PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8378857-B2
Application Number: US-83925110-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Illumination of input device

Abstract:
Input devices having backlighting for associated input mechanisms. The backlighting may be supplied by a light source coupled to a light guide. Both the light guide and light source may be located completely beneath the input mechanism and above a mechanical support for the mechanism. Each input mechanism generally has its own dedicated light guide and light source.

Claims:
1. An input device, comprising:
 an input mechanism operative to move along an axis, the input mechanism having a front face and a back face; 
 a housing mechanically connected to the input mechanism; 
 a light source located beneath the input mechanism; 
 a light guide optically coupled to the light source and the input mechanism and entirely located beneath the input mechanism; wherein 
 the light guide redirects at least some light emitted from the light source through the back face of the input mechanism and through the front face of the input mechanism; and 
 wherein the light guide concentrates the redirected light on a portion of the input mechanism. 
 
     
     
       2. The input device of  claim 1 , wherein the input mechanism is a key of a keyboard. 
     
     
       3. The input device of  claim 1 , wherein the light source is chosen from the group comprising a light-emitting diode and an organic light-emitting diode. 
     
     
       4. The input device of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a second input mechanism operative to move along an axis, the input mechanism having a front face and a back face; 
 a second light source located beneath the input mechanism; 
 a second light guide optically coupled to the second light source and the second input mechanism and entirely located beneath the second input mechanism; wherein 
 the housing is mechanically connected to the second input mechanism; 
 the second light guide redirects at least some light emitted from the second light source through the back face of the second input mechanism and through the front face of the second input mechanism; and 
 the first and second light guides are physically separated. 
 
     
     
       5. The input device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the front face of the input mechanism is etched with a legend; and 
 the light guide directs light through the legend. 
 
     
     
       6. The input device of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the light guide abuts the back face of the input mechanism; and 
 the light guide extends in a direction along less than an entirety of the back face of the input mechanism, but at least along an entirety of the back face corresponding to the legend etched on the front face. 
 
     
     
       7. The input device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a wiring pattern at least partially disposed between the housing and the input mechanism. 
 
     
     
       8. The input device of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the housing comprises a faceplate through which a portion of the input mechanism projects; 
 the input mechanism comprises:
 a flange extending under the faceplate; and 
 an electrical contact coupled to the light source and terminating at the flange; wherein 
 
 the wiring pattern contacts the electrical contact when the input mechanism is in a first state, thereby providing power to the light source. 
 
     
     
       9. The input device of  claim 7 , wherein the wiring pattern does not contact the electrical contact when the input mechanism is in a second state, thereby shutting off power to the light source. 
     
     
       10. The input device of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the housing comprises a faceplate through which a portion of the input mechanism projects; 
 the input mechanism comprises an electrical contact coupled to the light source and terminating at a sidewall of the input mechanism; wherein 
 the wiring pattern contacts the electrical contact when the input mechanism is in a first state, thereby providing power to the light source. 
 
     
     
       11. A method for illuminating an input mechanism, comprising:
 providing power to a light source located beneath the input mechanism through an electrical connection between a portion of the input mechanism and a housing for the input mechanism; 
 directing light emitted from the light source by changing a direction of travel of the light, such that the light passes through the input mechanism; 
 concentrating the directed light on a portion of the input mechanism; and 
 in response to a disruption in the electrical connection, the disruption caused by a motion of the input mechanism, ceasing to provide power to the light source. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 reestablishing the electrical connection; and 
 in response to reestablishing the electrical connection, providing power to the light source. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 in response to the disruption in the electrical connection, registering an input from the input mechanism; and 
 in response to reestablishing the electrical connection, ceasing to register an input from the input mechanism. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the input mechanism is a key of a keyboard. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the operation of directing light emitted from the light source by changing a direction of travel of the light, such that the light passes through the input mechanism comprises:
 receiving light in a light guide located entirely beneath the input mechanism; and 
 passing the light through a microlens formed in the light guide; wherein 
 the light exiting the microlens illuminates an etching of the surface of the input mechanism. 
 
     
     
       16. An input device, comprising:
 a plurality of input mechanisms mechanically attached to an input device housing; 
 a plurality of light guides, each of the plurality of light guides located beneath and adjacent to each of the plurality of input devices in a one-to-one relationship, each of the light guides not extending beyond an outer edge of the associated input mechanism; 
 a plurality of light sources, at least one light source of the plurality of light sources coupled to each light guide, each of the at least one light sources emitting light into the coupled light guide; and 
 a plurality of mechanical support underlying the plurality of light guides and the plurality of input mechanisms; 
 wherein each of the plurality of light guides concentrate light emitted by a respective one of the plurality of light sources onto a portion of the respective associated input mechanism. 
 
     
     
       17. The input device of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of mechanical supports hold the plurality of light guides against the plurality of input mechanisms. 
     
     
       18. The input device of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a wiring pattern located beneath a portion of the input device housing but above the mechanical support, and electrically connected to each of the plurality of light sources; wherein 
 the wiring pattern is electrically connected to the plurality of light sources by a plurality of electrical contacts. 
 
     
     
       19. The input device of  claim 18  further comprising a microprocessor operationally connected to the wiring pattern and operative to generate an input signal in response to detecting an electrical break between the wiring pattern and one of the plurality of electrical contacts. 
     
     
       20. The input device of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of light sources are organic light-emitting diodes.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments described herein relate generally to input devices such as keyboards, and more specifically to illuminating input devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electronic devices are ubiquitous in society and can be found in everything from household appliances to computers. Many electronic devices include visual display elements that can be selectively or fully illuminated by a light source, often through backlighting. For example, many electronic devices include keyboards or keypads that can be backlit to allow a user to interact with the device in low light settings. Other electronic devices may be configured to illuminate an associated keyboard or keypad for purely aesthetic purposes. 
     While providing an attractive backlight for a user is useful in many electronic devices, much of the aesthetic and practical appeal of a device can quickly be compromised if the light source does not transmit enough light to be adequately perceived by a user. Additionally, the light source required for many visual display elements can quickly drain the power source of the electronic device. This may be a problem, for example, when the electronic device is running on battery power or some other depletable power source. Likewise, uneven or inadequate lighting may further detract from the aesthetic appeal or functional aspects of a device. 
     Although many designs for providing illuminated visual display elements on electronic and personal devices have generally worked well in the past, there is a desire to provide new and improved designs or techniques that result in even more aesthetically pleasing and power-efficient visual display elements. In particular, the ability to provide visual display elements on electronic and personal devices in a manner that can generate a sufficient amount of light to fulfill a purpose while conserving space and power is desirable. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments discussed herein generally take the form of input devices having backlighting for associated input mechanisms. The backlighting may be supplied by a light source coupled to a light guide. Both the light guide and light source may be located completely beneath the input mechanism and above a mechanical support for the mechanism. Each input mechanism generally, although not necessarily, has its own dedicated light guide and light source. 
     One embodiment may take the form of an input device, comprising: an input mechanism operative to move along an axis, the input mechanism having a front face and a back face; a housing mechanically connected to the input mechanism; a light source located beneath the input mechanism; a light guide optically coupled to the light source and the input mechanism and entirely located beneath the input mechanism; wherein the light guide redirects at least some light emitted from the light source through the back face of the input mechanism and through the front face of the input mechanism. 
     Yet another embodiment may take the form of a method for illuminating an input mechanism, including the operations of: providing power to a light source located beneath the input mechanism through an electrical connection between a portion of the input mechanism and a housing for the input mechanism; directing light emitted from the light source by changing a direction of travel of the light, such that the light passes through the input mechanism; in response to a disruption in the electrical connection, the disruption caused by a motion of the input mechanism, ceasing to provide power to the light source. 
     Still another embodiment takes the form of an input device, including: a plurality of input mechanisms mechanically attached to an input device housing; a plurality of light guides, each of the plurality of light guides located beneath and adjacent to each of the plurality of input devices in a one-to-one relationship, each of the light guides not extending beyond an outer edge of the associated input mechanism; a plurality of light sources, at least one light source of the plurality of light sources coupled to each light guide, each of the at least one light sources emitting light into the coupled light guide; and a plurality of mechanical support underlying the plurality of light guides and the plurality of input mechanisms. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  depicts a keyboard. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the keyboard of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a keyboard having individual backlighting for each key. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of a key having individual backlighting. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the key and keyboard of  FIG. 3 , taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view similar to that of  FIG. 5 , showing an alternative embodiment of a keycap with individual backlighting. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view similar to that of  FIG. 5 , showing a third embodiment of a keycap with individual backlighting. 
         FIG. 8  is a sample wiring pattern for use with the keyboards of  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
         FIG. 9  is a first wiring diagram for use with individually-illuminated keycaps. 
         FIG. 10  is a second wiring diagram for use with individually-illuminated keycaps. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments discussed herein generally take the form of input devices having backlighting for associated input mechanisms. The backlighting may be supplied by a light source coupled to a light guide. Both the light guide and light source may be located completely beneath the input mechanism and above a mechanical support for the mechanism. Each input mechanism generally, although not necessarily, has its own dedicated light guide and light source. 
       FIG. 1  generally depicts a keyboard  100 . Although the keyboard is shown as stand-alone, it should be appreciated that the discussion herein applies generally to all illuminated keyboards, whether stand-alone or integrated into another product such as a laptop computer. Likewise, certain principles discussed herein may be applied to other input and/or output devices, such as mice, trackballs and the like. The keyboard may be considered an “input device” and each key an “input mechanism.” 
     The keyboard  100  of  FIG. 1  includes multiple keys  110  that may be illuminated by one or more backlights.  FIG. 2  generally shows an exploded view of the keyboard  100  of  FIG. 1 . As shown, the keyboard typically includes multiple layers. The individual keys  110  are at least partially contained within a housing or faceplate  120  that surrounds the keyboard. A backplate  130  may define a bottom portion of the housing  120 . Each key is attached to a mechanical scissor  140  that biases the key upward. As a key  110  is pressed, the scissor collapses, permitting the key to travel downward. This motion also collapses a dome switch  150  located beneath the keyboard. The dome switches  150  all may be formed on a single dome switch layer  160 . A metal patch is formed at the top of the dome. When this patch impacts a contact on the wiring layer  170  beneath the dome. The wiring layer is connected to a microprocessor, which detects the short circuit, registers it as a key press and generates an output or otherwise processes the short circuit accordingly. A support layer (not shown) may be located adjacent the wiring layer to provide structural stiffness to the wiring. 
     In another embodiment, the downward motion of the key  110  pushes a plunger or other protrusion through a hole at the top of a dome  150 . The plunger, which generally has an end made of metal or that is otherwise electrically conductive, touches a contact on the bottom of the dome switch when the keyboard is sufficiently depressed. This contact creates a short circuit with the results discussed above. 
     As also shown in  FIG. 2 , many keyboards  100  include an illumination system that backlights one or more individual keys  110 . In order to be backlit, a key  110  generally has its legend, symbol or the like etched through the paint or other opaque surface of the key. Oftentimes, this etching is in the shape of the letter, number or symbol corresponding to the key&#39;s input. One or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs)  180  are positioned around the exterior of a light guide. (In some cases, one or more LEDs may also be placed in apertures within the light guide.) Light is emitted by the LEDs into the light guide  190 , which is formed from a transparent or translucent material that permits the light to propagate therethrough. Example materials include fiber optic bundles, acrylic, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile-butadiene-atyrene and so on. Power may be supplied to the LEDs  180  through an appropriately configured circuit, which typically is coplanar with or underneath the LEDs and light guide  190 . It should likewise be noted that the LEDs may be generally coplanar with the light guide. 
     A pattern of microlenses  195  is formed on the light guide  190 . As light emitted from the LEDs  180  enters the microlenses  195 , the light is redirected to be emitted upward and out of the microlenses. Thus, when side-firing LEDs are used, light is redirected from traveling along an X-Y plane to traveling along a Z-axis. Either side-firing or top-firing LEDs  180  may be coupled to the light guide  190 , or in certain embodiments both side- and top-firing LEDs may be used. Although the microlens  195  pattern of the light guide  190  may vary depending on the keyboard size and layout, as well as the type of LEDs  180  used and their positions, the operation of the light guide is generally as described herein. Further, a base of the light guide may be reflective or reflectively coated to redistribute back into the light guide light that would otherwise exit the guide through the base. 
     Generally, the light guide  190  redirects light from the LEDs  180  and transmits it to the bottom of each key  110 , where it may backlight the key and be seen through the legend or other etching on the key face. In this fashion, the keys may be illuminated by the LEDs. 
     Although the keyboard  100  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  provides backlighting for keys  110 , it may be inefficient. Because the light guide  190  and LEDs  180  are located beneath the wiring layer  170 , support layer (if any), dome switch layer  160  and scissor mechanism  140  for each key, much of the light exiting the light guide is blocked by these components. Thus, relatively power-hungry LEDs  180  must be used to illuminate the keyboard  100  since only a fraction of the emitted light can be seen through the various physical layers. This may also lead to variances in brightness between keys  110 , since the physical layers may bock more light in some areas and less in others, depending on the layout of the stacked layers. 
       FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of a keyboard  300  with individual key backlighting, while  FIG. 4  is an exploded view of a sample key from the keyboard of  FIG. 3 . As shown, the keyboard again includes multiple keys. This keyboard, however, lacks a light guide layer  190 . Instead, each key includes an individual light guide  320  as shown to best effect in  FIGS. 4 and 5 .  FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the key stack of  FIG. 4 , when the key stack is in a normal configuration (e.g., an operating configuration as opposed to an exploded one). 
     As best seen in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 5 , a LED  330  and light guide  320  may be placed beneath the keycap  310  and mechanically held against the keycap by the scissor mechanism  340 . (In alternative embodiments, the LED  330  and/or light guide  320  may be adhered to the keycap  310 , held in place by one or more detents, frictionally fitted beneath the keycap and the like.) In the illustrated embodiment, the LED is side-firing although alternative embodiments may use a top-firing LED. Generally, a hollow  315  is formed on the bottom side of the keycap  310  and the LED  330  and light guide  320  are fitted within the hollow. The top of the keycap may be etched to form a legend  350  as previously described, to permit light to emanate therethrough. It should be appreciated that the depth of the etching varies depending on the depth of the paint or other light-blocking element on the surface of the keycap, as well as the translucence of the key. 
     Since the LED and light guide are located directly beneath the keycap, no light is lost or blocked by intervening layers of wiring, support structures and the like. 
     Since the LED  330  and light guide are located beneath the keycap  310  and little or no light is lost or blocked, thus permitting nearly all light generated by the LED to pass through the etched portion of the keycap, the LED may be significantly less powerful than those used in other devices or with other mechanisms, such as the keyboard of  FIG. 1 . That is, the LED  330  may draw less power but make each key  310  appear as bright as significantly more power-hungry LEDs used in a conventional backlighting system. In one embodiment, the LED in the keycap  310  configuration of  FIGS. 4 and 5  requires only 5% as much power as an LED used with the light guide of  FIG. 2  to provide the same illumination through a keycap. Thus, the duty cycle of the LED  330  of  FIGS. 4 and 5  may be 1/20 th  that of the LED  180  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . This may be achieved, for instance, through pulse-width modulation of the LED&#39;s power source. Typically, the pulse-width modulation cycle or repetition rate is higher than 60 Hz or the like, in order to avoid the human eye perceiving any flicker in the operation of the LED. 
     It should be appreciated that the light guide  320  located beneath the keycap may have microlenses formed thereon to direct light from the LED to the etched portion of the keycap, as shown by the arrows in  FIGS. 5-7 . In this manner, the light guide  320  may concentrate light emitted by the LED  330  in an area where it is more likely to be seen (e.g., through the etched portion  350  of the keycap  310 ). By guiding the light in this manner, the light guide also may reduce the amount of light that shines from beneath a key and out the sides of the keycap stack. Thus, the light guide may not only concentrate the light in a desired area but may also reduce light scattering or the “glowing” effect caused around keys by errant light. 
     In alternative embodiments, the keycap  310  itself may be made of a light guide material. Such a keycap may nonetheless have microlenses formed to direct light from the LED  330  to the etched surface. In embodiments where the keycap is made from a light guide material, the LED may be bottom-firing and located beneath the keycap. The top-firing LED may be held in place through the scissor mechanism or a mechanical support. 
     Yet another embodiment may have a keycap  310  made fully or partially from a light guide material and may use a side-firing LED  330 . In this embodiment, a portion of the keycap light guide may extend downwardly and abut or be near the LED. The light from the LED  330  may enter the downwardly-extending portion of the keycap  310  and be redirected upward, as discussed above. 
     It should be appreciated that the light guide  320  need not run along the entirety of the base of the keycap  310 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . Rather, the light guide may run along a portion of the keycap base and extend only as far as the edge of the legend  350  or other etching furthest from the LED. Since light need not be directed anywhere except beneath the etching  350  by the light guide  320 , it is generally not necessary to extend the light guide past the etching edge. 
     It will be appreciated that power is typically externally supplied to the LED  330  in order for the LED to operate in the manner described herein. Since the LED  330  and light guide  320  are not located beneath the scissor  140 , dome switch layer  150  and associated wiring  170 , the power wiring for the LEDs may be different from that of conventionally backlit keyboards such as the one shown in  FIG. 2 . In certain embodiments, traces or wiring may extend vertically from the wiring layer  170  (or other wiring providing power) to the LED  330 . Such embodiments may use flex cable to connect the wiring layer and LEDs. The flex cable may bend as the keycap moves downward, thus maintaining the electrical connection between wiring layer and LED. 
     Other embodiments may use a different wiring configuration, one example of which is shown in  FIG. 5  and in better view in  FIG. 8 . An electrical wiring pattern  360  may be formed on a substrate  370  which is located directly beneath the top  120  of the keyboard  300 . The electrical wiring  360  may provide power to each LED  330  in a keycap stack. As shown in cross-section in  FIG. 5 , the keycap  310  may include a ridge or flange  380  that extends outwardly and under a faceplate  120  of the keyboard. That is, the top of the keycap protrudes upward through an aperture in the housing while the flange extends under the faceplate. An electrical contact  390  may run from the LED  330 , through the keycap  310  (or along a surface of the keycap) and terminate in a contact point  395  on the flange. The wiring  360  may run beneath the faceplate  120  and touch the contact point  395  when the key is not depressed. Thus, when the key is in a resting position (e.g., is not being pressed by a user), power may be provided to the LED through the wiring pattern, contact point and electrical contact. 
     When the user presses down on the key in this embodiment, the electrical connection between the wiring pattern  360  and electrical contact  390  is broken as the key  310  moves away from the keyboard faceplate  120 . Thus, when the key is pressed, the LED  330  will turn off and the key will not be illuminated. Presumably, the key is being pressed by a user&#39;s finger located atop the etched surface that transmits light. Thus, although the LED is inactive, the user&#39;s finger, stylus or the like may cover the etched surface of the keycap and thus prevent the user from noticing that the key is no longer illuminated. When the key returns to its rest position, the electrical contact  390  and wiring pattern  360  again touch and the LED  330  may again be illuminated. 
     In another embodiment, the flange  380  may be omitted or greatly reduced in size. The electrical contact  390  extending from the LED  330  may terminate at a side of the keycap  310  which abuts a portion of the wiring pattern  360 . Thus, when the key is at rest, the electrical contact and wiring pattern are in contact and the LED may illuminate. As with the prior embodiment, pressing down on the key moves the electrical contact  390  away from the wiring pattern  360  and breaks the flow of current to the LED  330 . Further, if the side of the keycap  310  abuts the faceplate  120 , they may impact one another as the keyboard moves. This abrasive action may remove dirt and other debris that might otherwise become stuck to either the keycap or faceplate and disrupt the electrical connection between the wiring pattern and LED. 
     In the foregoing embodiments, the wiring pattern  360  may be formed directly on the back side of the keyboard faceplate  120  or may be a separate layer adjacent the back side of the faceplate. If the wiring pattern is formed as a separate layer, it may be attached to the faceplate in certain embodiments. 
     In another embodiment, a portion of the top of each dome  150  in the dome switch layer  160  may be made of metal. Essentially a trace may be run along a side of the dome and may connect to the LED&#39;s electrical contact  390  (which would thus extend downward to the dome). By running the trace along the dome and insulating it from the metal portion of the dome, power may be provided to the LED as long as the trace touches the LED&#39;s electrical contact. Since the dome  150  collapses as the key is pressed and springs back as the key is released, this embodiment may provide power to the LED  330  during a key press. The dome, in such embodiments, may have a metal trace covered by an elastomer used to form the rest of the dome. 
     In yet another embodiment, the scissors mechanism  140  or a portion thereof may be made from metal and serve to connect a power source to the LED  330 . For example, a leg of each scissor structure may be electrically conductive and connected to a wiring pattern  360  beneath (or above) the scissor. The scissor leg may likewise contact the LED&#39;s electrical contact  390 , thus acting to provide power from the wiring pattern to the LED. Insofar as the scissor moves with the keycap and thus the LED, the scissor may provide power to the LED regardless of the physical motion or state of the keycap. 
     It should be noted that some embodiments may not employ a scissor mechanism  140  or other support for the keycap  310  at all. Instead, each keycap  310  may be suspended in an elastic material, such as rubber, silicon and the like. The keycaps may thus be pressed but are biased upward when not under pressure by the elastic material. In these embodiments, power may be provided to the LEDs  330  through electrical traces formed on or adjacent the bottom side of the suspended keycaps and running to a power source. 
     In embodiments providing an electrical connection between a wiring pattern  360  formed or adjacent a keyboard faceplate  120  and a LED  330  beneath the keycap, as described above, the dome switch  150  may be omitted. Instead, when the circuit formed by the wiring pattern  360  and the electrical contact  390  breaks, a microprocessor operationally connected to the wiring pattern may detect this break and register it as a key press. Thus, the wiring pattern may be used not only to selectively power the LED and backlight or otherwise illuminate the key, but also to provide input detection and functionality to the keys. In some embodiments, the breaking of this electrical circuit may function as an input only it if occurs for a sufficient length of time, such as the time typically necessary to fully depress a key while typing and have the key spring back to a rest state. This may aid in determining the difference between a deliberate keystroke and an accidental key impact. 
     It should be appreciated that each key may have an individual LED  330  and light guide  320  associated therewith. Accordingly, a keyboard  300  implementing certain embodiments discussed herein may need to provide power to multiple LEDs. LEDs may be wired in series, as shown in  FIG. 9 , or sets of LEDs may be wired in parallel as per  FIG. 10 . Further, a microcontroller  400  may be electrically connected to the LEDs in order to control current flow to the LEDs. Thus, the microcontroller may control the on/off state of the LEDs, the brightness of the LEDs and so forth. Whether or not individual LEDs may be controlled separate from one another depends on the wiring arrangement. 
     In some embodiments, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) may be used in place of the LED  330 . Further, since OLEDs are relatively small and thin, the OLED may be deposited directly on a surface of the light guide, such as the guide&#39;s bottommost surface or side surface. 
     Typically, although not necessarily, each key of a keyboard  300  (or each button on a mouse, trackpad and the like) has a single LED  330  and light guide  320  located beneath it. In alternative embodiments, certain keys may have multiple light guides and/or LEDs associated therewith. For example, a single light guide may be placed beneath a space bar but have two LEDs in communication with the light guide. One LED may be at each end of the space bar, to continue the example. 
     Although embodiments have been described herein with respect to keys on a keyboard, it should be appreciated that this document&#39;s teachings may be applied to other devices and/or mechanisms, such as buttons on a mouse or trackball, a track pad and the like. Further, variants and alternative embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this disclosure. Accordingly, the proper scope of protection is defined by the appended claims.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20100719
Publication Date: 20130219
Grant Date: 20130219
Priority Date: 20100719
Inventors: PANCE ALEKSANDAR
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G02B6/0001", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2219/062", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/83", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0202", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2219/046", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H2219/04", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 45466533