Backlit illumination of electronics
First Claim
1. A device comprising:
- an outer layer comprising a plurality of outer layer segments and at least one opening positioned between the outer layer segments, each outer layer segment of the plurality of outer layer segments comprising an outer layer segment perimeter;
a first adhesive layer comprising a plurality of adhesive material segments, each adhesive material segment comprising an adhesive material segment perimeter;
a second adhesive layer comprising a second adhesive material; and
a light guide, andwherein the first adhesive layer is positioned between the outer layer and the light guide, and the light guide is positioned between the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer,wherein each adhesive material segment of the plurality of adhesive material segments is positioned between an outer layer segment and the light guide such that the outer layer segment perimeter of the respective outer layer segment surrounds the adhesive material segment perimeter of the respective adhesive material segment as viewed in a direction from the outer layer to the light guide perpendicular a surface of the outer layer,wherein light from the light guide can pass through the at least one opening in the outer layer,wherein a surface of the light guide farthest from the outer layer comprises microfeatures configured to redirect light from a light source toward the at least one opening in the outer layer, andwherein placement of the second adhesive material of the second adhesive layer is laterally displaced from a location of the microfeatures as viewed in the direction from the outer layer to the light guide perpendicular to the surface of the outer layer.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A backlit device includes an outer layer, an adhesive layer, and a light guide configured to transmit light from a light source. The adhesive layer is positioned between the outer layer and the light guide. The outer layer includes a plurality of outer layer segments and at least one opening positioned between the outer layer segments where light from the light guide can pass through and provide backlighting. The adhesive layer includes a plurality of adhesive material segments. Each adhesive material segment is individually positioned between an outer layer segment and the light guide such that the perimeter of an outer layer segment surrounds the perimeter of the respective adhesive material segment. Through this arrangement, the adhesive material segments do not divert or block light passing through the opening in the outer layer.
18 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A device comprising:
-
an outer layer comprising a plurality of outer layer segments and at least one opening positioned between the outer layer segments, each outer layer segment of the plurality of outer layer segments comprising an outer layer segment perimeter; a first adhesive layer comprising a plurality of adhesive material segments, each adhesive material segment comprising an adhesive material segment perimeter; a second adhesive layer comprising a second adhesive material; and a light guide, and wherein the first adhesive layer is positioned between the outer layer and the light guide, and the light guide is positioned between the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer, wherein each adhesive material segment of the plurality of adhesive material segments is positioned between an outer layer segment and the light guide such that the outer layer segment perimeter of the respective outer layer segment surrounds the adhesive material segment perimeter of the respective adhesive material segment as viewed in a direction from the outer layer to the light guide perpendicular a surface of the outer layer, wherein light from the light guide can pass through the at least one opening in the outer layer, wherein a surface of the light guide farthest from the outer layer comprises microfeatures configured to redirect light from a light source toward the at least one opening in the outer layer, and wherein placement of the second adhesive material of the second adhesive layer is laterally displaced from a location of the microfeatures as viewed in the direction from the outer layer to the light guide perpendicular to the surface of the outer layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A device comprising:
-
an outer layer comprising a plurality of outer layer segments and at least one opening positioned between the outer layer segments; an intermediate layer comprising at least one light filter segment and at least one first adhesive material segment; a second adhesive layer comprising a second adhesive material; and a light guide, wherein the intermediate layer is positioned between the light guide and the outer layer, wherein the light guide is positioned between the first adhesive material segment and the second adhesive layer, wherein a surface of the light guide farthest from the outer layer comprises microfeatures configured to redirect light from a light source toward the at least one opening in the outer layer, wherein placement of the second adhesive material of the second adhesive layer is laterally displaced from a location of the microfeatures as viewed in the direction from the outer layer to the light guide perpendicular to the surface of the outer layer, wherein the light filter segment is positioned along an axis between the opening and the light guide, the axis being perpendicular to a surface of the outer layer, and wherein the light filter segment has a thinness configured to provide a brightness in the opening in the outer layer as observed at the surface of the outer layer in the direction from the outer layer to the light guide perpendicular to the surface of the outer layer. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. An apparatus comprising:
-
a backlit device; and an input/output module comprising a display device, the input/output module configured to process an input from the backlit device and render an output on the display device, wherein the backlit device comprises; an outer layer comprising a plurality of outer layer input keys and at least one opening positioned between the outer layer input keys, each outer layer input key of the plurality of outer layer input keys comprising an outer layer segment perimeter; a first adhesive layer comprising a plurality of adhesive material segments, each adhesive material segment comprising an adhesive material segment perimeter; a second adhesive layer comprising a second adhesive material; a light guide; and a sensor assembly comprising a plurality of sensors, wherein the first adhesive layer is positioned between the outer layer and the light guide, wherein the light guide is positioned between the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer, wherein a surface of the light guide farthest from the outer layer comprises microfeatures configured to redirect light from a light source toward the at least one opening in the outer layer, wherein placement of the second adhesive material of the second adhesive layer is laterally displaced from a location of the microfeatures as viewed in the direction from the outer layer to the light guide perpendicular to the surface of the outer layer, wherein each adhesive material segment of the plurality of adhesive material segments is positioned between the outer layer and the light guide such that the outer layer segment perimeter of the respective outer layer input key surrounds the adhesive material segment perimeter of the respective adhesive material segment as viewed in a direction from the outer layer to the light guide perpendicular to a surface of the outer layer, and wherein light from the light guide can pass through the at least one opening in the outer layer. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
-
Specification