US6046730A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Backlighting scheme for a multimedia terminal keypad
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1996-07-30
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Granted: 2000-04-04
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Expires: 2016-07-30
Abstract
Abstract A housing assembly for an ISDN multimedia capable wireless interface device having a plurality of operating capabilities. The housing assembly comprises a main housing, a cover, hinge assembly for coupling the cover to the main housing. The hinge assembly enables the cover to pivot and articulate relative to the main housing to transform the housing assembly into a plurality of mechanical configurations via sensors responsive to the pivoting and articulating of the cover provided in the housing assembly. The cover includes an illuminated keyboard having a display for selectively providing pixel-based graphics and light. The keyboard is disposed over the display when the device is operating in one of a plurality of operational modes. Each keypad of the keyboard has an image viewing surface and coherent light pipe mechanism for conducting light generated by the display to the image viewing surface the keypad. The upper rear surface of the main housing includes three unmarked softkeys which enable finger access for various device functions. The keys are software controlled and as such operate to provide a mouse, cursor control, number and text generation, video camera control and other like device features.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald John Bowen
- 👤 David Michael Britz
- 👤 Richard Henry Erving
- 👤 Robert Raymond Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 09:27
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/02; H04M1/0202; H04M1/0206; H04M1/0241; H04M1/0245; H04M1/0208; H04M1/0214; H04M1/0216; H04M1/022; H04M1/22; H01; H01H; H01H2223/00; H01H2223/046; H01H2223/05; H01H9/00; H01H9/02; H01H9/0214; H01H9/0235; H04M1/60; H04M1/6033; H04M1/6041; H04M1/605; H04M1/72; H04M1/724; H04M1/72403; H04M2250/00; H04M2250/12; H04M2250/18; H04M2250/22; H04M2250/52; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/14; H04N7/141; H04N7/142; H04N2007/145
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
An illuminated keyboard for a multimedia terminal having a display for selectively providing graphics and light, said keyboard disposed over the display when the multimedia terminal is operating in one of a plurality of operational modes, said keyboard comprising: a plurality of keypads, each of said keypads having an image viewing surface and a coherent fiber-optic bundle for conducting light generated by the pixel-based graphics and light of the display to said image viewing surface of each of said keypads.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
An illuminated keyboard for a multimedia terminal having a display for selectively providing graphics and light, said keyboard disposed over the display when the multimedia terminal is operating in one of a plurality of operational modes, said keyboard comprising: a plurality of keypads, each of said keypads having an image viewing surface and a coherent fiber-optic bundle for conducting light generated by the pixel-based graphics and light of the display to said image viewing surface of each of said keypads.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The illuminated keyboard as recited in claim 1, wherein said coherent fiber-optic bundle includes a tapered drawn light receiving end and a full diameter light output end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The illuminated keyboard as recited in claim 2, wherein said image viewing surface includes indicia disposed thereon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The illuminated keyboard as recited in claim 3, wherein said coherent fiber-optic bundle conducts pixel-based light selectively generated by the display to said image viewing surface of each of said keypads to illuminate said indicia.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The illuminated keyboard as recited in claim 4, wherein said coherent fiber-optic bundle is clear.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
The illuminated keyboard as recited in claim 2, wherein at least one of said plurality of keypads further comprises a focusing lens disposed between said tapered drawn light receiving end of said coherent fiber-optic bundle and the display, said lens and said coherent fiber-optic bundle conducting a pixel-based graphic selectively generated by the display to said image viewing surface of each of said keypads.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The illuminated keyboard as recited in claim 1, wherein the display comprises a liquid crystal display having a backlighting source.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The illuminated keyboard as recited in claim 1, wherein the display comprises a cold-cathode, cathode ray tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
172 words
A housing assembly for a multimedia capable wireless interface device having a plurality of operating capabilities, said housing assembly comprising: a main housing including display means for selectively providing pixel-based graphics and light; a cover; hinge means for coupling said cover to said main housing, said hinge means enabling said cover to pivot and articulate relative to said main housing to transform said housing assembly into a plurality of mechanical configurations, wherein an appropriate one of the operating capabilities of the device is automatically selected in response to said mechanical configuration of said housing assembly; finger access means disposed on said main housing for working within a selected one of the operating capabilities of the device via a user's hand; and an illuminated keyboard in said cover, said keyboard including a plurality of keypads, each of said keypads having an image viewing surface and a coherent fiber-optic bundle for conducting light generated by the pixel-based graphics and light of the display means to said image viewing surface of each of said keypads.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
172 words
A housing assembly for a multimedia capable wireless interface device having a plurality of operating capabilities, said housing assembly comprising: a main housing including display means for selectively providing pixel-based graphics and light; a cover; hinge means for coupling said cover to said main housing, said hinge means enabling said cover to pivot and articulate relative to said main housing to transform said housing assembly into a plurality of mechanical configurations, wherein an appropriate one of the operating capabilities of the device is automatically selected in response to said mechanical configuration of said housing assembly; finger access means disposed on said main housing for working within a selected one of the operating capabilities of the device via a user's hand; and an illuminated keyboard in said cover, said keyboard including a plurality of keypads, each of said keypads having an image viewing surface and a coherent fiber-optic bundle for conducting light generated by the pixel-based graphics and light of the display means to said image viewing surface of each of said keypads.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The housing assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein said display means graphically indicates the function of said finger access means for a selected one of the operating capabilities of the device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The housing assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein said selected one of the operating capabilities of the device includes a cellular phone operating mode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The housing assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein said selected one of the operating capabilities of the device includes a multimedia operating mode.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The housing assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein said coherent fiber-optic bundle includes a tapered drawn light receiving end.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The housing assembly as recited in claim 13, wherein said image viewing surface includes indicia disposed thereon.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The housing assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein said coherent fiber-optic bundle conducts pixel-based light selectively generated by the display means to said image viewing surface of each of said keypads to illuminate said indicia.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The housing assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein said coherent fiber-optic bundle is clear.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The housing assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein said fiber-optic bundle has a tapered drawn light receiving end and an undrawn full diameter light output end.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The housing assembly as recited in claim 9, further comprising light focusing means disposed on an end of said fiber optic-bundle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The housing assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein the display means comprises a liquid crystal display having backlighting source.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The housing assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein the display means comprises a cold-cathode, cathode ray tube.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
The illuminated keyboard as recited in claim 1, wherein said display means further comprises a touch screen, said touch screen producing a signal in response to contact between said touch screen and each of said keypads.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
36 words
The housing assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein said display means further comprises a touch screen, said touch screen producing a signal in response to contact between said touch screen and each of said keypads.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of providing an illuminated keyboard for a device having a plurality of operating capabilities, said method comprising the steps of: providing a pixel-based graphics display which generates light, the display further including a touch sensitive screen; providing a keyboard said keyboard including a plurality of keypads, each of said keypads having an image viewing surface and a translucent coherent fiber-optic bundle; conducting light generated by said pixel-based graphics display to said image viewing surface through said translucent coherent fiber-optic bundle; and producing a signal in response to contact between each of said keypads and said touch screen.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of providing an illuminated keyboard for a device having a plurality of operating capabilities, said method comprising the steps of: providing a pixel-based graphics display which generates light, the display further including a touch sensitive screen; providing a keyboard said keyboard including a plurality of keypads, each of said keypads having an image viewing surface and a translucent coherent fiber-optic bundle; conducting light generated by said pixel-based graphics display to said image viewing surface through said translucent coherent fiber-optic bundle; and producing a signal in response to contact between each of said keypads and said touch screen.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-04-04 | 2003-10-04 | 2004-04-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-04-04 | 2007-10-04 | 2008-04-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-04-04 | 2011-10-04 | 2012-04-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |