Keypad with virtual image
First Claim
1. A keypad, comprising:
- a film having a first primary surface opposite a second primary surface;
a first and a second array of indicia spaced apart on the first primary surface;
an array of lenses on the second primary surface,wherein the first and second arrays of indicia and the array of lenses are configured such that they cooperate to generate a first virtual image and second virtual image wherein the virtual images are different and both appear to be in a plane outside of the film;
a flexible printed circuit positioned adjacent the first primary surface of the film, wherein the flexible printed circuit includes a first touch sensitive electrode pad positioned adjacent the first array of indicia and a second touch sensitive electrode pad positioned adjacent the second array of indicia.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A keypad having a virtual floating image that appears to a user to be in a plane other than the apparent plane of the keypad surface. More particularly, the indicia on the keypad appear to float above or below the surface of the device. The keypad can be, for example, the keypad on a cell phone. For such an application there would be more than one array of indicia present on the keypad. For example, there might be ten arrays of indicia, which provide the numerals from 0 to 9 and two more arrays to provide virtual images of the * and # keys. In some embodiments, the keypad is integrated with an illumination source that light up the indicia. The present disclosure also provides a method of manufacturing a key pad with a virtual floating image.
28 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A keypad, comprising:
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a film having a first primary surface opposite a second primary surface; a first and a second array of indicia spaced apart on the first primary surface; an array of lenses on the second primary surface, wherein the first and second arrays of indicia and the array of lenses are configured such that they cooperate to generate a first virtual image and second virtual image wherein the virtual images are different and both appear to be in a plane outside of the film; a flexible printed circuit positioned adjacent the first primary surface of the film, wherein the flexible printed circuit includes a first touch sensitive electrode pad positioned adjacent the first array of indicia and a second touch sensitive electrode pad positioned adjacent the second array of indicia. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A user actuated switch, comprising:
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a layer of transparent material having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side includes an array of optical elements having a first pitch and the second side includes an array of indicia having a second pitch such that the layer of transparent material creates a virtual image in a plane outside of the layer of transparent material; and an electrical switch mounted adjacent the layer of transparent material; an illumination source positioned to illuminate an edge of the layer of transparent material, wherein the indicia act as light extraction features that direct light from the illumination source out of the layer of transparent material. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of manufacturing a user actuated switch, comprising:
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providing a layer of transparent material having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side includes an array of optical elements having a first pitch and the second side includes an array of indicia having a second pitch such that the layer of transparent material creates a virtual image in a plane outside of the layer of transparent material; and providing an electrical switch mounted adjacent the layer of transparent material; and providing a flexible printed circuit positioned adjacent the first primary surface of the film, wherein the flexible printed circuit includes a first touch sensitive electrode pad positioned adjacent the first array of indicia and a second touch sensitive electrode pad positioned adjacent the second array of indicia. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification