Patent US5684513A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5684513A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electronic luminescence keyboard system for a portable device
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1995-07-17
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Granted: 1997-11-04
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Expires: 2015-07-17
Abstract
Abstract An electronic luminescence keyboard system in a portable device which includes a plurality of keypads and an illuminated panel which displays information responsive to the pressing of at least one of the plurality of keypads is disclosed. The improvement comprises a conductor element for conducting a portion of the light from the illuminated panel and illuminator element coupled to the conductor element for illuminating the plurality of keypads with the portion of the light from the illuminated panel. Through the use of a portion of the light from the display panel is utilized to illuminate the keyboard thereby allowing for observation of the keypads on the keyboard when the surrounding area is dimly lit. The ELK system has no effect on the power consumption on the portable device. In an embodiment the ELK system provides for backlighting the keyboard. In a second embodiment the ELK system provides light to a top portion of the keypads.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark Randall Decker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 12:27
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1615; G06F1/1616; F; F21; F21V; F21V33/00; F21V33/0004; F21V33/0052; G06F1/1633; G06F1/1637; G06F1/1662; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/02; G06F3/0202; H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H2219/00; H01H2219/002; H01H2219/018; H01H2219/054; H01H2219/06; H01H2219/062
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
In a portable device which includes a plurality of keypads and a panel which is illuminated by a light source within the panel, the panel displaying information responsive to the pressing of at least one of the plurality of keypads; the panel being rotatable from the plurality of keypads, an electronic luminescence keyboard (ELK) system comprising: a conductor element for conducting a portion of the light from the light source; and illuminator element coupled to the conductor element for illuminating the plurality of keypads with the portion of the light from the light source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
In a portable device which includes a plurality of keypads and a panel which is illuminated by a light source within the panel, the panel displaying information responsive to the pressing of at least one of the plurality of keypads; the panel being rotatable from the plurality of keypads, an electronic luminescence keyboard (ELK) system comprising: a conductor element for conducting a portion of the light from the light source; and illuminator element coupled to the conductor element for illuminating the plurality of keypads with the portion of the light from the light source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ELK system of claim 1 in which the conductor element comprises a conducting light pipe.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The ELK system of claim i in which the conductor element includes a gate means for selectively allowing the light to the illuminator element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The ELK system of claim 1 in which the illuminator element comprises a reflective element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
105 words
In a device which includes a plurality of keypads and a panel which is illuminated by a light source within the panel, the panel displaying information responsive to the pressing of at least one of the plurality of keypads; the panel being rotatable from the plurality of keypads, an electronic luminescence keyboard (ELK) system comprising: conductor element coupled to the illuminated panel to conduct a portion of the light from the light source; and a light transparent support plane coupled to the conductor element and located underneath the plurality of keypads for illuminating the keypads with the portion of the light from the light source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
105 words
In a device which includes a plurality of keypads and a panel which is illuminated by a light source within the panel, the panel displaying information responsive to the pressing of at least one of the plurality of keypads; the panel being rotatable from the plurality of keypads, an electronic luminescence keyboard (ELK) system comprising: conductor element coupled to the illuminated panel to conduct a portion of the light from the light source; and a light transparent support plane coupled to the conductor element and located underneath the plurality of keypads for illuminating the keypads with the portion of the light from the light source.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ELK system of claim 5 in which the conductor element comprises a conducting light pipe.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The ELK system of claim 5 in which the conductor element includes a gate means for selectively allowing the light to the illuminator element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The ELK system of claim 5 in which the light transparent support plane comprises a backlight plane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
95 words
In a portable device which includes a plurality of keypads a panel which is illuminated by a light source within the panel displaying information responsive to the pressing of at least one of the plurality of keypads, the panel being rotatable from the plurality of keypads; an electronic luminescence keyboard (ELK) system comprising: conductor element coupled to the light source to conduct a portion of the light therefrom; and a panel member coupled to the illuminated panel for reflecting the portion of the light from the light source on a top surface of the keypads.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
95 words
In a portable device which includes a plurality of keypads a panel which is illuminated by a light source within the panel displaying information responsive to the pressing of at least one of the plurality of keypads, the panel being rotatable from the plurality of keypads; an electronic luminescence keyboard (ELK) system comprising: conductor element coupled to the light source to conduct a portion of the light therefrom; and a panel member coupled to the illuminated panel for reflecting the portion of the light from the light source on a top surface of the keypads.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ELK system of claim 9 in which the conductor element comprises a conducting light pipe.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The ELK system of claim 9 in which the conductor element includes a gate means for selectively allowing the light to the illuminator element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ELK system of claim 9 in which the panel member comprises a reflective plane member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
90 words
A portable device comprising: a plurality of keypads; a light source; a panel being illuminated by the light source, the light source being within the panel, the panel displaying information responsive to the pressing of at least one of the plurality of keypads, the panel being rotatable from the plurality of keypads; a conductor element for conducting a portion of the light from the light source; and illuminator element coupled to the conductor element for illuminating the plurality of keypads with the portion of the light from the light source.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
90 words
A portable device comprising: a plurality of keypads; a light source; a panel being illuminated by the light source, the light source being within the panel, the panel displaying information responsive to the pressing of at least one of the plurality of keypads, the panel being rotatable from the plurality of keypads; a conductor element for conducting a portion of the light from the light source; and illuminator element coupled to the conductor element for illuminating the plurality of keypads with the portion of the light from the light source.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The portable device of claim 13 in which the conductor element comprises a conducting light pipe.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The portable device of claim 13 in which the illuminated element comprises a reflective element.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The ELK system of claim 13 in which the conductor element includes a gate means for selectively allowing the light to the illuminator element.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The portable device of claim 13 in which the illuminator element comprises a light transparent support plane.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The portable device of claim 17 in which the light transparent support plane is a backlight plane.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-11-03 | 2001-05-05 | 2001-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-11-03 | 2005-05-05 | 2005-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-11-03 | 2009-05-05 | 2009-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |