Systems and methods for illuminating a track pad system
AssigneeTK Holdings Inc.
InventorsDavid William Andrews, Jason Carl Lisseman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Various implementations of a track pad system include an array of force sensors disposed between a base surface and a touch interface plate. The touch interface plate passes touch forces incident on an upper surface thereof to one or more of the force sensors in the array. At least one light source is disposed adjacent the touch interface plate such that the light from the light source is directed through the touch interface plate to illuminate at least a portion of the upper surface of the touch interface plate. One or more icons may be disposed adjacent the illuminated portion of the touch interface plate.
Claims25
A track pad system comprising:
- a two-dimensional array of force sensors arranged to have a length and a width, the array of force sensors being disposed on a base surface;
- a touch interface plate disposed over the array, the touch interface plate comprising a lower surface disposed facing the array of force sensors and an upper surface opposite the lower surface, and wherein the touch interface plate passes touch forces incident on the upper surface through to one or more of the force sensors of the array of force sensors;
- and
- at least one light source disposed adjacent a side of the two-dimensional array, the light source directing light toward the touch interface plate,
- wherein light from the light source is guided through the touch interface plate to illuminate at least a portion of the upper surface of the touch interface plate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.