Push Button Type Patents (Class 200/314)
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Patent number: 10777370Abstract: An illuminated pushbutton for a pushbutton switch having a light transmitting pushbutton and an indicia cover that is attached to a front end of the light transmitting pushbutton. The indicia cover has non-light transmitting regions and light transmitting regions on its front surface, wherein the light transmitting regions provide visible, light-transmitted indicia on the light transmitting pushbutton. The indicia cover has an adhesive on its rear surface to attach the indicia cover to the front end of the light transmitting pushbutton. An LED in the pushbutton switch is constructed to transmit light to the indicia cover. The light passes through the light transmitting regions (symbols and letters) but not through the non-light transmitting regions. As the light passes through the light transmitting symbols and letters, the symbols and letters are lighted and visible in the dark.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2018Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Inventor: David Worsham
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Patent number: 10747374Abstract: A touch control device comprises: a button member receiving a touch input; a body member located below the button member; a signal deliverer arranged in the body member for having capacitance changed according to the touch input; a substrate having a receiver which is arranged on the substrate for receiving information about the capacitance from the signal deliverer; and a light emitting member for irradiating light onto the button member.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2017Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Jong Bok Lee, Donghee Seok, Gideok Kwon, HeeJin Ro
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Patent number: 10741344Abstract: An input mechanism is disclosed. The input mechanism includes a dome support structure defining an opening that extends through the dome support structure, a collapsible dome positioned in the opening and engaged with the dome support structure, and a cover member coupled to the dome support structure and covering the collapsible dome, thereby retaining the collapsible dome within the opening of the dome support structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2018Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Eric A. Knopf, Matthew P. Casebolt, Craig C. Leong, Robert Y. Cao, Bradford J. Zercoe, Dinesh C. Mathew, Zheng Gao, Ryan P. Brooks, Paul X. Wang, Bruce E. Berg
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Patent number: 10731918Abstract: An appliance includes a control console. The control console includes a console cover with a circuit board. A front surface of the circuit board is attached to an interior surface of the console cover. A capacitive touch sensor is in operative communication with a face surface of the console cover and an LED is on a back surface of the circuit board. A light guide is mounted on the circuit board and provides optical communication from the LED to the face surface of the console cover.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2019Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Sanchit Jitendra Patel, Brian J. Morman, Kyle James Brewer
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Patent number: 10714280Abstract: A mechanical keyboard includes printed circuit boards (PCBs), each having a pin holder; and a hole; mechanical switches to removably engage with the printed circuit boards, each of the mechanical switches having a body; a pin extending from the body to engage with the pin holder; a pillar extending from the body to engage with the hole; and a compressible switch extending upward from the body and associated with the pillar; a plurality of keys to engage with the compressible switch of the mechanical switches; the plurality of mechanical switches are to be removed from the PCBs by hand.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2017Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Inventor: Shazim Mohammad
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Patent number: 10690320Abstract: To provide a user with descriptive images for each function performed by a button, the embodiments described herein use a transforming graphical expression that presents different images depending on the particular function the button is currently performing. For example, if the button is used to increase speaker volume, the graphical expression may display plus sign, but if the button is currently being used to navigate through a display menu, the graphical expression may be transformed into an arrow to indicate the direction a selection element in the menu moves if the button is activated. Thus, as the current function of the button changes, the graphical expression presented to the user also changes. In this manner, the same button may be used to perform multiple functions while presenting to a user a customized graphical expression indicating the current function of the button.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2017Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: Toshiba Global Commerce SolutionsInventors: David John Steiner, John David Landers, Jr., Dean Frederick Herring, Brad Matthew Johnson
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Patent number: 10684699Abstract: The disclosure provides an illuminating keyboard including a joystick module and a backlight module. The joystick module includes a base portion and a joystick mounted on the base portion. The joystick has a head portion with a first diameter and a neck portion with a second diameter, and the second diameter is smaller than the first diameter. The backlight module includes a light source, a light-guide plate, and a partial opaque diaphragm disposed above the light-guide plate. The partial opaque diaphragm has a body portion, an extending segment, and a first accommodation opening. The extending segment is disposed between the first accommodation opening and the body portion. The first accommodation opening having a third diameter smaller than the first diameter is surrounded by the extending segment. When the joystick module is inserted into the first accommodation opening, an end of the extending segment is firmly attached to the joystick module.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2019Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignees: LITE-ON ELECTRONICS (GUANGZHOU) LIMITED, Lite-On Technology CorporationInventor: Hsin-Chih Liang
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Patent number: 10684406Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of this disclosure a light guide includes a flexible substrate having two outer surfaces with at least one of the two outer surfaces defining a light emitting area. At least one edge of the flexible substrate is configured to receive light from a light source coupled to the edge. The light guide further includes a plurality of light extraction features formed within the flexible substrate in between the two outer surfaces. The light extraction features may be arranged according to a controlled distribution that affects a propagation of light in between the two outer surfaces and an emission of light from the light emitting area.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2018Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Jameson R. Mauzy, Brendan Upton, Christian D. Trapani
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Patent number: 10652642Abstract: Various implementations include audio devices and components of such devices. In some particular cases, a keypad for an audio device includes a base having an array of circumferentially separated slots. The keypad further includes a set of light emitting diodes (LEDs) each located in a corresponding one of the slots in the base, and a cover over the base and the set of LEDs. The cover has a set of lenses each corresponding with one of the LEDs and forming a space over the corresponding LED to diffuse light from the corresponding LED, such that when powered, the set of LEDs is configured to provide a continuous ring of light around the keypad.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2018Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: BOSE CORPORATIONInventors: Evan Scott Rakusin, Colin Taylor Mosgrove
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Patent number: 10641944Abstract: A button indicator and a light guiding ring assembly are provided. The button indicator includes a button cover and a light guiding ring. The button cover has a cover body, retaining walls and hooks. The cover body has a top surface and a bottom surface. The retaining walls and the hooks protruded from the bottom surface are disposed around the cover body. The light guiding ring sleeved on the button cover has a ring body, elastic arms, a sliding matching groove and light guiding portions. The ring body has an inner surface with the elastic arms and the sliding matching groove disposing thereon and an outer surface with the light guiding portions locating thereon. The retaining walls abut against the inner surface of the ring body, and the hooks move along and snap the sliding matching groove. The elastic arms abut against the bottom surface of the cover body.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2019Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: PEGATRON CORPORATIONInventors: Long-Sing Ye, Tao-Hsiang Tang
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Patent number: 10629393Abstract: A keyboard apparatus includes a fabric key cover having a plurality of holes that extend through a thickness of the cover from a top side of the cover to a bottom side of the cover. The plurality of holes are arranged to collectively form a predetermined shape. A mask layer is disposed at the bottom side of the cover. A first region of the mask layer is opaque and a second region of the mask layer allows light to pass therethrough to the plurality of holes. A light source is disposed beneath the mask layer and positioned such that light emitted from the light source passes through the second region of the mask layer to the plurality of holes. A sensory contact terminal is disposed beneath the mask layer, and the terminal detects a keystroke movement.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2017Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: Rohinni, LLCInventors: Cody Peterson, Andrew Huska, Lars Huschke, Peter Bokma, Clinton Adams
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Patent number: 10622171Abstract: A light guiding key comprises a light emitting assembly, a switch assembly, a light shielding assembly, a light guiding member, a light transmitting member, and a light shielding film. Simultaneous and regional display of multiple colors of light on the same key area are carried out by the light guiding key. The light emitting assembly comprises a first light emitting member and a second light emitting member. The switch assembly comprises a switch for controlling whether the second light emitting member emits light and a button for pressing the switch. The light shielding assembly and the button enclose a first light channel and a second light channel which are isolated from each other. The present disclosure also provides an electronic device comprising the light guiding key structure.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2019Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: NANNING FUGUI PRECISION INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Dong-Bo Zhou, Bo Jiang
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Patent number: 10620715Abstract: A physical computer keyboard which includes: a circuit board having touchpoints; physical programmable, pluggable keys such that each of the keys is programmable to provide the function of each of the keys, each of the keys having interlocking elements to join with an adjoining key, each key having connectors on a bottom surface of each key to make electrical contact with the touchpoints; and display panels with one display panel on a top surface of each key, the function of each key being displayed on the display panel of each key.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2017Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Qing Y. Meng, Tian J. Yang, Yi Yao, Jian Zhang, Xue Y. Zhang, Yu Zhao
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Keyboard, key module, movable switch mechanism and method for manufacturing movable switch mechanism
Patent number: 10607794Abstract: A keyboard includes a plurality of key modules. Each key module includes a baseplate, a circuit membrane disposed on the baseplate, a metal dome disposed on the circuit membrane, an elastic member disposed on the metal dome, and a keycap. The elastic member and the linkage member are configured to be a movable switch mechanism. The circuit membrane has a conductive circuit. The metal dome has an opening corresponding to the conductive circuit of the circuit membrane. A trigger portion protrudes from an underside of the elastic member. When the keycap is pressed, the trigger portion passes through the opening of the metal dome, and moves downwards to abut against the conductive circuit to induce a conducting signal. The movable switch mechanism can be made by a double injection molding method.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2018Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignees: LITE-ON ELECTRONICS (GUANGZHOU) LIMITED, LITE-ON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Chun-Lin Chen, Jui-Yu Wu -
Patent number: 10598142Abstract: A switch device includes an operation button operated by a push operation on an operating surface, light sources arranged on a lighting substrate to illuminate an illumination target of the operation button, and a plurality of switches that are arranged on a switch substrate different from the lighting substrate so as to be located on an end portion side of the operation button and are turned on due to displacement of the operation button caused by the push operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2018Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHOInventors: Toshiaki Imai, Ryoji Takahashi, Shuichi Iwata
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Patent number: 10587264Abstract: A capacitive switch device includes an operation panel operated by a user with a touch operation, a film member provided along a surface of the operation panel on an opposite side from a surface operated with the touch operation, and an electrode portion forming a capacitor with a finger of the user and a wiring portion, both the electrode portion and the wiring portion being provided to the film member. The film member is bonded to the operation panel by a pressure-sensitive adhesive at a predetermined first portion of the film member and supported at a second portion of the film member different from the first portion by a supporting portion which allows the film member to move due to thermal expansion and thermal contraction in an in-plane direction of the film member.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2016Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Masahiro Itoh
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Patent number: 10546702Abstract: The present invention provides a key structure with display module, mainly consisting of a press cover, a display module, a base plate, a control switch, and flexible terminals. The display module is electrically connected to a circuit structure and installed in a holding space. The base plate is installed to the press cover and restricts the display module, and is also fixed to the circuit structure inside the holding space. The control switch is electrically connected to a circuit board and fixed to the base plate, and the flexible terminals provide for an electrical connection between the circuit structure and the circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2018Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Inventor: Jen-Wen Sun
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Patent number: 10510500Abstract: In some examples, a computing device may include a first housing coupled to a second housing. The first housing may include a first set of components including a display device. The second housing may include a second set of components including a keyboard and a light source that emits light. An individual key of the keyboard may include one or more lenses. The one or more lenses may focus the light towards an area below an individual keycap of the individual key. For example, the one or more lenses may be integrated into a scissor mechanism of the individual key. The keycap may include an opaque material into which is embedded a character or a symbol made of a transparent or translucent material through which the light is visible.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2017Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: John Trevor Morrison, Kevin M. Turchin
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Patent number: 10506681Abstract: Environment controller and method for proportionally adjusting a respective light intensity of a plurality of lighting devices. The environment controller determines a current light intensity for each one of the plurality of lighting devices; and determines a current average light intensity by calculating the average of the current light intensities. The environment controller determines a target average light intensity; and determines a new light intensity for each one of the plurality of lighting devices, by proportionally adjusting the light intensity of each one of the plurality of lighting devices from its respective current light intensity to its respective new light intensity, so that the average of the new light intensities is equal to the target average light intensity. The current and new light intensities may be expressed as a percentage; and the target average light intensity received from a computing device or via a user interaction with the environment controller.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2018Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: DISTECH CONTROLS INC.Inventor: Dominic Gagnon
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Patent number: 10481645Abstract: A touchscreen device may have a secondary touch-enabled gesture input mechanism located near one or more edges of a touchscreen. The gesture input mechanism may sense several gestures, including swiping, sliding, zooming, tapping, and other gestures, and may cooperate or supplement similar gestures that a user may make with the touchscreen. The gesture input mechanism may be located parallel to one edge of a touchscreen, such that a user may operate the input device without blocking the touchscreen. The gesture input mechanism may be located on a parallel, perpendicular, angled, or other surface with respect to the touchscreen. Some devices may have gesture input mechanisms located around one or more sides of the touchscreen.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2015Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Lucan Patent Holdco, LLCInventor: Murat Erdogan
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Patent number: 10418992Abstract: An operating unit for an electrical apparatus is provided with a housing, an operating strip and a support element arranged in the housing. The operating strip is mounted on the support element about a tilt axis extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the operating strip. The support element is tiltable parallel to the longitudinal direction of the operating strip. The support element is elastically prestressed, into a pivot position, which is detected by a pivot position sensor. Two tilt detection sensors detect a tilting of the operating strip about the tilt axis when it is actuated. The operating unit is provided with a controller for receiving signals and determining the operating field on which a finger is applied with an actuating force required for adopting the pivot position of the support element and triggering the function associated with the determined operating field.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2015Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: Behr-Hella Thermocontrol GmbHInventors: Alexander Beschnitt, Michael Steinkamp
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Patent number: 10418205Abstract: A button includes a display element including a mounting section, a hollowed bottom board having a joint section, support frame members having an interconnection driving section, a button cap body having a light-transmitting section and a contacting section, and an elastic element. The support frame members and the elastic element are arranged on the contacting section located outside the button cap body to that a user is allowed to see, by way of the light-transmitting section of the button cap body, through the hollowed bottom board to the display element at the bottom so as to completely observe a text/pattern section of the display element. In a pressing-down operation, the interconnection driving section makes the support frame members to operate with leverage for causing the elastic element to drive the display element. Further, individual button modularization can be achieved with the arrangement of the mounting section and the joint section.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2017Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Inventor: Jen-Wen Sun
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Patent number: 10418011Abstract: A button is disclosed, which includes a button unit suspended movably vertically in Z-direction in a fixed frame and having a button body with an upper actuating surface and at least one central shaft extending vertically downwardly from the button body and extending at an upper end below the button body horizontally into an extension. The shaft and the extension having a translucent material such that they commonly form a light guide which is fixedly connected to the button body. The button additionally includes a light source vertically below the shaft. Light from the light source leaves vertically upwardly and enters the shaft from below. The button further includes a first optical device arranged in the vertical upper area of the light guide above the shaft for deflecting light that has entered the shaft from the light source in a horizontal direction into a plane of the extension.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2019Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: Ableton AGInventor: Oliver Harms
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Patent number: 10410807Abstract: A luminous keyboard includes a key structure, a supporting plate, a switch circuit board, a light guide plate and a top-view light-emitting element. The supporting plate includes an opening. The top-view light-emitting element emits a light beam. The supporting plate is located under the key structure. The switch circuit board is located over the supporting plate. The light guide plate is located under the supporting plate and includes a light guide plate opening. The top-view light-emitting element is inserted into the opening. After the light beam is transmitted through the opening, a first-portion beam of the light beam is transmitted through the switch circuit board and projected to a first region of the key structure. A second-portion beam of the light beam is sequentially blocked by the switch circuit board, introduced into the light guide plate, and guided to a second region of the key structure.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2017Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.Inventors: Lei-Lung Tsai, Chung-Yuan Chen
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Patent number: 10403451Abstract: A pushbutton switch member has a dome-shaped movable contact and an operation key facing and separated from a movable contact. Pushing the operation key toward the movable contact causes the movable contact to electrically connect at least two contacts on a substrate. The operation key is provided with: a key; a dome connected with an outer periphery of the key, and deformable by pushing of the key toward the substrate; and a foot connected with an outer periphery of the dome, and fixed on the substrate. The movable contact is provided with: an upper contact spaced apart from a site directly below the key, and which makes contact with a contact when the key is pushed in; and an outer fixing part disposed at the upper contact, or further outside thereof in the radial direction, and fixed outside of the key in the radial direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2016Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masayuki Ito, Satoru Kitazawa, Kenichi Miyajima, Kazunobu Yokoyama, Tadashi Hayashi
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Patent number: 10394338Abstract: A keyboard includes a circuit board having an upper surface, a lower surface opposite to the upper surface, and a plurality of cut-out portions, a plurality of key modules positioned on the upper surface and over the plurality of cut-out portions, and a plurality of light sources installed on the lower surface of the circuit board, wherein at least a portion of at least one light source is positioned in a corresponding cut-out portion. Each light source includes a light emitting portion coupled to the second circuit layer. At least some of the light emitting portion is disposed in the cut-out portion beneath and bounded by the key module.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2017Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Cooler Master Technology Inc.Inventor: Chung-Wei Yang
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Patent number: 10386940Abstract: Examples are disclosed herein that relate to user input. One example provides a method comprising receiving user inputs from a user input device, monitoring a touch-sensitive display device for detection of a presence of the user input device via the touch-sensitive display device, when the user input device is detected by the touch-sensitive display device, utilizing a first user input mode in which a first user interface is displayed on the touch-sensitive display device at a location based upon a location of the input device on the touch-sensitive display device, and when the user input device is not detected by the touch-sensitive display device, utilizing a second user input mode in which a second user interface is displayed at a location on the touch-sensitive display device not based upon a location of the input device.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2015Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Young Kim, James Alec Ishihara, Scott Schenone, Ralf Groene, Filipp Demenschonok, Michael Baum
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Patent number: 10374582Abstract: An operation button includes: a body that is in a tubular shape; a top which has a light-transmitting portion and which is attached to the body at its one end; a plurality of legs that are provided at the other end of the body at intervals from each other in the circumferential direction; and a flange arranged between the one end and the other end of the body.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2017Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: FUJITSU TEN LimitedInventors: Kengo Takada, Toshiya Shirota, Takahiro Tsukada, Masao Ohtani
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Patent number: 10375842Abstract: A remote control is provided. The remote control includes a housing, a fixing part installed in a keyway disposed at the housing and a determination piece and a direction piece which are installed on the fixing part. A direction key, a determination key and a program writing piece each extending to the fixing part are installed in the housing. The program writing piece is provided with a first through-hole through which the determination key extends to the fixing part. The fixing part is further provided with a second through-hole through which the direction key extends and a third through-hole through which the program writing piece extends.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2018Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: SMK Electronics (Dongguan) Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kohei Sugimoto
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Patent number: 10362847Abstract: A protective case for an electronic device having a camera and a microphone. The protective case including a lens assembly that comprises a transparent lens and a water-resistant membrane attached to the transparent lens and configured to cover the microphone of the installed electronic device. The transparent lens has a first side configured to face the electronic device when the electronic device is installed in the protective case and a second side opposite the first side. A first portion of the first side and a second portion of the second side are each coated with a light-blocking material. The first portion has an area greater than an area of the second portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2019Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: Otter Products, LLCInventors: Marina Okada, Dallas M. Scaggs, Weishin T. Sharp
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Patent number: 10354817Abstract: The invention discloses a keyboard switch including a base, a cover covering the base to form a cavity, an upper guide core disposed in the cavity and an upper guide core limiting mechanism including a lower guide core elastomer, a lower guide core, a middle guide core spring and a middle guide core sequentially disposed on the base. The upper guide core and the middle guide core are connected through an upper guide core spring. The keyboard switch of the invention provides accuracy of the press-conduction displacement, accurate positioning of the conduction course, and adjustability of the press force, such that the press force becomes more balanced, and the keyboard switch is conducted when the guide core is pressed downwards. Thus, the overall press stability of the keyboard switch is improved.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2018Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignees: DONGGUAN CITY KAIHUA ELECTRONICS CO., LTD, SILITEK ELECTRONICS (DONGGUAN) CO., LTDInventors: Chih-Wen Su, Yuang-Feng Hu
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Patent number: 10347441Abstract: The present invention provides a key structure, including: a key cap, a support board, an elastic element, and a support element. The elastic element includes an elastomer and an elastic piece. The elastomer has a first surface and a second surface, where the first surface includes a first protrusion portion and a second protrusion portion. The support element is connected the key cap and the support board and surrounds the elastic element. When the key cap descends, the first protrusion portion is pressed by the key cap and generates a deformation, so as to form a first pressing stroke, and subsequently, the key cap presses the second protrusion portion to enable the elastic piece to generate a deformation, so as to form a second pressing stroke.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2017Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.Inventor: Ming-Han Wu
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Patent number: 10340098Abstract: A key structure, including a keycap, a movable mechanism, a support plate, a circuit board, and an indicator light-emitting element. The support plate and the movable mechanism pivotally connected to the support plate are disposed above the circuit board. The circuit board has a groove, and the indicator light-emitting element is embedded in the groove and is aligned with the keycap. The indicator light-emitting element emits light upward. The light may be directly emitted into the movable mechanism and is subsequently emitted outward through a light hole of the keycap.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2018Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTDInventors: Ding-Hsiang Pan, Chin-Sung Pan, Ying-Te Chiang, Kun-I Yuan
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Patent number: 10340100Abstract: A keyboard device includes a key switch, a base plate, a connecting element and a replaceable key. The replaceable key includes a coupling plate and a keycap. The connecting element is connected between the coupling plate and the base plate. The coupling plate includes a first sliding part. The keycap includes a second sliding part. When the second sliding part is slid relative to the first sliding part, the keycap is combined with the coupling plate or the keycap is detached from the coupling plate. Consequently, the keycap is easily assembled or disassembled. Moreover, since the connecting element is not touched during the process of disassembling the keycap, the connecting element is not damaged.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2018Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTDInventors: Che-Wei Yang, Tien-Yu Yeh, Ming-Han Wu
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Patent number: 10324246Abstract: There is provided a light guide body, containing: a first end region; a second end region located on an opposite side of the first end region; first dots; and second dots having a dot in the first end region being smaller than a dot in the second end region, wherein a size difference between the first dots and the second dots in the first end region is smaller than a size difference between the first dots and the second dots in the second end region.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2018Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: Atsushi Fukui, Tomohisa Sakaguchi, Kenichiro Mase
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Patent number: 10312035Abstract: The present invention relates to a luminous keyboard, including a key, a support plate, a switch circuit board, a light guide plate, and a direct-type light emitting element capable of generating a beam. The support plate is located below the key, and the switch circuit board is disposed on the support plate. The light guide plate is located below the support plate and includes a concave structure, and the concave structure forms a reflective surface inside the light guide plate. The direct-type light emitting element is located below the concave structure. When the beam enters the light guide plate, the beam is reflected by the reflective surface to be fully reflected in the light guide plate, and the light guide plate guides the beam to be projected to a peripheral area of a key.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2018Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTDInventors: Ying-Te Chiang, Lei-Lung Tsai, Kun-I Yuan
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Patent number: 10295381Abstract: An indicator has an optical member including a protuberance formed on a front side and an indentation formed on a back side of the optical member in which the indentation is smaller than the protuberance in terms of a projection area and in which the front-side protuberance fits into the opening in a front face of the housing; and an LED light source disposed opposite the back-side indentation of the optical member. A center axis of the front-side protuberance and a center axis of the backs-side indentation are in line with an optical axis of the LED light source. Light originating from the LED light source passes through the back-side indentation and the front-side protuberance, exiting from the opening in the front face of the housing. Thereby, only the center of the rectangular opening looks lighting up brightly, rectangularly.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2015Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: TEAC CORPORATIONInventor: Kazuki Ida
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Patent number: 10276327Abstract: A luminous keyswitch includes a keycap having a light-transparent portion, a baseplate, an up-down mechanism with two ends respectively moveably connected to the keycap and the baseplate, a function sheet disposed on or under the baseplate, and a light source disposed on the function sheet within a vertical projection of the keycap and connected by a copper wire to provide a light illuminating the light-transparent portion. The function sheet includes a flexible upper circuit layer having a first contact point, a flexible spacer layer having a hole, and a flexible lower circuit layer having a second copper contact point, a third copper contact point, a first copper wire connected to the second copper contact point, and a second copper wire connected to the third copper contact point. When the keycap is pressed, the first contact point passes through the hole to electrically connect the second and third copper contact points.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2017Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP.Inventors: Chih-Hung Chen, Hsin-Cheng Ho
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Patent number: 10254851Abstract: Multi-functional keyboard assemblies include an array of keys formed from stacked component layers. A top portion of the key may be capable of travelling vertically with respect to a base of the key. The top portion can include a keycap and a circuitry module coupled to the keycap. The keys may be capable of receive at least two distinct types of inputs and/or receiving at least one type of input and providing at least one type of output. Such output may include use of one or more light sources, displays, and/or haptic feedback devices.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2017Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Craig C. Leong, James J. Niu, John M. Brock, Keith J. Hendren, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Bartley K. Andre, Mikael Silvanto, Dinesh C. Mathew
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Patent number: 10249175Abstract: A manual alarm device including a housing and a displacement element mounted in the housing is provided. The displacement element is moveable between a first position and a second position. Only application of a stable force to the displacement element is configured to move the displaceable element between the first position and the second position.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2016Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: GULF SECURITY TECHNOLOGY COMPANY LIMITEDInventor: Enrico Manes
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Patent number: 10242810Abstract: Particular embodiments described herein provide a keycap that includes a plurality of front plane elements, where each front plane element includes a top electrode, a conductive region under each of the plurality of front plane elements, where each conductive region includes a bottom electrode and a top electrode coupling area, where each top electrode coupling area is electrically coupled to a common top electrode node, an electrical path between each top electrode and each corresponding top electrode coupling area such that each top electrode is connected to the common top electrode node, and a dielectric between each top electrode and each bottom electrode.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2017Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Ayeshwarya B. Mahajan, Sukanya Sundaresan, Woojong Kang
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Patent number: 10236142Abstract: A luminous keyboard includes a key structure, a supporting plate, a switch circuit board, a light guide plate, a top-view light-emitting element and a reflecting element. The supporting plate includes a supporting plate opening. The supporting plate is located under the key structure. The switch circuit board is located over the supporting plate. The light guide plate is located under the supporting plate, and includes a light guide plate opening. The top-view light-emitting element is inserted into the light guide plate opening. The reflecting element is arranged between the top-view light-emitting element and the key structure. After the light beam is transmitted through the supporting plate opening, the light beam is transmitted through the switch circuit board and reflected to the light guide plate by the reflecting element. Then, the light beam is guided to a periphery region of the key structure by the light guide plate.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2017Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.Inventors: Lei-Lung Tsai, Ying-Te Chiang
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Patent number: 10222041Abstract: A strip light switch includes an insulative housing with terminal grooves and positioning grooves defined in an accommodation chamber therein, a terminal set including at least one first terminal, at least one second terminal and multiple third terminals mounted in the terminal grooves and multiple mating connection terminals detachably mounted in the positioning grooves in a replaceable manner for conduction with the third terminals, a conductive shrapnel mounted in the accommodation chamber, and a press device including a cylindrical press block supported on the conductive shrapnel pressable by a user to force the conductive shrapnel in conducting the first and second terminals, conducting plates mounted in the cylindrical press block and disposed in contact with the conducting plates of the mating connection terminal and a light-emitting component mounted in the cylindrical press block for electrical contact with the conducting plates.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2017Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: DIPTRONICS MANUFACTURING INC.Inventor: Shi-Chi Lin
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Patent number: 10211006Abstract: An illuminated keyswitch includes a base, a keycap, a lift mechanism, and a light source. The keycap includes a cap body and a light guiding rod. The lift mechanism is connected to between the light guiding rod and the base, such that the keycap can vertically move relative to the base through the lift mechanism. The light source is disposed between the light guiding rod and the base and emits light toward the light guiding rod. The light enters the light guiding rod through an end portion of the light guiding rod and then emits out the light guiding rod from another end portion of the light guiding rod and a side surface adjacent to the another end portion toward the cap body. Thereby, the whole cap body can receives relatively uniform back light.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2017Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignees: DARFON ELECTRONICS (SUZHOU) CO., LTD., DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP.Inventors: Rui-Ming Liao, Chih-Chung Yen, Chia-Hung Liu
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Patent number: 10192695Abstract: A keyswitch assembly and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The keyswitch assembly includes a display unit, a carrier, one or more contact pads, a light-shielding layer, and a transparent keycap. The display unit includes one or more display regions. The carrier is for carrying the display unit. The contact pads are on the carrier and are electrically connected to the display regions. The light-shielding layer is positioned corresponding to the display regions. The light-shielding layer includes one or more transparent patterns. The transparent patterns are positioned respectively corresponding to the display regions. The transparent keycap is positioned on the display unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2016Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: GETAC TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventor: Yen-Long Sheng
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Patent number: 10153103Abstract: A button includes a display element including a mounting section, a hollowed bottom board having a joint section, support bar members, a button cap body having a light-transmitting section and a contacting section, and an elastic element. The support bar members and the elastic element are arranged on the contacting section located outside the button cap body to that a user is allowed to see, by way of the light-transmitting section of the button cap body, through the hollowed bottom board to watch the display element at the bottom so as to completely observe a text/pattern section of the display element. In a pressing-down operation, ends of the support bar members are allowed to rotate while sliding horizontally so as to cause the elastic element to drive the display element. Further, individual button modularization can be achieved with the arrangement of the mounting section and the joint section.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2017Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Inventor: Jen-Wen Sun
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Patent number: 10153106Abstract: A keyboard structure, including: a keycap; a transparent membrane layer; and an elastic element, disposed between the keycap and the transparent membrane layer and having a press portion, where the transparent membrane layer includes: a first opening corresponding to the keycap; a hard membrane layer, having an extension portion that is formed at an inner edge of the first opening inner edge; and a spacer layer, disposed under the hard membrane layer and used for forming a gap. When the keycap is pressed with an external force, the elastic element is deformed to enable the press portion to move downward and abut against the extension portion, so that the extension portion generates a bending deformation in the gap; and when the external force is released, the elastic element and the extension portion are elastically recovered and the extension portion generates a sound.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2017Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.Inventor: Lei-Lung Tsai
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Patent number: 10152169Abstract: A protective case for a wearable electronic device, the wearable electronic device having a touch-sensitive display. The protective case having a shell that encases a portion of the wearable electronic device and a hinged cover attached to the shell. The cover has an open position and a closed position for covering and allowing direct access to the touch-sensitive display. The cover includes one or more flexible buttons configured to be pressed by a user and configured to activate a corresponding area of the encased touch-sensitive display of the encased wearable electronic device when the cover is in a closed position and the wearable electronic device is encased in the shell.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2016Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: Otter Products, LLCInventors: W. Travis Smith, Carlton R. Lay
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Patent number: 10139543Abstract: A light pipe array assembly is disclosed which includes an opaque carrier having an elongated planar platform defining upper and lower horizontal surfaces and a longitudinal axis, a first set of light pipes supported on the upper surface of the platform and arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the platform, and a second set of light pipes supported on the lower surface of the platform and arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the platform in alignment with the first set of light pipes, wherein the first and second sets of light pipes are optically isolated from each other by the platform of the carrier.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2016Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: NetScout Systems, Inc.Inventor: Thomas J. Carullo
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Patent number: 10128064Abstract: Keyboard assemblies having reduced thicknesses and methods of forming the same. A keyboard assembly may include a printed circuit board (PCB) and a single membrane sheet adhered directly to the PCB. The single membrane sheet may substantially cover the PCB. The keyboard assembly may also include a group of dome switches coupled directly to the single membrane sheet. Another keyboard assembly may include a group of conductive pads and a group of membrane pads. Each of the group of membrane pads may be adhered directly to a corresponding one of the group of conductive pads. The keyboard assembly may also include a group of dome switches coupled directly to the membrane pads. Each of the group of dome switches may be coupled directly to a corresponding one of the group of membrane pads.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Craig C. Leong, Bradford J. Zercoe, Thai Q. La, Robert Y. Cao, Alex J. Lehmann, Dinesh C. Mathew