Illuminating keyboards

• US 20060139905A1
• Filed: 02/22/2005
• Published: 06/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AU Optronics Corporation
• Original Assignee: AU Optronics Corporation
• Inventors: Chen, Chih-Kuang, Kao, Ko-Chia, Chou, Hui-Kai
• Granted Patent: US 7,357,523 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/23
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device

Abstract

An illuminating keyboard is provided. An illuminating keyboard includes a key module, a light guide plate, and a light source. The key module includes one or more keys. The light guide plate is disposed beneath the key module and includes a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings is formed outside any area directly beneath the one or more keys. The light source is disposed adjacent to the light guide plate.

Claims

1. An illuminating keyboard, comprising:

a key module having one or more keys;

a light guide plate, disposed beneath the key module, having a plurality of openings, wherein the plurality of openings are formed outside any area directly beneath the one or more keys; and

a light source disposed adjacent to the light guide plate.

2. The illuminating keyboard of claim 1, further comprising a light reflecting layer formed on the inner surfaces of the plurality of openings.

3. The illuminating keyboard of claim 2, wherein the light reflecting layer is electroplated on the inner surfaces of the plurality of openings.

4. The illuminating keyboard of claim 2, wherein the light reflecting layer is adhesively disposed on the inner surfaces of the plurality of openings.

5. The illuminating keyboard of claim 2, wherein the light reflecting layer comprises polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

6. The illuminating keyboard of claim 2, wherein the light reflecting layer comprises barium sulfide (BaS).

7. The illuminating keyboard of claim 1, wherein the lower surface of the light guide plate comprises a plurality of reflective dots corresponding to the one or more keys.

8. The illuminating keyboard of claim 1, wherein the key module comprises a bottom plate, and the one or more keys are disposed on the bottom plate.

9. The illuminating keyboard of claim 1, further comprising a reflecting plate disposed beneath the light guide plate.

10. The illuminating keyboard of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode (LED).

11. The illuminating keyboard of claim 1, wherein the light guide plate further comprises a through hole for accommodating the light source.