Abstract: An optical encoder for which improved robustness is sought comprises: a movable part bearing a scattering zone and an absorbing zone, a light emitter that is positioned to emit light radiation in the direction of the movable part, a sensor that is sensitive to the light emitted by the emitter, the sensor being positioned to detect light radiation that is reflected by the scattering zone, the movement of the movable part making it possible to place either the scattering zone or the absorbing zone on an optical path between the emitter and the sensor, and an optical waveguide that is transparent to the light radiation and that is passed through by the optical path.

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: 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: An optical encoder for which improved robustness is sought comprises: a movable part bearing a scattering zone and an absorbing zone, a light emitter that is positioned to emit light radiation in the direction of the movable part, a sensor that is sensitive to the light emitted by the emitter, the sensor being positioned to detect light radiation that is reflected by the scattering zone, the movement of the movable part making it possible to place either the scattering zone or the absorbing zone on an optical path between the emitter and the sensor, and an optical waveguide that is transparent to the light radiation and that is passed through by the optical path.