Keyboard illumination
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A keyboard, comprising:
- an illuminable key comprising;
a keycap;
a dome switch positioned below the keycap and comprising a flexible membrane and an electrically-conductive contact;
a light emissive layer positioned below the dome switch and comprising;
a substrate; and
a film of light-emitting polymer formed on the substrate in a shape that corresponds to an area defined by or through the keycap;
an encapsulation layer positioned below the dome switch and over the film of light-emitting polymer, thereby encapsulating the film of light-emitting polymer;
a switch contact layer formed on or coupled to a top surface of the encapsulation layer and configured to transmit a signal corresponding to the illuminable key when the illuminable key is pressed and the flexible membrane of the dome switch compresses a distance sufficient for the electrically-conductive contact to touch the switch contact layer; and
a power supply trace disposed on a bottom surface of the encapsulation layer, the power supply trace configured to supply a voltage to film of light-emitting polymer so that the film of light-emitting polymer generate and emit light toward the area defined by or through the keycap.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatuses disclosed herein relate to backlit visual display elements. One embodiment may take the form a keyboard including at least one keycap, a dome switch layer underlying the keycap, and an encapsulation layer underlying the dome switch layer. The encapsulation layer may include a first printed circuit layer configured to transmit a signal corresponding to the at least one keycap. The keyboard may further include a light emissive layer underlying the encapsulation layer. The light emissive layer may include at least one emissive area corresponding to the at least one keycap and a second printed circuit layer configured to supply a voltage to the at least one emissive area.
171 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A keyboard, comprising:
an illuminable key comprising; a keycap; a dome switch positioned below the keycap and comprising a flexible membrane and an electrically-conductive contact; a light emissive layer positioned below the dome switch and comprising; a substrate; and a film of light-emitting polymer formed on the substrate in a shape that corresponds to an area defined by or through the keycap; an encapsulation layer positioned below the dome switch and over the film of light-emitting polymer, thereby encapsulating the film of light-emitting polymer; a switch contact layer formed on or coupled to a top surface of the encapsulation layer and configured to transmit a signal corresponding to the illuminable key when the illuminable key is pressed and the flexible membrane of the dome switch compresses a distance sufficient for the electrically-conductive contact to touch the switch contact layer; and a power supply trace disposed on a bottom surface of the encapsulation layer, the power supply trace configured to supply a voltage to film of light-emitting polymer so that the film of light-emitting polymer generate and emit light toward the area defined by or through the keycap. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for manufacturing a light emissive layer for illuminating a keyboard, comprising:
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depositing a film of light-emitting polymer onto a first surface of a substrate to form a plurality of distinct and separate light-generating areas; depositing an encapsulation layer on the substrate and over the plurality of distinct and separate light-generating areas; forming a first circuit on an external surface of the encapsulation layer opposite the plurality of distinct and separate light-generating areas, the first circuit configured to transmit a signal corresponding to a keycap when the keycap is pressed by a user; and forming a second circuit on the first surface of the substrate, the second circuit coplanar with the plurality of distinct and separate light-generating areas and configured to supply a voltage to each of the plurality of distinct and separate light-generating areas to cause each of the plurality of distinct and separate light-generating areas to generate and emit light. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A keyboard, comprising:
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a keycap; a light-generating layer underlying the keycap, the light-generating layer comprising; a substrate; a power circuit formed onto the substrate; a light-emitting polymer deposited onto the substrate and connected to the power circuit, the light-emitting polymer deposited so as to define a first and a second discrete light-generating area, the first and second discrete light-generating areas each covering only a portion of the substrate, the first discrete light-generating area formed into a shape corresponding to an area defined by or within the keycap; and an encapsulation sheet disposed over the light-emitting polymer, thereby encapsulating the first and the second discrete light-generating areas; a switch circuit disposed on a surface of the encapsulation sheet opposite the light-emitting polymer, the switch circuit configured to transmit a signal corresponding to the keycap when the keycap is pressed by a user; and a dome switch underlying the first discrete light-generating area and aligned with the keycap. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A keyboard, comprising:
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a plurality of keys, each key comprising; a keycap; a dome switch underlying the keycap; an encapsulation sheet comprising; a top surface oriented toward the keycap, the top surface comprising a switch circuit underlying the keycap; and a bottom surface opposite the top surface; a light-generating area disposed onto a top surface of a substrate, the light-generating area positioned to interface the bottom surface of the encapsulation sheet so as to underlay the keycap and such that the light-generating area is encapsulated by the encapsulation sheet; and a power circuit disposed on the substrate and electrically coupled to the light-generating area and configured to provide electrical power to the light-generating area.
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Specification