Transparent keycaps

Abstract

Keycaps for keyboards that have transparent top portions have a set of layered components to define a top surface that provides key definition by curvature, texture, ridges, or other external structural features. Other portions of the keycaps define a glyph or support structure for the top layer. Features such as angle filters and partially reflective materials are implemented to improve the visibility, contrast, and reflectivity of the keycaps. Multiple methods are used to bend or otherwise modify rigid transparent materials such as glass in order to add surface features and to improve aesthetics of the keycaps of a keyboard.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A keycap assembly, comprising:
 a top layer comprising a transparent material and having a top surface;   a lower layer positioned under the top layer;   a middle layer positioned between the top layer and the lower layer, the middle layer defining a glyph;   wherein the top surface of the top layer includes a perimeter portion and a central portion, the perimeter portion extending upward from the central portion around a perimeter of the top surface, the central portion being planar.   
     
     
         2 . The keycap assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter portion comprises at least one ridge extending around the perimeter and having a top surface parallel to the central portion. 
     
     
         3 . The keycap assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter portion comprises a rougher surface texture than the central portion. 
     
     
         4 . The keycap assembly of  claim 1 , wherein an overall width of the top layer equals an overall width of the lower layer. 
     
     
         5 . The keycap assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the top layer, the lower layer, and the middle layer collectively form a flat side surface. 
     
     
         6 . A keycap for a keyboard, the keycap comprising:
 a key body comprising:
 a transparent body having a bottom surface; 
 a light-blocking material attached to the bottom surface of the transparent body, the light-blocking material defining a glyph shape; 
 a carrier body configured to support the transparent body and the light-blocking material; and 
 a top external surface including at least two raised sections and a flat central top surface, the flat central top surface being recessed relative to the at least two raised sections. 
   
     
     
         7 . The keycap of  claim 6 , wherein the transparent body comprises a glass material, the carrier body comprises a polymer material, and the light-blocking material comprises an opaque layer positioned between the glass material and the polymer material. 
     
     
         8 . The keycap of  claim 6 , wherein the transparent body comprises a transparent polymer material. 
     
     
         9 . The keycap of  claim 6 , wherein the bottom surface is substantially flat and the transparent body is thinner at the flat central top surface than at the at least two raised sections. 
     
     
         10 . The keycap of  claim 6 , wherein the at least two raised sections are part of the carrier body. 
     
     
         11 . The keycap of  claim 6 , wherein the at least two raised sections are part of the transparent body. 
     
     
         12 . The keycap of  claim 6 , wherein the transparent body covers an entire top surface of the carrier body. 
     
     
         13 . The keycap of  claim 6 , wherein the transparent body has an entire width less than an entire width of the carrier body. 
     
     
         14 . The keycap of  claim 6 , wherein the carrier body surrounds the transparent body on at least two sides. 
     
     
         15 . A keycap, comprising:
 a top layer comprising a transparent material and having a top surface;   a lower layer positioned under the top layer;   a middle layer positioned between the top layer and the lower layer, the middle layer defining a glyph;   wherein the top surface of the top layer includes a first area and a second area, the first area having a different surface texture than the second area.   
     
     
         16 . The keycap of  claim 15 , wherein the first area has a rougher surface texture than the second area. 
     
     
         17 . The keycap of  claim 15 , wherein the first area has a smoother surface texture than the second area. 
     
     
         18 . The keycap of  claim 15 , wherein the first area surrounds the second area on the top surface. 
     
     
         19 . The keycap of  claim 15 , wherein the top surface is substantially flat across the first area and the second area. 
     
     
         20 . The keycap of  claim 15 , wherein surface textures gradually transition between the first area and the second area.