Modular keypad assembly

• US 20060152692A1
• Filed: 03/15/2006
• Published: 07/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: InFocus Corporation (Lap-Shun Hui, MBA)
• Inventors: Sample, Greg
• Granted Patent: US 7,309,132 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 353/119
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device

Abstract

A modular keypad assembly for use with a projection device is provided. This modular keypad assembly may include a user input through which a user may operate the projection device. Such a modular keypad assembly may include a elastomer keypad, a keypad support plate; and a keypad circuit board.

Claims

1. A modular keypad assembly including at least one user input for use with a projection device, such a modular keypad assembly comprising:

a elastomer keypad;

a keypad support plate; and

a keypad circuit board.

2. The modular keypad assembly of claim 1, wherein the user input may include a button.

3. The modular keypad assembly of claim 1, wherein the keypad circuit board further comprises a printed circuit assembly with keypad circuits.

4. The modular keypad assembly of claim 1, wherein the modular keypad assembly incorporates a liquid crystal display assembly.

5. The modular keypad assembly of claim 4, wherein the liquid crystal display assembly further includes a liquid crystal display and a liquid crystal bezel.

6. The modular keypad assembly of claim 4, wherein the liquid crystal display screen is sealed between the elastomer keypad and the liquid crystal bezel.

7. The modular keypad assembly of claim 1, wherein the elastomer keypad, that keypad support, and the keypad circuit board are arranged in a layered orientation relative to one another.

8. The modular keypad assembly of claim 1, wherein the modular keypad is configured to be compression fit into a projection device body.

9. The modular keypad assembly of claim 1, wherein a liquid barrier is created between the elastomer keypad and a projection device body when the modular keypad assembly is disposed in the projection device body.

10. The modular keypad assembly of claim 1, further comprising one or more keypad retainers adapted to fasten the modular keypad assembly to a projection device body.

11. A projection device comprising:

a light source;

an optical engine receiving light produced from the light source and configured to generate an image;

one or more of user inputs adapted to enable a user to operate the projection device by controlling the light source and the generated image; and

a modular keypad assembly configured to include one or more user inputs.

12. The projection device of claim 11, wherein said modular keypad assembly further includes an elastomer keypad, a keypad support plate, and a keypad circuit board.

13. The projection device of claim 11, wherein said modular keypad assembly includes a layered configuration.

14. The projection device of claim 11, wherein said modular keypad assembly includes a liquid crystal display assembly.

15. The projection device of claim 11, wherein said modular keypad assembly is configured to be assembled independently from a projection device body.

16. A modular keypad assembly for an electronic device comprising:

a first layer including an elastomer keypad;

a second layer including a keypad support plate; and

a third layer including a keypad circuit board.

17. The modular keypad assembly of claim 16, further including an attachment means configured to attach at least one of the first layer to one of the second layer and third layer.

18. The modular keypad assembly of claim 16, further comprising securing means configured to secure the modular keypad assembly to the electronic device.

19. The modular keypad assembly of claim 16, further comprising at least one user input.

20. The modular keypad assembly of claim 16, wherein the modular keypad assembly is configured to be compression inserted into the electronic device.