Optical device for touch-sensitive LED switches

Abstract

An optical assembly for a light emitting diode mounted to a printed circuit board has a first lens defined by a first lens front surface and an opposite first lens rear cone, the first lens rear cone having a tip facing the light emitting diode. A second lens having a second lens front surface and an opposite second lens rear surface faces the printed circuit board. The second lens defines a central cavity in which the first lens is disposed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to optical devices and light emitting diodes (LEDs), and more particularly to optical devices for touch sensitive LED switch devices. Background Art

[0002] LED is a ubiquitous output device, which is used in many fields due to its advantages such as high efficiency, fast switching and extended life. One of the most common uses is as an indicator of electronic devices, so LEDs can be packaged in different shapes and sizes to suit specific applications. In addition, different lighting colors or radiation wavelengths across the visible spectrum from low-wavelength red to high-wavelength purple are available. However, outside the visible spectrum, there are LEDs that can emit infrared waves, which are generally used for inter-device communication. At the opposite end of the spectrum, ultraviolet waves can be used for sterilization, disinfection and sterilization. However, ultraviolet waves can also be used to make ultraviolet-sensitive inks, dyes, paints, and various materials coated, painted or colored with such inks, dyes and paints fluoresce or change color when illuminated to obtain different visual effects. Although a typical micro-LED indicator has an operating current of about 20mA and an output of less than 1 lumen, some recent high-power LEDs are able to operate at a current of hundreds of mA and an output of more than several thousand lumens, which can be used as a substitute for incandescent bulbs in lighting applications.

[0003] The working principle of LED devices is well known, with the central part being a semiconductor material that is doped to create a PN junction. The anode or P side of the junction is connected to the positive terminal of the power supply, while the cathode or N side of the junction is connected to the negative terminal of the power supply or the common terminal. When current flows between the PN junction, energy is released in the form of light quanta. Whether used as a miniature low-power indicator or as a high-intensity illuminator, LEDs work in this way.

[0004] In some applications, an LED can be used as a photodetector, where photons of light falling on a PN junction are converted into an electrical signal. The LED can be connected to a detection circuit instead of a power source to generate a response when a signal is received therefrom. Alternatively, the LED can include contacts within the body that can be connected to a touch sensor integrated circuit. The contacts can be used as a capacitive touch sensor to trigger an output when a finger or other capacitive element interacts with the contacts. U.S. Patent No. 8,866,708, U.S. Patent No. 9,471,181, and U.S. Patent No. 9,851,826 to Fong disclose such a light emitting diode switch device, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Thus, a single LED can be used for both output and input functions.

[0005] Various different LED packages are known in the art, the most common one being a through-hole type that includes a body with connecting wires extending from it. The body can be cylindrical with a partially spherical or domed top, but there are also rectangular or square bodies with flat tops, or other geometric shapes. Typically, the body is made of a translucent plastic with the same hue as the emitted light, and the cathode, anode and electroluminescent semiconductor element (e.g., a diode) are encapsulated therein. In the above-mentioned touch-sensitive LED switch, the touch sensor contacts are also understood to be encapsulated within the body. In addition to different types of through-hole packages, surface mounting technology without wires extending from it is also used to package LEDs.

[0006] As mentioned above, LEDs are often used to indicate the operating state of electronic devices. Early electronic devices simply installed LEDs so that the light-emitting portion was exposed to the outside of the device housing. The (one or more) operating states / (one or more) outputs indicated by the LEDs may be simply described in a separate document without further descriptors about the device, or descriptive labels may be attached or printed near the LEDs. However, improved device aesthetics and user interface experience may be achieved by selectively illuminating the descriptive label itself. For example, in a device power indicator, the "on" descriptor may be directly lit when the device is powered on, and not lit when the device is powered off. Various configurations for such indicator functions are known in the art, including a matrix of individual LEDs forming dots or segments of letters or other symbols, and cutting openings or partially etching on the indicator surface corresponding to letters or symbols, placing a partially translucent diffuse filter cover thereon, and illuminating the cover from below the surface with an LED.

[0007] However, typical LEDs emit relatively narrow beams of light compared to more diffuse light sources such as incandescent bulbs, fluorescent tubes, and neon lamps. Although uniform illumination across the diffuse filter cover is preferred, bright spots, dark spots, and other irregularities may exist over its illuminated area due to the lower beam width output of the LED. When the irregular lighting effect is particularly noticeable, the indicator may not be easily discernible, or when the irregular lighting effect is not particularly noticeable, the indicator may appear inactive. Therefore, there is a need in the art for an improved optical device for outputting uniform illumination from an LED over a wider area than a conventional diffuser. There is also a need in the art for an optical device for an indicator panel illuminated by an LED, while maintaining the input functionality of a capacitive touch sensor LED switch device. Summary of the invention

[0008] The present disclosure relates to various embodiments of optical assemblies, optical devices for electroluminescent semiconductor devices, and illuminated indicator panels. In one embodiment, the optical assembly is for a light emitting diode that can be mounted to a printed circuit board. The optical assembly may include a first lens defined by a first lens front surface and an opposing first lens rear cone, the first lens rear cone having a tip facing the light emitting diode. A second lens may also be provided, having a second lens front surface and an opposing second lens rear surface facing the printed circuit board. The second lens may define a central cavity, the first lens being disposed in the central cavity.

[0009] In another embodiment, an optical device for an electroluminescent semiconductor device may include a lens having an annular recess formed therein. The recess may facilitate forming a tapered first lens portion having a tip facing the electroluminescent semiconductor device, and a second lens portion surrounding and adjoining the first lens portion.

[0010] Yet another embodiment may be an illuminated indicator panel. The indicator panel may include a printed circuit board and one or more electroluminescent semiconductor devices mounted to the printed circuit board. There may be one or more lenses, each having an annular recess formed therein. The recess may facilitate the formation of a conical first lens portion having a tip facing a corresponding one of the electroluminescent semiconductor devices. The recess may also facilitate the formation of a second lens portion surrounding and adjoining the first lens portion. The lens may be mounted to the printed circuit board. The illuminated indicator panel may include a panel cover having one or more markings etched thereon, the one or more markings overlapping each of the one or more lenses, wherein the panel cover is mounted to each of the one or more lenses.

[0011] According to another embodiment of the present invention, there may be a combined illuminated indication and input panel. It may include a printed circuit board defined by a top surface and an opposing bottom surface. In addition, there may be one or more electroluminescent semiconductor devices mounted to the printed circuit board. The combined illuminated indication and input panel may also include a first conductive layer on the top surface of the printed circuit board, the first conductive layer surrounding an area on which one of the one or more electroluminescent semiconductor devices is mounted. The first conductive layer may be connected to an input of a touch sensor controller. There may also be a second conductive layer on the bottom surface of the printed circuit board, the second conductive layer surrounding an area on which one of the one or more electroluminescent semiconductor devices is mounted. The first conductive layer and the second conductive layer may be axially aligned. The combined illuminated indication and input panel may also include a panel cover above the one or more electroluminescent semiconductor devices.

[0012] Another embodiment is an optical assembly for a light emitting diode mounted to a printed circuit board. There may be a first lens defined by a first lens front surface and an opposite first lens rear surface facing the light emitting diode. The optical assembly may also include a second lens having a second lens front surface and an opposite second lens rear surface facing the printed circuit board. The second lens defines a central cavity, wherein the first lens is disposed in the central cavity.

[0013] The present disclosure will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an illuminated indicator panel according to the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the lighting indicator panel shown along axis XX;

[0017] Figure 3A is a first cross-sectional view of an optical assembly including a first lens and a second lens according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 3B yes Figure 3A A second cross-sectional view of the optical assembly shown along a different axis YY;

[0019] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of an optical assembly having an electroluminescent semiconductor element mounted on the same side of a printed circuit board as a first lens and a second lens;

[0020] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of an optical assembly having an alternatively configured first lens;

[0021] Figure 6 Is such as Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of an optical assembly of a first lens and an electroluminescent semiconductor element is shown, the electroluminescent semiconductor element being mounted on the same side of a printed circuit board as the first lens and the second lens;

[0022] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of an optical assembly having a disk-shaped first lens;

[0023] FIG. 8A to FIG. 8G Shown in Figure 7 Various profiles of the first lens used in the optical assembly shown;

[0024] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of an optical assembly;

[0025] Fig. 10A is a first cross-sectional view of a sixth embodiment of an optical assembly having an integrated lens defined by a first lens portion and a second lens portion having a conical taper;

[0026] Fig. 10B yes Fig. 10A a second cross-sectional view of the sixth embodiment of the optical assembly along the ZZ axis thereof showing the printed circuit board mounting;

[0027] Fig.11 is a cross-sectional view of a seventh embodiment of an optical assembly, wherein an electroluminescent semiconductor element and an integrated lens are mounted on the same side of a printed circuit board;

[0028] Fig.12 is a cross-sectional view of an eighth embodiment of an optical assembly having an alternating configuration of first lens portions having spherical cones;

[0029] Fig.13 is a cross-sectional view of a ninth embodiment of an optical assembly, wherein the first lens portion has a spherical cone, the second lens portion has a flat surface, and the electroluminescent semiconductor element is mounted on the same side of a printed circuit board as the integrated lens;

[0030] Fig.14 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an illuminated indicator panel according to the present disclosure;

[0031] Fig.15 is incorporated into Fig.14 A cross-sectional view of a tenth embodiment of an optical assembly in an illuminated indicator panel is shown;

[0032] Fig.16 is a cross-sectional view of an eleventh embodiment of an optical assembly having a third lens and which may be incorporated into an illuminated indication panel;

[0033] Fig.17A is a top plan view of a first variation of a printed circuit board utilized in various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0034] Fig. 17B yes Fig.17A A bottom plan view of a first variation of a printed circuit board is shown.

[0035] Fig.18A is a top plan view of a second variation of a printed circuit board utilized in various embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0036] Fig.18B yes Fig.18A A bottom plan view of a second variation of a printed circuit board is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The detailed description below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings is intended as a description of several currently contemplated embodiments of optical devices for conventional light emitting diode (LED) devices and LED switch devices, and is not intended to represent the only form in which these embodiments can be developed or utilized. This specification describes functions and features in conjunction with the illustrated embodiments. However, it should be understood that the same or equivalent functions can be achieved by different embodiments, which are also intended to be included in the scope of the present disclosure. It should also be understood that the use of relative terms such as first and second, etc., is only used to distinguish one entity from another entity, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between these entities.

[0038] refer to Figure 1 Various embodiments of the present disclosure contemplate an illuminated indicator panel 10 that can be used in an electronic device having various operating states indicated by outputs and controlled by inputs. It will be appreciated that the generation of such outputs and the reception of such inputs, which can be independent of each other, can be accomplished using a single touch-sensitive LED switch device 12.

[0039] As previously described, the LED switch device 12 includes one or more capacitive touch sensors that can be connected to a touch sensor controller, and an electroluminescent semiconductor device that outputs photons in response to an electrical stimulus generated by an LED driver circuit. More specifically, a finger or other capacitive element that is close to a given one of the capacitive touch sensors is understood to trigger the touch sensor controller to detect an input state, while another component such as a microcontroller or general data processor generates a command to the LED driver circuit to illuminate the LED. Therefore, the LED switch device 12 is understood to function as both an input device and an output device. Although the disclosed embodiments utilize this combination input / output LED switch device 12, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that a conventional output-only LED device may be substituted.

[0040] The LED switch devices 12 are mounted to a printed circuit board 14 that interconnects various input and output lines from the LED switch devices 12 with the touch sensor controller, LED driver circuitry, and microcontroller. According to various embodiments, coupled to each LED switch device 12 is an optical assembly 16, and the combination of the LED switch device 12 and the optical assembly may be referred to as an illuminated switch unit 18.

[0041] In the example shown, the lighting indication panel 10 can be configured for an electronic device that includes inputs for starting a function, stopping a function, selecting an automatic operation mode, and selecting a mode. In addition, the electronic device can be turned on and off by the lighting indication panel 10. In this regard, it is understood that the first light switch unit 18a, the second light switch unit 18b, the third light switch unit 18c, the fourth light switch unit 18d, and the fifth light switch unit 18e correspond to these input functions. These functions and inputs are given as examples only and not by way of limitation, as any other input functions can be handled by the light switch unit 18.

[0042] Mounted above the light emitting switch units 18a to 18d is a panel cover 20 having various markings 22 corresponding to the input function of a corresponding one of the light emitting switch units 18a to 18e. Figure 2 As further shown in the cross-sectional view of , the panel cover 20 is understood to be mounted aligned with the printed circuit board 14 below, and the markings are aligned with the light-emitting switch units 18 and in an overlapping relationship. In an exemplary embodiment, the first light-emitting switch unit 18a can be used to turn the electronic device on and off, and therefore, when it is mounted to the printed circuit board 14, it is aligned with the "on / off" marking 22a on the panel cover 20. The second light-emitting switch unit 18b can be used for mode selection input, and therefore, it is aligned with the "mode" marking 22b on the panel cover 20. The third light-emitting switch unit 18c can be used for automatic mode selection input, and therefore, it is aligned with the "automatic mode" marking 22c on the panel cover 20. The fourth light-emitting switch unit 18d can be used for start input, and therefore, it is optically aligned with the "start" marking 22d on the panel cover 20. Finally, the fifth light-emitting switch unit 18e can be used for stop input, and therefore, it is aligned with the "stop" marking 22e on the panel cover 20.

[0043] The present disclosure contemplates an electroluminescent semiconductor element that illuminates the indicia 22 from below the panel cover 20. More specifically, the electroluminescent semiconductor element integrated into the LED switch device 12 is driven on, and the light therefrom is evenly distributed throughout the indicia 22 through the optical assembly 16, the structure and construction of which will be described more fully below. In addition, touch inputs on the panel cover 20 that are proximate to the corresponding indicia 22 are understood to be detectable via touch sensors that are also within the light-emitting switch unit 18. That is, a touch input on or near the "on / off" indicia 22a is understood to activate a function associated with the first light-emitting switch unit 18a, such as turning the electronic device on or off, a touch input on or near the "mode" indicia 22b is understood to activate the second light-emitting switch unit 18b, such as selecting an operating mode, and so on.

[0044] The illumination of the mark 22 is understood to be independent of the touch input. However, the output can be changed based on the touch input. In general, the color / wavelength and intensity of the light output by the electroluminescent semiconductor element of the LED switch device 12 can be changed. In addition, the LED driver circuit can pulse modulate the output of the light or otherwise perform time-sequence control. These visual effects can be combined and output in response to detecting a touch input. For example, when the electronic device is powered off, the "on / off" mark 22a can be illuminated in red, and the capacitive touch input approaching gradually can be responded to by flashing the LED switch device 12. Depending on the resolution capability of the touch sensor controller, the closer the finger is to the panel cover 20, the faster the output pulse can be. Once the finger contacts the panel cover, the electronic device can be powered on and the lighting color can be changed to green. This is only an exemplary input / output sequence, and other sequences / visual effects can be achieved.

[0045] The backlight of the mark 22 can be realized in several different ways. In one embodiment, the panel cover 20 can be made of opaque material, wherein the mark 22 is cut through its entire thickness. Alternatively, a translucent or light-diffusing material can be filled in the opening. In another embodiment, the mark 22 can be partially etched into the panel cover 20 composed of a partially opaque material, wherein the reduced thickness of the etched portion is partially transparent, and the thicker unetched portion is more opaque. In another embodiment, the mark 22 can be embossed, screen-printed or pad-printed with a reverse white or light-colored mark 22, and the rest of the surrounding background on the panel cover 20 can be printed or coated with a darker or more concentrated color or opaque coating or material. Metal, glass, ceramic, glass ceramic and plastic can be used for the panel cover 20, and without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that alternatives and materials can be replaced. In another embodiment, there can be no mark 22 on the panel cover 20, but the mark 22 can be included in the optical assembly 16. In this case, the user-facing side of the optical assembly 16 may have an opaque coating applied thereto, and the indicia 22 may be laser etched into the coating. In another embodiment, the indicia 22 may likewise be omitted from the transparent or translucent cover 20, but may be included on the optical assembly 16. In these embodiments, the user-facing side of the optical assembly 16 may have a light-colored (e.g., white) translucent coating applied thereto, and the darker-colored indicia 22 may be screen-printed, spray-painted, or pad-printed on top of the coating, or vice versa, such as a reverse white indicia on a darker-colored background.

[0046] The illuminated indicator panel 10 utilizes a first embodiment of the optical assembly 16a, additional details of which are provided in Figure 3A and Figure 3B . According to this embodiment, there is a first lens 100, which is defined by a first lens front surface 102 and an opposite first lens back cone 104 having a tip 106. In the illustrated embodiment, the first lens 100 can also be defined by an outer cylindrical wall 108 between the first lens front surface 102 and the first lens back cone 104. Therefore, the first lens front surface 102 is circular, and in this first embodiment, the first lens back cone 104 has a conical shape. The tip 106 faces the LED switch device 12 defined by the light emitting side 24 and the opposite base side 26. The touch sensor contacts embedded in the package of the LED switch device 12 are understood to be arranged toward the light emitting side 24.

[0047] The optical assembly shown is presented by way of example only. The first lens front surface 102 can be circular, elliptical, or any other desired shape. In addition, the first lens back cone 104 can include a plurality of flat facets that are angled relative to each other along a generally circular pattern and terminate at a tip 106, or include a sphere, a pyramid, an oval, a tetrahedron, or any other geometric shape that can be generally characterized as a cone and / or further contribute to the uniform reflection of light. Along these lines, the first lens 100 can also be a sphere, an oval, or any circular, spherical, or other structure or contour. In such embodiments, when referring to the first lens front surface 102, this can refer to a portion that includes half of a sphere or other spherical structure. In addition, when referring to the first lens back cone 104, the portion can also be other portions or halves of a sphere or other spherical structure. Additional embodiments of the optical assembly 16 disclosed herein also include a first lens defined by a first lens front surface having a specific geometry and a first lens back cone having a specific geometry. In the context of these additional embodiments, it should be understood that specific references to the geometries of the first lens front surface and / or the first lens back cone are exemplary only, and any other geometries, including those mentioned above, may be easily substituted in these alternative embodiments.

[0048] The illustrated embodiment utilizes a combination input / output LED switch device 12 that includes touch sensor contacts, but a conventional output-only LED may be used instead while still maintaining the touch input feature. As will be described in further detail below, the printed circuit board 14 may include conductive traces underneath the optical assembly 16 that may replace and / or supplement the touch sensor contacts in the LED switch device 12. In a preferred but optional embodiment, as Figure 3A and Figure 3BThose configurations of illuminated switch units 18 shown in which the LED switch devices 12 are mounted to the bottom surface 30 are those configurations in which the LED switch devices 12 are best suited for replacement with conventional LEDs.

[0049] The printed circuit board 14 is similarly defined by a top surface 28 and an opposing bottom surface 30, and one embodiment of the illuminated indicator panel 10 contemplates that the LED switch device 12 is mounted to the bottom surface 30 of the printed circuit board 14 and the optical assembly 16 is mounted to the top surface 28 thereof. Thus, the printed circuit board 14 also defines a hole or opening 32 with which the light emitting side 24 of the LED switch device 12 is axially aligned. Figure 3B The mechanical attachment of the LED switch device 12 to the printed circuit board 14 is best illustrated where a distal portion 34 of the LED switch device 12 extending beyond the opening 32 is secured to the bottom surface 30 of the printed circuit board 14 .

[0050] The first embodiment of the optical assembly 16a also includes a second lens 110 generally defined by a second lens front surface 112 and an opposite second lens rear surface 114. Generally, the second lens 110 has a cylindrical configuration with a vertical sidewall 116 defining its thickness between the second lens front surface 112 and the second lens rear surface 114. Therefore, the second lens front surface 112 has a circular profile. Similarly, the second lens rear surface 114 has a circular outer profile. As mentioned above with respect to the first lens 100, the specific reference to the geometric profile of the cylindrical second lens 110 is also understood to be exemplary and not limiting. Any other shape may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, the additional embodiments of the optical assembly 16 further disclosed below also describe the second lens as having a cylindrical configuration, but these embodiments are understood to be exemplary only. In the case of these additional embodiments, in addition to the cylindrical configuration described, other geometric shapes may also be used, including elliptical, square, rectangular, rectangular with rounded corners, hexagonal, octagonal, etc.

[0051] The second lens 110 further defines a central cavity 118 that opens toward the second lens rear surface 114. The central cavity 118 has a cylindrical configuration with vertical sidewalls 120 and a circular base cavity wall 122. Since the central cavity 118 is thus defined in the second lens 110, the second lens rear surface 114 has a generally annular or ring-shaped profile. The first lens 100 is assembled in the central cavity 118. Again, although specific reference is made to the cylindrical configuration of the central cavity 118, this is exemplary only and not limiting. The central cavity 118 in this embodiment, as well as other central cavities in other embodiments disclosed below, may utilize central cavities of alternative shapes.

[0052] As shown, the diameter of the first lens 100, more specifically, the diameter of its outer cylindrical wall 108, is understood to be sized and configured for friction retention within the vertical sidewall 120 of the central cavity 118. That is, the circumference of the outer cylindrical wall 108 may be slightly larger than the circumference of the central cavity 118 of the second lens 110, and the vertical sidewall 120 of the central cavity 118 has an undercut annular portion 119 to retain the first lens 100 therein. In addition to the above-mentioned friction undercut retention, other forms of retention (e.g., glue, etc.) may be used instead.

[0053] The first lens front surface 102 also contacts or abuts the circular base cavity wall 122. In the first embodiment of the optical assembly 16a, the first lens front surface 102 has a concave configuration, so there may be a gap 124 between it and the circular base cavity wall 122. The manufacture of this embodiment of the optical assembly 16 may include separately molding the first lens 100 and the second lens 110, allowing the concave first lens front surface 102 to be formed, and then inserted into the central cavity 118.

[0054] The vertical sidewalls 120 of the first lens back cone 104 and the second lens 110 are understood to define an inverted conical recess. The specific reference to the conical recess should be understood to be by way of example only and not limitation. Between the possible variations of the central cavity 118 and the first lens back cone 104, there may be various permutations of the geometric shapes that the inverted conical recess may take. In this embodiment of the optical assembly 16, as well as other embodiments disclosed below, all of these variations are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0055] The height of the first lens 100, i.e., the distance from the first lens front surface 102 to the tip 106, is understood to correspond substantially to the depth of the central cavity 118. The second lens rear surface 114 abuts the top surface 28 of the printed circuit board 14, while the first lens 100 is located above the opening 32 of the printed circuit board 14. The major axis of the first lens 100 is aligned with the central light emitting portion of the LED switch device 12. The output of the LED switch device 12 passes through the opening 32 of the printed circuit board 14 and is diffused by the second lens 110, thereby uniformly illuminating the indicia 22 on the panel cover 20 located on top of the second lens front surface 112. The surface area, circumference or diameter of the first lens 100 is understood to be greater than or equal to the emission window, central cavity 118 and / or opening 32 of the LED switch device 12. This relationship between the size of the first lens 100 and the other parts of the optical assembly 16 to which it is connected is contemplated to reduce dark spots and hot spots when the second lens front surface 112 is illuminated.

[0056] Although the optical assembly 16 is contemplated to function based on the aforementioned geometric structure, the diffusion of the lighting output from the LED switch device 12 can be further improved by coating the surfaces of the first lens 100 and the second lens 110 with alternating light reflecting and light absorbing / blocking coatings that are selectively applied to maximize the effect. Typically, the first lens 100 and the second lens 110 are transparent or translucent. In a preferred but optional embodiment, the second lens 110 can be made of silicone rubber, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, etc., or any other suitable plastic material, and the first lens 100 can also be made of silicone rubber, or other plastic materials (such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), PVC), or molded metal alloy materials or any other suitable materials (such as glass, ceramic, silicon, paper, etc.). Silicone is understood to conduct capacitive touch input to the LED switch device 12. In addition, the silicone rubber can be manufactured to have a white tint that helps diffuse light.

[0057] In one embodiment, the outer surface of the vertical sidewall 116 can be coated with a light absorbing material, such as black paint, to limit the amount of light that leaks laterally out of view of an observer of the panel cover 20. Alternatively, the outer surface of the vertical sidewall 116 can be coated with a light reflecting material, such as metallic silver paint, which reflects light that is transmitted outward toward the vertical sidewall 116 and back into the interior of the second lens 110. Along these lines, the contact area between the second lens rear surface 114 and the printed circuit board 14 can be coated with a light reflecting material, such as silver or white paint. The outer surface of the first lens rear cone 104 can be coated with a substantially light transmissive coating, such as white paint, to allow light from the LED switch device 12 to pass through the first lens 100 and be diffused thereby, wherein the divergent light is transmitted throughout the second lens 110, such as by the light being diffused through the second lens 110. Figure 3A As shown. A light reflective material, such as metallic silver paint, may also be coated on the outer surface of the first lens back cone 104 to reflect light from the LED switch device 12 toward the cylindrical sidewall 120 defining the central cavity 118 of the second lens 110. In such an embodiment, the second lens 110 is understood to diffuse the reflected light that strikes the reflective surface of the first lens back cone 104, such as Figure 3B As depicted in .

[0058] A secondary effect of the metallic silver paint is understood to be an increase in capacitive touch input sensitivity because the additional metal layer acts as a capacitive touch contact even though it is not electrically connected to the touch sensor controller. Along these lines, additional metal components may be added on top of or underneath the panel cover 20 without being electrically connected to other components of the illuminated switch unit 18 including the optical assembly 16 or the LED switch device 12, and such metal components are understood to enhance capacitive touch input sensitivity. Thus, to the extent such metal components are added to the top of the panel cover 20, they may be combined with various decorative features to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the overall device.

[0059] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3B , various embodiments contemplate a lens holder 126 having an annular configuration that is sized and configured to hold the second lens 110 therein. The lens holder 126 may include a pair of feet 128 that cooperate with correspondingly positioned locator holes 36 defined by the printed circuit board 14. Such engagement between the lens holder 126 and the printed circuit board 14 is understood to limit axial rotation thereof, and further limit exit of the second lens 110 along its central axis.

[0060] Although various features of the optical assembly 16 have been described in the context of the first embodiment 16a, it will be understood that certain features are not intended to be limited to such an embodiment. Such features may be applicable to other embodiments described in more detail below, even if the description of such features does not specifically mention them. In this regard, unless otherwise indicated or described as mutually exclusive, or it is obvious from the context that a feature in one embodiment excludes another feature in a different embodiment, the features of the optical assembly are understood to be interchangeable.

[0061] Figure 4 The cross-sectional view of depicts a second embodiment of the optical assembly 16b, wherein the LED switch device 12 and the optical device are mounted on the same side of the printed circuit board 14. According to this embodiment, the first lens 200 is defined by a first lens front surface 202 and an opposing first lens back cone 204 having a tip 206. The first lens 200 can be defined by an outer cylindrical wall 208 between the first lens front surface 202 and the first lens back cone 204. Thus, as an example, the first lens front surface 202 can be circular and the first lens back cone 204 can have a conical shape. The tip 206 faces the LED switch device 12, which is also defined by a light emitting side 24 and an opposing base side 26.

[0062] As briefly mentioned above, the second embodiment of the optical assembly 16b contemplates mounting the LED switch device 12 on the top surface 28 of the printed circuit board 14. The second lens 210 is also mounted to the top surface 28 and is generally defined by a second lens front surface 212 and an opposing second lens rear surface 214. The second lens 210 has a cylindrical configuration with a vertical sidewall 216 defining its thickness between the second lens front surface 212 and the second lens rear surface 214. Similar to the first embodiment of the optical assembly 16b and its corresponding components, the second lens front surface 212 has a circular profile and the second lens rear surface 214 has a circular outer profile.

[0063] The second lens 210 further defines a central cavity 218, which opens toward the second lens rear surface 214. The central cavity 218 has a stepped cylindrical configuration having a first vertical sidewall 220 and a second vertical sidewall 221, the first vertical sidewall 220 being sized and configured to accommodate the LED switch device 12, and the second vertical sidewall 221 being sized and configured to accommodate the first lens 200. The central cavity 218 is further defined by a circular base cavity wall 222. Thus, the second lens rear surface 214 has a generally annular profile. The first lens 200 and the LED switch device 12 are assembled in the central cavity 218, wherein the first lens 200 is within a portion of the central cavity 218 corresponding to the second vertical sidewall 221, and the LED switch device 12 is within a portion of the central cavity 218 corresponding to the first vertical sidewall 220.

[0064] The diameter of the first lens 200 (more specifically, the circumference of its outer cylindrical wall 208) is understood to be sized and configured for friction retention within the second vertical sidewall 221 of the central cavity 218. Other retention patterns may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The first lens front surface 202 also abuts the circular base cavity wall 222. In the second embodiment of the optical assembly 16b, the first lens front surface 202 has a concave configuration so that there may be a gap 224 between it and the circular base cavity wall 222. Along these lines, the first lens back cone 204 and the second vertical sidewall 221 of the second lens 210 are understood to define an inverted conical recess.

[0065] The height of the first lens 200 is understood to correspond substantially to the depth of the central cavity 218 across the second vertical sidewall 221, and the height of the LED switch device 12 is understood to correspond substantially to the depth of the central cavity 218 across the first vertical sidewall 220. The second lens rear surface 214 abuts the top surface 28 of the printed circuit board 14, and the first vertical sidewall 220 is oversized to accommodate the LED switch device 12. The first lens 200 is positioned directly above the LED switch device 12. The major axis of the first lens 200 is aligned with the central light-emitting portion of the LED switch device 12. The output from the LED switch device 12 is transmitted through the first lens 200 and diffused by the second lens 210 to uniformly illuminate the markings 22 on the panel cover 20 positioned on top of the second lens front surface 212. The lens holder 226 having an annular configuration is sized and configured to hold the second lens 210 therein.

[0066] Reference now Figure 5 , a third embodiment of the optical assembly 16c utilizes an optional first lens configuration. Similar to the first embodiment 16a, the LED switch device 12 is mounted on a side of the printed circuit board opposite to the side on which the optical assembly 16c is mounted. The first lens 300 is defined by a first lens front surface 302 and an opposing first lens rear cone 304 having a tip 306. The first lens 300 may also be defined by an outer cylindrical wall 308 between the first lens front surface 302 and the first lens rear cone 304. As an example, the first lens front surface 302 may be circular and the first lens rear cone 304 may be conical. The tip 306 faces the LED switch device 12, which is defined by the light emitting side 24 and the opposing base side 26.

[0067] The printed circuit board 14 is also defined by a top surface 28 and an opposing bottom surface 30. In this embodiment, the LED switch device 12 is mounted to the bottom surface 30 of the printed circuit board 14, and the optical assembly 16c is mounted to its top surface 28. The LED switch device 12 can be replaced with a conventional output-only LED while maintaining touch input capability due to the conductive traces disposed on the top surface 28 and connected to the touch sensor controller, which will be described in more detail below. Therefore, the printed circuit board 14 has a hole or opening 32, wherein the light emitting side 24 of the LED switch device 12 is axially aligned therewith.

[0068] The third embodiment of the optical assembly 16c also includes a second lens 310 generally defined by a second lens front surface 312 and an opposing second lens back surface 314. The second lens 310 has a cylindrical configuration with a vertical sidewall 316 defining its thickness between the second lens front surface 312 and the second lens back surface 314. Thus, the second lens front surface 312 has a circular profile, and the second lens back surface 314 has a circular outer profile.

[0069] The second lens 310 further defines a central cavity 318 that opens toward the second lens rear surface 314. The central cavity 318 has a cylindrical configuration with vertical sidewalls 320 and a circular base cavity wall 322. Since the central cavity 318 is thus defined in the second lens 310, the second lens rear surface 314 has a generally annular or ring-shaped profile. The first lens 300 is mounted in the central cavity 318.

[0070] The diameter of the first lens 300 (more specifically, the outer cylindrical wall 308 thereof) is sized and configured for frictional retention within the vertical sidewalls 320 of the central cavity 318. That is, the circumference of the central cavity 318 can be smaller than the circumference of the outer cylindrical wall 308 of the first lens 300, and the central cavity 318 expands to compressively retain the first lens 300 therein. Alternatively, a dual molding process can be used in which the first lens 300 is inserted and / or molded within the central cavity 318 of the second lens 310. As described more fully above, other forms of retention are possible.

[0071] The first lens front surface 302 also contacts or abuts the circular base cavity wall 322. In this illustrated embodiment, the first lens front surface 302 is flat, so its substantially entirety is understood to contact the substantially entire circular base cavity wall 322. Similar to other embodiments having a first lens back cone 304, the vertical sidewalls 320 of the second lens 310 together with the first lens back cone 304 define an inverted conical recess. The specific reference to the conical recess should be understood as being by way of example only and not limitation. Between the possible variations of the central cavity 318 and the first lens back cone 304, there can be various arrangements of geometric shapes that the inverted conical recess can take.

[0072] The height of the first lens 300 may correspond to the depth of the central cavity 318. When the first lens 300 is located above the opening 32 of the printed circuit board 14, the second lens rear surface 314 abuts the top surface 28 of the printed circuit board 14. The optical assembly 16c includes a lens holder 326 having an annular configuration and sized and configured to hold the second lens 310 therein, and the lens holder 326 is in turn mounted to the printed circuit board 14. Optionally, the lens holder 326 may be integrated into the panel cover 20.

[0073] Figure 6A fourth embodiment of an optical assembly 16d is shown in which the LED switch device 12 and the optical device are mounted on the same side of the printed circuit board 14 and the first lens configuration of the third embodiment 16c is used. The first lens 400 is defined by a first lens front surface 402 and an opposing first lens back cone 404 having a tip 406. The first lens 400 can be defined by an outer cylindrical wall 408 between the first lens front surface 402 and the first lens back cone 404. As an example, the first lens front surface 402 can be circular and the first lens back cone 404 can have a conical shape. The tip 406 faces the LED switch device 12, which is also defined by a light emitting side 24 and an opposing base side 26.

[0074] A second lens 410 is also mounted to top surface 28 and is generally defined by a second lens front surface 412 and an opposing second lens back surface 414. Second lens 410 has a cylindrical configuration with a vertical sidewall 416 defining its thickness between second lens front surface 412 and second lens back surface 414. Second lens front surface 412 has a circular profile, and second lens back surface 414 has a circular outer profile.

[0075] The second lens 410 further defines a central cavity 418, which opens toward the second lens rear surface 414. The central cavity 418 has a stepped cylindrical configuration having a first vertical sidewall 420 and a second vertical sidewall 421, the first vertical sidewall 420 being sized and configured to accommodate the LED switch device 12, and the second vertical sidewall 421 being sized and configured to accommodate the first lens 400. The central cavity 418 is further defined by a circular base cavity wall 422. Thus, the second lens rear surface 414 has a generally annular profile. The first lens 400 and the LED switch device 12 are assembled in the central cavity 418, wherein the first lens 400 is within a portion of the central cavity 418 corresponding to the second vertical sidewall 421, and the LED switch device 12 is within a portion of the central cavity 418 corresponding to the first vertical sidewall 420.

[0076] The diameter of the first lens 400 / circumference of its outer cylindrical wall 408 is understood to be sized and configured for frictional retention of the first lens 400 within the second vertical sidewall 421 of the central cavity 418. The first lens front surface 402 also contacts or abuts the circular base cavity wall 422. Similar to the third embodiment of the optical assembly 16c, the first lens front surface 402 of the fourth embodiment of the optical assembly 16d is flat, and therefore its substantially entirety is understood to contact substantially entire circular base cavity wall 422. Similar to the other embodiments with the first lens back cone 404, the first vertical sidewall 420 of the second lens 410 defines an inverted conical recess together with the first lens back cone 404. The specific reference to the conical recess should be understood to be by way of example only and not limitation. Between the possible variations of the central cavity 418 and the first lens back cone 404, there may be various permutations of the geometric shapes that the inverted conical recess may take.

[0077] The height of the first lens 400 is understood to correspond substantially to the depth of the central cavity 418 across the second vertical sidewall 421, while the height of the LED switch device 12 is understood to correspond substantially to the depth of the central cavity 418 across the first vertical sidewall 420. The second lens rear surface 414 abuts the top surface 28 of the printed circuit board 14, and the first vertical sidewall 420 is oversized to accommodate the LED switch device 12. The first lens 400 is positioned directly above the LED switch device 12. The major axis of the first lens 400 is aligned with the central light-emitting portion of the LED switch device 12. The output from the LED switch device 12 is transmitted through the first lens 400 and diffused by the second lens 410 to uniformly illuminate the markings 22 on the panel cover 20 positioned on top of the second lens front surface 412. The lens holder 426 having an annular configuration is sized and configured to hold the second lens 410 therein, but the lens holder 426 may also be incorporated into the panel cover 20.

[0078] Figure 7 A fifth embodiment of an optical assembly 16e is shown, in which the LED switch device 12 and the optical device are likewise mounted on the same side of the printed circuit board 14, but with a first lens 500 of an alternative configuration defined by a first lens front surface 502 and an opposite first lens rear surface 503. Thus, the first lens 500 is designed in the shape of a disk, i.e. both the first lens front surface 502 and the first lens rear surface 503 are circular or substantially circular, with an outer cylindrical wall 508 between these two surfaces defining the thickness of the first lens 500. The first lens rear surface 503 faces the LED switch device 12, which is likewise defined by a light emitting side 24 and an opposite base side 26.

[0079] The optical assembly 16e also includes a second lens 510 having a structure and configuration similar to the other second lenses described above. More specifically, the second lens 510 is mounted to the top surface 28 of the printed circuit board 14 and is defined by a second lens front surface 512 and an opposing second lens rear surface 514. The second lens 510 has a cylindrical configuration with a vertical sidewall 516 defining its thickness between the second lens front surface 512 and the second lens rear surface 514. The second lens front surface 512 has a circular profile, and the second lens rear surface 514 has a circular outer profile.

[0080] The second lens 510 further defines a central cavity 518, which opens toward the second lens rear surface 514. The central cavity 518 has a stepped cylindrical configuration having a first vertical sidewall 520 and a second vertical sidewall 521, the first vertical sidewall 520 being sized and configured to accommodate the LED switch device 12, and the second vertical sidewall 521 being sized and configured to accommodate the first lens 500. The central cavity 518 is further defined by a circular base cavity wall 522. Thus, the second lens rear surface 514 has a generally annular profile. The first lens 500 and the LED switch device 12 are assembled in the central cavity 518, wherein the first lens 500 is within a portion of the central cavity 518 corresponding to the second vertical sidewall 521, and the LED switch device 12 is within a portion of the central cavity 518 corresponding to the first vertical sidewall 520.

[0081] The diameter of the first lens 500, and more specifically its outer cylindrical wall 508, is understood to be sized and configured for frictional retention within the vertical sidewall 521 of the central cavity 118. That is, the circumference of the outer cylindrical wall 508 may be slightly larger than the circumference of the central cavity 518 of the second lens 510, wherein the vertical wall 508 of the central cavity 518 has an undercut annular portion 519 to retain the first lens 500 therein. Other forms of retention (such as glue, etc.) may be substituted. The first lens front surface 502 also contacts or abuts the circular base cavity wall 522. In the illustrated embodiment, the first lens front surface 502 is flat, so its substantially entirety is understood to contact substantially the entirety of the circular base cavity wall 522. The thickness of the first lens 500 may vary and may be as thin as a single coating of material applied to the circular base cavity wall 522. The first lens 500 and the second lens 510 may be integrally formed as a single lens structure, and those portions of such a single lens structure may correspond to or otherwise relate to the individual first and second lenses 500 and 510 .

[0082] Unlike the previously described embodiments, the first lens 500 does not define a rear cone and therefore has no tip. Therefore, the entire first lens rear surface 503 is understood to face the LED switch device 12. However, similar to other embodiments, various surfaces or portions of the first lens 500 can be coated with alternating reflective / white coatings or light absorbing / black coatings to maximize light transmission and scattering effects. In addition, the first lens front surface 502 and the first lens rear surface 503 can have varying profiles that can be selected for the desired effect. Fig. 8A One such variation of the first lens 500a is shown. This variation features a flat front surface 502a and a flat back surface 503a. Figure 8B A second variation 500b of the first lens is depicted having a concave front surface 502b and a concave front surface 503b. Figure 8C A third variation 500c of the first lens is shown having a concave front surface 502b and a flat back surface 503a. Fig.8D A fourth variation 500d is shown having a concave front surface 502b and a convex rear surface 503c. Fig. 8E A fifth variation 500e is shown having a convex front surface 502c and a flat rear surface 503a. Fig.8F A sixth variation 500f is shown having a convex front surface 502c and a concave rear surface 503b. Figure 8G A seventh variation 500g is shown having a convex front surface 502c and a convex rear surface 503c. Figure 8H An eighth variation 500h is shown having a flat front surface 502a and a convex rear surface 503c. Fig.8I A ninth variation 500i is shown having a flat front surface 502a and a concave rear surface 503b. Each of these combinations of rear / front surfaces is understood to present a different light transmission and diffusion effect when combined with the second lens 510, and one of ordinary skill in the art will be able to select a combination for a particular effect or degree of effect.

[0083] The first lens 500 is located directly above the LED switch device 12. The major axis of the first lens 500 is aligned with the central light-emitting portion of the LED switch device 12. The output of the LED switch device 12 is transmitted through the first lens 500 and diffused by the second lens 510 to evenly illuminate the markings 22 on the panel cover 20 located on top of the second lens front surface 512. The lens holder 526 having an annular configuration is sized and configured to hold the second lens 510 therein, but the lens holder 526 may be included as part of the panel cover 20.

[0084] Another embodiment of the illuminated indicator panel 10' contemplates integrating the first lens and the second lens into a single integral structure. This alternative configuration may also feature a single lens having various sub-features as part of the same structure, such as Fig. 9 , Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B The sixth embodiment of the optical assembly 16f has a lens 150 defined by a front surface 152 and an opposing rear surface 154. The front surface 152 is understood to be flat and circular because the lens 150 has a cylindrical shape with vertical sidewalls 156.

[0085] The lens 150 also includes an annular recess 158 formed therein to facilitate forming a tapered first lens portion 160 with its tip 162 directed toward the electroluminescent semiconductor element of the LED switch device 12. The annular recess 158 also facilitates forming a second lens portion 164 surrounding and adjoining the tapered first lens portion 160. More specifically, the vertical depth or extent of the annular recess 158 generally bisects the lens 150 into an upper portion 166 having a flat disk-shaped configuration at least partially adjoining the tapered first lens portion 160, and a lower portion 168 having an annular or ring-like configuration surrounding the tapered first lens portion 160. In this regard, the interior of the annular recess 158 may also be defined by a vertical inner sidewall 170.

[0086] In the illustrated embodiment, the tapered first lens portion 160 has a conical shape, but this is exemplary only and not limiting. Alternative configurations may include a tapered first lens portion that includes a plurality of flat facets that are angled relative to each other along a generally circular pattern and terminate at a tip 162, or includes a sphere, a pyramid, a tetrahedron, or any other geometric shape that can be generally characterized as a cone and / or further contributes to uniform reflection of light. Additional embodiments of the optical assembly 16 disclosed herein also include specific geometries for the tapered first lens portion 160. In the context of these additional embodiments, it should be understood that specific references to geometries are exemplary only, and any other geometries, including those mentioned above, may be easily substituted in these alternative embodiments.

[0087] The tip 162 faces toward the LED switch device 12 defined by the light emitting side 24 and the opposing base side 26. The touch sensor contacts embedded within the package of the LED switch device 12 are understood to be disposed toward the light emitting side 24.

[0088] The LED switch device 12 can be mounted to the bottom surface 30 of the printed circuit board 14, and the sixth embodiment of the optical assembly 16f is mounted to its top surface 28. The annular recess 158 of the lens 150 is thus open to the opening 32 of the printed circuit board 14, and the light emitting side 24 of the LED switch device 12 is axially aligned with the tapered first lens portion 160, and in particular, axially aligned with its tip 162. The tip 162 is co-extensive with the rear surface 154 of the lens 150. Fig. 10B The mechanical attachment of the LED switch device 12 to the printed circuit board 14 is shown, wherein a distal portion 34 of the LED switch device 12 extending beyond the opening 32 is secured to the bottom surface 30 of the printed circuit board 14 .

[0089] This embodiment of the lens 150 is also understood to include features of a lens holder, which in various embodiments is a separate component. In this regard, a pair of feet 172 that can be inserted into the locator holes 36 defined in the printed circuit board 14 extend from the lower portion 168 of the second lens portion 164 and beyond the rear surface 154. This engagement between the lens 150 and the printed circuit board 14 is understood to limit axial rotation thereof and further limit withdrawal of the lens 150 away from the printed circuit board 14 along its central axis. The optical assembly 16f can also be retained by a compressive force applied to the optical assembly 16f by the panel cover 20, which faces the front surface 152 of the lens 150.

[0090] The major axis of the first lens 160 is aligned with the central light emitting portion of the LED switch device 12. The output of the LED switch device 12 passes through the opening 32 of the printed circuit board 14 and is diffused by the second lens portion 164, thereby uniformly illuminating the indicia 22 on the panel cover 20 located on top of the second lens front surface 152. To the extent that indicia 22 is embossed on the lens 150, it should be understood that such indicia is similarly illuminated.

[0091] As with the above-described embodiments of the optical assembly 16, the sixth embodiment 16f also contemplates improved diffusion of the lighting output from the LED switch device 12 by coating the surfaces of the tapered first lens portion 160 and the second lens portion 164 with alternating light reflecting and light absorbing / blocking coatings selectively applied to maximize the effect. Generally, the lens 150 is understood to be transparent or translucent. In a preferred but optional embodiment, the lens 150 may be made of silicone rubber or other plastic materials (such as ABS, PVC, etc.). The silicone rubber may be manufactured to have a white tint that aids in light diffusion.

[0092] In one embodiment, the outer surface of the vertical sidewall 156 can be coated with a light absorbing material, such as black paint, to limit the amount of light that leaks laterally out of view of an observer of the panel cover 20. Alternatively, the outer surface of the vertical sidewall 156 can be coated with a light reflecting material, such as metallic silver paint, which reflects light that is transmitted outward toward the vertical sidewall 156 and back into the interior of the lens 150. The outer surface of the tapered first lens portion 160 and the printed circuit board 14 in those areas that contact the rear surface 154 of the lens 150 can be coated with a light reflecting material, such as solid white paint or metallic silver paint, etc., to better reflect and scatter light from the LED switch device 12.

[0093] The outer surface of the first lens portion 160 may be coated with a substantially light-transmissive coating, such as white paint, to allow light from the LED switch device 12 to pass through the first lens portion 160 and diffuse therefrom, with the diffused light being transmitted throughout the second lens portion 164. A light-reflective material may also be coated on the outer surface of the first lens portion 160 to reflect light from the LED switch device 12 toward the vertical inner sidewall 170. In such an embodiment, the second lens portion 164 is understood to diffuse the reflected light that strikes the reflective surface of the first lens portion 160. A secondary effect of the metallic silver paint is understood to be an increase in capacitive touch input sensitivity, as the additional metal layer acts as a capacitive touch contact even though it is not electrically connected to the touch sensor controller.

[0094] Fig.11 is a cross-sectional view of a seventh embodiment of an optical assembly 16g, wherein the LED switch device 12 and the optical device are mounted on the same side of the printed circuit board 14. According to this embodiment, the lens 250 is defined by a front surface 252 and an opposing rear surface 254. The front surface 252 is understood to be flat and circular because the lens 250 has a cylindrical shape with vertical sidewalls 256.

[0095] The lens 250 also includes an annular recess 258 formed therein to facilitate forming a tapered first lens portion 260 with its tip 262 facing the electroluminescent semiconductor element of the LED switch device 12. In this regard, its light emitting side 24 is understood to face upward toward the tip 262, while the base side 26 is attached to the printed circuit board 14. The annular recess 258 includes a counterbore 259 that enlarges the diameter of the annular recess 258 and provides additional clearance for the LED switch device 12 when the LED switch device 12 is mounted on the same side of the printed circuit board 14. The annular recess 258 facilitates forming a second lens portion 264 surrounding and adjoining the tapered first lens portion 260. The vertical depth or extent of the annular recess 258 generally bisects the lens 250 into an upper portion 266 having a flat, disk-shaped configuration that at least partially adjoins the tapered first lens portion 260, and a lower portion 268 having an annular or ring-like configuration that at least a portion of the lower portion surrounds the tapered first lens portion 260.

[0096] In more detail, the lower portion 268 may be divided into a first half 268a surrounding the conical first lens portion 260 and a lower half 268b defining the above-mentioned expanded hole 259. The interior of the annular recess 258 may be defined by a first vertical inner sidewall 270 and a second vertical inner sidewall 271 corresponding to the expanded hole 259. The height of the second vertical inner sidewall 271 is understood to be substantially equal to the height of the LED switch device 12, while the height of the first vertical inner sidewall 270 is understood to be substantially equal to the height of the conical first lens portion 260.

[0097] like Fig.12 The eighth embodiment of the optical assembly 16h is shown having a lens 350 defined by a front surface 352 and an opposing rear surface 354. Unlike the other single lens configurations described above, in this embodiment, the front surface 352 is concave, defining a gap 353 between the lens 350 and the panel cover 20. However, similar to these embodiments, the lens 350 has a cylindrical shape, so the front surface 352 is circular. The lens 350 also includes a vertical sidewall 356.

[0098] The lens 350 also includes an annular recess 358 formed therein to facilitate forming a tapered first lens portion 360 having a tip 362 facing the electroluminescent semiconductor element of the LED switch device 12. The annular recess 358 also facilitates forming a second lens portion 364 surrounding and adjoining the tapered first lens portion 360. More particularly, the vertical depth or extent of the annular recess 358 generally bisects the lens 350 into an upper portion 366 having a disk-shaped configuration (having a concave front surface 352) that at least partially adjoins the tapered first lens portion 360 and a lower portion 368 having an annular or ring-like configuration surrounding the tapered first lens portion 360. The interior of the annular recess 358 may be defined by a vertical inner sidewall 370.

[0099] In this embodiment, the conical first lens portion 360 has a spherical shape, but this is exemplary only and not limiting. The embodiments described earlier contemplate a conical shape, and thus alternative conical configurations may be readily substituted. The tip 362 faces the LED switch device 12 defined by the light emitting side 24 and the opposing base side 26. The touch sensor contacts embedded within the package of the LED switch device 12 are understood to be disposed toward the light emitting side 24. The LED switch device 12 may be replaced by a conventional output-only LED while maintaining touch input capability because the conductive traces are disposed on the top surface 28 of the printed circuit board 14 and connected to the touch sensor controller, as will be described in further detail below.

[0100] The LED switch device 12 can be mounted to the bottom surface 30 of the printed circuit board 14, and the eighth embodiment of the optical assembly 16h is mounted to its top surface 28. The annular recess 358 of the lens 350 opens to the opening 32 of the printed circuit board 14, and the light emitting side 24 of the LED switch device 12 is axially aligned with the conical first lens portion 360, and in particular, axially aligned with the tip 362 thereof. The tip 362 is understood to be coextensive with the rear surface 354 of the lens 350.

[0101] Fig.13 A ninth embodiment of the optical assembly 16i is shown, and it will be appreciated that this embodiment incorporates a combination of the various features described above. More specifically, the LED switch device 12 and the optical device are mounted on the same side of the printed circuit board 14. The light emitting side 24 of the LED switch device 12 faces upward toward the tip 462, while the base side 26 is attached to the printed circuit board 14. In addition, the first lens portion has a spherical conical configuration, which will be described more fully below. The optical assembly 16i includes a lens 450 defined by a front surface 452 and an opposing rear surface 454. The front surface 452 is understood to be flat and circular because the lens 450 has a cylindrical shape with vertical sidewalls 456. The panel cover 20 is mounted to the optical assembly 16 facing the front surface 452 of the lens 450.

[0102] The lens 450 also includes an annular recess 458 formed therein to facilitate forming a tapered first lens portion 460 having a spherical tip 462 facing the electroluminescent semiconductor element of the LED switch device 12. The annular recess 458 includes a counterbore 459 that enlarges the diameter of the annular recess 458 and provides additional clearance for the LED switch device 12 when it is mounted on the same side of the printed circuit board 14. The annular recess 458 facilitates forming a second lens portion 464 surrounding and adjoining the tapered first lens portion 460. The vertical depth or extent of the annular recess 458 generally bisects the lens 450 into an upper portion 466 having a flat, disk-shaped configuration that at least partially adjoins the tapered first lens portion 460 and a lower portion 468 having an annular or ring-like configuration that at least a portion of the lower portion surrounds the tapered first lens portion 460.

[0103] The lower portion 468 may be divided into a first half 468a surrounding the tapered first lens portion 460 and a lower half 468b defining the aforementioned expanded hole 459. The interior of the annular recess 458 may be defined by a first vertical inner sidewall 470 and a second vertical inner sidewall 471 corresponding to the expanded hole 459. The height of the second vertical inner sidewall 471 is understood to be substantially equal to the height of the LED switch device 12, while the height of the first vertical inner sidewall 470 is understood to be substantially equal to the height of the tapered first lens portion 460.

[0104] Fig.14 Another embodiment of an illuminated indicator panel 10" is shown for use in an electronic device having various operating states indicated by outputs and controlled by inputs. It will be appreciated that the generation of such outputs and the receipt of such inputs may be independent of one another and may be implemented using a touch sensitive LED switch device 12, or in the alternative, a combination of conventional LEDs and additional touch sensor contacts provided as conductive traces on a printed circuit board 14.

[0105] The LED switch device 12 is mounted to a printed circuit board 14 which interconnects various input and output lines from the LED switch device 12 with the touch sensor controller, LED driver circuit and microcontroller. Similar to the previous embodiments, an optical assembly 16 is also mounted to the printed circuit board 14.

[0106] The illuminated indicator panel 10" includes a panel cover 60 of different configurations, the panel cover 60 having a base frame 62, an intermediate film or cover layer 64, and a top cover 66. The printed circuit board 14 is mounted to the base frame, and the base frame defines a plurality of openings 68 for each combination of an LED switch device 12 and an optical assembly 16. Each component of the panel cover 60 is generally defined by a flat top 70 and a curved portion 72. The openings 68 are defined along the length of the curved portion 72 and are designed to tilt the LED switch device 12 and its indication / input functions toward the user. There may be a second printed circuit board 14', with a different set of LED switch devices 12 mounted to the second printed circuit board 14', and the different set of LED switch devices 12 are configured to be visible and / or activated from the flat top 70.

[0107] The intermediate film or cover layer 64 may also include markings that align with the openings 68 in the optical assembly 16 and the base frame 62. These markings may be made with fluorescent paint / ink that is only visible when exposed to ultraviolet light and may be screen printed, pad printed, or sprayed on the top or bottom surface of the intermediate film or cover layer 64. Alternatively, Figure 1 In the case of the embodiment shown, such indicia may be made on the top or bottom surface of the cover plate 20. In such an embodiment, the LED switch device 12 may have ultraviolet wavelength emission in addition to visible wavelength emission. Indicia visible under visible wavelength emission may be incorporated into the optical assembly 16, so different indicia from the same opening 68 may selectively become visible in response to ultraviolet and visible light emission.

[0108] exist Fig.15 A tenth embodiment of an optical assembly 16j for use in an illuminated indication panel 10" is shown in more detail in FIG. 1 . In this embodiment, the LED switch device 12 and the optical device are mounted to the same side of the printed circuit board 14. Specifically, the first lens 600 is defined by a first lens front surface 602 and an opposing first lens rear cone 604 having a tip 606. The first lens 600 may be defined by an outer cylindrical wall 608 between the first lens front surface 602 and the first lens rear cone 604. Again, as an example, the first lens front surface 602 may be circular and the first lens rear cone 604 may have a conical shape, but alternative geometries of these elements are also possible as discussed in more detail above. The tip 606 faces the LED switch device 12, which is also defined by a light emitting side 24 and an opposing base side 26.

[0109] The second lens 610 is connected to the top surface 28 of the printed circuit board and is generally defined by a second lens front surface 612 and an opposing second lens rear surface 614. In this alternative construction of the illuminated indication panel 10", the opening 68 in the base frame 62 defines a tapered counterbore 74 to which the second lens 610 is coupled. Thus, the second lens 610 is defined by corresponding tapered walls 617 and short vertical side walls 616. In the example shown, the second lens front surface 612 has a circular shape, and its convex profile is designed to match the convex back surface of the intermediate film or cover layer 64 and the top cover 66. The base frame 62 also defines an alignment keyway 76 within the tapered counterbore 74. Thus, the second lens 610 may also include a key portion 78 whose size and structure are designed to engage with the keyway 76. The convex curvature of the second lens front surface 612 is maintained throughout its entirety. The second lens rear surface 614 has a circular outer profile.

[0110] The second lens 610 further defines a central cavity 618 that opens toward the second lens rear surface 614. The central cavity 618 has a stepped cylindrical configuration having a first vertical sidewall 620 sized and configured to accommodate the LED switch device 12 and a second vertical sidewall 621 sized and configured to accommodate the first lens 600. The central cavity 618 is further defined by a circular base cavity wall 622 that is slightly larger in diameter relative to the second vertical sidewall 621, and the central cavity 618 may further have an offset thickness 623 that effectively forms a flange opening toward the circular base cavity wall 622. The second lens rear surface 614 has a generally annular profile.

[0111] The first lens 600 and the LED switch device 12 are assembled in the central cavity 618, wherein the first lens 600 is within the portion of the central cavity 618 corresponding to the second vertical side wall 621 and the offset thickness 623, and the LED switch device 12 is within the portion of the central cavity 618 corresponding to the first vertical side wall 620.

[0112] The diameter of the first lens 600 / circumference of its outer cylindrical wall 608 is understood to be sized and configured to frictionally retain the first lens 600 within the second vertical sidewall 621 and the offset thickness 623 of the central cavity 618. The first lens front surface 602 also contacts or abuts the circular base cavity wall 622. The first lens front surface 602 is flat, so its substantially entirety is understood to contact substantially the entirety of the circular base cavity wall 622. Similar to other embodiments having a first lens rear cone 604, the second vertical sidewall 621 of the second lens 610 defines an inverted conical recess together with the first lens rear cone 604. The specific reference to the conical recess should be understood to be by way of example only and not limitation, as the feature can take alternative geometries as described above.

[0113] The height of the first lens 600 is understood to correspond substantially to the depth of the central cavity 618 across the second vertical sidewall 621 and the offset thickness 623, while the height of the LED switch device 12 is understood to correspond substantially to the depth of the central cavity 618 across the first vertical sidewall 620. The second lens rear surface 614 abuts the top surface 28 of the printed circuit board 14, and the first vertical sidewall 620 is slightly larger in size to accommodate the LED switch device 12. The first lens 600 is directly above the LED switch device 12. The major axis of the first lens 600 is aligned with the central light emitting portion of the LED switch device 12. The output from the LED switch device 12 is transmitted through the first lens 600 and diffused by the second lens 610 to evenly illuminate any markings on the intermediate film or cover layer 64 located on top of the second lens front surface 612 or on the second lens front surface 612 itself.

[0114] Fig.16 An eleventh embodiment of an optical assembly 16k that may be used in an illuminated indication panel 10" is shown. The LED switch device 12 and the optical device are also mounted on the same side of the printed circuit board 14. The first lens 700 is defined by a first lens front surface 702 and an opposing first lens rear cone 704 having a tip 706. The first lens 700 may be defined by an outer cylindrical wall 708 between the first lens front surface 702 and the first lens rear cone 704. The first lens front surface 702 may be circular and the first lens rear cone 704 may have a conical shape, but as described above, alternatives are possible. The tip 706 faces the LED switch device 12, which is also defined by a light emitting side 24 and an opposing base side 26.

[0115] The second lens 710 interfaces with the top surface 28 of the printed circuit board 14 and is generally defined by a second lens front surface 712 and an opposing second lens rear surface 714. The second lens 710 is defined by a tapered wall 717 and a short vertical sidewall 716, and the second lens front surface 712 can have a flat circular profile, but again, this is only an example. The manner in which the second lens 710 interfaces with the base frame 62 and the top cover 66 is the same as the eleventh embodiment of the optical assembly 16k, as with the tenth embodiment of the optical assembly 16J discussed above, so additional details thereof will not be repeated.

[0116] The second lens 710 further defines a central cavity 718 that opens toward the second lens rear surface 714. The central cavity 718 has a stepped cylindrical configuration having a first vertical sidewall 720 sized and configured to accommodate the LED switch device 12 and a second vertical sidewall 721 sized and configured to accommodate the first lens 700. The central cavity 718 is further defined by a circular base cavity wall 722 that is slightly larger in diameter relative to the second vertical sidewall 721, and the central cavity 718 may further have an offset thickness 723 that effectively forms a flange opening toward the circular base cavity wall 722. The first lens 700 and the LED switch device 12 are assembled in the central cavity 718, wherein the first lens 700 is within a portion of the central cavity 718 corresponding to the second vertical sidewall 721 and the offset thickness 723, and the LED switch device 12 is within a portion of the central cavity 718 corresponding to the first vertical sidewall 720.

[0117] The diameter of the first lens 700 / circumference of its outer cylindrical wall 708 is understood to be sized and configured to frictionally retain the first lens 700 within the second vertical sidewall 721 and the offset thickness 723 of the central cavity 718. The first lens front surface 702 contacts or abuts the circular base cavity wall 722. The first lens front surface 702 is flat, so its substantially entirety is understood to contact substantially the entirety of the circular base cavity wall 722.

[0118] In addition, there is a tertiary lens 730 attached to or otherwise engaged with the second lens 710. The third lens 730 is similarly defined by a third lens anterior surface 732 and an opposing third lens posterior surface 734 that abuts the second lens anterior surface 712. Because the second lens anterior surface 712 is flat, the third lens posterior surface 734 may also be flat, such that one of the second lens anterior surface 712 and the third lens posterior surface 734 is positioned substantially entirely against the other, but this is by way of example only.

[0119] The third lens 730 is designed to include a reverse relief of (one or more) three-dimensional symbols, (one or more) letters, or other marks 23. The mark 23 can be molded, etched or otherwise applied to the third lens 730. In the example shown, such a mark 23 is formed on the third lens front surface 732, but it can be combined with the third lens back surface 734. Such a mark 23 can be sanded / sandblasted or molded to define an area with higher translucency, or polished to define an area with higher transparency. In this regard, the third lens 730 can be composed of a transparent or translucent plastic resin material and can contain UV light-sensitive pigments. It should be understood that the third lens 730 can be composed of any of the above-mentioned materials related to the construction of the first lens or the second lens. The aforementioned intermediate panel 65 is attached above the third lens 730, which is positioned on top of the third lens front surface 732. The top cover 66 is attached to the intermediate panel 65. Various three-dimensional engraved, etched or molded marks can also be considered for the intermediate panel 65, which can be made on either side. The combined illumination of the different indicia 22 on the top cover 66 and / or the middle panel 65 and the indicia 23 on the third lens 730 can be used to produce a holographic or three-dimensional lighting effect. The surface of the indicia 23 or the surface on the middle panel 65 can also be coated with a fluorescent material that can be illuminated in response to ultraviolet wavelength emissions from the LED switch device 12. Thus, selective illumination of UV sensitive materials and visible light materials can be expected.

[0120] As described above, the presently disclosed embodiments of the optical assemblies 16a-16k may be used with the LED switch device 12 (ie, a combination input and output device).Based on the construction of the printed circuit board 14, further enhancements to capacitive touch sensing may be anticipated. Fig.17A An exemplary layout of the top surface 28 is shown, and Fig. 17B An exemplary layout of the bottom surface 30 is shown. It will be appreciated that the printed circuit board 14 shown may be used in conjunction with those embodiments of the optical assembly 16 in which the LED switch device 12 and the optical device are mounted to the same top surface 28. Thus, the top surface 28 defines a set of surface mount pads 38 for surface mount contacts of the LED switch device 12.

[0121] The surface mount pad 38 is located at the center of the conductive trace pad 40, which is in turn surrounded by the isolation channel 42. The outline of the optical component 16 is understood to be coextensive with the outline of the conductive trace pad 40, or to a degree slightly beyond its boundaries, perhaps to the outer boundaries of the isolation channel 42. Therefore, the conductive trace pad 40 is circular, but this is merely exemplary and not limiting. The conductive trace pad 40 is understood to be connected to the via 44 through a bridge trace 43 across the isolation channel 42. Further use of the via 44 will be described below. The increased contact area of ​​the conductive trace pad 40 is expected to be used to improve capacitive touch input detection. In addition, by coating the conductive trace pad 40 with a reflective material (such as the white or silver paint mentioned above), light scattering can be improved.

[0122] The LED switch device 12 includes terminals corresponding to the touch sensor contacts embedded therein, and there is a subset of surface mount pads 38a, 38b connected to conductive trace pads 40, which are ultimately connected to the touch sensor controller via conductive traces 48. The bottom surface 30 also includes a conductive trace pad 50 positioned in alignment with the conductive trace pad 40 on the back side (i.e., the top surface 28) of the printed circuit board 14. An isolation channel 52 surrounds the conductive trace pad 50. Similar to the conductive trace pad 40, the conductive trace pad 50 can be connected to the touch sensor controller to detect capacitive touch input. The conductive trace pads 40 on the top surface 28 and the conductive trace pads 50 on the bottom surface 30 are both understood to be conductive metal layers that are selectively etched around them to define such features in a conventional printed circuit board. However, alternative embodiments having conductive metal contacts may be substituted where the conductive metal contacts are attached to the printed circuit board 14 after its initial masking / etching manufacturing process or any other manufacturing process used to securely place the conductive trace pads 40 , 50 with the LED switch device 12 and optical assembly 16 .

[0123] As described above, conventional output-only LEDs may be utilized in place of the LED switch device 12 while still maintaining capacitive touch input capability. In this regard, the conductive trace pads 40 on the top surface 28 may replace touch sensor contacts that would otherwise be embedded in the LED switch device 12 and connected to a touch sensor controller, particularly in those embodiments where the LED is mounted to the top surface 28 of the printed circuit board. The conductive trace pads 50 on the bottom surface 30 of the printed circuit board 14 may be used in conjunction with the conductive trace pads 40 on the top surface 28 and connected to the touch sensor controller to enhance sensitivity. In this configuration, a jumper may be connected between the connection pads 45 electrically connected to the vias 44 and the connection pads 47 on the conductive trace pads 50. Thus, the conductive trace pads 50 and the conductive trace pads 40 may be electrically connected.

[0124] Alternatively, the conductive trace pad 50 on the bottom surface 30 of the printed circuit board 14 can be grounded and, in this case, used as a shield for the conductive trace pad 40 on the top surface 28 of the printed circuit board 14 to prevent unwanted input from the back. This may be useful in applications such as greeting cards, where the unintentional approach of a capacitive element (e.g., a hand) would otherwise be detected as an input. By grounding the conductive trace pad 50 to make shielding possible, detection of a hand holding the device / card is not understood to be detected as an input; only those tactile inputs on the front side of the card, i.e., capacitive elements approaching from the front side or the front surface 112 of the second lens, are detected. Along these lines, a conductive plane 54 on each of the top surface 28 and the bottom surface 30 of the printed circuit board 14 may be included outside the boundaries of the isolation channels 42 and 52. The conductive plane 54 is grounded, which is intended to mitigate and prevent interference from capacitance changes of other nearby components. In more detail, a jumper may alternatively be connected from the connection pad 47 on the conductive trace pad 50 to the ground pad 56.

[0125] Fig.18A and Fig.18B An alternative construction of a printed circuit board 14' is shown, in which the LED switch device 12 is mounted to its bottom surface 30, which is opposite the top surface 28 on which the optical assembly 16 is mounted. A surface mount pad 38 is located on the bottom surface 30 of the printed circuit board and includes an opening 32 through which the illumination from the LED switch device 12 is transmitted toward the optical assembly 16 mounted on the other side. A conductive trace pad 50' surrounds the opening 32 and the surface mount pad 38 and has an exemplary rectangular shape with rounded corners. Again, this shape can be replaced with other geometric shapes without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The conductive trace pad 50' is again surrounded by an isolation channel 52'. The conductive trace pad 50' is understood to be used for the same functional purpose as the conductive trace pad 50, that is, as an additional touch sensor contact, or as a ground shield. In addition, the conductive trace pads 40' and the conductive trace pads 50' can be manufactured in various ways, as discussed above with respect to the conductive trace pads 40 and the conductive trace pads 50.

[0126] Thus, conductive trace pad 50' may be connected to conductive trace pad 40' through bridge trace 43, via 44, and connection pad 45 connected to connection pad 47 on conductive trace pad 50'. Alternatively, conductive trace pad 50' may be grounded by connecting connection pad 47 to ground pad 56.

[0127] The top surface 28 of the printed circuit board 14' likewise includes a conductive trace pad 40' that is substantially coextensive with a conductive trace pad 50' on the opposite side and is surrounded by an isolation channel 42'. The conductive trace pad 40' also serves a similar functional purpose as the conductive trace pad 40 of another capacitive touch sensor contact of enhancing detection. A bridge trace 43 connects to a via 44 and the conductive trace pad 40' across the isolation channel 42'. Traces 48 are understood to connect the conductive trace pads 40', 50' to the touch sensor controller.

[0128] The details shown herein are given as examples and for the purpose of illustrative discussion of embodiments of optical devices for LEDs and LED switch devices, and for the purpose of providing a description of the principles and conceptual aspects that are believed to be most useful and easily understood. In this regard, no attempt is made to show more detailed details than necessary, and the description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings makes it clear to those skilled in the art how several forms of the present disclosure can be implemented in practice.

Claims

1. A lighting indicator panel, include: Printed circuit boards; an electroluminescent semiconductor device mounted to the printed circuit board; a lens having an integral structure defined by a first lens portion and a second lens portion and having a recess formed therein, the second lens portion surrounding the first lens portion, the first lens portion and the second lens portion having a common front surface and respective rear surfaces spaced apart from each other by the recess, the rear surface of the first lens portion facing the electroluminescent semiconductor device, the lens being mounted to interface with a surface of the printed circuit board; and A first conductive layer is on the top surface of the printed circuit board and surrounds the area where the electroluminescent semiconductor device is mounted, and the first conductive layer can be connected to the input of the touch sensor controller.

2. The lighting indicator panel according to claim 1, in, The printed circuit board is defined by the top surface and an opposing bottom surface.

3. The lighting indicator panel according to claim 2, further comprising: include: A second conductive layer is on the bottom surface of the printed circuit board and surrounds the region where the electroluminescent semiconductor device is mounted, wherein the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are axially aligned.

4. The lighting indicator panel according to claim 1, further comprising: include: A mark is provided on the lens, the mark having a form selected from the group consisting of: embossing, screen printing, pad printing, spraying, molding, etching and laser etching.

5. A lighting indicator panel, include: Printed circuit boards; an electroluminescent semiconductor device mounted to the printed circuit board; a lens having an integral structure defined by a first lens portion and a second lens portion and having a recess formed therein, the second lens portion surrounding the first lens portion, the first lens portion and the second lens portion having a common front surface and respective rear surfaces spaced apart from each other by the recess, the rear surface of the first lens portion facing the electroluminescent semiconductor device, the lens being mounted to interface with a surface of the printed circuit board; and cover.

6. The illuminated indication panel of claim 5, further comprising an intermediate cover layer between the cover and the lens, the intermediate cover layer comprising indicia overlapping the lens, the intermediate cover layer being mounted onto the lens.

7. A lighting indicator panel, include: Printed circuit boards; an electroluminescent semiconductor device mounted on the printed circuit board; a lens having an integral structure defined by a first lens portion and a second lens portion and having a recess formed therein, the second lens portion surrounding the first lens portion, the first lens portion and the second lens portion having a common front surface and respective rear surfaces spaced apart from each other by the recess, the rear surface of the first lens portion facing the electroluminescent semiconductor device, the lens being mounted to interface with a surface of the printed circuit board, Wherein a portion of the printed circuit board overlapping the second lens portion has a conductive layer connected to an input of a touch sensor controller.

8. The illuminated indicator panel according to claim 7, in, The common front surface has a profile selected from the group consisting of: flat, convex, and concave.

9. The lighting indicator panel according to claim 7, in, The rear surface of the first lens portion has a profile selected from the group consisting of: flat, convex, and concave.

10. The lighting indicator panel according to claim 7, in, A rear surface of the second lens portion has a flat profile.

11. The lighting indicator panel according to claim 7, further comprising: include: A cover having a mark thereon, wherein the mark overlaps the lens, wherein the cover is mounted on the lens.

12. The illuminated indicator panel of claim 11, further comprising an intermediate covering layer between the cover and the lens, the intermediate covering layer comprising indicia, the indicia included in the intermediate covering layer overlapping the lens, in, The intermediate cover layer is mounted onto the lens.

13. The illuminated indicator panel according to claim 12, in, The cover includes indicia that is illuminated in response to a first emission wavelength output from the electroluminescent semiconductor device, and the indicia on the intermediate cover layer is fluorescent and is illuminated in response to a second emission wavelength output from the electroluminescent semiconductor device.

14. The illuminated indicator panel according to claim 7, in, A portion of the printed circuit board that overlaps the second lens portion has a light reflective coating.

15. The illuminated indicator panel according to claim 7, in, A portion of the printed circuit board on an opposite side thereof that overlaps the second lens portion has a conductive layer connected to an input of a touch sensor controller.

16. The illuminated indicator panel according to claim 7, in, A portion on the opposite side of the printed circuit board overlapping the second lens portion has a conductive layer that is grounded.

17. A combined illuminated indication and input panel, include: a printed circuit board defined by a top surface and an opposing bottom surface; an electroluminescent semiconductor device mounted on the top surface of the printed circuit board; a first conductive layer on the top surface of the printed circuit board and surrounding the area on which the electroluminescent semiconductor device is mounted, the first conductive layer being connectable to an input of a touch sensor controller; and A cover is over the electroluminescent semiconductor device.

18. The combined illuminated indication and input panel of claim 17, further comprising: include: A second conductive layer is on the bottom surface of the printed circuit board and surrounds the region on which the electroluminescent semiconductor device is mounted, the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer being axially aligned.

19. The combined illuminated indication and input panel of claim 18, in, The second conductive layer is connected to the input of the touch sensor controller.

20. The combined illuminated indication and input panel of claim 18, in, The second conductive layer is grounded.

21. The combined illuminated indication and input panel of claim 18, in, The cover is a material selected from the group consisting of: metal, glass, ceramic, glass ceramic and plastic.

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