GB2066575A - Illuminated keyboard - Google Patents
Illuminated keyboard Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2066575A GB2066575A GB7038143A GB8038143A GB2066575A GB 2066575 A GB2066575 A GB 2066575A GB 7038143 A GB7038143 A GB 7038143A GB 8038143 A GB8038143 A GB 8038143A GB 2066575 A GB2066575 A GB 2066575A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- key
- keyboard
- boss
- lamp
- telltale
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 230000000994 depressogenic effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000004040 coloring Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000012777 electrically insulating material Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000005286 illumination Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000011810 insulating material Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
- H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
- H01H13/702—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
- H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
- H01H13/83—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2219/00—Legends
- H01H2219/002—Legends replaceable; adaptable
- H01H2219/014—LED
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2219/00—Legends
- H01H2219/028—Printed information
- H01H2219/03—Printed information in transparent keyboard
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2219/00—Legends
- H01H2219/036—Light emitting elements
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2219/00—Legends
- H01H2219/054—Optical elements
- H01H2219/056—Diffuser; Uneven surface
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2219/00—Legends
- H01H2219/054—Optical elements
- H01H2219/06—Reflector
Landscapes
- Push-Button Switches (AREA)
- Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)
Abstract
A keyboard comprises at least one key 10 having a portion 11, offset from the point of application of finger pressure to the key, for deforming a boss 7 of a sheet 6 to effect electrical contact between a contact 8 on the underside of the boss and a contact 9 on the upper side of a plate 3 supporting sheet 6. A telltale lamp 1 energised when the associated key has been depressed is housed in an aperture 12 in plate 3 and is visible through a window 13 in the front panel 14 of the keyboard. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Keyboard
The present relates to a keyboard comprising at least one key for effecting control of an electrical circuit.
Our British patent application 80.20740 describes a keyboard comprising a deformable foil or sheet of insulating material impressed with generally hemispherical bosses on the lower faces pf which there are disposed respective electrical contacts connected to appropriate circuits and cooperating, by deformation of the bosses, with other respective contacts carried on the upper face of an insulating plate disposed below the first and carrying second electrical circuits with which the first are to be connected. The deformation of each boss is carried out by a key, the manipulating point of which is offset in relation to a portion of the key operating with its boss. This arrangement permits illumination, for example a diffuse and general lighting, of all the keys of the keyboard from below, in order to ensure that these can be located in the dark.When each key represents control of a function, for example, a symbol representing this function may be affixed to this key: but the arrangement does not provide any indication of which keys have been depressed and therefore which of the available functions have been initiated and are still in force.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a keyboard, comprising at least one key provided with a portion offset in relation to a manipulating point of the key, which portion cooperates with a boss formed in a deformable sheet which sheet is provided on the lower face of the boss, with an electric contact itself cooperating, upon deformation of the boss, by said key portion, with another contact carried on the upper face of an insulating plate, the or at least one of the keys having at least one telltale lamp associated therewith, the or each lamp being disposed in an aperture formed through said insulating plate and facing a transparent or translucent window formed in a front panel of the keyboard, the or each telltale lamp being electrically connected to a circuit controlled by manipulation of the associated key.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, Figures
1 and 2 of which are sections respectively through a first keyboard and through a modification thereof.
preferring to Figure 1, a transparent or translucent insulating plate 3 supports deformable sheet or foil 6 of electrically insulating material, in which bosses 7 are formed. A contact comprising a conductor layer 8 is disposed on the lower face of each boss 7. A second contact comprising a conducting layer 9 is disposed facing the first, on the upper face of the plate 3. A finger portion 11, rigidly integral with a key 10, acts on the boss 7, when the key is depressed, to deform the boss and effect contact between the conducting layers 8 and 9.Since the contact-effecting portion 11 is off-centre in relation to the manipulating point of the key 10 (i.e. the area of the key to which finger pressure is applied) a light source 2 placed below the plate 3 illuminates the whole portion of said key which is visible from above, the key itself being transparent or translucent in the example shown.
A telltale lamp 1 , for example an electro-luminescent diode having a moulded, transparent plastics housing, is disposed in the vicinity of the key 10; it is engaged in an aperture 12 formed for this purpose through the plate 3 and its beam of light is directed through a transparent or translucent window 13 provided through a front panel 14 of the keyboard, through which panel the key 10 is accessible. Electric leads 15 of the telltale lamp 1 are plugged into a plate 1 6 which may be a printed circuit board including elements for a general lighting 2 and may likewise carry a circuit connecting said telltale lamp to the circuit controlled by the key 10.When the telltale lamp 1 is mounted in the manner which has just been described it does not in any way hamper the propagation of the general or diffuse lighting 2 and the lamp 1 is itself extinguished, the diffuse light is visible through the window 13 and one thus has a reminder of the location of each telltale lamp.
If it is desired to avoid this effect, it is sufficient to add (Figure 2) a tubular element 4 plugged into the aperture 17 in the plate 3, element 4 being of a height equal to the distance between the front panel 14 of the keyboard and the printed circuit board 1 6 carrying the illuminating elements. The telltale lamp 1 is in turn disposed with the tubular element 4, the external surface of which is preferably reflecting so as not to hamper the propagation of the diffuse lighting.
Each telltale lamp may be colourless or coloured. In the latter case, the colouring may be provided either by the window 13 or by the telltale lamp 1 itself. Each lamp indicates, according to whether it is energised or lot, whether the associated key has been depressed and its function initiated.
1. A keyboard, comprising at least one key provided with a portion offset in relation to a manipulating point of the key, which portion cooperates with a boss formed in a deformable sheet which sheet is provided, on the lower face of the boss with an electric contact itself cooperating, upon deformation of the boss by said key portion, with another contact carried on the upper face of an insulating plate, the or at least one of the keys having at least one telltale lamp associated therewith, the or each lamp being disposed in an aperture formed through said insulating plate and facing a transparent or translucent window formed in a front panel of the keyboard, the or each telltale lamp being electrically connected to a circuit controlled by manipulation of the associated key.
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.
Claims (4)
1. A keyboard, comprising at least one key provided with a portion offset in relation to a manipulating point of the key, which portion cooperates with a boss formed in a deformable sheet which sheet is provided, on the lower face of the boss with an electric contact itself cooperating, upon deformation of the boss by said key portion, with another contact carried on the upper face of an insulating plate, the or at least one of the keys having at least one telltale lamp associated therewith, the or each lamp being disposed in an aperture formed through said insulating plate and facing a transparent or translucent window formed in a front panel of the keyboard, the or each telltale lamp being electrically connected to a circuit controlled by manipulation of the associated key.
2. A keyboard as claimed in claim 1, in which the or each telltale lamp is housed within a tubular element of a height equal to a gap existing between the front panel of the keyboard and a board providing a general lighting source of said keyboard.
3. A keyboard as claimed in claim 2, in which the external surface of the tubular element reflects light rays from the general lighting source.
4. A keyboard substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 1 or 2 of the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
FR7931549A FR2472138A2 (en) | 1979-12-21 | 1979-12-21 | LIGHTING DEVICE FOR KEYBOARDS |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB2066575A true GB2066575A (en) | 1981-07-08 |
GB2066575B GB2066575B (en) | 1983-09-21 |
Family
ID=9233114
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB7038143A Expired GB2066575B (en) | 1979-12-21 | 1980-11-27 | Illuminated keyboard |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
AR (1) | AR221667A1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE8032982U1 (en) |
ES (1) | ES8204524A2 (en) |
FR (1) | FR2472138A2 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2066575B (en) |
IT (1) | IT1134744B (en) |
MX (1) | MX148414A (en) |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2511941A1 (en) * | 1981-09-01 | 1983-03-04 | Telemecanique Electrique | MODULAR, WATERPROOF, TOUCH-EFFECT KEYBOARD |
US4531033A (en) * | 1983-02-01 | 1985-07-23 | Hand Widmaier Fabrik Fur Apparate Der Fernmelde-und Feinwerktechnik | Keyboard for initiating switching operations or switching signals associated with respective symbols on the surfaces of the keys |
US4683359A (en) * | 1986-03-13 | 1987-07-28 | Eaton Corporation | Illuminated switch assembly with combined light and light shield |
EP0235880A1 (en) * | 1986-02-03 | 1987-09-09 | General Motors Corporation | Rocker switch assembly |
EP0242843A1 (en) * | 1986-04-23 | 1987-10-28 | Alcatel Business Systems | Overlay with windows for a control device equipped with luminous indicating means |
GB2266186A (en) * | 1992-04-14 | 1993-10-20 | Motorola Gmbh | A keyboard. |
GB2364275A (en) * | 2000-07-05 | 2002-01-23 | Behavior Tech Computer Corp | Backlit keyboard with a push button(s) having an illuminator(s) thereunder which is operable on movement of the button between first and second positions |
GB2419021A (en) * | 2004-10-05 | 2006-04-12 | Lear Corp | Control panel with back-lit graphic |
US7038152B2 (en) * | 2001-05-14 | 2006-05-02 | Nec Corporation | Portable communication unit |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE3133779A1 (en) * | 1981-08-26 | 1983-03-10 | Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs-Gmbh, 6000 Frankfurt | Film push-button switch |
IT8322174V0 (en) * | 1983-06-21 | 1983-06-21 | Cavis Cavetti Isolati Spa | CONTROL UNIT, APPLICABLE ON INSTRUMENT PANELS OR DASHBOARDS, PARTICULARLY DESIGNED FOR THE ADJUSTMENT AND CONTROL OF AIR CONDITIONING, INSIDE MOTOR VEHICLES. |
US4772769A (en) * | 1987-02-06 | 1988-09-20 | Burr-Brown Corporation | Apparatus for selective backlighting of keys of a keyboard |
DE4124748C2 (en) * | 1991-07-25 | 1995-12-14 | Reitberger Gmbh | Keypad, especially for a control panel |
DE10357649B4 (en) * | 2003-12-10 | 2014-07-31 | Demmel Ag | Keypad with operation buttons |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3811025A (en) * | 1973-05-17 | 1974-05-14 | Lockheed Electronics Co | Touch panel switch assembly |
GB1496640A (en) * | 1976-10-12 | 1977-12-30 | Pye Ltd | Actuator for an electric switch |
US4160886A (en) * | 1977-07-21 | 1979-07-10 | Clare-Pendar Co. | Keyboards and methods of making keyboards |
-
1979
- 1979-12-21 FR FR7931549A patent/FR2472138A2/en active Pending
-
1980
- 1980-11-27 GB GB7038143A patent/GB2066575B/en not_active Expired
- 1980-11-28 ES ES498199A patent/ES8204524A2/en not_active Expired
- 1980-12-10 MX MX185136A patent/MX148414A/en unknown
- 1980-12-11 DE DE8032982U patent/DE8032982U1/en not_active Expired
- 1980-12-16 IT IT26684/80A patent/IT1134744B/en active
- 1980-12-18 AR AR283697A patent/AR221667A1/en active
Cited By (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2511941A1 (en) * | 1981-09-01 | 1983-03-04 | Telemecanique Electrique | MODULAR, WATERPROOF, TOUCH-EFFECT KEYBOARD |
EP0074315A2 (en) * | 1981-09-01 | 1983-03-16 | Telemecanique | Hermetically sealed, modular, tactile keyboard |
EP0074315A3 (en) * | 1981-09-01 | 1983-10-05 | La Telemecanique Electrique | Hermetically sealed, modular, tactile keyboard |
US4531033A (en) * | 1983-02-01 | 1985-07-23 | Hand Widmaier Fabrik Fur Apparate Der Fernmelde-und Feinwerktechnik | Keyboard for initiating switching operations or switching signals associated with respective symbols on the surfaces of the keys |
US4649246A (en) * | 1983-02-01 | 1987-03-10 | Hand Widmaier Fabrik Fur Apparate Der Fernmelde -Und Feinwerktechnik | Keyboard for initiating switching operations or switching signals associated with respective symbols on the surfaces of the keys |
EP0235880A1 (en) * | 1986-02-03 | 1987-09-09 | General Motors Corporation | Rocker switch assembly |
US4683359A (en) * | 1986-03-13 | 1987-07-28 | Eaton Corporation | Illuminated switch assembly with combined light and light shield |
EP0242843A1 (en) * | 1986-04-23 | 1987-10-28 | Alcatel Business Systems | Overlay with windows for a control device equipped with luminous indicating means |
FR2598015A1 (en) * | 1986-04-23 | 1987-10-30 | Telephonie Ind Commerciale | LED PLASTER FOR CONTROL DEVICE HAVING LIGHT SIGNALING |
GB2266186A (en) * | 1992-04-14 | 1993-10-20 | Motorola Gmbh | A keyboard. |
GB2266186B (en) * | 1992-04-14 | 1995-09-20 | Motorola Gmbh | A keyboard |
GB2364275A (en) * | 2000-07-05 | 2002-01-23 | Behavior Tech Computer Corp | Backlit keyboard with a push button(s) having an illuminator(s) thereunder which is operable on movement of the button between first and second positions |
US7038152B2 (en) * | 2001-05-14 | 2006-05-02 | Nec Corporation | Portable communication unit |
GB2419021A (en) * | 2004-10-05 | 2006-04-12 | Lear Corp | Control panel with back-lit graphic |
GB2419021B (en) * | 2004-10-05 | 2006-12-13 | Lear Corp | Graphic illumination for contact-less control |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE8032982U1 (en) | 1981-04-02 |
AR221667A1 (en) | 1981-02-27 |
ES498199A0 (en) | 1982-05-01 |
IT8026684A0 (en) | 1980-12-16 |
FR2472138A2 (en) | 1981-06-26 |
IT1134744B (en) | 1986-08-13 |
ES8204524A2 (en) | 1982-05-01 |
GB2066575B (en) | 1983-09-21 |
MX148414A (en) | 1983-04-18 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |