Keypad lightguides including compartments

• US 6,006,118 A
• Filed: 12/05/1997
• Issued: 12/21/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Original Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Inventors: Stephenson, Shawn M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bost, Dwayne D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WASHINGTON, ERIKA ALISE
• Application Number:
  US08/985,490
• Time in Patent Office: 746 Days
• Field of Search: 455/575, 455/550, 455/90, 455/128, 455/347, 455/350, 379/428, 379/429, 379/396, 379/370, 379/433, 379/440, 379/456, 362/24
• US Class Current: 455/575.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/702 with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/062 Light conductor
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/07 transparent
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/004 High frequency adaptation or shielding
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/22 Illumination; Arrangements for improving the visibility of characters on dials

Abstract

A lightguide for illuminating keypads within electronic devices, such as radiotelephones, supports additional components and is maintained in spaced apart relationship with a circuit board hosting electronic components. The number of separate components required within a radiotelephone is decreased and the amount of circuit board real estate available for electrical components is increased.

Claims

1. A radiotelephone apparatus comprising:

a housing configured to enclose electronic components that receive and transmit telecommunications signals and having mounted therein at least one light source;

a circuit board having a plurality of contact pads on a face thereof;

a keypad; and

a lightguide that illuminates said keypad via said at least one light source,

wherein said keypad is secured to said lightguide and comprises a plurality of translucent keys, each key having a first end extending through said housing and a second end extending through said lightguide and operably engageable with a respective contact pad on said circuit board face,

wherein said lightguide comprises conductive material that provides EMI shielding, and

wherein said lightguide is secured within said housing in spaced apart relationship with said circuit board to define at least one compartment between said lightguide and said circuit board face.

2. A radiotelephone apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a speaker secured to said lightguide.

3. A radiotelephone apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising vibration reduction means positioned between said speaker and said housing for reducing speaker vibrations.

4. A radiotelephone apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a microphone secured to said lightguide.

5. A radiotelephone apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising an LCD panel secured to said lightguide.

6. A radiotelephone apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one electronic component is secured to said circuit board face within said at least one compartment.

7. A radiotelephone apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said at least one compartment comprises a plurality of compartments.

8. An electronic device comprising:

a housing configured to enclose electronic components;

a circuit board having a plurality of contact pads on a face thereof;

a lightguide comprising opposing first and second faces and configured to illuminate a keypad via at least one light source, said lightguide comprising at least one wall portion depending from said first face and configured to contact said circuit board face to define at least one compartment between said circuit board face and said first face when said lightguide is secured within said housing wherein said lightguide comprises conductive material that provides EMI shielding within said at least one compartment; and

a keypad secured to said second face and comprising a plurality of translucent keys, each key having a first end extending through said housing and a second end extending through said lightguide and operably engageable with a respective contact pad on said circuit board face.

9. A electronic device according to claim 8 further comprising a speaker secured to said lightguide.

10. An electronic device according to claim 9 further comprising vibration reduction means positioned between said speaker and said housing for reducing speaker vibrations.

11. An electronic device according to claim 8 further comprising a microphone secured to said lightguide.

12. An electronic device according to claim 8 further comprising an LCD panel secured to said lightguide.

13. An electronic device according to claim 8 wherein at least one electronic component is secured to said circuit board within said at least one compartment.

14. An electronic device according to claim 8 wherein said at least one wall portion comprises a plurality of wall portions depending from said first face and configured to contact said circuit board face to define a plurality of compartments between said circuit board face and said first face when said lightguide is secured within said housing.

15. An electronic device according to claim 8 wherein said electronic device is a radiotelephone.

16. An electronic device comprising:

a housing configured to enclose electronic components;

a circuit board having a plurality of contact pads on a face thereof;

a lightguide comprising opposing first and second faces and configured to illuminate a keypad via at least one light source, said lightguide comprising at least one wall portion depending from said first face along peripheral edge portions thereof to define at least one compartment between said circuit board face and said lightguide first face when said lightguide is secured within said housing, wherein said lightguide comprises conductive material that provides EMI shielding; and

a keypad secured to said second face and comprising a plurality of translucent keys, each key having a first end extending through said housing and a second end extending through said lightguide and operably engageable with a respective contact pad on said circuit board face.

17. An electronic device according to claim 16 further comprising a speaker secured to said lightguide.

18. An electronic device according to claim 17 further comprising vibration reduction means positioned between said speaker and said housing for reducing speaker vibrations.

19. An electronic device according to claim 16 further comprising a microphone secured to said lightguide.

20. An electronic device according to claim 16 further comprising an LCD panel secured to said lightguide.

21. An electronic device according to claim 16 wherein at least one electronic component is secured to said circuit board within said at least one compartment.

22. An electronic device according to claim 16 wherein said at least one compartment comprises a plurality of compartments.

23. An electronic device according to claim 16 wherein said electronic device is a radiotelephone.

24. A lightguide configured to illuminate a keypad of an electronic device via at least one light source located within said electronic device, said lightguide comprising:

opposing first and second faces;

a keypad secured to said second face and comprising a plurality of translucent keys, each key having a first end extending through said lightguide and operably engageable with a respective contact pad within said electronic device; and

conductive material that provides EMI shielding disposed on at least one of said first and second faces.

25. A lightguide according to claim 24 further comprising a speaker secured to said lightguide.

26. A lightguide according to claim 24 further comprising vibration reduction means for reducing speaker vibrations.

27. A lightguide according to claim 24 further comprising a microphone secured to said lightguide.

28. A lightguide according to claim 24 further comprising an LCD panel secured to said lightguide.

29. A lightguide according to claim 24 further comprising at least one wall portion depending from said first face to define at least one compartment between said lightguide first face and another substrate when said lightguide is secured within said electronic device.

30. A lightguide according to claim 24 wherein said electronic device is a radiotelephone.

31. A radiotelephone apparatus comprising:

a housing configured to enclose electronic components that receive and transmit telecommunications signals and having mounted therein at least one light source;

a circuit board having a plurality of contact pads on a face thereof;

a keypad; and

a lightguide that illuminates said keypad via said at least one light source,

wherein said keypad is secured to said lightguide and comprises a plurality of translucent keys, each key having a first end extending through said housing and a second end extending through said lightguide and operably engageable with a respective contact pad on said circuit board face, and

wherein said lightguide is secured within said housing in spaced apart relationship with said circuit board to define a plurality of compartments between said lightguide and said circuit board face.

32. A radiotelephone apparatus according to claim 31 further comprising a speaker secured to said lightguide.

33. A radiotelephone apparatus according to claim 32 further comprising vibration reduction means positioned between said speaker and said housing for reducing speaker vibrations.

34. A radiotelephone apparatus according to claim 31 further comprising a microphone secured to said lightguide.

35. A radiotelephone apparatus according to claim 31 further comprising an LCD panel secured to said lightguide.

36. A radiotelephone apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said lightguide comprises conductive material that provides EMI shielding.

37. A radiotelephone apparatus according to claim 31 wherein at least one electronic component is secured to and circuit board face within said at least one compartment.

38. An electronic device comprising:

a housing configured to enclose electronic components;

a circuit board having a plurality of contact pads on a face thereof;

a lightguide comprising opposing first and second faces and configured to illuminate a keypad via at least one light source, said lightguide comprising a plurality of wall portions depending from said first face and configured to contact said circuit board face to define a plurality of compartments between said circuit board face and said first face when said lightguide is secured within said housing; and

a keypad secured to said second face and comprising a plurality of translucent keys, each key having a first end extending through said housing and a second end extending through said lightguide and operably engageable with a respective contact pad on said circuit board face.

39. A electronic device according to claim 38 further comprising a speaker secured to said lightguide.

40. An electronic device according to claim 39 further comprising vibration reduction means positioned between said speaker and said housing for reducing speaker vibrations.

41. An electronic device according to claim 38 further comprising a microphone secured to said lightguide.

42. An electronic device according to claim 38 further comprising an LCD panel secured to said lightguide.

43. An electronic device according to claim 38 wherein said lightguide comprises conductive material that provides EMI shielding within said at least one compartment.

44. An electronic device according to claim 38 wherein at least one electronic component is secured to said circuit board within said at least one compartment.

45. An electronic device according to claim 38 wherein said electronic device is a radiotelephone.

46. An electronic device comprising:

a housing configured to enclose electronic components;

a circuit board having a plurality of contact pads on a face thereof;

a lightguide comprising opposing first and second faces and configured to illuminate a keypad via at least one light source, said lightguide comprising at least one wall portion depending from said first face along peripheral edge portions thereof to define a plurality of compartments between said circuit board face and said lightguide first face when said lightguide is secured within said housing,

a keypad secured to said second face and comprising a plurality of translucent keys, each key having a first end extending through said housing and a second end extending through said lightguide and operably engageable with a respective contact pad on said circuit board face.

47. An electronic device according to claim 46 further comprising a speaker secured to said lightguide.

48. An electronic device according to claim 47 further comprising vibration reduction means positioned between said speaker and said housing for reducing speaker vibrations.

49. An electronic device according to claim 46 further comprising a microphone secured to said lightguide.

50. An electronic device according to claim 46 further comprising an LCD panel secured to said lightguide.

51. An electronic device according to claim 46 wherein said lightguide comprises conductive material that provides EMI shielding.

52. An electronic device according to claim 46 wherein at least one electronic component is secured to said circuit board within said compartments.

53. An electronic device according to claim 46 wherein said electronic device is a radiotelephone.

54. A radiotelephone apparatus comprising:

a housing configured to enclose electronic components that receive and transmit telecommunications signals and having mounted therein at least one light source;

a circuit board having a plurality of contact pads on a face thereof;

a keypad;

a lightguide that illuminates said keypad via said at least one light source,

wherein said keypad is secured to said lightguide and comprises a plurality of translucent keys, each key having a first end extending through said housing and a second end extending through said lightguide and operably engageable with a respective contact pad on said circuit board face,

wherein said lightguide is secured within said housing in spaced apart relationship with said circuit board to define at least one compartment between said lightguide and said circuit board face, and wherein said lightguide comprises conductive material that provides EMI shielding,

a speaker secured to said lightguide; and

an LCD panel secured to said lightguide.

55. A radiotelephone apparatus according to claim 54 further comprising vibration reduction means positioned between said speaker and said housing for reducing speaker vibrations.

56. A radiotelephone apparatus according to claim 54 further comprising a microphone secured to said lightguide.

57. A radiotelephone apparatus according to claim 54 wherein at least one electronic component is secured to said circuit board face within said at least one compartment.

58. A radiotelephone apparatus according to claim 54 wherein said at least one compartment comprises a plurality of compartments.

59. A radiotelephone apparatus comprising:

a housing configured to enclose electronic components that receive and transmit telecommunications signals and having mounted therein at least one light source;

a circuit board having a plurality of contact pads on a face thereof;

a keypad;

a lightguide that illuminates said keypad via said at least one light source,

wherein said keypad is secured to said lightguide and comprises a plurality of translucent keys, each key having a first end extending through said housing and a second end extending through said lightguide and operably engageable with a respective contact pad on said circuit board face, and

wherein said lightguide is secured within said housing in spaced apart relationship with said circuit board to define at least one compartment between said lightguide and said circuit board face, and wherein said lightguide comprises conductive material that provides EMI shielding;

a microphone secured to said lightguide; and

an LCD panel secured to said lightguide.

60. A radiotelephone apparatus according to claim 59 further comprising a speaker secured to said lightguide.

61. A radiotelephone apparatus according to claim 60 further comprising vibration reduction means positioned between said speaker and said housing for reducing speaker vibrations.

62. A radiotelephone apparatus according to claim 59 wherein at least one electronic component is secured to said circuit board face within said at least one compartment.

63. A radiotelephone apparatus according to claim 59 wherein said at least one compartment comprises a plurality of compartments.

64. An electronic device comprising;

a housing configured to enclose electronic components;

a circuit board having a plurality of contact pads on a face thereof;

a lightguide comprising opposing first and second faces and configured to illuminate a keypad via at least one light source, said lightguide comprising at least one wall portion depending from said first face and configured to contact said circuit board face to define at least one compartment between said circuit board face and said first face when said lightguide is secured within said housing, and wherein said lightguide comprises conductive material that provides EMI shielding within said at least one compartment;

a keypad secured to said second face and comprising a plurality of translucent keys, each key having a first end extending through said housing and a second end extending through said lightguide and operably engageable with a respective contact pad on said circuit board face;

a speaker secured to said lightguide; and

an LCD panel secured to said lightguide.

65. An electronic device according to claim 64 further comprising vibration reduction means positioned between said speaker and said housing for reducing speaker vibrations.

66. An electronic device according to claim 64 further comprising a microphone secured to said lightguide.

67. An electronic device according to claim 64 wherein at least one electronic component is secured to said circuit board within said at least one compartment.

68. An electronic device according to claim 64 wherein said at least one wall portion comprises a plurality of wall portions depending from said first face and configured to contact said circuit board face to define a plurality of compartments between said circuit board face and said first face when said lightguide is secured within said housing.

69. An electronic device according to claim 64 wherein said electronic device is a radiotelephone.

70. An electronic device comprising;

a housing configured to enclose electronic components;

a circuit board having a plurality of contact pads on a face thereof;

a lightguide comprising opposing first and second faces and configured to illuminate a keypad via at least one light source, said lightguide comprising at least one wall portion depending from said first face and configured to contact said circuit board face to define at least one compartment between said circuit board face and said first face when said lightguide is secured within said housing, and wherein said lightguide comprises conductive material that provides EMI shielding within said at least one compartment;

a keypad secured to said second face and comprising a plurality of translucent keys, each key having a first end extending through said housing and a second end extending through said lightguide and operably engageable with a respective contact pad on said circuit board face;

a microphone secured to said lightguide; and

an LCD panel secured to said light guide.

71. A electronic device according to claim 70 further comprising a speaker secured to said lightguide.

72. An electronic device according to claim 71 further comprising vibration reduction means positioned between said speaker and said housing for reducing speaker vibrations.

73. An electronic device according to claim 70 wherein at least one electronic component is secured to said circuit board within said at least one compartment.

74. An electronic device according to claim 70 wherein said at least one wall portion comprises a plurality of wall portions depending from said first face and configured to contact said circuit board face to define a plurality of compartments between said circuit board face and said first face when said lightguide is secured within said housing.

75. An electronic device according to claim 70 wherein said electronic device is a radiotelephone.

76. An electronic device comprising:

a housing configured to enclose electronic components;

a circuit board having a plurality of contact pads on a face thereof;

a lightguide comprising opposing first and second faces and configured to illuminate a keypad via at least one light source, said lightguide comprising at least one wall portion depending from said first face along peripheral edge portions thereof to define at least one compartment between said circuit board face and said lightguide first face when said lightguide is secured within said housing, and wherein said lightguide comprises conductive material that provides EMI shielding;

a keypad secured to said second face and comprising a plurality of translucent keys, each key having a first end extending through said housing and a second end extending through said lightguide and operably engageable with a respective contact pad on said circuit board face;

a speaker secured to said lightguide; and

an LCD Panel secured to said lightguide.

77. An electronic device according to claim 76 further comprising vibration reduction means positioned between said speaker and said housing for reducing speaker vibrations.

78. An electronic device according to claim 76 further comprising a microphone secured to said lightguide.

79. An electronic device according to claim 76 wherein at least one electronic component is secured to said circuit board within said at least one compartment.

80. An electronic device according to claim 76 wherein said at least one compartment comprises a plurality of compartments.

81. An electronic device according to claim 76 wherein said electronic device is a radiotelephone.

82. An electronic device comprising:

a housing configured to enclose electronic components;

a circuit board having a plurality of contact pads on a face thereof;

a lightguide comprising opposing first and second faces and configured to illuminate a keypad via at least one light source, said lightguide comprising at least one wall portion depending from said first face along peripheral edge portions thereof to define at least one compartment between said circuit board face and said lightguide first face when said lightguide is secured within said housing, and wherein said lightguide comprises conductive material that provides EMI shielding;

a keypad secured to said second face and comprising a plurality of translucent keys, each key having a first end extending through said housing and a second end extending through said lightguide and operably engageable with a respective contact pad on said circuit board face;

a microphone secured to said lightguide; and

an LCD panel secured to said lightguide.

83. An electronic device according to claim 82 further comprising a speaker secured to said lightguide.

84. An electronic device according to claim 83 further comprising vibration reduction means positioned between said speaker and said housing for reducing speaker vibrations.

85. An electronic device according to claim 82 wherein at least one electronic component is secured to said circuit board within said at least one compartment.

86. An electronic device according to claim 82 wherein said at least one compartment comprises a plurality of compartments.

87. An electronic device according to claim 82 wherein said electronic device is a radiotelephone.

88. A lightguide configured to illuminate a keypad of an electronic device via at least one light source located within said electronic device, said lightguide comprising:

opposing first and second faces;

a keypad secured to said second face and comprising a plurality of translucent keys, each key having a first end extending through said lightguide and operably engageable with a respective contact pad within said electronic device;

a speaker secured to said lightguide;

an LCD panel secured to said lightguide; and

wherein the lightguide further comprises conductive material that provides EMI shielding.

89. A lightguide according to claim 88 further comprising vibration reduction means for reducing speaker vibrations.

90. A lightguide according to claim 88 further comprising a microphone secured to said lightguide.

91. A lightguide according to claim 88 further comprising at least one wall portion depending from said first face to define at least one compartment between said lightguide first face and another substrate when said lightguide is secured within said electronic device.

92. A lightguide according to claim 88 wherein said electronic device is a radiotelephone.

93. A lightguide configured to illuminate a keypad of an electronic device via at least one light source located within said electronic device, said lightguide comprising:

opposing first and second faces;

a keypad secured to said second face and comprising a plurality of translucent keys, each key having a first end extending through said lightguide and operably engageable with a respective contact pad within said electronic device;

a microphone secured to said lightguide;

an LCD panel secured to said lightguide; and

wherein the lightguide further comprises conductive material that provides EMI shielding.

94. A lightguide according to claim 93 further comprising a speaker secured to said lightguide.

95. A lightguide according to claim 93 further comprising vibration reduction means for reducing speaker vibrations.

96. A lightguide according to claim 93 further comprising at least one wall portion depending from said first face to define at least one compartment between said lightguide first face and another substrate when said lightguide is secured within said electronic device.

97. A lightguide according to claim 93 wherein said electronic device is a radiotelephone .