ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND INPUT DEVICE THEREOF

• US 20090237577A1
• Filed: 12/01/2008
• Published: 09/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.), Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.), Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: LI, LI, GAO, FEI, TSENG, WEN-HAW
• Application Number:
  US12/325,275
• Publication Number:
  US 20090237577A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 349/23
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/9629 using a plurality of detectors, e.g. keyboard

Abstract

An exemplary input device includes a key. The key includes a first conductive film, a second conductive film, a light source, a photoelectric transformer, and a liquid crystal layer. The second conductive film is configured for cooperating with the first conductive film to generate a first electric field having a first predetermined intensity when the key is pressed. The light source is configured for emitting light. The photoelectric transformer is configured for generating a first electric signal when receiving the light from the light source. The liquid crystal layer is configured for transmitting the light to the photoelectric transformer under influence of the first electric field. A related electronic device is also provided.

Claims

1. An input device comprising:

a key, the key comprising;

a first conductive film;

a second conductive film for cooperating with the first conductive film to generate a first electric field having a first predetermined intensity when the key is pressed;

a light source for emitting light;

a photoelectric transformer for generating a first electric signal when receiving light from the light source; and

a liquid crystal layer for transmitting the light to the photoelectric transformer under influence of the first electric field.

2. The input device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first conductive film and the second conductive film cooperate to generate a second electric field having a second predetermined intensity when the key is released, the second predetermined intensity is lower than the first predetermined intensity.

3. The input device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a first insulation layer disposed on top of the key as a touch layer.

4. The input device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first insulation layer has one or more key identification characters engraved or printed thereon.

5. The input device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first insulation layer is opaque.

6. The input device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the key further comprises a second insulation layer disposed at the bottom of the key.

7. The input device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the key further comprises at least one light conduit for transmitting light emitted by the light source to the liquid crystal layer.

8. The input device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the photoelectric transformer comprises a phototransistor, an emitter of the phototransistor is grounded, a collector of the phototransistor is connected to a power supply via a resistor, the collector is an output terminal of the photoelectric transformer.

9. The input device as claimed in claim 4, wherein position of the one or more key identification characters coincides with position of the photoelectric transformer.

10. The input device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal layer is further configured for displaying key identification character(s), position of the key identification character(s) and position of the photoelectric transformer are staggered.

11. An input device comprising:

a light source for emitting light; and

a plurality of keys, at least one of the plurality of keys comprising;

a first conductive film;

a second conductive film for cooperating with the first conductive film to generate a first electric field having a first predetermined intensity when the key is pressed;

one or more light conduits for transmitting light emitted by the light source;

a photoelectric transformer for generating a first electric signal when receiving the light from the light source via the one or more light conduits; and

a liquid crystal layer for transmitting light from the one or more light conduits to the photoelectric transformer under influence of the first electric field.

12. The input device as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a decoder for receiving the first electric signal and generating a second electric signal corresponding to one of the plurality of keys which is pressed.

13. The input device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first conductive film and the second conductive film cooperate to generate a second electric field having a second predetermined intensity when the key is not pressed, the second predetermined intensity is lower than the first predetermined intensity.

14. The input device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at least one of the plurality of keys further comprises a first insulation layer disposed on top of each of the plurality of keys as a touch layer.

15. The input device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the photoelectric transformer is a phototransistor, an emitter of the phototransistor is grounded, a collector of the phototransistor is connected to a power supply via a resistor, the collector is also connected to the decoder.

16. An electronic device, comprising:

an input device, the input device comprising;

a light source for emitting light;

a plurality of keys, at least one of the plurality of keys comprising;

a first conductive film;

a second conductive film for cooperating with the first conductive film to generate a first electric field having a first predetermined intensity when the key is pressed;

one or more light conduits for transmitting light emitted by the light source;

a photoelectric transformer for generating a first electric signal when receiving the light from the light source via the one or more light conduits; and

a liquid crystal layer for transmitting light from the one or more light conduits to the photoelectric transformer under influence of the first electric field; and

a decoder for receiving the first electric signal and generating a second electric signal corresponding to one of the plurality of keys which is pressed.

17. The electronic device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first conductive film and the second conductive film cooperate to generate a second electric field having a second predetermined intensity when none of the plurality of keys is pressed, the second predetermined intensity is lower than the first predetermined intensity, and cannot influence the liquid crystal layer.

18. The electronic device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the input device further comprises a first insulation layer disposed on top of the at least one of the plurality of keys as a touch layer.