PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING KEYBOARD AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING SAME

An electronic device includes a plurality of keycaps, first magnets disposed on an underside of the keycaps, each first magnet of the plurality of first magnets being associated with a respective one of the keycaps and moveable therewith relative to the back of the device, and electromagnets disposed between the back of the keyboard and the first magnets, each electromagnet being associated with a respective one of the first magnets and a respective one of the keycaps. The electronic device also includes a controller coupled to the electromagnets to control each electromagnet to maintain a magnetic field to repel the first magnet and to reverse the polarity in response to detecting an external applied force on the keycap that meets a threshold value to facilitate movement of the respective keycap from a first position, toward the back of the keyboard, to a second position.