Abstract:
A light-transmissible keycap and the manufacturing method thereof are provided. The light-transmissible keycap has multiple light-transmissible symbol areas, and each light-transmissible symbol area has at least one character assigned with a color. Each light-transmissible symbol area is covered with only one light-transmissible color layer. Thus, when an external light is emitted from a light source beneath the keycap, the external light will only pass through one light-transmissible color layer covering that light-transmissible symbol area, and not pass through the light-transmissible color layer covering the other light-transmissible symbol area. Therefore, a bleeding problem due to multiple light-transmissible color layers overlapped and covering the same light-transmissible symbol area is avoided.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a manufacturing method of a keyboard, and more particularly, to a light-transmissible keycap and a manufacturing method thereof. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Keyboards are one of indispensable peripheral equipment of computers for inputting instructions to computers. A keycap of a key switch on a keyboard is marked with symbols and characters according to its function, so as to allow users to identify and select the appropriate key switch for inputting instructions to the computer easily. 
     According to specifications of a conventional keyboard, a keycap is marked with symbols and characters of different input methods. As for a conventional non-luminous keyboard, symbols and characters of different input methods can be sprayed or stuck on the keycaps with different colors, so as to allow users to identify the keycaps easily. 
     When symbols and characters are sprayed on the keycaps, it is required to repeat the spraying process many times to represent symbols and characters of different input methods with different colors because there is only one color allowed at a time in each the spraying process, which increases manufacturing cost. When the symbols and characters are stuck on the keycaps, it is not required to execute a sticking process repeatedly, but the stickers on the keycaps are easy to fall off during a using process, which affects identification of the keycaps. 
     Besides, as for a conventional luminous keyboard, symbols and characters can be represented by different colors of light. However, conventional light-transmissible color layers disposed on a light-transmissible keycap interfere with each other and affect an actual color of light, such that colors corresponding to different input methods are distorted, which affects aesthetics and identification of the conventional keycap. That&#39;s called a bleeding problem. Therefore, there is a need to design a light-transmissible keycap to solve the bleeding problem as mentioned above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is to provide a light-transmissible keycap and a manufacturing method thereof, so as to solve the drawbacks as mentioned above. 
     According to the claimed invention, a manufacturing method for a light-transmissible keycap is disclosed. The light-transmissible keycap includes a first light-transmissible symbol area and a second light-transmissible symbol area. The manufacturing method includes the following steps: S 1 : providing a light-transmissible keycap body having a first predetermined area and a second predetermined area, the first predetermined area enclosing the first light-transmissible symbol area, the second predetermined area enclosing the second light-transmissible symbol area; S 2 : disposing a first light-transmissible color layer on the light-transmissible keycap body, the first light-transmissible color layer covering at least the first predetermined area but not covering the second predetermined area, the first light-transmissible color layer having a first color; S 3 : disposing a first dark color layer on the first light-transmissible color layer, the first dark color layer covering at least the first predetermined area, but not covering the second predetermined area; S 4 : providing a second light-transmissible color layer covering both the first dark color layer and the second predetermined area, the second light-transmissible color layer having a second color, the first color being different from the second color; S 5 : providing a second dark color layer covering the second light-transmissible color layer; S 6 : removing part of the second dark color layer, part of the second light-transmissible color layer, and part of the first dark color layer to expose part of the first light-transmissible color layer corresponding to the first light-transmissible symbol area, so as to make the first light-transmissible symbol area emit the first color light when an external light passes through the light-transmissible keycap; and S 7 : removing part of the second dark color layer to expose the second light-transmissible color layer corresponding to the second light-transmissible symbol area, so as to make the second light-transmissible symbol area emit the second color light when the external light passes through the light-transmissible keycap. 
     According to the claim invention, a light-transmissible keycap having a first light-transmissible symbol area and a second light-transmissible symbol area is disclosed and includes a light-transmissible keycap body, a first light-transmissible color layer, a first dark color layer, a second light-transmissible color layer, and a second dark color layer. The light-transmissible keycap body has a first predetermined area and a second predetermined area. The first predetermined area encloses the first light-transmissible symbol area. The second predetermined area encloses the second light-transmissible symbol area. The first light-transmissible color layer is disposed on the light-transmissible keycap body. The first light-transmissible color layer covers at least the first predetermined area but does not cover the second predetermined area. The first light-transmissible color layer has a first color. The first dark color layer is disposed on the first light-transmissible color layer. The first dark color layer covers at least first predetermined area but does not cover the second predetermined area. The first dark color layer has a first hollow pattern corresponding to the first light-transmissible symbol area. The second light-transmissible color layer covers the first dark color layer and the second predetermined area. The second light-transmissible color layer has a second color. The first color is different from the second color. The second light-transmissible color layer has a second hollow pattern corresponding to the first light-transmissible symbol area and communicating with the first hollow pattern. The second dark color layer covers the second light-transmissible color layer. The second dark color layer has a third hollow pattern corresponding to the first light-transmissible symbol area and communicating with the second hollow pattern, so as to expose an outer surface of the first light-transmissible color layer through the first hollow pattern, the second hollow pattern, and the third hollow pattern, and the second dark color layer has a fourth hollow pattern corresponding to the second light-transmissible symbol area, so as to expose an outer surface of the second light-transmissible color layer through the fourth hollow pattern. When an external light passes through the light-transmissible keycap, the first light-transmissible symbol area emit a light with the first color and the second light-transmissible symbol area emit a light with the second color. 
     In summary, when the external light passes through the light-transmissible keycap of the present invention, the different light-transmissible symbol areas corresponding to different input methods display different colors, such that it is easy for users to identify the appropriate symbols or characters corresponding to the input methods. Furthermore, when the external light passes through the light-transmissible keycap, the light will pass through the different light-transmissible color layers individually, and the light passing through the light-transmissible color layer will not be affected by other light travelling from other light-transmissible color layers. Therefore, the colors corresponding to the different light-transmissible symbol areas are regular, which solves the bleeding problem of the light-transmissible keycap in the prior art. 
     These and other objectives of the present invention will no doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment that is illustrated in the various figures and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a flow chart of a manufacturing method of a light-transmissible keycap of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2A  is a top view diagram of a light-transmissible keycap body according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2B  is a top view diagram of a light-transmissible keycap body according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2C  is a top view diagram of a light-transmissible keycap body according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3A  is a sectional diagram of the light-transmissible keycap body along A-A line shown in  FIG. 2A  according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3B  is a sectional diagram of the light-transmissible keycap body along B-B line shown in  FIG. 2C  according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4A  to  FIG. 4G  are sectional diagrams of the light-transmissible keycap manufactured by the light-transmissible keycap body shown in  FIG. 3A  in steps of a manufacturing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view diagram of the light-transmissible keycap according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram of the light-transmissible keycap shown in  FIG. 5  with a scissor structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective diagram of the light-transmissible keycap according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective diagram of the light-transmissible keycap according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back, ” etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. The components of the present invention can be positioned in a number of different orientations. As such, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. 
     Please refer to  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  is a flow chart of a manufacturing method of a light-transmissible keycap of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the manufacturing method of the light-transmissible keycap including a first light-transmissible symbol area and a second light-transmissible symbol area of the present invention includes the following steps: 
     S 1 : providing a light-transmissible keycap body, the light-transmissible keycap body having a first predetermined area and a second predetermined area, the first predetermined area enclosing the first light-transmissible symbol area, the second predetermined area enclosing the second light-transmissible symbol area; 
     S 2 : disposing a first light-transmissible color layer on the light-transmissible keycap body, the first light-transmissible color layer covering at least the first predetermined area but not covering a second predetermined area, the first light-transmissible color layer having a first color; 
     S 3 : disposing a first dark color layer on the first light-transmissible color layer, the first dark color layer covering at least the first predetermined area, but not covering the second predetermined area; 
     S 4 : providing a second light-transmissible color layer covering both the first dark color layer and the second predetermined area, the second light-transmissible color layer having a second color, the first color being different from the second color; 
     S 5 : providing a second dark color layer covering the second light-transmissible color layer; 
     S 6 : removing part of the second dark color layer, part of the second light-transmissible color layer, and part of the first dark color layer to expose the first light-transmissible color layer corresponding to the first light-transmissible symbol area, so as to make the first light-transmissible symbol area emit the first color light when an external light passes through the light-transmissible keycap; and 
     S 7 : removing part of the second dark color layer to expose the second light-transmissible color layer corresponding to the second light-transmissible symbol area, so as to make the second light-transmissible symbol area emit the second color light when the external light passes through the light-transmissible keycap. 
     Please refer to  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 5  is a top view diagram of the light-transmissible keycap according to the first embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6  is a diagram of the light-transmissible keycap shown in  FIG. 5  with a scissor structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the light-transmissible keycap of the present invention includes a light-transmissible keycap body  11 , first light-transmissible color layer  122 , a first dark color layer  121 , a second light-transmissible color layer  131 , and a second dark color layer  132 . 
     Please refer to  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 3A .  FIG. 2A  is a top view diagram of the light-transmissible keycap body  11  according to the first embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3A  is a sectional diagram of the light-transmissible keycap body  11  along A-A line shown in  FIG. 2A  according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to step S 1 ,  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 3A , the light-transmissible keycap body  11  includes a first light-transmissible symbol area  21  and a second light-transmissible symbol area  22 . The first light-transmissible symbol area  21  includes at least one character corresponding to a first input method. The second light-transmissible symbol area  22  includes at least one character corresponding to a second input method. For example, in this embodiment, the first input method is Chinese input method, and the first light-transmissible symbol area  21  includes three characters, which are “           ”, “         ”, and “         ” corresponding to Chinese input method. The second input method is English input method, and the second light-transmissible symbol area  22  includes one character, which is “D” corresponding to English input method. Predetermined areas of the characters of the first light-transmissible symbol area  21  and the second light-transmissible symbol area  22  are indicated by dashed lines. It should be noticed that the light-transmissible keycap body  11  can include different characters corresponding to different input methods according to actual requirement, and it is not limited to this embodiment.
     Please refer to  FIG. 4A  to  FIG. 4G .  FIG. 4A  to  FIG. 4G  are sectional diagrams of the light-transmissible keycap manufactured by the light-transmissible keycap body  11  shown in  FIG. 3A  in steps of a manufacturing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to step S 2  shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4A , the first light-transmissible color layer  122  can be disposed on the light-transmissible keycap body  11  by pad printing or screen printing. The first light-transmissible color layer  122  covers at least the first predetermined area but does not cover the second predetermined area. Since the first light-transmissible color layer has a first color, when an external light passes through the light-transmissible keycap body  11 , the first light-transmissible color layer  122  allows the first light-transmissible symbol area  21  to emit a first color light λ1 with the first color for displaying the character corresponding to the first input method. 
     Referring to step S 3  shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4B , the first dark color layer  121  can be disposed on the first light-transmissible color layer  122  by pad printing or screen printing. The first dark color layer  121  covers at least the first predetermined area but does not cover the second predetermined area. Preferably, the first dark color layer  121  can be made from material in black or deep dark color. It should be noted that the first light-transmissible color layer  122  and the first dark color layer  121  can form a double layer color block  12  integrally in another embodiment 
     Referring to step S 4  shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4C , the second light-transmissible color layer  132  can be disposed by out mold printing for covering the light-transmissible keycap in above-mentioned step S 3 , i.e., the second light-transmissible color layer  132  covers the first dark color layer  121  and the second predetermined area. As shown in  FIG. 6 , since the second light-transmissible color layer has a second color, when the external light passes through the light-transmissible keycap body  11 , the second light-transmissible color layer  132  allows the second light-transmissible symbol area  22  to emit a second color light λ2 with the second color for displaying the character corresponding to the second input method. It should be noticed that the first color is different from the second color, such that the first color light λ1 is different from the second color light λ2. 
     Referring to step S 5  shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4D , the second dark color layer  131  can be disposed by out mold printing for covering the light-transmissible keycap in the above-mentioned step S 4 , i.e., the second dark color layer  131  covers the second light-transmissible color layer  132 . Preferably, the second dark color layer  131  can be made from material in black or deep dark color. It should be noticed that, in another embodiment, the second light-transmissible color layer  132  and the second dark color layer  131  can be provided by a double layer covering film  13 . The double layer covering film  13  can be disposed by out mold decoration (OMD) for covering the light-transmissible keycap body  11  and the first dark color layer  121 . In such a way, step S 4  and step S 5  can be integrated into one single step. 
     Referring to step S 6  shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4E , part of the second dark color layer  131 , part of the second light-transmissible color layer  132 , and part of the first dark color layer  121  corresponding to the first predetermined area are removed by laser caving, so as to form a third hollow pattern  1311  on the second dark color layer  131 , a second hollow pattern  1321  on the second light-transmissible color layer  132 , and a first hollow pattern  1211  on the first dark color layer  121 . The first hollow pattern  1211  and the second hollow pattern  1321  and the third hollow pattern  1311  are communicated with one another, so as to expose the first light-transmissible color layer  122  through the first hollow pattern  1211 , the second hollow pattern  1321 , and the third hollow pattern  1311  and to form the first light-transmissible symbol area  21  indicated by a solid line and shown in  FIG. 5 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , when the external light passes through the light-transmissible keycap body  11  from a bottom side of the light-transmissible keycap body  11 , the first light-transmissible color layer  122  allows the first light-transmissible symbol area  21  to emit the first color light λ1. The first color light λ1 with the first color is defined by the first light-transmissible color layer  122  with the first color and not affected by the second light-transmissible color layer  132  with the second color. It should be noticed that during the above-mentioned laser caving process, the second dark color layer  131  and the first dark color layer  121  absorb laser energy to burn out. Therefore, the second light-transmissible color layer  132  above the first dark color layer  121  is removed, and the first light-transmissible color layer  122  beneath the first dark color layer  121  is retained accordingly. 
     Referring to step S 7  shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4F , part of the second dark color layer  131  corresponding to the second predetermined area is removed by laser caving to form a fourth hollow pattern  1312  on the second dark color layer  131 , so as to expose the second light-transmissible color layer  132  through the fourth hollow pattern  1312  and to form the second light-transmissible symbol area  22  indicated by a solid line and shown in  FIG. 5 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , when the external light passes through the second light-transmissible symbol area  22  on the light-transmissible keycap body  11  from the bottom side of the light-transmissible keycap body  11 , the light passes through the second light-transmissible color layer  132  only, such that the second light-transmissible symbol area  22  emits the second color light λ2 different from the first color light λ1. The second color light λ2 with the second color is defined by the second light-transmissible color layer  132  with the second color and not affected by the color the first light-transmissible color layer  122  with the first color. It should be noticed that during the above-mentioned laser caving process, the second dark color layer  131  absorbs the laser energy to burn out, but the second light-transmissible color layer  132  is retained. 
     Furthermore, in this embodiment, the manufacturing method of the light-transmissible keycap can further include a step of utilizing a protecting film  14  for covering at least the double layer covering film  13  after the first light-transmissible color layer  122  is exposed to form the first light-transmissible symbol area  21  (step S 6 ), and the second light-transmissible color layer  132  is exposed to form the second light-transmissible symbol area  22  (step S 7 ). The protecting film  14  covers at least the double layer covering film  13  for protecting the double layer covering film  13 . 
     However, as shown in  FIG. 4D , since the double layer color block  12  is disposed on the first light-transmissible symbol area  21  only instead of an entire top surface of the light-transmissible keycap body  11 , a protruding height H is formed on a top surface of the second dark color layer  131 , which affects aesthetics of the light-transmissible keycap. Therefore, the present invention provides two structural designs of the light-transmissible keycap to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks. 
     The first structural design is described as follows. Please refer to  FIG. 2C  and  FIG. 3B .  FIG. 2C  is a top view diagram of the light-transmissible keycap body  11  according to a third embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3B  is a sectional diagram of the light-transmissible keycap body  11  along B-B line shown in  FIG. 2C  according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 2C  and  FIG. 3C , a slot  111  is formed on the light-transmissible keycap body  11  and corresponding to a predetermined area of the double layer color block  12 . A depth of the slot  111  compensates a part of height of the double layer color block  12 , which reduces the protruding height of the second dark color layer  131  caused by the double layer color block  12 , i.e., a protruding height of the first light-transmissible color layer  122  relative to the top surface of the light-transmissible keycap body  11  is reduced. In this embodiment, the slot  111  can be formed on the predetermined area of the first light-transmissible symbol area  21 , which includes characters of “           ”, “         ”, and “         ” corresponding to Chinese input method, on the light-transmissible keycap body  11 . Please refer to  FIG. 2B .  FIG. 2B  is a top view diagram of the light-transmissible keycap body  11  according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the first light-transmissible symbol area includes a character of “D” corresponding to English input method. Therefore, the slot  111  can be formed on the predetermined area of the first light-transmissible symbol area, which includes the character of “D” corresponding to English input method, on the light-transmissible keycap body  11 .
     The second structural design is described as follows. As shown in  FIG. 4B  to  FIG. 4D , a cross section of the double layer color block  12  can be substantially formed in a trapezoid shape. A long side of the trapezoid shape is closed to the light-transmissible keycap body  11 . Two inclined sides of the trapezoid shape guide the second dark color layer  131  to extend toward a periphery of the double layer color block  12  obliquely and downwardly. In other words, apart of the double layer color block  12  protruding from the top surface of the light-transmissible keycap body  11  is substantially a cubic protruding block. Each of four side surfaces of the cubic protruding block extends outwardly to form a mild inclined surface, and a height of the mild inclined surface is gradually reduced, such that a cross section of the cubic protruding block is gradually increased from top to bottom. In such a way, the light-transmissible keycap of the present invention looks like a tower-shaped base with a flat top surface and four inclined side surfaces. Slopes of the four inclined side surfaces can be constant or gradually reduced. 
     The protruding height of the top surface of the second dark color  131  is reduced by the first structural design. The protruding height of the top surface of the second dark color  131  is visually hidden by the inclined surfaces of the second structural design. Therefore, it is not easy for users to observe the protruding height of the second dark color layer  131  caused by the double layer color block  12  visually, which improves aesthetics of the light-transmissible keycap of the present invention. 
     Furthermore, please refer to  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 7  is a perspective diagram of the light-transmissible keycap according to the first embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 8  is a perspective diagram of the light-transmissible keycap according to another embodiment of the present invention. It should be noticed that a thickness of the double layer color block  12  is exaggerated in the figures of the present invention for easily identifying where the double layer color block  12  is and emphasizing the protruding height of the second dark color layer  131  caused by the double layer color block  12 , such as shown in  FIG. 7 . However, actually, the thickness of the double layer color block  12  is much thinner than the one shown in the figures. Furthermore, when the light-transmissible keycap is with the two above-mentioned structural designs, the exterior appearance of the top surface of the light-transmissible keycap is flat visually, as shown in  FIG. 8 . In other words, the protruding height of the top surface of the second dark color layer  131 , which is shown in  FIG. 8 , is not too obvious, comparing with the one shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     In contrast to the prior art, when light passes through the light-transmissible keycap of the present invention, the different light-transmissible symbol areas corresponding to different input methods display different colors, such that it is easy for users to identify the appropriate symbols or characters corresponding to the input methods. Furthermore, when the light passes through the light-transmissible keycap, the light will pass through the different light-transmissible color layers individually, and the light passing through the light-transmissible color layer will not be affected by other light travelling from other light-transmissible color layers. Therefore, the colors corresponding to the different light-transmissible symbol areas are regular, which solves the bleeding problem of the light-transmissible keycap in the prior art. 
     Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations of the device and method may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes and bounds of the appended claims.