means can be located either between the keycap and the contact assembly or on the substrate and adjacent to the contact assembly. The keycap further has a portion which is optically transmissive. The light from the light emitting means, directly and/or after reflecting from the reflective surface passes through one or more of the gap between adjacent keycaps or a row of keycaps and through the optically transmissive portion of the keycaps, thus illuminating the keyboard structure. Different colors may be used in different zones of the keyboard. The reflective surface and the light emitting means can have the same color.

Abstract: A computer input method is described which comprises providing a plurality of light emitting and receiving devices for detecting one or more touches on a first area of a computer keyboard, coarsely scanning the first area using the plurality of light emitting and receiving devices when no contact on the first area being detected, and densely scanning a second area using a subset of the plurality of light emitting and receiving devices when one or more contact on the first area being detected, the second area being smaller than and situated within the first area.

Abstract: A touch-sensitive linear adjustment switch is configured to be touched along a linear direction in order to turn on or off, or make stepwise adjustment to the power supplied from, an external power source. The switch includes a housing having a light-permeable sensing surface. The touch control circuit board in the housing has a touch control circuit layer adjacent to the sensing surface. The surface of the touch control circuit layer is divided into plural first sensing areas arranged along the linear direction and is provided at intervals with plural first light-emitting elements, each located beside or in one first sensing area. When touched, the sensing surface triggers the touch control circuit layer in the corresponding first sensing area to control light emission of the light-emitting element(s) beside or in the first sensing area and to output a coded signal for controlling power supply from the external power source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a detection system for the detection of movements of a movable object. The detection system may comprises: a light emitting device (S) for emitting light, a reflecting unit (5) being arranged in functional connection with the movable object and being adapted for reflecting the emitted light, a plurality of detectors (D1 to D4) for detecting the reflected light and outputting detection signals for determining a movement of the movable object. When reflecting the emitted light, the reflecting unit causes a light spot to be incident on the plurality of detectors, and the plurality of detectors are arranged in a predetermined manner so as to be located completely inside the light spot irrespective of any movement of the movable object. The present invention further relates to a method of detecting movements of the movable object, and an IC having implemented therein the detection system.

Abstract: A membrane circuit board and a keyboard device having the same are provided in the invention. The membrane circuit board is defined with a plurality of key regions. Each of the key regions is with a pressing region and at least one light-pervious region thereon. The membrane circuit board comprising at least two light-pervious membranes stacked with each other, and at least one light-pervious adhesive layer sandwiched between the two light-pervious membranes and at least fully filled in the light-pervious region.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of force sensitive input devices and methods are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, a force sensitive input device may comprise a button movable along a first axis between a first end position and a second end position, the button including a reflective surface, a resilient component biasing the button toward the first end position, and a reflectance sensor configured to emit light that impinges upon the reflective surface and to measure an amount of the light that is reflected from the reflective surface, wherein the light travels generally parallel to the first axis.

Abstract: This invention relates to mirror assemblies for vehicles and in particular to interior rearview minor assemblies having touch screen inputs corresponding to elements representing a symbol. The symbols are located behind a reflective element and not visible until activated by selection of the corresponding input or other means.

Abstract: Architecture for managing clutch height in an optical navigational device such as a computer mouse. In one embodiment for a mouse, a feature can be molded into the bottom case that limits the clutch height by occluding the reflected light to the image sensor when the device is lifted from the tracking surface. Tracking is disabled when the clutch height threshold is exceeded, and re-enabled when the device is brought under the distance clutch height threshold. The device includes firmware controlled algorithm adjustments to one or more correlation parameters. When employing a D-shaped aperture, a threshold can be placed on the z-axis height tracking distance using dimensional characteristics of the shaped aperture, such as a knife-edge (the straight portion of the “D” shaped aperture), to impose a shadow across the image sensor. The aperture can be custom designed to occlude a portion of the emitted light from an LED.

Abstract: A server includes two opposite brackets and a keyboard module. The keyboard module includes a supporting board fixed between the brackets and a keyboard slidably mounted on the supporting board.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for generating feedback. In one aspect, a method includes receiving sensor data from a plurality of sensors, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors is associated with a mobile device of a user; aggregating the received sensor data to generate aggregated sensor data; processing the aggregated sensor data to determine an aggregated metric; comparing the aggregated metric to a target associated with the user to determine a measure of performance; and generating feedback based on the determined measure of performance. Further, the mobile device can comprise a mobile personal services device that includes one or more of an audio sensor, a video sensor, an environmental sensor, a biometric sensor, a location sensor, an activity detector, and a health monitor. The feedback can be displayed on the mobile personal services device. The feedback also can be displayed in near real-time.

Abstract: A keypad assembly using a waveguide for guiding lights emitted from light emitting devices is disclosed. The keypad assembly includes a switch board having a plurality of dome switches. The keypad also includes a plurality of key buttons; a plurality of light emitting devices included in the switch board; a waveguide formed under the key buttons, the waveguide having a predetermined refractive index to allow lights emitted from the light emitting devices to travel according to an internal total reflection condition; a plurality of reflecting patterns formed in the waveguide to reflect the light traveling through the waveguide toward the key buttons; and an auxiliary layer formed on the surface of the waveguide, the auxiliary layer having lower refractive index than that of the waveguide to make a constant total reflection condition.

Abstract: A keypad structure comprises a plurality of dome switches. Each of the plurality of dome switches provides a first tactile feedback to a user when pressed. At least one vibratory element is electrically connected to the dome switches to actuate when one of the plurality of dome switches is pressed. The at least one vibratory element provides a second tactile feedback to the user.

Abstract: The manual trigger device includes: a housing presenting a flexible or mobile surface, an emission unit that emits an electromagnetic field, a reception unit that receives the electromagnetic field, and emits a signal representative of the electromagnetic field received, a modulation element that modulates the electromagnetic field, and is connected to the flexible or mobile surface of the housing such that when the surface is deformed or moved, the reception unit receives an electromagnetic field modulated by the modulation element according to the deformation of the flexible or mobile surface and a processing circuit that processes the signal, and adapted to detect a modulation of the electromagnetic field representative of a push on the surface with a predetermined pressure and to command, upon detection, the change in appearance of a warning device visible from the outside of the housing.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for preventing unintended activation of one or more hard keys on a mobile device. A capacitive sensor senses a capacitance level at a location on the keyboard, to detect whether a hard key is being actuated by a human hand or human skin. If the sensed capacitance level exceeds a key activation capacitance threshold, a key circuit connection is identified as being associated with an intended hard key activation. If the measured capacitance level is within an uncertainty tolerance below the key activation capacitance threshold, a secondary capacitance level is measured at a non-keyboard location. The key circuit connection is identified as being associated with an intended hard key activation when the measured secondary capacitance level exceeds a key activation confirmation threshold. Additional secondary indicators can be obtained based on size and shape capacitance pattern, timing information, and an active application or device state.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image display device having a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), which can maintain a primary color which is desired to be expressed, and prevent an interference of other unwanted colors and a change of the primary color at the time of application of a light source of each light emitting diode. The image display device comprises: a first optical filter layer containing a violet wavelength-absorbing material having a wavelength range of from 380 nm to 450 nm such as Bi2O3 so as to prevent light having a wavelength ranging from 380 nm to 450 nm from being leaked out to an undesired region of an image display portion of the image display device; and a second optical filter layer such as a blue color filter layer so as to allow a white light to be expressed in a desired region of the image display portion.

Abstract: A luminous keyboard comprises a housing, a keyboard and a light emitting portion. The keyboard and light emitting portion are held in the housing. The light emitting portion includes at least one housing trough and a lighting element held in the housing trough. The housing trough has at least one first recess portion and at least one second recess portion on the periphery. The first recess portion and second recess portion have respectively an inner wall formed a first curved surface and a second curved surface. The lighting element generates light projected to the first and second recess portions, and the light piercing through the first and second curved surfaces is transmitted towards the concave directions of the first and second recess portions. Thus the light advancing direction in the light emitting portion can be effectively controlled.

Abstract: A control panel for a measuring device with a housing and a control and inspection window. The control panel includes at least one optical key that is operable through the control and inspection window using a finger. The optical key includes a transmitting element and a receiving element. The control panel is constructed such that it allows reliable and quick control even when the housing is open and the control panel is exposed. Specifically, the control panel has at least one corresponding finger-operable mechanical key in addition to the finger-operable optical key in order to reliably and quickly control the measuring device when a predefined control distance for the optical key is no longer ensured by the control and inspection window of the housing.

Abstract: A user interface display system can include at least one user responsive element. The user responsive element can include an optical mechanism. A pulsed light source can produce a light beam. Apparatus are provided for causing the light beam to repeatedly scan across the activity field. A controller can be arranged to repeatedly turn the light source on at one or more predetermined scan positions to illuminate the user responsive element. The controller can also be programed to act upon a signal regarding the status of the element. A photo detector can send the signal to the controller. The optical mechanism acts upon the light beam differently based upon the status of the user responsive element.

Abstract: A curve-shaped touch-sensitive keyboard comprises a keyboard casing in form of a curve surface, in which upper and lower ends of the keyboard casing are warped upwards along a whole length of the keyboard casing to form two convex sections and a concave section is formed between the two convex sections; a key region disposed on an upper surface of the concave section, in which the key region is composed of a plurality of keys and each of the keys is provided with a trigger sensor; and a printed circuit board provided within the keyboard casing, in which a plurality of electronic sensors are mounted on the printed circuit board and each of the electronic sensors corresponds to one of the keys. With the present keyboard, accidental touches on the keys could be avoided effectively.

Abstract: Disclosed in a wearable electronic device including an optical keypad supported by a keypad housing. The optical keypad may include a plurality of keys disposed along the keypad housing, and a plurality of illumination sources and optical receivers with a corresponding illumination source and optical receiver for each of the plurality of keys. The keypad signal interface may be limited to three connections, to provide a connection for power, a connection for ground, and a connection for data between the keypad housing and the main housing. The electronic device may also include at least one optical receiver configured to be optically coupled to at least one of the plurality of illumination sources, and configured to convert a received optical signal representing data into an electrical signal representing data. The illumination sources may provide optical signals during key presses, and may in addition provide key illumination for unpressed keys.

Abstract: An optical encoder includes a scale which is installed on one member of which, displacement is detected, and a detecting head which is installed on the other member which moves relatively with respect to the one member, and is disposed facing the scale. A predetermined optical pattern in a direction of relative movement is provided, and the detecting head includes a light emitting section which irradiates a predetermined light on the scale, a light detecting section which includes a light receiving surface which receives light through the optical pattern, which is irradiated on the scale from the light emitting section, and which detects light distribution formed on the light receiving surface, a first light transmitting member which is disposed in an optical path between the light emitting section and the scale, and a second light transmitting member which is disposed in an optical path between the scale and the light detecting section.

Abstract: An optical sensor for a touch-sensitive push button of a control mechanism for an electronic household appliance has a transmitter, which emits electromagnetic radiation, and a receiver, which receives reflected electromagnetic radiation. A cover is at least partly transparent to the electromagnetic radiation and the transmitter and the receiver are arranged behind the cover. A radiation guide mechanism, for example a diaphragm frame, is provided between the transmitter and the receiver, on the one hand, and the cover, on the other hand, for guiding the radiation emitted from the transmitter towards the cover and to guide the reflected radiation penetrating the cover to the receiver. The diaphragm frame broadens the emission characteristic of the transmitter outward from the cover and/or the reception characteristic of the receiver inward into the cover.

Abstract: A dynamic projected user interface includes a light source for generating a light beam and a spatial light modulator for receiving and dynamically modulating the light beam to create a plurality of display images that are respectively projected onto a plurality of keys in a keyboard. An optical arrangement is disposed in an optical path between the light source and the spatial light modulator for conveying the light beam from the light source to the spatial light modulator.

Abstract: Improved user interface methods and devices are provided. Some such devices are configured to detect a user's touch according to a localized diminution and/or interruption of guided optical signals. The devices may be configured for guiding light in a piece-wise contiguous array of optical blocks disposed on a flexible substrate. Alternatively, or additionally, the devices may be configured for guiding light along non-continuous optical fibers on a flexible substrate. These basic structures, or comparable structures, may be used to implement a wide range of tactile user interfaces.

Abstract: The present invention includes interactive communication systems that incorporate several beneficial embodiments including an interactive tray system, an electronic presentation messaging system, an interactive podium, and a key drive system. The interactive tray system enables a single, transferable interactive unit to be fastened to a communication medium, turning into a fully interactive medium. The electronic presentation messaging system enables the e-mailing of presentations and notes to and from components of the interactive communication system. The interactive podium increases conventional podium mobility, enabling both the presenter, and podium, to move and be moved about the room without attention to wired connections.

Abstract: A portable electronic device is provided. The portable electronic device includes a central processing unit, a projecting module electronically connected to the central processing unit, a virtual keypad projection module configured to project a virtual keypad on a surface, an infrared radiation generator configured to irradiate infrared light generally parallel with the virtual keypad and an infrared sensor module configured to receive infrared light reflected by fingers of a user pressing the virtual keypad and generate corresponding signals and then send the signals to the central processing unit for the central processing unit to produce commands corresponding to the pressed virtual keypads.

Abstract: An input device is provided. The input device includes an operation unit. A coordinate input unit capable of detecting that an operating body is in contact with the operation unit and detecting a position coordinate on the operation unit of a position where the operating body contacted the operation unit. A data processing unit outputs an operation processing signal on the basis of a detection signal received from the coordinate input unit. The data processing unit outputs an operation confirmation processing signal for the input operation after an input operation is performed while the operating body is contacting the operation unit, when tapping is performed on the operation unit, with the operating body kept in contact with the operation unit.

Abstract: A keypad backlighting apparatus includes an electroluminescence layer for lighting an input device of an electronic apparatus. The input device may be a keypad and the electronic apparatus may be a mobile communications terminal. The terminal includes an upper case having a plurality of button holes formed in a predetermined pattern, electroluminescence (EL) keypad on a lower surface of the upper case and having buttons exposed through the button holes. A printed circuit board (PCB) installed adjacent the EL keypad includes a backlight driving circuit for supplying power to the EL keypad. A lower case of the terminal is coupled to the upper case and supports the EL keypad and the PCB.

Abstract: Provided are an input unit and a control method thereof. In an embodiment of the method, a portion of an input member such as a finger, and a portion of a shadow of the input member generated by a light source are perceived through image processing. Relationship information between the image and shadow of the input member are used, so as to determine if an input is made. Also, the input pattern can be provided to a user using an imaging light, whereas the images can be detected using a detection light.

Abstract: An encoder device includes: an encoder base; a hub rotatably arranged in the encoder base and arranged to carry an encoder disk; and an alignment device arranged to urge the hub into a predetermined axial and radial position relative to a portion of the housing, the alignment device including a contact portion arranged to contact an axial surface of the encoder base, a locating structure arranged to maintain the alignment device in a predefined radial position, a flange structure arranged to contact an axial surface of the hub and a circumferential portion of the hub, and a spring structure arranged to urge the hub axially toward the flange element, where the alignment device urges the hub into a predetermined axial and radial position relative to a portion of the encoder base, and the spring structure contacts the hub so as to form a detent, the detent allowing the alignment device to be removed from the hub by pulling the alignment device axially away from the hub.

Abstract: An optical joystick and portable electronic device having the same are disclosed, by which malfunctions of the optical joystick due to sunlight or external illumination light are prevented or minimized. Therefore, precision of the optical joystick can be enhanced. The optical joystick according to the present invention includes an infrared light source, a cover part having a contacting surface for a contact by a subject, a light-receiving part detecting the infrared ray, and an optical member provided on an light path of the infrared ray traveling from the cover part toward the light-receiving part, wherein the cover part comprises a cover base and an infrared ray pass layer blocking out external noisy light on a predetermined band and passing substantially a wavelength band of infrared rays.

Abstract: A method for inputting commands to a holographic input system, includes the steps of generating a virtual image of an input device by illuminating a hologram of the input device by means of a corresponding reference beam, the hologram being prerecorded on a holographic support; optically detecting a position of at least one actuator for operating the input device with respect to the virtual image of the input device; and issuing at least one command signal corresponding to the position of that at least one actuator as optically detected.

Abstract: Embodiments of an encoder are disclosed.

Abstract: A directional input device with a light directing shaft that avoids wear and tear caused by physical contact between a shaft and a sensor surface. A directional input device according to the present teachings includes a light emitter and a shaft having a surface that reflects light from the light emitter. A directional input device according to the present teachings further includes a set of light sensing elements that are positioned to detect a position of the shaft by sensing light reflected from the shaft.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention provide a keyboard apparatus that may include an array of keys including a modifier key associated with one or more modifiable keys. Each modifiable key may include a main label and a secondary label. The secondary label may represent a function accessible by activating the modifiable key in combination with the modifier key. Further, the secondary label may include a light-reactive material visible only upon irradiation with light having a certain predefined wavelength. A light-emitting device may direct light having the predefined wavelength towards the array. A control element, however, may activate the light-emitting device only upon activation of the modifier key. In this manner, the light-emitting device may selectively illuminate the secondary label to assist a user in identifying and accessing the same.

Abstract: An optical scanning unit of a position measuring system for measuring a relative position of a first machine element with respect to a second machine element in a measuring direction. The optical scanning unit includes a support of a scanning grating attached to the first machine element and a detector unit attached separately to the first machine element, wherein a scanning light beam extends from the scanning grating to the detector unit as a free beam.

Abstract: A keypad assembly includes a keypad having at least one elastic layer and at least one key button on the elastic layer, a waveguide for transmitting and guiding light therethrough, the waveguide being placed below the elastic layer and having at least one reflection pattern to reflect light toward a respective key button, and a switch substrate under the waveguide and having at least one switch corresponding to the respective key button.

Abstract: Wind instrument includes a tubular body having a plurality of tone holes, and a plurality of keys capable of opening and closing the tone holes. Via a retaining member, detector units are provided within the tubular body in corresponding relation to the keys, and each of the detector units is generally opposed to the back surface of the corresponding key. Each of the detector units detects a relative distance to the back surface and outputs an electrical signal, on the basis of which an opening/closing state of the key can be detected. The retaining member, accommodated in the tubular body, positions and retains each of the detector units in such a manner that the keys and tubular body and the individual detector units are kept in non-contacting relation to each other.

Abstract: Optics are utilized in an input device such as a mouse or keyboard, for example, to detect a condition of one or more selection indicators, such as whether a key or button has been depressed or a scroll wheel has been rotated. Depressing a key, clicking a button and/or rotating a scroll wheel cause one or more optical signals to be reflected from the corresponding selection indicator onto an optical detector. The optical detector generates electrical signals in response to the light received by the optical detector. A computational device of the input device processes the electrical signals to determine whether a key or button has been depressed, whether a scroll wheel has been rotated, etc. The corresponding information is then input to a computer that is interfaced with the input device.

Abstract: A keyboard comprising a plurality of transparent keys. In use, the keyboard is attached to a device such as a mobile device, to overlie a display screen of the device. One or more images displayed on the display screen are made visible to a user through the keys, which may be pressed by a user. User input is determined by identifying a pressed key, and the image or part thereof visible through the key when pressed.