Input devices with glyphs having a semitransparent mirror layer

Abstract

An electronic device includes an enclosure, a substrate within the enclosure, a keycap support mechanism, and a keycap supported by the keycap support mechanism and movable relative to the substrate. The keycap includes a body, a mask layer defining a glyph opening, and a semitransparent mirror layer positioned within the glyph opening. The electronic device also includes a light source configured to direct light through the semitransparent mirror layer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electronic device, comprising:
 a housing;   a display positioned in the housing;   a transparent cover overlaying the display and having an outer surface;   a masking layer positioned internal to the transparent cover and defining a glyph opening; and   a semitransparent mirror layer positioned within the glyph opening.   
     
     
         2 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the masking layer is opaque;   the glyph opening is positioned in a bezel portion of the masking layer; and   the masking layer surrounds a central opening, the display being viewable through the transparent cover via the central opening.   
     
     
         3 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the glyph opening is positioned in a bezel portion of the masking layer. 
     
     
         4 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the masking layer surrounds a central opening, the display being viewable through the transparent cover via the central opening. 
     
     
         5 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising a light source in the housing and configured to illuminate the glyph opening from within the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is pivotally coupled to a second housing and movable between a closed position relative to the second housing and an open position relative to the second housing. 
     
     
         7 . An electronic device, comprising:
 a housing having an exterior surface;   an opening defined in the housing, defining a symbol shape, and containing a transparent material;   a semitransparent mirror layer overlaying the symbol shape of the opening behind the transparent material; and   a light source positioned behind the semitransparent mirror layer and operable to illuminate the symbol shape through the semitransparent mirror layer.   
     
     
         8 . The electronic device of  claim 7 , further comprising a display positioned in the housing, wherein the light source is configured to backlight the display. 
     
     
         9 . The electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein, when the light source is illuminated, light from the light source is only visible through the exterior surface at the opening in the housing. 
     
     
         10 . The electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein the housing comprises a base portion pivotally coupled with a display portion and movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the exterior surface being exposed on the housing while the base portion and the display portion are in the closed configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein the semitransparent mirror layer has an opaque and reflective appearance when the light source is inactive. 
     
     
         12 . The electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein the semitransparent mirror layer comprises a reflective metal positioned on an inner side of the transparent material. 
     
     
         13 . An electronic input device, comprising:
 a frame;   a substrate supported by the frame;   at least one semitransparent mirror layer positioned on the substrate and defining at least one key region; and   at least one substantially opaque layer positioned on the substrate within the at least one key region.   
     
     
         14 . The electronic input device of  claim 13 , wherein the frame and the substrate collectively define a top surface of a housing of the electronic input device. 
     
     
         15 . The electronic input device of  claim 13 , wherein the substrate has a planar top surface. 
     
     
         16 . The electronic input device of  claim 13 , wherein a set of key regions are defined by the at least one semitransparent mirror layer, the set of key regions being arranged in a keyboard configuration. 
     
     
         17 . The electronic input device of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one semitransparent mirror layer defines a border of the at least one key region. 
     
     
         18 . The electronic input device of  claim 13 , wherein a set of openings is formed in the at least one substantially opaque layer, and wherein a set of individual semitransparent mirror layers are localized to particular corresponding openings in the set of openings. 
     
     
         19 . The electronic input device of  claim 13 , wherein a set of openings is formed in the at least one substantially opaque layer, and wherein the at least one semitransparent mirror layer extends continuously across the set of openings. 
     
     
         20 . The electronic input device of  claim 13 , wherein the semitransparent mirror layer substantially covers portions of the at least one substantially opaque layer.