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US 7,411,142 B2Granted
Keypad with light guide layer, keypad assembly and portable terminal
AssigneeSamsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
InventorsSun-Tae Jung, Joo-Hoon Lee, Kyoung-Youm Kim
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is a keypad which can realize uniform and bright illumination, small power consumption and low manufacturing cost. The keypad includes a light guide layer through which light travels, at least one key button disposed on an upper surface of the light guide layer, a lower elastic layer disposed on a lower surface of the light guide layer, located opposite the upper surface, and at least one reflective pattern formed on the light guide layer and partially reflecting light traveling through the light guide layer toward the key button.
Claims23
A keypad comprising:
- a light guide layer into which light travels from one side surface to another side surface of the light guide layer;
- at least one key button being disposed on an upper surface of the light guide layer;
- a lower elastic layer being disposed on a lower surface of the light guide layer, located opposite the upper surface, wherein the side surfaces of the light guide layer are disposed between the upper and lower surfaces of the light guide layer;
- at least one protrusion being formed on a lower surface of the lower elastic layer;
- at least one reflective pattern being formed on the light guide layer and partially reflecting the light traveling into the light guide layer toward the key button;
- and
- at least one light emitting device positioned to face the one side surface of the light guide layer and adapted to couple light into the light guide layer,
- wherein the key button, the reflective pattern and the protrusion are aligned along a thickness direction of the keypad.
5 more elements
A keypad assembly comprising:
- a keypad including a light guide layer into which light travels from one side surface to another side surface of the light guide layer;
- at least one key button being disposed on an upper surface of the light guide layer;
- a lower elastic layer being disposed on a lower surface of the light guide layer, located opposite the upper surface, wherein the side surfaces of the light guide layer are disposed between the upper and lower surfaces of the light guide layer;
- at least one protrusion formed on a lower surface of the lower elastic layer;
- at least one reflective pattern being formed on the light guide layer and partially reflecting the light traveling into the light guide layer toward the key button;
- one light emitting device being disposed in a position facing the one side surface of the light guide layer for coupling light into the light guide layer;
- and
- a switch board including at least one switch being formed on an upper surface of the switch board facing the keypad, wherein as the key button is pushed down, a portion of keypad is deformed onto the switch to press the switch, and
- wherein the key button, the reflective pattern and the protrusion are aligned along a thickness direction of the keypad.
6 more elements
A portable terminal comprising:
- a keypad including a light guide layer into which light travels from one side surface to another side surface of the light guide layer;
- at least one key button being disposed on an upper surface of the light guide layer;
- a lower elastic layer being disposed on a lower surface of the light guide layer, located opposite the upper surface, wherein the side surfaces of the light guide layer are disposed between the upper and lower surfaces of the light guide layer;
- at least one protrusion formed on a lower surface of the lower elastic layer;
- at least one reflective pattern being formed on the light guide layer and partially reflecting the light traveling into the light guide layer toward the key button;
- one light emitting device being disposed in a position facing the one side surface of the light guide layer for coupling light into the light guide layer;
- and
- a switch board including at least one switch being formed on an upper surface of the switch board, wherein as the key button is pushed down, a portion of keypad is deformed onto the switch to press the switch, and
- wherein the key button, the reflective pattern and the protrusion are all aligned along a thickness direction of the keypad.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.