Patent ID: 7671290

Claim:
An illuminated key-pad unit, having depressible keys, wherein: the unit includes a set of keys mounted on a base-frame; the unit includes a light-strip of transparent or translucent light-transmitting material; the physical structure of the light-strip is such that the light-strip is capable of transmitting light received from a light source along the light-strip, and of radiating that light from an overface of the light-strip; the keys include respective key-caps; each key-cap comprises a molding of a transparent or translucent light-transmitting material; the key-cap has a visible over-surface and a non-visible under-surface; the overface of the light-strip is in a face-to-face relationship with the under-surface of the key-cap; and the overface of the light-strip is in a direct light-transmitting relationship with the under-surface of the key-cap.