Abstract: An LED backlight module. The LED backlight module comprises a printed circuit board, a plurality of LEDs, and a light transmissive material. The LEDs are disposed on the printed circuit board. The light transmissive material is coated on the printed circuit board. Particularly, the LEDs are embedded in the light transmissive material and arranged in a matrix.

Abstract: The present invention provides an illuminating apparatus capable of carrying out an illumination operation excellently by guiding the light from light sources to an illuminating member efficiently, and having a low price. The illuminating apparatus is provided with a pointer 2 adapted to be turned around a rotary shaft 1, a dial 3 positioned on a rear side of the pointer 2 and constituting a display member to be transmission illuminated, light-emitting diodes 6 positioned on a rear side of the dial 3 and in the vicinity of the rotary shaft 1 and constituting light sources for illuminating index portions 13 of the dial 3, a case 20 positioned on the rear side of the dial 3 and constituting a reflector provided with a reflecting portion 30, and a light guide member 19 positioned on the rear side of the dial 3 and adapted to guide the light from the light-emitting diodes 6 to the rear side of the dial 3.

Abstract: An integrated light guide for use in an electronic device having a plurality of key buttons to allow a user to input signals in the device, the light guide having a plurality of domes used as touch areas of the key buttons and a plurality of light escapement areas disposed at the domes. When coupled to a light source, a portion of the light received by the light guide from the light source escapes from the light escapement areas to illuminate the key buttons. Preferably, each dome has one or more electrically conducting patches provided under the dome such that when a touch area is pushed by the user, these patches are caused to interact with an electronic circuit placed under the light guide for activating a key.

Abstract: In a portable telephone including a plurality of input buttons 1 for inputting various indications, light emitting elements 7 which emit a light, when any one of the input buttons 1 is pushed on, diffusers 8 which are located under a plurality of input buttons 1 and which diffuse the light emitted from the light emitting element 7, the diffuser 8 has an incidence portion 5 which has a receiving plane positioned near the light emitting elements 7 and receiving the light emitted from the light emitting elements 7, and a projecting portion 6 which has a reflecting plane for reflecting the light received by the incidence portion 5 to an upper side of a plurality of input buttons 1.

Abstract: An illumination structure includes an operation button having a front face on which is formed an identifying indication of ‘AUTO’ made by exposing an opalescent synthetic resin to easily penetrate light and the other parts are painted in black. It also includes an illuminating part provided on a back of the operation button, which illuminates a back of the identifying indication, and plural protrusions in a shape of ribs that regulate an intensity of light penetrating through the identifying indication. In this structure, the plural protrusions obstruct and diffuse the light beams that advance from the illuminating part toward the back of the identifying indication, thereby achieving uniform emission of the light beams from the whole identifying indication. Further in the manufacturing process of the operation button, contraction of a front face of the operation button accompanied with coagulation of the synthetic resin is dispersed by the plural protrusions.

Abstract: A light conduit to be used in conjunction with a light source in a hand-held electronic device for illuminating the keys and display of the device. The light conduit has a planar light guiding section with a plurality of light escape elements located in the keys to allow portions of the received light to escape for illuminating the keys. An light escapement section, located near the display, is extended from or optically coupled to the light guiding section to allow a further portion of the received light to escape from the light escapement section for illuminating the display. The light source can be located near the light guide section or near the light escapement section. light guide section or near the light escapement section.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus is configured by disposing an EL element inside a stationary housing including, about its top side, an operating part including a plurality of arranged push buttons as well as inside a movable housing openably mounted to the stationary housing and having a display part at its surface, and connecting a control circuit to the EL elements, the operating part and the display part. The control circuit controls light emission of the respective EL elements of the stationary housing and the movable housing to illuminate the operating part and the display part, so that the lighting apparatus simple in structure is capable of various illuminations.

Abstract: Apparatus for back-lit illumination of key designation characters in a keypad has a plurality of individual translucent key cores arranged in a planar pattern, with a base membrane disposed between key cores and fitting around each key at least the outer ends of the key cores except for the key designation characters. An elastomeric, electroluminescent lamp (EEL) is held in assembly between the inner ends of the key cores and a domed switch panel, so as to illuminate the designation characters when activated and deform locally when a key is depressed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a light guide plate for liquid crystal displays.

Abstract: In a button for an electronic device, a red numeral pattern 21, a green kana pattern 31 and a black English character pattern 41 are printed on a key top 11 as plural kinds of patterns. By selectively causing a red LED 51 and a green LED 52 that function as a light source of a backlight to emit a light, red, green and orange lighting colors of the backlight are obtained. According to the color of the pattern used according to a mode, the lighting color of the backlight is switched.

Abstract: A pushbutton switch mechanism has board 28 incorporating an electronic circuit thereon, metal sheet contact 26 disposed on board 28, a light-transmissive pushbutton disposed in an opening defined in a casing of the electronic device for being pressed from outside, the light-transmissive pushbutton having outer key top 22 and presser 25 formed with rubber sheet 24 for contacting metal sheet contact 26, and light-emitting elements 27 disposed on board 28 around presser 25 for applying light to a side surface of the presser 25. Presser 25 has a conical shape having an upper surface as a bottom surface substantially aligned with a lower surface of key top 22 and a vertex for contacting metal sheet contact 26. Light emitted from light-emitting elements 27 is applied to the entire side surface of presser 25.

Abstract: A faceplate (indicating operation status of an apparatus) includes a bezel and a light-pipe, which are integrated into a piece. The faceplate can be injection-molded with an optically clear plastic. The light-pipe includes a lens and a light guide. The lens focuses light from a light source toward the light guide and is shaped so as to focus and collect the light within a boundary of the light guide. The surface of the light guide includes a number of mini refracting lenses to promote illumination of the light. Alternatively, an ink can be applied on the surface of the light guide to promote the illumination of the light. Further, a diffusing lens can be formed on the surface of the light guide to promote illumination of the, light. The faceplate can include multiple light-pipes.

Abstract: A vehicle display assembly includes a display board, a light source for illuminating the display board, a plurality of buttons, and a grounding frame and housing which are both configured to allow light from the light source to illuminate the plurality of buttons. Using the same light source to illuminate both the display board and the buttons eliminates the need for separate button lighting, simplifying the assembly and reducing the assembly's operating temperature.

Abstract: An integrated light guide for use in an electronic device having a plurality of key buttons to allow a user to input signals in the device, the light guide having a plurality of domes used as touch areas of the key buttons and a plurality of light escapement areas disposed at the domes. When coupled to a light source, a portion of the light received by the light guide from the light source escapes from the light escapement areas to illuminate the key buttons. Preferably, each dome has one or more electrically conducting patches provided under the dome such that when a touch area is pushed by the user, these patches are caused to interact with an electronic circuit placed under the light guide for activating a key.

Abstract: A key backlight control method and circuit can be provided by illuminating only the keys to be operated with the power consumption for a key arrangement unit reduced. The key arrangement unit is configured by a plurality of keys and LEDs for respectively illuminating the keys. The LEDs are controlled by a LED control unit, FETs, a scan register unit, and a CPU unit such that only the LEDs corresponding to the keys required (or requested) in the processing mode (browsing mail, etc.) can be turned on in the mobile terminal equipment such as a mobile phone unit.

Abstract: A system and method is described for distributing light within a light guide which is used for illuminating the user interface of an electronic device. The light guide is formed as a thin film and impressed with a pattern of input and output diffraction gratings to control the transmission of light into and out of the light guide to efficiently illuminate the user interface.

Abstract: A photoconductor panel for lighting a keyboard. The photoconductor panel is disposed in an electronic product having a liquid crystal module and a keyboard. The photoconductor panel is disposed on the bottom of the liquid crystal module. The photoconductor panel has a photoconduction face facing the liquid crystal module. At least one side of the photoconduction face has multiple photoconduction sections for conducting light beam to the photoconduction face. At least one light source is disposed on one side of the photoconduction face. A portion of the photoconductor panel is further formed with multiple through holes corresponding to the touch sections of the keyboard and the touch buttons. The circumference of each through hole is formed with at least one second photoconduction section for conducting light beam upward.

Abstract: A photoconductor panel for lighting a keyboard. The photoconductor panel is disposed in an electronic product having a liquid crystal module and a keyboard. The photoconductor panel is disposed on the bottom of the liquid crystal module. The photoconductor panel has a photoconduction face facing the liquid crystal module. At least one side of the photoconduction face has multiple photoconduction sections for conducting light beam to the photoconduction face. At least one light source is disposed on one side of the photoconduction face. A portion of the photoconductor panel is further formed with multiple through holes corresponding to the touch sections of the keyboard and the touch buttons. The circumference of each through hole is formed with at least one second photoconduction section for conducting light beam upward.

Abstract: A communication unit including a light guide for illuminating a display including a substantially transparent plate-formed element with reception means for receiving light from light sources and for guiding the light into the transparent plate-formed element of the light guide. The reception means includes light in-coupling surfaces each facing towards a light source and being substantially parallel with a main surface of the light guide. The reception means includes a lens and a diffuser, for dispersing the light substantially parallel with the main surface of the light guide to illuminate the display. The light guide also has means for illuminating a keyboard. The means to illuminate the keyboard includes keyholes through the light guide, the keyholes having chamfered surfaces for reflecting the light in the light guide perpendicular to the surface of the light guide onto the keyboard.

Abstract: A cover member for an illuminated push button switch capable of providing the hard touch with fingers when it is incorporated in a switch unit and facilitating formation of a symbol/character display section exhibiting distinct display and aesthetic properties. In the cover member, key tops each are provided at a distal end thereof with a hard resin section. The resin section is integrally mounted thereon with a rubber section and then a symbol/character display section is formed on a flat surface of the rubber section. The rubber section is fixed on the flat surface thereof to a movable section of a substrate. Such construction provides a user with a satisfactory feeling in operation, effectively prevents wearing of the symbol/character display section, provides the symbol/character display section with an aesthetic appearance without any defect and ensures increased durability of the cover member, resulting in a commercial value of the cover member being highly increased.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a display apparatus main body, illuminating component, and transparent plate. The display apparatus main body has a flat screen. The illuminating component is formed into a frame to, correspond to a peripheral edge portion of the screen, and is arranged in tight contact with the screen. The transparent plate is arranged on an opposite side of the screen in tight contact with the illuminating component to face the screen. The illuminating component entirely seals a peripheral portion of a gap between the screen and transparent plate.

Abstract: On the front surface of a single electroluminescent panel, there are provided a display panel, such as a liquid crystal display panel, for controlling transmission of light to perform display, and an operation panel having a plurality of operation switches and substantially transmitting light through at least a portion thereof which requires illumination. When the overall rear surfaces of the display panel and the liquid crystal display panel are adhered to the electroluminescent panel by an adhesive, the vibration sound generated from the electroluminescent panel can be reduced. Further, when an appropriate pigment is diffused into the adhesive, light for illuminating the display panel and the operation panel is adjusted to a desired color.

Abstract: A light mechanism for a cell phone for providing a useful light when needed by a cell phone user. The light mechanism for a cell phone includes a light-producing member having a plug member, a bulb support member pivotally attached to an end of the plug member, a bulb member securely mounted to the bulb support member, and a switch member securely attached to the bulb support member for turning on/off the bulb member. As a second embodiment, the inventive device includes a light-producing member having a bulb member adapted to extend out of and retract in a bottom end of a cell phone, and also includes a switch for turning on/off the bulb member and also for extending the bulb member through the bottom end and for sliding a door member to allow the bulb member to extend out of the bottom end of the cell phone.

Abstract: A cellular phone with lamps comprising first, second and third illuminating lamps, an illuminating button, a cover open/close detecting unit and a control unit, for use as memorandum reading and flash light functions and for use as a lamp for illuminating an entire area of a key pad, thereby simplifying structure and reducing thickness of the cellular phone.

Abstract: An illuminated pushbutton has a display assembly which is movable relative to a fixed part containing a switch assembly. The display assembly contains a plurality of solid state light generating devices which can individually or in combination provide illumination with variable coloring characteristics. A flexible circuit element connects these devices to electronic circuitry in the fixed part which controls the coloration of the display.

Abstract: A resinous member with a character visually arranged therein, including a resinous body, a character formed by a laser beam machining on a surface of the body, and a light transmittable coating arranged on the surface of the body for covering at least the character. The light transmittable coating is provided with a generally uniform thickness to form a roughened outer surface substantially corresponding to a machined surface of the character. The light transmittable coating may be formed through a spray coating process. The resinous member may be used as a key top member of a key in a keyboard of an electronic machine. The key top member comprises a resinous body, a character arranged on a surface of the body, and optical means arranged in association with the character for highlighting the character in an optical manner using an external light. The optical means may comprise a phosphorescent or fluorescent member.

Abstract: A clear casing (10) for an electronic component (12) comprising an enclosure (14) made out of a transparent plastic material (16) which extends about the periphery of the electronic component (12), so as to enhance the esthetic appearance of the electronic component (12).

Abstract: A lightguide for illuminating keypads within electronic devices, such as radiotelephones, supports additional components and is maintained in spaced apart relationship with a circuit board hosting electronic components. The number of separate components required within a radiotelephone is decreased and the amount of circuit board real estate available for electrical components is increased.

Abstract: Integrated display panel assemblies include a light conducting panel having opposite sides and an end portion for receiving light from one or more light sources for conduction through the panel. On one of the sides of the panel is a first light emitting area for causing a portion of the conducted light to be emitted from the panel for backlighting an LCD or other display supported by the panel in overlying relation to the first light emitting area. The remainder of the conducted light passes beneath the first light emitting area to other light emitting areas on the panel for illuminating other displays associated with the other light emitting areas.

Abstract: An electroluminescent backlit device utilizing light-emitting polymers (LEP) is disclosed. A sandwich of LEP material and two electrical conductive materials are used to provide back lighting for a keypad or display. The electrical conductive layers are etched to form channels which provide current to and excite the LEP material to produce light at predetermined points. The etchings are directed around existing electrical contacts to facilitate normal operation of the underlying host system, such as a cellular telephone.

Abstract: A display system includes a light source which is disposed within a housing and a display panel. The display panel includes inner and outer layers. Both the inner and the outer layer contain a light absorbing pigment and a light scattering particulate. The outer layer of the panel contains a greater quantity of pigment than the inner layer. The inner layer of the panel contains a greater quantity of light scattering particulate than the outer layer. The inner and outer layers of the panel having the same optical density. If desired, indicia may be provided between the inner and outer layers of the display panel. In order to increase the viewing angle at which the indicia is visible to an observer, the indicia is formed with sloping minor side surfaces which flare outward from the inner panel toward the outer panel.

Abstract: A light guide for illuminating a display and/or keyboard device is formed from translucent material as a planar element having a peripheral edge. A plurality of arcuately shaped light coupling recesses are formed on one side to transmit light from light sources substantially uniformly into the light guide. A plurality of light reflecting recesses are formed in the peripheral edge to reflect light at the edge back into the light guide in a manner useful for illuminating the keys of the device.

Abstract: Light-reflecting structures are provided on the lower surface of a cover mounted over the keys of a keypad assembly. The light-reflecting structures reflect light from a vertical-emitting source, such as an LED, to the side surfaces of the individual keys of the keypad assembly. The keypad assembly embodying the present invention provides an efficient and low-cost structure for illuminating the keys of a keypad without the use of lightguides or separate sources of light for each key, thereby also providing a desirable low profile keypad assembly.

Abstract: A display (100) provides reversible contrasting indicia (112, 114) in order to accommodate an increased number of easily distinguishable indicia on the display. The display provides a first contrast mode (200) in which one set of indicia (112) become visually more prominent than another set (114) and a second contrast mode (300) in which the contrast of the first contrast mode is reversed. Selecting between the first and second contrast modes (200, 300) is controlled by backlighting of the display (100).

Abstract: An improved push button switching unit is proposed of which the indicia on the key top is recognizable even in a dark place. Namely, a phosphorescent layer emitting phosphorescence even in a dark place is formed on the upper surface of the key top to provide recognizability of the indicia and further the switching unit is provided with a light sensor means and a light source which is lighted when the ambient lightness is low as detected by the sensor means. When the switching unit is used continuously in a dark place, the light source repeats cycles of a lighting period, in which the phosphorescent layer accumulates the energy of light, and a dark period, in which the phosphorescent layer emits phosphorescence by means of the accumulated energy, so that the power consumption for lighting the light source can be saved.

Abstract: A light emitting push button for operating purposes, for instance a number button on a telephone apparatus, includes a body which is double-molded from two different plastic materials, of which one material is light conductive and the other is opaque. Light from a light emitting device, such as a light emitting diode, striking the underside of the push button is conducted through the light conductive material and is emitted on the upper side of the button. A slot is formed between the light conductive material and the opaque material on the upper side of the button, such that light conducted through the light conductive material will be scattered uniformly and be visible from all directions.

Abstract: A backlit component is provided which is suitable for use in an illuminated graphic display in an instrument panel of an automobile. The backlit component can be formed as a molded plastic button for use in a display group forming a keypad, in which minimal variability of backlighting intensity can be readily achieved within the backlit component as well as within the display group. The backlit component is preferably molded from a translucent substrate in which at least one phosphor additive is dispersed. The phosphor additive is preferably uniformly dispersed such that the backlit component is characterized by a substantially uniform backlighting intensity upon the phosphor additive being excited by an appropriate light source in proximity to the backlit component. The light source can be received within a recess formed in the backlit component, or spaced apart from the component, in which case light emitted by the light source may be transmitted by a recess or light pipe integrally formed in the component.

Abstract: An illuminated electrical push button switch has a pair of spring contacts secured in a plug-like body on either side of a miniature bulb. A flat top, metallic cup-shape, push button overlies the contacts, insulated therefrom by a sheet of electrical insulating material. The push button has a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially projecting fingers. A cylindrical shell with a radially inwardly directed flange fits over the plug-like body with a snug fit with the flange overlying the fingers of the push button to secure the push button to the body. A plurality of circumferentially spaced notches in the flange of the shell provide openings through which light emanating from the lamp can escape. The entire assembly has a low profile and is mounted by means of an adhesive. The assembly can be mounted directly on the building structure or it can be mounted with a decorative plate or the like interposed between the building and push button assembly.

Abstract: A control panel includes a cover plate and at least one cap-shaped control key or button. The key includes a cap-shaped plastic substrate the side wall of which includes a light-block cylindrical portion for preventing light from leaking out through the side wall, even if the light-block coating formed on the outer surface of the side wall is not sufficient.

Abstract: An improved light guide for use in illuminating a telephone dial includes apertures through which individual buttons of a telephone dial extend. These buttons are used for dialing and are illuminated by one or more light sources that are positioned within recesses in the light guide. Each recess comprises four inwardly curved walls for directing light from the light source along two paths that are substantially perpendicular to each other. Additional openings within the light guide are designed to reflect light into areas of the dial needing more illumination, and the sides of the light guide are shaped to reflect additional light into those areas. The present invention directs light so efficiently that only two sources are needed to provide uniform illumination in standard telephone dials.

Abstract: A light guide for illuminating a keyboard or keypad from behind comprises a transparent grid-like plate having an array of apertures in each of which is accommodated a respective key of the keyboard/keypad. Means are provided for reflecting light from an external source into the plan of the light guide. The individual apertures are surrounded by an upstanding rib formed integrally with the light guide. The top (outer) face of the rib is rendered optically imperfect to promote the escape of light thereform, thus providing an illuminated ring around each key.

Abstract: A key pad having phosphorescent portions which provide the user with the ability to read the key pad in dark environments, thereby ensuring that the key pad is utilized without error. Information indicia on the key pad, or areas immediately adjacent thereto, are provided with phosphorescence. The key pad may be manufactured with this property, or phosphorescent informational indicia may be sold in kit form to be selectively applied via an adhesive to a conventional key pad.

Abstract: A light guide for illuminating a keyboard or keypad from behind comprises a transparent grid-like plate having an array of apertures in each of which is accommodated a respective key of the keyboard/keypad. The transparent plate comprises an integral lens aligned with a reflector for directing light from an external source into the plane of the plate. Various plane reflecting surfaces are provided for reflecting the light in a localized path completely surrounding each of the apertures. This arrangement enables the keys to be illuminated with a high degree of uniformity using only relatively few distributed light sources.

Abstract: A telephone handset that has a light bulb disposed on it has a special switch that allows the light to automatically illuminate upon using the phone. The switch changes from an open position to a closed one upon a change in the orientation of gravity. One embodiment of the switch includes a hollow chamber having two separate contact plates disposed at one end and a freely sliding conductive manner that comes into contact with the contacts upon picking up the phone. A second switch embodiment includes three parallel pins with a central one the pins having a hanging pivoting member that serves to contact one of the other pins upon a change in gravitational orientation. Also included is a removable socket member to facilitate replacement of the bulb.

Abstract: A chemiluminescence process comprising the contacting of a chemiluminescence precursor, an oxidant, an enzyme and a nitrogen compound selected from the group consisting of ammonia and a water-soluble organic amine. The reaction of such process can be used in detection of nucleic acid hybrids, antibodies, antigens and peroxidase enzymes and in producing light.

Abstract: In a display device employable for telephone or the like electric appliance, a light permeable member with information carried thereon includes a first reflective portion at which a light beam emitted from a light source is reflected in the light permeable member in the radial direction relative to the optical axis of light beam from the light source and a second reflective portion at which a part of the reflected light beam moving in the light permeable member in the direction away from the information is reflected again to be transmitted to the latter. The information on the light permeable member can be clearly recognized by an user with the aid of the light beam which has been collected around the information after reflection at the first and second reflective portions.

Abstract: A keyboard capable of efficiently illuminating push buttons with a small number of light sources, wherein light sources are randomly distributed below a grating-like retainer provided for retaining push buttons of the keyboard and light rays from the light sources are reflected by means of pyramidal reflectors disposed above the light sources so as to illuminate a plurality of push buttons sideways and thereby efficiently illuminate a push button with light rays from light sources positioned along a plurality of directions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light-emitting device mounted under the keys of a keyboard, particularly to a device which emits light by using the effect of light-emitting diodes which are mounted below every key of a keyboard. When a user picks up the handset of a telephone or when the switch of a device is turned on, a closed circuit which emits light is formed so that the user can clearly see the symbols on the keys with the help of the light emitted by the light-emitting diodes. When the handset is placed on the telephone set, the power supply is cut off. Thus, the object of being able to telephone in darkness without difficulty is accomplished.

Abstract: A pushbutton dial having pushbuttons arranged in three columns and four rows has the buttons illuminated by four LED's positioned in a light-guide plate having apertures which surround the pushbuttons. The LED's are in recesses at intersections of the outer columns and top and bottom rows, each recess between four adjacent apertures. Guide grooves at the edges of the plate redirect light issuing from the LED's and passing between apertures. The plate is transparent and the buttons translucent, the buttons being illuminated from all round their peripheries.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus which includes a plurality of indicating means arranged in rows, a light source, a light pipe assembly having a plurality of transparent light pipes disposed between the rows of indicating means, and means for distributing the light rays from the light source so that the indicating means are evenly and uniformly illuminated.