Abstract: To obtain a member for a push button switch having a natural metallic impression and an upscale impression; enabling a precise arrangement of the push buttons; being capable of being made thinner; and being difficult to get stained, there is provided a member for a push button switch having a configuration in which a gap between adjacent metal push buttons is filled with a transparent organic polymer material, the transparent organic polymer material including a transparent resin sheet extending from an interior surface of the gap to a ceiling surface side of the push button, and a transparent rubber-like elastic material disposed inside the transparent resin sheet.

Abstract: A multicolor transparent computer keyboard for operating a computer in a dark environment includes transparent keypads each on a top including spaced transparent color layers occupying four corners and being different in color from each other, an opaque layer on the color layers and having portions overlapped with the color layers being removed, and characters printed on the opaque layer; bridges pivotably interconnecting the key caps and an underlying transparent frame plate; a PCB under the frame plate; and a luminescence panel under the PCB and including cells each below the key cap, each cell including regions of different colors and adapted to electrically activate to upward emit light which is adapted to show multi-color when passing a gap between the color layers and show a backlit color when passing one of the color layers. The backlit color of each color layer is different from that of another color layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated luminous keyboard, and includes a plurality of keys, light sources, a flexible circuit board, a light guide plate and a reflector plate, wherein the flexible circuit board, which enables detecting key signals from the keys, is located underneath the keys. A plurality of slots, used to fixedly secure the keys, are defined in the light guide plate corresponding to the keyboard. Moreover, the light guide plate enables the incoming of light rays produced by the light sources, and the reflector plate is located underneath the light guide plate. Accordingly, use of the light guide plate of the present invention simultaneously provides the effectiveness to fixedly secure the keys and realize a luminescent effect, thereby eliminating disposition of a bottom plate structure of prior art luminous keyboards, and achieves the practical advancements of simplification and lightweighting of the structure, and saving on costs.

Abstract: A keyboard device includes: a plurality of arranged key tops; a support mechanism which supports each of the key tops so as to be elevatable; a membrane switch which outputs a switch signal when the key top moves down with an operation of the support mechanism performed upon pressing the key top; and an illumination mechanism which includes a light source and a light guiding member, and propagates light of the light source to the inside of the light guiding member so as to illuminate the key top, wherein the light guiding member is provided with a plurality of groove portions provided in the course of a path of the light and changing a light advancing direction, and wherein the light reaches the key top by the groove portions.

Abstract: An input device includes a base. A keycap is coupled to the base by a key guide structure that supports the keycap in a position that provides a space between the keycap and the base. The keycap includes a light transmitting section. An illuminator is located adjacent the light transmitting section. A flexible illumination guide is positioned about a perimeter of the illuminator. The flexible illumination guide is operable to flex in response to engaging the keycap. The illuminator is operable to provide illumination through the flexible illumination guide and the light transmitting section. The flexible illumination guide prevents illumination from escaping directly from the perimeter of the illuminator and through the space between the keycap and the base.

Abstract: A keypad backlighting device includes a light source having an emission chip and a fluorescent material applied to the emission chip. The emission chip and the fluorescent material interact with each other and generate white light. The light source can realize white light by means of interaction between the emission chip and the fluorescent material applied thereto. This improves the reproduction properties of the backlight color of the keypad. In addition, the device has an elastic pad configured for guiding light from the light source to key tops attached to the pad. This reduces the number of light sources and saves on the cost of manufacturing.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the invention, an apparatus and method for device lighting is disclosed. The apparatus and method comprises a key operable for communicating with a computing device. The apparatus further comprises a light emitting device for lighting the key and a selector operable for selecting between a plurality of lighting schemes. More specifically, each of the plurality of lighting schemes defines at least one of colour, intensity and duration of the lighting of the key.

Abstract: An air conditioner includes a case having an inlet provided at a front surface thereof to suck in air and an outlet provided at a lower surface thereof to discharge the air, and at least one displaying member provided at an outer border of the inlet so as to display operating information and control operation of the air conditioner.

Abstract: A user interface assembly (100, 104, 200) for operating a system within a vehicle (10) is disclosed that comprises a base (110, 210) and a user interface (100, 104, 200) supported at the base (110, 210) and configured to be selectively actuated for operating the system. The user interface includes a first portion and a second portion. The interface assembly also comprises a light source (140, 240) configured to provide light into the first portion of user interface (100, 104, 200). The user interface (100, 104, 200) is configured to function as a conduit for the light directed into the first portion so that the light can be emitted from the second portion of the user interface (100,104, 200).

Abstract: A mobile terminal is provided that includes a housing having an opening formed therein, a cover disposed in the opening of the housing, the cover including at least one light transmission opening, an input switch located beneath the opening of the housing and the at least one light transmission opening, a light emitter to illuminate the at least one light transmission opening, and a light constraining member to direct light from the light emitter towards the light transmission opening and to minimize light emitted from the light emitter from being directed peripherally of the light transmission opening.

Abstract: Illuminated keypads are disclosed herein. One embodiment includes first and second light guides having a compressible material located therebetween. The material blocks light from traveling between the light guides.

Abstract: An apparatus designed to suspend an electrical device such as a light bulb and to turn the light bulb on or off by exerting a force on the bulb itself, an encasing around the bulb, the conductive leads, or an extension thereof. When force is exerted, tension causes a tension bar actuator to actuate an electrical switch, thus turning the bulb on or off.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system for visually indicating a circuit breaker, such as a multi-pole circuit breaker, has been tripped are provided. An exemplary light guide comprises a plurality of light conduits adapted to transmit light from two or more light sources within a circuit breaker assembly to an exterior of the circuit breaker assembly; a beam that connects the light conduits; and one or more retention features coupled to one or more of the light conduits, wherein each retention feature is adapted to mate with a retention feature interface of the circuit breaker assembly. Numerous other aspects are provided.

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. 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 keypad assembly includes an optical shutter configured to shield or transmit light according to a voltage applied thereto; a light guide panel configured to guide an internal light generated inside of the keypad assembly and coupled to the interior of the light guide panel; and a symbol pattern layer including at least one symbol pattern illuminated by both the internal light irradiated from the light guide panel and an external light from outside of the keypad assembly that has passed through the optical shutter.

Abstract: In one aspect, a key-press structure comprises a frame and a plurality of keys disposed in said frame. Said frame comprises a main portion and two reflecting portions. The main portion has two opposite sides and the two reflecting portions are disposed on the two opposite sides of the main portion, respectively. Said reflecting portion has a reflective surface facing toward the main portion. Said keys are made of a transparent material, and the keys comprise characters formed on the internal surface of said keys. In another aspect, a method of preparing a key-press structure comprises forming a frame that includes a main portion and two reflecting portions. The reflecting portions each have a reflective surface. The main portion has two opposite sides that is connected to the two reflecting portions. The method further comprises forming characters on the internal surface of a plurality of keys, and disposing said keys in the main portion of the frame.

Abstract: An illuminated keyboard has at least one key carried by a support structure and operable to close an electrical contact on being depressed from above, the at least one key having a translucent top surface, a hollow space under the translucent top surface, and an opening into the hollow space other than through the top surface, and an electroluminescent illuminator comprising a region of electroluminescent material enabled to be inserted into the hollow space through the opening.

Abstract: An interactive switch system for a stowage compartment system for a mobile platform (for example, commercial aircraft) is provided. The switch system is mounted to a moveable structure, such as an overhead stowage bin, and is responsive to a local input from a user, as well as to a remote input from an external control/monitoring panel. The switch system has at least one indicator surface responsive to the local input and the remote input to display indicator data. The indicator surface has a portion that forms at least one user input device for enabling the local input. The switch system further comprises a control system disposed behind the indicator surface. The control system is responsive to the local input and the remote input to transmit the indicator data to the indicator surface.

Abstract: A movable contact unit includes a light-guide sheet, a cover sheet, a movable contact, and a light-transmissive light-guide portion. The light-guide sheet includes a film-shaped substrate, and a convex and concave luminescent portion provided on the substrate. The cover sheet faces the substrate. A dome-shaped resilient movable contact made of a thin metal sheet is attached to the cover sheet at a position corresponding to the luminescent portion. The light-guide portion is provided on the cover sheet at a position other than an area where the movable contact is disposed or on the light-guide sheet at a position other than an area where the light-guide portion is disposed. If the light-guide portion is provided on the light-guide sheet, the movable contact may be attached to the light-guide sheet without using the cover sheet.

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 shaft of a rotary switch, for example, useful as a control for an appliance, such as a washing machine, incorporates an LED at the end of the shaft and projecting light laterally from the shaft to provide an indication of the rotary position of the corresponding knob with respect to printed indicia on a console. The LED may be powered by slip rings incorporated into the rotary switch and communicating directly with line power as controlled by the limiting resistor and the shaft may include a controlled breakage feature providing LED conductors that are recessed within the shaft in the event of shaft breakage to reduce the chance of operator contact with line voltage.

Abstract: An operating device for an electrical appliance with a control panel has a control element for operation through rotary actuation arranged in the control panel, said control element being disposed and mounted in a receptacle behind the control panel. The receptacle has light-conducting and/or light transmitting material in the manner of a light guide, and is illuminated through an LED at a posterior end facing away from the control panel and with light apertures provided at another anterior end on the control panel around the control element extending forwardly beyond the control panel.

Abstract: A light-guide board assembly includes a light-guide board, a shielding board disposed on the light-guide board, and a plurality of light-guide poles. The light-guide board defines a plurality of engaging holes, a plurality of light-focusing slots and a plurality of channels. One end of each light-guide pole is received in a corresponding engaging hole. The light-focusing slots focus light to strengthen the light emitted from the light-guide slots. Each engaging hole communicates with one adjacent engaging hole or an adjacent light-focusing slot through a channel.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a keyboard includes keytops supported on a substrate and a membrane switch placed between the keytops and the substrate. The membrane switch has an electrically insulating membrane sheet on which a plurality of contacts operated by the keytops are formed. A light source is mounted on the membrane sheet. A conductor pattern configured to supply an electric current to the light source is formed on the membrane sheet. Further, a lightguide plate configured to lead light emitted by the light source to the keytops is stacked on the membrane sheet.

Abstract: An actuator subassembly is provided for a rocker switch including a housing, a plunger and a number of contact elements. The actuator subassembly includes an operating member movably coupled to the rocker switch housing at or about an opening, and including at least one projection which extends into a cavity of the housing. A sub-actuator is removably coupled to such projection and includes a shaped portion, a number of contacting portions and a depth. The shaped portion cooperates with a plunger to provide a plurality of operating characteristics of the operating member, including a plurality of positions thereof. Each contacting portion contacts a corresponding one of the contact elements when the operating member is disposed in a corresponding one of the positions. When the actuator subassembly is coupled to the housing, the depth of the sub-actuator occupies less than one-third of the width of the cavity.

Abstract: A movable contact assembly includes a movable contact having a dome shape, a base sheet contacting an upper surface of the movable contact, a columnar portion provided on an upper surface of the base sheet, and a light guide sheet provided on an upper surface of the columnar portion. The light guide sheet has a light-receiving surface for introducing light into the light guide sheet, and allows the introduced light to be emitted from an upper surface of the light guide sheet. The base sheet includes a dome portion having a concave lower surface, and a flat portion connected with an outer edge of the dome portion. The columnar portion is positioned on the upper surface of the dome portion away from the outer edge of the dome portion of the base sheet. This movable contact assembly provides a switch illuminating its upper surface and being activated easily with a preferable feeling.

Abstract: A contact holding sheet with a light guide without using a holding sheet with protrusions made of resin is provided. The contact holding sheet does not require a protrusion fabrication process, thereby reducing costs, and making the contact holding sheet thin without forming the protrusions on the holding sheet. The contact holding sheet includes a holding sheet opposed to a substrate, fixed contacts provided on the substrate, and dome-shaped movable contacts attached to a pressure sensitive adhesive surface of the holding sheet. The dome-shaped movable contacts face the substrate, and the movable contacts are opposed to the fixed contacts of the substrate. The protrusions are formed at central positions of the movable contacts and positioned inside holes formed in the holding sheet. The holding sheet and a light guide film are integrated with adhesion in a state where the light guide film is laid on upper portions of the protrusions.

Abstract: A light color adjustment structure for illuminated keyboards to resolve the shortcomings of conventional illuminated keyboards that generate mono light and unalterable includes a light source module located in an illuminated keyboard and a brightness control module located in the illuminated keyboard and electrically connected to the light source module. The light source module has at least a first light source and a second light source of different light colors that are mixed to generate a light color for the illuminated keyboard. The brightness control module generates a brightness control signal sent to the light source module to control the brightness of the light source module. Thus through brightness alterations and mixing of the first and second light sources varying light colors can be generated.

Abstract: To provide a metal dome sheet 10 to which a metal dome 8 is attached. The metal dome 8 elastically deforms with a pressing operation of a key top 16, thereby to have electrical conduction with a contact 6 provided on a substrate 2, and restores from a deformed state when the pressing operation is released, thereby to release the conduction with the contact. The metal dome sheet 10 has an elastic pressing projection 12 which transmits pressing force applied from the key top 16 side to a top 8a of the metal dome 8.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light-emitting keyboard, comprising: a membrane circuit board whose bottom surface is printed with a light guide ink; a light source provided on one side of the membrane circuit board for projecting light to enter the light guide ink of the membrane circuit board; a first reflector disposed underneath the membrane circuit board to reflect a portion of the light that escapes from the membrane circuit board to enter the light guide ink of the membrane circuit board; a second reflector provided on top of the membrane circuit board to reflect a portion of the light that does not pass therethrough back towards the light guide ink; a supporting plate disposed on top of the second reflector; a scissor assembly disposed on top of the supporting plate; a keycap disposed on top of the scissor assembly; and an elastic contact body having a contact portion.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a light-emitting keyboard, comprising: a light guide having a light entrance surface, a bottom surface and a light exit surface; a light source provided adjacent to the light entrance surface of the light guide; a first reflector disposed underneath the bottom surface of the light guide to reflect the light originated from the light source to enter into said light guide; a second reflector disposed on top of said light exit surface of the light guide; a membrane circuit board disposed on top of said second reflector, said membrane circuit board being provided with an elastic member; a supporting plate disposed on top of the membrane circuit board; a scissor assembly engaged with said supporting plate and provided thereon; and a keycap supported by said scissor assembly.

Abstract: A keypad assembly, which includes at least one key configured to be provided at an outer surface of a body of an electronic device, a substrate including at least one switch that closes when the at least one key is depressed, and a supporting plate configured to detachably attach to an inner surface of the body of the electronic device, the supporting plate fixing the at least one key and the substrate to the body of the electronic device.

Abstract: An improved paintball gun uses a low-pressure pneumatic sear to hold the firing valve closed against the high pressure gas occupying the other side of the valve. In this manner, only one operation is required between depressing the trigger and the firing of the paintball gun because a double-acting cylinder is not required as an interface between the trigger depression and actuation of the valve. The paintball gun is also substantially faster than existing electro-pneumatic paintball guns because it uses a blow forward bolt, in which higher-pressure gas is held directly behind the bolt and has only one direction to travel during the firing of the paintball gun.

Abstract: A distinctive structure, such as an illuminating structure is provided. The illuminating structure includes an illuminating element that is placed in an opening of a surrounding area. The opening includes a curved side wall of a particular radius to reflect any light that emanates from the illuminating element so that the reflected light is viewable from the illuminating structure.

Abstract: A switch panel including a switch unit is mounted on a dashboard of an automotive vehicle. The switch unit has switches for operating devices mounted on the vehicle and ornamental members disposed between the switches. The ornamental member is composed of a base portion and a portion extending from the base portion. Front surfaces of the extending portion and the base portion are covered with an ornamental light-reflecting layer. The front surface of the extending portion is positioned flush with a touch surface of the switch. The front surface of the base portion is sloped so that light incident thereon is reflected toward a direction not in parallel to a gap formed between the extending portion and the switch. The light reflected on the sloped surface is invisible while the front surface of the extending portion is clearly visible, enhancing ornamental design effects of the switch unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a light emitting keypad having a very slim light guide film, and a light guide film for a keypad backlight. Particularly, a reflection layer is formed on a lower portion of the light guide film, resulting in more improved luminance. According to the present invention, the introduction of an EL sheet is eliminated, substantial slimness is achieved as compared with a direct illumination type keypad, high luminance is obtained by introducing a reflection layer even though a small number of light sources are used, and a light emitting surface can be provided for intensive light emission onto key regions of a keypad by forming a predetermined pattern on at least one surface of the light guide film.

Abstract: A keypad assembly includes a pressing surface layer, a pattern layer, an elastic layer, a light guiding layer, and a pressing bottom layer. The pattern layer is under the pressing surface layer. The elastic layer is located between and interlocks the pattern layer and the light guiding layer by adhesive. The pressing bottom layer adheres to the light guiding layer. The keypad assembly has an ideal appearance by lights collection of the light guiding layer. User can feel comfortable when pressing the keypad assembly because of the elastic layer's buffering effect.

Abstract: A sheet switch module including a circuit board (22), at least one key switch (25) disposed on the circuit board, and a flexible light guiding sheet (31) which is disposed on the key switch and configured to cover the circuit board, the light guiding sheet being configured to flexibly fit over and follow the shape of the key switch along an outer surface of the key switch, when the light guiding sheet is disposed on the circuit board.

Abstract: The invention relates to an actuating element (9) comprising a pushbutton (5) and a lamp (4) that surrounds the pushbutton (5). The pushbutton (5) generates a tactile feedback and the lamp (4) temporarily lights up when the pushbutton (5) is actuated. The invention creates an actuating element (9) for safely operating a machine and/or system, said actuating element (9) perceptibly providing a feedback to the user on his or her actuating the actuating element (9).

Abstract: The invention provides backlight module comprising a light guiding plate, a flexible substrate, and a light emitting unit. The flexible substrate has a first surface, and the light emitting unit is configured on the first surface. A paint area used for reflecting the light, emitted by the light emitting unit, to the light guiding plate is formed on the first surface near the light emitting unit. Accordingly, the light emitted into the light guiding plate could be prevented from being reflected by the flexible substrate directly and presenting the same color with the flexible substrate.

Abstract: A luminous key mechanism. A keycap moves with respect to a base plate and includes a transparent window. A light-emitting element is disposed under the keycap. A condenser is connected to the transparent window and opposes the light-emitting element. Light output from the light-emitting element is condensed by the condenser and output via the transparent window.

Abstract: Described is a device including a housing and a display arrangement. The housing is integrally formed (i.e., a single-piece housing) and has a predefined substantially transparent area. The housing has also at least one opening. The display arrangement is situated inside of the housing and is inserted into the housing through the opening and aligned with the predefined area.

Abstract: The invention relates to an touch-surface electric control device (1) comprising a touch-surface sensor (29), a printed circuit board (33), connection means (42) for the electric connection between the touch-surface sensor (29) and the printed circuit board (33), the connections means (42) and the touch-surface (29) being flexible and including a connection tab (67), the touch-surface sensor (29) and the printed circuit board (33) being provided on the opposite faces of a common substrate (31) provided between said sensor (29) and said board (33), characterised in that a side face of the common substrate (31) includes a guiding protrusion (44) for the connection tab (67).

Abstract: Present invention enables to illuminate an artwork or alphanumerics of related key(s) of an electrical device from above with illumination module situated in the vicinity of the artwork or alphanumerics. Present invention also enables the use of opaque material in the keys or in the keypad.

Abstract: The disclosed relates to a light-guide-sheet used in operation panel of a various electronic equipment, and a movable-contact-unit and a switch using the same, which have a simplified structure free from uneven illumination and a cheap cost price. Therefore, the light-guide-sheet is provided with the light-guide-member including an inlet, a generally strip-shaped guide-path coupled with the inlet, and generally circularly and irregularly shaped light-emitters coupled with the guide-path, each formed from a polymer having an index of refraction different from that of base-film and formed in grooves provided on a base-film.

Abstract: An illuminated switch device includes: a casing with an open upper side that has a partition wall formed on the inner bottom thereof; light sources that are provided on the inner bottom in a plurality of regions partitioned by the partition wall; an operating body that includes an outer housing and a light-shielding wall which divides a space surrounded by the outer housing and covered with an upper plate into a plurality of small spaces; and a switch element that is driven when the operating body is pressed. Guide rails are slidably fitted to concave grooves to guide the movement of the outer housing in the vertical direction. Both ends of the light-shielding wall 9 extending to the outside of the outer housing 8 serve as the guide rails.

Abstract: A mobile terminal device includes a movable side housing and a fixed side housing connected to the movable side housing with a connection part. The fixed side housing includes an operation panel in which a plurality of numeric keys are arranged, a light emitting elements that are provided at one end side of the operation panel, and a light guiding sheet member that guides light emitted from the light emitting element to a lower position of the operation panel and diffuses the light in a surface shape.

Abstract: Membrane keyboard for notebook computer and membrane keypad for cellular phone are provided. For the former, the membrane keyboard includes a frame board comprising units having an aperture; transparent keys comprising a bottom peg; resilient bridge structures on the frame board secured to the bottom of the corresponding key and comprising a central opening; insulative elastic members comprising a downward stem and a top cup; a film circuit board comprising LEDs; a transparent light guide film plate on the film circuit board and comprising bottom light diffusing areas under keys and each having a conductive member raised from center of one of different cavities; and a base board with the film circuit board fastened thereon. The elastic member is secured onto the corresponding light diffusing area and is inserted through the aperture and the opening with the cup securely put on the peg so that the keys may light uniformly.

Abstract: A hand-held endoscopic surgical instrument, such as a camera or shaver, comprises an illuminated keypad operable by a user to operate the instrument.

Abstract: A keypad having a phosphor is disclosed. The keypad includes a light guide panel, the interior of which ultraviolet light propagates through; and at least one key top disposed on top of the light guide panel including a phosphor to absorb the ultraviolet light passing out through the light guide panel and emit visible light.