Abstract: A keypad module includes a non-backlight layer made of an opaque thin sheet, and a key layer made of an ultraviolet curable resin. One surface of the non-backlight layer is provided thereon with a recognition region. The key layer has a base portion and a plurality of pressing portions protruding from the base portion. The base portion is overlapped with and bonded to the surface of the non-backlight layer on which the recognition region is provided. Each of the pressing portions is arranged to correspond to the recognition region. The panel further includes a telecommunication module located below the keypad module.

Abstract: A switch has a pressing operation part capable of pressing and operating a pressing part, the switch having an LED placed on a flexible printed wiring board and pinched by the pressing operation part and the pressing part, characterized in that the pressing operation part has a transmission part for transmitting light emitted by the LED to a side of an operation surface of said pressing operation part.

Abstract: A load control system is operable to control the amount of power delivered to a plurality of electrical loads from an AC power source. The load control system includes a plurality of keypads, which each may include a different button assembly having a different button configuration or multiple button configurations. Each keypad is operable to determine the button configuration of the button assembly installed on the keypad in response to simultaneous actuations of the top button and the bottom button of the button assembly for a predetermined amount of time. Each keypad is further operable to store in a memory of the keypad data representing the button configuration. Therefore, after the keypad is installed in the field and the button assembly is replaced, the keypad can be easily configured to operate with the new button assembly.

Abstract: A sheet switch module of the present invention includes a light source; a light guide having a first end-face on which light emitted from the light source is incident, the light guide guiding the light in at least the thickness direction thereof; a sheet switch disposed on the back side of the light guide in the thickness direction of the light guide; and a light shielding member disposed at a distance from a second end-face different from the first end-face of the light guide.

Abstract: A computing device entertainment mode system comprises a computing device comprising at least one indicator element disposed thereon, the computing device configured to be placed into an entertainment mode of operation such that, in response to being placed in the entertainment mode of operation, an illumination intensity level associated with the at least one indicator element is automatically decreased.

Abstract: An illuminating structure of a key operating unit for operating a key switch includes a housing unit to have a window portion formed correspondingly to the key switch, a circuit substrate to be provided inside the housing unit, to be disposed with the key switch, and to be provided with a light-guiding window portion, a keypad unit to include a key top portion inserted in the window portion of the housing unit, the keypad unit including a light-guiding portion at least in the key top portion, a light-emitting element to be arranged on a back surface side of the circuit substrate, and an illuminating plate to have a reflecting portion reflecting outgoing light of the light-emitting element to apply the reflected light from the reflecting portion to the keypad unit through the light-guiding window portion of the circuit substrate.

Abstract: A keyboard device includes at least an illuminant element, at least a pressing key element and a light guide element. The pressing key element includes a keycap reciprocating along a first axial direction when being pressed and a recovering component attached to the keycap for supporting and pushing back the keycap when not pressed. The light guide element is located at one side of the recovering component. The light guide element includes at least a light-incident part and a light-emitting part. The light-incident part is used for receiving light emitted from the illuminant element. The light-emitting part emits light along a second axial direction to the recovering component so that the recovering components guide light to the keycap, wherein the second axial direction is different to the first axial direction.

Abstract: A luminous keyboard includes plural keys, a membrane circuit board, at least one light-emitting element and a base. The light-emitting element serves as a light source of the luminous keyboard. The base is used for supporting the plural keys, the membrane circuit board and the light-emitting element. At least one component of the membrane circuit board is made of light-guiding material, so that the membrane circuit board possesses a light-guiding function. That is, the luminous keyboard has simplified configurations and the overall thickness thereof is reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a switch module and a refrigerator having the same. In the refrigerator with a dispenser installed on a door, a switch module to operate the dispenser includes a switch to operate the dispenser, a push button moving backwards by external force and applying pressure to the switch to operate the switch, and a switch case provided with a front surface on which the push button is arranged and receiving the switch therein, and the push button is installed on the switch case by a link assembly to simultaneously move upper and lower portions of the push button forwards and backwards. Therefore, the push button is uniformly operated regardless of a position to which the external force is applied.

Abstract: A light guide sheet and a movable contact element using the single sheet have a simple structure and can be variously illuminated. The light guide sheet includes irregular-shaped light extracting elements formed on a film-like base material; and light-transmissive, belt-shaped light guide parts each connecting a predetermined number of groups of the light extracting elements. In addition, dome-shaped movable contacts formed of a conductive sheet metal are arranged on the bottom surfaces of the light extracting elements.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of manufacturing a keypad structure having a transparent keycap and a keypad structure having a transparent keycap. A metal pattern layer is formed on a transparent resin layer of a keycap component. Two print layers are formed on a transparent resin layer of an overprint component. Two print layers and the metal pattern layer are overlapped and have a level difference in height of the total thickness of the two transparent layers. Accordingly, the figure of the keypad seems to be floated and is felt to be three-dimensional.

Abstract: A keypad is provided for a computing device. The keypad includes one or more lighting devices or mechanisms for illuminating a plurality of keys structures. In an embodiment, the plurality of key structures are formed from a milky material.

Abstract: A luminous switch using an inorganic EL material is provided with a plurality of switch sections so as to reduce acoustic noise. The switch sections are provided with a plurality of protruding parts (112) and a plurality of supporting sections (113) formed on a surface of a structure (101); an elastic deformable conductor (124) arranged to have a convex surface opposed the protruding parts (112); a wiring sheet (102A) for covering the conductor (124); a luminous sheet (160) for covering the wiring sheet (102A); and a plurality of switch buttons (125) arranged above the luminous sheet (160). The luminous switch has a structure in which at least two supporting sections (113) are arranged around the protruding parts (112), and a space (111) is formed between the protruding parts (112) and a switch sheet (102). The conductor (124) is accommodated in the space (111). In a case main body (101), an electronic component (103) is mounted and a substrate (104) provided with wiring is arranged.

Abstract: An improved electrical switching apparatus comprises a plurality of electrical switching assemblies in a ganged configuration. A bridging device mechanically connects together the actuator devices of the electrical switching assemblies to cause the simultaneous tripping of all of the electrical switching assemblies when an overload or an arc fault is detected on any electrical switching assembly of the gang.

Abstract: To reduce the number of erroneous operations, on an operation apparatus conducting mutually different operations such as opening and closing operations, a concretized human pictogram indicating mutually different state changes such as state changes represented by use of a face with opened eyes and a face with closed eyes associated with operation signals assigned to a pair of operation switches and a pictogram in which the human pictogram is combined with an operation pictogram representing a state in which a door concretizing an operation target to operate in response to an operation signal is opened or is being completely closed are respectively attached to the operation switches disposed adjacent to each other.

Abstract: An electroluminescent keyboard includes a plurality of membrane switch structures, a plurality of keycaps, a plurality of electroluminescent elastic members, and an electrode layer. The electroluminescent elastic members are arranged between the keycaps and respective membrane switch structures for emitting light in response to an electric current or an electric field. The electrode layer is arranged between the electroluminescent elastic members and respective membrane switch structures and electrically connected to respective electroluminescent elastic members. The electroluminescent elastic members emit light when the electric current passes through the electrode layer or the strong electric field is applied to the electrode layer. The light-emitting element and the backlight module that are used in the conventional keyboard are not included in the electroluminescent keyboard. In addition, the light could be effectively controlled to be guided to a desired luminous region of the keycap.

Abstract: An arrangement and method for displaying at least a first and a second image. The arrangement comprises at least one light source (120, 121, 220, 221, 320, 321) adapted to generate light having at least a first and a second light characteristic; and at least a first and a second image forming element (122, 123, 222, 223, 322, 323) arranged to display a first and a second image (128, 129, 230, 231), respectively. The first image forming element (122, 222, 322) is at least responsive to the light having the first light characteristic. The second image forming element (123, 223, 323) is at least responsive to the light having the second light characteristic.

Abstract: An illuminating push-button device includes a key-top part having a key-top surface and a first protrusion that protrudes from a back side of the key-top surface. The device also includes a key rubber part made of a transparent or semi-transparent elastic material and having a second protrusion that receives the first protrusion, the second protrusion being oriented in a common direction as the first protrusion. A switching device is included that opposes the second protrusion and is configured to be actuated in response to the key-top part being depressed. A light-source element emits light from a light-emitting surface and cooperates with a light-blocking sheet disposed between the light-source element and key rubber part and covers at least a portion of the light-emitting surface of the light-source element and has a loose hole through which the second protrusion of the key rubber part is passed.

Abstract: A sheet switch module including a sheet switch (21) having a central contact (32) disposed on a circuit board (33), a circumferential contact (20) disposed circumferentially of the central contact (32), a spring (22) disposed above the central contact (32), and a transparent sheet member (23) configured to cover the spring (22), the sheet switch (21) forming a switching circuit such that the spring (22) provides electrical conduction between the central contact (32) and the circumferential contact (20) when the sheet member is pressed, the sheet member (23) being formed by a light guiding sheet (30) configured to guide light emitted from an LED (34) along an upper surface of the spring (22).

Abstract: A push button switch includes a light emitter, a switch, a base, a light guiding member and a button. The light emitter and the switch are arranged on the circuit board. The base is arranged above the switch. The light guiding member and the button are mounted on the base. The light guiding member includes a first end, a second end, a first reflective surface, and a second reflective surface, the first end being arranged above the light emitter, wherein light from the light emitter enters into the light guiding member from the first end, and goes to the second end after being reflected by the first reflective surface and the second reflective surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a power control for a power tool having a working head for cutting or shaping a workpiece. The power control includes a trigger control switch on a hand grip attached to an engagement device such as a push stick used with a table saw. The engagement device is moved by the attached hand grip to bring the workpiece and working head into engagement with each other. The power control may be used for rip sawing or miter cutting on a table saw, on a hand-held router or a router table, on a jointer, a band saw, a disk sander, a drill press, or on other conventional power tools having a working head for cutting or shaping a workpiece.

Abstract: A proximity sensor for controlling a component that may be installed on a window, on an interior or exterior pillar of a vehicle, on a control panel or any suitable location on a vehicle or any other structure. The sensor includes a substrate and a conductive layer disposed on the substrate. The conductive layer is formed from a conductive ink composition with the conductive layer defining at least one circuit for controlling the component when a user is in proximity to the conductive layer. A protective layer is disposed over the conductive layer. At least one of the conductive layer and the protective layer defines a graphic formed through the layer for visual identification to the user.

Abstract: A switching device includes a paddle actuator biased to a rest position and configured to pivot relative to a housing to a depressed position to engage an air-gap switch disposed within the housing. The air-gap switch is configured to change a first state of a load connected to the switching device upon engagement by the paddle actuator. The paddle actuator is defined by a pair of opposing long sides and a pair of opposing short sides and has at least one slot defined therein parallel to the pair of opposing short sides thereof and centrally disposed between the pair of opposing long sides thereof. A rocker actuator is disposed in the at least one slot defined in the paddle actuator and is configured to pivot relative thereto to engage at least one switch. The at least one switch is configured to change a second state of the load connected to the switching device upon engagement by the rocker actuator.

Abstract: Mechanical architecture for providing maximum viewing area on key button tops of keys for a user input device. The viewing area is for the display of information on the key buttons, and also includes tactile feedback similar to standard laptop keyboards, all using low cost manufacturing methods such as injection molding. The architecture optimizes an aperture through the core of the key switch assembly in order to project an image through the aperture and onto the display area of the key button. The architecture relocates in at least one embodiment the tactile feedback mechanism (e.g., dome assembly) out from underneath the key button to the perimeter or side of the key switch assembly. The architecture finds particular application to input devices such as keyboards, game pods, data entry device, etc., that operate in combination with an optical surface (e.g., wedge lens).

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a key plunger and a key assembly for a key of an electronic device. The plunger comprises: a stalk made of a first material allowing light to pass through and a body section connected to the top of the plinth. In the plunger, the body section is made of a second material and shaped to fit snugly within an interior of a cap for the key and to extend horizontally about the stalk. The second material is a translucent, light-diffusing material; the first material allows more light to pass therethrough than the second material. The key assembly comprises: a key plunger; a key cap shaped to fit over the key plunger; and a backlight to illuminate an interior of the key cap. The backlight may be located underneath the key plunger and to a side of the stalk.

Abstract: A dimmer switch for controlling the amount of power delivered to and thus the intensity of a lighting load comprises a visual display operable to provide a visual indication representative of energy savings and usage information. The dimmer switch comprises an intensity adjustment actuator, such as a slider knob or a rotary knob, which may be coupled to a potentiometer for adjusting the amount of power delivered to the lighting load. The potentiometer may comprise a dual potentiometer including a resistive element and a conductive element having a cut. The visual display may comprise a single visual indicator, which may be illuminated a first color, such as green, when the intensity of the lighting load is less than or equal to the eco-level intensity, and illuminated a second different color, such as red, when the intensity of the lighting load is greater than the eco-level intensity.

Abstract: A touch control device includes a bracket, a first circuit board and a second circuit board electrically connected to each other, and a light guiding sheet. The first circuit board is disposed on the bracket, and the first circuit board has at least one light emitting element. The second circuit board is a flexible printed circuit (FPC), and has at least one trigger region aligned with the light emitting element. The light guiding sheet is attached to the second circuit board, for guiding light emitted by the light emitting element. The touch control device is disposed on a display device having a curve shape through the flexible second circuit board.

Abstract: An illuminated keyboard comprises a frame plate, a character keycap, a light source, a membrane plate, a switch circuit plate and a base plate. The character keycap is connected with the frame plate, and movable upwardly or downwardly with respect to the frame plate. The light source is disposed under the character keycap for emitting invisible light. The character keycap, the frame plate, the membrane plate, the switch circuit plate and the base plate are sequentially arranged from top to bottom. The illuminated keyboard further includes a luminous substance, which is excited by the light source to generate visible light to irradiate the illuminated keyboard.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable radio remote control transmitter with a splash-proof and dust-tight housing, which accommodates a control unit and comprises an operator control panel with a number of buttons for entering control commands. In order to develop the radio remote control transmitter in such a way that the risk of erroneous operation is reduced, it is proposed according to the invention that at least one button has an associated illuminating element for illuminating the button.

Abstract: A luminous switch using an inorganic EL material is provided with a plurality of switch sections so as to reduce acoustic noise. The switch sections are provided with a plurality of protruding parts (112) and a plurality of supporting sections (113) formed on a surface of a structure (101); an elastic deformable conductor (124) arranged to have a convex surface opposed the protruding parts (112); a wiring sheet (102A) for covering the conductor (124); a luminous sheet (160) for covering the wiring sheet (102A); and a plurality of switch buttons (125) arranged above the luminous sheet (160). The luminous switch has a structure in which at least two supporting sections (113) are arranged around the protruding parts (112), and a space (111) is formed between the protruding parts (112) and a switch sheet (102). The conductor (124) is accommodated in the space (111). In a case main body (101), an electronic component (103) is mounted and a substrate (104) provided with wiring is arranged.

Abstract: A keyboard with backlighting functionality includes: a membrane circuit substrate having an upper circuit sheet, an insulator sheet, and a lower circuit sheet laminated together in sequence; a press key set having a plurality of press keys that are disposed on the membrane circuit substrate, and that are capable of being pressed so as to cause the membrane circuit substrate to transmit input signals; and at least one light-emitting element mounted onto a lower surface of the upper circuit sheet that faces the insulator sheet. The membrane circuit substrate is configured as a backlighting sheet that allows light from the light-emitting element to propagate therein, and is formed with a plurality of reflecting dots for directing the light that propagates in the membrane circuit substrate toward the press keys of the press key set.

Abstract: A light shielding part includes a slit provided between a first light guide body and a second light guide body, and an attenuation part which has unevenness formed by print and is additionally provided near end sides of the first light guide body and the second light guide body. The light shielding part can prevent light from being transmitted between the first light guide body and the second light guide body. With this configuration, when illumination parts of the first and second light guide bodies are illuminated, it is possible to illuminate the illumination parts of the first and second light guide bodies at different timings without the illumination part of one light guide body being illuminated with light leaked from the other light guide body.

Abstract: A switch structure having a display and playback device is proposed. The switch structure comprises an upper housing and a lower housing jointly enclosing therein the display and playback device that is connected to a circuit board. A resilient member is provided for supporting and positioning internal components of the switch structure. A display-and-playback-device housing has support rods provided at two sides thereof to prevent the switch structure from slanting when pressed. When a conductor and a terminal settled in the lower housing connect with or disconnect from each other, functions of opening and closing a circuit and enabling signal input are enabled. The display and playback device plays back and displays dynamic and still images to indicate functions and state of use of an equipment and enable personalized panels, thereby improving work efficiency and accuracy of operation.

Abstract: A light emitting apparatus is provided for a clothing handler that handles clothes received therein. The light emitting apparatus includes a selection device that selects processes for handling the clothes, light emitting devices that emit light according to a selection by the selection device, a transparent window that covers light emitting devices, and a selection device guiding member having holes through which light generated by the light emitting devices, respectively, passes. An end portion of each of the holes is adjacent to the transparent window based on a proceeding direction of the light. The transparent window includes protrusion portions that contact an inner wall of the corresponding hole of the selection device guiding member.

Abstract: Provided is a keypad assembly used as a data input unit in various electronic devices. The keypad assembly includes a main board having one or more metal domes formed at predetermined positions on the main board, and a keypad disposed on the main board to apply a pressure on the metal dome and to be used as a touchpad according to a mode selection, the keypad includes a keytop layer having one or more keytops on which corresponding alphanumeric characters are formed, a touchpad layer disposed under the keytop layer; and a base layer disposed under the touchpad layer, and having one or more protrusions protruding from its bottom surface at the positions corresponding to the metal dome.

Abstract: An illuminated switch comprising a four-way knob and a push knob, wherein the push knob has two legs which slide along a guide surface on an internal pusher member. Tilt activation of the four-way knob results in the push knob also being tilted. When the user has pushed the push knob while the push knob and the four-way knob are in a tilted position, the push knob in conjunction with the four-way knob linearly move backward in the pushed direction, whereby an internal switch and an external switch are operated. The push knob is illuminated by an internal LED by way of a through hole in the internal pusher member.

Abstract: A switch module including a light source element is provided that obtains slimming down and a sufficient click feeling and suitably irradiates a key portion, while suppressing manufacturing cost. A switch module is disposed to face a key portion. The switch module includes a transparent FPC board, a transparent conductive film, an electrode, a metal dome which is in contact with a part of the transparent conductive film and which is allowed to come into contact with the electrode by being deformed, and an LED. Light emitted from the LED and guided in a direction orthogonal to a thickness direction of the board in the transparent FPC board is reflected by a reflecting portion provided on the transparent FPC board, in a direction of the key portion.

Abstract: A control panel assembly is disclosed for making it easy to manipulate buttons of home appliances, the control panel including at least one LED connected to a circuit board for selectively emitting light, a switch connected to the circuit board and provided adjacent to the LED for controlling a home appliance, a control panel provided in front of the LED and having at least one first hole, and at least one elastic button coupled with an edge of the first hole for selectively coming into contact with the switch in response to a user pressing the button, the elastic button having a pushing member including a first light-transmitting part for transmitting therethrough light emitted from the LED.

Abstract: An electroluminescent keyboard includes a plurality of membrane switch structures, a plurality of keycaps, a plurality of electroluminescent elastic members, and an electrode layer. The electroluminescent elastic members are arranged between the keycaps and respective membrane switch structures for emitting light in response to an electric current or an electric field. The electrode layer is arranged between the electroluminescent elastic members and respective membrane switch structures and electrically connected to respective electroluminescent elastic members. The electroluminescent elastic members emit light when the electric current passes through the electrode layer or the strong electric field is applied to the electrode layer. The light-emitting element and the backlight module that are used in the conventional keyboard are not included in the electroluminescent keyboard. In addition, the light could be effectively controlled to be guided to a desired luminous region of the keycap.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing and a touch sensor mounted in the housing. The touch sensor further includes a translucent panel provided in a part of the housing, a printed circuit board which senses a touch on the translucent panel by a user, a light source mounted to the printed circuit board, which irradiates light towards the translucent panel, and a diffusion sheet provided between the translucent panel and the light source, which diffuses the light irradiated from the light source. The diffusion sheet further includes a first region formed transparent to directly transmit the light, and a second region frosted to diffuse the light towards an outer peripheral portion of the translucent panel. The second region is provided at a position corresponding to the light source, and the first region is provided to surround the second region.

Abstract: An electroluminescent apparatus includes a protection layer characterized by two or more non-overlapping regions and a back electrode layer which includes two or more back electrode regions. Each of the back electrode regions overlies a corresponding one of the non-overlapping regions in the protection layer. A bottom insulation layer includes two or more bottom insulation regions, each of which overlying a corresponding one of the back electrode regions. The apparatus includes two or more electroluminescent segments, each of which overlying a corresponding one of the back electrode layers. A transparent electrode layer includes two or more transparent electrode regions, each overlying a corresponding one of electroluminescent segments.

Abstract: A switch adapted to make and/or break a connection in an electric circuit to operate a device has a front to face the user and a rear to face away from the user, a housing, and switch mechanism. The switch mechanism includes in operative connection, a lens facing the front, an information element, a control element, a lighting element, a capacitive sensing element and a power element to operate the lighting element and sensing element. The switch includes a communication element to provide electrical connection to the device and is activated by the control element when a change in capacitance is sensed by the capacitive sensing element such that the information element and lighting element can be viewed through the lens and the device is operated.

Abstract: The present invention is a side-surface light-emitting unit to illuminate one or more illuminated objects disposed on a flat surface to extend in one direction, from a side surface of the illuminated object and includes a light guiding body which is disposed along the side surface of the illuminated object and emits light toward the side surface of the illuminated object, and an LED disposed at at least one end of light guiding body, an upper surface and a lower surface of the light guiding body except the side surface facing the object being optically shielded. It is possible to brightly illuminate objects such as key switches or the like from one end of the arrangement along a direction of the arrangement by uninterrupted continuous emission light.

Abstract: A keypad assembly includes a pressing cover, a keypad and a shading plate. The button cover includes a plurality of buttons. The keypad includes a plurality of key bodies respectively corresponding to the buttons. A plurality of posts are arranged on the keypad. The shading plate is positioned on the keypad and is supported by the posts. The shading plate is positioned under the buttons for preventing light leakage.

Abstract: A button assembly for displaying an illuminated symbol has a locking ring and a solid light guide positioned within and spaced apart from the locking ring. The light guide has a top surface for displaying an illuminated symbol and a bottom surface with a light receiving member having a refracting surface with a first lens member for receiving and directing light to the top surface of the light guide. A resilient sealing member interconnects the locking ring and the light guide. The resilient sealing member is mounted on the locking ring and interconnects the locking ring and the light guide. The sealing member has an unsupported portion that facilitates movement of the light guide relative to the locking ring.

Abstract: An illumination system includes a detecting unit and an illuminator, wherein the illuminator responds to the detecting unit. In use, the detecting unit can detect whether at least one predetermined program is opened. The illuminator can illuminate a keyboard when the predetermined program is opened. Moreover, an illumination method is disclosed in the specification.

Abstract: A capacitive type touch panel includes: a transparent substrate; an array of first conductors formed on a surface of the transparent substrate; an array of second conductors formed on the surface of the transparent substrate; a plurality of conductive first bridging lines, each of which interconnects two adjacent ones of the first conductors; a plurality of conductive second bridging lines, each of which interconnects two adjacent ones of the second conductors and each of which intersects insulatively a respective one of the first bridging lines; and a plurality of spaced apart insulators, each of which is disposed at an intersection of a respective one of the first bridging lines and a respective one of the second bridging lines to separate the respective first and second bridging lines.

Abstract: A key assembly (10) for use in a electronic device is provided. The key assembly (10) comprises a light guiding plate (18), a keypad (12), and a key seat (14). The key seat (14) has a number of positioning poles (1442). The light guiding plate (18) defined a number of aligning holes (184) corresponding to the positioning poles (1442) and the positioning poles (1442) pass through the aligning holes (184).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a keypad, wherein the keypad includes a light guide pad, a light source allowing light to be incident on the light guide pad, a sensor detecting quantity of light having passed the light guide pad, and a light quantity changer changing the quantity of light having passed the light guide pad.

Abstract: A touch sensor is physically integrated with a light emitting device to provide a switching device with built-in backlighting. In some embodiments, the touch sensor and the light emitting device share electrical components.