Keypad apparatus with integral display indicators

Claim 2

A keypad apparatus for a device having internal lighting means comprising general lighting means and specific lighting means; the keypad apparatus comprising: a plurality of data keys for inputting data to the device, the plurality of data keys being coupled together by legs and arranged in a matrix pattern, the plurality of data keys being formed of a translucent material allowing light from the general lighting means to be diffused within each key; and at least one indicator bar integrally molded with the plurality of data keys to form a single-piece unitary member, the at least one indicator bar diffusing light from specific lighting means, each indicator bar adapted to provide a status of the device; wherein the integrally molded indicator bars are immoveable relative to the yielding movement of the integrally molded plurality of data keys.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the material is a substantially translucent silicone.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one indicator bar has at least one symbol disposed thereon to indicate the status of the device.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one indicator bar is comprised of a variable thickness of the translucent material.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one of the plurality of data keys is comprised of a variable thickness of the translucent material.

Claim 7

A flexible keypad apparatus for a radiotelephone device having internal lighting means comprising general lighting means and specific lighting means, the flexible keypad apparatus comprising: a plurality of data keys for inputting the data to the radiotelephone device, the plurality of data keys being coupled together by legs and arranged in a matrix pattern, each data key having at least one symbol disposed on a top surface thereof for representing the data key, the plurality of data keys being formed of a substantially flexible and translucent silicone material allowing light from the general lighting means to be diffused within each key and illuminate the top surface; and a plurality of indicator bars integrally molded with the plurality of data keys to form a single-piece unitary member, each indicator bar having at least one symbol disposed on a top surface thereof for indicating a particular status of the radiotelephone device, each indicator bar diffusing light from specific lighting means, each indicator bar adapted to provide a status of the device; wherein the integrally molded indicator bars are immoveable relative to the yielding movement of the integrally molded plurality of data keys.

Claim 8

A flexible keypad apparatus for a radiotelephone device having internal lighting means comprising general lighting means and specific lighting means, the flexible keypad apparatus comprising: a plurality of data keys for inputting the data to the radiotelephone device, the plurality of data keys being coupled together by legs and arranged in a matrix pattern, each data key having at least one symbol disposed on a top surface thereof for representing the data key, the plurality of data keys being formed of a substantially flexible and translucent silicone material allowing light from the general lighting means to be diffused within each key and illuminate the top surface; and a plurality of indicator bars integrally molded with the plurality of data keys to form a single-piece unitary member, each indicator bar having at least one symbol disposed on a top surface thereof for indicating a particular status of the radiotelephone device, each indicator bar diffusing light from specific lighting means, each indicator bar adapted to provide a status of the device; wherein the integrally molded indicator bars are immoveable relative to the yielding movement of the integrally molded plurality of data keys.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the plurality of indicator bars are comprised of a less flexible silicone material than the plurality of data keys.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein one of the plurality of indicator bars is comprised of a variable thickness of the translucent material.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein one of the plurality of data keys is comprised of a variable thickness of the translucent material.

Claim 12

A flexible keypad apparatus for a radiotelephone device having internal lighting means comprising general lighting means and specific lighting means, the flexible keypad apparatus comprising: a plurality of data keys in a first plane for inputting the data to the radiotelephone device, the plurality of data keys being coupled together and arranged in a matrix pattern, each data key having at least one symbol disposed a top surface thereof for representing the data key, the plurality of data keys being formed of a substantially flexible and translucent silicone material allowing light from the general lighting means to be diffused within each key and illuminate the top surface; and a plurality of indicator bars integrally molded with the plurality of data keys to form a single-piece unitary member, and in a second plane that is parallel to the first plane, each indicator bar having at least one symbol disposed on a top surface thereof for indicating a particular status of the radiotelephone device, each indicator bar diffusing light from specific lighting means, each indicator bar adapted to provide a status of the device; wherein the integrally molded indicator bars are immoveable relative to the yielding movement of the integrally molded plurality of data keys.

Claim 13

A flexible keypad apparatus for a radiotelephone device having internal lighting means comprising general lighting means and specific lighting means, the flexible keypad apparatus comprising: a plurality of data keys in a first plane for inputting the data to the radiotelephone device, the plurality of data keys being coupled together and arranged in a matrix pattern, each data key having at least one symbol disposed a top surface thereof for representing the data key, the plurality of data keys being formed of a substantially flexible and translucent silicone material allowing light from the general lighting means to be diffused within each key and illuminate the top surface; and a plurality of indicator bars integrally molded with the plurality of data keys to form a single-piece unitary member, and in a second plane that is parallel to the first plane, each indicator bar having at least one symbol disposed on a top surface thereof for indicating a particular status of the radiotelephone device, each indicator bar diffusing light from specific lighting means, each indicator bar adapted to provide a status of the device; wherein the integrally molded indicator bars are immoveable relative to the yielding movement of the integrally molded plurality of data keys.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the plurality of indicator bars are comprised of a less flexible silicone material than the plurality of data keys.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein one of the plurality of indicator bars is comprised of a variable thickness of the translucent material.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein one of the plurality of data keys is comprised of a variable thickness of the translucent material.

Claim 17

A cellular radiotelephone device having internal lighting means comprised of general lighting means and specific lighting means, the cellular radiotelephone device comprising: transmitting means for transmitting cellular telephone calls; receiving means for receiving cellular telephone calls; display means for displaying radiotelephone data; and a keypad apparatus, comprising: a plurality of data keys for inputting the radiotelephone data to the device, the plurality of data keys coupled together and arranged in a matrix pattern, each data key having at least one symbol disposed on a top surface thereof for representing each data key, the plurality of data keys being formedof a translucent material allowing light from the general lighting means to be diffused within each key and illuminate the top surface; and at least one indicator bar integrally molded with the plurality of data keys to form a single-piece unitary member, each indicator bar diffusing light from specific lighting means, each indicator bar adapted to provide a status of the device; wherein the integrally molded indicator bars are immoveable relative to the yielding movement of the integrally molded plurality of data keys.

Claim 18

A cellular radiotelephone device having internal lighting means comprised of general lighting means and specific lighting means, the cellular radiotelephone device comprising: transmitting means for transmitting cellular telephone calls; receiving means for receiving cellular telephone calls; display means for displaying radiotelephone data; and a keypad apparatus, comprising: a plurality of data keys for inputting the radiotelephone data to the device, the plurality of data keys coupled together and arranged in a matrix pattern, each data key having at least one symbol disposed on a top surface thereof for representing each data key, the plurality of data keys being formedof a translucent material allowing light from the general lighting means to be diffused within each key and illuminate the top surface; and at least one indicator bar integrally molded with the plurality of data keys to form a single-piece unitary member, each indicator bar diffusing light from specific lighting means, each indicator bar adapted to provide a status of the device; wherein the integrally molded indicator bars are immoveable relative to the yielding movement of the integrally molded plurality of data keys.

Claim 19

A keypad apparatus for a device having internal lighting means, the keypad apparatus comprising: at least one data key for inputting the data to the device; and at least one indicator bar integrally molded with the at least one data key to form a single-piece unitary member and internally lit by the internal lighting means, the at least one indicator bar adapted to provide a status of the device; wherein the integrally molded indicator bars are immoveable relative to the yielding movement of the integrally molded plurality of data keys.

Claim 20

A keypad apparatus for a device having internal lighting means, the keypad apparatus comprising: at least one data key for inputting the data to the device; and at least one indicator bar integrally molded with the at least one data key to form a single-piece unitary member and internally lit by the internal lighting means, the at least one indicator bar adapted to provide a status of the device; wherein the integrally molded indicator bars are immoveable relative to the yielding movement of the integrally molded plurality of data keys.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the at least one indicator bar is comprised of substantially translucent silicone material.

Claim 22

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the at least one indicator has a symbol disposed thereon for indicating a status of the device.

Claim 23

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein one of the plurality of indicator bars is comprised of a variable thickness of the translucent material.

Claim 24

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein one of the plurality of data keys is comprised of a variable thickness of the translucent material.

Claim 27

A device in accordance with claim 20 further comprising: means for confining the light, emitted from the specific lighting means, to the at least one indicator bar.

Claim 28

A device in accordance with claim 21 wherein the means for confining further comprises: opaque barrier means integrally formed with the side of the housing and surrounding the indicator bar.

Claim 29

A device in accordance with claim 20 wherein the device includes a plurality of data keys, the device further comprising: general lighting means disposed on the substrate for lighting the plurality of data keys, the plurality of data keys diffusing light emitted from the general lighting means.

Claim 30

The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the at least one indicator bar is comprised of substantially translucent silicone material.

Claim 31

The apparatus of claim 20 further comprising: at least one symbol disposed on the at least one indicator bar for indicating the status of the device.

Claim 32

The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the at least one indicator bar further comprises: a variable thickness of the translucent material.

Claim 33

The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the at least one data key further comprises: a variable thickness of the translucent material.