Keypad with virtual image

Abstract

A keypad having a virtual floating image that appears to a user to be in a plane other than the apparent plane of the keypad surface. More particularly, the indicia on the keypad appear to float above or below the surface of the device. The keypad can be, for example, the keypad on a cell phone. For such an application there would be more than one array of indicia present on the keypad. For example, there might be ten arrays of indicia, which provide the numerals from 0 to 9 and two more arrays to provide virtual images of the * and # keys. In some embodiments, the keypad is integrated with an illumination source that light up the indicia. The present disclosure also provides a method of manufacturing a key pad with a virtual floating image.

Description

[0001] Related Patent Applications [0002] This patent application claims priority to US Provisional Application Serial No. 60 / 804,009, filed June 6, 2006, and entitled "Keyboard with Virtual Image," the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. technical field [0003] The present disclosure relates to electric keyboards and touch panels, and more particularly to devices that provide indicia that appear to be virtual images on or under the apparent surface of the keyboard. Background technique [0004] The current trend for portable electronic devices such as notebook computers, PDAs, cell phones, etc. is towards smaller, thinner, lighter weight components and devices. Furthermore, there is a desire to have a larger area display and often a multi-active color display within this shrinking electronic package. Data entry pads or keypads present opportunities to improve functionality in terms of thinness, weight, visual appeal, multifunctional...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, these thick keypads are often difficult to fit into thin electronic packages

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