Lighting and usability features for key structures and keypads on computing devices

• US 20070035522A1
• Filed: 08/13/2005
• Published: 02/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Yurochko, Michael, Hsu, Steven
• Application Number:
  US11/203,824
• Publication Number:
  US 20070035522A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/83 characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/002 Materials
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/018 Electroluminescent panel
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/056 Diffuser; Uneven surface
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/062 Light conductor
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/07 transparent

Abstract

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.

Claims

7-1. The keypad of claim 1, wherein the plurality of discrete light sources correspond to a plurality of light emitting diodes.

14. A keypad for a computing device, the keypad comprising:

a plurality of key structures;

a plurality of actuation members, wherein each actuation member extends inward and corresponds to one of the plurality of key structures;

a plurality of contact elements, wherein each contact element is aligned to be actuated by one of the actuation members being inserted inward and contacting the contact element; and

a means for dampening the contact by each actuation member with the corresponding one of the plurality of contact elements so as to cushion each actuation member when that actuation member makes contact with the corresponding one of the plurality of contact members;

wherein said means is separately formed from the plurality of key structures and the plurality of actuation members.