Backlighting apparatus for a keypad assembly
AssigneeResearch In Motion Limited
InventorChao Chen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A keypad assembly including a dome configured to operatively engage a switch sensor; a dome overlay guide operatively coupled by to the dome; a key corresponding to the dome and configured to operatively engage the dome; and a light emitting source, configured to emit light. The dome overlay guide is configured to receive the light emitted by the light emitting source and direct the received light toward the keys.
Claims20
A keypad assembly comprising:
- a) a dome configured to operatively engage a switch sensor;
- b) a dome overlay guide operatively coupled to the dome;
- c) a key corresponding to the dome, and configured to operatively engage the dome;
- d) a light emitting source configured to emit light;
- and
- e) wherein the dome overlay guide is configured to receive the emitted light and direct the received light toward the key.
A keypad assembly comprising:
- a) a dome configured to operatively engage a switch sensor;
- b) a dome overlay guide operatively coupled to the dome;
- c) a key corresponding to the dome, and configured to operatively engage the dome;
- d) a deflection web configured to seat the key;
- e) a side firing light emitting source configured to emit light;
- f) wherein the dome overlay guide is configured to receive the emitted light, and direct the received light toward the key;
- and
- g) wherein an actuator is adjacent to a portion of an upper surface of the dome overlay guide.
A method for providing backlighting for a keypad assembly, the keypad assembly comprising a printed circuit board having a switch sensor, a key corresponding to the switch sensor, a light emitting source configured to emit light, the method comprising:
- a) providing a dome corresponding to the switch sensor;
- b) adhering a light guide film to the dome;
- and
- c) securing the light guide film within the keypad assembly, wherein the light guide film is configured to receive the emitted light, and wherein the dome is configured to operatively engage the switch sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.