Patent · US Expired

Metal display panel having one or more translucent regions

US7663612B2 · kind B2 · utility

72Cited by
5References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 20, 2004
Grant dateFeb 16, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 11, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB23K2103/50
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A metal structure (1) has a display region being a second region and being integrate with another region being a first region which is a display region. The metal structure may constitute a monolithic structure of an information display unit, for example, a front panel of an electronic device. The display region is formed by providing a cluster of small non-through-going cavities (5) in the metal structure, leaving a very small thickness of material, the thickness being translucent (6). In addition to being a display unit when arranging a light source behind the translucent region (6), touch sensitive or non-touch sensitive input devices, optionally connected to acoustical input and registration devices, may also be provided. These input devices may advantageously be arranged in, or adjacent, the cavities in the metal structure, whereby when the front of the metal structure is viewed an indication of display or input options is visible.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.