Mechanical architecture for display keyboard keys
US7982149B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 29, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jul 19, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 28, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2235/018
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Mechanical architecture for providing maximum viewing area on key button tops of keys for a user input device. The viewing area is for the display of information on the key buttons, and also includes tactile feedback similar to standard laptop keyboards, all using low cost manufacturing methods such as injection molding. The architecture optimizes an aperture through the core of the key switch assembly in order to project an image through the aperture and onto the display area of the key button. The architecture relocates in at least one embodiment the tactile feedback mechanism (e.g., dome assembly) out from underneath the key button to the perimeter or side of the key switch assembly. The architecture finds particular application to input devices such as keyboards, game pods, data entry device, etc., that operate in combination with an optical surface (e.g., wedge lens).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.