Patent ID: 7525056

Claim:
A key switch structure comprising: a key top on which an unpainted character portion that is permeable to light is formed; a membrane sheet that comprises a contact portion and is entirely permeable to light; a plate member that is disposed below the membrane sheet and is entirely permeable to light, wherein the plate member contacts the membrane sheet; a light guide member, having a top side, bottom side, and a first side, the light guide member being disposed below the plate member, the light guide member having a conical recess, the conical recess being disposed below the unpainted character portion of the key top, the conical recess having a base located along the bottom side of the light guide member and a top which extends toward the unpainted character portion of the key top; a light source disposed below the plate member and adjacent to the first side of the light guide member, wherein light from the light source travels through the light guide member in a direction parallel to the top side of the light guide member; and a reflective portion disposed below the light guide member and flush with the bottom side of the light guide, the reflective portion having a conical shape, the reflective portion disposed within the conical recess of the light guide member, the reflective portion being adapted to reflect light towards the key top, wherein the unpainted character portion of the key top is lighted via light from the light source, wherein the light is diffused by both the plate member and the membrane sheet.