Selectively illuminated indicator and method for making the same
AssigneeMotorola, Inc.
InventorsLouis J. Lundell, Steven C. Emmert
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An keypad comprises at least first and second actuators formed of a substantially translucent elastomeric material. A barrier (103) disposed within the first actuator (200) permits light, emitted by a first light source (105), present inside the first actuator (200) to substantially illuminate at least a portion of the first actuator (200) without substantially illuminating the second actuator (505) and permitting light, emitted by a second light source (503), present outside the first (200) and second (505) actuators, to substantially illuminate at least a portion of the first actuator (200) and at least a portion of the second actuator (505). A method for making a selectively illuminated keypad is also disclosed.
Claims24
A keypad comprising:
- at least first and second actuators formed of a substantially translucent material;
- and
- a barrier disposed within the first actuator permitting lights emitted by a first light source, present inside the first actuator to substantially illuminate at least a portion of the first actuator without substantially illuminating the second actuator and permitting light, emitted by a second light source, present outside the first and second actuators, to substantially illuminate at least a portion of the first actuator and at least a portion of the second actuator.
A keypad assembly comprising:
- a housing;
- a circuit board coupled to the housing;
- a first light source coupled to the circuit board and operative to emit light;
- a keypad formed of an elastomeric membrane and disposed between the housing and the circuit board, including:
- at least one actuator formed of a substantially translucent material and having first, second and third sides, the third side disposed between the first side and the second side;
- and
- a barrier disposed within the actuator permitting the light, present inside the actuator, to substantially illuminate at least a portion of the second side and prohibiting the light from illuminating at least a portion of the third side;
- and
- a switch coupled to the circuit board and capable of being actuated responsive to movement of the actuator.
A method for making a selectively illuminated keypad comprising the steps of:
- forming at least a first second and a second actuator of a substantially translucent material;
- and
- disposing a barrier within the first actuator permitting light, emitted by a first light source, present inside the first actuator to substantially illuminate at least a portion of the first actuator without substantially illuminating the second actuator, and permitting light, emitted by a second light source, present outside the first and second actuators, to substantially illuminate at least a portion of the first actuator and at least a portion of the second actuator.
A keypad assembly comprising:
- a housing;
- a circuit board coupled to the housing;
- a first light source and a second light source coupled to the circuit board, wherein each of the first and second light sources are operative to emit light;
- a keypad formed of an elastomeric membrane and disposed between the housing and the circuit board, including:
- at least first and second actuators formed of a substantially translucent material;
- and
- a barrier disposed within the first actuator permitting light, emitted by a first light source, present inside the first actuator to substantially illuminate at least a portion of the first actuator without substantially illuminating the second actuator and permitting light, emitted by a second light source, present outside the first and second actuators, to substantially illuminate at least a portion of the first actuator and at least a portion of the second actuator;
- and
- at least first and second switches coupled to the circuit board and capable of being actuated responsive to movement of the at least first and second actuators, respectively.
A radiotelephone comprising:
- a transmitter;
- and
- a keypad For providing data to the transmitter including:
- at least first and second actuators formed of a substantially translucent material;
- and
- a barrier disposed within the first actuator permitting light, emitted by a first light source, present inside the first actuator to substantially illuminate at leant a portion of the first actuator without substantially illuminating the second actuator and permitting light, emitted by a second light source, present outside the first and second actuators, to substantially illuminate at least a portion of the first actuator and at least a portion of the second actuator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.