Illuminated Patents (Class 200/310)
  • Patent number: 10461711
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for outputting an audio signal and a method of adjusting the volume of an audio signal are provided. An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for outputting an audio signal that includes: (a) determining an output level of a modulated signal to be outputted for each respective frequency band by using a hearing threshold measured for the respective frequency band; and (b) outputting the modulated signal and an audio signal simultaneously. An embodiment of the present invention can improve hearing ability by outputting an audio signal and a modulated signal together. Also, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a user can use visual signals to personally set the output level of audio signals that is optimal for each frequency band in accordance with changes in the user's dynamic hearing threshold for each respective frequency band, even while listening to audio signals of which the output level for each frequency band was determined previously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Gaonda Corporation
    Inventor: Sang-Yeop Kwak
  • Patent number: 10401010
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a frame having an inner cavity, and a first substrate disposed at a backing panel of the inner cavity of the frame. The first substrate includes an array of light generating sources. The apparatus further includes a second substrate overlaying the first substrate. The second substrate is translucent, and the second substrate is a material to which a tiling adhesive adheres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Backlit Tile Kit, LLC
    Inventors: Jacob Gallion, Matthew Barry
  • Patent number: 10395862
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus and a method of assembling the electronic apparatus having a chassis inserted into a housing having a face parallel to the direction of insertion of the chassis in the housing provided with push buttons with light guides projecting into the housing. An electronic board is mounted in the chassis so as to extend parallel to said face of the housing and is provided with switches in order to interact with the push buttons and light sources surrounded by a light-tight frame receiving the free end of the light guides. The light-tight frame has a height which decreases in a direction of separation from the chassis, and the light guides have a height which decreases in the opposite direction so as only to be in contact with one another once the chassis has been completely inserted into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: SAGEMCOM BROADBAND SAS
    Inventor: Stéphane Kohn
  • Patent number: 10395861
    Abstract: A key structure having a pressing area is provided. The key structure includes a first membrane and a second membrane. A first conductive layer and a first insulation layer are sequentially disposed on a surface of the first membrane. The first insulation layer has a first opening in the pressing area, so that a part of the first conductive layer is exposed from the first opening. The second membrane is disposed opposite to the first membrane. A second conductive layer and a second insulation layer are sequentially disposed on a surface of the second membrane facing the first membrane. The second insulation layer has a second opening, which is formed corresponding to the first opening, in the pressing area, so that a part of the second conductive layer is exposed from the second opening to face the first conductive layer in the first opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: ASUSTEK COMPUTER INC.
    Inventor: Yu-Kuang Chen
  • Patent number: 10386719
    Abstract: The method for forming a resin cured film pattern according to the invention comprises a first step in which there is formed on a base material a photosensitive layer composed of a photosensitive resin composition comprising a binder polymer with a carboxyl group having an acid value of 75 mgKOH/g or greater, a photopolymerizable compound and a photopolymerization initiator, and having a thickness of 10 ?m or smaller, a second step in which prescribed sections of the photosensitive layer are cured by irradiation with active light rays, and a third step in which the sections of the photosensitive layer other than the prescribed sections are removed to form a cured film pattern of the prescribed sections of the photosensitive layer, wherein the photosensitive resin composition comprises an oxime ester compound and/or a phosphine oxide compound as the photopolymerization initiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: HITACHI CHEMICAL COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuharu Murakami, Hiroshi Yamazaki, Yoshimi Igarashi, Naoki Sasahara, Ikuo Mukai
  • Patent number: 10353289
    Abstract: The method for forming a resin cured film pattern according to the invention comprises a first step in which there is formed on a base material a photosensitive layer composed of a photosensitive resin composition comprising a binder polymer with a carboxyl group having an acid value of 75 mgKOH/g or greater, a photopolymerizable compound and a photopolymerization initiator, and having a thickness of 10 ?m or smaller, a second step in which prescribed sections of the photosensitive layer are cured by irradiation with active light rays, and a third step in which the sections of the photosensitive layer other than the prescribed sections are removed to form a cured film pattern of the prescribed sections of the photosensitive layer, wherein the photosensitive resin composition comprises an oxime ester compound and/or a phosphine oxide compound as the photopolymerization initiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: HITACHI CHEMICAL COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuharu Murakami, Hiroshi Yamazaki, Yoshimi Igarashi, Naoki Sasahara, Ikuo Mukai
  • Patent number: 10347443
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a backlight integrated membrane for a keyboard. In one aspect, an embodiment includes a keyboard having a key cap. A feature plate may be positioned below the key cap and a membrane may be positioned below the feature plate. The membrane may include a transparent substrate optically coupled to a light emitting element. The membrane may also include electrical traces for a key switch disposed on the transparent substrate. The embodiment may further include a domed structure positioned on the membrane and configured to actuate the key switch when depressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Chia Chi Wu, Paul X. Wang, Alex J. Lehmann, Chien-Tsun Chen, Kuo-Chiang Chin, Ming Gao, Zheng Gao
  • Patent number: 10338722
    Abstract: A tactile touch sensor (TTS) system and method allowing physical augmentation of a high-resolution touch sensor array (TSA) is disclosed. Physical augmentation is accomplished using a TSA physical overlay (TPO) placed on top of the TSA. The TPO is constructed to transmit forces to the underlying TSA. Force transmission is accomplished by either using a flexible overlay or with a rigid mechanical overlay that transmits user forces exerted on the overlay to the underlying TSA. Incorporation of TPO identifiers (TPI) within the TPO permits identification of the TPO by a TPO detector (TPD) allowing operational characteristics of the TSA to be automatically reconfigured to conform to the currently applied TPO structure by a user computing device (UCD). The UCD may be configured to automatically load an appropriate application software driver (ASD) in response to a TPI read by the TPD from the currently applied TPO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: SENSEL, INC.
    Inventors: Ilya Daniel Rosenberg, John Aaron Zarraga
  • Patent number: 10332701
    Abstract: The present invention provides a luminous keyboard, including: at least one key cap; a support plate; a support component, connected to the key cap and the support plate and capable of guiding the key cap to vertically move relative to the support plate; a thin film circuit board, disposed on the support plate; at least one light emitting component, configured to emit a light ray to the key cap; and a shield, covering the light emitting component, where there is a gap between the shield and the light emitting component, and the shield is provided with a diffraction grating at a position where the light ray passes through the shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.
    Inventors: Tien-Yu Yeh, Che-Wei Yang
  • Patent number: 10333573
    Abstract: A controlling device having a plurality of user selectable operating modes, a user interface providing a plurality of function keys each operable to cause a transmission of at least one command to at least one of a plurality of appliances for commanding at least one operating function of the at least one of the plurality of appliances, and a light source for illuminating the user interface in multiple distinct colors. The light source is caused to illuminate the user interface in at least one of the multiple distinct colors as a function of a one of the plurality of operating modes in which the controlling device is currently placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick H. Hayes, Sandro David Klein
  • Patent number: 10312031
    Abstract: A switch assembly includes a manually operable push button, an elastic element, a rotatably mounted transmitter, and a microswitch, wherein the push button includes a pusher, which, upon actuation of the push button, exerts a first force on the elastic element, the elastic element connects to a force arm of the transmitter and is configured to transmit at least a part of the first force onto the force arm, and set the transmitter in a rotation, and the transmitter further includes a load arm configured to exert a second force on the microswitch during rotation of the transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Fujitsu Technology Solutions Intellectual Property GmbH
    Inventor: August Scherer
  • Patent number: 10276316
    Abstract: A control knob assembly for a cooktop appliance provides a readily visible indicator of the power level of a heating element. The control knob assembly includes a control knob that is rotatably mounted to a center housing and defines an arcuate light display and contact features that extend toward the center housing. A stationary shutter that defines an arcuate aperture is fixedly positioned between a light source and the control knob for at least partially allowing light from the light source. A mobile shutter is positioned between the stationary shutter and the control knob and includes an axial paddle extending along the axial direction for engaging the contact features as the control knob is rotated, thereby rotating a radial shutter for blocking a portion of the arcuate aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren Allen Turner, Vedamoorthy Nellaiappan, Kenneth Willard Johnson
  • Patent number: 10216285
    Abstract: A backlit device includes an outer layer, an adhesive layer, and a light guide configured to transmit light from a light source. The adhesive layer is positioned between the outer layer and the light guide. The outer layer includes a plurality of outer layer segments and at least one opening positioned between the outer layer segments where light from the light guide can pass through and provide backlighting. The adhesive layer includes a plurality of adhesive material segments. Each adhesive material segment is individually positioned between an outer layer segment and the light guide such that the perimeter of an outer layer segment surrounds the perimeter of the respective adhesive material segment. Through this arrangement, the adhesive material segments do not divert or block light passing through the opening in the outer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Tao Liu, John Jacob Nelson, Jingyu Zou
  • Patent number: 10192696
    Abstract: A light-emitting assembly positioned within a switch housing of a keyboard assembly for an electronic device is disclosed. The light-emitting assembly may include a phosphor structure, a transparent material positioned on opposing side surfaces of the phosphor structure, and an epoxy layer formed over an entire back surface of the phosphor structure and the transparent material. The light-emitting assembly may also include a mask layer formed over an entire top surface of: the phosphor structure, the transparent material, and the epoxy layer. The light-emitting assembly may further include a light source positioned within the phosphor structure for emitting a light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Bradford J. Zercoe, Craig C. Leong, Keith J. Hendren
  • Patent number: 10148124
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an uninterrupted power bank, mainly comprising: a first switch, a rectifier, a first power converter, a second switch, a battery unit, a second power converter, a third power converter, a third switch, a fourth switch, and output ports. During a normal supply of a mains supply, an AC power provided by the mains supply is transmitted from the uninterrupted power bank to a back-end power supply device. In the meantime, the AC power is simultaneously converted to a DC power and then stored in the battery unit. When the mains supply is suddenly interrupted, the DC power stored in the battery unit is released and subsequently converted to a 390 VDC power for being supplied to the power supply device. Therefore, this uninterrupted power bank is able to largely reduce the power loss because of supplying DC power to back-end power supply device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: CHANNEL WELL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Hsiang Chang, Yi-An Pan
  • Patent number: 10129965
    Abstract: A control system including: a base including a central axis; a knob rotatably connected to the base, the knob rotatable about the central axis; a plurality of individually indexed light emitting elements distributed along the base perimeter and arranged to direct light radially outward of the central axis; a diffuser arranged radially outward of the light emitting elements; a wireless communication module enclosed between the knob and base; and a processor enclosed between the knob and base, the processor connected to the wireless communication mechanism and plurality of light emitting elements, the processor configured to individually control each light emitting element based on a control signal received from the wireless communication mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: LIFI Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Anthony Bosua, Marc Alexander
  • Patent number: 10113730
    Abstract: A suspended bulb lamp includes a lamp holder; a bulb shell connected to the lamp holder; an LED light disposed inside the bulb shell and connected to the lamp holder; a pull cord for suspending the lamp holder; a lamp holder shell covering an upper portion of the lamp holder; the lamp holder shell is detachably connected to the lamp holder; a first seal ring is disposed between the lamp holder shell and the lamp holder. The waterproof performance of the bulb lamp is enhanced; moreover, since the lamp holder shell is detachably connected to the lamp holder, it is convenient to assemble the bulb lamp, and it is also convenient for a user to replace the power supply on the lamp holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Inventor: Jianchun Wang
  • Patent number: 10115539
    Abstract: An illuminated key structure and electronic device with the key structure includes a substrate, a light guiding element, a key body, a first reflection film, and a second reflection film. The substrate has a light emitting element disposed on a substrate surface thereof. The light guiding element includes a main body and a light guiding portion. The main body has a first and second surfaces. The light guiding portion is on the first surface and forms, together with the first surface cooperatively, a receiving space for receiving the key body. The first reflective film is disposed on the second surface, and the second reflective film is disposed on the substrate surface. Light from the light emitting element is repeatedly reflected between the first reflection film and the second reflection film before being transmitted out of the key structure through the light guiding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Chiun Mai Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Hung-Chen Wu, Huan-Chang Chung
  • Patent number: 10098198
    Abstract: A light bar is provided and includes an elongated carrier having a surface extending along the carrier. Capacitive sensors are spaced along the carrier and positioned below the surface. Light sources are included for illuminating the surface, each associated with at least one capacitive sensor and positioned proximate thereto. A controller is included for detecting capacitive changes in the capacitive sensors, wherein when the controller detects a capacitive change in a capacitive sensor, the controller alters an illumination state of a light source associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Annette Lynn Huebner, Artur Sakarian, Ali Ammar, Kristin Ann Hellman, Ryan Welch, Josh Greiner, Cornel Lewis Gardner
  • Patent number: 10086700
    Abstract: A vehicle switch is provided herein. The vehicle switch includes a housing including an output window. A first light source and a second light source are disposed within the housing. The first light source emits excitation light of a first wavelength. The second light source emits excitation light of a second wavelength. A proximity switch assembly is positioned within the housing and is configured to control a vehicle feature. A first luminescent structure is disposed rearwardly of the output window and luminesces in response to excitation light of the first wavelength when the feature is in a first state. A second luminescent structure is disposed rearwardly of the output window and is configured to luminesce in response to excitation light of the second wavelength when the feature is in a second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Annette Lynn Huebner, Kristin Ann Hellman, Pietro Buttolo, Paul Kenneth Dellock
  • Patent number: 10060616
    Abstract: A system and method of illuminating a foot pedal with an illuminated protective covering. The illuminated protective covering can include a plurality of illuminating devices surrounding at least a majority of a perimeter of the foot pedal. The illuminated protective covering can also include a sheet surrounding the upper surface and the lower surface of the foot pedal and the plurality of illuminating devices, the sheet being configured to protect the foot pedal from debris during use. A friction portion can be attached to the sheet, the friction portion being positioned on the sheet such that the friction portion is adjacent the bottom surface of the foot pedal when the sheet surrounds the foot pedal, the friction portion being configured to prevent sliding of the foot pedal against the floor or other surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: FACULTY PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS OF LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
    Inventor: Dalton Duane Baldwin
  • Patent number: 10032577
    Abstract: The present invention provides an illuminated keyboard, including a plurality of keys, a metal plate, a thin film circuit board, and a backlight module. The metal plate includes a plurality of metal domes, disposed below the keys, and correspondingly located above a plurality of electrical contact parts of the thin film circuit board. When a user presses each of the keys downward, the metal dome properly moves downward to get in contact with the corresponding electrical contact part to conduct the electrical contact part and generate a corresponding key signal. The backlight module is disposed below the thin film circuit board, and a plurality of light beams emitted from the backlight module is projected to the keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.
    Inventors: Chen-Hsuan Hsu, Che-Wei Yang
  • Patent number: 10020141
    Abstract: A key device includes a bottom plate, a light guiding membrane switch, and a keycap. The light guiding membrane switch is disposed on the bottom plate and includes a lower membrane layer, an upper membrane layer, a light guiding spacing layer, a reflective layer, and an adhering layer. The upper membrane layer is disposed above the lower membrane layer and farther from the bottom plate than the lower membrane layer. The light guiding spacing layer is disposed between the lower membrane layer and the upper membrane layer and includes opposite upper and lower surfaces. The reflective layer is securely fastened on the upper surface. The adhering layer is adhered between the reflective layer and the upper membrane layer, and a position and a shape of the adhering layer correspond to a position and a shape of the reflective layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Chicony Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chia-Hsin Chen
  • Patent number: 10013092
    Abstract: A tactile touch sensor (TTS) system and method allowing physical augmentation of a high-resolution touch sensor array (TSA) is disclosed. Physical augmentation is accomplished using a TSA physical overlay (TPO) placed on top of the TSA. The TPO is constructed to transmit forces to the underlying TSA. Force transmission is accomplished by either using a flexible overlay or with a rigid mechanical overlay that transmits user forces exerted on the overlay to the underlying TSA. Incorporation of TPO identifiers (TPI) within the TPO permits identification of the TPO by a TPO detector (TPD) allowing operational characteristics of the TSA to be automatically reconfigured to conform to the currently applied TPO structure by a user computing device (UCD). The UCD may be configured to automatically load an appropriate application software driver (ASD) in response to a TPI read by the TPD from the currently applied TPO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Sensel, Inc.
    Inventors: Ilya Daniel Rosenberg, John Aaron Zarraga
  • Patent number: 9995478
    Abstract: A switch unit has a display part configured to display an image, and an operation part provided on the display part in a stacked manner. The operation part includes a plurality of press buttons each having a pressable top surface formed to be transparent, a transparent base having a plurality of openings formed so as to be spaced from each other in positions corresponding to a display region of the display part, while avoiding a peripheral edge of the display region, and a transparent substrate provided below the base and having a light source in a position corresponding to the outer periphery of the top surface. Each of the press buttons includes, and forms into a unit, a button body having the top surface, and a frame-like light guiding body provided in a flange shape below the button body and provided so as to cover the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Taichi Onoyama, Masaaki Sumi, Hiroyuki Onitsuka, Takehiro Agata, Masataka Kimura
  • Patent number: 9984837
    Abstract: A kit incorporating a multi-configurable push-button subassembly for installing an emergency stop/deactivate alarm station which can be configured to operate in any of a momentary (depress and immediate reverse bias return) resetting of a previously inwardly depressed push-button, a latching turn-to-reset for the push button, or a latching key-to-reset for (outwardly) resetting the push button following initial depressing of the same in response to a determined alarm condition. The push button subassembly is integrated into an overall alarm station assembly including a gang box body and attachable backing plate, within which existing switch and wiring components are integrated. A cover attaches over the assembly and both exposes and shields the push button from inadvertent depressed triggering in particular from a side location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Safety Technology International, Inc.
    Inventors: John Ockert, Brian Hodges
  • Patent number: 9978545
    Abstract: A switch unit has a display part configured to display an image, and an operation part provided on the display part in a stacked manner. The operation part includes a plurality of press buttons each having a pressable top surface formed to be transparent, a transparent base having a plurality of openings which are formed so as to be spaced from each other in positions corresponding to a display region of the display part, while avoiding a peripheral edge of the display region, a transparent substrate provided below the base and mounted with an electronic component, and a top plate having openings in positions corresponding to the press buttons and provided on the base, with the press buttons mounted thereon, so as to cover the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Taichi Onoyama, Hiroyuki Onitsuka, Masaaki Sumi, Takehiro Agata, Masataka Kimura
  • Patent number: 9970641
    Abstract: An outlet and nightlight device with a solid base. The base has a front, back, top and two outlets on the front the base. There are two plugs on the back of the base, a light sensor, and a light emitter. The front of the base is attached to a raised section which is attached and in moveable communication with a face plate. In some embodiments the face plate slides across the raised section and in others it can rotate away from the raised section via a hinge on the base plate. The light sensor can trigger to the light emitter to emit light in low light conditions and in some embodiments there is a manual trigger for the light emission. In some embodiments the base has USB port for utilization. In some embodiments the face plate can lock to the base plate. In some embodiments the present invention has ancillary light emitters on the raised plate. In some embodiments of the invention there is a battery back up to supply energy to the light emitter in case of power failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventor: Kevin Mousavi
  • Patent number: 9967508
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for remotely controlling electric equipment. For example, the device has a plurality of buttons, the plurality of buttons are configured to make one closed loop. A plurality of outside colored portions extend along outside of at least two adjacent buttons, the color of each outside colored portion is different from each other. A plurality of inside colored portions extend along inside of at least two adjacent buttons, the color of each inside colored portion is different from each other. A predetermined function is allocated to a series of buttons indicated by the corresponding inside or outside colored portion. In addition, the device may have a controller to recognize a command and sends the command to the electric equipment, wherein the controller recognizes the allocated function as the command when the buttons corresponding to the colored portion for the allocated function are stroked in predetermined direction in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Inventors: Ren Zhang, Qi Li
  • Patent number: 9959998
    Abstract: A switch device includes an operation part, a first push mechanism that, by a rotation operation of the operation part, selects and activates a first push switch part, a second push mechanism that, by a tilt operation of the operation part, activates a second push switch part, a circuit board including the first push switch part and the second push switch part mounted thereto, and a contact rubber interposed between the circuit board and the first and second push mechanisms. The contact rubber includes contacts corresponding to the first push switch part and the second push switch part and is configured such that the contacts contact with or separate from the corresponding switch parts by a movement of the first push mechanism and the second push mechanism. The contact rubber is formed so as to cover an entire upper surface of the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Masahito Hisada, Makoto Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9941076
    Abstract: An illuminated keyboard device includes plural keys, plural light-emitting elements and a membrane switch circuit module. Each key includes a keycap and an elastic element. Each elastic element has a protrusion. The plural elastic elements are located over plural contacts of the membrane switch circuit module and connected with the plural keycaps. The plural light-emitting elements are located under the corresponding elastic elements. Moreover, the protrusions within the elastic elements and the contacts of the membrane switch circuit module are all ring-shaped structures, and each light-emitting element is aligned with the center region of the corresponding contact of the membrane switch circuit module. Consequently, while the protrusion is moved downwardly to push the corresponding contact, a corresponding key signal is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd
    Inventor: Bo-An Chen
  • Patent number: 9905333
    Abstract: A transparent conductive film includes a metal oxide, a metal, and an epoxy, wherein a refractive index of the metal may be lower than that of the epoxy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignees: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD., SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY—UNIVERSITY R & DB FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Jong Ho Hong, Won Sang Park, Jae Ik Lim, Hye Yong Chu, Dae-Hyeong Kim, Donghee Son, Jun-Kyul Song
  • Patent number: 9899162
    Abstract: A keyboard includes a base plate, a pressure sensing layer, a first key structure and a second key structure. The pressure sensing layer includes plural pressure sensing regions. Each of the first key structure and the second key structure corresponds to a pressure sensing region. Moreover, the first key structure and the second key structure are located over the corresponding pressure sensing regions. In response to different magnitudes of the depressing force, the corresponding pressure sensing regions are pushed by the first key structure and the second key structure. Consequently, the corresponding pressure sensing regions generate different pressure sensing signals. The pressure sensing layer can replace plural pressure sensing element. Consequently, the assembling process is simplified, and the assembling cost is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.
    Inventor: Chung-Yuan Chen
  • Patent number: 9805889
    Abstract: A circuit breaker, comprising a housing (100), an input-side wiring terminal (111) and an output-side wiring terminal (112) which are positioned on the housing, and a moving contact (202) and a stationary contact (201) which are positioned in the housing. A passage (300) is arranged in the housing between two wiring terminals to be connected with a conductor (400), and the conductor connected with the two wiring terminals is arranged in the passage. Therefore, the present invention has the advantages of simple wire connection, good safety, space saving, beautiful appearance and clear and accurate indication of the switch state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Inventor: Chengxiang He
  • Patent number: 9785297
    Abstract: The sensor device includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, an electrode substrate, a first support, and a second support. The first conductive layer is formed to be deformable sheet-shaped. The second conductive layer is disposed to be opposed to the first conductive layer. The electrode substrate includes multiple first electrode wires and multiple second electrode wires and is disposed to be deformable between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, the multiple second electrode wires being disposed to be opposed to the multiple first electrode wires and intersecting with the multiple first electrode wires. The first support includes multiple first structures, the multiple first structures connecting the first conductive layer and the electrode substrate. The second support includes multiple second structures, the multiple second structures connecting the second conductive layer and the electrode substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroto Kawaguchi, Shogo Shinkai, Kei Tsukamoto, Tomoko Katsuhara, Hayato Hasegawa, Fumihiko Iida, Takayuki Tanaka, Tomoaki Suzuki, Taizo Nishimura, Hiroshi Mizuno, Yasuyuki Abe
  • Patent number: 9779591
    Abstract: A keyboard backlight event messaging system includes a backlit keyboard that includes a plurality of keys and a plurality of light emitting subsystems. Each respective light emitting subsystem of the plurality of light emitting subsystems is configured to backlight a respective key of the plurality of keys. The keyboard backlight event messaging system also includes a computing system that is coupled to the backlit keyboard. The computing system includes a controller that is coupled to the backlit keyboard and that is configured, in response to an event occurring in the computing system, to receive event messaging information that is associated with the event and activate a subset of the plurality of light emitting subsystems according to an event messaging sequence defined by the event messaging information in order to backlight a respective subset of the plurality of keys to provide an event message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Adolfo S. Montero, Isaac Hsu
  • Patent number: 9742939
    Abstract: A push type key includes a base including a main body, a key portion having an operation surface, first and second elastic portions connecting between the main body and the key portion, and an electrical equipment substrate provided on a back side of the base. The substrate includes an operating portion acted on by the key portion when the key portion moves. The first and second elastic portions have symmetrical configurations with respect to a phantom line passing through a center of the key portion, as seen perpendicularly to the operation surface. The operating portion is disposed at a position closer to the first elastic portion than to the second elastic portion. The base is provided with a third elastic portion connecting the key portion with the main body or with the second elastic portion in a side of the second elastic portion with respect to the phantom line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoru Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9728350
    Abstract: The invention proposes a key module for a key of a keyboard. The key module includes a module base, a module cover that can be coupled with the module base and a key tappet for coupling a keycap that is translucent in at least one symbol section. The module base includes at least one through-hole between a bottom section of the key module and the module cover. The module cover includes a section that is translucent for the light from a light source. The light source is a color-changeable light source for backlighting the symbol section of the keycap. The translucent section of the module cover is aligned with the at least one through-hole when the module cover is coupled to the module base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: CHERRY GMBH
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Müller
  • Patent number: 9728349
    Abstract: A button structure includes a circuit board, a switch module, a light source module, and a button body. The button body includes a substantially cylindrical shaped light guide member and a pressing member. The light guide member includes a periphery wall having at least one light guide surface. The pressing member is movably mounted in the light guide member and faces the switch module. When the pressing member is pressed, the pressing member activates the switch module and the switch module is activated to control the light source module to irradiate light, so that the light from the light source module enters the light guide member through the at least one light guide surface and is emitted out from a top portion of the periphery wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Chiun Mai Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yu-Wei Huang, Kao-Kuan Su, Min-Sheng Wang
  • Patent number: 9715841
    Abstract: An indication device includes an indication portion made of a light transmitting material and a cover portion made of a light blocking material. The indication portion has a sign including at least one of a character, a symbol and a figure. The cover portion covers a periphery of the sign of the indication portion. The sign is illuminated by light emitted by a light source and guided to the indication portion. The cover portion is configured such that a recess from a surface of the cover portion is provided in a region corresponding to the sign of the indication portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takahiro Hori
  • Patent number: 9704657
    Abstract: A contact wear indicator assembly for a circuit breaker assembly is provided. The contact wear indicator assembly includes an interface assembly, an indicator drive assembly, and a user display assembly. The user display assembly includes an output device. The output device is structured to produce a visual indication representative of a measurable contact characteristic. The indicator drive assembly is operatively coupled to the interface assembly, whereby the indicator drive assembly moves between a first position and a second position corresponding to an interface assembly first and second position. The indicator drive assembly is measurably coupled to the user display assembly. The user display assembly is structured to convert the position data of the indicator drive assembly into a quantified output such as, but not limited to, contact characteristics. The user display assembly is further structured to display the indicator drive assembly position data on the output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Koustubh Dnyandeo Ashtekar, James Jeffery Benke, Zachary R. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 9704672
    Abstract: A backlit keyboard includes light guide plates; an opaque support plate including spaces each with the light guide plate disposed therein; a plurality of light emitting elements disposed on the concavity and embedded within the light guide plate; a circuit board secured onto the support plate to cover the light guide plates; keycaps above the circuit board and each including two limit members at two sides respectively; and a housing frame including openings each with the keycap slidably disposed thereon, and spacers each formed at either side of the opening of the housing frame. The spacer is fitting between two adjacent limit members that belong to each adjacent keycap and urges against the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Inventor: Szu-Wei Sun
  • Patent number: 9664837
    Abstract: A light emission module and a light guide plate and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The light guide plate is configured to guide the light received and has a first lateral surface and a tongue extending from the first lateral surface toward a light source. The tongue has a flat end surface that faces or engages with the light source. The light guide plate receives the light emitted from the light source by the flat end surface, so as to reduce or eliminate the gap between the light source and the light guide plate. Therefore, the loss of light energy during the light traveling in air is effectively reduced, and the intensity of light received by the light guide plate from the light source meets expectation, improving the lighting effect of the light emission module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Darfon Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Hung-Yu Tai, Hsin-Cheng Ho
  • Patent number: 9652783
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes monitoring an interaction of a user with a media content access subsystem to determine whether the user is actively or passively interacting with the media content access subsystem, maintaining an interaction profile associated with the user based on the monitored interaction, and controlling a presentation of media content to the user by the media content access subsystem in accordance with the interaction profile. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: VERIZON PATENT AND LICENSING INC.
    Inventors: Brian F. Roberts, Donald H. Relyea, Shadman Zafar
  • Patent number: 9614521
    Abstract: A pushbutton switch has a pressure switching function to recognize a key actuation and a capacitive sensor function to recognize a key touch. It has an at least partly electrically conductive key (12) and a printed circuit board (16) which includes at least one electrical contact (18) that is activated by depressing the key (12) via a switching mat (22) arranged between the key (12) and the printed circuit board (16). The printed circuit board (16) also has at least one capacitive sensor surface (20) located opposite to and at a distance from the key (12), with a capacitive coupling existing between the key (12) and the sensor surface (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventor: Wulf Reise
  • Patent number: 9543089
    Abstract: A switching device includes a holder, an operation knob, a ring-like antenna, and a circuit board on which wire connecting the antenna to an external circuit and a detection means (switching portion) for detecting an operation of the knob are disposed. A light source for illuminating a display on the knob is disposed on the circuit board. A transparent lens member disposed on an outer periphery of the knob transmits a light from the light source so as to illuminate the outer periphery of the knob. A slider with a light guide path for a LED is accommodated in the holder so as to be movable forward and rearward integrally with the operation. The antenna is integral with the lens member. The knob and the slider are disposed in a center hole of the lens member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: U-Shin Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshinori Kirita
  • Patent number: 9531381
    Abstract: A luminous keyboard includes a lateral-emitting type illumination element, a light guide panel, a sensing circuit pattern, a light-transmissible supporting plate, and plural keys. The lateral-emitting type illumination element is used for providing a light beam to the light guide panel. Consequently, the light beam can be diffused to the whole light guide panel. The light guide panel has plural light-guiding dots for collecting and scattering the light beam. The light-transmissible supporting plate is arranged between the light guide panel and the plural keys, and has plural light diffusion structures corresponding to the plural keys. The light beam scattered upwardly by each light-guiding dot is sequentially transmitted through the corresponding light diffusion structure and directed to the corresponding key. When one of the keys is moved toward the sensing circuit pattern, the sensing circuit pattern generates a corresponding non-contact key signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.
    Inventor: Chung-Yuan Chen
  • Patent number: 9496101
    Abstract: Disconnect operating handles for circuit breakers are configured with a rotary handle attached to an inwardly oriented shaft that connects to a gear assembly that translates rotational input to linear input. The disconnect operating handles include pivoting lockout levers that can automatically “pop” out to expose the lockout space for a padlock when a user touches the lever in an appropriate location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen William Oneufer, Edgar Yee, Robert Allan Morris, Daniel Boyd Kroushl
  • Patent number: 9484163
    Abstract: Disconnect operating handles for circuit breakers are configured with a rotary handle attached to an inwardly oriented shaft that connects to a gear assembly that translates rotational input to linear input. The disconnect operating handles include pivoting lockout levers that automatically “pop” out to expose the lockout space for a padlock when a user touches the lever in an appropriate location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen William Oneufer, Edgar Yee, Robert Allan Morris, Daniel Boyd Kroushl
  • Patent number: 9466890
    Abstract: A switch device includes a circuit board disposed in a tubular holder case, a control button disposed for movement along the longitudinal directions of the holder case, the control button being actuated by pressing from outside of the switch device, and a switch unit mounted on the circuit board, the switch unit being actuated in response to rearward movement of the control button by pressing. A coil antenna is disposed rearwardly of the control button and has an outside diameter which is substantially the same as an outside diameter of the control button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: TOYO DENSO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshimitsu Hanaoka