Illuminated compact control surface
First Claim
1. A top-mounted control surface for a personal radio transceiver of the type including electrical circuits for establishing communications with a further physically-distinct communications device, said control surface including:
- light source means, electrically coupled to said electrical circuits, for emitting light in response to an electrical signal applied thereto;
liquid crystal display means, electrically coupled to said electrical circuits and mounted on a top surface of said transceiver, for selectively changing light transmittance in response to electrical signals applied thereto;
a reflecting assembly mounted substantially parallel to the display means, said assembly including means defining a reflective surface, and a layer of transparent material disposed on said reflective surface between said reflective surface and said display means, said layer defining an irregular surface opposing said display means and spaced a predetermined distance therefrom;
keypad means, electrically connected to said electrical circuits, for controlling the operation of said electrical circuits in response to manipulation by a human operator, said keypad means at least in part defining said transceiver top surface;
said light source means directing a first portion of the light produced thereby into the space between said display means and said irregular surface to strike said irregular surface at a high angle of incidence; and
said light source means directing a second portion of the light produced by said light source means toward said keypad means to illuminate said keypad means.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A control surface for controlling the operation of an electronic apparatus includes a liquid crystal display device and a keypad. The liquid crystal display device selectively changes its light transmittance in response to electrical signals produced by the electronic apparatus in order to provide a visual indication viewable by a human viewer. A light source emits light. A first optical coupler including a specular surface and a light transmissive diffuser is disposed a predetermined distance from the liquid crystal display device. Ambient light passing through the liquid crystal display device strikes the specular surface and is reflected back through the display device toward the human viewer, illuminating indicia displayed by the display device. Light from the light source strikes the light diffuser at a high angle of incidence and is scattered toward the display device, illuminating the display device. A display driver (which coverts electrical signals produced by the electronic apparatus to driving signals suitable for driving the liquid crystal display device) is electrically connected to the display device with elastomeric zebra connectors. The liquid crystal display device, the light diffuser, the specular surface, the elastomeric connectors and the display driver are all disposed in a clear, weatherproof plastic cover. An opaque keypad is provided to control the operation of the electronic apparatus. The clear cover and the keypad are disposed in a housing. An opening (into which a lens is secured) is provided in the housing in proximity with the light source to direct some of the light emitted by the light source to floodlight the keypad.
37 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A top-mounted control surface for a personal radio transceiver of the type including electrical circuits for establishing communications with a further physically-distinct communications device, said control surface including:
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light source means, electrically coupled to said electrical circuits, for emitting light in response to an electrical signal applied thereto; liquid crystal display means, electrically coupled to said electrical circuits and mounted on a top surface of said transceiver, for selectively changing light transmittance in response to electrical signals applied thereto; a reflecting assembly mounted substantially parallel to the display means, said assembly including means defining a reflective surface, and a layer of transparent material disposed on said reflective surface between said reflective surface and said display means, said layer defining an irregular surface opposing said display means and spaced a predetermined distance therefrom; keypad means, electrically connected to said electrical circuits, for controlling the operation of said electrical circuits in response to manipulation by a human operator, said keypad means at least in part defining said transceiver top surface; said light source means directing a first portion of the light produced thereby into the space between said display means and said irregular surface to strike said irregular surface at a high angle of incidence; and said light source means directing a second portion of the light produced by said light source means toward said keypad means to illuminate said keypad means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A display for displaying indicia pertaining to the operation of a personal radio transceiver, said transceiver of the type including (a) a case comprising an elongated box having a top surface, a bottom surface and plural side surfaces, the length of at least one edge of each of said side surfaces exceeding the length of any of the edges of said top and said bottom surfaces, and (b) electronic circuit means, disposed within said case, for establishing communications with a further physically-distinct communications device, said display including:
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light source means mounted to said case top surface for emitting light; liquid crystal display means, having a viewing surface defining a portion of said top surface, said display means mounted to said case in a position displaced laterally from the position of said light source means and electrically connected to said electronic circuit means, for selectively changing light transmissivity in response to electrical signals applied thereto, said display means defining a further surface parallel to and opposing said viewing surface; and light diffusing means, disposed on said case top surface and spaced a predetermined distance from said liquid crystal display means further surface, for receiving light emitted by said light source means at a high angle of incidence and for scattering said received light toward said liquid crystal display means in a direction substantially normal to said display means further surface. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. In a personal communications device of the type including (a) a case comprising an elongated box having a top surface, a bottom surface and plural side surfaces, the length of at least one edge of each of said side surfaces exceeding the length of any of the edges of said top and said bottom surfaces and (b) electronic circuit means, disposed within said case, for establishing communications with a further physically-distinct communications device in accordance with control signals supplied thereto, an improvement comprising control surface means, disposed on said top surface and electrically coupled to said circuit means, for applying said control signals to said circuit means in response to manipulation thereof by a user, said control surface means including:
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a printed circuit board mounted to said case and including a plurality of electrical pathway means, electrically connected with said electronic circuit means and disposed on at least a first surface of said printed circuit board, for carrying electrical signals; a keypad including a sheet of non-conductive, resilient material encasing at least a portion of said printed circuit board first surface and defining a portion of said communications device top surface, said sheet defining a plurality of resilient, depressible molded hollow protrusions, each of said protrusions defining a corresponding hollow; plural electrical contact means, one fixedly disposed within each of said hollows, for electrically connecting predetermined ones of said electrical pathway means together when an associated one of said protrusions is depressed; liquid crystal display means electrically coupled to said printed circuit board pathway means and defining a further portion of said communications device top surface for selectively changing light transmissivity in response to electrical signals applied thereto; a reflective surface disposed on said printed circuit board first surface; a transparent plate having a surface disposed on said reflective surface, said transparent plate having a further, irregular surface; means disposed on said printed circuit board for electrically connecting said electrical pathway means to said liquid crystal display means and for spacing said liquid crystal display means a predetermined distance from and opposing said transparent plate irregular surface; and light source means, electrically connected to said printed circuit board pathway means and mounted on said printed circuit board first surface, for directing light toward said keypad and also toward said transparent plate irregular surface at high angles of incidence.
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26. A personal radio communications device comprising:
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a hollow rectangular case including first and third side walls parallel to one another, second and fourth side walls parallel to one another, said first wall being rigidly joined to said second and fourth walls, said third wall being rigidly joined to said second and fourth walls, a bottom wall joined at a bottom end of said case to each of said first through fourth side walls, edges of each said first through fourth side walls together defining a substantially rectangular opening at a top end of said case opposite said bottom end thereof; electronic circuit means disposed in said hollow case for establishing communications with a remotely-located communications device; a keypad assembly electrically coupled to said electronic circuit means, said keypad assembly including; a printed circuit board, mounted to said case top end obstructing said rectangular opening, including means defining a plurality of electrical pathways on a first surface thereof, and a sheet of flexible material, disposed on said printed circuit board first surface, said sheet including means defining an array of keys, each of said keys including conductor means for selectively connecting predetermined ones of said pathways together; a display driving integrated circuit, disposed on said printed circuit board first surface and electrically coupled to pathways disposed on said printed circuit board first surface, for producing electrical display driving signals; a reflective surface disposed on said display driving circuit; a layer of transparent material having a surface disposed on said reflective surface, said layer defining a further, irregular surface; a liquid crystal display; connecting means, disposed between said printed circuit board first surface and said liquid crystal display and electrically coupled to said display driving circuit, for supporting said display a predetermined distance above and substantially opposing said irregular surface and for applying said electrical display driving signals to said display; and light source means, mounted to said printed circuit board, for producing light and for directing said light into the space between said display and said irregular surface, said directed light striking said irregular surface at a high angle of incidence and scattering toward said display. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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Specification