PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11823851-B2
Application Number: US-202117369745-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Interkey support for keyboards

Abstract:
Keyboards and other input devices are provided with at least one flexible layer that extends over or under the keycaps. The flexible layer spans interkey spaces and provides finger support and key definition as the user feels the top surface of the keycaps and flexible layer. The flexible layer therefore smooths the top surface of the keyboard, supports fingers during key travel, prevents ingress of contaminants, fluids, or debris into the keyboard, and provides a surface that can be used as a touch interface that coincides with the keyboard.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A keyboard, comprising:
 a first set of aligned keycaps comprising a first key and a second key defining an interkey gap between the first key and the second key; 
 a second set of aligned of keycaps, the second set of aligned of keycaps extending parallel to the first set of aligned keycaps; and 
 a flexible layer including an interkey portion and a spacer portion, the interkey portion being positioned in the interkey gap and the spacer portion being positioned between the first and second sets of aligned keycaps, wherein the spacer portion extends parallel to the first and second sets of aligned keycaps, and wherein a first exposed top surface extending from the first key to the second key on the interkey portion is raised relative to a second exposed top surface extending between the first and second sets of aligned keycaps on the spacer portion. 
 
     
     
       2. The keyboard of  claim 1 , wherein:
 keys of the first set of aligned keycaps have first concave top surfaces; and 
 keys of the second set of aligned keycaps have second concave top surfaces. 
 
     
     
       3. The keyboard of  claim 2 , wherein the first concave top surfaces and the second concave top surfaces have cylindrical concavity aligned with an axis parallel to the first set of aligned keycaps and the second set of aligned keycaps. 
     
     
       4. The keyboard of  claim 1 , wherein the first set of aligned keycaps and the second set of aligned keycaps are arranged in rows on the keyboard. 
     
     
       5. The keyboard of  claim 1 , wherein the first set of aligned keycaps and the second set of aligned keycaps are arranged in columns on the keyboard. 
     
     
       6. The keyboard of  claim 1 , wherein the interkey portion of the flexible layer has a height equal to a height of the first key and the second key. 
     
     
       7. The keyboard of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer portion is positioned vertically aligned with a bottom surface of the first key. 
     
     
       8. The keyboard of  claim 1 , wherein the first set of aligned keycaps comprises a wave profile. 
     
     
       9. The keyboard of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first set of aligned keycaps comprises an axis of alignment; and 
 the first set of aligned keycaps comprises increased key definition along the axis of alignment relative to key definition of the first set of aligned keycaps along a direction perpendicular to the axis of alignment. 
 
     
     
       10. The keyboard of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first set of aligned keycaps comprises an axis of alignment; and 
 the first set of aligned keycaps comprises decreased key definition along the axis of alignment relative to key definition of the first set of aligned keycaps along a direction perpendicular to the axis of alignment. 
 
     
     
       11. The keyboard of  claim 1 , wherein the first key and the second key are configured to guide finger movement on the first key and the second key in a first direction more than movement in a second direction, the first direction being perpendicular to the second direction. 
     
     
       12. An input device, comprising:
 a flexible layer having a first raised portion, a second raised portion, a first lower portion, and a second lower portion, the first raised portion and the second raised portion being positioned higher than the first lower portion and the second lower portion in the input device; 
 a keycap structure positioned on top of the flexible layer and having:
 a first side immediately adjoining the first lower portion; 
 a second side immediately adjoining the second lower portion; 
 a third side adjoining the first raised portion; and 
 a fourth side adjoining the second raised portion; and 
 
 a switch structure positioned below the flexible layer and configured to support the keycap structure and the flexible layer. 
 
     
     
       13. The input device of  claim 12 , wherein at least the first raised portion is coplanar with the third and fourth sides of the keycap structure. 
     
     
       14. The input device of  claim 12 , wherein at least the first lower portion is coplanar with a bottom surface of the keycap structure. 
     
     
       15. The input device of  claim 12 , wherein the flexible layer extends underneath a middle portion of the keycap structure. 
     
     
       16. The input device of  claim 12 , wherein the keycap structure comprises a cylindrical concavity, the cylindrical concavity having a longitudinal axis intersecting the third and fourth sides. 
     
     
       17. The input device of  claim 12 , wherein at least the first raised portion is positioned higher than the third and fourth sides of the keycap structure in the input device. 
     
     
       18. A keyboard device, comprising:
 a first keycap; 
 a second keycap positioned laterally adjacent to the first keycap in a first direction; 
 a third keycap positioned laterally adjacent to the first keycap in a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction; and 
 a flexible layer having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion extending from a first side surface of the first keycap to a side surface of the second keycap, the second portion extending from a second side surface of the first keycap to a side surface of the third keycap, wherein the first portion of the flexible layer is entirely raised relative to the second portion of the flexible layer between the first side surface of the first keycap to the second side surface of the second keycap. 
 
     
     
       19. The keyboard device of  claim 18 , wherein the first portion of the flexible layer has a height equal to the first and second keycaps. 
     
     
       20. The keyboard device of  claim 18 , wherein the first and second keycaps have aligned top surface scoops.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/362,052, filed 22 Mar. 2019, and entitled “INTERKEY SUPPORT FOR KEYBOARDS,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/733,514, filed 19 Sep. 2018, and entitled “INTERKEY SUPPORT FOR KEYBOARDS,” the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The described embodiments relate generally to keyboards and input devices for computers and other electric devices. More particularly, the present embodiments relate to flexible support structures used in keyboards. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electronic devices use a variety of different input devices. Examples of such input devices include keyboards, computer mice, touch screens, buttons, trackpads, and so on. They may be incorporated into an electronic device or can be used as peripheral devices. The electronic device may be vulnerable to contaminants, such as dust or liquid, entering though openings or connections in or around one or more incorporated input devices or external input devices. The external input devices may themselves be vulnerable to contaminants entering through various openings or connections. 
     Keyboards typically involve a number of moving keys. Liquid ingress around the keys into the keyboard can damage electronics. Residues from such liquids, such as sugar, may corrode or block electrical contacts, prevent key movement by bonding moving parts, and so on. Solid contaminants (such as dust, dirt, food crumbs, and the like) may lodge under keys, blocking electrical contacts, getting in the way of key movement, and so on. These devices can be undesirably expensive to make and assemble. 
     The keys on a conventional keyboard are spaced apart to provide key definition. Key definition is a property of a keyboard that describes how easily a user can tell where a key is located by sight or touch. Typically, strong key definition correlates with large gaps or grooves between the keycaps since those gaps or grooves help orient the user&#39;s fingers on the keyboard. However, those gaps and grooves make the keys feel rough when a user&#39;s finger moves horizontally across the top of the keycaps since their finger is caught by the top edges of the keys. 
     Thus, there are many challenges and areas for improvements in input devices such as keyboards. 
     SUMMARY 
     Aspects of the present disclosure relate to keyboards. In one example, the keyboard can include a rigid web, a first keycap structure, a second keycap structure, and an interkey bridge structure coupled with the first and second keycap structures. The interkey bridge structure can have a flexible portion positioned between the first and second keycap structures, with the flexible portion being spaced away from the rigid web. The keyboard can also have a controller connection to provide an electrical connection to a keyboard controller and a switch structure electrically connected to the controller connection, with the switch structure being actuated in response to movement of the first keycap structure or the second keycap structure relative to the rigid web. 
     In some embodiments, the first keycap structure can include a first top surface and the second keycap structure can include a second top surface. The top surfaces of the interkey bridge structure and the first and second keycap structures can form a substantially continuous surface. The interkey bridge structure can comprise a flexible membrane extending across the first and second keycap structures or extending over top surfaces of the first and second keycap structures. In some configurations, the first and second keycap structures can be positioned on top of the interkey bridge structure. The interkey bridge structure can include a raised portion and a recessed portion, with the raised portion being positioned between the first and second keycap structures and with the recessed portion being attached to one of the first and second keycap structures. The keyboard can also include a third keycap structure and a fourth keycap structure, with the third keycap structure being positioned under the first keycap structure and the interkey bridge structure and with the fourth keycap structure being positioned under the second keycap structure and the interkey bridge structure. 
     In some arrangements, the keyboard can further comprise a resiliently compressible structure vertically positioned below the interkey bridge structure, wherein downward pressure on the interkey bridge structure compresses the resiliently compressible structure. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a keyboard that comprises a base layer and a set of keycap structures horizontally spaced apart from each other, with each keycap structure of the set of keycap structures having a top surface and being movable between a neutral position and a depressed position. The device can also include a layer structure extending across the set of keycap structures, wherein the layer structure has an interkey surface positioned between two keycap structures of the set of keycap structures. The layer structure can comprise an interkey surface horizontally positioned between two keycap structures of the set of keycap structures. The interkey surface can be vertically positioned relative to the base layer at least as high as the top surfaces of the two keycap structures. 
     In some arrangements, the interkey surface can be vertically positioned relative to the base layer higher than all of the keycap structures of the set of keycap structures. The interkey surface can comprise a grooved portion or a set of grooves between the top surfaces of the two keycap structures. In some configurations, the interkey surface comprises a peaked portion or a substantially flat portion. The interkey surface can also be horizontally expandable. 
     A keycap structure of the set of keycap structures can comprise a first perimeter, wherein a top surface of the layer structure comprises a keycap-shaped feature having a second perimeter surrounding the first perimeter. 
     In another aspect of the disclosure, a keyboard accessory for an electronic device is described which can comprise a flexible layer having a top surface, a set of key structures distributed across the flexible layer, with the set of key structures having top edges and with the top surface of the flexible layer spanning the top edges of the set of key structures, and a retainer on the flexible layer to retain the flexible layer to a keyboard portion of an electronic device with the set of key structures overlaying keys of the keyboard portion. 
     The retainer can comprise a fastener configured to be magnetically held to the electronic device. The flexible layer can also comprise an electronic connection to provide electronic communication with the electronic device upon retention of the flexible layer to the electronic device. The set of key structures can be distributed across the flexible layer in a keyboard layout. 
     In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a keyboard is provided that includes a housing, a set of keycap structures distributed across the housing, and a bridge structure extending across the keycap structures. The keycap structures can be movable by a user instrument between a neutral position and a depressed position, and the bridge structure can have interkey portions positioned between the keycap structures and configured to at least partially support the user instrument when the user instrument is supported by the keycap structures. 
     In some embodiments, the interkey portions can be configured to contact a user instrument sliding horizontally across top surfaces of the keycap structures. The bridge structure can be a touch-sensitive interface, and the interkey portions can be configured to conform to a surface of the user instrument when the user instrument contacts the keycap structures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: 
         FIG.  1    shows an isometric view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    shows an isometric view of another electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    shows an exploded view of a keyboard assembly of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    is a partial top view of a portion of a keyboard assembly of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    is a side section view of the keyboard assembly of  FIG.  4   , taken through section lines  5 - 5  in  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  5 A  is a detail view of  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  6    is a side section view of another embodiment of a keyboard assembly. 
         FIG.  7    is a side section view of another embodiment of a keyboard assembly. 
         FIG.  8    is a side section view of another embodiment of a keyboard assembly. 
         FIG.  9    is a side section view of another embodiment of a keyboard assembly. 
         FIG.  10    is a side section view of another embodiment of a keyboard assembly. 
         FIG.  11    is a side section view of another embodiment of a keyboard assembly. 
         FIG.  12    is a side section view of another embodiment of a keyboard assembly. 
         FIG.  13    is a side section view of another embodiment of a keyboard assembly. 
         FIG.  14    is a side section view of another embodiment of a keyboard assembly. 
         FIG.  15    is a side section view of another embodiment of a keyboard assembly. 
         FIG.  16    is a partial top view of another embodiment of a keyboard assembly. 
         FIG.  17    is a side section view of the keyboard assembly of  FIG.  16    taken through section lines  17 - 17  in  FIG.  16   . 
         FIG.  18    is a side section view of another embodiment of a keyboard assembly. 
         FIG.  19    is a side section view of another embodiment of a keyboard assembly. 
         FIG.  20    is a side section view of another embodiment of a keyboard assembly. 
         FIG.  21    is a side section view of another embodiment of a keyboard assembly. 
         FIG.  22    is a side section view of another embodiment of a keyboard assembly. 
         FIG.  23    is a side section view of another embodiment of a keyboard assembly. 
         FIG.  24    is a side section view of another embodiment of a keyboard assembly. 
         FIG.  25    is a side section view of another embodiment of a keyboard assembly. 
         FIG.  26    is a side section view of another embodiment of a keyboard assembly. 
         FIG.  27    is a side section view of another embodiment of a keyboard assembly. 
         FIG.  28    is a partial isometric view of an upper surface of another embodiment of a keyboard assembly. 
         FIG.  29    is a side section view of the keyboard assembly of  FIG.  28    taken through section lines  29 - 29  in  FIG.  28   . 
         FIG.  30    is a side section view of the keyboard assembly of  FIG.  28    taken through section lines  30 - 30  in  FIG.  28   . 
         FIG.  31    is an isometric schematic view of a keyboard accessory and an electronic device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims. 
     The description that follows includes sample systems and apparatuses that embody various elements of the present disclosure. However, it should be understood that the described disclosure can be practiced in a variety of forms in addition to those described herein. 
     The present disclosure relates to keyboards and/or other input devices that include keycaps and at least one flexible structure attached to the keycaps. The flexible structure, such as, for example, a flexible membrane or woven layer, can provide flexible bridges or interkey supports between the keycaps that, in combination with the keycaps, make a substantially continuous and smoothed top surface for the input device. The top surface can therefore more easily be used as a touch-sensitive interface since it more easily allows the user to slide their finger across the keyboard. 
     Debris, fluids, and other contaminants can penetrate between the keys of conventional keyboards, leading to numerous issues with the appearance, feel, and function of the keys. Therefore, another aspect of the present disclosure relates to using the flexible structure and keycaps to limit ingress of unwanted material into the keyboard by providing a substantially continuous top surface for the keyboard. The flexible structure can have a fluid-tight and/or unbroken top surface so that any contaminants are held by the flexible structure spaced away from the inside of the keyboard. A membrane can be positioned between outer keycaps and inner portions of the keyboard such as inner keycaps, collapsible domes, stabilizers (e.g., a butterfly or scissor hinge mechanism), and base components (e.g., a substrate, base layer, housing, etc.). Fluid and debris that falls between the keycaps can be blocked and held by the membrane at a location where it can be more easily cleaned off or otherwise removed from the keyboard. The fluid and debris can also thereby be prevented from coming into contact with electrically charged portions of the keyboard or interfering with the function of domes, stabilizers, and other moving parts of the keyboard. 
     Conventional keyboards frequently also have a rigid structure (e.g., a web) positioned between the keys. In those keyboards, the web is usually recessed down from the top edges of the keys in order to enhance key definition and to prevent the user&#39;s finger from engaging the rigid structure while typing. Contact with the rigid structure while typing can make typing more uncomfortable and thereby detracts from the user experience. Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure relate to providing key definition without positioning rigid structures recessed below top edges of the keycaps. The present disclosure also relates to devices used to prevent contact between the user and any relatively unyielding rigid structures in the keyboard while typing. In one example embodiment, the flexible structure attached to the keycaps can be used as a light guide to enhance visibility of the key edges without using a rigid, stationary light diffuser structure. 
     In some embodiments, a keyboard accessory is provided that can overlay and cover keys on a keyboard in order to enhance its resistance to penetration by unwanted materials, to better configure the keyboard as a smooth touch interface, and to provide different key definition and feel than would otherwise be provided by the keyboard. The keyboard accessory can include a set of rigid keycaps and a flexible layer that holds the rigid keycaps together. The accessory can be overlaid on a keyboard (e.g., a keyboard of a laptop computer) to provide touch interface and smooth sliding surface functionality that would otherwise not be possible using the keyboard alone. 
     The flexible structure that limits contaminant ingress can fill interkey spaces with flexible and compliant material, provide a relatively smooth top surface, reduce the thickness of and the number of parts in the key assembly, and distribute light through the keyboard. Flexible structures can include ridges, grooves, waves, recesses, protrusions, and raised portions that collect debris and fluids, provide key definition, and enable the flexible structure to stretch or extend laterally when keys are pressed. 
     Additional embodiments, features, and details will be provided with reference to the figures.  FIG.  1    depicts an electronic device  100  including a keyboard  102 . The keyboard  102  includes keys or key assemblies with keycaps  103  or button caps that move when depressed by a user. The electronic device  100  can include one or more devices or mechanisms that prevent or alleviate contaminant ingress into or through the keyboard  102 , such as ingress between the keycaps  103  and into a housing  104  of the electronic device  100 . Such devices or mechanisms can include, for example, an interkey bridge structure, layer structure, or flexible membrane extending across or underneath the keycaps  103 , as described in connection with various embodiments of the present disclosure. Such contaminants can include liquids (e.g., water, soft drinks, sweat, and the like), solids (e.g., dust, dirt, skin particles, food particles, and the like), and any other small debris or foreign material. 
     The electronic device  100  can also include a display screen  106 , a track pad  108  or other pointing device, and internal electronic components used in a notebook/laptop computer (e.g., a processor, electronic memory device, electronic data storage device, and other computer components; not shown). The display screen  106  can be positioned on a portion of the housing  104  configured to extend upright relative to the keyboard  102 . The track pad  108  can be positioned on the housing  104  adjacent to the keyboard  102  on a side of the keyboard  102  opposite the display screen  106 . 
       FIG.  2    illustrates a tablet computer  200  connected to a keyboard  202 . The keyboard  202  is a peripheral device connected to the tablet computer  200  rather than being an integral part of the tablet computer  200 . The keyboard  202  can include keycaps  203  and a housing  204  that are separate from, but attachable to, the tablet computer  200 . As explained elsewhere herein, the keycaps  203  can be positioned on top of (or, in some embodiments, underneath) a flexible membrane. The tablet computer  200  can have a touch screen display  206  configured to detect the touch or near touch of a user instrument such as a finger or a stylus (e.g., stylus  208 ). In some embodiments, movement of a finger or stylus in contact (or near contact) with the keyboard  202  can be detected by the keyboard  202  or tablet computer  200  to interact with the tablet computer. For example, contact with the keyboard  202  can be sensed by a capacitive touch-sensitive interface in the keyboard  202  and used to interact with a graphical user interface on the touch screen display  206 . 
     Although the electronic device  100  of  FIG.  1    is a notebook/laptop computer and a tablet computer  200  is shown in  FIG.  2   , it will be readily apparent that features and aspects of the present disclosure that are described in connection with the notebook computer and tablet computer  200  can be applied in various other devices. These other devices can include, but are not limited to, personal computers (including, for example, computer “towers,” “all-in-one” computers, computer workstations, and related devices) and related accessories, speakers, graphics tablets and graphical input pens/styluses, watches, headsets, other wearable devices, and related accessories, vehicles and related accessories, network equipment, servers, screens, displays, and monitors, photography and videography equipment and related accessories, printers, scanners, media player devices and related accessories, remotes, headphones, earphones, device chargers, computer mice, trackballs, and touchpads, point-of-sale equipment, cases, mounts, and stands for electronic devices, controllers for games, remote control (RC) vehicles/drones, augmented reality (AR) devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, home automation equipment, and any other electronic device that uses, sends, or receives human input. Thus, the present disclosure provides illustrative and non-limiting examples of the kinds of devices that can implement and apply aspects of the present disclosure. 
     The keyboard  102  or  202  can include a set of assembled components that correspond to each key. The assembly of these components can be referred to as a “stack-up” due to their substantially layered or stacked configuration.  FIG.  3    illustrates partial exploded view of a keyboard assembly  300  that can be implemented as part of an electronic device such as a peripheral keyboard input device or a built-in keyboard for a laptop (e.g.,  100 ), tablet computer (e.g.,  200 ), a computer accessory, or other computer component. The keyboard assembly  300  can have a set of outer keycaps  301 , with at least one being used in connection with each key or button of the keyboard. An interkey bridge structure, layer structure, or flexible layer  302  can be positioned below and attached to the undersides of the outer keycaps  301 . A set of inner keycaps  304  can be provided below the flexible layer  302 . A set of switch structures  306  and a base layer  308  can be positioned below the inner keycaps  304 . A web structure  310  can be attached to or part of the base layer  308 . 
     The outer keycaps  301  can provide a surface against which a user can interface with the keyboard assembly  300 . Thus, the outer keycaps  301  can be movable between an unactuated or neutral state at a first vertical position relative to the base layer  308  and an actuated or depressed state at a second vertical position relative to the base layer  308 . The outer keycaps  301  and inner keycaps  304  can comprise a rigid material such as a hard plastic, metal, ceramic, composite, related material, and combinations thereof. In an example embodiment, the outer keycaps  301  and inner keycaps  304  include a glass, rigid polymer, or rigid fabric material. 
     The outer keycaps  301  can include a glyph or symbol (not shown) on their top surfaces  312 . In some cases, the outer and inner keycaps  301 ,  304  can be at least partially transparent or translucent, thus allowing light to be transferred or diffused through them. The light can be directed through or around glyphs or symbols of the outer keycaps  301  in order to improve their contrast and readability. In some embodiments, light is directed through or around the outer perimeters of the outer keycaps  301 . In various cases, the outer keycaps  301  can have a top surface  312  that is substantially planar and flat (e.g., with or without edges that are chamfered, beveled, or rounded), substantially spherically dished, or substantially cylindrically “scooped.” The outer keycaps  301  can be arranged in a keyboard layout, such as, for example, an ANSI layout, an ISO layout, Colemak, Dvorak, numpad/tenkey layout, AZERTY layout, a custom layout, or a related layout. 
     The flexible layer  302  can be coupled with at least the outer keycaps  301  and can be entirely flexible or can at least have flexible portions positioned between the outer keycaps  301 . The flexible layer  302  can therefore be attached to the keycaps  301 ,  304 , such as being adhered, co-molded, or overmolded to the keycaps  301 ,  304 . The flexible layer  302  can comprise a flexible material such as, for example, an elastically deformable material or a bendable material. Thus, the keycaps  301 ,  304  and flexible layer  302  can form a single layer or sheet extending across the keyboard assembly  300  in the manner shown in  FIG.  3   . The flexible layer can conform to the shape of a user instrument as the keycaps are depressed. For example, the flexible material can flex and/or stretch as it contacts a fingertip that is at least partially overlapping the interkey space between keycaps, and the flexure and/or stretching can cause the flexible layer to take on the outer shape of the fingertip. Various embodiments of the flexible layer  302  and keycaps  301 ,  304  are described in connection with  FIGS.  4 - 31   . 
     When an outer keycap  301  is moved from its neutral position to a depressed position, the flexible layer  302  can move with the keycap and deform at least locally around at least portions of the perimeter of the keycap. The material used in the flexible layer  302  can comprise a rubber, silicone, polymer (e.g., a thermoplastic polymer such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or HYTREL® by DUPONT™), fabric (e.g., a flexible sheet of entwined material, woven material, textile, knit material, similar materials, and combinations thereof), flexible or bendable composite, related materials, and combinations thereof. The flexible layer  302  can have a continuous and fluid-tight top or bottom surface to help prevent debris, fluids, and other materials from penetrating below the flexible layer  302 . For example, a fabric or woven material used in the flexible layer  302  can have a sealing material (e.g., polyurethane, vinyl, silicone (e.g., silicone spray), a roll-to-roll process film, or another fluid-resistant material) applied to the top or bottom surface of the fabric or woven material to improve fluid resistance and to fill openings or gaps between filaments used in the fabric or woven material. A fabric or woven material having a sealing material added to it is referred to herein as a “sealed woven material.” A fabric with this material can be better protected against ultraviolet (UV) exposure and can create a barrier resisting liquid penetration through the fabric weave. 
     The flexible layer  302  can also provide support for a user instrument (e.g., a finger or stylus) that at is least partially positioned over interkey gaps between the outer keycaps  301 . The flexible layer  302  can therefore be sufficiently rigid that it does not significantly sag between the outer keycaps  301 . In this manner, the flexible layer  302  can contact a user instrument as it slides horizontally across top surfaces of the keycaps, such as when the keycaps and flexible layer  302  are used similar to a track pad. The flexible layer  302  can therefore be used as a touch-sensitive interface to receive input similar to a track pad or touch pad. For example, the flexible layer  302  can be configured with capacitive-touch-sensor devices, pressure-sensitive devices, other sensors, or combinations thereof. 
     The inner keycaps  304  can be positioned internal to the flexible layer  302  relative to the outer keycaps  301 . The inner keycaps  304  can comprise connectors configured to engage the switch structures  306 . See, e.g.,  FIG.  26    and its related descriptions herein. In some embodiments, the outer keycaps  301  comprise the connectors, and the connectors extend through the flexible layer  302 . 
     The flexible layer  302  and/or keycaps  301 ,  304  can be used to provide a touch-sensitive interface with an electronic device. The flexible layer  302  and/or keycaps  301 ,  304  can therefore include electrodes or other electrical leads or traces that are configured to detect a touch. For example, the electrical components of the flexible layer  302  and/or keycaps  301 ,  304  can be configured to detect a capacitive load or a pressure against or near the top surfaces of the flexible layer  302  and/or keycaps  301 ,  304 . Touch interface signals can be provided to a controller (e.g., in the electronic device  100 ) in a manner providing input to the electronic device. Thus, aspects of the electronic device can be controlled based on touch input from the flexible layer  302  and/or keycaps  301 ,  304 . A user instrument such as a finger or stylus can be moved across the top surfaces of the flexible layer  302  and/or keycaps  301 ,  304  and can be used to control the electronic device in a manner separate from the actuation of switch structures  306  that are actuated by pressing down a keycap  301  to mechanically actuate a switch. See also the embodiment of  FIG.  31    and its related descriptions herein. 
     In some embodiments, the flexible layer  302  and/or keycaps  301 ,  304  are not the structures capable of detecting touch input, and an additional layer (not shown) is provided above or below the flexible layer  302  that is configured to detect touches on its surface or through the flexible layer  302  and/or keycaps  301 ,  304 . 
     The switch structures  306  can comprise key stabilizers, switches, compressible domes, dome housings, and other keyboard structures. These switch structures  306  can stabilize the vertical movement of the keycaps  301 ,  304 , provide an upward biasing force against the keycaps  301 ,  304 , provide tactile feedback to the movement of the keycaps  301 ,  304 , and provide switch structures (e.g., conductors) that can be actuated to provide electrical signals to a keyboard controller (not shown), among other functions known in the art. The keyboard controller can comprise a microcontroller, processor, or other computing device configured to receive electrical signals from the switch structures  306  and process the input signals or forward the input signals as keycodes to another processor. The keyboard controller can be connected to the switch structures and/or another controller using a bus. 
     A key stabilizer in the switch structures  306  can comprise mechanical hinge or related mechanism configured to stabilize the movement of the keycaps as they vertically travel through a movement cycle. The stabilization can limit or prevent a keycap from rotating when an off-center-oriented vertical force is applied to the top of the keycap (e.g., a force applied laterally offset from, but parallel to, a center axis of the keycap). In some embodiments, a key stabilizer keeps a keycap substantially parallel to the base layer  308  or another horizontal plane when the keycap is also oriented horizontally in its unactuated or neutral state. Thus, the key stabilizer can include a scissor mechanism, butterfly mechanism, or related device used to stabilize keys in keyboards. The key stabilizers can comprise a rigid material and can be optically translucent or transparent to help distribute light throughout the underside of the keycaps. See also key stabilizers  2606  and their related descriptions herein. 
     Collapsible domes of the switch structures  306  can provide resistance and tactile feedback to the user when the keycaps are pressed. A collapsible dome can also be used to bias a keycap vertically upward when the keycap has been at least partially depressed. Thus, the collapsible dome can comprise a compressible or collapsible material configured to resiliently change shape upon application of a force to the dome. The material can comprise rubber, silicone, another related flexible material, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the flexible layer  302  can comprise a set of dome structures supporting the interstitial, interkey gaps between the outer keycaps  301 . See  FIG.  15    and its related descriptions herein. 
     The web structure  310  can be a rigid structure positioned below the keycaps  301 ,  304  and flexible layer  302 . The web structure  310  can be a separate part attached to the base layer  308  or can be integrally formed with the base layer  308  (e.g., a molded part of the base layer  308  or a shape formed in a milled base layer  308 ). The web structure  310  can increase the structural stiffness of the base layer  308  and can be a structure on which other components are mounted. See, e.g.,  FIG.  26    and its related descriptions herein. 
     The web structure  310  can be configured with a height wherein its top surface is positioned below the vertical position of the bottom of the keycap  301 / 304  when the keycap is at its most actuated/deflected position relative to the base layer  308 . In this manner, the web structure  310  does not come into contact with the keycap  301 / 304  even when the keycap is completely pressed. In such an embodiment, the web structure  310  does not limit the movement of the keycap  301 / 304  or cause the keycap  301 / 304  to have a hard and limiting “bottom-out” against the web structure  310 . The maximum deflection position of the keycap  301 / 304  (or at least the maximum depth to which a user instrument can move during normal use of the keyboard assembly  300 ) can be above the top surface of the web structure  310 . When using the keycap  301 / 304  normally, the user may not feel the rigid web structure  310 , even when the user instrument presses down at least partially over the space between two keycaps  301 / 304 . Accordingly, this arrangement can help limit the hard, jarring feeling of hitting a rigid, unyielding surface while typing or sliding the user instrument over the top surface of the keyboard. 
     The base layer  308  can be a housing or other rigid base structure of the keyboard assembly  300 . The base layer  308  can comprise a substrate such as, for example, a printed circuit board (PCB) having conductive traces, circuits, and other electrical components. In some embodiments, a light source (not shown) is positioned on the base layer  308  and light from the light source is directed up into the flexible layer  302  and/or keycaps  301 / 304  and then redistributed laterally through or into and around the keycaps  301 / 304 . In some embodiments, the base layer  308  includes brackets or chassis elements for retaining a key stabilizer to the base layer  308 . 
       FIG.  4    shows a top view of a portion of adjacent outer keycaps  301  positioned on top of the flexible layer  302  in a non-staggered layout.  FIG.  5    shows a section view of the keycaps  301  and flexible layer  302  as indicated by section lines  5 - 5  in  FIG.  4   . The keycaps  301  can comprise top surfaces  400  and outer perimeters that are horizontally spaced apart from each other by interkey gaps  402 ,  404 . See  FIG.  4   . The top surfaces  400  in this embodiment are at least substantially spherically curved, wherein a center point  406  of the keycap  301  is positioned vertically lower than or recessed relative to the outer edge  408  at the perimeter of the keycap  301 . Thus, the top surfaces  400  have an outer edge that is vertically raised relative to a center portion thereof. The curvature of the top surfaces  400  can be slight, wherein the top surfaces  400  are substantially horizontal and are roughly co-planar with a horizontal plane intersected by the edges  408 . The keycaps  301  can also comprise a thickness  410  and a bottom surface  412 . 
     The flexible layer  302  can comprise recessed portions  414  in which the keycaps  301  are mounted and protrusions or raised portions  416  that are positioned between the keycaps  301 . The raised portions  416  can form a continuous grid or mesh shape between the keycaps  301 , wherein, as indicated in  FIG.  4   , there are raised portions  416  oriented parallel to the X-axis that are connected to raised portions oriented parallel to the Y-axis. Accordingly, the keycaps  301  can be surrounded by the raised portions  416  on all four sides or around their entire perimeter. 
     The recessed portions  414  can be form-fitting around the keycaps  301 , wherein the perimeter of the recessed portions  414  follows and is parallel to and concentric with the perimeter of the keycaps  301 . The recessed portions  414  can therefore be keycap-shaped and can have outer perimeters or edges that follow the shapes of the edges of the keycaps  301 . In this manner, there are only very narrow gaps  418  or cracks between the top surfaces  400  of the keycaps  301  and the top surfaces of the raised portions  416 . The bottom surfaces of the keycaps  301  can be attached (e.g., adhered) to the top surfaces of the recessed portions  414 . The top surfaces of the inner keycaps  304  can be attached to the bottom surfaces of the recessed portions  414 . Thus, the interkey gaps  402 ,  404  can extend between both layers of keycaps  301 ,  304 , as shown in part in  FIG.  5   . 
     A raised portion  416  can have a top surface with a vertical position (i.e., a position along the Z-axis in  FIG.  5   ) that is equal to the vertical position of the center point  406  of an outer keycap  301  next to the raised portion  416 . The outer edge  408  of the keycap  301  can therefore be positioned higher than the top surface of the raised portion  416 . Thus, as shown in  FIG.  5 A , which shows a detailed view of a portion of  FIG.  5   , there may be a vertical offset distance  422  between the raised portion  416  and the outer edge  408 . The vertical offset distance  422  can be less than the thickness  410  of the keycap  301 . The vertical offset distance  422  allows the user to lightly touch the boundary between the keycap  301  and the raised portion  416  (e.g., at gap  418 ) and feel the outer edge  408 . This offset provides key definition to the user&#39;s touch so that they can locate keys by feel. 
     The offset distance  422  can be optimized so that movement of a user instrument across the top surfaces of the keycaps  301  and raised portion  416  is not overly rough. For example, a small enough offset distance  422  can reduce the chance that a finger will be caught on the edge  408 . Thus, the raised portion  416  can help make the top surface smoother to the touch. This can be particularly beneficial in embodiments where a capacitive touch-sensitive interface is implemented in or under the keycaps  301  and flexible layer  302 . The keyboard can then better simulate the feel of a track pad or other similar touch-sensitive interface device as a finger moves across the top surface. 
     The flexible layer  302  can comprise wall portions  420  that link the recessed portions  414  to the raised portions  416 . See  FIG.  5   . The wall portions  420  of  FIG.  5    are vertically oriented and parallel to the side surface shapes of the keycaps  301 . Thus, in some embodiments, the wall portions  420  follow the side surface shape of the keycaps  301 . Vertical side surfaces of the keycaps  301  can correspond to vertical wall portions  420 . Similarly, angled side surfaces of the keycaps  301  can correspond to angled wall portions  420  that are parallel to or angled away from the side surfaces of the keycaps  301 . 
     The recessed portions  414 , raised portions  416 , and wall portions  420  can each have the same thickness and material composition. In some embodiments, these portions  414 ,  416 ,  420  can each have a different thickness and/or material composition. The recessed portions  414  and raised portions  416  can have a first thickness and/or material stiffness, and the wall portions  420  can have a second thickness and/or material stiffness. In a non-limiting example, the wall portions  420  are thinner than the recessed portions  414  and/or the raised portions  416 . Relatively thinner wall portions  420  can be more flexible than other portions of the flexible layer  302 . Thus, movement of the keycaps  301  can cause more deformation of the wall portions  420  relative to deformation of the recessed portions  414  and/or the raised portions  416 . In an example embodiment, the wall portions  420  are about half the thickness of the recessed portions  414  and/or the raised portions  416 . For example, the wall portions  420  can be about 100 microns in thickness and the recessed portions  414  and/or raised portions  416  can be about 200 microns in thickness. In another example embodiment, the flexible layer  302  comprises a variable-stiffness composite material (e.g., a reinforced or doped silicone) wherein the wall portions  420  comprise a more flexible or bendable material than the recessed portions  414  and/or the raised portions  416 . In another embodiment, the recessed portions  414  are more rigid than the wall portions  420  and raised portions  416 . Variable thickness and rigidity can limit or prevent wrinkling or sagging of the flexible layer  302  over time or while the keycap  301  is depressed by making the flexible layer  302  relatively more rigid where it would otherwise wrinkle or sag. 
     The raised portions  416  can also provide support for the user&#39;s finger when pressing down on the top surface  400  of an outer keycap  301 . The flexible layer  302  can comprise a compliant material that takes the shape of the finger. The flexible layer  302  can be configured to be flexible enough to provide little or no resistance to key movement. The flexible layer  302  can also be configured spaced apart from any rigid structures below the raised portions  416  (e.g., the web structure  310 ), wherein downward key travel (and corresponding downward travel of the raised portions  416 ) does not cause the user&#39;s finger to impact a rigid, unyielding surface between the keys as the keys travel. Also, in some embodiments the keyboard lacks key stabilizers such as butterfly hinges or scissor mechanisms. In that case, the raised portions  416  can support the sides of a finger pressing down on a keycap and can thereby simulate the feel of parallel, stabilized key travel even if the keycap  301  rotates during travel. 
       FIG.  6    illustrates a related embodiment wherein a spacer material  600  is positioned between the flexible layer  302  and the outer keycaps  301 . The spacer material  600  can comprise an adhesive or glue material, resin, or related material that can attach the flexible layer  302  to an outer keycap  301 . The spacer material  600  can be configured with a thickness that spaces apart the keycap  301  and the flexible layer  302  so that the spacer material  600  can be used as a light guide. Light entering the spacer material  600  (such as light from a light source below the inner keycap  304 ) can be diffused, reflected, or otherwise redirected through the material  600  and around the perimeter of the keycap  301 . The thickness of the flexible layer  302  can therefore correspond to the width of the gaps  418  between the raised portion  416  and the outer keycaps  301 . That width can determine how much light comes through the spacer material  600 , thereby affecting the brightness and line width of the “halo” or perimeter lighting around the keycap  301  as viewed from above. The spacer material  600  can comprise a rigid material or a compliant material. The material selected can adjust how much slack is provided for movement of the flexible layer  302  relative to the keycaps  301 . The spacer material  600  can also help block debris and fluids from passing into the gap  418  between the keycap  301  and the flexible layer  302 . 
       FIG.  7    illustrates another flexible layer  702  that can be used in the keyboard assembly  300 . The raised portion  716  of this flexible layer  702  comprises a top surface that is not entirely flat and smooth like the raised portions  416  shown in  FIG.  5   . The top surface of the raised portion  716  can comprise multiple protrusions, ridges, grooves, bumps, or other textured features  722  that can be discerned by touch and feel. These features can provide a touch reference for the user so that the user can more easily feel the difference between the raised portion  716  and the adjacent top surface  400  of the keycaps  301 . The textured features  722  can modify the amount of friction experienced by the user instrument as it passes over the flexible layer  702 . The change in friction can indicate where interkey areas are located between the borders of the keycaps  301 . The textured features  722  can also affect the diffusion of light through the top surface of the flexible layer  702 , the flexibility of the flexible layer  702 , and the cosmetic appearance of the flexible layer  702 . 
     The textured features  722  can be applied in various other embodiments disclosed herein. Furthermore, the textured features  722  can be spread across other top surface portions of the flexible layer  702 , such as across top surfaces above or below the keycaps  301  (e.g., surfaces  1604 ,  1608 ,  1614 , and/or  1616  of the embodiment of  FIGS.  16 - 17    described elsewhere herein). 
     The textured features  722  can in some cases affect the feel and friction of the top surface  716 , but in some cases, the textures can alternatively or additionally affect the appearance of the flexible layer  702  from the user&#39;s perspective (e.g., to the naked eye). For instance, in some embodiments, at least the visible surface of the flexible layer  702  can be made with a matte appearance that reduces the visual prominence and visual contrast of deformation or deflection (e.g., pillowing or wrinkling) as compared to a more reflective surface. 
     In some embodiments, the surfaces of the flexible layer  702  are made with a matte appearance due to the manufacturing tools and processes used to make the flexible layer  702 . The flexible layer  702  can be made in a mold with a matte texture or rolled with a tool having a matte texture that transfers the matte texture to the surface of the flexible layer  702 . The flexible layer  702  can have a secondary layer of material added to the surface of the flexible layer  702  (e.g., a coating or paint), wherein the secondary layer of material comprises a matte material or a matte visual appearance on at least one of its user-facing surfaces. In other cases, the material of the flexible layer  702  can be reduced or removed from the surface of the flexible layer  702  in order to make that surface more matte. For example, a chemical or laser etching process can be used to remove material from a surface in order to make it less reflective. In embodiments having a fabric or other woven material, the material can be made with a weave pattern, wire/thread diameter, and/or wire/thread material (e.g., using a matte material or using a variety of different materials that have different light reflectivity) that includes a large number or variety of bumps or texture changes that reduce the reflectivity or glossiness of the surface of the material. In order to give the flexible layer  702  have a more matte appearance, these processes can introduce very small (e.g., microscopic) grooves, pits, apertures, weave patterns, or other variations in the surface that are configured to increase the ability of the material to scatter or absorb light rather than reflecting it. 
       FIG.  8    illustrates another related embodiment wherein the outer keycaps  301  are joined to each other by a flexible structure  800  with a keycap edge profile-fitting shape. The flexible structure  800  can have bottom portions  802  positioned under the keycaps  301 , wall portions  804  extending along the sides and in between keycaps  301 , and a bridge portion or raised portion  806  spanning the top ends of the wall portions  804 . The flexible structure  800  can be made (e.g., overmolded or co-molded) with a shape following the sides and edges  408  of the keycaps  301  and can be adhered to, bonded to, or otherwise attached to the keycaps  301 . 
     The bottom portions  802  may or may not extend completely under the keycaps  301  to form a continuous layer or membrane separate from the keycaps  301 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG.  8   , the flexible layer  800  only extends partially under each keycap  301 , so the combined assembly of the flexible layer  800  and the keycaps  301  forms a single layer. If the keycaps  301  were removed, there would be apertures (e.g., apertures  812 ) through the flexible layer  800  where the keycaps  301  are located. 
     The entire top surface  808  of the raised portion  806  can be located vertically higher than the edges  408  of the keycaps  301 . The top surface  808  of the raised portion  806  can also be domed or otherwise form an at least partially convex surface between the keycaps  301 . The top surface  808  can therefore help further provide a scooped or dished shape for adjacent outer keycaps  301 . In some embodiments, the top surface  808  comprises a centrally flat section and curved lateral edges. The flat section can help make the top surface of the entire keyboard feel flatter as a finger moves across the top surface since there is less Z-offset between the pinnacles of the top surface  808  and the edges  408  or center points  406  of the outer keycaps  301 . 
     The top surface  808  can also overhang the edges  408  of the keycaps  301  at covering portions or overhang portions  810 . The overhang portions  810  can help limit or prevent debris and fluids from penetrating between the flexible structure  800  and the keycaps  301 . The overhang portions  810  can also help shape the transition between the top surface  808  and the keycaps  301  to enhance or reduce key definition, depending on their shapes and sizes. 
       FIG.  9    illustrates another related embodiment wherein the outer keycaps  301  are connected to each other by a flexible structure  900  with a raised portion  902  significantly taller than the nearby top surfaces of the keycaps  301 . As explained above, the height of the raised portion  902  can affect the key definition. In this case, the key definition is enhanced because there is a significant Z-height difference  904  between the top of the raised portion  902  and the top of the keycaps  301 . The flexible structure  900  is also attached (e.g., adhered) only to the bottom of the keycaps  301 , thereby making the wall portions  906  of the flexible structure  900  more flexible and movable relative to the keycaps  301  than, for example, the embodiments of  FIGS.  6  and  8   . The adhesion between the flexible structure  900  and the keycaps  301  can be provided by a spacer material  908  configured to block material from passing under the keycaps  301 . In some configurations, the spacer material  908  also works as a light guide, similar to spacer material  600  above. 
       FIG.  10    is a schematic section view showing one way the raised portions (e.g.,  416 ,  716 ,  806 ,  902 ) can be formed. Keycaps  1000 ,  1002  can be attached to the flexible layer  1004  while being horizontally/laterally spaced apart from each other. The spaces between the keycaps  1000 ,  1002  can be sized to receive the width of an embossing die  1006 . Opposite the embossing die  1006 , an opposing die  1008  can be supported against the outer keycaps  1000 . The flexible layer  1004  can therefore have raised portions formed between the keys by application of pressure (and, in some cases, heat) against the keycaps  1000  and flexible layer  1004  as the embossing die  1006  is brought toward the opposing die  1008 , as indicated by the arrow in  FIG.  10   . The embossing die  1006  and opposing die  1008  can have various shapes that correspond to the flexible layer shapes described throughout the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the outer keycaps  1000  are omitted. The opposing die  1008  can therefore abut the top surface of the flexible layer  1004  during an embossing or stamping process. 
       FIG.  11    shows an alternative embodiment wherein a bridge structure  1100  is positioned between keycaps  301 . In this case, the bridge structure  1100  can be more rigid and thicker than the flexible layers described above (e.g.,  302 ). The bridge structure  1100  can thus avoid wrinkling or folding between the keycaps  301 . 
     The bridge structure  1100  has a “top hat” shape wherein a central raised portion  1102  is thicker than, and extends vertically higher than, laterally extending lower flanges  1104 . The lower flanges  1104  can extend underneath and can be attached to the keycaps  301 . The lower flanges  1104  can connect to the central raised portion  1102  at the base of the central raised portion  1102 . Flexible structures  1106  can be positioned at stress concentration points between the central raised portion  1102  and lower flanges  1104 . The flexible structures  1106  can be configured with a material that is more elastically flexible than other parts of the bridge structure  110  in order to reduce the chance of the lower flanges  1104  cracking or breaking off at the base of the central raised portion  1102  where stresses are higher. The central raised portion  1102  also has a bottom surface substantially coplanar with the bottom surfaces of the lower flanges  1104 . 
       FIG.  12    illustrates another bridge structure  1200  attached to the underside of keycaps  301 . The bridge structure  1200  can comprise multiple folds  1202  and lower flanges  1204 . When a keycap  301  moves, the folds  1202  can laterally and resiliently expand to accommodate the movement of the keycap  301  relative to its neighboring keycap. The bridge structure  1200  can also diffuse and direct light differently from other embodiments. For example, light can be directed in multiple strips or parallel lines through the folds  1202  and between the keycaps  301 , as shown by the vertical arrows in  FIG.  12   . The top of the folds  1202  can also provide a unique ribbed or brush-like texture for key definition and feel of the bridge structure  1200 . In some embodiments, the folds  1202  can extend above the top surfaces of the keycaps  301 , as shown, and in some cases their top ends can be located below the top surfaces and between the side surfaces of the keycaps  301 . 
       FIG.  13    illustrates a related bridge structure  1300  having a brush-like cross-section. The bridge structure  1300  can comprise a flexible base layer  1302  having lower flanges  1304 . Multiple bristles or ridges  1306  can extend upward from the base layer  1302  to a desired height between the keycaps  301 . The bristles or ridges  1306  can bend at least partially independent of each other. This structure  1300  can be configured to be more rigid than the bridge structure  1200  of  FIG.  12   , but the bristles or ridges  1306  can still elastically spread apart from each other as the lower flanges  1304  are pulled apart in an at least partially horizontal direction. 
       FIG.  14    illustrates a key layer  1400  that can be used in place of, or in addition to, at least the outer keycaps  301  and flexible layer  302  of the keyboard assembly  300 . Similar to bridge structure  1300 , the key layer  1400  can have a flexible base layer  1402  that extends substantially horizontally under a large number of bristles or ridges  1404  that extend vertically upward from the base layer  1402 . The bristles or ridges  1404  can be similar to a carpet or brush, wherein the bristles or ridges  1404  are generally parallel along their respective longitudinal axes and generally extend upward. At least an interkey portion  1406  of the bristles or ridges  1404  can be arranged like the bristles or ridges  1306  of bridge structure  1300 , wherein their upper ends are not adjacently connected to each other (except via the base layer  1402  at the end of the bristles or ridges  1404  opposite their upper ends). Thus, those upper ends can laterally spread or slide relative to each other. 
     Other portions of the bristles or ridges  1404  can be formed into a relatively solid key structure  1408  that has the interkey portions  1406  positioned laterally adjacent to the key structure  1408 . Small gaps  1410  can be located between the interkey portions  1406  and the key structure  1408  as well. Those gaps  1410  can serve the purposes provided by other comparable gaps in the present disclosure such as, for example, gaps  418 . 
     The key structures  1408  can comprise a different vertical height than the interkey portions  1406 . In  FIG.  14   , the key structures  1408  have top surfaces  1412  entirely below the top tips of the interkey portions  1406 . The key structures  1408  can comprise a matrix or binding material that bonds the bristles or ridges  1404  together into a more rigid and cohesive body relative to the relatively free and independently movable bristles or ridges  1404  in the interkey portions  1406 . The matrix or binding material can fill in the spaces between bristles or ridges  1404  in the key structures  1408  and can thereby support and create a smooth and relatively rigid top surface  1412 . The top surface  1412  can have a shape that is dished, scooped, flat, a related shape, or combinations thereof. 
     The key layer  1400  can be beneficial to implement because it can be made with a single, integral piece (comprising the base layer  1402  and bristles or ridges  1404 ) that is locally modified (e.g., by bonding together the key structures  1408 ) to form structures in the single, integral piece that serve different functions. The base layer  1402  can be fluid-tight, and the key structures  1408  can be made in any size or shape, based on the positions of the bristles or ridges  1404 , without having to bond the base layer  1402  to another structure (e.g., a keycap  301 ). In some embodiments, inner keycaps  304  can be attached to the underside of the base layer  1402 . 
       FIG.  15    shows yet another embodiment wherein the keycap  301  is supported over a base layer  308  by one or more interkey arch structures  1500 . Similar to flexible structure  900 , the interkey arch structures  1500  can be attached to the bottom surface of the keycap  301  by an adhesive or spacer material  1502 . Each of the interkey arch structures  1500  can comprise materials used in the flexible layer  302  or other related flexible layers described herein. Thus, the interkey arch structures  1500  can be compressible and flexible upon application of a downward-oriented force to the keycaps  301 . The interkey arch structures  1500  can have bottom portions  1504 , wherein each bottom portion  1504  of a single interkey arch structure  1500  is positioned underneath a different keycap  301 . The bottom portions  1504  can be attached to the base layer  308 . The bottom portions  1504  shown in  FIG.  15    are spaced apart by a width  1505  that can coincide with a bottom aperture  1506  in the base layer  308 . The bottom aperture  1506  can provide venting, wherein air under the keycap  301  can escape through the bottom aperture  1506  as the keycap  301  moves downward toward the aperture  1506 . In some embodiments the bottom portions  1504  of adjacent interkey arch structures  1500  are continuously connected to each other. In some arrangements, collapsible domes, key stabilizers, and other components can be positioned in the width  1505  or on top of the bottom portions  1504 . 
     The interkey arch structures  1500  can have angled side portions  1508 , substantially horizontal shelf portions  1510 , substantially horizontal interkey portions  1512 , and substantially vertical wall portions  1514 . Upon application of a downward force on the keycap  301 , the shelf portions  1510  can move downward and the angled side portions  1508  can compress downward toward the base layer  308 . The interkey portions  1512  can rotate so that their ends positioned closest to the keycap  301  move downward while their opposite ends remain substantially stationary. Thus, the interkey arch structures  1500  can provide stabilization and support for the keycaps  301  in addition to providing other benefits provided by other flexible layers disclosed herein. 
     The interkey arch structures  1500  can reduce the need for, or can be provided to supplement, key stabilizers, compressible domes, and similar structures in the keyboard assembly. In some embodiments, the keycaps  301  can comprise a switch structure  1516 . The switch structure  1516  can be a switch element configured to be used to detect the movement or position of the keycap  301  relative to other parts of the keyboard assembly. For example, the switch structure  1516  can comprise a conductive pad configured to move with the keycap  301  and to make contact with other conductive elements (not shown) in the base layer  308  or interkey arch structures  1500  upon full downward travel of the keycap  301 . That contact can produce an electrical signal or close a conductive path in a manner that produces an electrical signal indicating that the key has been pressed by the user. 
     In another embodiment, the switch structure  1516  can include an electrode that has a capacitance relative to another electrical structure in the interkey arch structures  1500  or base layer  308 . Measurement of that capacitance (and changes to it as the keycap  301  moves) can be used to detect the press of the keycap  301 . Similarly, the switch structure  1516  can include a magnetic element or optical element that can be sensed by a sensor near the keycap  301 . The switch structure  1516  can be implemented in any of the other keycaps disclosed herein as well. 
       FIG.  16    shows a top view of portions of another embodiment of a keyboard assembly.  FIG.  17    is a section view of those portions as indicated by section lines  17 - 17  in  FIG.  16   . In this embodiment, the keycaps  1600  are located completely underneath a flexible layer  1602 . See  FIG.  17   . The flexible layer  1602  therefore covers the entire top surfaces of the keycaps  1600 . The flexible layer  1602  has a top surface  1604  that has the same curvature or other shape as the top surfaces of the keycaps  1600 , at least along the width  1606  of the keycap  1600 . The materials and other properties of the flexible layer  1602  can be the same as those used in flexible layer  302 . The flexible layer  1602  can beneficially provide a consistent texture and feel across the entire keyboard assembly. For example, the flexible layer  1602  can comprise a fabric material that has the same color and texture across the entire top surface  1604 . The keycaps  1600  can be similar to the inner keycaps  304 , wherein they can be configured with similar materials and with structures to attach to switch structures that are positioned underneath them. 
     The flexible layer  1602  can comprise grooves  1608  spaced apart by a raised surface width  1610 . See  FIG.  16   . The raised surface width  1610  can be the same width as a typical keycap (e.g., the width of outer keycap  301 ). Thus, the visible size of each keycap, when viewed from above the flexible layer  1602 , can be defined by the raised surface width  1610 , even though the keycap  1600  positioned under the raised surface width  1610  has a width  1606  that is smaller by a width difference  1612 . See  FIG.  17   . The raised surface width  1610  can be embossed or molded into the shape of the flexible layer  1602 , and the flexible layer  1602  can have sufficient rigidity and elasticity that raised edges  1614  over the width difference  1612  rise vertically above the edges  1616  of the keycaps  1600 . 
     The grooves  1608  can be recessed relative to the raised edges  1614  to provide key definition in the shape of the raised surfaces. The grooves  1608  can have top surfaces positioned below the top surfaces of the keycaps  1600 , such as being positioned between side surfaces of the keycaps  1600 . The grooves  1608  can have widths about half of the distance between the keycaps  1600  (i.e., the interkey width  1620  in  FIG.  17   ). 
       FIG.  18    illustrates a related embodiment wherein the flexible layer  1800  extends across keycaps  1600  with a generally flat interkey surface  1802  rather than having a groove  1608 . This configuration can provide a smoother surface across which a finger or other user instrument can slide across the top surface  1804  thereof from key to key. 
       FIG.  19    illustrates another related embodiment wherein the flexible layer  1900  extends across keycaps  1600  with a reduced depth groove  1902  as compared to groove  1608 . In this embodiment, there is more resistance to finger slide as compared to flexible layer  1800 , but there is also more key definition. The top surface of the groove  1902  can be at a Z-position equal to or higher than the top surface of an adjacent keycap  1600 . The horizontal top surface of the groove  1902  can have a width about equal to half of the interkey width between the keycaps  1600 . 
       FIG.  20    illustrates yet another embodiment wherein the flexible layer  2000  comprises smaller raised edges  2002  and an increased-width groove  2004 . The peaks of the raised edges  2002  can define a raised surface width of the flexible layer  2000  (similar to width  1610 ) that is about equal to the width  1606  of the keycap  1600 . Thus, the grooves  2004  can substantially fill and span the entire interkey width between the keycaps  1600 . The horizontal top surface of the groove  2004  can have a width greater than about half of the interkey width between the keycaps. For example, the groove can have a width of about 75 percent of the whole interkey width. 
       FIG.  21    shows an embodiment of a flexible layer  2100  that has a reduced-width groove  2102 . The reduced-width groove  2102  can have a horizontal top surface, but can have a width between about one-eighth of the interkey width and about one-third of the interkey width. The raised portions  2104  of the flexible layer  2100  can also define a raised surface width that is greater than raised surface width  1610 . 
       FIG.  22    shows another configuration wherein the flexible layer  2200  has a substantially flat interkey portion  2202  with a folded portion  2204  at its center. The folded portion  2204  can at least partially unfold (i.e., move apart at the contacting or near-contacting top edges  2206 ) if one keycap  1600  moves relative to an adjacent keycap  1600 . The flexible layer  2200  can therefore be configured to be significantly laterally expandable and flexible. In some embodiments, the folded portion  2204  can comprise a more flexible material than the rest of the interkey portion  2202 . 
       FIG.  23    illustrates an embodiment of a flexible layer  2300  having a peaked interkey portion  2302 . The peaked interkey portion  2302  can have a sharp, pointed peak (e.g., similar to a V-shape, as shown) or a smoothly curved peak (e.g., similar to a C-shape or sine wave). A sharp, pointed peak can provide a more distinctive key feel than a smoothly curved peak. The curvature of the top surface  2304  of the flexible layer  2300  can follow the curvature of the top surface of the keycaps  1600  to form the peak. The peaked interkey portion  2302  can provide high key definition and can drive fluids, debris, and other material on the flexible layer  2300  away from the interkey width between the keycaps  1600 . 
       FIG.  24    shows another embodiment having a flexible layer  2400  with an inverted peak or V-shaped groove  2402 . The V-shaped groove  2402  has no horizontal top surface, and provides a larger gap between raised edges  2404  than a folded flexible layer (e.g.,  2200 ). The lowest point on the top surface of the V-shaped groove  2402  can be located at a vertical position about equal to the minimum vertical position on the top surface of an adjoining keycap  1600 . 
       FIG.  25    shows yet another embodiment with a flexible layer  2500  that comprises multiple folds  2502 ,  2504 . The folds  2502 ,  2504  can each have a top opening  2506  that helps provide key definition for a raised surface width  1610  slightly larger than the keycap width  1606 . The folds  2502 ,  2504  are also positioned at extreme ends of the interkey width, wherein the folds are adjacent to and/or abutting the sides of the keycaps  1600 . 
     In an example embodiment, as a user presses down on the top surface above one of the keycaps  1600  to move the keycap  1600  to a first depressed position, one of the folds (e.g.,  2502 ) can at least partially unfold or expand apart at the top opening  2506  without the other fold (e.g.,  2504 ) also unfolding. As the user continues to press further down to a second, more depressed position, the other fold (e.g.,  2504 ) can also at least partially unfold or expand apart at its top opening  2506 . Thus, the folds  2502 ,  2504  can provide progressive lateral expansion or flexibility wherein only one of the folds can open in some cases and both folds can open in another case. In some embodiments, more than two folds  2502 ,  2504  can be positioned between the keycaps  1600 , such as the number of folds shown in the embodiment of  FIG.  12   . Thus, various numbers of folds can expand or open depending on the amount of vertical deflection of the keycap  1600 . 
       FIG.  26    shows another embodiment of a keyboard assembly  2600 . In this embodiment, the flexible layer  2602  is positioned on top of keycaps  2604  which are positioned on key stabilizers  2606  and above a base layer  308 . The keycaps  2604  and key stabilizers  2606  are located laterally between portions of the web structure  310 . The bottom surfaces of the keycaps  2604  are positioned vertically lower than the top surfaces  2608  of the web structure  310 . 
     The keyboard assembly  2600  can comprise a set of resilient supports  2610  positioned on the web structure  310 . The resilient supports  2610  can comprise an elastically compressible material such as a foam rubber or a compressible polymer. In a neutral position, the resilient supports  2610  can support the underside of the flexible layer  2602  and hold the flexible layer  2602  at a position spaced away from the web structure  310 . When contacted by a user, the resilient supports  2610  can compress downward toward the web structure  310  while remaining in contact with the bottom surface of the flexible layer  2602  during the motion. 
     The resilient supports  2610  can provide a cushioned area below the interkey sections between keycaps. Thus, the resilient supports  2610  can provide gradual resistance to the user&#39;s finger while pressing down on the flexible layer  2602  before the finger is stopped by resistance provided by the rigid web structure  310 . This can improve the user&#39;s comfort when typing, particularly when the user instrument is not centered over the keycap  2604 . The resilient supports  2610  can also hold the flexible layer  2602  in a raised condition when adjacent keycaps  2604  are in their neutral states. Thus, the resilient supports  2610  can increase key definition by holding and maintaining plateau-shaped profiles  2612  between the keycaps  2604 . 
     Resilient supports  2610  can also comprise one or more materials having a high dielectric constant. The material for the flexible layer  2602  can also comprise a high dielectric constant. For example, flexible layer  2602  can have the same or a similar dielectric constant relative to the resilient supports  2610 . The high dielectric constants of these materials in the resilient supports  2610  and/or flexible layer  2602  can improve the detection of capacitive loads near (e.g., hovering over) the flexible layer  2602  in embodiments where the flexible layer  2602  is part of a capacitive touch input interface for the keyboard. In some embodiments, the flexible layer  2602  and/or resilient supports  2610  can have a higher dielectric constant than the rigid web structure  310 , base layer  308 , keycaps  2604 , key stabilizers  2606 , or combinations thereof. In some cases, the flexible layer (e.g.,  302 ,  702 ,  802 ,  902 ,  1004 ,  2602 , etc.) can comprise a higher dielectric constant than the keycaps associated with the flexible layer. 
       FIG.  27    shows a side section view of another embodiment of a flexible layer  2702  extending over and between keycaps  2700 . The flexible layer  2702  can comprise an interkey bridge portion  2704  that has a greater thickness  2706  than a key-covering thickness  2708  of the flexible layer  2702 . The bottom side of the interkey bridge portion  2704  can also be molded to the corners and side surfaces of the keycaps  2700 , such as by including side-fill portions  2710  positioned between the side surfaces of the keycaps  2700 . The relatively increased thickness of the interkey bridge portion  2704  and the implementation of the side-fill portions  2710  can provide additional support to the interkey bridge portion  2704  and thereby make it stiffer and less prone to bending, folding, or crumpling. In some embodiments, the flexible layer  2702  is overmolded to the keycaps  2700  or insert molded (using a mold part similar to die  1006  between the keycaps  2700 ) to obtain its shape characteristics. 
       FIG.  28    is an isometric view of a top surface of a keyboard  2800  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIGS.  29  and  30    are side section views of the keyboard  2800  respectively taken through section lines  29 - 29  and  30 - 30  in  FIG.  28   . The keyboard  2800  can comprise a set of keycaps  2802  and a flexible layer  2804 . The flexible layer  2804  can comprise a set of interkey raised portions  2806  arranged laterally between keycaps  2802  among each row  2808 ,  2810 ,  2812  of the keyboard  2800 . The flexible layer  2804  can also comprise spacer portions  2814  between each row  2808 ,  2810 ,  2812 . Accordingly, each row  2808 ,  2810 ,  2812  is spaced apart from its adjacent row by a spacer portion  2814  of the flexible layer  2804 . Although this embodiment is disclosed as having rows  2808 ,  2810 ,  2812 , the keycaps  2802  could also be arranged in columns. 
     The spacer portions  2814  are recessed relative to the top edges of the keycaps  2802  and relative to the top surfaces of the interkey raised portions  2806 . The interkey raised portions  2806  can have top surfaces raised relative to the spacer portions  2814  and can be positioned up to or exceeding the height of the keycaps  2802 . In some embodiments, the interkey raised portions  2806  have top surfaces coplanar with the lowest height (e.g., the center points  2816 ) of the keycaps  2802 . See  FIG.  30   . 
     The interkey raised portions  2806  can contact a finger or other user instrument sliding laterally across the keycaps  2802  in the X-direction. The finger would not contact the spacer portions  2814  when sliding laterally across the keycaps  2802  in the Y-direction. Thus, the spacer portions  2814  can increase key definition by being recessed relative to the keycaps  2802  along a first direction of travel of the user instrument across the keycaps  2802 . The interkey raised portions  2806  can reduce key definition by being less recessed relative to the keycaps  2802  along a second direction of travel of the user instrument across the keycaps  2802  (e.g., a direction perpendicular to the first direction of travel). In some arrangements, the interkey raised portions  2806  can increase key definition by protruding between the keycaps  2802  along the second direction of travel of the user instrument. 
     By having reduced key surface vertical offset in one direction (e.g., the X-direction) and having relatively increased key surface vertical offset in another direction (e.g., the Y-direction), the keyboard  2800  can facilitate movement of a finger in the first direction while discouraging movement in the second direction. The widths of the spacer portions  2814  and the interkey raised portions  2806  can be optimized for various purposes. For example, the keyboard  2800  can be arranged with less key definition in the X-direction when the keyboard  2800  is designed to be used to receive touch gestures that move at least primarily in the X-direction. The positions of the spacer portions  2814  can help guide the user to move in the X-direction rather than straying far into the Y-direction when providing the gesture. 
     Additionally, the top surfaces of the keycaps  2802  can be cylindrically cupped or scooped with the axis of the cylinder shape being parallel to the X-axis. Thus, the top surfaces can guide the user instrument toward the center of the keycaps  2802  along the Y-direction but may not guide the user instrument toward the center of the keycaps  2802  in the X-direction. The top surfaces therefore help facilitate movement along one axis more than along another, perpendicular axis. 
     In some embodiments, the keycaps  2802  can comprise a dished or scooped shape aligned with the Y-direction instead of the X-direction. Thus, the keycaps  2802  can have a “wave” profile along the X-direction. This configuration can have increased key definition along the X-direction since the edges of the keycaps  2802  can be positioned higher than their center points  2816 . 
       FIG.  31    is a schematic view of a keyboard accessory  3100  and a computer  3102  having a keyboard  3104 . The keyboard accessory  3100  can comprise elements and features of other embodiments disclosed herein. For example, the keyboard accessory  3100  can include a flexible layer (e.g.,  302  or  2804 ) and a set of keycaps (e.g.,  301  or  2802 ) that are configured as a separate unit that is attachable to the computer  3102 . Accordingly, the keyboard accessory  3100  can comprise various shape and key definition features described in connection with the other embodiments disclosed herein. When the accessory  3100  is used on top of the keyboard  3104 , the keyboard  3104  can therefore have its key definition defined and provided by the top surfaces of the keyboard accessory  3100  rather than by its own keycaps and interkey surfaces. The accessory  3100  can overlay the keycaps of the keyboard  3104  with corresponding keys. For example, the spacebar, arrow keys, shift keys, alpha keys, etc. of the accessory  3100  can respectively correspond in size and position to the spacebar, arrow keys, shift keys, alpha keys, etc. of the keyboard  3104 . Pressing on one of the keys of the accessory  3100  can cause the corresponding key of the keyboard  3104  to move underneath. 
     The accessory  3100  can be retained to the computer  3102 . In some embodiments, the accessory  3100  is held to the computer  3102  by magnets, clips, or interlocking parts on the accessory  3100  and the computer  3102 . 
     In some cases, the accessory  3100  and computer  3102  are capable of electrical communication with each other. The accessory  3100  can comprise a touch-sensitive layer (e.g., a capacitive touch interface layer or a pressure-sensitive touch interface layer) configured to detect contact between a user instrument and the accessory  3100 . The accessory  3100  can therefore provide electrical signals to the computer  3102  via a wired or wireless communication interface that links them to each other. Accordingly, the accessory  3100  can be used to provide touch- or pressure-based input to the computer  3102 . 
     Other examples and implementations are within the scope and spirit of the disclosure and appended claims. For example, features implementing functions may also be physically located at various positions, including being distributed such that portions of functions are implemented at different physical locations. Also, as used herein, including in the claims, “or” as used in a list of items prefaced by “at least one of” indicates a disjunctive list such that, for example, a list of “at least one of A, B, or C” means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Further, the term “exemplary” does not mean that the described example is preferred or better than other examples. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not target to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20210707
Publication Date: 20231121
Grant Date: 20231121
Priority Date: 20180919
Inventors: WANG, PAUL X.
MATHEW, DINESH C.
HENDREN, KEITH J.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01H13/86", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1662", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0202", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/023", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/041", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1616", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2223/003", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2233/08", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0202", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/86", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1616", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1662", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2223/003", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2219/0622", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2221/066", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2223/034", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2213/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/83", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/86", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/82", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1662", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/023", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2223/003", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/041", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1616", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2233/08", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0202", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 69774321