Abstract: A key structure comprising an upper and lower key stem, a rotatable middle key stem including a magnetized element disposed therein, the rotatable middle key stem coupled between and in axial alignment with the upper and lower key stems, and a magnetic field generator configured to steer a magnetic field through the magnetized element of the rotatable middle key stem. The rotatable middle key stem is operable to be longitudinally rotatable between a first and second position, while the upper and lower key stems are rotationally fixed. The generated magnetic field, when at a first setting, applies a first magnetic force on the magnetized element causing the middle key stem to rotate to the first position, and when at a second setting, applies a second magnetic force on the magnetized element causing the middle key stem to rotate to the second position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may encompass electronics assemblies of computer peripheral devices. The assemblies may include an outer top case. The assemblies may include a mechanical support layer disposed on an inner side of the outer top case. The assemblies may include a membrane layer coupled with the mechanical support layer. The membrane layer may include a printed trace on at least one surface of the membrane layer. The assemblies may include a ground plane positioned on an opposite side of the membrane layer as the outer top case such that the mechanical support layer and the membrane layer are disposed between the outer top case and the ground plane.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may encompass electronics assemblies of computer peripheral devices. The assemblies may include a mechanical support layer. The assemblies may include a membrane layer coupled with the mechanical support layer. The membrane layer may include a printed trace on at least one surface of the membrane layer. The assemblies may include an electrical contact that is coupled with the mechanical support layer and that sandwiches the membrane layer between the mechanical support layer and the electrical contact. The electrical contact may be electrically coupled with the printed trace.

Abstract: A keyboard comprising a top case and a bottom case comprised of a transparent material and including: a plurality of recesses each configured to receive one of a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED); a plurality of cavities that extend linearly and radially from a middle portion of the bottom case toward an outer edge of the keyboard, where light emitted by the LEDs is directed radially towards and out of the outer edge of the keyboard, due in part to the emission pattern of the corresponding LED and by adjacent cavities of the plurality of cavities; and a plurality of screw bosses configured to receive screws that securedly couple the top case to the bottom case, wherein the bottom case is coupled to the top case forming an outer housing for the keyboard.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a keyboard key structure includes: a substrate; a key switch, which includes a top housing, a bottom housing. and a key stem. The top housing covers the key stem and is coupled to the bottom housing to form a cavity. The bottom housing is coupled to the substrate. The keyboard key structure further include a keycap including a light transmissive region, the keycap being configured to be coupled to the top housing of the key switch; and a light guide coupled to one side of the cavity of the key switch, the light guide comprising: a flat bottom surface; and a flat top surface wider than and parallel to the bottom surface. The top surface includes uncontinuous, trapezoidal-shaped Fresnel structures at end portions at both ends thereof. A light emitting element is coupled to the substrate and disposed under the bottom surface.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to a keyboard key structure, a light guide for the keyboard key structure, and a computer key mechanism. The keyboard key structure can include a substrate; a key switch where the bottom of the key switch is configured to be coupled to the substrate; a keycap including a transparent region; a light guide coupled to the side of the key switch, the light guide comprising: a bottom surface and a top surface that is wider than and parallel to the bottom surface; a light emitting element coupled to the substrate and configured under the bottom surface of the light guide such that the light emitting element, the light guide, and the transparent region of the key cap are in a collinear arrangement.

Abstract: A system may comprise a printed circuit board (PCB) including a top surface, and a bracket including a top surface configured to receive and couple to a key switch and a bottom surface including at least two protrusions that extend normal to the bottom surface of the bracket. The bracket can be configured to mount to the PCB such that the bottom surface of the bracket is coupled to the top surface of the PCB, and the at least two protrusions may each include conductive leads that couple to the top surface of the PCB. The bracket is configured to only cover a portion of a bottom surface of the key switch when coupled to the key switch. An LED can be mounted to the top surface of the PCB, laterally adjacent to the bracket, and under the key switch at a location not covered by the bracket.

Abstract: A system may comprise a printed circuit board (PCB) including a top surface, and a bracket including a top surface configured to receive and couple to a key switch and a bottom surface including at least two protrusions that extend normal to the bottom surface of the bracket. The bracket can be configured to mount to the PCB such that the bottom surface of the bracket is coupled to the top surface of the PCB, and the at least two protrusions may each include conductive leads that couple to the top surface of the PCB. The bracket is configured to only cover a portion of a bottom surface of the key switch when coupled to the key switch. An LED can be mounted to the top surface of the PCB, laterally adjacent to the bracket, and under the key switch at a location not covered by the bracket.

Abstract: A keyboard comprising a top case and a bottom case comprised of a transparent material and including: a plurality of recesses each configured to receive one of a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED); a plurality of cavities that extend linearly and radially from a middle portion of the bottom case toward an outer edge of the keyboard, where light emitted by the LEDs is directed radially towards and out of the outer edge of the keyboard, due in part to the emission pattern of the corresponding LED and by adjacent cavities of the plurality of cavities; and a plurality of screw bosses configured to receive screws that securedly couple the top case to the bottom case, wherein the bottom case is coupled to the top case forming an outer housing for the keyboard.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to a keyboard key structure, a light guide for the keyboard key structure, and a computer key mechanism. The keyboard key structure can include a substrate; a key switch where the bottom of the key switch is configured to be coupled to the substrate; a keycap including a transparent region; a light guide coupled to the side of the key switch, the light guide comprising: a bottom surface and a top surface that is wider than and parallel to the bottom surface; a light emitting element coupled to the substrate and configured under the bottom surface of the light guide such that the light emitting element, the light guide, and the transparent region of the key cap are in a collinear arrangement.

Abstract: A keyboard comprising a top case and a bottom case comprised of a transparent material and including: a plurality of recesses each configured to receive one of a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED); a plurality of cavities that extend linearly and radially from a middle portion of the bottom case toward an outer edge of the keyboard, where light emitted by the LEDs is directed radially towards and out of the outer edge of the keyboard, due in part to the emission pattern of the corresponding LED and by adjacent cavities of the plurality of cavities; and a plurality of screw bosses configured to receive screws that securedly couple the top case to the bottom case, wherein the bottom case is coupled to the top case forming an outer housing for the keyboard.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to a keyboard key structure, a light guide for the keyboard key structure, and a computer key mechanism. The keyboard key structure can include a substrate; a key switch where the bottom of the key switch is configured to be coupled to the substrate; a keycap including a transparent region; a light guide coupled to the side of the key switch, the light guide comprising: a planar bottom surface and a planar top surface that is wider than and parallel to the bottom surface; a light emitting element coupled to the substrate and configured under the bottom surface of the light guide such that the light emitting element, the light guide, and the transparent region of the key cap are in a collinear arrangement.

Abstract: A system may comprise a printed circuit board (PCB) including a top surface, and a bracket including a top surface configured to receive and couple to a key switch and a bottom surface including at least two protrusions that extend normal to the bottom surface of the bracket. The bracket can be configured to mount to the PCB such that the bottom surface of the bracket is coupled to the top surface of the PCB, and the at least two protrusions may each include conductive leads that couple to the top surface of the PCB. The bracket is configured to only cover a portion of a bottom surface of the key switch when coupled to the key switch. An LED can be mounted to the top surface of the PCB, laterally adjacent to the bracket, and under the key switch at a location not covered by the bracket.

Abstract: A slider structure for a keyboard comprising a housing, a depressible actuator disposed in the housing, and a chambered track configured to receive a balance bar structure, the balance bar structure operable to provide a structural support that resists a key cap coupled to the frame from tilting as a force applied at any point on the top surface of the key cap. When the depressible actuator is depressed, the depressible actuator is operable to push the balance bar structure causing the balance bar structure to rotate within the chambered track. The frame and depressible actuator are comprised of a rigid material and the chambered track is comprised of a compliant material that attenuates sound caused by the rotating of the balance bar structure within the chambered track.

Abstract: An input device having an overlapping key structure includes a plurality of keys, each of the plurality of keys configured to actuate a respective key switch in response to an applied mechanical force; and a key support frame, where each of the plurality of keys includes a spring arm portion coupled to the key support frame at a first end of the each of the plurality of keys such that the each of the plurality of keys deflects through a range of motion in response to the applied mechanical force, and each of the plurality of keys overlaps with another one of the plurality of keys such that each of the plurality of keys is included in an envelope of a two-dimensional cross section of the range of motion of another one of the plurality of keys when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the two-dimensional cross section.

Abstract: This disclosure describes various configurations for a keyboard having multiple key assemblies. Each of the key assemblies includes a keycap and a key stem supporting the keycap that includes a protrusion extending laterally therefrom. A first biasing member supports the key stem and is configured to provide a linear feedback response during actuation of the key assembly. A second biasing member is configured to engage the protrusion during actuation of the key assembly. The second biasing member has a user-configurable feedback response. In some embodiments, the first biasing member can be a compression spring and the second biasing member can be a torsion spring.

Abstract: An input device having an overlapping key structure includes a plurality of keys, each of the plurality of keys configured to actuate a respective key switch in response to an applied mechanical force; and a key support frame, where each of the plurality of keys includes a spring arm portion coupled to the key support frame at a first end of the each of the plurality of keys such that the each of the plurality of keys deflects through a range of motion in response to the applied mechanical force, and each of the plurality of keys overlaps with another one of the plurality of keys such that each of the plurality of keys is included in an envelope of a two-dimensional cross section of the range of motion of another one of the plurality of keys when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the two-dimensional cross section.

Abstract: A roller apparatus for a computer input device, such as a mouse, that has a sturdier support than prior art supports. A scrolling wheel carriage is supported by a PCB for greater stability. An open hook support for the hinge of a wheel carriage angles outward below a retaining point for the hinge. This combines with the hinge being hollowed out, so that upward forces due to variations in PCB thickness cause the hinge to compress while retained by the hook support. The design also provides long side arms for activating microswitches for lateral scrolling, and stoppers for preventing forward and backward slippage.