US 12,131,875 B2
Keyboard assembly with interchangeable keys and method of operating the same
Kwok Hoong Siu, Singapore (SG); Joseph Pok Yap Chong, Singapore (SG); Ching Guan Tay, Singapore (SG); and Chen Wee Cheah, Singapore (SG)
Assigned to Home Control Singapore PTE LTD, Singapore (SG)
Appl. No. 18/257,288
Filed by Home Control Singapore PTE LTD, Singapore (SG)
PCT Filed Dec. 9, 2021, PCT No. PCT/SG2021/050773
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jun. 15, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2023/106998, PCT Pub. Date Jun. 15, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2024/0013991 A1, Jan. 11, 2024
Int. Cl. H01H 13/70 (2006.01); G06F 3/02 (2006.01); G06F 3/023 (2006.01); H01H 13/14 (2006.01); H04N 21/422 (2011.01); H05K 1/18 (2006.01)
CPC H01H 13/70 (2013.01) [G06F 3/0202 (2013.01); G06F 3/0238 (2013.01); H01H 13/14 (2013.01); H04N 21/42212 (2013.01); H04N 21/42227 (2013.01); H05K 1/181 (2013.01); H05K 2201/10053 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A keyboard assembly for a handheld device, comprising:
a housing having a first section and a second section;
a plurality of slots formed on the first section;
a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed between the first and second sections;
a key mat sandwiched between the first section and the PCB, the key mat having a plurality of fixed keys and a plurality of interchangeable keys, each key protruding from a corresponding slot on the first section, wherein each of the interchangeable keys comprises a key cover and a key base,
wherein the plurality of interchangeable keys, each has a plurality of pins extending from each interchangeable key towards the PCB configured to provide each interchangeable key with a unique identity, such that when each interchangeable key is replaced onto another slot on the first section, the unique identity remains with the interchangeable key, and wherein the plurality of pins are configured to be selectively coated with a conductive material.