Illumination of input device

• US 9,086,733 B2
• Filed: 02/19/2013
• Issued: 07/21/2015
• 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:
  US13/770,352
• Publication Number:
  US 20130163223A1
• Time in Patent Office: 882 Days
• Field of Search: 341/28, 341/22
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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:

at least one input mechanism;

at least one light source; and

at least one light guide optically coupled to the at least one light source and the at least one input mechanism, the at least one light guide directing at least a portion of light emitted from the at least one light source through the at least one input mechanism;

wherein

the at least one light guide concentrates the directed light on a portion of the at least one input mechanism.

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

3. The input device of claim 2, wherein the at least one key is operative to move along an axis via at least one mechanical support.

4. The input device of claim 3, wherein the at least one light source is located beneath the at least one key and above the at least one mechanical support.

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

an additional input mechanism;

an additional light source; and

an additional light guide optically coupled to the additional light source and the additional input mechanism that directs at least some light emitted from the additional light source through the additional input mechanism;

wherein the at least one light guide and the additional light guide are physically separated.

6. The input device of claim 5, wherein only the at least one input mechanism receives light from the at least one light source.

7. The input device of claim 1, wherein:

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

the at least one light guide directs the at least some light through the legend.

8. The input device of claim 7, wherein the portion of the at least one input mechanism comprises the legend.

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

emitting light utilizing at least one light source;

directing light emitted from the at least one light source through at least one input mechanism utilizing at least one light guide; and

concentrating the directed light on a portion of the at least one input mechanism utilizing the at least one light guide.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one input mechanism is at least one key of a keyboard.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the key is operative to move along an axis via at least one mechanical support.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one light source is located beneath the at least one key and above the at least one mechanical support.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

emitting light utilizing at least one additional light source; and

directing at least some of the light emitted from the at least one additional light source through at least one additional input mechanism utilizing at least one additional light guide;

wherein the at least one light guide and the additional light guide are physically separated.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein only the at least one input mechanism receives light from the at least one light source.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein:

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

said operation of directing at least some of the light emitted from the at least one additional light source through at least one additional input mechanism directs the at least some of the light through the legend.

16. The input device of claim 15, wherein the portion of the at least one input mechanism comprises the legend.

18. The computing system of claim 14, wherein the at least one input mechanism is operative to move along an axis via at least one mechanical support and the at least one light source is located beneath the at least one input mechanism and above the at least one mechanical support.

19. The computing system of claim 14, wherein:

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

the at least one light guide directs the at least some light through the legend.

20. The computing system of claim 19, wherein the portion of the at least one input mechanism comprises the legend.

17. A computing system, comprising:

at least one computing device; and

at least one input device, communicably coupled to the at least one computing device, comprising;

at least one input mechanism;

at least one light source;

at least one light guide optically coupled to the at least one light source and the at least one input mechanism that directs at least some light emitted from the at least one light source through the at least one input mechanism wherein the at least one light guide concentrates the directed light on a portion of the at least one input mechanism.