Abstract: In an embodiment, a membrane switch may include a flexible light guide having a first refractive index. The flexible light guide may include a first wall, an opposing second wall, and one or more additional walls. One or more of the first wall, the second wall and the additional walls may be disposed adjacent to a substance including a second refractive index that is lower than the first refractive index.

Abstract: There is provided a mobile terminal comprising a back lighting structure. The mobile terminal according to an embodiment comprises a light emitting device and a case part provided on the light emitting device and formed of a transmissive material. The mobile terminal further comprises a shielding coating layer laminated on a region excluding a specific region of the case part and formed of a shielding material so that the specific region of the case part transmits light.

Abstract: A key structure is disclosed in which the use of space for a keypad is maximized, thereby allowing free key inputs. The key structure includes a first keypad layer converted into a transparent state and a semi-transparent state, for displaying characters and numbers printed on the first keypad layer when the first keypad layer is in the semi-transparent state while displaying characters and numbers printed on a second keypad layer when the first keypad layer is in the transparent state. The key structure further includes the second keypad layer displaying characters and numbers printed on the second keypad layer by using light emitted from a light source when the first keypad layer is in the transparent state, and the light source emitting light to the second keypad layer when the first keypad layer is in the transparent state.

Abstract: A push-button switch structure with an illumination function includes a main frame having a panel disposed at the central area of the main frame and an installing portion disposed on said panel for installing at least one switch; a circuit board connected between the panel and the main frame for detecting an external light by a light sensor and driving at least one light emitting unit installed around the periphery of the circuit board; and a transparent cover, coupled to a lateral side of the main frame to form a cover for connecting the switch.

Abstract: An operating device for a household appliance is formed with an aperture, and an operating element is guided through an assembly hole in the aperture. A plurality of light sources in the operating element, indicate the operational state of the household appliance. The information content is increased with the plurality of light sources that indicate at least two mutually different operational states of the household appliance.

Abstract: The present invention integrates the power switch of a “vintage” coin operated device, such as a juke box, into a highly visible replica coin return button. This otherwise useless coin return feature is replaced with a specially designed keycap that is part of a full travel pushbutton switch.

Abstract: The present invention provides power supply devices having illuminated receptacles. Some or all of the receptacles are encircled or otherwise circumscribed by a lighting member. The lighting member may be a continuous strip of material, such as an electroluminescent laminate. The lighting member may illuminate the receptacles regardless of whether the receptacles themselves are currently powered. Thus, although the power supply device is in a no or low light environment, or when the device is plugged in but is turned off, a user may easily identify where the receptacles are, which ones are available, and which equipment is plugged into which receptacles. The lighting member may be color coded according to a surge protection rating for the power supply device. In this case, the user can immediately identify which power supply devices have a given surge protection, and can therefore distinguish among different power supply devices having similar physical configurations.

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

Abstract: A keyboard structure. The keyboard structure includes a base plate, a light guide member, a membrane circuit board, a key assembly and a light-emitting element. The light guide member is disposed on the base plate. The membrane circuit board is disposed on the light guide member. The key assembly is disposed on the membrane circuit board, with a key cap and a resilient element between the key cap and the membrane circuit board. The light-emitting element is adjacent to the light guide member and is disposed under the membrane circuit board. Light from the light-emitting element enters the resilient element and key cap via the light guide member.

Abstract: An illuminating membrane switch, including: an upper membrane sheet on which a plurality of wires are formed; a lower membrane sheet on which a plurality of wires are formed; and an electroluminescent device interposed between the upper membrane sheet and the lower membrane sheet, the electroluminescent device emitting rays through the upper membrane sheet and having a plurality of openings so as to allow the wires of the upper and lower membrane sheets to contact each other.

Abstract: A keypad includes a light guide panel, the interior of which light propagates through, a film positioned on the upper surface of the light guide panel and having at least one key button positioned on the upper surface thereof, and at least one reflective pattern fixedly positioned with respect to the light guide panel to reflect a part of the light, which propagates through the interior of the light guide panel, towards the key button.

Abstract: A key includes a light-permeable body, a light-shading layer and a first dye layer. The light-shading layer is formed on the surface of the light-permeable body and has a first light-permeable area and a second light-permeable area. The first dye layer is formed on the first light-permeable area.

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

Abstract: A light guide for lighting keys of a keypad in handheld devices. The light guide includes a film and a light emitting diode optically coupled to it. The film provides for substantial total internal reflection of light. A surface of the film opposite the keys includes a plurality of discrete areas, and each of the areas has one or more microstructured features such that each of them extract from the film a substantial amount of light incident upon them by reflecting and redirecting the light such that it impinges upon the film beyond the critical angle for total internal reflection. The microstructured features in each of the areas are adjusted such that they obtain substantially uniform extraction of light from the light source. The light guide can provide sufficient illumination of the keys using only a single light emitting diode as the light source.

Abstract: A keypad assembly for an electronic device is disclosed. The keypad assembly includes a light guide plate through which a light moves, a plurality of first key buttons on the top surface of the light guide plate, a plurality of reflecting patterns on the bottom surface of the light guide plate for reflecting the light moving through the light guide plate toward the first key buttons, protrusions under the reflecting patterns, a plurality of light emitting devices for supplying the light to the light guide plate, and a switch board including a plurality of dome switches and at least one first optical filtering layer whose color is changed into various colors by reacting or not reacting to the wavelengths of lights generated from the light emitting devices is included under each of the first key buttons.

Abstract: Embodiments of a peripheral backlighting system for keyboards are shown and described, which include one or more light-emitting panels exterior to the keyswitches of the keyboard. The panels are preferably electroluminescent material or light-emitting chemical cells and surround at least two sides, and preferably all sides, of the actuation portion of a keyswitch or the space in which the actuation portion slides up and down during use. Alternatively, the panel(s) may extend substantially continuously between and underneath a plurality of keyswitches. The panels extend closely adjacent to the actuation portion or actuation path, or under the keyswitch, to be as far under the key cap as possible without extending into the keyswitch. Preferably, the keyswitch is translucent or partially translucent, and the housing plate over the light-radiant panels, if any, is at least partially translucent or transparent.

Abstract: An operation switch for a vehicle includes a light source and a grease. The light source is provided to illuminate a switch knob from a rear face side of the switch knob. The grease is applied to a sliding part. The light source is forcibly activated based on temperature information in a passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Abstract: Control panel of the touch-switch comprising: an external control board with transparent surface portions, devices for illuminating the transparent surface portions from the inside, capacitive-type detecting or sensing devices on the backside of the control board and adapted to detect the presence, on the front side of the control board. The devices for illuminating comprise a plurality of illumination channels comprised laterally between pairs of opaque septum-like partitions arranged in parallel manner on the backside of the control board. The capacitive-type detecting devices comprise conductive elements applied either on the mutually facing surfaces of contiguous septum-like partitions or on one of the surfaces and a ground not comprised between the septum-like partitions. The illuminating channels are delimited on the front side by the external control board at the transparent surface portions and, on the back side, by support members arranged at the rear side of the septum-like partitions.

Abstract: An illuminating keyboard includes an illumination device mounted between the assembly board and the base. The illumination device is composed of a circuit board, two light emitting diodes on top of the circuit board and respectively having thereon an encapsulation and a light tube having two ends respectively connected to a corresponding one of the two light emitting diodes so that light from the two light emitting diodes is able to emit through the assembly board, the thin film circuit board and the plastic plate to light keys on top of the plastic plate.

Abstract: Provided is an operating switch mechanism having a handle cover with enhanced rigidity. The operating switch mechanism has a chassis 1 in which individual switches 21 and a group switch are exposed from the front side. An indicator hole for passing light is formed in the chassis 1 to at locations facing light-emitting diodes indicating operation states of lighting apparatuses in association with the group switch. A handle body 4 is rotatably attached on the front side of the chassis 1 so as to press the group switch. An indicator hole is formed at the location corresponding to the indicator hole formed in the chassis 1. A handle cover 5 is rotatably attached on the front side of the handle body 4. An indicator hole is formed at the location corresponding to the indicator hole formed in the handle body 4. A concave groove 44 for attaching an indicator window 8 is formed on the front side.

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

Abstract: A light guide (30) for illuminating a keypad (20) including a plurality of keys (22) includes a plurality of apertures (300) corresponding to the keys, and a plurality of slots (340). The slots are defined in a face of the light guide adjacent to the keypad.

Abstract: A light guide (30) for illuminating a keypad (20) including a plurality of keys (22) includes a plurality of apertures (300) corresponding to the keys, a first end portion (32) defining at least one receiving hole (320) for receiving at least one light source, and a second end portion (34) opposite to the first end portion. A thickness of the first end portion is greater than that of the second end portion.

Abstract: A switch flip pack for the interior of an automobile comprising a door trim panel with a switch panel carrying at least one electrical switch, a flip cover pivotally attached to the switch panel, and a electroluminescent lamp mounted to the flip cover. The flip cover has an opened position in which the electrical switch is accessible and a closed position in which the electrical switch is inaccessible. When energized, the electroluminescent lamp is positioned for emitting visible light to illuminate the electrical switch when the flip cover is in the opened position. A method is also provided for forming the flip cover and electroluminescent lamp by an injection molding process.

Abstract: A control system for an electrosurgical instrument includes a housing selectively positionable relative to an operating theater with the housing being coupled to an electrosurgical energy source. The system also includes at least one foot-activatable pedal operatively engaged with the housing which has indicia identifying the function of the pedal disposed thereon. Illuminating means are also included with the system which illuminating means are designed to illuminate at least a portion of the pedal which, in turn illuminates the indicia.

Abstract: A capacitive touch switch which is used, for example, in a control device for an electronic domestic appliance, includes a sensor area as part of a capacitive sensor element having a capacitance which changes when touched. A measuring electrode, which is coupled to the sensor area, is disposed on a printed circuit board and is at a first potential. An additional electrode, which is disposed near the measuring electrode, likewise on the printed circuit board, is electrically insulated from the measuring electrode and is at a second potential, which is different from the first potential. The additional electrode brings about a shielding of the measuring electrode and thus an output signal of an associated sensor circuit that is less sensitive to interference. A circuit configuration for a capacitive touch switch and a control device for an electronic domestic appliance, are also provided.

Abstract: A backlight button assemblage includes an opaque button, a light-guiding element, and a light-emitting element. The light-emitting element is disposed under the button and light emitted from the light-emitting element is guided to the front side of the button via the light-guiding element surrounding the button. Light can therefore be evenly distributed over the light-guiding element, and uniformity of light achieved, so that partial dazzling spots are avoided, the quantity of light-emitting elements is reduced, and fabrication costs are saved.

Abstract: An illuminating membrane switch includes an upper membrane sheet and a lower membrane sheet. The lower membrane sheet includes an electroluminescent device and a plurality of lower lead wires disposed on the illuminating surface of the electroluminescent device. An insulating spacer layer is further disposed on the illuminating surface of the electroluminescent device, and separates the upper lead wires of the upper membrane sheet from the lower lead wire. When a pressing force acting on the illuminating membrane is sufficient, the upper lead wire and the lower lead wire at the pressing position can contact each other through the opening of the insulating spacer layer so as to form a closed circuit. The keyboard can light up the symbols on the surfaces of key caps by light emitted from the illuminating membrane for a user to identify the function or alphabetic input of each key cap, and detect any input from a keystroke.

Abstract: An illuminating membrane switch includes an upper membrane sheet and a lower membrane sheet. The lower membrane sheet includes an electroluminescent device and a plurality of lower lead wires disposed on the illuminating surface of the electroluminescent device. An insulating spacer layer is further disposed on the illuminating surface of the electroluminescent device, and separates the upper lead wires of the upper membrane sheet from the lower lead wire. When a pressing force acting on the illuminating membrane is sufficient, the upper lead wire and the lower lead wire at the pressing position can contact each other through the opening of the insulating spacer layer so as to form a closed circuit. The keyboard can light up the symbols on the surfaces of key caps by light emitted from the illuminating membrane for a user to identify the function or alphabetic input of each key cap, and detect any input from a keystroke.

Abstract: This portable device relates to an in-line illuminated switch. The switch has a soft glowing light which is visible in a darkened room. Elderly people remove their eyeglasses when resting, and the soft glowing light locates the switch when light is required at bedside.

Abstract: A keypad suitable for being disposed on a circuit board is provided. The keypad is in contact with the circuit board to generate an electrical signal. The keypad includes a flexible light guide plate, a key pattern, a passivation layer, a light source, and a reflector. Wherein, the key pattern and the passivation layer are both disposed on a first surface of the flexible light guide plate, and the passivation layer covers the key pattern. In addition, the light source and the reflector are both disposed at one side of the flexible light guide plate, and the reflector covers the light source. The keypad has better display brightness such that the user can easily recognize the patterns of the keys.

Abstract: Button holes 3 are formed in a front panel 2. Buttons 4 are arranged in the button holes 3, and a rib 7 convexly provided on the back surface of the front panel 2 surrounds the button holes 3. A light transmitting rubber sheet 11 closes a space 30 surrounded by the rib 7 and is held between a circuit board 15 and the rib 7. Contact portions 12 are provided on the rubber sheet 11 so as to be brought into contact with and separated from the circuit board 15 by the elastic force of the rubber sheet 11. Light emitting elements 17 are mounted on the circuit board 15 so as to correspond to the buttons 4, and are accommodated in accommodation concave portions 18 in the rubber sheet 11.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a control assembly including a power source and a circuit disconnector located on a first side of a planar member forming an opening, the disconnector including a first mechanical linkage having open and closed positions, the apparatus for manipulating the mechanical linkage between the open and closed positions and visually indicating on a second side of the planar member at least a first state of the control assembly when the first state occurs, the apparatus including a handle assembly including a handle member moveable between at least first and second positions and positioned on the second side of the planar member adjacent the opening, an extension member rigidly connected to and extending from the handle member through the opening and forming a second mechanical linkage at a distal end that is linkable with the first mechanical linkage on the first side of the planar member, the extension member moving the first mechanical linkage between the closed and open positions when the

Abstract: A switching device includes a light emitting unit 11 for applying light to an operational button 1 having a side that is supported by a hinge 3 so that the operational button can shake is arranged in the vicinity of the hinge, and a light diffusion prism member 5 for diffusively reflecting the light emitted out of the light emitting unit 11 toward the operational button 1. As a result, a downsizing of the whole of the switching device can be achieved, and the switching device is suitable for providing uniform brightness over the whole surface of the operational button without any unevenness of the brightness of the operational button.

Abstract: Light projected from a light source is reflected to a pointer side by a reflecting portion in such a state that a dial is rotated to a FOOT position position. Due to this, since light projected from the light source can be emitted to the pointer by bypassing an inside air/outside air changing over switch, the pointer can be illuminated sufficiently without disturbance by the inside air/outside air changing over switch. Moreover, since the reflecting portion is formed by bending partially a predetermined conductor plate 58 which constitutes a switch circuit, the necessity of a reflector is obviated which would otherwise be necessary exclusively to reflect light projected from the light source to the pointer side. Due to this, since the number of components is reduced, both the production costs and the number of assembling manhours are reduced.

Abstract: A switching device includes a vertically moveable operating member (14) with a cavity (66) in which a light (20) lies. The light is supported on tongues (80) of a pair of sheet metal energizing members (70A, 70B). Each energizing member has laterally opposite sides that form a pair of legs (74). The legs extend downward along opposite sides of the switch casing (12), and the legs have lugs (76) at their lower ends for soldering to traces on a circuit board.

Abstract: A push button includes a button main body portion which is provided between a packaging substrate placed under it and a casing portion located above it, a light source placed on the packaging substrate, and a light-guide portion which guides light from the light source to an outer periphery of the button main body portion by reflection.

Abstract: An electroluminescent lamp membrane switch includes a deformable substrate. Graphic indicia is imprinted on the substrate. An electroluminescent lamp is imprinted on the graphic indicia layer and a membrane switch is formed on the lamp.

Abstract: A keypad assembly for a portable terminal is disclosed. The keypad assembly for the portable terminal includes a light guide plate which has reflection patterns locally formed on a lower surface of the light guide plate for reflecting a part of light transmitted in the light guide plate toward an upper surface of the light guide plate. The keypad assembly also includes at least one key button seated on the light guide plate, for outputting the light reflected by the reflection patterns out of the keypad assembly, upper and lower cases for containing the light guide plate, a switch substrate seated on a bottom surface of the lower case and having at least one switch, and an extension member which extends from an upper case of the portable terminal toward the switch substrate. The extension member has a reflection filter for reflecting the light exiting from the light guide plate toward the light guide plate back.

Abstract: An interface is in the form of a switch bank for the center stack of a motor vehicle. The switch bank comprises a motor vehicle interior trim component and at least one non-movable switch located behind the interior trim component. The switch is operable to actuate and de-actuate an electrically operated device of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: An illuminated keypad includes a baseboard, a plurality of keys protruded from the baseboard, a plurality of sets of light guiding bars and a plurality of light-emitting components. Each set of light guiding bars is disposed under the baseboard. Each light guiding bar has a portion extending toward one key. The light-emitting components are disposed under the baseboard corresponding to the respective sets of light guiding bars. Thus light emitted from the light-emitting components is transmitted to the keys for illuminating through the respective light guiding bars. According to an aspect of the invention, each set of light guiding bars are arranged to be X-shaped. According to another aspect of the invention, each set of light guiding bars are arranged in a line.

Abstract: An illuminated doorbell pushbutton assembly includes a pushbutton assembly that uses a light source, or a plurality thereof to illuminate the pushbutton. The assembly also includes a user-adjustable rotating task light that can be used to direct light to a door lock, a dark step, or to provide a light for identifying keys. A reflector is rotated through an arc to direct light to the area desired by the user. The assembly further includes an electrical circuit that enables the assembly to be installed with electromechanical or electronic chimes.

Abstract: A control panel assembly including at least one moveable button defining an outer surface. The control panel assembly also includes an electroluminescent film operatively supported on the outer surface of the button such that the electroluminescent film is adapted for selectively emitting light from the outer surface of the button. A method for making the control panel assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A switch for adjusting a plurality of states of a load is provided having a large paddle actuator for adjusting a first state of a lightning load and incorporating an integrated rocker switch for adjusting a second state of a lighting load. The switch also comprises a concealed air-gap switch for disconnecting the switch from line phase when the paddle actuator is placed in a disconnect position and connecting the switch to line phase when the paddle actuator is placed in a connect position.

Abstract: A rocker switch assembly has several rocker shells that define cavities to receive inserts of several varieties that allow the user to provide several rockers in a side-by-side assembly of rocker switches with a wave pattern that allows each switch to be easily identified as to function and/or indicates switch condition. Reversing the orientation of every other rocker shell provides the wave pattern, and the use of different inserts allows variation in the illumination level of individual rocker switches, yet each rocker shell shares a common geometry.

Abstract: A slider is provided with projections. Each projection is formed with tapered surfaces. A casing is provided with concave portions having the same shape as the projections. During the return of an operating body, the slider ascends while being inclined, and the slider stands upright as the tapered surface of the projection and the tapered surface of the concave portion of the casing slide on each other. Then, each projection is fitted into the corresponding concave portion, thereby positioning the slider.

Abstract: A switching element provided with a foil construction includes a first supporting foil and a second supporting foil that are kept at a distance from one another via a spacer. The spacer has a recess in at least one active area of the switching element. A contact arrangement includes at least two electrodes and is arranged in the active area of the switching element so that an electrical current between the electrodes is established when both foil layers are pressed together. A structure made of an electrically nonconducting material is placed inside the active area of the switching element and prevents the electrodes from coming into contact in the area of the structure.

Abstract: A keyboard includes a housing having a number of cavities to slidably receive shanks of a number of key pads, and a light device for lighting the key pads. The lighting device includes a number of light members engaged in the shanks of the key pads, the housing includes two conductive projections extended into each of the cavities to selectively engage with terminals of the light members, and to energize the light members when the key pads are depressed by the users. A spring biasing device may bias the key pad to disengage the terminals of the light members from the conductive projections.

Abstract: An auxiliary light device for a key comprises a base, a lighting element, two batteries and a casing assembly. The base is to be fixed permanently on a gripping portion of a key, in the base are formed two battery chambers, in a front portion of the base is defined a notch facing the shaft of the key, the notch is connected to the battery chambers via a groove, in a rear portion of the base is formed a threaded hole. The lighting element is inserted in the notch of the base, two conductive terminals of the lighting element are engaged in the groove of the base and extended into the chambers. The two batteries are disposed in the chambers of the base and connected to the two conductive terminals, respectively. The casing assembly serves to cover the abovementioned components and includes a cover, a button and a partition.

Abstract: A multifunctional switch with an indicator for selecting and switching a plurality of functions is disclosed. The multifunctional switch is provided with a dial knob capable of being pushed in an axial direction and rotated; a window formed at a center of the dial knob; an indicator configured to indicate a selected function; an indicator support configured to support the indicator and disposed at a rear of the dial knob, the dial knob being rotatably fitted on the indicator support and movable with the indicator support In the axial direction; and means for anti-rotation of the indicator support.