Apple’s new patent: applying MiniLED technology to Macbook keyboards

On April 23, foreign media revealed that Apple had previously exposed a patented technology that applies Mini LED technology to the keyboard of Macbook laptops to create a new touch keyboard that allows the keycaps to display custom symbols.

It is reported that Apple is exploring a dynamic touch keyboard technology solution. Unlike traditional solutions that rely on display design, this new design equips each key with multiple LED lights to display the required symbols. This design is expected to replace the LED backlight currently used on MacBook keyboards without increasing power consumption.

Image source: AppleInsider

Patented display, the buttons are made of aluminum material and adopt a traditional scissor leg structure. In order to achieve a high enough resolution to ensure that the symbols are clear and easy to read, the design uses Mini LED for lighting display. This design is expected to provide users with greater keyboard customization space.

It is worth noting that Apple has applied Mini LED technology to a number of products on the market, including Apple’s first professional-grade display Pro Display XDR, the 5th and 6th generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro tablets, the 2021 and 2023 14/16-inch MacBook Pro, etc.