Computer keyboards have become standardized in their basic format for use with a variety of computers and computer operating systems. In general, a keyboard is arranged in a form of matrix that comprises columns and rows of data lines. Each of the keys of the keyboard matrix has its own key symbol correspondingly. Keyboards for personal computers are typically designed with the primary portion of the keyboard comprising individual letter keys arranged in a pattern similar to that used for typewriter. A typical keyboard includes a plurality of keys, each having an upper strike surface that can be pressed to provide desired inputs to the computer. Typically, the keys include alphanumeric symbols or other symbols to guide the user as to which key or keys should be pressed to provide a desired input to the computer. The computer keyboard employs a grid or matrix of switches. Each key switch generally includes a key cap supporting by a resilient member, such that the key switch performs a movement relative to the base. The key cap, when struck by user, moves toward the base. When a key corresponding to a particular intersection of the grid or matrix is pressed a processor built into the keyboard identifies the key by identifying the grid location. The resilient member, responsive to the movement of key cap, is deformed to activate a corresponding circuit. Therefore, a signal is generated to accomplish the input operation. The keyboard processor performs several functions, including debouncing the keystrokes, i.e., filtering very rapid on-off cycles that may occur where a key switch makes contact, determining how long a key has been pressed, and interpreting multiple or simultaneous key strokes. Keyboard keys are typically moved between a home position and a struck position when used to enter information. In the home position, the keyboard key is usually disposed at the highest vertical extension. To enter the symbol or control function associated with that key, the key is struck or depressed by the user and the key moves downwards from the home position to the struck position. Upon reaching the struck position, a signal is sent to the electronic device indicating that the key has been struck. Multimedia keyboards widely use the graphics and sound effects input control functions of computer. In particular, the rapid development of PC music simulation software and program technology has enabled the functionality of multimedia keyboards to transcend the control of graphics and sound effects. Most computer keyboards are connected to the host computer via cable connection (e.g. desktop computers) or integrated with the main housing (e.g. laptop or notebook computers). Recently wireless keyboards are becoming very popular. Such keyboards typically employ a transmitter, operating within a narrow band of the electromagnetic spectrum, which communicates with a receiver directly coupled to the central processing unit. Signals received from the keyboard are translated into standard keyboard signals understood by the central processing unit. A wireless keyboard permits the user to submit typed data to the central processing unit anywhere within the range of the transmitter receiver combination. The wireless keyboards currently available are either infrared based or RF based transmission systems.

In general, personal computers can be classified as those intended for desktop usage and those which are portable, e.g., laptops and notebooks. A desktop computer typically includes a separate display unit or monitor connected to a system or base unit via a display cable. Notebook computers on the other hand are typically light and compact and are becoming more popular in recent years. The biggest difference between notebook computers and desktop computers is their display devices. The display device on a notebook computer has to be small, light, thin and consume less electrical power. A typical desktop computer system comprises a display unit, input devices such as a keyboard, a central processing unit (CPU) and data storage devices (e.g., hard disk drive) in a separate enclosure. Modern desktop computers provide users with user-input mechanisms that are well suited for the applications that run on these computers. Desktop computers often use an external peripheral mouse that allows the user to conveniently navigate through menus, panes, and features of an application, as well as allowing navigation between applications and selection of various choices within a given application. Moreover, applications usually provide complex graphical user interfaces (GUIs) that are designed to work in conjunction with the point and click features of a mouse or with particular keys on a keyboard of the desktop computer. In desktop computer systems, the foregoing input devices are generally stand-alone devices, which may communicate with the computer system via hardwire or wireless technology. A keyboard is typically coupled to the processor to allow a user to transmit commands to the processor. The keyboard may include alphanumeric input keys, a pointing device, and input buttons associated with the pointing device, all of which may be positioned in a single keyboard housing. A desktop computer has a numeric pad located on the right portion of a keyboard. During use, when a need to use numeral function keys for a calculation arises, a user can simply activate only the numeral function keys on the numeric pad by pushing a number lock (Num Lock) key, and a Num Lock mode display located on the top of the keyboard lights up. The keyboard used with a desktop computer typically contains a keyboard controller which responds to the depression of a key on the keyboard by generating a key matrix code corresponding to the depressed key, and by supplying the code in a digital form to a host. Desktop computers are often designed with detachable input/output (I/O) devices such as monitors, keyboards, and mice. This allows users to configure the desktop computer to include the desirable quality and position of I/O devices in a most ergonomic manner. For example, full size keyboards are typically attached to desktop computer via a long cable. The nature of desktop computers makes them ideal for using user-input devices such as an external peripheral mouse and/or keyboard. There is usually sufficient desktop space or keyboard size to allow the user to easily navigate through an application or to select from various choices.

In recent years, the notebook or laptop computer has gained considerable popularity due to their convenience and transportability. Laptop computers typically include a flat panel display, a main unit containing the electrical components (e.g., microprocessor, RAM, ROM, and hard disk drives, I/O support circuitry), and a keyboard utilized to interact with the laptop computer. Generally, the laptop computers are provided with a liquid crystal display (LCD), and many contrivances have been made in order to economize the consumption power of the battery. A general notebook computer mainly comprises a screen, a keyboard and a casing. The screen and the casing are integrally connected via the hinge mechanism. The keyboard is installed on the casing wherein a motherboard adhered on the surface with CPU and other electronic units are contained; the motherboard is located under the keyboard. The keyboard of the notebook computer is small in size because of the miniaturization of the computer itself. Because of the lack of space available on laptop or notebook computers, manufacturers do not adhere to the accepted or familiar desktop keyboard standards when making laptop or notebook computer keyboards. The keyboard used in a laptop computer does not include the keyboard controller. A special embedded controller in the notebook computer takes charge of the keyboard control function. The embedded controller is a powerful microcontroller which assumes many jobs in a notebook computer, such as power management, screen brightness adjustment, keyboard control, and so forth. The keyboard of a notebook computer may use a thin type press button structure that includes a scissors-type or bridge-type support structure mounted between the key and the base board. On a standard size laptop or notebook computer keyboard the height of the keycaps, with the keycaps on the laptop or notebook computer keyboard being substantially shorter than those on desktop keyboard. To meet the requirements of different users, wireless technology and detachable keyboard structures have recently been incorporated into laptop computers. The keyboard can be attached to and detached from the computer's main body and communicate with the computer by way of wireless.