# US 10,309,589 B2 · Light vectoring apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,309,589 B2 - Document ID: US10309589B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/154,478 - Filed: 2016-05-13 - Published: 2017-11-16 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2016-05-13 - Assignees: Rohinni, LLC - Applicants: Rohinni, Inc. - Inventors: Cody Peterson; Monica Hansen; Justin Wendt; Clint Adams; Andrew Huska - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10309589B2 ## CPC - F21K 9/65: specially adapted for changing the characteristics or the distribution of the light, e.g. by adjustment of parts - F21V 3/04: characterised by materials, surface treatments or coatings - F21V 7/0008: {providing for indirect lighting} - H01H 13/70: having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard (mounting together a plurality of independent switches H02B) - H01H 13/83: characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements - F21Y 2101/00: Point-like light sources - H01H 2219/05: Key offset in relation to switch site - H01H 2219/056: Diffuser; Uneven surface - H01H 2219/06: Reflector - F21K: NON-ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES USING LUMINESCENCE; LIGHT SOURCES USING ELECTROCHEMILUMINESCENCE; LIGHT SOURCES USING CHARGES OF COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL; LIGHT SOURCES USING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES AS LIGHT-GENERATING ELEMENTS; LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) - F21Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED ## Abstract An apparatus includes a coverlay layer having a void therein. A backing layer is disposed against a first side of the coverlay layer. A transmission layer is disposed against a second side of the coverlay layer opposite the first side such that a chamber is formed within the void between the transmission layer and the backing layer. The transmission layer includes a first area having a first level of light transmissivity and a second area having a second level of light transmissivity that is greater than the first level of light transmissivity. The transmission layer is oriented so that at least a portion of each of the first area and the second area overlaps the void. A light source is positioned in the chamber between the first area of the transmission layer and the backing layer. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus, comprising: a coverlay layer including a void therein; a backing layer disposed against a first side of the coverlay layer; and a transmission layer disposed against a second side of the coverlay layer opposite the first side such that a chamber is formed within the void between the transmission layer and the backing layer, the transmission layer including a first area having a first level of light transmissivity and a second area having a second level of light transmissivity that is greater than the first level of light transmissivity, and the transmission layer being oriented so that at least a portion of each of the first area and the second area overlaps the void, wherein a light source is positioned in the chamber between the first area of the transmission layer and the backing layer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of a surface of the first area of the transmission layer that is facing the void is at least partially reflective. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the second area of the transmission layer that is facing the void includes light modifying material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second area of the transmission layer that is facing the void includes an aperture therethrough. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light source is electrically connected to a circuit trace disposed on the backing layer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission layer is a circuit substrate to which the light source is electrically connected. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein interior surfaces of the chamber are at least partially reflective. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the chamber is at least partially filled with a light modifying material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cover covering at least a portion of the chamber and having a translucent portion, the cover being disposed adjacent the transmission layer such that light that passes through the second area of the transmission layer is emitted into an external environment. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an inner sidewall of the void is continuous so as to define a perimeter shape having no corners. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a floor of the chamber includes at least one of a textured surface or a light modifying material. ### Claim 12 An apparatus, comprising: a chamber; a light source positioned in the chamber; a substrate disposed against the chamber, the substrate including a first region having a first level of light transmissivity and a second region having a second level of light transmissivity that is greater than the first level, the first region of the substrate and the light source being aligned in a first position with respect to the apparatus, light exiting the chamber via the second region of the substrate located at a second position with respect to the apparatus, and the second position being laterally displaced from the first position; and a cover that covers at least the second region of the substrate, the cover including a translucent portion that allows light from the light source to pass through to an external environment, wherein the first region of the substrate extends over the light source such that the light source does not directly illuminate the cover. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the chamber includes a light diffusion region in which the light from the light source is at least one of diffused or reflected, the light diffusion region being aligned with the second position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the first region of the substrate includes a reflective surface facing the light source. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the second region of the substrate includes light modifying material. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the second region of the substrate has an aperture that is aligned with the second position that is laterally displaced from the first position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the substrate is a coverlay, wherein the apparatus further comprises a circuit substrate disposed on a side of the chamber that is opposite the coverlay, and wherein the light source is electrically connected to the circuit substrate. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the substrate is a circuit substrate to which the light source is electrically connected. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein interior surfaces of the chamber are at least partially reflective. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the chamber is at least partially filled with a light modifying material. ### Claim 21 (depends on 12) The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein at least a portion of an inner sidewall of the chamber is beveled to reflect light from the light source through the second region of the substrate. ### Claim 22 (depends on 12) The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein an inner sidewall of the chamber is continuous so as to define a perimeter shape having no corners. ### Claim 23 (depends on 12) The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a floor of the chamber includes at least one of a textured surface or a light modifying material. ### Claim 24 An apparatus, comprising: a light source; a chamber including a light diffusion portion shaped to vector light in a first direction away from a position of the light source; and a substrate at least partially covering the chamber, the substrate having a transmission region through which the light from the light diffusion portion is vectored in a second direction that is transverse to the first direction. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The apparatus according to claim 24, further comprising a cover disposed over the chamber and the substrate, wherein the light being vectored in the second direction is emitted into an external environment via the cover. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The apparatus according to claim 24, further comprising a circuit substrate including a circuit trace to which the light source is electrically connected, wherein a surface of the circuit substrate defines a portion of a ceiling or a floor of the chamber. ### Claim 27 (depends on 24) The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein an inner sidewall of the chamber is continuous so as to define a perimeter shape having no corners. ### Claim 28 (depends on 24) The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein a floor of the chamber includes at least one of a textured surface or a light modifying material. ### Claim 29 (depends on 24) The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the chamber is at least partially filled with a light modifying material. ### Claim 30 (depends on 24) The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein at least a portion of an inner sidewall of the chamber is beveled to reflect light from the light source in the second direction. ### Claim 31 (depends on 24) The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein interior surfaces of the chamber are at least partially reflective. ### Claim 32 (depends on 24) The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein at least a portion of a surface of the light diffusion portion is at least partially reflective to assist in vectoring the light. ### Claim 33 (depends on 24) The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein at least a portion of the transmission region of the substrate includes light modifying material. ### Claim 34 (depends on 24) The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the transmission region of the substrate includes an aperture therethrough.