Keyboard for hand held computing device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A keyboard assembly for a hand held computing device including keys, comprising:
- a base layer of a printed circuit board;
a carrier layer having a plurality of snap domes set out in an array aligned with the keys of the keyboard assembly;
an electroluminescent layer, disposed immediately adjacent to and conforming to a shape of each of the plurality of snap domes of the carrier layer, that generates light in areas aligned with the keys of the keyboard assembly to backlight the keys of the keyboard assembly;
an actuator layer having projections aligned with the keys of the keyboard assembly;
a key pad layer stacked on top of the actuator layer and having individual key portions corresponding to the keys of the keyboard assembly and aligned with the projections of the actuator layer and snap domes, wherein the individual key portions have cut-out portions extending about a periphery of each key with an exception that a part of the key pad layer at a corner of the key portion between the keys is intact; and
a cover plate having openings through which the key portions of the key pad layer extend;
wherein the carrier layer and the electroluminescent layer have a combined thickness of less than about 0.20 mm when disposed within the keyboard assembly.
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Abstract
The keyboard assembly is suitable for use as a keyboard of a hand held computing device. The assembly has a base layer of a printed circuit board and includes a carrier layer having snap domes set out in an array aligned with keys of a keypad layer. An electroluminescent layer generates light in areas aligned with the keys to backlight the keys. An actuator layer having projections is aligned with the keys and snap domes. Pressing a key causes a snap dome to be deformed, closing a switch for the key and providing a snap action press and release feedback for the user.
81 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A keyboard assembly for a hand held computing device including keys, comprising:
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a base layer of a printed circuit board; a carrier layer having a plurality of snap domes set out in an array aligned with the keys of the keyboard assembly; an electroluminescent layer, disposed immediately adjacent to and conforming to a shape of each of the plurality of snap domes of the carrier layer, that generates light in areas aligned with the keys of the keyboard assembly to backlight the keys of the keyboard assembly; an actuator layer having projections aligned with the keys of the keyboard assembly; a key pad layer stacked on top of the actuator layer and having individual key portions corresponding to the keys of the keyboard assembly and aligned with the projections of the actuator layer and snap domes, wherein the individual key portions have cut-out portions extending about a periphery of each key with an exception that a part of the key pad layer at a corner of the key portion between the keys is intact; and a cover plate having openings through which the key portions of the key pad layer extend; wherein the carrier layer and the electroluminescent layer have a combined thickness of less than about 0.20 mm when disposed within the keyboard assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A keyboard assembly for a hand held computing device including keys, comprising:
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a base layer of a printed circuit board; a carrier layer having a plurality of snap domes set out in an array aligned with the keys of the keyboard assembly; an electroluminescent layer, disposed immediately adjacent to and conforming to a shape of each of the plurality of snap domes of the carrier layer, that generates light in circular areas aligned with the keys of the keyboard assembly to backlight the keys of the keyboard assembly; an actuator layer having projections aligned with the keys of the keyboard assembly; a key pad layer stacked on top of the actuator layer and having individual key portions corresponding to the keys of the keyboard assembly and aligned with the projections of the actuator layer and snap domes, wherein the individual key portions have cut-out portions extending only along one corner of the individual key portions while three other corners remain intact; and a cover plate having openings through which the key portions of the key pad layer extend; wherein the carrier layer and the electroluminescent layer have a combined thickness of less than about 0.20 mm when disposed within the keyboard assembly. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification