# US 10,310,167 B2 · Illumination structure for uniform illumination of keys > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,310,167 B2 - Document ID: US10310167B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/261,972 - Filed: 2016-09-11 - Published: 2017-03-30 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2015-09-28 - Assignees: Apple Inc. - Applicants: Apple Inc. - Inventors: Robert Y. Cao; Craig C. Leong; Bradford J. Zercoe; Dinesh C. Mathew; Mahesh Krishnamurthi; Jun Qi; Rong Liu; Victor H. Yin - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10310167B2 ## CPC - G02B 6/0061: {to provide homogeneous light output intensity} - G02B 6/0038: {Linear indentations or grooves, e.g. arc-shaped grooves or meandering grooves, extending over the full length or width of the light guide} - G02B 6/0045: {by shaping at least a portion of the light guide} - G06F 1/1662: {Details related to the integrated keyboard} - H01H 13/023: {Light-emitting indicators (for multi-layer switches H01H13/83)} - H01H 13/14: Operating parts, e.g. push-button - H01H 13/7065: characterised by the mechanism between keys and layered keyboards - H01H 13/83: characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements - H01H 2219/056: Diffuser; Uneven surface - H01H 2219/06: Reflector - H01H 2219/062: Light conductor - H01H 2219/0622: only an illuminated ring around keys - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - 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) ## Abstract Described is an illumination structure for a key of a keyboard. The illumination structure is used to uniformly illuminate the key and any glyphs that are present on the key. The illumination structure includes a light guide having various features that increase total internal reflection and also illuminate the glyphs of the key. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A keyboard comprising: a keyboard base; and a set of keys coupled to the keyboard base, one of the keys of the set of keys comprising: a switch body formed at least partially from a light transmissive material and comprising: an opening in a central region of the switch body configured to receive at least part of a dome switch; and an attachment feature positioned along a side of the switch body; a hinge mechanism coupled to the switch body via the attachment feature; a keycap coupled to the hinge mechanism; and a light source configured to couple light to the keycap via the switch body. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The keyboard of claim 1, wherein: the switch body further comprises a recess; and the light source is positioned at least partially in the recess. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the hinge mechanism comprises: a first wing; a second wing opposite the first wing; and a living hinge coupling the first wing to the second wing. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The keyboard of claim 3, wherein: the first and second wings each comprise a pivot member; and the pivot members interlock with the attachment feature to retain the hinge mechanism to the switch body. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the light transmissive material is a transparent plastic. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the switch body further comprises a lens configured to direct light out of the switch body. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The keyboard of claim 1, wherein: the keycap comprises a glyph; and the light source is configured to couple the light to the glyph. ### Claim 8 A key for a keyboard, comprising: a light emitting element; a keycap; a light transmissive body configured to receive light from the light emitting element and direct the light towards the keycap; a keycap support mechanism movably coupling the keycap to the light transmissive body; and a collapsible dome within an opening in the light transmissive body. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The key of claim 8, wherein a top surface of the collapsible dome is substantially flush with a top surface of the light transmissive body. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The key of claim 9, wherein the collapsible dome is a metal dome. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The key of claim 10, wherein the collapsible dome provides tactile feedback to the keycap when the keycap is actuated. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The key of claim 8, wherein: the light transmissive body comprises an attachment feature; and the keycap support mechanism is pivotally coupled to the light transmissive body via the attachment feature. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The key of claim 12, wherein the keycap is pivotally coupled to the keycap support mechanism. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The key of claim 8, wherein the light emitting element emits light into the light transmissive body through a side surface of the light transmissive body. ### Claim 15 A switch body for a key of a keyboard, comprising: a body formed from a light transmissive material and defining: a top surface; a bottom surface opposite the top surface; an opening extending completely through the body from the top surface to the bottom surface and configured to receive a collapsible dome therein; and a recess along a side of the body and configured to receive a light source therein; wherein the body is configured to direct light from the light source out of the top surface of the body. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The switch body of claim 15, further comprising an attachment feature formed in the side of the body and configured to couple to a pivot member of a keycap support mechanism. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The switch body of claim 16, wherein the attachment feature is a recess. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The switch body of claim 17, wherein the recess is dimensioned to allow the pivot member to slide within the recess. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The switch body of claim 15, wherein the light transmissive material is a translucent plastic. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The switch body of claim 15, wherein the opening is substantially circular.