411results about "Key modules" patented technology

An illuminated keyboard includes a transparent frame plate, a key, a light source and a membrane switch circuit module. The light beam emitted by the light source is transmissible through the transparent frame plate. Consequently, the light source may be disposed on the membrane switch circuit module, between the key and the transparent frame plate, or under the transparent frame plate.

A waterproof keyboard includes a generally flat key panel supporting keytops thereon. Membranes support thereon key contacts and connecting circuits for the contacts, and are supported by a generally flat support base, corresponding in shape to the key panel. Between the membranes and the key panel, a waterproof layer is supported by the support base for sealing the membranes in cooperation with the base. The waterproof layer, made of a sheet of flexible synthetic resin, is pressed with an elongate elastic member against the edge portion of the support base. The key panel is fixed to the support base to cause the waterproof layer and support base to seal the membranes, which will surely be protected from dust and moisture.

A keypad assembly (200) applied to a portable electronic device (300) includes at least one key (24), a base (30) and an elastic member (40). The base includes at least one fixing portion (34). The at least one fixing portion is divided into two positioning blocks (344) by means of a latching slot (342). The at least one key is fixed on the at least one fixing portion. The elastic member includes at least one latching portion. Each latching portion includes two latching apertures and a rib. Each positioning block is engaged in a corresponding latching aperture. Each rib is received in a corresponding latching slot.

In some embodiments, a wall-mountable, configurable controller having control keys (e.g., less than eight keys or another small number of keys), a subassembly including circuitry, and a control key insert removably mountable to the subassembly and including at least one of the control keys. The circuitry can include a limit switch that is biased in a default state but moveable into a learning state in response to user-exerted force. In some embodiments, the controller includes an IR emitter and an IR receiver and is operable to clone another device by sending configuring radiation from the emitter to the other device's IR receiver. Preferably, the emitter and receiver are positioned so that a controller's IR emitter aligns with the IR receiver of an identical controller when the controllers are positioned face to face. In some embodiments, the controller provides audible and visual feedback to users when operating in a learning mode.

A key array structure comprises a key array constituted by connecting a plurality of key members arranged in an array, it is characterized in that an elastic element is connected between each two adjacent key members and a positioning hole or position holes is or are disposed in the key member. The elastic member disposed between each two adjacent key members of the key array structure according to the present invention has a cushioning effect to adjust the deformation of the key array caused from the processes such as heat baking while manufacturing so as to allow the positioning hole in each key member to be precisely positioned with a corresponding position pin on a relative member.

A light guided keyboard system essentially comprised of a light emission circuit and a guide control circuit built in the keyboard; an EL lamp or other light emitting device being connected to the light emission circuit; and guide software such as spelling guide or typing method guide, application software control interface and driver being included in the computer software unit to guide typing of spelling, characters, applications, web pages, game software, and pre-schooling education programs in faster and easier operation of the keyboard.

A keyboard comprising at least one flap forming a key, the flap being pressed against a contact point when depressed from above, and rising back after the depressing. The flap is attached by its one end to the frame sheet of the keyboard in such a way that this structure forms the hinge of the key. There is at least one buckling member in connection with the flap, and the flap is formed rigid. The keyboard may be formed in such a way, for example, that a keyboard frame sheet is formed, the flap forming the key is cut partially off the keyboard frame sheet, a buckling member is formed in connection with the flap, and the flap is lifted upwards from the surface of the frame sheet.

In the keyboard assembly, post-like support members are formed sideways of each of the key top housings corresponding to key tops to which torsion bars are attached respectively, out of plural key top housings, the support members being erected integrally from a housing plate and having a hollow structure, through holes are formed respectively in base end portions of the support members so as to extend through the housing plate, and a sheet member is disposed on a back side of the housing plate, the sheet member comprising waterproofing protuberances for closing the through holes in a waterproof manner, spring portions for pushing back the key tops upward, and a sheet body portion which renders the spring portions and the waterproofing protuberances integral with each other.

A control panel assembly for a washing machine is disclosed. The structure of the control panel assembly provided with a decoration member is greatly simplified. The control panel assembly includes a control panel mounted on an outer case of the washing machine, a first decoration member penetrating the control panel and enclosing a push button, a second decoration member enclosing the first decoration member. The second decoration member supports a rear side of the first decoration member and is supported by the control panel and the first decoration member. A transparent cover covers the control panel and supports a front portion of the first decoration member.

When the assembly is complete, the protrusion 2e of the leaf spring 2b abuts against the bottom wall surface 3g which is an inner bottom surface of the cover member 3 and the leaf spring 2b is bent. Since the protrusion is pushed against the cover member 3, the leaf spring 2b generates force of repulsion which pushes the frame member 2f toward the opposite direction of the cover member 3. In addition, since the leaf springs 2b are aligned straightly between three bosses 3b, the leaf spring 2b pushes the push button 2 toward the switch board 1 almost in parallel. In other words, if the push button 2 is held in the cover member 3, without further components, the push button 2 is pushed against the switch board 1 and there will not be a possibility of a wobble.

A portable electronic device includes a housing including at a hole, an elastic structure including at an actuator wedged in the hole of the housing, and a circuit board installed below the housing. A metal dome is located corresponding to the actuator for outputting a key signal when pressed.

An illuminated pushbutton switch cover member has a key seat and a resin key top. An indicator portion provided in the resin key top is illuminated with light from an internal light source provided below the key seat, and the light is emitted from the inside to the outside of the cover member through the indicator portion. The cover member is constructed by joining the resin key top to the key seat. The key seat is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer that prevents leakage of light, and an opening for passage of light is formed in the key seat to expose the bottom side of the resin key top to the internal light source. Thus, light from the internal light source can reach the bottom side of the resin key top directly without being attenuated. The indicator portion of the resin key top can therefore be illuminated with high luminance.

A button assembly is described. The button assembly includes a light emitting device that emits light. The button assembly further includes a lens cap that protects the light emitting device from being damaged. The lens cap has a top surface, a first cap side, a second cap side, a third cap side, and a fourth cap side. The second cap side connected to the first cap side, the third cap side connected to the second cap side, and the fourth cap side connected to the first cap side and the third cap side to form a plane. A first perpendicular distance between the plane and a first point on the top surface is different than a second perpendicular distance between the plane and a second point on the top surface. Additionally, a system for increasing life of a pixel is described.

An improved water sealing side key system for use in electronic device 24, such as but not limited to a mobile phone, and which provides for the construction of the seal assembly 21 as a rigid frame 29 and an elastomeric sealing material that allows for both a compressive and circumferential (perimeter) seal 28 as well as the overall non-binding movement of a side key 20 within the seal and the ability to closely control the thickness, tolerance spacing and tactile feel of the side key 20.

A waterproof keyboard includes a generally flat key panel supporting keytops thereon. Membranes support thereon key contacts and connecting circuits for the contacts, and are supported by a generally flat support base, corresponding in shape to the key panel. Between the membranes and the key panel, a waterproof layer is supported by the support base for sealing the membranes in cooperation with the base. The waterproof layer, made of a sheet of flexible synthetic resin, is pressed with an elongate elastic member against the edge portion of the support base. The key panel is fixed to the support base to cause the waterproof layer and support base to seal the membranes, which will surely be protected from dust and moisture.

A protective cover includes a cover body and a pressing body integrally mounted to the cover body. The cover body has an accommodating cavity recessed from a surface of the cover body and an accommodating hole defined through the base wall of the accommodating cavity. The pressing body is mounted to the cover body and includes a pressing portion and a resisting post. The pressing portion is configured for being received within the accommodating cavity and exposed from the accommodating hole. The resisting post protruding from a surface of the pressing portion away from the cover body corresponding to the switch. There also discloses a key assembly using the protective cover and a portable electronic device using the key assembly.

An electronic module that is activated by the touch of a button for sending a wireless signal to a remote receiver. The module has a housing with an upper portion that is secured in relation to a vehicle. A lower portion of the housing has mating apertures and openings provided therein. A set of staking posts extends from an upper face of one or more buttons. The staking posts have a leading end that is registrable with the mating apertures that are provided in the lower portion of the housing. A set of actuating posts also extends from the upper face of the button. Those posts extend within at least some of the openings that are defined in the lower portion of the housing. Optionally, an array of light pipes is in optical communication with a set of switches. One of the switches can be closed following contact by a leading end of one of the posts when a button is depressed. A printed circuit board is positioned in operative communication with one or more of the buttons so that upon touching a button, a circuit in the circuit board is closed by one of the switches. A signal is then sent wirelessly to a remote receiver.

A control panel assembly of a laundry device is disclosed, by which a manipulation of buttons (200) is facilitated by improving button configurations of the laundry device. The present invention includes a control panel (100) provided to a front side of a body and a keypad provided to the control panel, the keypad (200) having a plurality of button groups (200a, 200b, 200c, 200d) enabling a washing to be performed by selecting a plurality of operational conditions once.

Influence of an impact on a hard base or deformation of the hard base is alleviated on a circuit board. A push-button switch cover member has a hard base 1 and a keypad 2, the hard base 1 is made of a hard resin with a through hole 4 for a key top, and the keypad 2 is made of a silicone rubber film. The keypad 2 thinly covers the entire back surface of the hard base 1 and is exposed through an internal periphery of the through hole 4 of the hard base 1 to the front surface side of the hard base 1. The back side of the keypad 2 located in an inside region of the through hole 4 is provided with a press projection 6a for press of a contact part.

A keypad assembly includes an operation member deformed according to user's manipulation to operate key switches, a binding member disposed on a top surface of the operation member, binding pieces extending and bent from the binding member to enclose sides of the operation member on an edge of the binding member, and a manipulation member disposed on a top surface of the binding member, the manipulation member including at least one key tops, in which the binding members are bound onto inner side walls of a housing of the portable terminal.

Two adjacent operation knobs (14, 15) are formed integrally with each other via a coupling portion (18) On the coupling portion (18), there are formed a V-shaped gap variable portion (18a) and cylindrical portions (19) having positioning guide portions (20). There are provided pin-shaped positioning portions (22) on the switch body (11). To assemble the operation knobs (14, 15) to the switch body (11), each of the positioning guide portions (20) is mated with the positioning portions (22) and the front portion of the operation knobs (14, 15) is inserted into the opening (12). In cooperation with each of the positioning guide portions (20) and the positioning portions (22), the spacing dimension D2 between the operation knobs (14, 15) is narrowed, for example, down to 0.5 mm or less, and the spacing dimension is to be sustained.

A display member that provides clear and uniform illumination through a light diffusion layer while enabling a wider selection of display colors that can be applied to the part of the display member body not covered by a light-blocking layer in order to clearly identify the uncovered part when the display member is not illuminated. A display member body is covered by a light-blocking layer. Light irradiating the rear side of the display member body illuminates the front side of the display member body through a displaying part that includes a region where the light-blocking layer has not been applied. The display member body provides a light diffusing effect through a light diffusing layer, and includes a specifically colored transparent layer which is applied over the light diffusing layer and which has greater transparency than the light diffusing layer.

An elastic member for a pushbutton switch with which a soft tactile sensation can be gained when the pushbutton is pressed down is provided. The elastic member for a pushbutton switch is provided with a base portion, a connection portion which extends from the base portion, a pressing portion which is supported above the base portion by the connection portion, and a protrusion which protrudes downward from the pressing portion. The inside of the protrusion is hollow.

An illuminating membrane switch includes an upper membrane sheet, an electroluminescent device and a lower membrane sheet. The electroluminescent device is interposed between the upper membrane sheet and lower membrane sheet on which switch circuits are printed. In addition to emitting rays through the upper membrane sheet, the electroluminescent device has a plurality of openings allowing the switch circuits of them to contact each other. The keyboard utilizes the illuminating membrane switch to detect any input of keystroke and light up the symbols on the surfaces of key caps for a user to identify the function or alphabetic input of each key cap.

According to the present invention, the operating member is constructed by supporting the button members with the thin sheet member without integrally constructing the button members, and therefore, the device can be downsized and slimmed. According to the present invention, the key tops of the button members can be individually surface-treated before assembly, and therefore, a user can easily recognize the kinds of buttons at the time of operation, and an operation mistake can be prevented.