Button device for a touch panel

• US 20050212778A1
• Filed: 03/25/2005
• Published: 09/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Chun-Lin Yeh
• Original Assignee: Chun-Lin Yeh
• Inventors: Yeh, Chun-Lin
• Application Number:
  US11/088,859
• Publication Number:
  US 20050212778A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/175
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/045 using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/83 characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2009/0077 using recyclable materials, e.g. for easier recycling or minimising the packing material
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/038 transparent
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/082 transparent
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/012 programmable
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/044 Edge lighting of layer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/06 Reflector
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/062 Light conductor

Abstract

A button device for a touch panel has a touch panel, an upper indium-tin oxide (ITO) layer, a light transmission board, a lower ITO layer, a spacer, multiple contacts, a reflective film and a light emitting diode (LED). The upper ITO layer is attached to the touch panel. The lower ITO layer is attached to the light transmission board. The spacer is attached to and between the upper and lower ITO layers. The contacts are mounted on the lower ITO layer and selectively electrically connect to the upper ITO layer. The reflective film is attached to the light transmission board and has a front edge, a rear edge and a primary rib formed near the front edge. The LED corresponds to the rear edge of the reflective film and emits light. The light is reflected by the reflective film out of the touch panel.

Claims

1. A button device for a touch panel comprising

a touch panel having a top surface, a bottom surface, a button section and a display section;

an upper indium-tin oxide (ITO) layer attached to the bottom surface of the touch panel and having an edge;

a light transmission board having a top surface and a bottom surface;

a lower ITO layer attached to the top surface of the light transmission board and having an edge;

a spacer attached to and between the edges of the upper and lower ITO layers;

multiple contacts mounted separately on the lower ITO layer;

a reflective film attached to the bottom surface of the light transmission board, corresponding to the button section of the touch panel and having

a top surface;

a front edge;

a rear edge; and

a primary rib formed on the top surface of the reflective film near the front edge;

a light emitting diode corresponding to the rear edge of the reflective film; and

a wire mounted on the light transmission board, corresponding to the rear edge of the reflective film and electrically connecting to the lower ITO layer.

2. The button device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reflective film further has multiple secondary ribs formed on the entire top surface of the reflective film and being shorter than the primary rib.

3. The button device as claimed in claim 2, wherein each rib has a sharp edge.