Radiant energy – Photocells; circuits and apparatus – Optical or pre-photocell system
Patent
1989-07-21
1991-07-23
Nelms, David C.
Radiant energy
Photocells; circuits and apparatus
Optical or pre-photocell system
250229, 341 31, 341 23, 340712, H03K 1794, G01D 534
Patent
active
050346024
ABSTRACT:
An optically activated keyboard having key members, each with a key pad having illuminated symbols at the keypad surface and for contact with the finger of the operator. A plunger is secured to the key pad for operating a device to indicate which key has been depressed. In one embodiment of the present invention, the plunger is formed of light transmitting material to transmit light from the interior of the keyboard to the key pad. The key pad has a light transmissive portion with a symbol thereon which is illuminated by the light passing through the plunger to provide the desired illuminated symbol. As a second embodiment, the symbol can be disposed in the light conducting plunger or therebeneath whereby the light entering the transparent key pad is in the shape of the desired symbol in either a negative or a positive representation thereof to project the desired symbol from the key pad. As a third embodiment, light travelling in the optically activated keyboard wave guides is partially reflected into the transparent plunger by a beam splitter in the plunger end extending into the wave guide. As a fourth embodiment, the beam splitter of the third embodiment is a portion of the plunger and extends below the wave guide to a light source. As a fifth embodiment, a slot is provided between the light source and the plunger for receipt of a removable template containing the characters corresponding to the key configuration.
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Garcia, Jr. Felix
Williams Rodney D.
Comfort James T.
Griebenow L. Joy
Messinger Michael
Nelms David C.
Sharp Melvin
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