Keyboard with antenna and sensor

A keyboard including a substrate and a key structure is provided. The key structure is disposed on the substrate and includes a keycap, an antenna, and a sensor. The keycap is disposed on the substrate, and a length of the keycap is greater than a width of the keycap. The antenna is disposed on a back surface of the keycap facing toward the substrate. The sensor is disposed below the keycap and is electrically connected with the antenna.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a keyboard, and particularly relates to a keyboard having a sensor.

2. Description of Related Art

With the development of technology, many portable information devices have been developed, such as laptop computers, mobile phones, or personal digital assistants, and users utilize a keyboard, mouse, and other input devices to communicate with the electronic devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a keyboard capable of executing a specific function according to a sensing result of a sensor.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a keyboard includes a substrate and a key structure. The key structure is disposed on the substrate and includes a keycap, an antenna, and a sensor. The keycap is disposed on the substrate, and a length of the keycap is greater than a width of the keycap. The antenna is disposed on a back surface of the keycap facing toward the substrate. The sensor is disposed below the keycap and is electrically connected with the antenna.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the sensor includes a proximity sensor, and when the proximity sensor is conducted, the antenna serves as a sensing antenna of the proximity sensor.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the keyboard further includes an electronic assembly electrically connected with the sensor. The sensor converts an operation mode of the electronic assembly in response to a change sensed by the antenna.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the substrate includes a main circuit board and a base plate, the base plate is disposed on the main circuit board, the key structure is disposed on the base plate, and the sensor and the electronic assembly are electrically connected with the main circuit board and are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the main circuit board.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the sensor is disposed on the substrate and electrically connected with the antenna, and the sensor and the antenna are respectively located on opposite sides of the substrate.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the antenna is a connection member of the keycap, the connection member is disposed along a length direction of the keycap, and another end of the connection member is connected with the keycap.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the antenna is a reinforcing member of the keycap, and the reinforcing member includes a rod-like or plate-like metal structure fixed on the back surface of the keycap.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the keyboard further includes a sensing circuit board disposed on the back surface of the keycap and electrically connected with the substrate. The sensor is disposed on the sensing circuit board, and the antenna is a conductive pattern on the sensing circuit board.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a keyboard includes a substrate and a key structure. The substrate includes a main circuit board and a base plate disposed on the main circuit board. The key structure is disposed on the base plate and includes a keycap, a sensor, a connection member, and an antenna. The keycap is disposed on the substrate. The sensor is disposed on and electrically connected with the main circuit board. The connection member is movably disposed between the base plate and the keycap. The keycap moves relative to the base plate by using the connection member, and the connection member is electrically connected with the sensor.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the keyboard further includes an electronic assembly electrically connected with the sensor and electrically connected with the main circuit board, respectively.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the key structure further includes a reinforcing member fixed to the back surface of the keycap. A length of the keycap is greater than a width of the keycap, and the reinforcing member is located in a relatively central region of the keycap.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a keyboard includes a substrate and a key structure. The key structure is disposed on the substrate and includes a keycap, a sensing circuit board, a proximity sensor, and an antenna. The keycap is disposed on the substrate, and a length of the keycap is greater than a width of the keycap. The sensing circuit board is disposed on a back surface of the keycap facing toward the substrate, electrically connected with the substrate, and includes a sensor electrically connected to an antenna disposed on the back surface of the keycap.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the keyboard further includes an electronic assembly electrically connected with the sensor. The electronic assembly and the sensor are disposed on opposite sides of the substrate.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the antenna is a conductive pattern on the sensing circuit board, and the sensor includes a proximity sensor.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the key structure further includes a connection member movably disposed between the substrate and the keycap, and the connection member is electrically connected with the sensor.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the key structure further includes a reinforcing member disposed on the back surface of the keycap and electrically connected with the sensor.

Based on the above, in the embodiments of the invention, the antenna is disposed on the back surface of the key structure in which the length of the keycap of the key structure is greater than the width of the keycap of the key structure, and the antenna is electrically connected with the sensor, so as to serve as the sensing antenna of the sensor. With such configuration, in the embodiments of the invention, the key structure having a greater back surface space is used to dispose the antenna of the sensor. Therefore, the keyboard is capable of automatically converting the operation state of the specific electronic assembly according to whether the sensed object enters the sensing area. Accordingly, the operation of the electronic device becomes more flexible, and the power consumption is reduced.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG.1is a schematic top view illustrating a keyboard according to an embodiment of the invention.FIG.2is a schematic view illustrating a keyboard according to an embodiment of the invention.FIG.3is a schematic partial cross-sectional view illustrating a keyboard according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIGS.1to3, in an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a keyboard10includes a substrate110and a key structure100disposed on the substrate110. In the embodiment, the key structure100may include a keycap120, an antenna130, and a sensor140. In general, the keyboard10may include a plurality of key structures100and100′. The keyboard structure100′ is classified as a normal-sized key (also known as a standard key), whereas the key structure100is classified as a key greater in length (also known as a multiple-width key). In some embodiments, the length of the key structure100is substantially greater than the width of the key structure100. More specifically, the keycap120of the key structure100is disposed on the substrate100, and a length L1of the keycap120is substantially greater than a width W1of the keycap120. In some embodiments, the length of the keycap of the key structure100′ is substantially the same as the width of the keycap of the key structure100′. In other words, a length-to-width ratio of the keycap of the key structure100is greater than a length-to-width ratio of the keycap the key structure100′.

The key structures100and100′ are provided for the user to press with a finger to generate a corresponding signal to a computer, so that the computer may execute a function corresponding to the pressed key. In general, by pressing the key structure100′, a symbol (such as an English letter), or a numeral may be input or a specific function (e.g., F1 to F12, DEL, etc.) may be executed, and by pressing the key structure100, a specific function (e.g., Space, Caps Lock, Shift, Enter, etc.) may be executed. In the embodiment, the key structure100may be a space bar, for example. However, the invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the key structure100may also be another multiple-width key such as Shift or Enter. In the embodiment, the keyboard10may be a keyboard for a laptop computer. However, the invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the keyboard10may be coupled to a controller, such as a computer, a terminal, a console (e.g., a gaming console). The controller may execute a program or be connected to a service provider, such as a server, a network, or the Internet, so as to execute or provide a program to a device.

As shown inFIGS.2and3, the substrate110may include a main circuit board112of the keyboard10to receive and transmit signals corresponding to the input functions the keys (keyboard matrix signals) which various keys (e.g., the key structure100and the key structure100′) trigger. The substrate110may also control an operation mode of a specific electronic assembly. In some embodiments, the substrate110may further include a base plate114. The base plate114may, for example, be disposed above the main circuit board112to provide mechanical support to the main circuit board112and the entire key structures. In some embodiments, the key structures100and100′ are disposed on the base plate114, and the sensor140and the electronic assembly may be disposed below the base plate114. The base plate114may be a metal plate (e.g., a stainless steel plate, a galvanized steel plate, an aluminum plate, or an Al—Mg alloy plate). However, the embodiment is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the base plate114may also be made of a non-metal plate material (e.g., a plastic plate, a carbon fiber plate, or a glass fiber plate) or a composite material plate formed by bonding metal and non-metal materials, so as to prevent the metal base plate from interfering the sensing of the antenna. The composite base plate is, for example, formed by firstly performing a surface treatment on a metal material to facilitate the activity level and the bonding force and then integrating the metal material with a non-metal material by injection molding.

In the embodiment, the keyboard10may be a membrane keyboard, and the keyboard structures100and100′ further include a membrane circuit layer190, a trigger member122, and a connector170disposed between the keycap120and the base plate114. The membrane circuit layer190is located on the base plate114, and has a switch corresponding to each key. The trigger member122is disposed between the keycap120and the membrane circuit layer190in correspondence with the switch of each key. The connector170is, for example, a scissor-type mechanism, and the two ends of the connector170are respectively movably connected with the keycap120and the base plate114, so as to assist the keycap120to move upward and downward with respect to the base plate110. When the keycap120is pressed, the trigger member122receives a force and moves downward to press against the switch of the membrane circuit layer190, so as to generate a trigger signal and input a command. Once the force applied to the keycap120is removed, the trigger member122or the connector170may drive the keycap120to return to the original position. In some embodiments, the keyboard10further includes an electronic assembly160. The electronic assembly160is, for example, disposed on the main circuit board112and located below the base plate114, and may be electrically connected with the sensor140via the main circuit board112.

Referring toFIGS.1to3, in the key structure100, the antenna130is disposed on a back surface BS of the keycap120facing toward the substrate110. A top surface TS of the keycap120opposite to the bottom surface BS is provided for the user to press to execute a corresponding function of the pressed keycap120. The sensor140is disposed on the substrate110and located below the keycap120, and is electrically connected with the antenna130. In the embodiment, the sensor140may be disposed below the main circuit board112and electrically connected with the main circuit board112. In other words, the sensor140and the electronic assembly160may be respectively disposed on the opposite (upper and lower) sides of the main circuit board112and electrically connected with the main circuit board112. The sensor140includes a proximity sensor, and the antenna130is electrically connected with the proximity sensor140. In such a structural configuration, when the proximity sensor140is conducted, the antenna130forms a sensing field to serve as a sensing antenna of the proximity sensor140.

Specifically, when a sensed object (e.g., the user's hand) approaches the sensing field, the sensing field may change. A signal processing unit of the sensor140thus determines that the sensed object is within a sensing distance according to the change of the sensing field and outputs a sensing signal. In some embodiments, the electronic assembly160electrically connected with the sensor140may be a light emitting assembly, a wireless assembly, an ID identification assembly, or a circuit with a specific function (e.g., a wake-up circuit or a start circuit) of the keyboard10. In such a structural configuration, when the sensed object enters the sensing field, the signal processing unit of the sensor140may output a sensing signal in correspondence with the change of the sensing field, so as to convert the operation mode of the electronic assembly or the circuit with a specific function.

Taking the case where the light emitting assembly (electronic assembly160) is electrically connected with the sensor140as an example, the light emitting assembly is disposed below the key structure100to provide a light source, so that a light beam can be emitted from the back surface of the key structure100to provide indication or demonstrate diversified visual effects. When the signal processing unit outputs the sensing signal, the control unit (not shown) of the keyboard10may drive the light emitting assembly (electronic assembly160) to emit light according to the sensing signal, so as to turn on the light emitting function of the keyboard10. In addition, when the sensed object moves away from the sensing field formed by the antenna130to exit the sensing distance, the sensor140may also sense the change of the sensing field and notify the control unit of the keyboard10to stop driving the light emitting assembly (electronic assembly160) and thereby turn off the light emitting function of the keyboard10. Accordingly, the keyboard10is capable of turning on or off the light emitting function according to whether the sensed object enters the sensing distance. Of course, the embodiment merely serves as an example and the embodiment is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the keyboard10may convert the operation mode of any applicable electronic assembly according to the sensing signal, such as turning on a wireless assembly or an ID identification assembly. In other embodiments, the control unit of the keyboard10may further transmit a command to a power wakeup circuit of the electronic device (e.g., a desktop computer or a laptop computer) connected with the keyboard10according to the sensing signal, so that the electronic device may exit a hibernate mode or a sleep mode.

In some embodiments, the keyboard10may also be provided with multiple sensors140that respectively correspond to different key structures100. In other words, the keyboard10may include a plurality of key structures100(such as a key structure1001and a key structure1002shown inFIG.1). As an example, the key structure1001may be a space bar, and the key structure1002may be an Enter key or other multiple-width keys. Accordingly, the antennas130of the key structures1001and1002may respectively form the corresponding sensing fields and may be respectively connected with the corresponding sensors140. In such a structural configuration, the two or more sensors140may cooperate with each other to generate more different commands, so as to convert among a greater number of different operation modes of any applicable electronic assembly.

For example, when the sensed object (e.g., the user's right hand) approaches the sensing field generated by the key structure1001and then remains still, while another sensed object (e.g., the user's left hand) approaches the key structure1002and then moves (e.g., waving his/her left hand), the electrical fields generated by the antennas130of the key structure1001and the key structure1002are respectively changed. Accordingly, the sensors140of the key structure1001and the key structure1002may respectively output the corresponding sensing signals according to the changes of the corresponding sensing fields (e.g., the sensor140of the key structure1001outputs the first sensing signal and the sensor140of the key structure1002outputs the second sensing signal). Accordingly, the control unit of the keyboard10receives the sensing signals (e.g., the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal) to convert the operation modes of the specific electronic assemblies, such as adjusting the sound volume, adjusting the brightness of the screen, switching the input methods, etc. It should be noted that the embodiment is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the keyboard10may include a microcontroller disposed on the main circuit board112and electrically connected with the main circuit board112. In addition to receiving the sensing signal output by the sensor140to convert the operation mode of the specific electronic assembly (e.g., adjusting the sound volume, adjusting the brightness of the screen, switching the input methods, etc), the microcontroller may also serve to control a lighting effect, a keyboard matrix, etc.

Referring toFIGS.2to3, in some embodiments, the sensor140is disposed on the substrate110and electrically connected with the antenna130. In the embodiment, the sensor140and the antenna130are respectively located on opposite sides of the substrate110. The sensor140, as shown inFIG.3, may be disposed on the lower surface of the substrate110distant from the keycap120, and may be electrically connected with the antenna130located on the back surface of the keycap120via a conductive wire150. The conductive wire150may penetrate through the substrate110(the main circuit board112and the base plate114), so as to be electrically connected with the antenna130on the back surface of the keycap120. In other embodiments, the sensor140may also be electrically connected to the upper surface of the substrate110through a conductive via of the substrate110, and thus be electrically connected with the antenna130via the conductive wire150or via the connector170. The embodiment does not intend to impose a limitation on the electrical connection of the sensor140.

Referring toFIG.2, in the embodiment, the antenna130may include a connection member132of the keycap120. The connection member132is disposed between the substrate110and the keycap120and along the length direction of the keycap120. In addition, one end of the connection member132is connected with the substrate110and the other end of the connection member132is connected with the keycap120. Since the length of the keycap120of the key structure100is greater than the width of the keycap120, the keycap120may easily wobble when the user presses the keycap120, which affects the operation of the key structure100and the pressing feedback of the user. Moreover, if the keycap120is pressed eccentrically, the press stroke of the key structure100may be insufficient to conduct the circuit, so the specific function cannot be executed. Accordingly, the connection member132is arranged to extend along the length direction of the keycap120. By doing so, the lateral drivability of the keycap120can be facilitated, and the wobbling that occurs as the keycap120moves can be alleviated. As a result, the keycap120can be operated more smoothly. The connection member132may be movably disposed between the base plate114and the back surface BS of the keycap120. One end of the connection member132is pivoted to the base plate114of the substrate110, and the other end thereof is pivoted to the keycap120. Accordingly, the connection member132is able to convey the pressing force (load) of the user from one end of the keycap120to the other end through a torque, thereby stabilizing the keycap120in the length direction. In other words, the connection member132may transmit a torque or a load from the end of the keycap120to the center.

In the embodiment, the connection member132includes a metal rod arranged on the back surface BS of the keycap120, and may also serve as the antenna130of the sensor140. In other words, the connection member132disposed on the back surface of the keycap120may be electrically connected with the sensor140to form the sensing field of the sensor140. In some embodiments, the connection member132may include at least one feeder136. The conductive wire150may penetrate through the substrate110(the main circuit board112and the base plate114) and be connected to the feeder136, so that the antenna130(the connection member132) on the back surface BS of the keycap120is electrically connected with the sensor140. Therefore, in the embodiment, the connection member132of the key structure100in which the length of the keycap is greater than the width of the keycap is used as the antenna130of the sensor140. The keyboard10is capable of automatically converting the operation state of the specific electronic assembly (e.g., turning on or off the light emitting function) according to whether the sensed object enters the sensing area. Accordingly, the operation of the electronic device becomes more flexible, and the power consumption is reduced. Besides, by using the connection member132extending along the length direction of the keycap120as the antenna130, the sensing range is increased.

In some embodiments, the antenna130may also include a reinforcing member134on the keycap120. The reinforcing member134is disposed on the back surface BS of the keycap120. Since the length of the keycap120of the key structure100of the embodiment is greater than the width of the keycap120, by disposing the reinforcing member134on the back surface BS of the keycap120, the key structure100may be provided with additional support and mechanical stability. The reinforcing member134is, for example, a rod-like or a plate-like metal structure fixed to a relatively central region of the keycap120and is not connected with the base plate114of the substrate110. In other words, the location where the connection member134and the keycap120are connected is located on the outer side of the reinforcing member134, so that the reinforcing member134may reinforce the strength of the central region of the keycap120and reduce the deformation when the keycap120is pressed. In the embodiment, the reinforcing member134may also serve as the antenna130of the sensor140. In other words, the reinforcing member134disposed on the back surface of the keycap120may be electrically connected with the sensor140to form the sensing field of the sensor140, so as to automatically convert the operation state of the specific electronic assembly according to whether the sensed object enters the sensing region. Similarly, the reinforcing member134may include at least one feeder136. The conductive wire150may penetrate through the substrate110(the main circuit board112and the base plate114) and be connected to the feeder136, so that the reinforcing member134on the back surface BS of the keycap120is electrically connected with the sensor140. In some embodiments, the connection member132and the reinforcing member134of the keycap120both could serve as the antenna130of the sensor140(i.e., being electrically connected with the sensor140respectively), or only one of the connection member132and the reinforcing member134serves the antenna130of the sensor140.

FIG.4is a schematic partial bottom view illustrating a keyboard according to an embodiment of the invention.FIG.5Ais a schematic top view illustrating a sensing circuit board according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG.5Bis a schematic bottom view illustrating a sensing circuit board according to an embodiment of the invention.FIG.6is a schematic partial cross-sectional view illustrating a keyboard according to an embodiment of the invention. It should be noted that a key structure100aof the embodiment is similar to the key structure100ofFIGS.2and3. Therefore, the reference numerals and a part of the contents in the previous embodiment are used in the embodiment, the identical reference numerals indicate identical or similar components, and repeated description of the same technical contents is omitted. For a detailed description of the omitted parts, reference can be found in the previous embodiment, so such description will not be repeated in the embodiment. Referring toFIGS.4to6, the following descriptions will focus on the difference between the key structure100aof the embodiment and the key structure100shown inFIGS.2and3.

Referring toFIGS.4to6, in the embodiment, the key structure100afurther includes a sensing circuit board180. The sensing circuit board180is disposed on the back surface BS of the keycap120. In addition, a sensor140ais electrically connected with and disposed on the sensing circuit board180, and the sensing circuit board180is electrically connected with the main circuit board112of the substrate110. In some embodiments, the sensing circuit board180may be disposed in an empty area between the connection member132and the reinforcing member134. For example, the sensing circuit board180may be attached to the back surface BS of the keycap120and may be electrically connected with the main circuit board112of the substrate110via a conductive wire150a. In the embodiment ofFIG.3, the sensor140is disposed on the main circuit board112and connected to the antenna130on the back surface BS of the keycap120, so the conductive wire150in the embodiment ofFIG.3is a signal line for transmitting signals. In the embodiments ofFIGS.4to6, the sensor140ais disposed on the sensing circuit board180on the back surface BS of the keycap120, so the conductive wire150aof the embodiment should be a power wire. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto.

As shown inFIGS.4to6, an antenna130amay be a conductive pattern formed on the sensing circuit board180. In other words, the antenna130a(i.e., the portion marked with oblique lines inFIG.5A) may be a circuit structure (e.g., a copper foil circuit or a sliver paste circuit) formed on or inside the sensing circuit board180or a solid pad formed on the surface of the sensing circuit board180. It should be noted that, in the embodiment, the antenna130amay be formed on an upper surface182of the sensing circuit board180attached to the back surface BS of the keycap120, and may be electrically connected with the sensor140aon a lower surface184by using a via (feeder136a), etc. In other embodiments, the antenna130amay also be formed on the lower surface184of the sensing circuit board180provided to dispose the sensor140a. In other words, the antenna130aand the sensor140amay be disposed on the same surface of the sensing circuit board180, and may also be respectively disposed on the opposite surfaces of the sensing circuit board180. The embodiment does not intend to impose a limitation on this regard. In other embodiments, it may also be that the sensing circuit board180is not provided with the conductive pattern that serves as an antenna. By electrically connecting the sensor140adisposed on the sensing circuit board180to the connection member132and/or the reinforcing member134on the back surface BS of the keycap120, the connection member132and/or the reinforcing member134may serve as the antenna of the sensor140a.

FIG.7is a schematic partial bottom view illustrating a keyboard according to an embodiment of the invention. It should be noted that a key structure100bof the embodiment is similar to the key structure100aofFIGS.4to6. Therefore, the reference numerals and a part of the contents in the previous embodiment are used in the embodiment, the identical reference numerals indicate identical or similar components, and repeated description of the same technical contents is omitted. For a detailed description of the omitted parts, reference can be found in the previous embodiment, so such description will not be repeated in the embodiment. Referring toFIG.7, the following descriptions will focus on the difference between the key structure100bof the embodiment and the key structure100ashown inFIGS.4to6.

Referring toFIG.7, in the embodiment, a sensing circuit board180bmay be disposed on the back surface BS of the keycap120. In addition, a sensor140bis electrically connected with and disposed on the sensing circuit board180bthat is electrically connected with the main circuit board112of the substrate110. In the embodiment, the sensing circuit board180bmay substantially cover the back surface BS of the keycap120, and a corresponding opening OP may be formed on the sensing circuit board180b, so as to give space to the connection member132and/or the reinforcing member134that may be structurally interfered with the sensing circuit board180b. In another embodiment, the opening OP may not be formed in the sensing circuit board180bat the location corresponding to the reinforcing member134. In other words, the majority of the back surface BS of the keycap120is covered by the sensing circuit board180b, so as to, in place of the reinforcing member134, facilitate the structural strength of the central region of the keycap120.

The sensing circuit board180bmay be attached to the back surface BS of the keycap120and may be electrically connected with the main circuit board112of the substrate110via a conductive wire. Similar to the embodiment shown inFIG.5AandFIG.5B, the antenna of the sensor140bmay be formed as a conductive pattern on the sensing circuit board180b. The antenna and the sensor140bmay be disposed on the same surface of the sensing circuit board180bor disposed on opposite surfaces of the sensing circuit board180band then establishing electrical connection through a via, for example. The embodiment does not intend to impose a limitation on this regard. In other embodiments, it may also be that the sensor140bis electrically connected with the connection member132and/or the reinforcing member134on the back surface BS of the keycap120to use the connection member132and/or the reinforcing member134as the antenna130of the sensor140b.

The sensor140aand the sensor140bof the key structure100aand the key structure100bmay operate independently to convert the operation mode of the assembly or circuit with a specific function according to the change of the sensing field. In some embodiments, the number of the sensors and the number of the antennas may respectively be plural. The sensors are respectively electrically connected with the corresponding antennas, and the sensors may cooperate with each other. In such a structural configuration, the two or more sensors may cooperate with each other to generate a greater number of different commands, so as to convert among a greater number of different operation modes of any applicable electronic assembly. The embodiment does not intend to impose a limitation on this regard.

In view of the foregoing, in the embodiments of the invention, the antenna is disposed on the back surface of the key structure in which the length of the keycap of the key structure is greater than the width of the keycap of the key structure, and the antenna is electrically connected with the sensor, so as to serve as the sensing antenna of the sensor. With the configuration, such key structure (the length of the keycap being greater than the width of the keycap) is provided with a greater back space to dispose the antenna of the sensor. Therefore, the keyboard is capable of automatically converting the operation state of the specific electronic assembly (e.g., turning on or off the light emitting function) according to whether the sensed object enters the sensing area. Accordingly, the operation of the electronic device becomes more flexible, and the power consumption is reduced.