Illumination of input device

• US 8,378,857 B2
• Filed: 07/19/2010
• Issued: 02/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Pance, Aleksandar
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, PATRICIA T
• Application Number:
  US12/839,251
• Publication Number:
  US 20120013490A1
• Time in Patent Office: 946 Days
• Field of Search: 341/28, 341/22
• US Class Current: 341/28
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0001 specially adapted for lighting devices or systems lighting or signalling on vehicles using light guides B60Q1/00; lighting devices for vehicle dashboards B60Q3/10; lighting devices for vehicle interior using light guides B60Q3/62; lighting devices mounted on the vehicle rear part using light guides F21S43/235; measuring arrangements having light conducting pointers G01D13/265; illumination of liquid crystal displays G02F1/1336; illuminated signs G09F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/83 characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/04 Attachments; Connections
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/046 above switch site
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/062 Light conductor

Abstract

Input devices having backlighting for associated input mechanisms. The backlighting may be supplied by a light source coupled to a light guide. Both the light guide and light source may be located completely beneath the input mechanism and above a mechanical support for the mechanism. Each input mechanism generally has its own dedicated light guide and light source.

Claims

1. An input device, comprising:

an input mechanism operative to move along an axis, the input mechanism having a front face and a back face;

a housing mechanically connected to the input mechanism;

a light source located beneath the input mechanism;

a light guide optically coupled to the light source and the input mechanism and entirely located beneath the input mechanism;

wherein

the light guide redirects at least some light emitted from the light source through the back face of the input mechanism and through the front face of the input mechanism; and

wherein the light guide concentrates the redirected light on a portion of the input mechanism.

2. The input device of claim 1, wherein the input mechanism is a key of a keyboard.

3. The input device of claim 1, wherein the light source is chosen from the group comprising a light-emitting diode and an organic light-emitting diode.

4. The input device of claim 2, further comprising:

a second input mechanism operative to move along an axis, the input mechanism having a front face and a back face;

a second light source located beneath the input mechanism;

a second light guide optically coupled to the second light source and the second input mechanism and entirely located beneath the second input mechanism;

wherein

the housing is mechanically connected to the second input mechanism;

the second light guide redirects at least some light emitted from the second light source through the back face of the second input mechanism and through the front face of the second input mechanism; and

the first and second light guides are physically separated.

5. The input device of claim 1, wherein:

the front face of the input mechanism is etched with a legend; and

the light guide directs light through the legend.

6. The input device of claim 5, wherein:

the light guide abuts the back face of the input mechanism; and

the light guide extends in a direction along less than an entirety of the back face of the input mechanism, but at least along an entirety of the back face corresponding to the legend etched on the front face.

7. The input device of claim 1, further comprising:

a wiring pattern at least partially disposed between the housing and the input mechanism.

8. The input device of claim 7, wherein:

the housing comprises a faceplate through which a portion of the input mechanism projects;

the input mechanism comprises;

a flange extending under the faceplate; and

an electrical contact coupled to the light source and terminating at the flange;

wherein

the wiring pattern contacts the electrical contact when the input mechanism is in a first state, thereby providing power to the light source.

9. The input device of claim 7, wherein the wiring pattern does not contact the electrical contact when the input mechanism is in a second state, thereby shutting off power to the light source.

10. The input device of claim 7, wherein:

the housing comprises a faceplate through which a portion of the input mechanism projects;

the input mechanism comprises an electrical contact coupled to the light source and terminating at a sidewall of the input mechanism;

wherein

the wiring pattern contacts the electrical contact when the input mechanism is in a first state, thereby providing power to the light source.

11. A method for illuminating an input mechanism, comprising:

providing power to a light source located beneath the input mechanism through an electrical connection between a portion of the input mechanism and a housing for the input mechanism;

directing light emitted from the light source by changing a direction of travel of the light, such that the light passes through the input mechanism;

concentrating the directed light on a portion of the input mechanism; and

in response to a disruption in the electrical connection, the disruption caused by a motion of the input mechanism, ceasing to provide power to the light source.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

reestablishing the electrical connection; and

in response to reestablishing the electrical connection, providing power to the light source.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

in response to the disruption in the electrical connection, registering an input from the input mechanism; and

in response to reestablishing the electrical connection, ceasing to register an input from the input mechanism.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the input mechanism is a key of a keyboard.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the operation of directing light emitted from the light source by changing a direction of travel of the light, such that the light passes through the input mechanism comprises:

receiving light in a light guide located entirely beneath the input mechanism; and

passing the light through a microlens formed in the light guide;

wherein

the light exiting the microlens illuminates an etching of the surface of the input mechanism.

16. An input device, comprising:

a plurality of input mechanisms mechanically attached to an input device housing;

a plurality of light guides, each of the plurality of light guides located beneath and adjacent to each of the plurality of input devices in a one-to-one relationship, each of the light guides not extending beyond an outer edge of the associated input mechanism;

a plurality of light sources, at least one light source of the plurality of light sources coupled to each light guide, each of the at least one light sources emitting light into the coupled light guide; and

a plurality of mechanical support underlying the plurality of light guides and the plurality of input mechanisms;

wherein each of the plurality of light guides concentrate light emitted by a respective one of the plurality of light sources onto a portion of the respective associated input mechanism.

17. The input device of claim 16, wherein the plurality of mechanical supports hold the plurality of light guides against the plurality of input mechanisms.

18. The input device of claim 17, further comprising:

a wiring pattern located beneath a portion of the input device housing but above the mechanical support, and electrically connected to each of the plurality of light sources;

wherein

the wiring pattern is electrically connected to the plurality of light sources by a plurality of electrical contacts.

19. The input device of claim 18 further comprising a microprocessor operationally connected to the wiring pattern and operative to generate an input signal in response to detecting an electrical break between the wiring pattern and one of the plurality of electrical contacts.

20. The input device of claim 16, wherein the plurality of light sources are organic light-emitting diodes.