Having Raised Or Recessed Character Patents (Class 400/494)
  • Patent number: 8749962
    Abstract: A mobile computing device is disclosed. The mobile computing device comprises a housing that includes a section to retain a keypad assembly. The keypad assembly includes at least a keypad façade that carries a plurality of keys. The keypad façade of the keypad assembly is contoured to adjoin and be substantially flush with the section of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Wilhelmus Crooijmans, Yoshimichi Matsuoka
  • Publication number: 20130336700
    Abstract: A keyboard includes a plurality of keys, and a keyframe into which the plurality of keys are assembled. Each of the keys includes: i) a plunger on which a character is printed, and ii) a keycap made of a transparent material. The keycap covers at least a portion of a top of the plunger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Logitech Europe S.A
    Inventors: Olivier Dumont, Baptiste Merminod, Alain Tabasso, Jean-Marc Flueckiger, Patrick Monney, Nicolas Chauvin, Gerd Schneider
  • Patent number: 8384676
    Abstract: A label having an identifier 41L is applied to the upper left corner of the key top of each character key in a left hand region of a keyboard device. A label having an identifier 41R is applied to the upper right corner of the key top of each character key in a right hand region. The identifier 41L is a mark of a reversed L shape and the identifier 41R is a mark of a mirror image pattern of the identifier 41L. Further, different colors are applied to the identifiers 41L and 41R depending on regions for individual fingers. As a consequence, the identifiers 41L and 41R have a function to visually display information representing which hand is to be used to press a key and information representing which finger is to be used to press the key. The keyboard device enables a user to naturally understand the arrangement of the keys and the use of the fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventor: Toshihiko Kondo
  • Patent number: 8264383
    Abstract: A group keypad structure in compliance with a standard keyboard installation includes group keypads corresponding to characters of a standard keyboard input method; for example, the structure includes ten group keypads installed from left to right on a base, and the ten group keypads include characters of “Q, A, Z”, “W, S, X”, “E, D, C”, “R, F, V”, “T, G, B”, “Y, H, N”, “U, J, M”, “I, K, ,”, “O, L, .” and “P, ;, /” respectively, and further includes ten numeric characters “1˜0”, so as to achieve the effects of reducing the area of a keyboard, shortening the moving distance of a user's fingers, providing an easy and convenient carry, complying with the user's using habit, and improving the input speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: National Cheng Kung University
    Inventors: Fong-Gong Wu, Han-Chi Hsiao, Yun-Yu Wu, Chia-Wei Chang
  • Publication number: 20120093556
    Abstract: A key includes a frame with a top, a fluorescent layer coated on the top, and a symbol protruding up from the fluorescent layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: GUO-YI CHEN, HAI-QING ZHOU
  • Patent number: 7134205
    Abstract: A button, knob or control key with an etchable support plate which is engraved on the backside with a fine symbol by laser, erosion or mechanical engraving, which only cuts into the material of the support plate, but not through the support plate. The backside of the support plate is optionally coated. A foil is applied on the laminated layer and affixed thereto. The front side of the support plate is treated with a material-removing substance. The material removal with the material-removing substance is performed until the engraving extending into the support plate is at least partially or completely exposed on the front side. Application of a protective layer to the front side of the support plate from which the material was removed. A function symbol is provided on the button such that it can be backlit. It is engraved in a fine line width providing a sharp optical definition erosion, mechanical engraving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Angell Demmel Europe GmbH
    Inventor: Elmar Bruennel
  • Patent number: 7083343
    Abstract: Keyboard keys using a marked elastic dome and the fabrication method thereof. The method for fabricating elastic domes first includes providing a mold having a plurality of mold cavities with a markable surface. Next, a plurality of different marks is formed on the markable surface of each of the mold cavities. An elastic membrane with a plurality of marked elastic domes is formed by the mold. The marks on the elastic domes represent the position with respect to the mold cavities on the mold and the parameters of fabricating the elastic membrane. Finally, the marked elastic domes are separated from the elastic membrane and used in keys of a keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Darfon Electronics Corp.
    Inventor: Hung-Ming Tseng
  • Patent number: 7048456
    Abstract: The invention relates to a keyboard arrangement and a method for detecting an input character. In particular the invention relates to a method and arrangement for reducing the number of keys in a QWERTY-keyboard (20) or the like. One idea of the invention is to provide keys (210) with several characters and to provide alternative ways to press the key for entering a selected one of the alternative characters. The keys are preferably triangular or have three arms, and one of three characters can be selected by pressing the corresponding corner/arm of the key. The keyboard may preferably be formed of interlaced rows of keys. Linguistic disambiguation is advantageously used in addition to said mechanical disambiguation. The invention is well suited for mobile station keyboards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd.
    Inventors: Turkka Keinonen, Harri Wikberg, Miika Silfverberg
  • Patent number: 6967056
    Abstract: A key sheet comprising a key top, a translucent resin film, and a symbol layer. The key top is made of resin and has a top surface and a rear surface. The key top includes a gate corresponding section in a position corresponded to a gate of a mold for injecting resin to form the key top. The translucent resin film is provided over the key top. The symbol layer is disposed to associate with the top surface of the key top. The gate corresponding section is located to prevent that gate corresponding section from being viewed through the symbol layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Polymatech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Kashino
  • Patent number: 6788294
    Abstract: A device and method for implementing a key, in which a field applied to a layer comprising a material whose volume is responsive to the magnitude of field is altered at a specified position to create a key in said position; said field being one of the following: electric field, magnetic field, both of the above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd.
    Inventors: Roope Takala, Antti Kujala
  • Publication number: 20040067087
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the uses of metallic light reflecting characters on computer key caps, providing reflections from natural external light sources, providing human beings a luminous reflection thus enhancing human beings abilities to see and read computer key cap characters on a standard QWERTY computer keyboard in low lighting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventor: Hakeem Al-Raheem
  • Patent number: 6698957
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a foldable keyboard, and more particularly, to a foldable keyboard adapted for a point stick and/or at least one hot key. Two or more keypad portions are hingably connected by a connection board on which a point stick or at least one hot key is disposed. When the keyboard is in a deployed configuration, the keypad portions slide along the keyboard plane to combine with the point stick or the hot keys so that a complete keyboard is formed. The connection board of the present invention may further include a circuit board to be electrically connected with each key and the point stick or the hot keys in order to receive and decode the signals from each key and the point stick or the hot keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Darfon Electronics Corp.
    Inventor: Mao-Sung Huang
  • Patent number: 6572950
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a laminate key sheet wherein a key sheet of a resin film having a display section is bent into a same form as the top and side faces of each resin button in order to be integrated with the resin button and where a cut-out is formed between the resin buttons. A rubber elastic sheet and the resin film are connected together through an adhesive interposing between an area between resin buttons of the key sheet and the rubber elastic sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Polymatech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihiro Tsuji
  • Patent number: 6382855
    Abstract: A key sheet having a layer and a display section with the sense of the mirror surface is realized at a low cost, in addition, the key sheet which also embodies a illuminating effects is provided. In the key sheet integrated with a film 2 on a surface and a side of a key top body 1 made of a thermoplastic resin, an inorganic substance layer 3 which is 20 to 100 nm in thickness and is 1 to 20% in a transmittance of visible light is formed on the back face of the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Polymatech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaya Katori
  • Patent number: 6331083
    Abstract: Key covers for individual keys of a computer keyboard. Each key cover has a colored background and a fluorescent letter corresponding to the letter key to which it is affixed. Each cover is the same size as the key it covers but the letter on each key is larger than the corresponding letter on the computer key. Each key cover is removably attached to the key by adhesive means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Inventor: Brook Lee Harris
  • Patent number: 5807002
    Abstract: The subject invention relates to a type of super-thin plastic key, comprising a top part and a base part; said top part comprising a top part foundation, a layer of light permeable ink and a layer of light-proof ink; using a plastic film as the top part foundation; on said top part foundation is printed a layer of light permeable ink; on said light permeable ink is printed a layer of light-proof ink to display a letter or figure; said top part foundation printed with the light permeable ink and the light-proof ink is subjected to hot-press process to form a top part with a specified shape; said top part and the base part are again subjected to an extrusion monobloc forming process, to form a light permeable super-thin plastic key; by said configuration to achieve the requirements of light weight, thin, short, and small size for electronic telecommunication products; thus avoiding the weakness of poor adhesion and achieving the purposes of simple production and reduced costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Silitek Corporation
    Inventor: Jason Tsai
  • Patent number: 5577849
    Abstract: A polyol polyester and hexamethylene diisocyanate in a fluid mixture with white pigment, silicon glycol surfactant and thinner are pad printed on keyboard key to print characters and symbols which require no protective overcoat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Durbin, George N. Powers, Peter E. Wallin
  • Patent number: 5253142
    Abstract: The body structure of a pocket computer includes a fastener mainly an elastic fastening element of a multi-layered construction accommodated in an insertion space located at a front edge of the main body housing. A simplified telephone input jack is constructed in the side wall of the pocket computer main body. The association of the main body and the cover body of the pocket computer is accomplished by a pivotal shaft, which is characterized in that it is provided with a delay swivel device permitting the communication cables linking the main body with the cover body to be less vulnerable to bending caused by the actions of opening and closing the cover body and that it includes indicator lights serving to show the operating status of electronic functions of the computer. The keyboard includes entry keys which are securely coupled with the housing plate of the keyboard by slide keys and slide key mounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Cal-Comp Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Phil Weng
  • Patent number: 5172990
    Abstract: The improved structures of the push-button key of keyboard are characterized in that the upper housing panel of keyboard comprises a plurality of partitioned sections where the push-button keys are installed, and that a key barrel of a predetermined height is set up at the center of each of the partitioned sections. The barrel wall comprises two slide keys positioned correspondingly to two slide key seats of the push-button key. The hooking means are arranged in the partitioned section at a predetermined distance from the key barrel. The stability of up-and-down movement of the push-button key is ensured by virtue of a coordinated action of slide key and slide key seats. The hooking means serve to confine the movement of the push-button key and to prevent the push-button key from being detached easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: Cal-Comp Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Phil Weng
  • Patent number: 4180336
    Abstract: Touch checking key tops for keyboard on a cash register in which the keyboard is provided with a plurality of keys arranged in a generally rectangular matrix with the keys being arranged in three rows extending in one direction and three rows extending in a direction at substantially right angles to the other three rows. The keys are assigned the digits 1 through 9 with four of the keys being disposed on the corners of the matrix. The keys have key tops. The key tops for the four keys on the four corners of the rectangular matrix have diagonally disposed ridges formed thereon which serve as tactile indicia to the operator using the keyboard to improve the operator's confidence and productivity and to minimize operator errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1979
    Assignee: Safeway Stores, Incorporated
    Inventor: Alice Lonsdale