Patent attributes
An electroluminescent keyboard includes a plurality of membrane switch structures, a plurality of keycaps, a plurality of electroluminescent elastic members, and an electrode layer. The electroluminescent elastic members are arranged between the keycaps and respective membrane switch structures for emitting light in response to an electric current or an electric field. The electrode layer is arranged between the electroluminescent elastic members and respective membrane switch structures and electrically connected to respective electroluminescent elastic members. The electroluminescent elastic members emit light when the electric current passes through the electrode layer or the strong electric field is applied to the electrode layer. The light-emitting element and the backlight module that are used in the conventional keyboard are not included in the electroluminescent keyboard. In addition, the light could be effectively controlled to be guided to a desired luminous region of the keycap. As a consequence, the illuminated keyboard is very cost-effective.