Electronic device

• US 7,224,307 B2
• Filed: 12/25/2001
• Issued: 05/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Sato, Yutaka, Yamaguchi, Tsutomu, Hisatsune, Toshiyuki, Okabe, Hirokazu
• Primary Examiner(s): Garber; Wendy R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dang; Hung Q
• Application Number:
  US10/204,867
• Publication Number:
  US 20030137338A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,981 Days
• Field of Search: 341/176, 341/22, 341/23, 341/31, 341/13, 340/825.24, 340/825.25, 340/825.69, 345/169, 345/158, 345/168
• US Class Current: 341/176
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/032 Feedback about selected symbol, e.g. display
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/036 Light emitting elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/044 Edge lighting of layer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/052 Phosphorescence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/038 transparent
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/0235 specially adapted for remote control, e.g. of audio or video apparatus

Abstract

Electronic equipment includes an operation mechanism having a plurality of key buttons for inputting operations into the device by the user and a base member connecting the plurality of key buttons, both formed of a luminescent material, and a panel placed above the operation mechanism that is formed from a member which can transmit light emitted by the operation mechanism. A plurality of holes are provided to enable operation of the plurality of key buttons and to enable the user to judge the positions and functions of the key buttons for operation even in darkness.

Claims

1. Electronic equipment, comprising:

operation means including a plurality of operation elements integrally formed with a base member entirely of a material that emits light through release of stored optical energy;

switching means operable to put circuits of the electronic equipment into one of a closed state and an open state upon a deformation of said base member by a depression of at least one of said plurality of operation elements;

a cover including a plurality of holes for receiving said plurality of operation elements therethrough to thereby permit depressing of said operation elements, said cover transmitting at least part of light emitted by said plurality of operation elements;

a light source operable to emit light; and

sensor means for detecting when a user is holding the electronic equipment, wherein when said sensor means detects that a user is holding the electronic equipment, light is emitted by said light source for a predetermined length of time and stored as optical energy in said material forming said operation means.

2. The electronic equipment according to claim 1, wherein said cover includes a plurality of displays related to said plurality of operation elements.

3. The electronic equipment according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of displays are provided on a side of said cover adjacent to said operation means.

4. The electronic equipment according to claim 1, further comprising:

light-transmitting display means provided between said cover and said operation means for transmitting at least a part of the light emitted by said operation means,

said light-transmitting display means including a plurality of holes for receiving said plurality of operation elements therethrough to thereby permit depressing of said plurality of operation elements and a display related to said plurality of operation elements.

5. The electronic equipment according to claim 1, further comprising:

light emission control means for controlling emission of light by said light source.

6. The electronic equipment according to claim 1, wherein said switching means causes at least two of said circuits to be conductive in response to depression of at least one of said plurality of operation elements.