Electronic devices having keys with coherent fiber bundles
US10579157B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 5, 2017 |
| Grant date | Mar 3, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 30, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2219/0621
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An electronic device may have a reconfigurable keyboard. The keyboard may be formed from an array of keys coupled to a housing. Each key may have a movable key member and an associated key display. Control circuitry in the keyboard may direct the key displays to display dynamically adjustable key labels for the keys. Each key movable key member may be formed from a fiber optic plate. The fiber optic plate may be formed from a coherent fiber bundle with opposing first and second surfaces. The first surface may be adjacent to the key display and may receive key label images from the key display. The second surface may face outwardly towards a user and may receive key press input from the fingers of a user while presenting key label images for viewing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.