# US 11,994,707 B2 · Illuminated keyboard and backlight module > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,994,707 B2 - Document ID: US11994707B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/939,994 - Filed: 2022-09-08 - Published: 2023-03-16 - Granted: 2024-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2021-09-10 - Assignees: Lite-On Technology Corporation - Applicants: Lite-On Technology Corporation - Inventors: Yi-Wen Chen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11994707B2 ## CPC - G02B 6/005: {provided by one optical element, or plurality thereof, placed on the light output side of the light guide} - G06F 3/0202: {Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device} - G02B 6/0021: {for housing at least a part of the light source, e.g. by forming holes or recesses} - G02B 6/0055: {Reflecting element, sheet or layer} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract An illuminated keyboard includes a keyboard module, a circuit board and a backlight module. The keyboard module includes a bracket and at least one first key cap, disposed above the bracket. At least one side-emitting element and a top-emitting element are disposed at the circuit board. The backlight module is disposed below the keyboard module and includes a light guide plate having a slot. The at least one side-emitting element extends into the slot such that the light emitted from the at least one side-emitting element enters the light guide plate. The light passes through a light output zone of the bracket and illuminate the at least one first key cap. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An illuminated keyboard, comprising: a keyboard module, comprising: a bracket; and at least one first key cap, disposed above the bracket; a circuit board, wherein at least one side-emitting element and a top-emitting element are disposed at the circuit board; and a backlight module, disposed below the keyboard module and comprising: a light guide plate having a slot; wherein the at least one side-emitting element extends into the slot such that the light emitted from the at least one side-emitting element enters the light guide plate, the light passes through a light output zone of the bracket and illuminate the at least one first key cap, wherein the bracket comprises a first segment and a second segment, an orthographic projection of the at least one first key cap projected to the bracket is located at the first segment, and an orthographic projection of the top-emitting element projected to the bracket is located at the second segment, and a touch module or a second key cap disposed above the second segment of the bracket so that the top-emitting element is located below the touch module or the second key cap and emits towards the touch module or the second key cap, wherein the circuit board comprises a first surface facing towards the at least one first key cap and a second surface facing away from the at least one first key cap, the top-emitting element and the at least one side-emitting element are disposed on the first surface, the circuit board is disposed below the backlight module, the backlight module comprises a reflector, the reflector is located between the light guide plate and the circuit board, the reflector comprises a least one accommodating hole accommodating the top-emitting element and the at least one side-emitting element. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The illuminated keyboard according to claim 1, further comprising a mask layer, wherein the mask layer is disposed between the circuit board and the keyboard module or between the circuit board and the backlight module, the mask layer comprises a transparent zone, light emitted from the top-emitting element or the at least one side-emitting element emitted to the at least one first key cap through the transparent zone. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The illuminated keyboard according to claim 1, wherein a top surface of the second key cap or the touch module and a top surface of the first key cap are at a same height. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The illuminated keyboard according to claim 1, wherein a level height of the first segment of the bracket is lower than a level height of the second segment of the bracket, the second key cap is disposed above the second segment of the bracket, and the first key cap has a greater keystroke travel distance than the second key cap. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The illuminated keyboard according to claim 4, wherein an accommodating space is formed below the second segment of the bracket, and the circuit board is located in the accommodating space. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The illuminated keyboard according to claim 5, further comprising a spacer, located between the bracket and the circuit board or between the circuit board and the backlight module. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The illuminated keyboard according to claim 1, further comprising at least one mask member, the at least one side-emitting element comprises a plurality of side-emitting elements, each of the at least one mask member is disposed on the light guide plate and located between two adjacent side-emitting elements. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The illuminated keyboard according to claim 7, wherein the light guide plate comprises at least one mask opening, and the at least one mask member is disposed in the at least one mask opening. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The illuminated keyboard according to claim 7, wherein the mask member is a mask fence, the mask fence surrounds three sides of one of the side-emitting elements. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The illuminated keyboard according to claim 1, further comprising a reflecting module, the light guide plate is located between the reflecting module and the keyboard module, the reflecting module comprises a pattern formed by pigments. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The illuminated keyboard according to claim 10, wherein the reflecting module is an e-Paper module. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The illuminated keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the touch module comprises a touch plate and a light guide layer.