Lighted electronic keyboard
US5266949A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 30, 1992 |
| Grant date | Nov 30, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 30, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K17/968
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A keyboard mounted in connection with a circuit board (2) includes a light source (3). A key (1) of the keyboard comprises a key cap (4) and a body part (5) located between the key cap (4) and the circuit board (2). The body part (5) diffusively transmits light. The light source (3) is arranged to conduct light into the body part (5) and to illuminate the key (1). A photoelectric member (6) is mounted on the circuit board (2) under the key (1) and at a distance from the light source (3). There is further arranged a light barrier (7) in connection with the circuit board (2) or with which key (1), the barrier is arranged to shield the photoelectric member (6) from the light of the light source (3) coming from the body part (5) when the key is depressed. The decrease in light provides an electric change (1) in the photoelectric member (6) indicating a depression of the key.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.