Transmissive key sheet, input keys using transmissive key sheet and electronic equipment with input keys

• US 6,977,352 B2
• Filed: 03/01/2005
• Issued: 12/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lenovo Innovations Ltd Hong Kong (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Oosawa, Kazuo
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedhofer, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US11/067,920
• Publication Number:
  US 20050167254A1
• Time in Patent Office: 294 Days
• Field of Search: 200/5.A, 200/512, 200/517, 200/341, 200/345, 200/310, 200/314, 200/317, 400/490, 400/491, 400/491.2, 400/495, 400/495.1, 400/496, 341/22, 345168-170
• US Class Current: 200/314
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/83 characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2205/004 fixed to substrate
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2205/032 Several contacts formed in one plate or layer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/008 Adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/03 in transparent keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/036 Light emitting elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/06 Reflector
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/006 Adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/05 Force concentrator; Actuating dimple
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/07 transparent
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/034 Bezel
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/038 transparent

Abstract

A transmissive key sheet using translucent resin, which is capable of effective illumination while ensuring the thinness of the entire key sheet as well as suppressing a decrease in light transmission, input keys using the transmissive key sheet, and electronic equipment with the input keys. A transmissive key sheet of input keys comprises a first key sheet unit and a second key sheet unit, the opposite side of the first key sheet unit from key tops and the opposite side of the second key sheet unit from pressure applicators being bonded together with a translucent adhesive. The key tops made of translucent resin are molded integral with a translucent resin film having letters on its under surface to provide the first key sheet unit. The pressure applicators made of translucent resin are molded integral with a translucent resin film to provide the second key sheet unit. The light from a light source on a substrate illuminates keys so that the letters printed on the under surface of the translucent resin film become visible form outside. The pressing of each key top presses a corresponding key switch through the pressure applicator, and the key switch is concavely curved to make a contact with an electrode on the substrate. Thus, key input is provided.

Claims

1. A transmissive key sheet comprising a first key sheet unit including a first resin film and key tops made of translucent resin formed on the first resin film, and a second key sheet unit including a second resin film and pressure applicators made of translucent resin formed on the second resin film correspondingly to the positions of the respective key tops:

wherein the opposite side of the first key sheet unit from the key tops and the opposite side of the second key sheet unit from the pressure applicators are bonded together with an adhesive so that the positions of the key tops correspond to the positions of the pressure applicators, respectively.

2. The transmissive key sheet claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second resin films have translucency.

3. The transmissive key sheet claimed in claim 1, wherein letters are printed on the under surface of the first resin film.

4. The transmissive key sheet claimed in claim 1, wherein the adhesive is a translucent adhesive.

5. The transmissive key sheet claimed in claim 1, wherein reflective material is applied on the opposite side of the first resin film from the key tops or the opposite side of the second resin film from the pressure applicators in such a manner as to avoid portions corresponding to the key tops or the pressure applicators.

6. The transmissive key sheet claimed in claim 5, wherein the reflective material is mirror ink or mirror foil.

7. The transmissive key sheet claimed in claim 1, wherein light shielding material is applied on the opposite side of the first resin film from the key tops or the opposite side of the second resin film from the pressure applicators in such a manner as to avoid portions corresponding to the key tops or the pressure applicators.

8. The transmissive key sheet claimed in claim 1, wherein luminous paint is applied to the opposite side of the first resin film from the key tops or the opposite side of the second resin film from the pressure applicators in such a manner as to avoid portions corresponding to the key tops or the pressure applicators.

9. The transmissive key sheet claimed in claim 1, wherein pictures are printed in portions corresponding to the key tops or the pressure applicators on the opposite side of the first resin film from the key tops or the opposite side of the second resin film from the pressure applicators.

10. The transmissive key sheet claimed in claim 1, wherein portions corresponding to the key tops or the pressure applicators are colored on the opposite side of the first resin film from the key tops or the opposite side of the second resin film from the pressure applicators.

11. The transmissive key sheet claimed in claim 1, wherein luminous material that emits light in response to black light is added to the translucent resin used for at least one of the first and second resin films, the key tops and the pressure applicators.

12. The transmissive key sheet claimed in claim 1, further comprising several types of the first key sheet units and several types of the second key sheet units:

wherein the first key sheet unit and the second key sheet unit are used in various combinations as appropriate.

13. Input keys comprising:

the transmissive key sheet claimed in claim 1;

a housing on which the transmissive key sheet is mounted so that the key tops are exposed to outside;

a substrate in the housing;

key switches on the substrate arranged opposite to the key tops, each of which is pressed through the pressure applicator by the pressing of the key top;

electrodes on the substrate arranged opposite to the key switches, each of which outputs an electrical signal when brought in contact with the key switch pressed through the pressure applicator by the pressing of the key top; and

a light source arranged in a space between the substrate and the transmissive key sheet, which emits light transmitting through the transmissive key sheet and illuminates the keys.

14. Electronic equipment with the input keys including the transmissive key sheet claimed in claim 13.