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US 4,092,640 AGranted
Key input means having a switching element made of a light emitting diode
AssigneeSharp Kabushiki Kaisha
InventorMasaharu Satoh
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A light emitting diode has a metal casing connected to the cathode electrode thereof to protect the light emitting diode from the ambient conditions. Detector circuitry is provided for detecting touch operation by an operator to the metal casing of the light emitting diode. A driver is responsive to the output of the detector circuitry for enabling the light emitting diode when the touch operation is effected to the metal casing of the light emitting diode.
Claims9
A key input means comprising:
- a. a light emitting diode;
- b. a metal cap formed on or around the light emitting diode and electrically connected with the cathode terminal of the light emitting diode;
- c. a detection means connected to the cathode terminal of the light emitting diode for developing a detection signal when the operator touches the metal cap;
- and
- d. a driving means for activating the light emitting diode in response to the detection signal derived from the detection means.
2 more elements
A keyboard means comprising:
- a. a plurality of light emitting diodes;
- b. metal caps formed on or around the each of said light emitting diodes and electrically connected with the respective cathode terminals of the light emitting diodes;
- c. detection means connected to the respective cathode terminals of the light emitting diodes for developing detection signals when the operator touches the metal caps formed on or around the light emitting diodes;
- and
- d. driving means for activating the corresponding light emitting diodes in response to the detection signals derived from the detection means.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.