LIGHT GUIDE FILM WITH CUT LINES
First Claim
1. A light guide comprising:
- a light interface surface to receive light into the light guide from a light source;
top and bottom surfaces, wherein the light received through the light interface surface reflects according to total internal reflection (TIR) within the light guide between portions of the top and bottom surfaces;
a surface feature pattern to disrupt the TIR and to scatter at least some of the light outside of at least one surface of the top and bottom surfaces; and
a cut line to redirect at least some of the light from a first direction to a second direction within the light guide, wherein the first direction is a direction other than towards the surface feature pattern, and the second direction is a direction substantially towards the surface feature pattern.
3 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A light guide for an optical keypad is described. The light guide includes a light interface surface, top and bottom surfaces, a surface feature pattern, and a cut line. The light interface surface receives light into the light guide from a light source. The light received through the light interface surface reflects according to total internal reflection (TIR) within the light guide between portions of the top and bottom surfaces. The surface feature pattern disrupts the TIR and scatters at least some of the light outside of at least one surface of the top and bottom surfaces. The cut line redirects at least some of the light from a first direction to a second direction within the light guide. The first direction is a direction other than towards the surface feature pattern, while the second direction is a direction substantially towards the surface feature pattern.
55 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A light guide comprising:
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a light interface surface to receive light into the light guide from a light source; top and bottom surfaces, wherein the light received through the light interface surface reflects according to total internal reflection (TIR) within the light guide between portions of the top and bottom surfaces; a surface feature pattern to disrupt the TIR and to scatter at least some of the light outside of at least one surface of the top and bottom surfaces; and a cut line to redirect at least some of the light from a first direction to a second direction within the light guide, wherein the first direction is a direction other than towards the surface feature pattern, and the second direction is a direction substantially towards the surface feature pattern. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An optical keypad system for an electronic computing device, the optical keypad system comprising:
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a keypad with a plurality of push buttons corresponding to a plurality of inputs, wherein at least a portion of the keypad is at least partially translucent; a light guide film located approximately adjacent to a back side of the keypad, wherein the light guide film comprises; a light interface surface to receive light into the light guide film; a surface feature pattern on at least one surface of the light guide film approximately parallel to the back side of the keypad, the surface feature pattern to disrupt total internal reflection (TIR) within the light guide film and to scatter at least some of the light outside of the light guide film towards the keypad; and a cut line to redirect at least some of the light from a first direction to a second direction within the light guide film, wherein the first direction is a direction other than towards the surface feature pattern, and the second direction is a direction substantially towards the surface feature pattern; and a light source to emit the light towards the light interface surface of the light guide film. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for making a light guide for backlighting an optical keypad, the method comprising:
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forming a light guide film from a substantially translucent film, wherein the light guide film comprises a light interface surface to receive light from a light source; forming a surface feature pattern on a surface of the substantially translucent film, wherein the surface feature pattern is configured to disrupt total internal reflection (TIR) of light within the light guide film and to scatter at least some of the light outside of the light guide film; and forming a cut line in the light guide film, the cut line to redirect at least some of the light from a first direction to a second direction within the light guide film, wherein the first direction is a direction other than towards the surface feature pattern, and the second direction is a direction substantially towards the surface feature pattern. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification