Illuminated Keyboard

• US 20130162450A1
• Filed: 12/20/2012
• Published: 06/27/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Leong, Craig C., Niu, James J., Hendren, Keith J., Brock, John M., Wilson, Thomas W. Jr., Patton, Brad
• Granted Patent: US 9,093,229 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 341/20
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/023 Light-emitting indicators for multi-layer switches H01H13/83
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/703 characterised by spacers between contact carrying layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/7065 characterised by the mechanism between keys and layered keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/88 Processes specially adapted for manufacture of rectilinearly movable switches having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/064 Trellis; Lattice
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2211/004 Adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/036 Light emitting elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/062 Light conductor
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2227/01 Adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/028 Adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/125 using a scissor mechanism as stabiliser
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/98 having a plurality of control members, e.g. keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49105 Switch making

Abstract

In a first embodiment, an input device includes at least one keycap, a support mechanism configured to move the keycap from a first position to a second position, a feature plate having at least one anchoring mechanism operably connected to the support mechanism, and an illumination panel. The illumination panel is positioned between the at least one keycap and the feature plate. The at least one anchoring member extends through a portion of the illumination panel. In a second embodiment, an input device includes a keycap, a support mechanism configured to move the keycap, a support plate operably connected to the support mechanism, and an illumination panel. The illumination panel includes a light source, a light guide, and a frame substantially surrounding the light guide. Light illuminated from the light source is directed by the light guide and the frame towards the keycap.

Claims

1. An input device configured to communicate with a computing device comprising:

at least one keycap;

a support mechanism operably connected to the keycap and configured to move the keycap from a first position to a second position;

a feature plate having at least one anchoring mechanism operably connected to the support mechanism; and

an illumination panel operably connected to the support mechanism and in optical communication with at least a portion of the at least one keycap;

wherein

the illumination panel is positioned between the at least one keycap and the feature plate; and

the at least one anchoring member extends through a portion of the illumination panel.

2. The input device of claim 1, wherein the feature plate further includes at least one channel and the illumination panel is positioned within the channel.

3. The input device of claim 2, wherein the channel comprises a base member, a first angled extension that extends upwardly at an angle from a first side of the base member, a second angled extension that extends upwardly at an angle from a second side of the base member, a first leg member attached to the first angled extension that is substantially parallel to the base member, and a second leg member attached to the second angled extension that is substantially parallel to the base member.

4. The input device of claim 2, wherein a first space is defined between an edge of the illumination panel and a top corner formed by at least one of the first angled extension and the first leg member or the second angled extension and the second leg member.

5. The input device of claim 1, wherein the illumination panel is operably connected to the feature plate utilizing at least one of adhesive, at least one fastener, or the at least one anchoring member.

6. The input device of claim 1, wherein the at least one anchoring member forms at least one barrier wall for the illumination panel that reflects light from the illumination panel at least one of back into the illumination panel or towards the at least one keycap.

7. The input device of claim 6, wherein the at least one barrier wall performs at least one of concentrating the light from the illumination panel under the at least one keycap or preventing the light from the illumination panel from being emitted around a side of the at least one keycap.

8. The input device of claim 1, wherein the illumination panel includes at least one sensor that detects at least one input to the at least one keycap.

9. The input device of claim 1, wherein the illumination panel directs or emits light for multiple keycaps including the at least one keycap.

10. The input device of claim 1, wherein the illumination panel comprises at least one of a light guide for directing light emitted by at least one light source, a light pipe for directing the light emitted by the at least one light source, or a light source.

11. An input device configured to communicate with a computing device comprising:

a keycap;

a support mechanism operably connected to the keycap and configured to move the keycap from a first position to a second position;

a support plate operably connected to the support mechanism; and

an illumination panel operably connected to the support mechanism and in optical communication with at least a portion of the keycap, the illumination panel comprising

a light source;

a light guide optically coupled to the light source; and

a frame substantially surrounding the light guide;

wherein

light illuminated from the light source is directed by the light guide and the frame towards the keycap.

12. The input device of claim 11, wherein the support plate comprises a substrate that supports at least one electrical connection.

13. The input device of claim 11, wherein the illumination panel is integrated into the support plate.

14. The input device of claim 11, wherein the frame comprises at least one material that is not light transmissive.

15. The input device of claim 11, wherein illumination panel occupies substantially a same area as the keycap.

16. The input device of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of keycaps that includes the keycap wherein the only keycap of the plurality of keycaps that receives light from the illumination panel is the keycap.

17. The input device of claim 16, further comprising at least one additional illumination panel operably connected to at least one keycap of the plurality of keycaps other than the keycap wherein the at least one additional illumination panel is in optical communication with at least a portion of the at least one keycap of the plurality of keycaps other than the keycap.

18. The input device of claim 11, wherein the frame prevents light leakage from around the keycap.

19. The input device of claim 11, further comprising at least one retaining features that secure the frame to the illumination panel.

20. The input device of claim 11, wherein the frame reflects the light towards at least one of the keycap or the illumination panel.