Abstract: A user input device for an electronic device includes an illumination source and image sensor module. A translucent layer is disposed above the illumination source and the image sensor module. The translucent layer includes at least a first set of patterns disposed thereon. A deformable layer is disposed above the translucent layer. The deformable layer includes at least a second set of patterns. The illumination source is configured to illuminate at least the portion of the translucent layer. The image sensor module includes a field of view that corresponds to at least a portion of the translucent layer. The image sensor module being configured to detect a third set of patterns when the first set of patterns and the second set of patterns are displaced with respect to each other.

Abstract: A portable electronic device with an illuminated keyboard is disclosed. The device includes a plurality of user input keys arranged to form a keyboard; a reflective surface spaced apart from the keys; and a plurality of light emitters located between the keys and the reflective surface, the light emitters being configured to emit light towards the reflective surface for reflection towards the input keys.

Abstract: A keypad with optical sensors is provided. The keypad comprises keycaps, each keycap having a top surface. One or more optical sensors are located beneath top surfaces of adjacent keycaps. One or more light guides extend from a respective optical sensor towards the top surfaces.

Abstract: A light assembly for providing a notification light on an electronic device is described. The light assembly comprises a first light source for providing a background portion for the notification light, a second light source for providing a patterned portion for the notification light, and at least one pattern element to generate the pattern portion.

Abstract: A display arrangement includes a decoration layer, a light source underneath the decoration layer, and a lens layer arranged between the decoration layer and the light source. The decoration layer includes at least one void formed in the shape of a character when viewed from above. The lens layer is at least semi-transparent to permit transmission of light from the light source through the void. An optical structure is arranged in alignment with the void and is adapted to reduce intensity of the light in a peripheral region of the void so as to reduce a halo effect. The decoration layer may be formed as an external layer of a key or a button of a portable electronic device, or an outer casing of a portable electronic device.

Abstract: A light guide guides light from a light emitter that is adjacent to an aperture of an electronic device. The light is eventually emitted from the aperture, to thereby provide lighting. The light guide can include a plurality of prisms which can thereby permit reduction in the overall thickness of the electronic device.

Abstract: A light guide apparatus for an electronic device is described. The light guide apparatus includes a light guide having a first surface and an second surface; a light source, the light guide and the light source being arranged to couple light from the source into the light guide through the second surface of the light guide, the second surface and the light source defining a gap therebetween; and a reflector positioned above the light source and the light guide, and extending over at least a portion of the gap and at least a portion of the front surface of the light guide.

Abstract: A proximity sensor assembly including a light source, a first detector, and a first light focusing device. The light source is operative to emit light toward a first target area. The first detector is operative to detect light, including light emitted by the light source and reflected from the first target area. The first light focusing device is in a first optical path between the light source and the first detector. The first optical path includes an optical path from the light source and reflected from the first target area.

Abstract: A stylus has a writing tip and includes a plurality of infrared transmitters configured and disposed to emit a plurality of infrared beams via that writing tip. These infrared transmitters can be disposed substantially equidistant from one another about a central axis of the writing tip and emit infrared beams at an angle that is other than parallel to that central axis. A corresponding display can detect these various beams to determine corresponding stylus-gesture information. This stylus-gesture information can comprise, for example, determining an angle of inclination of the stylus. As another example this stylus-gesture information can comprise rotation (such as a direction of rotation or the mere state of rotation) about the stylus' longitudinal axis. This stylus-gesture information, in turn, can serve as parameters to further guide or influence any of a variety of applications.

Abstract: A backlight module for illuminating a display is described. The backlight module may be provided in an electronic device along with a light source for illuminating an LCD display. The backlight module includes a diffuser, a light guide having a top surface and a bottom surface, a reflector, and a prism structure positioned between the light guide bottom surface and the reflector. The prism structure has a plurality of prisms extending towards the light guide. The prism structure may include a film or a top portion of the reflector having a plurality of prisms extending towards the light guide.

Abstract: A display arrangement includes a decoration layer, a light source underneath the decoration layer, and a lens layer arranged between the decoration layer and the light source. The decoration layer includes at least one void formed in the shape of a character when viewed from above. The lens layer is at least semi-transparent to permit transmission of light from the light source through the void. An optical structure is arranged in alignment with the void and is adapted to reduce intensity of the light in a peripheral region of the void so as to reduce a halo effect. The decoration layer may be formed as an external layer of a key or a button of a portable electronic device, or an outer casing of a portable electronic device.

Abstract: A user input device for an electronic device includes an illumination source and image sensor module. A translucent layer is disposed above the illumination source and the image sensor module. The translucent layer includes at least a first set of patterns disposed thereon. A deformable layer is disposed above the translucent layer. The deformable layer includes at least a second set of patterns. The illumination source is configured to illuminate at least the portion of the translucent layer. The image sensor module includes a field of view that corresponds to at least a portion of the translucent layer. The image sensor module being configured to detect a third set of patterns when the first set of patterns and the second set of patterns are displaced with respect to each other.

Abstract: A light guide apparatus for an electronic device is described. The light guide apparatus includes a light guide having a first surface and an second surface; a light source, the light guide and the light source being arranged to couple light from the source into the light guide through the second surface of the light guide, the second surface and the light source defining a gap therebetween; and a reflector positioned above the light source and the light guide, and extending over at least a portion of the gap and at least a portion of the front surface of the light guide.

Abstract: A light guide guides light from a light emitter that is adjacent to an aperture of an electronic device. The light is eventually emitted from the aperture, to thereby provide lighting. The light guide can include a plurality of prisms which can thereby permit reduction in the overall thickness of the electronic device.

Abstract: Electronic displays encounter visibility issues due to varying ambient light conditions. An ambient light sensor can be provided to sense ambient light and dynamically adjust display brightness to compensate for changes in ambient light. A wave guide for improving angular response in a light sensor is provided.

Abstract: A proximity sensor assembly including a light source, a first detector, and a first light focusing device. The light source is operative to emit light toward a first target area. The first detector is operative to detect light, including light emitted by the light source and reflected from the first target area. The first light focusing device is in a first optical path between the light source and the first detector. The first optical path includes an optical path from the light source and reflected from the first target area.

Abstract: A light guide guides light from a light emitter that is adjacent to an aperture of an electronic device. The light is eventually emitted from the aperture, to thereby provide lighting. The light guide can include a plurality of prisms which can thereby permit reduction in the overall thickness of the electronic device.

Abstract: Electronic displays encounter visibility issues due to varying ambient light conditions. An ambient light sensor can be provided to sense ambient light and dynamically adjust display brightness to compensate for changes in ambient light. A wave guide for improving angular response in a light sensor is provided.

Abstract: A keypad structure with multi-mode display function includes: a keypad layer having a plurality of key pressing positions; and a plurality of indicating unit in installed a multilayer form and under the keypad layer, and each having a light emitting element; and a light guide element corresponding to the light emitting element. A surface of the light guide element has a symbol layer, and the symbol layer includes a plurality of symbols at the key pressing positions, such that the keypad structure can display indicating symbols of different functions at a single key pressing position.

Abstract: A key module with energy storage function includes a transparent key unit, a sun cell, and an elastic unit. The transparent key unit has a plurality of transparent microstructures. The sun cell is disposed under a bottom side of the transparent key unit, and the sun cell has a light-receiving face facing the transparent key unit. The elastic unit is disposed under a bottom side of the sun cell. Therefore, the transparent microstructures of the transparent key unit guide and transmit external light sources onto the light-receiving face of the sun cell in order to increase light source on the light-receiving face.