Touch key assembly for a mobile terminal
First Claim
1. A touch key assembly, comprising:
- a cover comprising an optically opaque region and a plurality of optically transmissive regions which are defined by the optically opaque region, wherein the cover comprises a top side and a bottom side;
a plurality of touch keys individually associated with one of the plurality of optically transmissive regions, wherein each of the plurality of touch keys is accessible via the top side of the cover to permit user contact with the touch keys;
a touch pad comprising a top side and a bottom side, the top side of the touch pad being structured to operatively couple to the bottom side of the cover, and the touch pad being located proximate to the plurality of touch keys;
a plurality of light guides formed in the touch pad to define a corresponding plurality of apertures, wherein each of the plurality of light guides is individually associated with one of the plurality of touch keys; and
a plurality of light sources coupled to the bottom side of the touch pad, wherein each of the plurality of light sources is located proximate to an associated one of the plurality of light guides to provide light to an associated one of the plurality of touch keys.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A touch key assembly is structured to operate with a cover having at least one touch key, which is defined by an optically transmissive region of the cover. A touch pad is coupled to the cover and is shaped to define at least one aperture which forms a light guide that is associated with the touch key. A light source is positioned relative to the bottom side of the touch pad, and is further positioned relative to the light guide to provide light to the touch key. The assembly may also include an optical waveguide positioned relative to the bottom side of the touch pad, the optical waveguide being structured to transmit light. A reflection element operatively associated with the bottom side of the optical waveguide may be used to enhance refection of the light. The touch key assembly may be implemented in a portable electronic device, such as a mobile terminal or a personal digital assistant (PDA).
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A touch key assembly, comprising:
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a cover comprising an optically opaque region and a plurality of optically transmissive regions which are defined by the optically opaque region, wherein the cover comprises a top side and a bottom side; a plurality of touch keys individually associated with one of the plurality of optically transmissive regions, wherein each of the plurality of touch keys is accessible via the top side of the cover to permit user contact with the touch keys; a touch pad comprising a top side and a bottom side, the top side of the touch pad being structured to operatively couple to the bottom side of the cover, and the touch pad being located proximate to the plurality of touch keys; a plurality of light guides formed in the touch pad to define a corresponding plurality of apertures, wherein each of the plurality of light guides is individually associated with one of the plurality of touch keys; and a plurality of light sources coupled to the bottom side of the touch pad, wherein each of the plurality of light sources is located proximate to an associated one of the plurality of light guides to provide light to an associated one of the plurality of touch keys. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A mobile terminal, comprising:
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a housing containing a display; a touch key assembly associated with said housing, said touch key assembly comprising; a cover comprising an optically opaque region and a plurality of optically transmissive regions which are defined by the optically opaque region, wherein the cover comprises a top side and a bottom side; a plurality of touch keys individually associated with one of the plurality of optically transmissive regions, wherein each of the plurality of touch keys is accessible via the top side of the cover to permit user contact with the touch keys; a touch pad comprising a top side and a bottom side, the top side of the touch pad being structured to operatively couple to the bottom side of the cover, and the touch pad being located proximate to the plurality of touch keys; a plurality of light guides formed in the touch pad to define a corresponding plurality of apertures, wherein each of the plurality of light guides is individually associated with one of the plurality of touch keys; and a plurality of light sources coupled to the bottom side of the touch pad, wherein each of the plurality of light sources is located proximate to an associated one of the plurality of light guides to provide light to an associated one of the plurality of touch keys. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A mobile terminal, comprising:
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a housing containing a display; and a touch key assembly associated with said housing, said touch key assembly comprising; a cover comprising an optically opaque region and a plurality of optically transmissive regions which are defined by the optically opaque region, wherein the cover comprises a top side and a bottom side; a plurality of touch keys individually associated with one of the plurality of optically transmissive regions, wherein each of the plurality of touch keys is accessible via the top side of the cover to permit user contact with the touch keys; a touch pad comprising a top side and a bottom side, the top side of the touch pad being structured to operatively couple to the bottom side of the cover, and the touch pad being located proximate to the plurality of touch keys; a plurality of light guides formed in the touch pad to define a corresponding plurality of apertures, wherein each of the plurality of light guides is individually associated with one of the plurality of touch keys; a plurality of light sources coupled to the bottom side of the touch pad, wherein each of the plurality of light sources is located proximate to an associated one of the plurality of light guides to provide light to an associated one of the plurality of touch keys; an optical waveguide positioned relative to said bottom side of said touch pad, said optical waveguide structured to transmit said light; and a reflection element operatively associated with a bottom side of said optical waveguide and structured to reflect said light.
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17. A touch key assembly, comprising:
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a cover comprising an optically opaque region and a plurality of optically transmissive regions which are defined by the optically opaque region, wherein the cover comprises a top side and a bottom side; a plurality of touch keys individually associated with one of the plurality of optically transmissive regions, wherein each of the plurality of touch keys is accessible via the top side of the cover to permit user contact with the touch keys; a touch pad comprising a top side and a bottom side, the top side of the touch pad being structured to operatively couple to the bottom side of the cover, and the touch pad being located proximate to the plurality of touch keys; a plurality of light guides formed in said touch pad to define a corresponding plurality of apertures, wherein each of the plurality of light guides is individually associated with one of the plurality of touch keys; a plurality of light sources coupled to the bottom side of the touch pad, wherein each of the plurality of light sources is located proximate to an associated one of the plurality of light guides to provide light to an associated one of the plurality of touch keys; an optical waveguide positioned relative to said bottom side of said touch pad, said optical waveguide structured to transmit said light; and a separate recess associated with each of said plurality of light sources, each said recess formed in a top surface of said optical waveguide and sized to receive at least a portion of an associated one of said plurality of light sources.
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18. A mobile terminal, comprising:
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a housing containing a display; a touch key assembly associated with said housing, said touch key assembly comprising; a cover comprising an optically opaque region and a plurality of optically transmissive regions which are defined by the optically opaque region, wherein the cover comprises a top side and a bottom side; a plurality of touch keys individually associated with one of the plurality of optically transmissive regions, wherein each of the plurality of touch keys is accessible via the top side of the cover to permit user contact with the touch keys; a touch pad comprising a top side and a bottom side, the top side of the touch pad being structured to operatively couple to the bottom side of the cover, and the touch pad being located proximate to the plurality of touch keys; a plurality of light guides formed in said touch pad to define a corresponding plurality of apertures, wherein each of the plurality of light guides is individually associated with one of the plurality of touch keys; a plurality of light sources coupled to the bottom side of the touch pad, wherein each of the plurality of light sources is located proximate to an associated one of the plurality of light guides to provide light to an associated one of the plurality of touch keys; an optical waveguide positioned relative to said bottom side of said touch pad, said optical waveguide structured to transmit said light; and a separate recess associated with each of said one plurality of light sources, each said recess formed in a top surface of said optical waveguide and sized to receive at least a portion of an associated one of said plurality of light sources.
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Specification