Future MacBook keyboard could have customizable aluminum keys

AppleInsider

Apple is working on how to make a perforated aluminum keyboard chassis with keycaps that incorporate an array of LEDs that can change what is displayed on each key.

New Apple Keyboard could be made from aluminum

Apple files all sorts of patents in order to cover its intellectual property and research from potential copycats -- even if the technology is never used. Some patents tend to be incredibly vague or difficult to determine until the product is introduced in reality.

That mostly describes the latest such filing, a newly-granted patent that describes a futuristic MacBook keyboard that can change what is displayed on the keys. However, unlike previous touchscreen keyboard concepts, this would use physical keys and LEDs to perform the trick.

The keyboard would still look like a standard hardware keyboard at a glance. The key casings would be aluminum instead of plastic, and when the MacBook is off, there wouldn't be any visible markings on the keys.

Pressing a key would still actuate a scissor-switch mechanism, so typing would feel similar to existing plastic keyboards used in MacBooks today. However, the keyboard would be made from the same material as the rest of the laptop, enabling a more uniform design, colorway, and rigidity. Note that Apple used aluminum key caps on the PowerBook G4, but those had regular key markings.

When the MacBook is turned on, the keys would illuminate. A standard QWERTY keyboard would be displayed, and unlike today's plastic keys, light would only be visible from the glyph on the key cap. The aluminum key enclosure would have no light bleeding on the key edges.

LED backlighting would control what was displayed on each key

If the user needs to switch to, say, the French AZERTY layout, the keyboard could change to show them exactly that. Or if they simply need a quick way to type symbols, emoji, or punctuation, the keyboard would again be able to change what is displayed on the key cap.

Think of it as a physical keyboard functioning like an iPhone's software keyboard -- changing what is shown given the context.

This would be accomplished by using a mini-LED, or similar, backlight below the aluminum key plate. Each key would have perforations cut precisely so each LED would shine directly through the top of the key cap.

Each key would effectively act as a low-resolution display, showing whatever letter or glyph was needed.

This technology is different from using miniature displays for each key like a Stream Deck. Nor is the technology, as proposed, able to produce high-resolution imagery like an OLED display or similar.

This patent is more closely related to an 8-bit display than a fully-functional display.



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darkvader

This is somehow patentable?

Reconfigurable keys are already a thing, other companies have done it for years.  Perforated aluminum to allow light through is already a thing, Apple may even have done that one first.

This is blatantly obvious to anyone with two brain cells, let alone someone "skilled in the art".  USPTO corruption is the only thing that let this through.

bobolicious

...and how much cost and complexity will it add,
as often asked about the infamous touch bar that never made it to the desktop...?
That said is a basic backlit keyboard option long overdue...? : )

edited December 2022

charlesatlas

If these keys don't have 12-bit HDR, 120Hz refresh and 180º viewing angle, they're useless.

bloggerblog

It's also noteworthy to say that Apple had shone light through aluminum in past products by making the aluminum thin enough that light penetrated it. Or was it that the perforations were so small they were invisible to the naked eye?

Either way, this will be a great reason for me to upgrade. I use different languages on my keyboard and something like this will be very welcomed. Also I think this maybe a good replacement for the TouchBar, maybe we can invoke emoji icons and they'll show on the spacebar. Swipe to scroll and tap to select. Looking forward to this

edited December 2022

shamino

darkvader said:

This is somehow patentable?

Can we say "prior art"?

• Optimus Maximus keyboard.  With an OLED screen on every key.
• Optimus Popularis.  Another implementation of the concept.
• Other implementations

zimmie

AppleInsider said:

Note that Apple used aluminum key caps on the PowerBook G4, but those had regular key markings.

My aluminum PowerBook G4 had aluminum-colored plastic keys. Definitely not aluminum keys.

bloggerblog said:

It's also noteworthy to say that Apple had shone light through aluminum in past products by making the aluminum thin enough that light penetrated it. Or was it that the perforations were so small they were invisible to the naked eye?

The latter. They used very fine perforations for the sleep light on several models.

mknelson

darkvader said:

This is somehow patentable?

Reconfigurable keys are already a thing, other companies have done it for years.  Perforated aluminum to allow light through is already a thing, Apple may even have done that one first.

This is blatantly obvious to anyone with two brain cells, let alone someone "skilled in the art".  USPTO corruption is the only thing that let this through.

Stop and read the patent. It's focused on a specific design aspect: "One way visibility keycaps" rather than a generic concept like reconfigurable keys.

dewme

I’m cool with anything that doesn’t involve typing on flat glass. At least aluminum keycaps would be recyclable. Anything involving perforations could be dicey when it comes to dirt, grease, or dust. It sounds good on paper  

tipoo

If this means keycaps that don't wear down to a permanent gloss in 3 months no matter how clean you are, I'm in 

designguybrown

Sounds good but i would prefer a 'smart keyboard' that I could permanently disable 'caps lock' and create a function that would never 'show both letters' when i brush 2 keys at the same time - which is like every 10th word. Where is the keyboard for the mediocre and sloppy keyboardist who doesn't want to do speech-to-text and endless auto-correct?

mattinoz

shamino said:

darkvader said:

This is somehow patentable?

Can we say "prior art"?

• Optimus Maximus keyboard.  With an OLED screen on every key.
• Optimus Popularis.  Another implementation of the concept.
• Other implementations

Patents are on specific novel implementations not the concept. Indeed the concept could be switched and often is in Apple patents and still protect the implementation.

now is this for a keyboard like the example or something else. 

netrox

I think it would be better if they use e-ink instead of OLED since it retains even with power off.  

sitime

netrox said:

I think it would be better if they use e-ink instead of OLED since it retains even with power off.  

If the power is off though, you wouldn’t be able to use the keyboard anyway (regardless if the images are retained or not).

Don’t get me wrong: I like e-ink products. If this possible-future Apple keyboard was e-ink, but would be great (for an e-ink product fan like me). I’m only commenting specifically about retaining the image even with the power off.

edited April 24

fastasleep

Reruns again

macgui

I've always wanted an Apple illuminated keyboard. Third party keyboards have small issues that annoy me. Apple has received a patent for this keyboard but as the article alludes, there may never be a product. That would be a shame. I use an illuminated keyboard at all hours of the day and night. I'm not quite a touch typist. Numbers and symbols slow me down. 

Perforated key caps could be a problem with debris buildup but I'd expect Apple would take that into consideration. I have a flashlight that has an aluminum bezel with "microperforation". 1200 laser micro-pierced holes are said to allow the LED brightness and battery level indicators to be seen through the metal without compromising the IPX8 waterproof rating. I'd think that would limit if not prevent the incursion of debris and dimming the keycaps' illumination. An all black/blank keyboard displaying symbology only when turned on would be a cool Apple move. If it ever came to market.