# US 8,542,133 B2 · Backlit haptic key > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,542,133 B2 - Document ID: US8542133B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/293,120 - Filed: 2011-11-10 - Published: 2013-01-17 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2007-07-06 - Assignees: Synaptics Incorporated - Applicants: Cody George Peterson; Andrew Parris Huska; James William Schlosser - Inventors: Cody George Peterson; Andrew Parris Huska; James William Schlosser - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8542133B2 ## CPC - H01H 13/85: characterised by tactile feedback features - G06F 3/016: {Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user} - G06F 3/0202: {Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device} - H03K 17/965: Switches controlled by moving an element forming part of the switch - H01H 2003/008: {with a haptic or a tactile feedback controlled by electrical means, e.g. a motor or magnetofriction} - H01H 2215/05: electromechanical - H01H 2215/052: piezoelectric - H01H 2217/032: Feedback about selected symbol, e.g. display - H01H 2219/018: Electroluminescent panel - H01H 2219/039: Selective or different modes of illumination - H03K 2217/96042: with illumination - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H03K: PULSE TECHNIQUE (measuring pulse characteristics G01R; modulating sinusoidal oscillations with pulses H03C; transmission of digital information H04L; discriminator circuits detecting phase difference between two signals by counting or integrating cycles of oscillation H03D3/04; automatic control, starting, synchronisation or stabilisation of generators of electronic oscillations or pulses where the type of generator is irrelevant or unspecified H03L; coding, decoding or code conversion, in general H03M) ## Abstract Various embodiments provide keyboards that utilize electrically-deformable material as an actuating mechanism to provide haptic feedback to a user of the keyboard. In at least some embodiments, the electrically-deformable material is utilized to impart, to a depressed key or keyboard element, a multi-vectored movement that produces a perceived acceleration of the key or keyboard element thus providing a user with haptic feedback which simulates a snapover movement. In at least some embodiments, a light source can be mounted or otherwise positioned relatively close to and beneath the top surface of one or more keys or keyboard elements to backlight a portion or portions of a keyboard. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus comprising: at least one key positioned on the apparatus; an actuating mechanism operatively associated with the key, the actuation mechanism being configured to both actuate the key and to facilitate light transmission therethough the actuation mechanism; a light source configured to illuminate the key through the actuating mechanism. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the actuating mechanism comprises electrically-deformable material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the actuating mechanism comprises an electroactive polymer (EAP). ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the actuating mechanism material is translucent. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the light source is positioned beneath at least part of the actuating mechanism. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the light source comprises an electroluminescent light source. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the light source is further configured to backlight only a sub-region of the key. ### Claim 8 A keyboard comprising: a plurality of separately movable keys positioned on the keyboard, each of one or more of the plurality of keys have operatively associated therewith; an actuation mechanism positioned thereunder its associated key, wherein the actuation mechanism is configured to: provide haptic feedback to a user engaging its associated key, and facilitate light transmission therethrough the actuation mechanism and to its associated key; and at least one light source positioned beneath at least one of the plurality of keys and configured to backlight one or more of the plurality of keys by light from the light source, wherein only a portion of at least one individual key has light from the light source passing therethrough. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A keyboard as recited in claim 8, wherein the actuation mechanism comprises electrically deformable material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) A keyboard as recited in claim 8, wherein the electrically-deformable material is translucent. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) A keyboard as recited in claim 8, wherein the at least one light source is positioned beneath at least part of the actuation mechanism. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) A keyboard as recited in claim 8, wherein the at least one light source comprises an electroluminescent light source. ### Claim 13 A method comprising: receiving an input associated with illuminating a keyboard portion of a keyboard having a plurality of keys, wherein one or more of the plurality of keys are actuated by an electrically-deformable material configured to facilitate light transmission therethrough to its associated key; and responsive to receiving the input, illuminating the keyboard portion, wherein the illuminating includes emitting light from a light source positioned beneath at least a portion of a top surface of at least some of the plurality of keys of the keyboard and passing the emitted light through at least a portion of the top surface of the one or more illuminated keys. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A method as recited in claim 13, wherein the receiving comprises receiving a user input. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) A method as recited in claim 13, wherein the receiving comprises receiving an input responsive to a depressed key. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) A method as recited in claim 13, wherein the receiving comprises receiving an input from an application. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) A method as recited in claim 13, wherein the keyboard portion comprises a subset of the plurality of keys. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) A method as recited in claim 13, wherein the keyboard portion comprises an individual key of the plurality of keys. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) A method as recited in claim 13, wherein the keyboard portion comprises a sub-region of an individual key of the plurality of keys. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) A method as recited in claim 13, further comprising: receiving another input associated with terminating illumination of the keyboard portion; and responsive to receiving the input associated with terminating illumination, terminating illumination of the keyboard portion.