Enhancing keycap legend visibility with optical components
US9189078B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 20, 2010 |
| Grant date | Nov 17, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 25, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2221/0702
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Techniques and apparatus to provide improved visibility to user input devices, such as keys, are disclosed. In low light conditions, key legends can be difficult to distinguish. For example, often keys have legends on them to visually distinguish them from one another, but in low light conditions it can be difficult for users to visually identify the different keys. The legends can be textual and/or graphic. Hence, according to one embodiment, light from a nearby (e.g., attached) display device can be used to provide illumination to the user input devices (e.g., keys). The user input devices can be configured to include reflective optical components to enhance reflection of light and thereby improve visibility of the keys or the legends thereon.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.