Patent Publication Number: US-2021173491-A1

Title: Keyboard keys

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     A keyboard can be utilized as an input device for an electronic device. For example, a keyboard can be utilized to provide inputs for letters, numbers, and/or other symbols or characters to an electronic device, among other possibilities. Examples of electronic devices having a keyboard can include laptop computers, desktop computers, and/or mobile devices, among other types of electronic devices. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a cut-away of an example of a key consistent with the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of an example of a key with a wire coil at different positions in a channel consistent with the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of an example of a key with a wire coil being moved from a first position to a second position consistent with the disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of an example of a key with a magnetic plate and a pole plate having opposite poles consistent with the disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of an example of a key consistent with the disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of a cut-away of an example of a portion of a keyboard with keyboard keys consistent with the disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of an example of a key consistent with the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Keyboards can utilize mechanical mechanisms to provide key travel, hold the key parallel to an upper surface of the keyboard, set key feel, and/or register key presses, among other functions. As used herein, the term “keyboard” can, for example, refer to a device utilizing an arrangement of buttons (e.g., keys) to input information into a computing device. For example, a keyboard can utilize mechanical mechanisms such as scissor mechanisms or butterfly mechanisms for operation of keys of the keyboard. Utilizing these mechanisms can allow for keyboards to input characters, such as letters, numbers, and/or other symbols via the keys of the keyboard to a computing device. As used herein, the term “key” can, for example, refer to a switch mechanism to control an input to a computing device. As used herein, the term “computing device” can, for example, refer to a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a server, storage and/or networking equipment, among other types of computing devices. 
     A mechanical mechanism to operate keyboard keys can result in the keyboard being a certain thickness. For example, a mechanical mechanism for a key, as well as a thickness of a backplate and circuit board of the keyboard for operation of the keyboard keys can result in a minimum thickness of the keyboard in order to provide for operation of the keys of the keyboard. Additionally, the keyboard keys are typically in a fully extended position in a resting position. In such examples, the keyboard can account for a significant portion of an overall thickness of a computing device. 
     Keyboard keys according to the disclosure can utilize a wire coil for each keyboard key, where the wire coil is located in a channel located adjacent to a magnetic plate and a pole plate. A magnetic field can be generated by the magnetic plate and the pole plate in the channel where the wire coil of the key is located. By applying a direct-current (DC) voltage to the wire coil, the wire coil can generate an alternating-current (AC) when the wire coil moves in the channel, allowing for detection of a key press. As used herein, the term “key press” can, for example, refer to an event that produces an alphanumeric character input caused by a key being pressed down. As used herein, the term “direct-current” can, for example, refer to a unidirectional flow of electric charge. As used herein, the term “alternating-current” can, for example, refer to a bi-directional flow of electric charge. 
     In some implementations, keyboard keys according to the disclosure can allow for a thinner keyboard relative to a keyboard having mechanical mechanisms for the keys. The keys can be covered by a continuous membrane, allowing for a liquid resistant keyboard. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a cut-away of an example of a key  100  consistent with the disclosure. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , key  100  can include a magnetic plate  102 , a top plate  109 , a pole plate  104 , a side magnet  111 , a wire coil  106 , a base plate  107 , a channel  108 , a membrane  110 , and a keycap  112 . Magnetic plate  102  can include a perimeter edge  103  of magnetic plate  102 . Pole plate  104  can include a perimeter edge  105  of pole plate  104 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , key  100  can include magnetic plate  102 . As used herein, the term “magnetic plate” can, for example, refer to a panel of material that produces a magnetic field. For example, magnetic plate  102  can be a neodymium magnet, where magnetic plate  102  is a material that is a neodymium, iron, and boron alloy. However, examples of the disclosure are not so limited. For example, magnetic plate  102  can be iron, nickel, a nickel-iron alloy such as Mu-metal, and/or any other magnetic materials, composites, rare-earth magnets, other magnetic alloys, and/or other combinations of materials. 
     Magnetic plate  102  can be adjacent to pole plate  104 . As used herein, the term “pole plate” can, for example, refer to a panel of material that produces a magnetic field. For example, pole plate  104  can be a neodymium magnet, where pole plate  104  is a material that is a neodymium, iron, and boron alloy. However, examples of the disclosure are not so limited. For example, pole plate  104  can be iron, nickel, a nickel-iron alloy such as Mu-metal, and/or any other magnetic materials, composites, rare-earth magnets, other magnetic alloys, and/or other combinations of materials. In the orientation illustrated in  FIG. 1 , pole plate  104  can be located above magnetic plate  102 . 
     Magnetic plate  102  can include perimeter edge  103  of magnetic plate  102 . As used herein, the term “perimeter edge” can, for example, refer to an edge around (e.g., that surrounds) a three-dimensional shape. For example, perimeter edge  103  can be an edge of magnetic plate  102  around magnetic plate  102 . For instance, although not illustrated in  FIG. 1  for clarity and so as not to obscure examples of the disclosure, magnetic plate  102  can be a rectangular shape with radiused corners. Perimeter edge  103  can be the edges of the rectangularly shaped magnetic plate  102 , as is further illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
     Pole plate  104  can include perimeter edge  105  of pole plate  104 . For example, perimeter edge  105  can be an edge of pole plate  104  around pole plate  104 . For instance, although not illustrated in  FIG. 1  for clarity and so as not to obscure examples of the disclosure, pole plate  104  can be a rectangular shape having radiused corners. Perimeter edge  105  can be the edges of the rectangularly shaped pole plate  104 . 
     Channel  108  can be adjacent to perimeter edge  103  of magnetic plate  102  and perimeter edge  105  of pole plate  104 . As used herein, the term “channel” can, for example, refer to a narrow groove through material. For example, channel  108  can be a groove such that a space is created between magnetic plate  102  and side magnet  111 , as well as between two sides of pole plate  104  and top plate  109 . 
     Key  100  can include a side magnet  111 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , key  100  side magnet  111  can be on opposing sides of magnetic plate  102 . Side magnet  111  and magnetic plate  102  can be separated by channel  108 . As used herein, the term “side magnet” can, for example, refer to a material that produces a magnetic field. For example, side magnet  111  can be a neodymium magnet, where side magnet  111  is a material that is a neodymium, iron, and boron alloy. However, examples of the disclosure are not so limited. For example, side magnet  111  can be iron, nickel, a nickel-iron alloy such as Mu-metal, and/or any other magnetic materials, composites, rare-earth magnets, other magnetic alloys, and/or other combinations of materials. 
     Key  100  can include top plate  109 . Top plate  109  can be adjacent to side magnet  111 . For example, in the orientation illustrated in  FIG. 1 , top plate  109  can be located on top of and adjacent to side magnet  111 . As used herein, the term “top plate” can, for example, refer to a panel of material that produces a magnetic field. For example, top plate  109  can be a neodymium magnet, where top plate  109  is a material that is a neodymium, iron, and boron alloy. However, examples of the disclosure are not so limited. For example, top plate  109  can be iron, nickel, a nickel-iron alloy such as Mu-metal, and/or any other magnetic materials, composites, rare-earth magnets, other magnetic alloys, and/or other combinations of materials. 
     Magnetic plate  102 , pole plate  104 , top plate  109 , and side magnet  111  can generate a magnetic field in channel  108 . As used herein, the term “magnetic field” can, for example, refer to a force field that is created by moving electric charges and magnetic dipoles. For example, magnetic dipoles of magnetic plate  102  and side magnet  111  can create a magnetic field in channel  108 , as is further described in connection with  FIG. 5 . 
     Key  100  can include wire coil  106 . As used herein, the term “wire coil” can, for example, refer to an electrical conductor in the shape of a coil, spiral, or helix. For example, wire coil  106  can be a wire in the shape of a coil. Wire coil  106  can be copper, aluminum, silver, beryllium, and/or any other metallic or non-metallic conductive material. 
     Wire coil  106  can be located in channel  108 . For example, wire coil  106  can be located in channel  108  such that wire coil  106  can interact with the magnetic field generated by magnetic plate  102 , pole plate  104 , top plate  109 , and side magnet  111 , as is further described with respect to  FIGS. 2-4 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , membrane  110  can cover pole plate  104 , channel  108 , and top plate  109 . As used herein, the term “membrane” can, for example, refer to a flexible structure acting as a boundary between two areas. For example, membrane  110  can cover pole plate  104 , channel  108 , and/or other components of key  100  to ensure debris and/or liquids are not able to pass through membrane  110  to interact with pole plate  104 , magnetic plate  102 , wire coil  106 , and/or other components of key  100 , as is further described in connection with  FIG. 6 . Membrane  110  can be a polypropylene membrane, a Mylar membrane, and/or any other flexible material to prevent debris and/or liquid from interacting with components of key  100 . 
     Key  100  can include keycap  112 . As used herein, the term “keycap” can, for example, refer to a cover of a key that is illustrated to indicate a function of the key and/or an alphanumeric character the key corresponds to. For example, keycap  112  can be illustrated with the letter “A”, indicating key  100  corresponds to the alphanumeric character “A”. In other words, when key  100  is pressed, a computing device can receive the alphanumeric character “A” as the input from key  100 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , keycap  112  can be located on top of membrane  110 . Keycap  112  can be stainless steel, titanium, plastic, fiber, carbon fiber, and/or any other suitable material. 
     The components of key  100  can be located on base plate  107 . As used herein, the term “base plate” can, for example, refer to a piece of material which can include mechanical and electrical connections for key  100 . For example, base plate  107  can function to be a plate on which components of key  100  (e.g., magnetic plate  102 , pole plate  104 , side magnet  111 , top plate  109 ) can rest and/or be attached/connected to. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of an example of a key with a wire coil  206  at different positions  216 ,  220 ,  224  in a channel  208  consistent with the disclosure. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the key can be at a resting position  214 , a first position  218 , or a second position  222 . Similar to key  100 , previously described in connection with  FIG. 1 , the key can include components including a magnetic plate  202 , a pole plate  204 , a wire coil  206 , a base plate  207 , a channel  208 , top plate  209 , a membrane  210 , side magnet  211 , and a keycap  212 . The key can include the above listed components at the three different positions (e.g., resting position  214 , first position  218 , and second position  222 ). 
     Magnetic plate  202  can be located adjacent to pole plate  204 . Channel  208  through magnetic plate  202  and pole plate  204  can be located adjacent to a perimeter edge of magnetic plate  202  and a perimeter edge of pole plate  204 , as well as a perimeter edge of top plate  209  and side magnet  211 . Membrane  210  can cover pole plate  204 , channel  208  and top plate  209 . 
     Magnetic plate  202 , pole plate  204 , top plate  209 , and side magnet  211  can generate a magnetic field in channel  208 . For example, magnetic dipoles of magnetic plate  202  and side magnet  211  can generate a magnetic field in channel  208 . 
     Wire coil  206  can be located in channel  208  and be connected to keycap  212 . A connection between wire coil  206  and keycap  212  can allow for movement of wire coil  206  to occur in channel  208  when movement of keycap  212  occurs. For example, when keycap  212  is depressed, wire coil  206  can correspondingly move in channel  208 , as is further described herein. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the key can be at a resting position  214 . In such an example, a resting position can refer to the key being fully depressed. The resting position  214  of the key can correspond to the keyboard being powered down. For instance, in an example in which the keyboard is included in a laptop computer, the key can be fully depressed in resting position  214  when the laptop computer is powered off, in sleep mode, having a display in a closed position, etc. The wire coil  206  can be correspondingly located at a resting position  216  in channel  208  when the key is in resting position  214 . 
     A controller (e.g., not illustrated in  FIG. 2 ) can apply a DC voltage to wire coil  206 . Application of the DC voltage to wire coil  206  can cause the wire coil  206  to interact with the magnetic field generated by magnetic plate  202 , pole plate  204 , top plate  209 , and side magnet  211 . For example, the magnetic field generated by magnetic plate  202 , pole plate  204 , top plate  209 , and side magnet  211  can cause a magnetic force to be applied to wire coil  206  when the DC voltage is applied to wire coil  206 . As used herein, the term “magnetic force” can, for example, refer to a force arising between electrically charged particles. Electrical connections from the controller to the wire coil  206  can be made through base plate  207 , as is further described in connection with  FIG. 3 . 
     Wire coil  206  can be raised from a resting position  216 , illustrated in  FIG. 2  as key at resting position  214 , to a first position  220 , illustrated in  FIG. 2  as key at first position  218 . Wire coil  206  can be raised from resting position  216  to first position  220  in channel  208 . For example, application of the DC voltage to wire coil  206  can cause wire coil  206  to be raised from resting position  216  to first position  220 . For example, the magnetic field generated by magnetic plate  202 , pole plate  204 , top plate  209 , and side magnet  211  and a positive DC voltage applied to wire coil  206  can cause interaction between electrically charged particles of wire coil  206  to cause the wire coil  206  to rise from resting position  216  to first position  218  in channel  208 . 
     In some examples, wire coil  206  can be mechanically suspended at first position  220 . For example, wire coil  206  can be mechanically suspended at first position  220  via a mechanical mechanism. 
     The controller can apply the DC voltage to wire coil  206  to move wire coil  206  from resting position  216  to first position  220  in response to the keyboard being powered on. For example, the key can be moved from resting position  214  to first position  218  by applying the DC voltage to wire coil  206  to move wire coil  206  from the resting position  216  to first position  220  when, for instance, a laptop computer including the keyboard is powered on, exits sleep mode, has the display opened, etc. Moving the key from resting position  214  to first position  218  can allow the keys of the keyboard to rise to first position  220  such that a user depressing a key can result in an input to the keyboard. 
     The controller can modify a location of first position  220  of wire coil  206 . For example, the controller can modify the location of first position  220  to be higher or lower. The location of first position  220  can be a user preference. In some examples, a user may prefer first position  220  to be higher, resulting in a longer key travel. In some examples, a user may prefer first position  220  to be lower, resulting in a shorter key travel. 
     In some examples, the controller can modify the location of first position  220  to be higher by increasing the DC voltage applied to wire coil  206 . For example, increasing the DC voltage applied to wire coil  206  can increase the height of the location of first position  220  in channel  208 . 
     In some examples, the controller can modify the location of first position  220  to be lower by decreasing the DC voltage applied to wire coil  206 . For example, decreasing the DC voltage applied to wire coil  206  can decrease the height of the location of first position  220  in channel  208 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the key at first position  218  can be depressed such that the key is at second position  222 . For example, a user of the keyboard may press the key from first position  218  to second position  222  in order to cause an input to the keyboard to occur. 
     As the key moves from first position  218  to second position  222 , wire coil  206  can correspondingly move from first position  220  to second position  224 . Wire coil  206  can generate an AC voltage in response to wire coil  206  moving from first position  220  to second position  224 . For example, the magnetic field generated by magnetic plate  202 , pole plate  204 , top plate  209 , and side magnet  211  and the DC voltage applied to wire coil  206  can cause an AC voltage to be generated as the wire coil  206  moves from first position  220  to second position  224 . In other words, AC is generated in response to keycap  212  (e.g., and the key) being pressed down from first position  218  to second position  222 . 
     The AC generated in response to wire coil  206  moving in channel  208  can correspond to a change in voltage of wire coil  206 . For example, the AC generated by wire coil  206  in response to wire coil  206  moving from first position  220  to second position  224  in channel  208  can cause a change in voltage of wire coil  206 . The controller can determine, based on the change in voltage of wire coil  206 , that a key press has occurred, as is further described in connection with  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of an example of a key with a wire coil  306  being moved from a first position  320  to a second position  324  consistent with the disclosure. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the key can be at a first position  318  or a second position  322 . Similar to key  100 , previously described in connection with  FIG. 1 , the key can include components including a magnetic plate  302 , a pole plate  304 , a wire coil  306 , a base plate  307 , a channel  308 , a top plate  309 , a membrane  310 , a side magnet  311 , and a keycap  312 . The key can include the above listed components at the two different positions (e.g., first position  318  and second position  322 ). 
     Magnetic plate  302  can be located adjacent to pole plate  304 . Channel  308  through magnetic plate  302  and pole plate  304  can be located adjacent to a perimeter edge of magnetic plate  302  and a perimeter edge of pole plate  304 , as well as a perimeter edge of top plate  309  and side magnet  311 . Membrane  310  can be continuous and cover pole plate  304  and channel  308 . 
     Magnetic plate  302 , pole plate  304 , top plate  309 , and side magnet  311  can generate a magnetic field in channel  308 . For example, magnetic dipoles of magnetic plate  302  and side magnet  311  can generate a magnetic field in channel  308 . 
     Wire coil  306  can be located in channel  308  and be connected to keycap  312 . A connection between wire coil  306  and keycap  312  can allow for movement of wire coil  306  to occur in channel  308  when movement of keycap  312  occurs. For example, when keycap  312  is depressed, wire coil  306  can correspondingly move in channel  308 , as is further described herein. 
     The key can be connected to controller  326 . For example, controller  326  can be connected to the key via base plate  307 . For example, base plate  307  can include electrical connections such that signals from keys of the keyboard can be transmitted to and/or from controller  326 . Although not illustrated in  FIG. 3  for clarity and so as not to obscure examples of the disclosure, controller  326  can include a processing resource and a memory resource. The memory resource can store instructions that are executed by the processing resource to perform functions described herein. 
     Controller  326  can apply a DC voltage to wire coil  306  via base plate  307  to move wire coil  306  to first position  320  in channel  308 . For example, controller  326  can apply the DC voltage to wire coil  306  so that the key is in first position  318 . The key can be depressed by a user from first position  318  to second position  322  in order to cause an input to the keyboard to occur. 
     Controller  326  can detect an AC voltage via base plate  307  in response to wire coil  306  moving from first position  320  in channel  308  to second position  324  in channel  308 . For example, as illustrated at second position  322  of the key in  FIG. 3 , a user has pressed down on keycap  312  causing wire coil  306  to move from first position  320  to second position  324 . An AC voltage can be generated by wire coil  306  as a result of wire coil  306  moving through the magnetic field in channel  308  and the DC voltage applied to wire coil  306 . Controller  326  can detect the AC voltage generated by wire coil  306  via electrical connections in base plate  307  connecting the key and controller  326 . 
     Controller  326  can determine, based on the AC voltage generated by wire coil  306  moving to second position  324  in channel  308  exceeding a threshold AC voltage, a key press of the key having occurred. For example, controller  326  can determine the wire coil  306  moving from first position  320  to second position  324  generated 3 volts (V). Based on the threshold AC voltage being 2 V, controller  326  can determine a key press has occurred. 
     Although controller  326  is described above as determining a key press of the key having occurred based on the AC voltage generated by wire coil  306  exceeding a threshold AC voltage, examples of the disclosure are not so limited. For example, controller  326  can determine a key press of the key having occurred based on the AC voltage generated by wire coil  306  being the same as the threshold AC voltage. For instance, controller  326  can determine the wire coil  306  moving from first position  320  to second position  324  generated 3 volts (V). Based on the threshold AC voltage being 3 V, controller  326  can determine a key press has occurred. 
     In some examples, controller  326  can generate a haptic feedback in response to the key press being determined. As used herein, the term “haptic feedback” can, for example, refer to a stimulation to indicate an action has been completed. For example, haptic feedback can include a vibration to indicate a key press has occurred. 
     Controller  326  can generate a haptic feedback in response to the key press having occurred by applying a pulse of DC voltage to wire coil  306  via base plate  307 . For example, in response to controller  326  determining the key press has occurred (e.g., in response to controller  326  determining that the AC voltage generated by wire coil  306  in response to wire coil moving from first position  320  to second position  324  in channel  308  is the same as or exceeds a threshold AC voltage), controller  326  can apply a pulse of DC voltage to wire coil  306  via base plate  307 . The pulse of DC voltage to wire coil  306  can cause a vibration in the key. The vibration in the key can indicate to a user that a key press has occurred. 
     Controller  326  can modify a location of second position  324  of wire coil  306 . For example, the controller  326  can modify the location of second position  324  to be higher or lower. The location of second position  324  can be a user preference. In some examples, a user may prefer second position  324  to be higher, resulting in a shorter key travel. In some examples, a user may prefer second position  324  to be lower, resulting in a longer key travel. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of an example of a key  400  with a magnetic plate  402  and a pole plate  404  having opposite poles consistent with the disclosure. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , similar to key  100 , previously described in connection with  FIG. 1 , key  400  can include components including a magnetic plate  402 , a pole plate  404 , a wire coil  406 , base plate  407 , a channel  408 , a top plate  409 , a membrane  410 , a side magnet  411 , and a keycap  412 . Channel  408  can include a first side  428  and a second side  430 . 
     As previously described, magnetic plate  402 , pole plate  404 , top plate  409 , and side magnet  411  can generate a magnetic field in channel  408  as a result of opposing poles between the magnetic plate  402  and side magnets  411 . The magnetic field can be generated as a result of magnetic dipoles of magnetic plate  402  and side magnet  411 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , magnetic plate  402  and side magnet  411  can include poles on a first side  428  of channel  408  that are opposite to poles on a second side  430  of channel  408 . For example, in the orientation illustrated in  FIG. 4 , side magnet  411  on the left side of  FIG. 4  can include S-N poles, whereas magnetic plate  402  on second side  430  of channel  408  can include N-S poles. Similarly, side magnet  411  on the right side of  FIG. 4  can include S-N poles, whereas magnetic plate  402  can include N-S poles. In other words, magnetic plate  402  and side magnets  411  can include poles that are opposite on opposing sides of channel  408  as oriented in  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view  532  of an example of a key  500  consistent with the disclosure. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , key  500  can include pole plate  504 , wire coil  506 , and channel  508 . 
     Similar to key  100 , previously described in connection with  FIG. 1 , key  500  can include components including a magnetic plate (e.g., not illustrated in  FIG. 5 ), a pole plate  504 , a wire coil  506 , a channel  508 , a membrane (e.g., not illustrated in  FIG. 5 ), and a keycap (e.g., not illustrated in  FIG. 5 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , channel  508  can be adjacent to a perimeter edge of the magnetic plate and pole plate  504 . In the orientation illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the magnetic plate is not visible, as pole plate  504  is located on top of the magnetic plate. 
     For example, channel  508  can be adjacent to the perimeter edge of the magnetic plate and pole plate  504 . Channel  508  can be a groove creating a space between two sides of the magnetic plate and pole plate  504 . Channel  508  can follow the shape of the magnetic plate and pole plate  504 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the magnetic plate and pole plate  504  are a rectangular shape with radiused corners. Correspondingly, channel  508  can be a channel that is adjacent to the perimeter edges of the magnetic plate and pole plate  504 , creating a rectangularly shaped channel  508  with corresponding radiused corners. 
     Wire coil  506  can be located in channel  508 . Wire coil  506  can be in an orientation such that wire coil  506  follows the path of channel  508 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of a cut-away of an example of a portion  634  of a keyboard with keyboard keys  600  consistent with the disclosure. As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , portion  634  of the keyboard can include keys  600 , top plate  609 , side magnets  611 , membrane  610 , and base plate  607 . 
     Key  600 - 1  can include a magnetic plate  602 , a pole plate  604 , a wire coil  606 - 1 , and a channel  608 - 1 . Similarly, key  600 - 2  can include a magnetic plate  602 , a pole plate  604 , a wire coil  606 - 2 , and a channel  608 - 2 , and key  600 -N can include a magnetic plate  602 , a pole plate  604 , a wire coil  606 -N, and a channel  608 -N. 
     As previously described, an AC voltage can be generated based on a wire coil  606  moving in a channel  608  of a particular key when the particular key is pressed by a user. For example, a user may press key  600 - 1 , causing wire coil  606 - 1  to move in channel  608 - 1 , resulting in an AC voltage being generated by wire coil  606 - 1 . A controller can detect the AC voltage generated by wire coil  606 - 1 , and determine based on the detected AC voltage that key  600 - 1  has been pressed. 
     Top plate  609  can be continuous. For example, top plate  609  can be a continuous plate through which portions of top plate  609  are cut out that correspond to locations of individual keys  600 - 1 ,  600 - 2 ,  600 - 3 . For example, portions of top plate  609  may be removed so that keys  600 - 1 ,  600 - 2 ,  600 - 3  and their respective components may be located. Keys  600 - 1 ,  600 - 2 ,  600 - 3  may share side top plate  609  with an adjacent key. 
     Similar to top plate  609 , side magnet  611  can be continuous. For example, side magnet  611  can be a continuous magnet through which portions of side magnet  611  are cut out that correspond to locations of individual keys  600 - 1 ,  600 - 2 ,  600 - 3 . For example, portions of side magnet  611  may be removed so that keys  600 - 1 ,  600 - 2 ,  600 - 3  and their respective components may be located. Keys  600 - 1 ,  600 - 2 ,  600 - 3  may share side magnet  611  with an adjacent key. 
     The keyboard can include membrane  610 . Membrane  610  can be a continuous membrane covering keys  600 . For example, membrane  610  can be continuous such that membrane  610  covers keys  600 - 1 ,  600 - 2 ,  600 -N. Membrane  610  can shield debris, such as liquid from contacting keys  600 . For example, membrane  610  can shield liquid from contacting magnetic plates  602 , pole plates  604 , wire coils  606 , and/or other components of keys  600 . In some examples, membrane  610  can be vacuum formed as a continuous sheet of material over the keys  600  of the keyboard to provide a continuous liquid and/or other debris proof surface. 
     Keyboard keys, according to the disclosure, can allow for a debris proof keyboard. For example, keyboard keys according to the disclosure can allow for a liquid proof keyboard such that liquid contacting the membrane  610  can be prevented from contacting components of the keys. The magnetic plate, pole plate, and wire coil allow for detection of key presses while providing for a thin keyboard thickness profile. The thin keyboard thickness profile can allow for keyboards and/or various computing devices to have a thin profile. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of an example of a key  700  consistent with the disclosure. As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , key  700  can include membrane  710  and keycap  712 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , keycap  712  can be located on top of membrane  710 . A user can press keycap  712  to input a character and/or other symbols into a computing device connected with a keyboard including key  700  via a keypress. 
     Membrane  710  can be continuous in order to cover components of key  700 . Although not illustrated in  FIG. 7  for clarity and so as not to obscure examples of the disclosure, the keyboard can include other keys adjacent to key  700 . Membrane  710  can be continuous to cover components of keys adjacent to key  700 , as well as other keys of the keyboard. 
     In the foregoing detailed description of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration how examples of the disclosure may be practiced. These examples are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to practice the examples of this disclosure, and it is to be understood that other examples may be utilized and that process, electrical, and/or structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. 
     The figures herein follow a numbering convention in which the first digit corresponds to the drawing figure number and the remaining digits identify an element or component in the drawing. Similar elements or components between different figures may be identified by the use of similar digits. For example,  102  may reference element “02” in  FIG. 1 , and a similar element may be referenced as  202  in  FIG. 2 . 
     Elements illustrated in the various figures herein can be added, exchanged, and/or eliminated so as to provide a plurality of additional examples of the disclosure. In addition, the proportion and the relative scale of the elements provided in the figures are intended to illustrate the examples of the disclosure, and should not be taken in a limiting sense. As used herein, the designator “N”, particularly with respect to reference numerals in the drawings, indicate that a plurality of the particular feature so designated can be included with examples of the disclosure. The designator can represent the same or different numbers of the particular features. As used herein, “a plurality of” an element and/or feature can refer to more than one of such elements and/or features.