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US 6,743,993 B1Granted
Backlit full travel key assembly
AssigneeAdvanced Input Devices, Inc.
InventorsJames T. Clark, Aaron D. Johnson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A key assembly including a key support structure, a switch, a base, and a moveable key. A light source, such as an LED, is mounted to the base to provide illumination for backlighting a translucent region disposed in the moveable key. In operation, when pressure is exerted against the moveable key, the moveable key axially translates to operate the switch. When the moveable key is in its at-rest position, light from the light source will be efficiently and uniformly dispersed through the key assembly to backlight the translucent region based on the location of said light source.
Claims48
A backlit key assembly comprising:
- a key having a light translucent region, said key axially movable along a longitudinal axis of said assembly;
- a base;
- a key support structure operably connected to said base, said key support structure operable to guide said key when said key is axially movable along said longitudinal axis of said assembly;
- a switch operable to generate a signal corresponding to said axial movement of said key, said switch including an opaque member;
- and
- an illumination source mounted to said base in substantial alignment with said opaque member, said illumination source operable to provide light for backlighting said key assembly through said light translucent region.
3 more elements
A backlit key assembly comprising:
- a key having a proximal surface and a distal surface with a translucent region, said key movable between a non-depressed position and a depressed position along a longitudinal axis of said key assembly;
- a base;
- a key support structure that supports said key between said non-depressed and depressed positions along said longitudinal axis of said key assembly;
- a switch disposed adjacent to said base, said switch including an opaque portion being in substantial alignment with said translucent region, wherein said switch generates a signal when said key is moved proximally to said depressed position;
- and
- a light source associated with said base in substantial alignment with said opaque portion;
- wherein said key assembly is operable to permit light from said light source to pass through said translucent region.
4 more elements
A backlit key assembly comprising:
- a key having a light translucent region, said key axially movable from a first position to a second position along a longitudinal axis of said assembly;
- base means for operatively supporting said key;
- key support means operably connected to said base layer, said key support means for guiding said key when said key is axially movable along said longitudinal axis of said assembly;
- switch means for generating a signal corresponding to said axial movement of said key, said switch means including an opaque member;
- and
- illumination means for emitting light so as to backlight said key assembly through said light translucent region, said illumination means mounted in substantial alignment with said opaque member.
3 more elements
In a backlit key assembly having a base, a switch layer disposed adjacent to said base and operable to generate a signal, a movable key having a translucent region and axially movable between a first and a second position, a key support structure that supports said key between said first and second positions, and a light source operable to backlight said translucent region, said improvement comprising:
- wherein said switch includes an opaque member, and wherein said light source is coupled to said base in substantial alignment with said opaque member.
A backlit key assembly comprising:
- a key having a light translucent region, said key movable between a non-depressed position and a depressed position;
- a circuit board;
- a key support structure disposed between said key and said circuit board, said key support structure slideably receiving said key;
- an actuation layer including a depressible member that extends outwardly from said actuation layer, said depressible member including a first electrical contact;
- a switch layer disposed between said actuation layer and said circuit board, said switch layer including a second electrical contact in overlapping alignment with said first electrical contact, said switch layer having a key side and a circuit board side;
- and
- an illumination source disposed on said circuit board side of said switch layer in substantial alignment with said first and second electrical contacts, said illumination source operable to provide light for backlighting said key assembly through said light translucent region;
- wherein said first electrical contact contacts said second electrical contact when said key is movable to said depressed position, thereby generating a signal.
5 more elements
A backlit key assembly comprising:
- a key having a top surface with a light translucent region, said key movable between a first and a second position when an axial force is exerted on said top surface;
- a base;
- a key support structure operably connected to said base, said key support structure operable to support said key between said first and second positions;
- a switch disposed adjacent to said base and operable to generate a signal when said key is in said second position, said switch including an electrical contact and having a base side and a key side;
- a light source disposed on said base side of said switch in substantial alignment with said electrical contact;
- and
- a depressible member disposed adjacent to said switch, wherein said depressible member maintains said key in said first position when said axial force is not exerted on said top surface of said key, and returns said key to said first position from said second position when said force is removed from said top surface of said key.
4 more elements
A backlit key assembly comprising:
- a key having a light translucent region, said key movable between a non-depressed position and a depressed position along a longitudinal axis of said assembly;
- a base;
- a key support structure disposed between said key and said base, wherein said key support structure supports said key between said non-depressed and depressed positions;
- a switch overlaying said base and operable to generate a signal, said switch including an electrical contact;
- an actuator disposed adjacent to said key and extending parallel to said longitudinal axis;
- said actuator operable to engage said switch when said key is in said depressed position;
- and
- an illumination source disposed in substantial alignment with said electrical contact, wherein said illumination source provides light for backlighting said key assembly through said light translucent region.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.