Patent ID: 7750352

Claim:
An electronic device with a lighted keypad, the device comprising a keypad having at least one key, the at least one key incorporating a light strip comprising: (a) a first substantially transparent electrode layer; (b) a second electrode layer; (c) a plurality of electroluminescent nanoparticles consisting of quantum confined, crystalline silicon nanocrystals surface treated with an organic or inorganic passivating agent which prevents degradation of the nanoparticles caused by oxygen, said nanoparticles being disposed between the first substantially transparent electrode layer and the second electrode layer, wherein the device further comprises a display lit by the light strip, the light strip providing a single light strip to illuminate both the display and the keypad, and wherein the display is illuminated with light of a higher intensity or light of a different color than the keypad, and wherein the light strip operates without an inverter by switching between an alternating current and direct current voltage source.