TWI871895B - Lighting keyboard and backlight module - Google Patents

Abstract

A lighting keyboard includes a plurality of keyswitch rows, a support plate and a backlight module. Each keyswitch of each of the keyswitch rows includes a keycap having a transparent region. The plurality of keyswitch rows includes a first keyswitch row and a second keyswitch row, wherein each of the keycaps of the first keyswitch row is defined as a first keycap and each of the keycaps of the second keyswitch row is defined as a second keycap. In at least one lighting region, the plurality of first keycaps and the plurality of second keycaps are provided with a lateral key gap and two stepped key gaps. The support plate supports the plurality of keyswitch rows. The backlight module is located below the plurality of keyswitch rows and includes at least one illuminant unit. The at least one illuminant unit includes a lateral illuminant row and two longitudinal illuminant rows, wherein the lateral illuminant row is located below the lateral key gap and each of the two longitudinal illuminant rows is located below each of the two stepped key gaps.

Description

Illuminated keyboard and backlight module

The present invention relates to a keyboard; in particular, to a luminous keyboard and a backlight module.

Traditional keyboards have multiple keys for users to press to type and input data on electronic devices (such as computer hosts). When the light is sufficient, users can clearly see the characters on the keycaps of the keys and can easily press the required keys. However, when the light is insufficient, it is difficult for users to see the characters on the keycaps and press the correct keys. To solve the above problems, luminous keyboards are developed. The luminous keyboards have a backlight module, which is set under the keys to illuminate the keycaps from under the keys, so that users can see the characters on the keycaps even in insufficient light.

The backlight module of the commonly used illuminated keyboard includes a plurality of LEDs, which are respectively arranged directly under each key. Although this design method can provide backlight for the keycap of each key, since each key has a dedicated LED as the light source of the backlight, the structural design directly under the key is relatively complex. In addition, the number of keys on the illuminated keyboard is large, so the number of LEDs required is also large, resulting in a relatively high installation cost of the LED.

In view of this, the present invention provides a luminous keyboard, which is defined with a long axis and a short axis. The luminous keyboard includes a first key row and a second key row in parallel, a bottom plate and a backlight module. The first key row includes a plurality of first key caps arranged along the long axis, and the second key row includes a plurality of second key caps arranged along the long axis. There is a horizontal key gap between the first key row and the second key row extending along the long axis, and between two adjacent first key caps and two adjacent second key caps misaligned on the short axis, there are two-step key gaps defined on opposite sides of the horizontal key gap. The bottom plate is located below the first key row and the second key row. The backlight module is located below the first key row and the second key row. The backlight module includes a horizontal light row and two vertical light rows, each of which includes a plurality of light-emitting elements. The horizontal light row is located below the horizontal key gap, and each vertical light row is located below each step key gap. The light emitted by the horizontal light row and the two sets of vertical light rows is transmitted through the first key cap and the second key cap.

The present invention provides a backlight module, comprising a shading plate and a light panel. The shading plate comprises a first light-transmitting row and a second light-transmitting row arranged in parallel, a transverse shielding area and a two-step shielding area: the first light-transmitting row and the second light-transmitting row extend along a long axis together, the first light-transmitting row has a plurality of first light-transmitting areas arranged at intervals along the long axis, the second light-transmitting row has a plurality of second light-transmitting areas arranged at intervals along the long axis, and the first light-transmitting area and the second light-transmitting area are not aligned on a short axis; the transverse shielding area extends along the long axis and is located between the first light-transmitting row and the second light-transmitting row; the two-step shielding area is located on opposite sides of the transverse shielding area. The light panel is located below the shading plate, and is provided with a transverse light row and two longitudinal light rows, each of which includes a plurality of light-emitting elements. The transverse light row is located below the transverse shading area, and each longitudinal light row is located below each stepped shading area. The light emitted by the transverse light row and the two longitudinal light rows passes through the first light-transmitting area and the second light-transmitting area.

The benefit of the present invention is that the light-emitting elements are arranged in a horizontal light row and a vertical light row and are disposed below the key gap, not below the key cap, so that the backlight structure design directly below the key can be simplified. In addition, the keys of the key row share the light of the light-emitting elements of a set of horizontal light rows and two vertical light rows as backlight, which can reduce the number of light-emitting elements and reduce the cost of setting up light-emitting elements.

In addition, the multiple keys and keycaps of the luminous keyboard are divided into two luminous areas, one on the left and one on the right. The light panel under each luminous area is provided with a set of horizontal light rows and two vertical light rows, and the keys of the left and right luminous areas can be controlled to illuminate separately through a control device. The multiple luminous elements of the horizontal light row and the two vertical light rows corresponding to the left luminous area can also illuminate in turn, providing the left luminous area with different luminous effects when the user taps the keys with his left hand. Optionally, the multiple luminous elements of the horizontal light row and the two vertical light rows corresponding to the right luminous area can also illuminate in turn, providing the right luminous area with different luminous effects when the user taps the keys with his right hand.

1,2,3,4: Luminous keyboard

10a,10b: short side

12a,12b: long side

14: Luminous area

142: Left luminous area

144: Right luminous area

16:Keyboard

162: First key row

164: Second key row

18: Button

182: Left area key

184:Right key

20: Keycaps

202: First keycap

204: Second keycap

22: Light-emitting area

24: Shade area

26: Lifting mechanism

262: Bracket

28: Switch structure

30: Thin film circuit board

32: Elastic return piece

34: Trigger

36: Key gap

38: Horizontal key gap

40: Ladder key gap

402: Left key gap segment

404: Right key gap segment

42: Base plate

422: Plate hole

44: Backlight module

46: Light-emitting unit

462: Left light-emitting unit

464: Right light-emitting unit

47: horizontal beam

48: Light-emitting element

482: Side glossy surface

484: Component long axis

49: Vertical Light Column

50: Light-emitting element

502: Side glossy surface

504: Component long axis

52: Sunshade

54: Translucent column

542: First light-transmitting row

544: Second light-transmitting row

56: light-transmitting area

562: First light-transmitting area

564: Second light-transmitting area

58: Horizontal shading area

60: Staircase shelter area

602: First step barrier section

604: Second step of the ladder

62: Transparent substrate

64: Reflective layer

66: Light-absorbing layer

662: hollowed out area

68: Light board

70: Light guide plate

702: Scattering structure

72: Horizontal accommodating portion

74: Staircase storage part

76:Reflective layer

762:Through hole

78: Control device

80: Grooving

L: Reference line

X: long axis

Y: short axis

Z: stacking axis

θ1: angle of intersection

θ2: angle of intersection

#1~#14: Lighting sequence

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a stacked luminous keyboard of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a partial exploded schematic diagram of the luminous keyboard in the luminous area of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of the luminous keyboard of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, revealing the structure of the left and right keys of the left key gap section of the stepped key gap.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the light-emitting unit of the backlight module of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the light-emitting elements of the light-emitting unit of the backlight module of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the circuit block of the luminous keyboard of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the light-emitting unit of the backlight module of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a stack of luminous keyboards of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the left and right light-emitting units of the backlight module of the third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the circuit block of the luminous keyboard of the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the left light-emitting unit and the right light-emitting unit of the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In order to explain the present invention more clearly, a preferred embodiment is given and described in detail with drawings. Please refer to Figures 1 to 5, which are a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the luminous keyboard 1, which is a long rectangle and defines a perpendicular long axis X, a short axis Y and a stacking axis Z. The luminous keyboard 1 has two opposite short sides 10a, 10b on the long axis X, and two opposite long sides 12a, 12b on the short axis Y. The luminous keyboard 1 includes a plurality of key rows 16, a bottom plate 42 and a backlight module 44.

The key row 16 is arranged along the short axis Y between the two long sides 12a, 12b. Each key row 16 includes a plurality of keys 18. The keys 18 of each key row 16 are arranged along the long axis X. In this embodiment, 6 rows of key rows 16 are taken as an example. Each key 18 is a membrane switch key, but it is not limited to this. It can also be a mechanical key or an optical induction switch key.

3, each key 18 includes a key cap 20, a lifting mechanism 26, a switch structure 28, an elastic reset member 32 and a trigger member 34. The key cap 20 has at least one light emitting area 22, and the light emitting area 22 can be, for example, characters on the key cap and/or located around the key cap 20, and a light shielding area 24 is formed next to the light emitting area 22. For example, the lifting mechanism 26 includes two brackets 262 connected to each other, the top of each bracket 262 is connected to the key cap 20, and the bottom of each bracket 262 is connected to the bottom plate 42, and the two brackets 262 are used to support the up and down movement of the key cap 20. The switch structure 28 is a thin film switch pad. The switch structure 28 is disposed on a thin film circuit board 30. The thin film circuit board 30 is disposed on the bottom plate 42 in the stacking axis Z. The top of the elastic reset member 32 abuts against the bottom of the key cap 20, and the bottom of the elastic reset member 32 abuts against the thin film circuit board 30. The trigger member 34 is connected to the elastic reset member 32 and corresponds to the switch structure 28. When the user presses the key cap 20, the elastic reset member 32 is squeezed to drive the trigger member 34 to press the switch structure 28, so as to trigger the switch structure 28 to short-circuit; after the user releases the key cap 20, the elastic reset member 32 elastically recovers, pushes the key cap 20 to an initial position and takes the trigger member 34 away from the switch structure 28, so that the switch structure 28 is open.

Please refer to FIG. 1 , there is a key gap 36 between two adjacent key caps. The key row 16 includes a first key row 162 and a second key row 164 adjacent to each other. In this embodiment, the first key row 162 and the second key row 164 are two rows located near the middle of the key row 16 on the short axis Y. Each key cap of the first key row 162 is defined as a first key cap 202, and each key cap 20 of the second key row 164 is defined as a second key cap 204. The first key cap 202 and the second key cap 204 are arranged in a staggered manner, and the first key cap 202 and the second key cap 204 are arranged along the long axis X respectively.

The luminous keyboard 1 has at least one luminous area 14 on the long axis X. The at least one luminous area 14 may, for example, cover a range of 10 to 20 keys 18. In this embodiment, there is one luminous area 14, which is located in the middle area of the luminous keyboard 1 on the long axis X and covers a range of 10 keys 18. In the luminous area 14, the first key cap 202 and the second key cap 204 have a transverse key gap 38 on the short axis Y. The transverse key gap 38 extends along the long axis X, for example, between three first key caps 202 and three adjacent second key caps 204. In the light-emitting region 14, there is a two-step key gap 40 between two adjacent first key caps 202 and two adjacent second key caps 204 that are misaligned on the short axis Y. The two-step key gap 40 is defined on opposite sides of the transverse key gap 38 on the long axis X. Each step key gap 40 has a left key gap section 402 and a right key gap section 404. The left key gap section 402 is located between two adjacent first key caps 202, and the right key gap section 404 is located between two adjacent second key caps 204.

The bottom plate 42 is located below the key row 16 in the stacking axis Z, that is, below the first key row 162 and the second key row 164. The key row 16 is disposed on the bottom plate 42, and the bottom plate 42 is used to support the keys 18 of the key row 16. In this embodiment, the bottom plate 42 is located above the backlight module 44, and the bottom plate 42 has a plurality of plate holes 422, and the plate holes 422 allow light from the backlight module to pass through. In the stacking axis Z, the bottom plate 42 has a set of plate holes 422 below each key 18 of the key row 16, for example, five plate holes 422, each set of plate holes 422 corresponds to each key cap 20 and is located within the projection range of each key cap 20, but is not limited to this, and each key cap 20 may correspond to at least one plate hole 422.

The backlight module 44 is located below the key row 16 in the stacking axis direction Z, that is, below the first key row 162 and the second key row 164. The backlight module 44 includes a light-emitting unit 46. In this embodiment, the light-emitting unit 46 is located below the bottom plate 42 in the stacking axis direction Z. The light-emitting unit 46 includes a set of a transverse light row 47 and two longitudinal light rows 49, each including a plurality of light-emitting elements 48, 50. The light-emitting elements 48 of the transverse light row 47 are located below the transverse key gap 38 in the stacking axis direction Z, and the light-emitting elements 50 of each longitudinal light row 49 are located below each step key gap 40 in the stacking axis direction Z. The light emitted by the light-emitting unit 46 passes through the plate hole 422 of the bottom plate 42 and the light-emitting area 22 of the key cap 20 of the key row 16, and the light emitted by the horizontal light row 47 and the two vertical light rows 49 also passes through each plate hole 422 and the corresponding first key cap 202 and second key cap 204. In this way, the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 46 can be used as the backlight of all the keys 18 of the luminous keyboard 1. Preferably, the light rays of the horizontal light row 47 and the two vertical light rows 49 advance from the luminous area 14 toward the two long sides 12a, 12b and the two short sides 10a, 10b, that is, the light-emitting unit 46 emits light from the middle area of the luminous keyboard 1 to the surrounding area.

In more detail, please refer to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 . The light-emitting elements 48, 50 of each transverse light row 47 and each longitudinal light row 49 are side-emitting diodes, and each light-emitting element 48, 50 has a side emitting surface 482, 502. The number of light-emitting elements 48 of the transverse light row 47 is 8, but is not limited thereto. The light rays of the light-emitting elements 48 of the transverse light row 47 respectively advance toward two different long sides 12a, 12b, and a portion of the light-emitting elements 48 emit light toward the long side 12a, and another portion of the light-emitting elements 48 emit light toward the other long side 12b. Each light-emitting element 48 of each transverse light row 47 has an element long axis 484, and the angle θ1 between each element long axis 484 and the long axis X is less than or equal to 30 degrees. The angle θ1 can be any degree between 0 and 30 degrees, where 0 degrees represents that the component long axis 484 is parallel to the long axis X. In FIG. 5 , a plurality of reference lines L are marked, each reference line L is parallel to the long axis X, and each angle θ1 is marked with the long axis 484 of each component relative to each reference line L.

The number of light-emitting elements 50 in each longitudinal light row 49 is 3, but not limited thereto. The light rays of the light-emitting elements 50 in the two longitudinal light rows 49 respectively advance toward two different short sides 10a, 10b, wherein the light-emitting elements 50 in one longitudinal light row 49 emit light toward the short side 10a, and the light-emitting elements 50 in the other longitudinal light row 49 emit light toward the other short side 10b. Each light-emitting element 50 in each longitudinal light row 49 has an element long axis 504, and the angle θ2 between each element long axis 504 and the long axis X is greater than or equal to 35 degrees. The angle θ2 can be 35 to 90 degrees, wherein 90 degrees represents that the element long axis 504 is perpendicular to the long axis X. In FIG. 5 , each angle θ2 is indicated by the element long axis 504 relative to each reference line L.

Thus, the light emitted by the horizontal light row 47 and the two vertical light rows 49 can cover different directions around the light-emitting unit 46 to serve as the backlight for all keys 18.

In this embodiment, the backlight module 44 may further include a shading plate 52 and a light board 68. The shading plate 52 is located between the bottom plate 42 and the horizontal light row 47 and the two vertical light rows 49 of the light-emitting unit 46 in the stacking axis Z. The shading plate 52 has a plurality of light-transmitting rows 54, and the light-transmitting rows 54 are arranged along the short axis Y, and each light-transmitting row 54 has a plurality of light-transmitting areas 56, and the light-transmitting areas 56 are arranged at intervals along the long axis X. The light-transmitting areas 56 are respectively located directly below the key caps 20 and correspond to the plate holes 422 of the bottom plate 42. The width and length of each light-transmitting area 56 are smaller than the range of the five plate holes 422 above it. The shading plate 52 includes a transparent substrate 62 and at least one light-shielding layer, and the at least one light-shielding layer is disposed on the transparent substrate 62. At least one light shielding layer is two layers, and is respectively a reflective layer 64 and a light absorbing layer 66. The reflective layer 64 can be, for example, white paint applied on an upper surface of the transparent substrate 62, and the light absorbing layer 66 can be, for example, black paint applied on the reflective layer 64, and the edges of the reflective layer 64 are all covered by the light absorbing layer 66. The light absorbing layer 66 has a plurality of hollow areas 662, and each hollow area 662 and the transparent substrate 62 located thereunder constitute each light-transmitting area 56. In one embodiment, at least one light shielding layer can be a single layer, for example, only the reflective layer 64 or the light absorbing layer 66 is provided.

The light-transmitting row 54 has a first light-transmitting row 542 and a second light-transmitting row 544 that are adjacent and parallel on the short axis Y. The first light-transmitting row 542 and the second light-transmitting row 544 extend along the long axis X together. The first light-transmitting row 542 corresponds to the first key row 162, and the second light-transmitting row 544 corresponds to the second key row 164. Each light-transmitting area 56 of the first light-transmitting row 542 is defined as a first light-transmitting area 562, and each light-transmitting area 56 of the second light-transmitting row 544 is defined as a second light-transmitting area 564. The first light-transmitting area 562 and the second light-transmitting area 564 are arranged in a staggered manner, that is, they are not aligned on the short axis Y. In the light-emitting area 14, the light-shielding plate 52 has a transverse shielding area 58 and a two-step shielding area 60. The transverse shielding area 58 is located between the first light-transmitting row 542 and the second light-transmitting row 544 on the short axis Y, and the transverse shielding area 58 extends along the long axis X, that is, the transverse shielding area 58 is located below the transverse key gap 38. The two-step shielding area 60 is located on opposite sides of the transverse shielding area 58 on the long axis X, and each step shielding area 60 is located between two adjacent first light-transmitting areas 562 and adjacent second light-transmitting areas 564 that are misaligned on the short axis Y. Each step shielding area 60 has a first step shielding segment 602 and a second step shielding segment 604. The first step shielding segment 602 is located between two adjacent first light-transmitting areas 562, and the second step shielding segment 604 is located between two adjacent second light-transmitting areas 564. That is, each step shielding area 60 is located below each step key gap 40, and each first step shielding segment 602 is located below each left key gap segment 402, and each second step shielding segment 604 is located below each right key gap segment 404.

The light board 68 is located below the shading plate 52 in the stacking axis Z. The light board 68 can be a printed circuit board. The transverse light row 47 and the longitudinal light row 49 of the light-emitting unit 46 are arranged on the light board 68. The transverse light row 47 is located below the transverse shielding area 58 in the stacking axis Z. Each longitudinal light row 49 is located below each step shielding area 60 in the stacking axis Z. The light board 68 can be provided with a light source circuit (not shown). The light source circuit electrically connects the transverse light row 47 and the two longitudinal light rows 49 to provide power to drive the light-emitting elements 48 and 50. The light emitted by the light-emitting unit 46 passes through the light-transmitting area 56 of the light-transmitting row 54, and the light emitted by the horizontal light row 47 and the second vertical light row 49 also passes through the first light-transmitting area 562 and the second light-transmitting area 564.

In this embodiment, the backlight module 44 may optionally include a light guide plate 70 and a reflective layer 76. The light guide plate 70 is located above the lamp plate 68 and between the light shielding plate 52 and the lamp plate 68 in the stacking axis Z. In the light-emitting area 14, the light guide plate 70 has a set of transverse accommodating portions 72 and two sets of step accommodating portions 74. The transverse accommodating portions 72 are located below the transverse shielding area 58 and extend along the long axis X. Each set of step accommodating portions 74 is located below each step shielding area 60. Each transverse accommodating portion 72 and each step accommodating portion 74 may be a structure such as a groove or a perforation. Each light-emitting element 48 of the transverse light row 47 protrudes to each transverse accommodation portion 72, and each light-emitting element 50 of each longitudinal light row 49 protrudes to each step accommodation portion 74. The side light-emitting surface 482 of each light-emitting element 48 faces the wall surface of each transverse accommodation portion 72, and the side light-emitting surface 502 of each light-emitting element 50 faces the wall surface of each step accommodation portion 74. The light emitted by the light-emitting unit 46 is guided by the light guide plate 70, which can increase the uniformity of the overall backlight of the light-emitting keyboard 1.

The light guide plate 70 may further be provided with a plurality of scattering structures 702, which are respectively located below the plate hole 422 of the bottom plate 42 and correspond to the plate hole 422 and the key cap 20 (including corresponding to the first key cap 202 and the second key cap 204). Part of the light transmitted inside the light guide plate 70 may be scattered by the scattering structure 702 and emitted toward the plate hole 422, so as to increase the light output of the light output area 22 of the key cap 20.

The reflective layer 76 is disposed between the lamp plate 68 and the light guide plate 70. The reflective layer 76 is disposed on the upper surface of the lamp plate 68 in the form of a reflective plate, but is not limited thereto. The reflective layer 76 may also be a reflective coating, and the reflective coating is coated on the upper surface of the lamp plate 68. In the light-emitting area 14, the reflective layer has a plurality of through holes 762, and each light-emitting element 48 of each horizontal light row 47 and each light-emitting element 50 of each vertical light row 49 passes through each through hole 762 respectively. The reflective layer 76 is used to reflect the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 46 upward to increase the light output of the light-emitting area 22 of the key cap 20. In practice, the light guide plate 70 or the reflective layer 76 may not be disposed.

When the light-emitting elements 48, 50 of the light-emitting unit 46 emit light, the light enters the light guide plate 70 from the side, and then irradiates upward through the light-transmitting area 56 of the light-shielding plate 52 and the plate hole 422 of the bottom plate 42 to form the backlight of the key cap 20. The light is transmitted through the light-emitting area 22 of each key cap 20 to form a luminous character. In addition, the light can also be transmitted through the key gap 36 around each key cap 20 to form a contour halo.

Since the horizontal light row 47 and the two vertical light rows 49 of the light-emitting unit 46 are respectively located directly below the horizontal key gap 38 and the two-step key gap 40, that is, the light-emitting elements 48 and 50 are not located directly below the key cap 20, the light-emitting elements 48 and 50 will not increase the thickness of the structure directly below the key cap 20, and the structure directly below the key cap 20 can be simplified. It is worth mentioning that all the keys 18 share the light of at least one light-emitting unit 46 as the backlight, which further reduces the cost of setting up the light-emitting elements.

In one embodiment, the number of light-emitting units 46 can also be plural and respectively arranged in plural light-emitting areas 14, and the light-emitting units 46 provide backlight for the keys 18.

In one embodiment, the bottom plate 42 may also be disposed below the backlight module 44, and the backlight module 44 is located between the key cap 20 and the bottom plate 42. In this way, the bottom plate 42 may not be provided with a plate hole 422 for light to pass through, so that the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 46 can be transmitted through the light-emitting area 22 of the key cap 20 of the key row 16.

FIG6 shows a second preferred embodiment of the luminous keyboard 2 of the present invention, which is based on the first embodiment and further includes a control device 78 electrically connecting the key 18 and the luminous unit 46. The control device 78 has a plurality of control modes, including a backlight mode, a light-off mode and at least one flashing mode.

When the control device 78 executes the backlight mode, the control device 78 controls the horizontal light column 47 and the two vertical light columns 49 of the light-emitting unit 46, so that the light-emitting elements 48, 50 of the horizontal light column 47 and the two vertical light columns 49 emit light at the same time, thereby forming the backlight of the light-emitting keyboard 2.

When the control device 78 executes the light-off mode, the control device 78 controls the light-emitting unit 46 to turn off the horizontal light column 47 and the two vertical light columns 49 at the same time, thereby turning off the backlight of the light-emitting keyboard 2.

When the control device 78 executes at least one flashing mode, when any button 18 is pressed, the control device 78 controls the horizontal light row 47 and the two vertical light rows 49 of the light unit 46, so that the light-emitting elements 48, 50 of the horizontal light row 47 and the vertical light row 49 emit light in turn. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the light-emitting elements 48, 50 emit light in turn according to the light-emitting sequence #1 to #14, and at least one light-emitting element 48, 50 emits light each time to form a clockwise rotating marquee effect, but it is not limited to this, and it can also be a counterclockwise rotating marquee effect. Of course, another flashing mode can also be designed to control the light-emitting elements to form a counterclockwise rotating marquee effect.

FIG8 and FIG9 show a third preferred embodiment of the luminous keyboard 3 of the present invention, which is based on the first embodiment. The difference is that the number of luminous regions 14 in this embodiment is two, and they are a left luminous region 142 and a right luminous region 144 arranged along the long axis. The left luminous region 142 and the right luminous region 144 are located between the two short sides 10a and 10b on the long axis X. The first key row 162 and the second key row 164 are also divided and arranged in the left luminous region 142 and the right luminous region 144. The backlight module 44 has two light-emitting units 46, namely a left light-emitting unit 462 and a right light-emitting unit 464. The left light-emitting unit 462 and the right light-emitting unit 464 are respectively located in the left light-emitting area 142 and the right light-emitting area 144. Below the left light-emitting area 142, there is a set of horizontal light rows 47 and two vertical light rows 49 corresponding to the left light-emitting unit 462. Below the right light-emitting area 144, there is a set of horizontal light rows 47 and two vertical light rows 49 corresponding to the right light-emitting unit 464. The horizontal light column 47 and the second vertical light column 49 of the left light-emitting unit 462 are located below the horizontal key gap 38 and the second step key gap 40 in the left light-emitting area 142; the horizontal light column 47 and the second vertical light column 49 of the right light-emitting unit 464 are located below the horizontal key gap 38 and the second step key gap 40 in the right light-emitting area 144. The left light-emitting unit 462 emits light from the left light-emitting area 142 to the surroundings, and the right light-emitting unit 464 emits light from the right light-emitting area 144 to the surroundings. The light emitted by the left light-emitting unit 462 and the right light-emitting unit 464 is transmitted through the light-emitting area 22 of the key cap 20 of the key row 16, and can be used as the backlight of the luminous keyboard 3.

In this embodiment, the left light-emitting unit 462 and the right light-emitting unit 464 are disposed on the same light board 68, but this is not limited thereto. The left light-emitting unit 462 and the right light-emitting unit 464 may also be disposed on two light boards 68 respectively.

In addition, in this embodiment, the light guide plate 70 has a cutout 80, which divides the light-emitting keyboard 3 into a left light-emitting area 142 and a right light-emitting area 144. The cutout 80 is located between the left light-emitting unit 462 and the right light-emitting unit 464 on the long axis X, and the cutout 80 extends along the key gap 36 between two adjacent key caps 20 on the short axis Y. The keys 18 of the key array 16 can be divided into a plurality of left-area keys 182 and right-area keys 184 with the cutout 80 as the boundary. The keys 18 on the left side of the cutout 80 are the left-area keys 182, and the keys 18 on the right side of the cutout 80 are the right-area keys 184. The first key row 162 and the second key row 164 also have a plurality of left-zone keys 182 and a plurality of right-zone keys 184. The cutout 80 can isolate the light emitted by the left light-emitting unit 462 and the right light-emitting unit 464 from each other, that is, the light emitted by the left light-emitting unit 462 is transmitted through the light-emitting area 22 of the key cap of the left-zone key 182, and will not illuminate the key cap 20 of the right-zone key 184; the light emitted by the right light-emitting unit 464 is transmitted through the light-emitting area of the key cap 20 of the right-zone key 184, and will not illuminate the key cap 20 of the left-zone key 182. In this way, the backlight of the key 18 located between the left light-emitting unit 462 and the right light-emitting unit 464 on the long axis X will not be too bright.

FIG. 10 shows a fourth preferred embodiment of the luminous keyboard 4 of the present invention, which is based on the second and third embodiments, except that the control device 78 is electrically connected to the left key 182, the right key 184, the left luminous unit 462 and the right luminous unit 464.

When the control device 78 executes the backlight mode, the control device 78 controls the left light-emitting unit 462 and the right light-emitting unit 464 to emit light at the same time, thereby forming the backlight of the luminous keyboard 4.

When the control device 78 executes the light-off mode, the control device 78 controls the left light-emitting unit 462 and the right light-emitting unit 464 to be turned off at the same time, thereby turning off the backlight of the luminous keyboard 4.

When the control device 78 executes at least one flashing mode, when any left zone key 182 of the control device 78 is pressed, the control device 78 controls the left light unit 462 corresponding to the left light zone 142, so that the light elements 48, 50 of the horizontal light row 47 and the vertical light row 49 of the left light unit 462 are illuminated in turn. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the light elements 48, 50 of the left light unit 462 are illuminated in turn according to the illumination sequence #1 to #14, and at least one light element 48, 50 is illuminated each time to form a clockwise rotating ticker effect, but it is not limited to this, and it can also be a counterclockwise rotating ticker effect.

Optionally, when any right zone key 184 is pressed, the control device 78 controls the right light unit 464 corresponding to the right light zone 144, so that the light elements 48, 50 of the horizontal light column 47 and the vertical light column 49 of the right light unit 464 emit light in turn. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the light elements 48, 50 of the right light unit 464 emit light in turn in the light sequence #1 to #14, and at least one light element 48, 50 emits light each time to form a counterclockwise rotating ticker effect, but it is not limited thereto, and it can also be a clockwise rotating ticker effect.

Of course, another flashing mode can also be designed to control the left light unit 462 and the right light unit 464 to form a running light effect with the same rotation direction.

In this embodiment, due to the light isolation effect of the cutout 80, the ticker effect generated by the left light unit 462 will only appear on the left zone key 182, and the ticker effect generated by the right light unit 464 will only appear on the right zone key 184. The light emitted by the left light unit 462 and the right light unit 464 will not affect each other.

The above is only the preferred feasible embodiment of the present invention. Any equivalent changes made by applying the present invention specification and the scope of patent application should be included in the patent scope of the present invention.

1: Luminous keyboard

10a,10b: short side

12a,12b: long side

14: Luminous area

16:Keyboard

162: First key row

164: Second key row

18: Button

20: Keycaps

202: First key cap

204: Second keycap

22: Light-emitting area

24: Shade area

36: Key gap

38: Horizontal key gap

40: Ladder key gap

402: Left key gap segment

404: Right key gap segment

42: Base plate

44: Backlight module

52: Sunshade

68: Light board

70: Light guide plate

X: long axis

Y: short axis

Z: stacking axis

Claims (14)

A luminous keyboard is defined with a long axis and a short axis, and comprises: a first key row and a second key row arranged in parallel, the first key row comprises a plurality of first key caps arranged along the long axis, the second key row comprises a plurality of second key caps arranged along the long axis, a transverse key gap is provided between the first key row and the second key row and extends along the long axis, and two-step key gaps are defined on opposite sides of the transverse key gap between two adjacent first key caps and two adjacent second key caps misaligned on the short axis; a bottom plate is located below the first key row and the second key row; a back plate is provided between the back plate and the back plate; The light module is located below the first key row and the second key row. The backlight module includes a horizontal light row and two vertical light rows, each of which includes a plurality of light-emitting elements. The horizontal light row is located below the horizontal key gap, and each of the vertical light rows is located below each of the step key gaps. The light emitted by the horizontal light row and the two vertical light rows passes through the first key caps and the second key caps. The light-emitting keyboard has two long sides and two short sides. The light rays of the light-emitting elements of the horizontal light row respectively advance toward the two different long sides; the light rays of the light-emitting elements of the two vertical light rows respectively advance toward the two different short sides. A light-emitting keyboard is defined with a long axis and a short axis. The light-emitting keyboard comprises: a first key row and a second key row arranged in parallel, the first key row comprises a plurality of first key caps arranged along the long axis, the second key row comprises a plurality of second key caps arranged along the long axis, a horizontal key gap is provided between the first key row and the second key row and extends along the long axis, and a two-step key gap is defined between two adjacent first key caps and two adjacent second key caps misaligned on the short axis on opposite sides of the horizontal key gap; a bottom plate is located below the first key row and the second key row; a backlight module is located between the first key row and the second key row; Below the second key row, the backlight module includes a horizontal light row and two vertical light rows, each of which includes a plurality of light-emitting elements. The horizontal light row is located below the horizontal key gap, and each of the vertical light rows is located below each of the step key gaps. The light emitted by the horizontal light row and the two vertical light rows passes through the first key caps and the second key caps. The light-emitting elements of the horizontal light row each have an element long axis, and the angle between the element long axis and the long axis is less than or equal to 30 degrees. Alternatively, the light-emitting elements of each of the vertical light rows each have another element long axis, and the angle between the element long axis and the long axis is greater than or equal to 35 degrees. A luminous keyboard is defined with a long axis and a short axis, and comprises: a first key row and a second key row arranged in parallel, the first key row comprises a plurality of first key caps arranged along the long axis, the second key row comprises a plurality of second key caps arranged along the long axis, a transverse key gap is provided between the first key row and the second key row and extends along the long axis, and two step key gaps are defined on opposite sides of the transverse key gap between two adjacent first key caps and two adjacent second key caps misaligned on the short axis; a bottom plate is located between the first key row and the second key row, and the bottom plate is located between the first key row and the second key row. The first key row and the second key row are provided with a backlight module, which is located below the first key row and the second key row. The backlight module includes a horizontal light row and two vertical light rows, each of which includes a plurality of light-emitting elements. The horizontal light row is located below the horizontal key gap, and each of the vertical light rows is located below each of the step key gaps. The light emitted by the horizontal light row and the two vertical light rows is transmitted through the first key caps and the second key caps. The light-emitting keyboard includes a control device, which is electrically connected to and controls the light-emitting elements of the horizontal light row and the two vertical light rows to emit light in turn. A light-emitting keyboard is defined with a long axis and a short axis, and comprises: a first key row and a second key row arranged in parallel, the first key row comprises a plurality of first key caps arranged along the long axis, the second key row comprises a plurality of second key caps arranged along the long axis, a horizontal key gap is provided between the first key row and the second key row, and extends along the long axis, and two-step key gaps are defined on opposite sides of the horizontal key gap between two adjacent first key caps and two adjacent second key caps misaligned on the short axis; a bottom plate is located below the first key row and the second key row; a backlight module is provided; A group of light-emitting diodes is disposed below the first key row and the second key row. The backlight module includes a horizontal light row and two vertical light rows, each of which includes a plurality of light-emitting elements. The horizontal light row is disposed below the horizontal key gap, and each of the vertical light rows is disposed below each of the step key gaps. The light emitted by the horizontal light row and the two vertical light rows passes through the first key caps and the second key caps. The first key row and the second key row are divided into a left light-emitting area and a right light-emitting area. The left light-emitting area corresponds to one group of the horizontal light row and the two vertical light rows, and the right light-emitting area corresponds to another group of the horizontal light row and the two vertical light rows. A luminous keyboard as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the bottom plate has a plurality of plate holes corresponding to the first key caps and the second key caps respectively, and the light emitted by the horizontal light row and the two vertical light rows passes through the plate holes and the first key caps and the second key caps. A luminous keyboard as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the backlight module includes a shading plate, and the shading plate is located between the bottom plate and the horizontal light row and the two vertical light rows. A luminous keyboard as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the backlight module includes at least one light panel located below the base plate for arranging the horizontal light row and the two vertical light rows. The luminous keyboard as described in claim 7, wherein the backlight module further includes a light guide plate located above the light panel. As described in claim 7, the backlight module includes a reflective layer disposed on the at least one light board; the reflective layer has a plurality of through holes, and the horizontal light row and each of the vertical light rows pass through each of the through holes respectively. The luminous keyboard as described in claim 8, wherein the light guide plate has a plurality of scattering structures corresponding to the first key caps and the second key caps respectively. A luminous keyboard as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the backlight module includes at least one light board located below the bottom plate and a light guide plate located above the light board, and the light guide plate has a groove that divides the luminous keyboard into a left luminous area and a right luminous area arranged along the long axis. A luminous keyboard as described in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the light from the horizontal light row and the two vertical light rows advances toward the two long sides and the two short sides of the luminous keyboard. The luminous keyboard as described in claim 4, wherein the first key row and the second key row are divided into a plurality of left zone keys and a plurality of right zone keys; wherein, when any of the left zone keys is pressed, the luminous elements of the horizontal light row and the two vertical light rows corresponding to the left luminous zone emit light in turn. A backlight module comprises: a shading plate, comprising: a first light-transmitting row and a second light-transmitting row extending along a long axis in parallel, the first light-transmitting row having a plurality of first light-transmitting regions arranged at intervals along the long axis, the second light-transmitting row having a plurality of second light-transmitting regions arranged at intervals along the long axis, the first light-transmitting regions and the second light-transmitting regions not being aligned on a short axis; a transverse shading region extending along the long axis and located between the first light-transmitting regions and the second light-transmitting regions; between the light-transmitting row and the second light-transmitting row; and two stepped shielding areas, located on opposite sides of the transverse shielding area; a light board, located below the light-shielding board, is provided with a transverse light row and two longitudinal light rows, each of which includes a plurality of light-emitting elements, the transverse light row is located below the transverse shielding area, and each of the longitudinal light rows is located below each of the stepped shielding areas; wherein the light emitted by the transverse light row and the two longitudinal light rows is transmitted through the first light-transmitting areas and the second light-transmitting areas.

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