Push Button Type Patents (Class 200/314)
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Patent number: 8258987Abstract: A capacitive touch switch is disclosed which includes a substrate having a channel formed between a first surface and a second surface thereof, thereby defining a flexible section of the substrate. The capacitive touch switch also includes an insulating panel having a first face and a second face, the second face adapted to be touched by a user. The capacitive touch switch may further include a capacitive electrode disposed on the flexible section, a light source coupled to the first surface of the flexible section, and one or more spacers secured to the first surface of the flexible section. Either the light source or the one or more spacers cause the flexible section of the substrate to be deflected away from the insulating panel when the substrate and the insulating panel are urged into contact. Deflection of the flexible section creates a gap which allows the light source to illuminate an icon disposed on the insulating panel. A method of manufacturing a capacitive touch switch is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2009Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: Benedito G. Anorozo
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Patent number: 8253598Abstract: A light-emitting keyboard is disclosed, which comprises: a light guide plate, configured with a light entrance surface, a light emitting surface, a bottom surface and a side surface in a manner that the light emitting surface is arranged opposite to the bottom surface, and the light entrance surface and the side surface are arranged respectively next and connecting to the light emitting surfaced and the bottom surface while being sandwiched therebetween; a light source, disposed next to the light entrance surface of the light guide plate; a frame, disposed on the light emitting surface of the light guide plate; a first reflector, disposed on the bottom surface of the light guide plate; and a second reflector, disposed on the side surface of the light guide plate. With the aforesaid structure, light from the light source can be fully utilized so that the overall brightness of the light-emitting keyboard can be enhanced.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2010Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Darfon Electronics Corp.Inventor: Shin-Cheng Ho
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Patent number: 8251545Abstract: A lighting device and a display apparatus are disclosed. The lighting device includes at least one light source installed on a substrate, spaced apart a predetermined distance from each other, and a filter member provided over the at least one light source having a variable thickness. Light emitted from the at least one light source transmits through the filter member. The display apparatus includes a panel that displays an image, a front cover that supports a front edge portion of the panel, and a lighting device mounted in an open portion formed at the front cover, the lighting device being exposed outside.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2008Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Kwang Sa Sin
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Patent number: 8253048Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2010Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Orin M. Ozias, Kevin Mundt
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Patent number: 8247719Abstract: A button device includes a button unit, a resilient member, and a switch unit. The button unit includes a button, a transparent power icon member, and a retaining member. The power iron member is attached to the button. The retaining member includes an elastic element, a tray located at one end of the elastic element, and a fixing loop located at the other end of the elastic element. The button and the power iron member are retained on the tray. The tray includes a seat with a hole for receiving an illuminator, and reflects lights of the illuminator to the power icon member. The resilient member is sandwiched between the button unit and the switch unit to reset the button unit back to its original position.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2010Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Guang-Yao Lee, Hsuan-Tsung Chen, Gang Liu, Qing-Hui Mi
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Patent number: 8247714Abstract: A back lighted membrane keyboard includes a key housing, a membrane, a key support plate, a membrane circuit board, an insulative plate, a light guide membrane plate, and a base plate. The key housing, the membrane, the key support plate, the membrane circuit board, the insulative plate, and the light guide membrane plate are aligned by inserting stems thereinto. Eventually, these components are subjected to ultrasonic welding to be bound together.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2010Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Sunrex Technology CorpInventor: Huo-Lu Tsai
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Patent number: 8247722Abstract: A push button switch device includes a push button disposed on a cover constituting an outer surface of an equipment body and light-transmissible, a switching element behind the push button so that its operation axis substantially corresponds with a central axis of the push button, light sources around the switching element to illuminate the push button and operated by the push button, and an incidence surface on a rear surface of the push button so that light from the light sources is incident on it and including a concave curved surface located so as to face the light sources and a convex curved surface located outside and continuous to the concave curved surface. The push button has a recess in a central rear surface so as to be located inside the incidence surface and a light scattering surface on an inner surface of the recess so as to scatter light.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2010Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hiroyuki Ominato
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Patent number: 8242396Abstract: A keypad assembly, comprising: a main body made of metal, the main body defining a plurality of slots and the slots enclosing a plurality of pressing buttons thereon, each pressing button defining at least one symbol slot, the main body having a contact surface and a operating surface; and a light-transmissive filling member, the filling member defining a plurality of protruding strips and the protruding strips enclosing a plurality of button areas thereon, each button area having at least one symbol block protruding therefrom, the filling member bonding to the contact surface with the protruding strips and the symbol blocks respectively engaging in the corresponding slots and the symbol slots. A method for making the present keypad assembly is also described.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2009Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) LimitedInventors: Hsu-Tang Chen, Wen-Te Lai, Hsiang-Jung Su, Liang Xiong, Kai-Ming Guo, You-Li Liu, Jian-Hua Wu, Zhao-Long Zheng
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Patent number: 8242397Abstract: A switch apparatus includes a Light Emitting Diode (LED) housing and a light guide pole. The LED housing includes at least one LED light source and a switch. The switch is capable of being actuated to light the at least one LED light source. The light guide pole is capable of transmitting light. The light guide pole is removably embedded in the LED housing to contact with the switch. The light guide pole presses the switch to drive the at least one LED light source to light.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2009Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chien-Chun Fu
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Patent number: 8232492Abstract: A keypanel assembly includes a light-emitting diode (LED) attached to a substrate. A switch is attached to the substrate. A control button is configured to actuate the switch. The control button permits light from the LED to pass through the control button to an outer surface of the control button to illuminate control symbology disposed thereon. An isolating structure ensures light emitted by the LED only illuminates the control symbology on the control button.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2008Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Joshua V. Davis, William G. Perreault, Steven W. Kramer
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Patent number: 8232491Abstract: A movable contact point made of a thin conductive metal sheet in an approximate dome shape is attached to the lower surface of a transparent base sheet, and the base sheet is provided at the upper or the lower surface with a fluorescent layer in the location above the movable contact point. Since, in the make-up, light can be made available for illumination in many colors other than that generated from a light emitting device, a movable contact element, as well as a switch formed using the contact element, that offers various illuminating modes can be implemented in a simple structure.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2008Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Naoki Tatehata, Takefumi Inoue, Koji Tanabe, Yousuke Chikahisa
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Patent number: 8231236Abstract: The invention provides a light guiding plate. The light guiding plate is transparent and applied to an input apparatus. A surface of the light guiding plate comprises a first region and a second region. The first region is covered by a non-transparent material. If a light is emitted into the light guiding plate, the light can be emitted out from the second region.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2009Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Dafron Electronics Corp.Inventors: Chih-Hsiang Chiang, Chih-Chung Yen, Liang-Ta Yeh
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Publication number: 20120186958Abstract: The present disclosure provides a button assembly used in an electronic device. The button assembly includes a base, a switch arranged on the base and a button. A raised logo is arranged on the switch. The button is movably arranged on the switch, and a through hole is defined on the button to receive the raised logo. An electronic device using the button assembly is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2011Publication date: July 26, 2012Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD .Inventor: WEN-YAN YANG
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Patent number: 8217285Abstract: An exemplary keyboard assembly includes a light source for emitting light, a light guide plate and a plurality of keys mounted on the light guide plate. The light guide plate includes a light incident surface facing the light source and a light emitting surface. Each key includes a cap, a light guide portion coupled to the cap, and a spring member configured for biasing the light guide portion in a direction away from the light emitting surface of the light guide plate. Each key is movable relative to the light guide plate, in response to manual manipulation thereto, between a depressed position where the light guide portion is attached to and optically coupled to the light emitting surface of the light guide plate thereby illuminating the cap, and a rest position where the light guide portion is spaced apart from the light emitting surface of the light guide plate.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2008Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jen-Tsorng Chang
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Patent number: 8209868Abstract: A button assembly for displaying an illuminated symbol has a locking ring and a solid light guide positioned within and spaced apart from the locking ring. The light guide has a top surface for displaying an illuminated symbol and a bottom surface with a light receiving member having a refracting surface with a first lens member for receiving and directing light to the top surface of the light guide. A resilient sealing member interconnects the locking ring and the light guide. The resilient sealing member is mounted on the locking ring and interconnects the locking ring and the light guide. The sealing member has an unsupported portion that facilitates movement of the light guide relative to the locking ring.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2009Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: The Gillette CompanyInventors: Fred Schnak, Stefan Rehbein, Gerd Laschinski, Klaus Günther Amsel, Werner Hübscher, Herbert Lessiak
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Patent number: 8210942Abstract: A handheld gaming machine including one or more actuators for providing vibrational cues or feedback during play of a wagering game to indicate the occurrence of a wagering-game event, such as a change in game rules, an input of a wager, and the like. The change in game rules may include a change in the odds of winning an award during the wagering game, a change in the type of award that can be awarded during the wagering game, eligibility for bonus play, or eligibility to accumulate one or more game elements associated with the wagering game. The vibration can be consistent with a wagering-game theme and can accompany or be a substitute for concurrently played audio sounds. The actuator(s) may include a haptic device such as a haptic touchscreen that overlays the display or an electromagnetic coil acting upon an unbalanced mass.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2007Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Jorge L. Shimabukuro, Mark B. Gagner, Jacob C. Greenberg
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Patent number: 8212787Abstract: A touch panel has a plurality of band-like optically transmissive lower electrodes and upper electrodes formed at predetermined intervals in directions perpendicular to each other on an upper surface of an optically transparent base sheet. A dome-like movable contact is formed from a conductive metal sheet which is mounted under the touch panel. A light guide sheet with a plurality of convex-concave light emitting portions is formed on an optically transparent substrate, which is disposed between the touch panel and the movable contact. Accordingly, uniform illumination can be attained by using only one or two light emitting elements, and it is possible to obtain a movable contact body capable of inexpensive and reliable illumination.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2009Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Naoki Tatehata, Yousuke Chikahisa, Koji Tanabe
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Patent number: 8207462Abstract: A key structure having an improved light emitting efficiency is provided. The key structure includes a light guide plate, an isolation sheet, a circuit board, an elastic member, and a key cap sequentially disposed one on another in order. A circuit and a plurality of first electrical contacts are distributed on a top surface of the light guide plate. An optical structure is disposed at a bottom surface of the light guide plate. The isolation sheet has a light reflective surface facing the light guide plate. A light source emits a light into the light guide plate. The light is reflected by the optical structure to pass through the through holes configured at the isolation sheet, thus allowing more light outputting through the through holes, so as to improve the illumination of the key cap, and improve the light emitting efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2009Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: Global Lighting Technologies (Taiwan) Inc.Inventor: Chung-Lin Tsai
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Patent number: 8207872Abstract: A mechanical keypad with touch panel function includes a key set including a plurality of keycaps and a keytop covering the keycaps, a backlight layer under the key set, a capacitive touch unit selectively disposed under several keycaps, an elastic layer including an elastomer and a plunger corresponding to the keycaps and disposed under the capacitive touch unit as well as a circuit board including metal domes and dome sheets corresponding to the keycaps. Each metal dome provides a mechanical feedback force so that the keycaps are able to be in indirect contact with the metal domes and the dome sheets by means of the plunger.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2009Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: Ichia Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Chin-Chun Huang, Yi-Hsiang Hsiao, Shih-Pu Yu
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Patent number: 8203091Abstract: A switch and a circuit board of the switch assembly are detachably coupled to each other, thus resulting in enhanced maintenance and workability. The switch assembly includes a switch to sense an electrical signal of a human body, a conductive connector to provide the switch with an elastic force, and a circuit board adapted to receive the electrical signal through the connector so as to perform a control operation. The circuit board is detachably coupled with the switch.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2009Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Gyung Yeun Kang, Hong Joo Kang
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Patent number: 8203092Abstract: A keypad structure with a backlight source includes a base, a light guiding plate, a thin film circuit board, a resilient component, a keycap, and an elevating mechanism. The thin film circuit board includes at least one exhausting notch for increasing exhaust as the resilient component is compressed. A plurality of microstructures is formed on the light guiding plate, and the keypad structure further includes a transparent layer formed on the keycap. Light emitted from the backlight source and refracted by the plurality of microstructures passes through the keycap and the transparent layer as the backlight source lights the lateral side of the light guiding plate, so as to illuminate the transparent layer. Thus, the present invention has advantages of illuminating pattern, regional illumination, and preferable comfort.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2010Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: Ichia Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Chih-Chao Chen
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Publication number: 20120145523Abstract: The invention relates to a cap (1) for a display and/or control element. Said cap (1) comprises a cap member (3) for covering a light source (7) and optionally also actuating a switch of an associated control element. A luminous area or projection area is embodied in the cap member (3) in such a way that a symbol represented on or through the luminous area or projection area becomes visible on an operator's side of the display and/or control element by irradiating the symbol by means of a light source (7). The luminous area or projection area encompasses a light-permeable metal coating (2) which is preferably applied using a PVD process. The cap is characterized in that the metal coating (2) has a three-dimensional contour (2a, 2b) for representing the symbol. The invention further relates to an associated production method, a display or control element comprising said cap, and a use.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2007Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicant: PREH GMBHInventors: Matthias Lust, Martin Jeitner, Wolfgang Kuechler, Dieter Schroeder
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Patent number: 8198559Abstract: An illuminated push button switch includes a manipulation knob, a hollow slider, a casing, which vertically guides the slider, a switch element, which is operated by the vertical movement of the slider, and a light source. A front end portion of the slider protrudes forward from the casing. The manipulation knob includes: a body; a skirt portion, which protrudes backward from a peripheral edge of the body and surrounds the front end portion of the slider; connection pieces protruding backward from a rear surface of the body more than the skirt portion and inserted into the slider; and locking holes provided in the connection piece. An inner wall surface of the slider is provided with locking claws which are snapped into the locking holes of the connection pieces so that the manipulation knob is snap-connected to the slider.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2009Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takashi Sato
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Patent number: 8188399Abstract: In an embodiment, the invention provides a keypad assembly comprising a keypad, a light guide sheet, a dome sheet, and a board. The keypad comprises at least one protrusion and at least one rib. The light guide sheet has openings that are smaller than a first portion of the at least one protrusion. The dome sheet and the board have openings that are larger than a first portion of the at least one protrusion. The at least one protrusion is compressible such that the first portion of the at least one protrusion is extendable through the openings in the light guide sheet, the dome sheet and the board. The at least one rib physically contacts at least a portion of the light guide sheet.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2009Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Muh Fong Chung, Choon Guan Ko, Yew Huat Chow
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Patent number: 8186866Abstract: A metallic panel assembly having multilayer arrays of micropores includes a backlight module and a panel body. The backlight module is constituted of a first and a second light-guiding plate. First and second light-guiding microstructures are provided on the first and second light-guiding plates. A first and a second set of light-emitting units are disposed on one end of the first and second light-guiding plates, respectively. A first and a second shielding unit are disposed on the first and second light-guiding plates and the first and second sets of light-emitting units respectively. The panel body is disposed on one side surface of the first light-guiding plate. The panel body has thereon a plurality of hollowed portions with the hollowed portions encircling a key body. The key body has thereon a plurality of micropores. The plurality of micropores is arranged to form a pattern of each key body.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2008Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Ichia Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Chang-Li Liu, Che-Tung Wu
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Patent number: 8188397Abstract: A sheet switch module (21) including a circuit board (22), at least one key switch (25) mounted on one surface of the circuit board (22), a light-guiding sheet unit (30) covering one surface of the key switch (25), at least one LED (26) mounted on the circuit board (22) to enter light into the light-guiding sheet unit (30), the light-guiding sheet unit (30) being formed by a plurality of light-guiding sheets (31,32) at least parts of which are overlapped, the key switch (25) being illuminated by the LED (26) by way of plurality of light-guiding sheets (31,32).Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2007Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Citizen Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Isao Miyashita, Kenshi Aihara
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Publication number: 20120125749Abstract: A composite light-permitting panel structure includes a light-permitting substrate unit, a light-permitting printing unit and a light-permitting protruding unit. The light-permitting substrate unit includes at least one light-permitting body, and the light-permitting body has a top surface and a bottom surface. The light-permitting indicating unit includes a plurality of light-permitting printed indicators formed on the bottom surface of the light-permitting body. The light-permitting protruding unit includes a plurality of light-permitting protruding member members and at least one light-permitting frame member integrally formed on the top surface of the light-permitting body. The light-permitting protruding member members are selectively surrounded by the light-permitting frame. Thus, when the user touches and presses the top surface of the light-permitting body, the design of the light-permitting protruding members and/or the light-permitting frame can generate and provide 3D touch feeling for the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2010Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicant: SILITECH TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: SHIH-CHIEH HSU, YU-CHIEH LIN, YOU-LIN CHEN
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Patent number: 8173922Abstract: A thin type illuminated keyboard includes a light source, a light-guiding frame plate, a keycap, a membrane plate, a switch circuit plate and a base plate. The light source is used for emitting light. The light-guiding frame plate has a concave structure in a bottom surface thereof. The keycap is connected with the light-guiding frame plate and movable upwardly or downwardly with respect to the light-guiding frame plate. The keycap has a light-transmissible character portion. The light source is disposed on the membrane plate and accommodated within the concave structure of the light-guiding frame plate. The keycap, the light-guiding frame plate, the membrane plate, the switch circuit plate and the base plate are sequentially arranged from top to bottom. The light emitted by the light source is guided by the light-guiding frame plate to irradiate the light-transmissible character portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2010Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.Inventor: Bo-An Chen
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Patent number: 8168904Abstract: An illumination button switch assembly for an electronic device includes a substrate, a switch element, a flexible and light-pervious supporting member, a light source, and a button cap. The switch element is disposed on the substrate to be triggered to generate a switching signal. The supporting member has a top end and a bottom end, a concave hollow portion is formed on the bottom end, and the bottom end is disposed above the switch element and is spaced from the switch element. The light source is disposed on the substrate to project light into the hollow portion. The button cap is fixed on the top end to be pressed to push the supporting member to contact the switch element with the bottom end. Since the button cap is light-pervious, the light passing through the hollow portion penetrates the button cap, thereby illuminating the button cap.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2009Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Wistron Corp.Inventor: Yu-Hsin Huang
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Patent number: 8168905Abstract: A lighting keyboard includes a keyboard unit, and a combined circuit and lighting unit. The keyboard unit has a keyboard base, press keys mounted on the keyboard base, and an elastic layer disposed between the press keys and the keyboard base, and having elastic members disposed beneath the press keys. The combined circuit and lighting unit includes a membrane circuit substrate underlying the keyboard base, a first light-blocking layer disposed on top of the membrane circuit substrate, a first reflecting layer underlying the membrane circuit substrate, a backlighting module, and a second light-blocking layer. The backlighting module underlies the first reflecting layer, and cooperates with the first light-blocking layer, the membrane circuit substrate, and the first reflecting layer to define a light passage. The second light-blocking layer underlies the backlighting module. Light generated from the backlighting module is transmitted toward the press keys through the light passage.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2009Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Changshu Sunrex Technology Co., Ltd.Inventor: Liang-Yuan Yang
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Patent number: 8164014Abstract: A concavo-convex light emitting section provided on an under surface of a base material is formed of a synthetic resin with inorganic oxide dispersed therein. A larger amount of light is reflected by inorganic oxide having a large refractive index and dispersed inside the synthetic resin, to cause a plurality of light emitting sections to emit bright light with a small number of light emitting elements. A light guiding sheet capable of making bright and uniform illumination and a movable contact body using the same are realized with a simple configuration.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2009Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Naoki Tatehata, Tsutomu Aisaka, Hirotoshi Watanabe, Yousuke Chikahisa
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Publication number: 20120090968Abstract: A keyboard includes a membrane circuit board, a luminous key, a light-emitting element and a plastic film layer. The luminous key has a keycap with a light-transmissible part. The luminous key is configured for triggering a membrane switch of the membrane circuit board. The light-emitting element is disposed on the membrane circuit board and arranged under the light-transmissible part for emitting a light beam. The plastic film layer is disposed on the membrane circuit board, and includes a convex structure, which is integrally formed with the plastic film layer. The light-emitting element is enclosed by the convex structure. The convex structure has an opening aligned with the light-emitting element. The keyboard of the present invention has enhanced production yield and reduced light leakage.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2010Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.Inventor: Bo-An Chen
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Publication number: 20120090969Abstract: A keyboard includes a membrane circuit board, a luminous key, a light-emitting element and a plastic film layer. The luminous key has a keycap with a light-transmissible part. The luminous key is configured for triggering a membrane switch of the membrane circuit board. The light-emitting element is disposed on the membrane circuit board and arranged under the membrane circuit board for emitting a light beam. The plastic film layer is disposed on the membrane circuit board, and includes a convex structure, which is integrally formed with the plastic film layer. The light-emitting element is enclosed by the convex structure. The convex structure has a light-transmissible zone aligned with the light-emitting element. In such way, the keyboard of the present invention has enhanced production yield and reduced leak leakage.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2011Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.Inventor: Bo-An Chen
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Patent number: 8158900Abstract: An apparatus that forms or includes a modular keypad the keypad including a replaceable key structure including a set of keys comprising projecting key tops, a replaceable front panel, and a replaceable light guide structure underneath the front panel configured to provide illumination for the modular keypad. A method for assembling a modular keypad is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2009Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Nokia CorporationInventor: Esa-Sakari Määttä
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Patent number: 8154391Abstract: A door bell button for activation of a door bell is provided which includes a mounting base for attachment to a surface adjacent to a door, a switch secured to the mounting base and having a lighted actuator plunger, and a translucent bell button shaft having a first end and a second end, the second end abutted against the lighted actuator plunger and slidably disposed and capable of limited movement along an axis perpendicular to the mounting base. Light from the lighted actuator plunger shines through the translucent bell button shaft to light the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2008Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Inventor: Eric D. Morris
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Publication number: 20120080300Abstract: An illuminated keyboard includes a transparent frame plate, a key, a light source and a membrane switch circuit module. The light beam emitted by the light source is transmissible through the transparent frame plate. Consequently, the light source may be disposed on the membrane switch circuit module, between the key and the transparent frame plate, or under the transparent frame plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2010Publication date: April 5, 2012Applicant: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.Inventor: Bo-An Chen
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Patent number: 8148656Abstract: A push-button assembly has a button retainer having a first side wall connected to a second side wall, with an included angle between the first and second side wall being in the range of about 100 degrees to about 170 degrees. Additional side walls connect the second side wall back to the first side wall, forming a hollow portion within the button retainer. The button retainer can be mated within the channel of a corresponding bezel structure. The bezel structure can be tuned to fit the button retainer along a single axis of the bezel structure. A tune-to-fit process includes forming the bezel structure from a mold and measuring the fit of the button retainer within the bezel structure along an x-axis. The bezel mold is either re-cut or material is added to the bezel mold along the x-axis, without re-cutting or adding material along any other axis.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2007Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Vistcon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Krista Lynn Orr, Sabin Oana
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Patent number: 8142036Abstract: A device is disclosed having a keypad and an adjacent light guide with at least one light source. At least one reflector is provided, having at least an area thereof adjacent to the light source. At least a portion of the reflector is located either between the light source and the keypad or between the light guide and the keypad.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2009Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Muh Fong Chung, Sian Tatt Lee, Choon Guan Ko, Fook Chuin Ng
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Patent number: 8138436Abstract: An apparatus including: a substrate; a keypad including a plurality of distinct rigid elongate keys wherein each elongate key includes: a first end portion supported by the substrate and a second end portion separated by a dimension of the elongate key from the first end portion, and suspended from the substrate in free space by the elongate key; and a plurality of switches, wherein each switch detects travelling towards the substrate of the second end portion of a respective one of the plurality of elongate keys in response to user actuation of the second end portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2009Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Nokia CorporationInventors: Silas Joe Grant, Tom Eaton
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Patent number: 8138435Abstract: An electrical device is disclosed for use in a wall box having a series of buttons that can either be rocker buttons or push buttons; these buttons can be supported by springboards formed integral with a support board; the springboards are for biasing the series of buttons; much of the device is housed within a housing formed at a first end by a body and a second end by a strap coupled to the housing; the strap extends beyond the body, wherein this strap can be used to dissipate heat from the device; inside of the housing can be at least one circuit board which has switches, which can be used to receive instructions from a plurality of buttons.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2009Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Parimal Patel, Alfred J. Lombardi, Danilo F. Estanislao
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Publication number: 20120055771Abstract: A backlight keyboard module includes a keyboard portion and a light emitting portion located on the keyboard portion. The keyboard portion includes a baseboard, a keycap movable up and down relative to the baseboard, and a circuit board depressed by the up and down movements of the keycap to output signals. The light emitting portion has a shading plate located beneath the keycap and a light emitting element to provide light. The shading plate has an opening corresponding to the keycap to allow light of the light emitting element to pass through and project to the keycap. Thus the keyboard only illuminates light on the keycap location in a non-uniform manner to highlight the location of the keycap to improve keystroke accuracy.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2010Publication date: March 8, 2012Inventor: Chin-Yi LIN
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Patent number: 8128297Abstract: A self-luminous keyboard with brightness-enhanced keycaps of the present invention comprises a baseplate, a substrate arranged above the baseplate, a plurality of keycaps coupled to the substrate and able to move up and down, a circuit board triggered by the contact of the keycap to output a signal, and a light emitting element. The substrate has a plurality of via-holes each corresponding to one keycap. There is a light transmission path from the light emitting element through the via-hole to the keycap. In each light transmission path, there is a light concentration member, and the light emitted by the light emitting element is concentrated by the light concentration member and then transmitted to the keycap. Thereby, the brightness of the keycaps is enhanced to be higher than the brightness of the gap between the adjacent keycaps, and the recognizability thereof is promoted.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2008Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Zippy Technology Corp.Inventor: Chin-Wen Chou
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Patent number: 8129640Abstract: An illuminating push button switch having a mistake-proof design to avoid improper installation of a light emitting diode (LED) consists essentially of a body portion (2), a cap portion (1) attached above said body portion (2), and a LED (6) inserted into the body portion (2) from the bottom. Said push button switch is characterized in that said body portion (2) incorporates a light cap (22), and a slot (23) for receiving the LED (6). A frame portion (30) is reciprocating along the light cap (22) for activating/deactivating the switch. Said mistake-proof design is provided at an inner wall of the slot (23).Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2010Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Inventor: Hong-Ming Liao
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Patent number: 8119938Abstract: A touch keypad assembly (100) includes a main board (10), a metal dome (40) disposed on a predetermined position of the main board, a touchpad layer (30) disposed on the metal dome, a keypad cover (20) disposed over the touchpad layer, and a light guide film (60) disposed between the metal dome and the keypad cover. The touchpad layer is a flexible printed circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2009Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Inc. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hsin-Hsien Yu, Yao-Pang Lu, Chao-Chang Li
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Patent number: 8119945Abstract: A self-illumination circuit board includes a double-layer substrate structure, a circuit layer embedded in the substrate structure and carrying a circuit layout, side-emitting light sources mounted in the substrate structure and electrically connected to the circuit layout for emitting light sideways, and light guide plates embedded in the substrate structure and respectively disposed adjacent to the side-emitting light sources for uniformly distributing light emitted from the side-emitting light sources over respective light exit surfaces thereof. The invention also provides a self-illumination keyboard using the self-illumination circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2009Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Chicony Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chih-Cherng Lin
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Patent number: 8111522Abstract: An electrical contact area on a printed circuit board (“PCB”), that would otherwise be subject to abrasion and possibly also corrosion, can be protected by covering it with another, more durable contact structure that is bonded to the first-mentioned contact area using an anistropic conductive adhesive (“ACA”). The more durable contact structure may include a member of PCB material or the like with electrically connected electrical contacts on its upper and lower surfaces. At least the upper one of these contacts (which is exposed for the service that involves possible abrasion and/or corrosion) may be given high durability by plating it with hard gold. The lower of these contacts is adhered to the main PCB via the above-mentioned ACA.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2008Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Teodor Dabov, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Jun Sun, Michael Rosenblatt
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Patent number: 8106325Abstract: 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), characterized in that a side face of the common substrate (31) includes a guiding protrusion (44) for the connection tab (67).Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2008Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: DAVInventors: Patrice Laurent, Xavier Drouin
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Publication number: 20120012448Abstract: Methods and apparatuses disclosed herein relate to backlit visual display elements. One embodiment may take the form a keyboard including at least one keycap, a dome switch layer underlying the keycap, and an encapsulation layer underlying the dome switch layer. The encapsulation layer may include a first printed circuit layer configured to transmit a signal corresponding to the at least one keycap. The keyboard may further include a light emissive layer underlying the encapsulation layer. The light emissive layer may include at least one emissive area corresponding to the at least one keycap and a second printed circuit layer configured to supply a voltage to the at least one emissive area.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2010Publication date: January 19, 2012Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Aleksandar Pance, Brett Bilbrey
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Publication number: 20120012446Abstract: An illuminated keyboard provided distinguishable key locations includes a keyboard portion and a luminous portion. The keyboard portion includes a baseboard and a plurality of rows of keycaps located on the baseboard. The keycaps and the baseboard are bridged by a plurality of moving mechanisms. The keycaps are movable up and down against the baseboard through the moving mechanisms. The keycaps on neighboring rows are spaced by a first gap. The neighboring keycaps on each row are spaced by a second gap. The luminous portion is located between the keycaps and the baseboard and has a plurality of first lighting sections corresponding to the first gap and a plurality of second lighting sections corresponding to the second gap. The second lighting section has two ends connecting to two adjacent first lighting sections. Thus luminosities of the keycaps and the first and second gaps are different to facilitate distinguishing of the locations of the keys.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2010Publication date: January 19, 2012Inventor: Chin-Hsiu HWA
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Patent number: 8097821Abstract: The movable contact unit with a light-guiding function has the following structure. An uneven section is formed in a section that is to be lighted on the lower surface of a TPU base sheet. A film with a refractive index of light lower than that of the base sheet is disposed beneath the lower surface of the base sheet in a manner that the uneven section is embedded in the film. Besides, an adhesive layer is disposed beneath the film so as to hold a movable contact. The movable contact unit structured above is effectively employed for a lighted panel switch capable of reducing loss in amount of light and providing the section that is to be lighted with required illuminance.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2008Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Naoki Tatehata, Tsutomu Aisaka, Yousuke Chikahisa