Backlighting apparatus for a keypad assembly

• US 8,431,849 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2010
• Issued: 04/30/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Chen, Chao
• Primary Examiner(s): FRIEDHOFER, MICHAEL A
• Application Number:
  US12/889,594
• Publication Number:
  US 20120073941A1
• Time in Patent Office: 949 Days
• Field of Search: 341/22, 345168-170, 200/5.A, 200/516, 200310-317, 200/341
• US Class Current: 200/314
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 11/00 Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches processes specially adapted for manufacture of rectilinearly movable switches having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboards, H01H13/88
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/023 Light-emitting indicators for multi-layer switches H01H13/83
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/83 characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/004 Collapsible dome or bubble
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/06 Reflector
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/062 Light conductor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49105 Switch making

Abstract

A keypad assembly including a dome configured to operatively engage a switch sensor; a dome overlay guide operatively coupled by to the dome; a key corresponding to the dome and configured to operatively engage the dome; and a light emitting source, configured to emit light. The dome overlay guide is configured to receive the light emitted by the light emitting source and direct the received light toward the keys.

Claims

1. A keypad assembly comprising:

a) a dome configured to operatively engage a switch sensor;

b) a dome overlay guide adhered to the dome;

c) a key corresponding to the dome, and configured to operatively engage the dome;

d) a light emitting source configured to emit light;

e) a reflector layer configured to reflect light escaping the dome overlay guide;

f) wherein the dome overlay guide is configured to receive the emitted light and direct the received light toward the key.

2. The keypad assembly of claim 1, wherein the dome overlay guide comprises a light guide film.

3. The keypad assembly of claim 1, wherein the reflector layer is configured to reflect the escaping light toward the key.

4. The keypad assembly of claim 1, wherein the dome overlay guide is between the reflector layer and the key.

5. The keypad assembly of claim 1, further comprising a deflection web configured to seat the key, wherein the deflection web is between the key and the dome overlay guide.

6. The keypad assembly of claim 1, wherein the light emitting source comprises a side firing light emitting diode.

7. The keypad assembly of claim 1, comprising a plurality of keys, and a plurality of corresponding domes.

8. A mobile device comprising the keypad assembly of claim 1.

9. A keypad assembly comprising:

a) a dome configured to operatively engage a switch sensor;

b) a dome overlay guide adhered to the dome;

c) a key corresponding to the dome, and configured to operatively engage the dome;

d) a deflection web configured to seat the key;

e) a side firing light emitting source configured to emit light;

f) wherein the dome overlay guide is configured to receive the emitted light, and direct the received light toward the key;

g) a reflector layer configured to reflect light escaping the dome overlay guide; and

h) wherein an actuator is adjacent to a portion of an upper surface of the dome overlay guide.

10. The keypad assembly of claim 9, wherein the dome overlay guide comprises a light guide film.

11. The keypad assembly of claim 9, wherein the reflector layer is configured to reflect the escaping light toward the key.

12. The keypad assembly of claim 9, further comprising a printed circuit board, wherein the reflector layer is positioned between the printed circuit board and the dome overlay guide.

13. The keypad assembly of claim 9, wherein the dome overlay guide is adhered to the reflector layer.

14. The keypad assembly of claim 13, wherein the dome overlay guide comprises at least one cavity configured to emit the received light in a direction toward the key.

15. The keypad assembly of claim 9, wherein the side firing light emitting source comprises a light emitting diode.

16. A method for providing backlighting for a keypad assembly, the keypad assembly comprising a printed circuit board having a switch sensor, a key corresponding to the switch sensor, a light emitting source configured to emit light, the method comprising:

a) providing a dome corresponding to the switch sensor;

b) adhering a light guide film to the dome; and

c) securing the light guide film within the keypad assembly, wherein the light guide film is configured to receive the emitted light, and wherein the dome is configured to operatively engage the switch sensor; and

d) adhering a reflector layer to the light guide film.