Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
345170000 | Light source associated with each key | 72 |
20090122016 | Keypad Panel Assembly Having Laterally-Illuminated Keypad Surface - A keypad panel assembly having a laterally-illuminated keypad surface is arranged on an electronic device. The keypad panel includes a light-guiding plate and a panel. The light-guiding plate has a carrier thereon. One side surface of the carrier is provided with a plurality of protruding strips. Each protruding strip is provided with a plurality of light-guiding particles at positions corresponding to the other side surface of the carrier. The top surface of the protruding strip is provided with a reflective layer. The panel is arranged on one side surface of the carrier, and is provided thereon with a plurality of rectangular keypads. One side surface of each keypad is provided with an icon, and a plurality of hollowed portions is provided between each keypad and the panel. Each hollowed portion encloses a rectangular shape and corresponds to the protruding strip of the carrier. After the protruding strip passes through the hollowed portion, the height of the protruding strip is larger than those of the keypad and the icon. After the light generated by a backlight source of the electronic device is introduced from one side of the light-guiding plate, the light-guiding particles focus the light on the protruding strip. Then, the light illuminates the keypad surface from both sides of the protruding strip, so that a user can see the icon displayed on the keypad surface clearly. | 05-14-2009 |
20090128495 | OPTICAL INPUT DEVICE - An input device includes an optical waveguide, one or more light sources, one or more imaging sensors, and a translator. The optical waveguide has an input surface, a back surface substantially opposite the input surface, and a side surface therebetween. The input surface has a plurality of different input locations. The one or more light sources are positioned to introduce light into the optical waveguide. A distortion of each different input location of the input surface causes a portion of light within the optical waveguide to exit from the optical waveguide at a different escape location of the side surface. The one or more imaging sensors are positioned and aimed to detect an escape location of a portion of light exiting from the side surface. The translator determines an input location corresponding to the escape location for each detected escape location. | 05-21-2009 |
20090128496 | Light-emitting keyboard - A light-emitting keyboard includes a plurality of keys, a circuit switch module, and at least one light-emitting element. The circuit switch module is disposed below the keys and is depressible by the keys so as to transmit corresponding electrical signals. The circuit switch module includes at least one light-transmissive flexible circuit board. The flexible circuit board has a lower surface that is formed with at least one light reflecting point corresponding to a respective one of the keys. The light-emitting element is either disposed adjacent to a lateral edge of the flexible circuit board or embedded in the flexible circuit board to provide light into the flexible circuit board such that the light is propagated in the flexible circuit board and is scattered upward by the light-reflecting point. | 05-21-2009 |
20090128497 | Portable Electronic Device and its Key structure - A key structure of a portable electronic device is provided. The portable electronic device has a first operation mode and a second operation mode. The key structure comprises a key, a first light source, and a second light source. The first light source emits a first colored light in the first operation mode so that the key can display a first input symbol. The second light source emits a second colored light in the first operation mode so that the key can display a second input symbol. As a result, users who operate portable electronic devices with the aforementioned key structure can easily recognize the different kinds of input symbols corresponding to different input methods in different operation modes. | 05-21-2009 |
20090219251 | VIRTUAL OPTICAL INPUT DEVICE WITH FEEDBACK AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - Provided are a virtual optical input device capable of providing feedback and a method of controlling the same. In the method, a portion of an input means such as a finger, and a portion of a shadow of the input means generated by a light source are detected through image processing. Physical variations formed between them are used to detect the touch contact of the input means, calculate the position and motion of the input means, and provide the corresponding feedback. | 09-03-2009 |
20090262081 | LIGHT-EMITTING MODULE AND KEYBOARD HAVING THE SAME - The present invention provides a keyboard and a light-emitting module thereof. The light-emitting module includes a light guide element, a first light source and a second light source. The light guide element includes a first light guide region, a second light guide region, and a masking region located between the first light guide region and the second light guide region. The first light source emits a first color light to the first light guide region. The second light source emits a second color light to the second light guide region. The first light guide region and the second light guide region are separated by the masking region, so that the first color light and the second color light are not mixed. | 10-22-2009 |
20100026632 | DISPLAY DEVICE - A reflective display portion includes indication and background portions. A first reflective layer is formed on the indication portion, and a second reflective layer is formed on the background portion on an outer surface of a translucent sheet. Each of the indication and the background portions has a different reflectance value. A light limiting layer is formed on an inner surface of the sheet at an inner side of the second reflective layer so as to reduce a difference of a light transmittance between the indication portion and the background portion. When the external light reflects, the indication portion and the background portion of the reflective display portion are observable owing to the difference of the light reflectance. The light from the light emitting display portion transmits the indication and background portions such that the display content of the light emitting display portion is observable. | 02-04-2010 |
20100090962 | DISPLAY DEVICE AND FRONT COVER THEREOF - Disclosed are a display device and a front cover thereof. The display device includes a display module to form an image, a front cover to cover a rim of a front surface of the display module, a keypad display provided at the front cover, at least one light emitting unit to emit light to the keypad display disposed between the display module and the front cover, and at least one light guide channel provided at the keypad display, the light guide channel having a cross-sectional area decreasing away from the light emitting unit. | 04-15-2010 |
20100149107 | PREDICTIVE KEYPAD/KEYBOARD LIGHTING TO GUIDE INPUT - A device receives one or more input keys via a keypad associated with the device, where the keypad is separate from a display associated with the device. The device also determines one or more predicted words based on the received one or more input keys, and illuminates one or more keys associated with the keypad that correspond to one or more characters provided in the one or more predicted words. | 06-17-2010 |
20100156800 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND A DATA INPUT METHOD FOR THE ELECTRONIC DEVICE - An electronic device and a data input method for the electronic device are provided. The electronic device has keys and a display device. When a user depress one or more keys to complete data input, a set of values is acquired. To locate a data from a database of the electronic device, the acquired set of values is compared with standard values of the entries in the database. The standard values of the located data match the acquired set of values. The electronic device displays the located data on the display device. | 06-24-2010 |
20100156801 | LIGHTING AND USABILITY FEATURES FOR KEY STRUCTURES AND KEYPADS ON COMPUTING DEVICES - 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. | 06-24-2010 |
20100164873 | Optoelectronic Device for Determining Relative Movements or Relative Positions of Two Objects - The present invention relates to an optoelectronic device ( | 07-01-2010 |
20100164874 | Backlight Module and Related Manufacturing Method and Operation Interface - A backlight module for an operation interface of a portable electronic device is disclosed. The operation interface includes at least one keypad. The backlight module includes a light guide film including at least one hole corresponding to the at least one keypad, a backlight board installed in the bottom of the light guide film for reflecting light, and a light emitting unit installed in a side of the light guide film for generating light source to inside of the light guide film, wherein the at least one hole of the light guide film is filled with a phosphor material. | 07-01-2010 |
20100164875 | PUSH-BUTTON SWITCH ASSEMBLY ARRANGEMENT - The invention relates to a push-button switch assembly arrangement, including a plurality of push-button switch assemblies with a base body, each of them having an OLED display connected via first wiring to a corresponding local control unit adapted for controlling the selective turning on/off of the OLED, the local control units being each connected via wiring to a single common two-way communication bus which links them to an electronic central control system. The invention is applicable to automatic dispensing or amusement machines with information via the OLED display relating to the function of the machine. | 07-01-2010 |
20100188339 | Light-emitting device for keyboard - The light-emitting device of the creation comprises a light guide plate and at least one flexible carrier plates disposed below the light guide plate; wherein each of said flexible carrier plate has a supporting portion equipped with a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), and a wire for electrically connecting each of the LEDs and the control terminal of the keyboard in order to obtain a light-emitting device for a keyboard, in which the material costs can be significantly lowered and the LEDs or circuits can be renewed or replaced as long as the flexible carrier plates for loading said LEDs are replaced. | 07-29-2010 |
20100238120 | CONTROL METHOD FOR GENERATING VARYING COLORED LIGHTS IN KEYBOARD AND SELF-LUMINOUS KEYBOARD FOR REALIZING THE SAME METHOD - The present invention discloses a control method for generating varying colored lights in a keyboard and a self-luminous keyboard for realizing the same method. The control method comprises steps: establishing a driving signal table storing a plurality of backlight driving signals; setting the conditions for outputting the backlight driving signals respectively; detecting a keying signal generated by pressing a key; outputting the backlight driving signal corresponding to the keying signal to drive a backlight unit, or sequentially outputting the backlight driving signals according to the keying signal to drive a backlight unit. The self-luminous keyboard for realizing the same method comprises a memory unit storing the driving signal table and a microcontroller unit detecting the keying signals. The microcontroller unit sequentially outputs the backlight driving signals to drive the backlight unit, or outputs the backlight driving signal corresponding to the keying signal to drive the backlight unit. | 09-23-2010 |
20100245253 | KEYPAD FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - A keypad for an electronic device and manufacturing method thereof having at least one or more ink layers which selectively let pass or cut off a light wavelength of at least one or more light emitting diodes generating light in accordance with an opened or closed direction of a folder. At least one or more light emitting elements for generating light in various colors are provided, and a diffusion ink layer is arranged above the light emitting elements. At least one or more ink layers provided on the diffusion ink layer, wherein the ink layers selectively let passes or cut-off light wavelengths of the light emitting elements when the folder is rotated or slid in a longitudinal or perpendicular direction. A transparent or semi-transparent ink layer is provided on the ink layers, and a sheet film layer is provided on the transparent or semi-transparent ink layer. | 09-30-2010 |
20100253634 | OPTICAL TOUCH DEVICE AND KEYBOARD THEREOF - The invention provides an optical touch device, including a main body, a keyboard and a light emitting member. The keyboard, placed on the main body and having a first end portion and a second end portion, includes a supporting frame, a keycap and a stopping member. The keycap is connected to the supporting frame and moves between a first position and a second position. The stopping member is connected to the keycap and moves simultaneously with the keycap. The light emitting member generates a light beam to the keyboard. When the keycap is in the first position, the light beam passes through the first end portion to the second end portion, and when the keycap is in the second position, the light beam is terminated by the stopping member, such that the light does not reach the second end portion. | 10-07-2010 |
20100302169 | KEYBOARD WITH INCREASED CONTROL OF BACKLIT KEYS - Methods and apparatuses are disclosed that provide increased control of backlit keys for a keyboard. Some embodiments may include controllers within the keyboard that are capable of dynamically programming illumination of the keyboard based upon interaction, where each key of the keyboard may be individually programmed in a dynamic manner. For example, a spell checking function may be executing on a computer system, and as the user types various words, the keyboard may dynamically program the illumination of keyboard controllers such that the next letter of the word being typed is illuminated by the keyboard. Also, different keyboard illumination schemes may be generated based upon mouse movements by the user and/or based upon which application is currently executing. | 12-02-2010 |
20110037704 | FLASH LIGHTING INPUT APPARATUS AND DRIVING METHOD THEREFOR - This invention provides a flash lighting input apparatus and driving method. According to this invention, the flash lighting input apparatus can be a flash lighting keyboard. The flash lighting apparatus comprises a micro control unit, a pulse width modulation unit electrically connects to the micro control unit, a light control unit electrically connects to the pulse width modulation unit, and a lighting unit electrically connects to the light control unit. The micro control unit produces a control signal to the pulse width modulation unit, and the pulse width modulation unit produces a modulation signal according to the control signal. The lighting control unit receives the modulation signal and produces a driving signal according to the modulation signal, and transfers the driving signal to the lighting unit to drive the lighting unit. | 02-17-2011 |
20110084909 | Electronic apparatus and method of changing keyboard thereof - An electronic apparatus is disclosed. The electronic apparatus comprises a display module, a detecting module, a keyboard module and a processing module. The detecting module is capable of detecting a position of the display module. The keyboard module comprises a key portion and a plurality of light guide structures. The key portion comprises at least one physical key. Each light guide structure comprises a light source and a light guide element having at least one icon corresponding to the at least one physical key formed on a surface of the light guide element. The processing module can select a different light guide structure according to the position of the display module to show the at least one icon on the key portion corresponding to the position of the display module. | 04-14-2011 |
20110095987 | 12-KEY QWERTY TEXT ENTRY METHOD - New QWERTY key layout text entry method, which is designed to allow users to achieve high-speed text entry such as alphabet, numbers and symbols, on relatively small-sized devices such as cellular phones, smart phones, IP phones, landline phones, PDAs, watches, remote controllers, game controllers, Karaoke controllers, car navigation controllers, single-hand use assistive PC keyboard and other devices. Three different characters are assigned for each single keypad, and one extra character is assigned to the gap space in between two keypads, comprising manually operated two actuator elements beneath each keypad. Single key press operation at the position of left, right, or middle part of the key-top convert three different states including simultaneous activation of the two actuator elements. Single key press operation at the middle gap space area between two neighboring keypads generate additional unique state, by right side of actuator element of left side keypad and left side of actuator element of right side keypad are simultaneously activated. Three keypads in a same row can generate total 11 unique states by single key press operation. | 04-28-2011 |
20110128233 | TERMINAL DEVICE, AND BACK LIGHT EMITTING METHOD AND PROGRAM IN MOBILE TERMINAL OF THE DEVICE - By helping key input using a key backlight of a terminal apparatus to improve operability of the terminal apparatus. | 06-02-2011 |
20110169744 | MOBILE TERMINAL AND METHOD FOR OPERATING TOUCH KEYPAD THEREOF - A mobile terminal and method for operating a touch keypad, the mobile terminal including a touch keypad, a touch sensor processor for sensing a signal inputted from a key selected by a user on the touch keypad and outputting location information corresponding to the selected key based upon the sensed signal, a Control Processor (CPU) for outputting at least one or more control signals based upon the outputted location information, and a light emitting diode controller for independently driving a light emitting diode corresponding to the selected key based upon the outputted control signals. | 07-14-2011 |
20110187650 | KEYPAD APPARATUS - A key pad apparatus includes a key top part; an illuminating part for introducing the light of a light emitting element and diffusing the same; a first variable color display part to be irradiated by the diffused light from the illuminating part for selectively transforming its color to be reflected or transmitted according to an electrical signal; a first base film provided with a laminate under the first variable color display part and formed with a first printed surface; a second variable color display part provided with the laminate under the first base film to be irradiated by the diffused light from the illuminating part for selectively transforming its color to be reflected or transmitted according to an electrical signal; and a second base film provided with the laminate under the second variable color display part and formed with a first printed surface. | 08-04-2011 |
20110193784 | ILLUMINATABLE KEYBOARD - A keyboard that can be illuminated comprises a key array and a base element. Key buttons of the key array are held in modules arranged on a side, facing away from either the base element or a printed circuit board that is provided for delivering signals. The printed circuit board is arranged above the base element in a place close to but at a distance away from the base statement and made at least partially light-transmitting. At least one light source for emitting light is arranged on the underside of the printed circuit board that faces the base element. At least one light-scattering elements, which projects from the base element toward the printed circuit board, is arranged on the side of the base element facing the printed circuit board. | 08-11-2011 |
20110210921 | LIGHT GUIDE FOR IMPROVING DEVICE LIGHTING - A light guide guides light from a light emitter that is adjacent to an aperture of an electronic device. The light is eventually emitted from the aperture, to thereby provide lighting. The light guide can include a plurality of prisms which can thereby permit reduction in the overall thickness of the electronic device. | 09-01-2011 |
20110234501 | ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes: a keyboard provided with a plurality of keys and a plurality of LEDs arranged around each of the keys; a storage unit configured to store information indicating relationship between the keys and corresponding LEDs; a detecting unit configured to detect a key input at one of the plurality of keys; and an LED controlling unit configured to light at least one of the LEDs corresponding to the one of the keys based on the information when the detecting unit detects the key input. | 09-29-2011 |
20110254775 | KEYBOARD WITH LIGHTING SOURCE - A keyboard with lighting source provides two conductive sheets made of copper foil, tin foil or aluminum foil as electrodes of semiconductor light emitting components. Multiple through holes are provided at the upper conductive sheet electrode. The semiconductor light emitting components are attached to and connected to the lower conductive sheet electrode at the areas exposing from the through holes and the upper conductive sheet electrode at the areas near the through holes. No light guide plate or printed circuit board with complicated layout is necessary to meet the required features such as thinness, uniform luminance, and simplicities of structure and fabricating process. | 10-20-2011 |
20110279377 | ILLUMINATION KEYBOARD - An illumination keyboard is provided and includes a base plate, at least one tortuous circuit, a plurality of light sources, a light guide plate and a plurality of keys. The tortuous circuit is disposed on the base plate in a nonlinear arrangement. The light sources are coupled to the tortuous circuit for emitting light towards at least one direction. The light guide plate is disposed on the base plate for uniformizing the light emitted by the light sources. The keys are disposed on the light guide plate and located in a keys area of the base plate. Each key has a light pervious region through which the light penetrates through the key. The tortuous circuit is not overlapped with the light pervious regions. | 11-17-2011 |
20110279378 | IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE WITH PLURAL LIGHT EMITTING DIODES - Disclosed herein is an image display device having a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), which can maintain a primary color which is desired to be expressed, and prevent an interference of other unwanted colors and a change of the primary color at the time of application of a light source of each light emitting diode. The image display device comprises: a first optical filter layer containing a violet wavelength-absorbing material having a wavelength range of from 380 nm to 450 nm such as Bi | 11-17-2011 |
20120098751 | ILLUMINATED COMPUTER INPUT DEVICE - An illuminated computer input device includes a microprocessor; a touch pad module comprising a flexible, optically transmissive touch pad and a touch pad controller electrically interconnecting the touch pad and the microprocessor; a virtual keys sheet functioning as a flexible, rectangular, optically transmissive characters printing membrane and disposed under the touch pad; and a FOLED module comprising a FOLED sheet disposed under the virtual keys sheet, and a light controller electrically interconnecting the FOLED sheet and the microprocessor for adjusting brightness of the FOLED sheet. | 04-26-2012 |
20120113013 | KEYBOARD - A keyboard comprises a key module and a backlight module in which the key module comprises a light-transmissive key part and an electric circuit substrate, and the backlight module comprises a light guide plate, a reflection unit and at least one light source. The backlight module is disposed between the key part and the electric circuit substrate. Thus, lights emitted by the light source are projected into the light guide plate from the lateral side of the light guide plate, and the lights are reflected by the reflection unit for directly passing through the light output surface of the light guide plate and the key part. | 05-10-2012 |
20120139843 | Illuminated keyboard - A light guide is provided for illuminating innumerable constructions, but which is ideally suited for illuminating the keys of a keyboard. The light guide includes a translucent planar plate having a top, a bottom and sides. Further, the light guide includes one or more cavities which project upwardly into the translucent plate from its bottom surface. The cavities are hollow or filled with a translucent material so that the translucent plate and the one or more cavities form translucent interfaces where the cavities interface with the plate. The light guide also includes a reflector which covers the plate bottom and cavity openings. | 06-07-2012 |
20120146917 | KEY INPUT APPARATUS CAPABLE OF DISPLAYING KEY INPUT USING LIGHT AND METHOD OF EMITTING THE LIGHT - A key input apparatus capable of displaying a key input using light and a method of emitting the light are provided. The key input apparatus includes: a display unit; a key input unit configured to output a key signal in response to pressing a particular key corresponding to the character or number among a plurality of the keys, and distinguish the particular key from the other keys using light; and a control unit configured to output information on the character or number to the display unit in response to the key signal, and control a period of time for which the particular key is distinguishable using light to be longer than a period of time for which the particular key has been pressed. | 06-14-2012 |
20120154291 | KEY INPUT DEVICE - The present disclosure provides a key input device including plural keycaps used to manipulate key switches, respectively, a backlight radiating a light from a back to the keycap, and a board on which a signal line pattern forming a contact point adapted to be opened or closed in accordance with an up-and-down motion of corresponding one of the plural keycaps, and an electric power line pattern through which an electric power is supplied to the backlight are printed. | 06-21-2012 |
20120162085 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR EFFICIENT ILLUMINATION OF INDIVIDUAL KEYS IN A KEYBOARD - A keyboard is able to illuminate particular keys and to detect keypresses in an efficient manner. The keys of the array are logically arranged into one or more two-dimensional arrays (e.g., row/column arrays) so that the illumination and keypress detection functions share a common set of electrical signal lines in one dimension of the array. By coupling both the lights and the key actuation switches of each key to a common set of signal lines in one dimension, the number of signal lines used in the keyboard can be reduced. | 06-28-2012 |
20120206369 | CONTROL METHOD FOR GENERATING FLICKERING COLOR-LIGHT ALTERATION OF ILLUMINATED KEYBOARDS - A control method is to generate flickering color-light alteration of an illuminated keyboard which includes a plurality of keys depressed to provide at least one key-in signal, a plurality of backlight units and a control unit. The illuminated keyboard is divided into a plurality of illumination zones according to the backlight units. The control method includes steps of: first, setting multiple different illumination times corresponding to the backlight units through the control unit; next, detecting the key-in signal not being generated over a preset time or detecting the key-in signal matching a working condition to activate the control unit; and sending out a driving signal respectively by the control unit within the illumination time to the corresponding backlight units to generate illumination asynchronously in the illumination zones. | 08-16-2012 |
20120229389 | ILLUMINATED KEYBOARD DEVICE - An illuminated keyboard device includes a keyboard unit having a plurality of pushbuttons with a light passing property and switches operating by pushing operation of the plurality of pushbuttons, a backlight unit emitting light toward the keyboard unit, and a sheet-shaped color changing part with a light passing property interposed between the keyboard unit and the backlight unit to change a color of light emitted from the backlight unit. | 09-13-2012 |
20120256844 | SENSOR-INTEGRATED ILLUMINATED KEY SHEET - There is provided a technique which can reduce the entire thickness of a push-button switch while securing the brightness of the illumination and can increase the sensitivity and accuracy of a slide input. Use of a light guide sheet separating from a surface-type capacitance sensor is excluded, thereby being able to reduce the entire thickness of a sensor-integrated illuminated key sheet while a light guide sheet serves to secure the brightness of the illumination. A surface sheet is provided so as to contact the operation surface side of the light guide sheet as the substrate of the surface-type capacitance sensor. The distance between the operation surface of the surface sheet and the surface-type capacitance sensor can therefore decrease, which can enhance the sensitivity and accuracy of the slide input. | 10-11-2012 |
20120268384 | LEVELED TOUCHSURFACE WITH PLANAR TRANSLATIONAL RESPONSIVENESS TO VERTICAL TRAVEL - Described herein are techniques related to a leveled touchsurface with planar translational responsiveness to vertical travel. Examples of a touchsurface include a key of a keyboard, touchpad of a laptop, or a touchscreen of a smartphone or tablet computer. With the techniques described herein, the touchsurface is constrained to a level orientation and remains steady while a user presses the touchsurface like a button or key. Also, with the techniques described herein, a planar-translation-effecting mechanism imparts a planar translation to the touchsurface while it travels vertically (e.g., downward) as the user presses touchsurface. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. | 10-25-2012 |
20120268385 | UV-ILLUMINATED SYMBOLS FOR A USER DEVICE - A user device comprising a keypad or a keyboard comprising one or more buttons; one or more light guides; one or more ultraviolet light emitting elements; and at least one of one or more fluorescently painted symbols or one or more fluorescent three-dimensional symbols, wherein the one or more ultraviolet light emitting elements are configured to expose ultraviolet light to the at least one of the one or more fluorescently painted symbols or the one or more fluorescent three-dimensional symbols via the one or more light guides. | 10-25-2012 |
20130016043 | USER DEFINABLE KEYBOARD AND METHODAANM YOU; QIANGAACI Shenzhen CityAACO CNAAGP YOU; QIANG Shenzhen City CN - The disclosure provides a user definable keyboard and a defining method adapted for the keyboard. The keyboard is connected to a computer and communicates with the computer, and the keyboard defines a plurality of keys and each key is associated with a backlight and a display unit. The method includes steps: receiving keyboard information from the computer, the keyboard information comprising key identifiers and key contents for defining a predetermined number of the keys; storing the keyboard information; illuminating with the backlight for each of the predetermined number of the keys according to the key identifiers; and controlling the display unit for each of the predetermined number of the keys to display a corresponding content according to the key contents. | 01-17-2013 |
20130038539 | ILLUMINATED COMPUTER KEYBOARD - The present invention is an illuminated computer keyboard that includes a computer keyboard, a plurality of computer keyboard keys disposed on the computer keyboard and a plurality of phosphors coatings that coat the computer keyboard keys. The keyboard also includes a plurality of lights that are disposed behind the computer keyboard keys to enhance illumination of the computer keyboard keys and an on and off toggle switch disposed on the computer keyboard that turns the lights on or off. | 02-14-2013 |
20130076640 | INPUT-KEY CONTROL DEVICE, AND METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR CONTROLLING INPUT KEY - An input-key control device is mounted on an apparatus having a plurality of operating modes and controls a plurality of input keys that receive input provided by a user. The input-key control device includes: a key-related-information storage unit that stores the operating modes and key-identifying information in association with each other, the key-identifying information being information for identifying an operable input key; an input-key identifying unit that identifies, when the operating mode is switched, an input key which has newly become operable as a result of the switching of the operating mode by comparing the key-identifying information associated with the operating mode before the switching and the key-identifying information associated with the operating mode after the switching; and a light-emission control unit that causes a lighting manner of a light-emitting element that illuminates the input key identified by the input-key identifying unit to differ. | 03-28-2013 |
20130106706 | Key Assembly for Electronic Device | 05-02-2013 |
20130201111 | Keyboard with Increased Control of Backlit Keys - Methods and apparatuses are disclosed that provide increased control of backlit keys for a keyboard. Some embodiments may include controllers within the keyboard that are capable of dynamically programming illumination of the keyboard based upon interaction, where each key of the keyboard may be individually programmed in a dynamic manner. For example, a spell checking function may be executing on a computer system, and as the user types various words, the keyboard may dynamically program the illumination of keyboard controllers such that the next letter of the word being typed is illuminated by the keyboard. Also, different keyboard illumination schemes may be generated based upon mouse movements by the user and/or based upon which application is currently executing. | 08-08-2013 |
20130229356 | Fabric Enclosure Backlighting - Fabric enclosure backlighting techniques are described. In one or more implementations, one or more translucent portions are formed within a plurality of layers of a fabric enclosure assembly. In one approach, regions within one or multiple layers are laser etched to form the translucent portions within the fabric enclosure assembly. A light source is then arranged to selectively transmit light through the layers via the translucent portions to provide backlight for one or more elements integrated with fabric enclosure assembly. The one or more elements may include representations of input keys and/or graphics associated with the fabric enclosure assembly. The backlight may be used to view the one or more elements in low light and/or provide backlight effects such as borders, side lighting, labels, and so forth. | 09-05-2013 |
20130328785 | KEYBOARD BACKLIGHT FEATURES FOR A PORTABLE COMPUTER - The present application describes various embodiments of systems and methods for internal components for portable computing devices relating to keyboard components and keyboard backlighting. In one embodiment, a keyboard module can include a rectangular light guide panel and a driver board including discrete light sources mounted on the driver board where the driver board is disposed along one edge of the light guide panel and light emitted for the discrete light sources is captured by the light guide panel and distributed to predetermined locations. | 12-12-2013 |
20140055366 | KEYBOARD DEVICE AND LIGHT GUIDE FILM LAYER THEREOF - A keyboard device provided by the present disclosure comprises a key layer, a dome layer, and a light guide film layer positioned between the key layer and the dome layer. The light guide film layer comprises a light guide film and a rubber layer fixed on a lower surface of the light guide film. The light guide film and the rubber layer are integrally formed together by molding. The rubber layer has an upper surface facing the light guide film and a lower surface facing away from the light guide film. The lower surface of the rubber layer defines at least one receiving groove. | 02-27-2014 |
20140092022 | LIGHT EMITTING KEYBOARD - A light emitting keyboard is provided. The keyboard includes: a plurality of keys, wherein each of the keys has a light source; and a controller, for controlling the light sources of a plurality of designated keys to be turned on or off. | 04-03-2014 |
20140139441 | ILLUMINATED KEYBOARD - An illuminated keyboard includes a key, a light guide plate, a sensing circuit layer, and a light-transmissible elastic element. The light-transmissible elastic element is disposed under the key. The light-transmissible elastic element has a light-diffusing part. The light guide plate and the sensing circuit layer are disposed under the light-transmissible elastic element. The sensing circuit layer is used for generating a non-contact key signal. After the light beam transferred within the light guide plate is transmitted upwardly through the light guide plate, the light beam is transmitted through the light-transmissible elastic element. Moreover, since the optical path of the light beam is changed by the light-diffusing part, the light beam can be projected onto the whole keycap more uniformly. | 05-22-2014 |
20140168087 | ILLUMINATED KEYBOARD - An illuminated keyboard includes a key structure, a sensor board, a light source, a light guide plate, an adhesive layer, and a bottom plate. The sensor board includes a key wiring region for sensing a depressing action of the key structure and thereby generates a key signal. The light source is used for emitting a light beam to the light guide plate. The sensor board is made of a light-transmissible material. The sensor board is disposed over the light guide plate. At least one edge region of the sensor board is coated with a light-shading material or mixed with a light-shading material. Moreover, the at least one edge region of the sensor board is bent to enclose at least one edge of the light guide plate in order to prevent lateral light leakage of the illuminated keyboard. | 06-19-2014 |
20140168088 | KEYBOARD WITH LIGHTING APPARATUS AND LIGHTING METHOD THEREOF - A keyboard includes a key portion, an inputting detecting module, and a lighting controlling module. The key portion includes a plurality of key caps aligned in a regular fashion. Each of the plurality of key caps includes a letter identifier and a first assistant identifier and a second assistant identifier printed thereon. The inputting detecting module detects a current input of a letter of the alphabet, a first assistant identifier, or a second assistant identifier, of the keyboard. The lighting controlling module is connected to the inputting detecting module. The lighting controlling module lights the particular identifier, either letter, or first assistant identifier, or second assistant identifier, on the key cap when the inputting detecting module detects such an input by the keyboard. | 06-19-2014 |
20140210726 | DATA INPUTTING APPARATUS AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A data inputting apparatus includes a plurality of keyswitches, an optical module, a sensing module and a processing module. The keyswitches are disposed on the data inputting apparatus. The optical module is disposed on a first side of the data inputting apparatus and is used for emitting a plurality of lights along a first direction, and the lights are corresponding to the keyswitches respectively. The sensing module is disposed on a second side opposite to the first side and is used for receiving the lights and generating a sensing result. The processing module is coupled to the sensing module. When one of the keyswitches is pressed, one of the lights is blocked by the pressed keyswitch resulting in the sensing module adjusting the sensing result, and the position of the pressed keyswitch is determined by the processing module based on the sensing result. | 07-31-2014 |
20140285441 | PUSH-BUTTON SWITCH ASSEMBLY ARRANGEMENT - The invention relates to a push-button switch assembly arrangement, including a plurality of push-button switch assemblies with a base body, each of them having an OLED display connected via first wiring to a corresponding local control unit adapted for controlling the selective turning on/off of said OLED, the local control units being each connected via wiring to a single common two-way communication bus which links them to an electronic central control system. The invention is applicable to automatic dispensing or amusement machines with information via the OLED display relating to the function of the machine. | 09-25-2014 |
20150022457 | KEY ASSEMBLY FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A key assembly for an electronic device that includes a keycap defining a key that has a non-opaque portion to identify the key that is backlit. The assembly includes a light guide positioned in spaced relation to the keycap. An optical radiation source, such as top-fire light emitting diode, is mounted below the lower surface of the light guide. A mask is disposed on the top surface of the optical radiation source. The mask includes an aperture to allow light from the optical radiation source to pass into the light guide, and the mask blocks at least a portion of the light from the optical radiation source. The mask blocks a portion of the top surface of the optical radiation source that emits tinted light. The light guide is affixed atop the opaque mask such that it is nearly directly affixed to the optical radiation source. | 01-22-2015 |
20150077344 | INPUT-KEY CONTROL DEVICE, AND METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR CONTROLLING INPUT KEY - An input-key control device is mounted on an apparatus having a plurality of operating modes and controls a plurality of input keys that receive input provided by a user. The input-key control device includes: a key-related-information storage unit that stores the operating modes and key-identifying information in association with each other, the key-identifying information being information for identifying an operable input key; an input-key identifying unit that identifies, when the operating mode is switched, an input key which has newly become operable as a result of the switching of the operating mode by comparing the key-identifying information associated with the operating mode before the switching and the key-identifying information associated with the operating mode after the switching; and a light-emission control unit that causes a lighting manner of a light-emitting element that illuminates the input key identified by the input-key identifying unit to differ. | 03-19-2015 |
20150130722 | ILLUMINATED KEYBOARD - A light guide is provided for illuminating innumerable constructions, but which is ideally suited for illuminating the keys of a keyboard. The light guide includes a translucent planar plate having a top, a bottom and sides. Further, the light guide includes one or more cavities which project upwardly into the translucent plate from its bottom surface. The cavities are hollow or filled with a translucent material so that the translucent plate and the one or more cavities form translucent interfaces where the cavities interface with the plate. The light guide also includes a reflector which covers the plate bottom and cavity openings. Light produced by a light source, preferably in the form of one or more LEDs, is transmitted to and through the translucent plate until striking the plate-cavity interfaces where the light is refracted into the cavities' interior or reflected upwardly to the plate's upper surface. After initial refraction into a cavity, the light reflects off the reflector and travels again into the translucent plate until transmitted from the plate's upper surface. Preferably, light guide is positioned within a keyboard housing with the cavities underlying the keys so that light is transmitted from the translucent sheet to the keys. | 05-14-2015 |
20150138096 | KEYBOARD BACKLIGHTING WITH DEPOSITED LIGHT-GENERATING SOURCES - Techniques and devices provide backlighting for keys of a keyboard or keypad. | 05-21-2015 |
20150309586 | Computer Input Device - A computer input method is described which comprises providing a plurality of light emitting and receiving devices for detecting one or more touches on a first area of a computer keyboard, coarsely scanning the first area using the plurality of light emitting and receiving devices when no contact on the first area being detected, and densely scanning a second area using a subset of the plurality of light emitting and receiving devices when one or more contact on the first area being detected, the second area being smaller than and situated within the first area. | 10-29-2015 |
20150324007 | KEYPAD WITH OPTICAL SENSORS - A keypad with optical sensors is provided. The keypad comprises keycaps, each keycap having a top surface. One or more optical sensors are located beneath top surfaces of adjacent keycaps. One or more light guides extend from a respective optical sensor towards the top surfaces. | 11-12-2015 |
20150324008 | DISPLAY APPARATUS AND CONTROLLING METHOD THEREOF - A display apparatus and a control method thereof are provided. The display apparatus includes a user manipulation unit on which a keypad is mounted, a display unit controlled by manipulating the keypad, and a lighting unit movably mounted on the display unit, the lighting unit emitting light to the outside of the display unit. | 11-12-2015 |
20150338887 | PORTABLE COMPUTING SYSTEM - A portable electronic device having several features is disclosed. The device can include a retention member that retains flexible circuits extending from a top portion to a bottom portion of the device, thereby allowing some components to be moved from a top portion of the device to a bottom portion. The device may include a cover plate can be secured with a display in the top portion to cover the retention member and other internal components. The device can include an omni-directional port designed to receive a connector different orientations and provide power to the device. The device can include a flexible keyboard having butterfly keycaps. The device can include an array of openings for an audio driver, with some of the array including through holes and blind holes. The device can also include a touch pad having a force feedback sensor and a haptic device. | 11-26-2015 |
20160004384 | Method of universal multi-touch input - A method of creating a virtual keyboard on a portable electronic device includes providing a multi-touch sensor area, sensing a finger touch on the sensor area, and creating virtual keypads. The keypads' positions are based on the user's finger touch. | 01-07-2016 |
20160100465 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SOFTWARE AND PERIPHERAL INTEGRATION - A computer implemented method comprising receiving input from an input device having a plurality of keys, the input corresponding to individual key presses of the plurality of keys. The method further includes tracking the individual key presses over a period of time, determining time-based analytics for each of the individual keys, providing a graphical representation of the plurality of keys, and modifying the graphical representation of each of the plurality of keys based on the time-based analytics. The time-based analytics can include a key press frequency or a key press duration of each key over the period of time. The graphical representation can be a heat map on a display. Alternatively, the heat map can be represented on hardware including LEDs for each individual key on the input device. The method further includes storing the individual key presses over the period of time as a session. | 04-07-2016 |
20160103503 | QWERT ERGONOMIC KEYBOARD APPARATUS - A plurality of embodiments of improved ergonomic keyboards of the present invention that provide a natural flow for keyboardists to have efficient wrists, hands, and arms postures with grid key arrangements at optimal angel, in which typing activities are distributed to stronger fingers and thumbs. One or more heuristics comprise a heuristic of one or more finger contacts on the integral section, the built-in touchpad, a heuristic of one or more finger contacts on one or more keycaps correspond to one or more instructions to be processed by one or more microcontrollers and/or processors. In addition to the low profile key elevation, built-in ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) lights, and the modular keyboard housing that provides extended support to the keyboardist' palms and maintain the wrists, arms, shoulders at natural positions for healthy typing experience. | 04-14-2016 |
20160116993 | Apparatus and Method to Dynamically Vary Backlighting for a Physical Keyboard - An apparatus and method for dynamically varying backlighting for mechanical keys. By one approach at least some of the individual mechanical keys each includes a capacitively-sensitive keycap. A plurality of light emitters are disposed behind the physical keyboard and are configured to provide backlighting for the individual mechanical keys. A control circuit operably couples to the plurality of light emitters and controls the plurality of light emitters to selectively provide dynamically-varied backlighting for at least some of the individual mechanical keys. By one approach the dynamically-varied backlighting comprises, at least in part, instructions regarding available touch-based gestures (for example, gestures that the user can employ in conjunction with the capacitively-sensitive keycaps). Examples of touch-based gestures include, but are not limited to, swipe-based gestures and tap-based gestures. By one approach the aforementioned instructions include non-alphabetic visually-symbolic instructions. | 04-28-2016 |
20160147265 | PORTABLE TERMINAL HAVING DISPLAY BUTTONS AND METHOD OF INPUTTING FUNCTIONS USING DISPLAY BUTTONS - A portable terminal including: a controller receiving signals corresponding to a plurality of input buttons and outputting image data to be displayed on the plurality of input buttons using the received signals; and a plurality of buttons for inputting a key from a user and outputting a signal corresponding to the key pressed, and for receiving the image data from the controller and displaying the received image data. By using the display buttons for displaying variable images corresponding to specific functions as well as an essential function of inputting keys from a user when a specific function is input in the portable terminal, a plurality of functions can be input with only a few buttons, providing speed and convenience to the user for function input. | 05-26-2016 |
20160179212 | Keyboard with improved reliability | 06-23-2016 |
20190146593 | BACKLIT ILLUMINATION OF ELECTRONICS | 05-16-2019 |
20220139648 | BACKLIGHT APPARATUS USED IN ILLUMINATED KEYBOARD - A backlight apparatus, used in an illuminated keyboard, includes a light-guiding plate, a light-shielding membrane, a light-reflecting sheet, a plurality of first translucent glue bodies, and a plurality of second translucent glue bodies. The light-guiding plate has a plurality of through holes. Each of the first translucent glue bodies corresponds to one of the through holes. Each first translucent glue body is placed on a front surface of the light-guiding plate, and surrounds a respective circumference of the corresponding through hole to bond the light-shielding membrane thereabove and the light-guiding plate therebelow. Each first translucent glue body has a respective breach. Each of the second translucent glue bodies corresponds to one of the first translucent glue bodies, is placed via at least one portion thereof in the breach of the corresponding first translucent glue body, and bonds the light-shielding membrane thereabove and the light-guiding plate therebelow. | 05-05-2022 |