US 8,540,384 B2 · Low power low cost illuminated keyboards and keypads

Abstract

Methods are provided for adapting existing manufacturing processes for non-illuminated data-entry devices and mouses to the manufacture of illuminated data-entry devices. Luminescent sheets of one or more colors underlying optically transmissive device components provide illumination of the components visual to a user of the device. The optically transmissive components may be doped with phosphors or tinted to provide components that emit light of different colors. The intensity of illumination of the luminescent sheet may be controlled by the user and may vary in response to the background light of the environment.

Claims64

Dependent claims

A keyboard for a portable computer comprising:

one or more illuminated components, wherein the illuminated components comprise one or more key cap components, the key cap components comprising an optically transmissive material;
a luminescent sheet underlying the one or more illuminated components to provide an intensity of illumination to the illuminated components that is visible to a user of the apparatus;
and
wherein one or more key caps are tinted with one or more different colors to provide illuminated key caps that emit light of one or more different color tints.

1 more element

A keyboard for a portable computer comprising:

one or more illuminated components, wherein the illuminated components comprise one or more key cap components, the key cap components comprising an optically transmissive material;
a luminescent sheet underlying the one or more illuminated components to provide an intensity of illumination to the illuminated components that is visible to a user of the apparatus, wherein the luminescent sheet comprises one or more electroluminescent plastic panels, and wherein the luminescent sheet comprises one or more tinted areas or regions to alter the underlying color of at least one of the one or more electroluminescent plastic panels;
and
an at least partially optically transmissive top plate which diffuses the light evenly with a surface and an area through which the key caps extend.

1 more element

A phone pad comprising:

one or more illuminated components, wherein the illuminated components comprise one or more key cap components, the key cap components comprising an optically transmissive material;
a luminescent sheet underlying the one or more illuminated components to provide an intensity of illumination to the illuminated components that is visible to a user of the apparatus, wherein the luminescent sheet comprises one or more electroluminescent plastic panels, and wherein the luminescent sheet comprises one or more tinted areas or regions to alter the underlying color of at least one of the one or more electroluminescent plastic panels;
and
an at least partially optically transmissive top plate which diffuses the light evenly with a surface and an area through which the key caps extend.

1 more element

A data entry pad for a personal digital assistant comprising:

one or more illuminated components, wherein the illuminated components comprise one or more key cap components, the key cap components comprising an optically transmissive material;
a luminescent sheet underlying the one or more illuminated components to provide an intensity of illumination to the illuminated components that is visible to a user of the apparatus, wherein the luminescent sheet comprises one or more electroluminescent plastic panels, and wherein the luminescent sheet comprises one or more tinted areas or regions to alter the underlying color of at least one of the one or more electroluminescent plastic panels;
and
an at least partially optically transmissive top plate which diffuses the light evenly with a surface and an area through which the key caps extend.

1 more element

A data entry pad for a remote control comprising:

one or more illuminated components, wherein the illuminated components comprise one or more key cap components, the key cap components comprising an optically transmissive material;
a luminescent sheet underlying the one or more illuminated components to provide an intensity of illumination to the illuminated components that is visible to a user of the apparatus, wherein the luminescent sheet comprises one or more electroluminescent plastic panels, and wherein the luminescent sheet comprises one or more tinted areas or regions to alter the underlying color of at least one of the one or more electroluminescent plastic panels;
and
an at least partially optically transmissive top plate which diffuses the light evenly with a surface and an area through which the key caps extend.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

13/022,314Filed 7 Feb 2011 · continuation

Priority

26 Aug 1998

Published

US 2011/0216524 A18 Sep 2011

Granted

24 Sep 2013

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

H01H 13/70
Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch:…
H01H 2219/018
Replaceable; adaptable: electroluminescent panel
H01H 2219/034
Printed information: coloured areas
H01H 2219/038
Light emitting elements: ambient light dependent

Family

Application09/139,927Parent of this division · filed 26 Aug 1998

Application09/755,775Parent of this division · filed 4 Jan 2001

Application11/975,148Parent of this continuation · filed 18 Oct 2007

US 2011/0216524 A1Pre-grant publication · published 8 Sep 2011

US 7,883,227 B1Parent of this continuation

US 6,773,128 B2Parent of this division

Application11/975,148Parent of this division

US 6,199,996 B1Parent of this division

US 2001/0002166 A1Published application

US 8,540,384 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Abstract

Claims64

Dependent claims

A keyboard for a portable computer comprising:

one or more illuminated components, wherein the illuminated components comprise one or more key cap components, the key cap components comprising an optically transmissive material;
a luminescent sheet underlying the one or more illuminated components to provide an intensity of illumination to the illuminated components that is visible to a user of the apparatus;
and
wherein one or more key caps are tinted with one or more different colors to provide illuminated key caps that emit light of one or more different color tints.

1 more element

A keyboard for a portable computer comprising:

one or more illuminated components, wherein the illuminated components comprise one or more key cap components, the key cap components comprising an optically transmissive material;
a luminescent sheet underlying the one or more illuminated components to provide an intensity of illumination to the illuminated components that is visible to a user of the apparatus, wherein the luminescent sheet comprises one or more electroluminescent plastic panels, and wherein the luminescent sheet comprises one or more tinted areas or regions to alter the underlying color of at least one of the one or more electroluminescent plastic panels;
and
an at least partially optically transmissive top plate which diffuses the light evenly with a surface and an area through which the key caps extend.

1 more element

A phone pad comprising:

one or more illuminated components, wherein the illuminated components comprise one or more key cap components, the key cap components comprising an optically transmissive material;
a luminescent sheet underlying the one or more illuminated components to provide an intensity of illumination to the illuminated components that is visible to a user of the apparatus, wherein the luminescent sheet comprises one or more electroluminescent plastic panels, and wherein the luminescent sheet comprises one or more tinted areas or regions to alter the underlying color of at least one of the one or more electroluminescent plastic panels;
and
an at least partially optically transmissive top plate which diffuses the light evenly with a surface and an area through which the key caps extend.

1 more element

A data entry pad for a personal digital assistant comprising:

one or more illuminated components, wherein the illuminated components comprise one or more key cap components, the key cap components comprising an optically transmissive material;
a luminescent sheet underlying the one or more illuminated components to provide an intensity of illumination to the illuminated components that is visible to a user of the apparatus, wherein the luminescent sheet comprises one or more electroluminescent plastic panels, and wherein the luminescent sheet comprises one or more tinted areas or regions to alter the underlying color of at least one of the one or more electroluminescent plastic panels;
and
an at least partially optically transmissive top plate which diffuses the light evenly with a surface and an area through which the key caps extend.

1 more element

A data entry pad for a remote control comprising:

one or more illuminated components, wherein the illuminated components comprise one or more key cap components, the key cap components comprising an optically transmissive material;
a luminescent sheet underlying the one or more illuminated components to provide an intensity of illumination to the illuminated components that is visible to a user of the apparatus, wherein the luminescent sheet comprises one or more electroluminescent plastic panels, and wherein the luminescent sheet comprises one or more tinted areas or regions to alter the underlying color of at least one of the one or more electroluminescent plastic panels;
and
an at least partially optically transmissive top plate which diffuses the light evenly with a surface and an area through which the key caps extend.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Low power low cost illuminated keyboards and keypads

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims64

Low power low cost illuminated keyboards and keypads

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims64