Multi-segmented light guide for keypad and display apparatus
A multi-segmented light guide for keypad and display apparatus has been disclosed. The light guide film may comprise a plurality of light segments configured to transmit light independently. The boundaries of the light segments may be defined by a plurality of micro-optic structures. The micro-optic structures may have a height at least half the thickness of the light guide.
1. A light guide film for use in a keypad comprising:
a substrate;
a reflective sheet;
a plurality of light sources;
a key plate member having a plurality of keys;
a plurality of light segments in the light guide film, wherein each of the light segments is configured to transmit light independently to the corresponding keys of the key plate member located above the light guide film, and wherein the plurality of light sources operable to emit light independently into the corresponding light segments; and
a plurality of micro-optic structures located within the light guide film, wherein the micro-optic structures are arranged to define boundaries of the light segments of the light guide film, and wherein each of the micro-optic structures has a height at least half the thickness of the light guide film.
2. The light guide film of claim 1 , wherein the micro-optic structures form a substantially spheroid shape.
3. The light guide film of claim 1 , wherein the micro-optic structures form a pentahedron shape, the pentahedron comprising:
a first, second and third surfaces, the first, second and third surfaces being positioned substantially perpendicular to the planar of the light guide film;
a base surface positioned parallel to the planar of the light guide film; and,
a fourth surface, wherein the fourth surface, the first surface and the base surface form a right triangle.
4. The light guide film of claim 1 , wherein the micro-optic structures are formed using hot press method.
5. The light guide film of claim 1 , wherein the height of the micro-optic structures is substantially two third the thickness of the light guide film.
6. The light guide film of claim 1 , wherein the light guide film has a top surface and a bottom surface; wherein a portion of the top and bottom surfaces of the light guide film located corresponding to the boundaries of the light segments are coated with an opaque material.
7. The light guide film of claim 6 , wherein the opaque material is configured to absorb light.
8. The light guide film of claim 1 , wherein the light guide film has a top inner surface and a bottom inner surface; wherein the micro-optic structures are positioned such that a group of the micro-optic structures located on the top inner surface of the light guide film are interdigitated with another group of the micro-optic structures located on the bottom inner surface of the light guide film.
9. The light guide film of claim 1 , wherein the light guide film has a top inner surface and a bottom inner surface, and wherein the micro-optic structures are grouped into a plurality of basic, formations, the basic formation comprises at least two rows of the micro-optic structures arranged in an interspersed manner, and each basic formation located on the top inner surface is interdigitated with a corresponding basic formation located on the bottom inner surface.
10. The light guide film of claim 1 , wherein the light guide film has a top inner surface and a bottom inner surface; wherein the micro-optic structures are arranged in a plurality of rows such that each row located on the top inner surface is interdigitated with a corresponding row located on the bottom inner surface.
11. The light guide film of claim 1 , wherein the light guide film is flexible.
12. A keypad having a plurality of light segments operable to light up independently, the keypad comprising:
a substrate;
a reflective sheet disposed on the substrate;
a light guide film disposed directly or indirectly on the reflective sheet, wherein the light guide film further comprises a plurality of micro-optic structures arranged in a manner to define boundaries of the light segments, and wherein each of the micro-optic structures has a height at least half the thickness of the light guide film;
a plurality of light sources coupled corresponding to each light segment of the light guide film, the plurality of light sources operable to emit light independently into the corresponding light segments; and,
a key plate member disposed on the light guide film.
13. The keypad of claim 12 , wherein the micro-optic structures forms a substantially spheroid shape.
14. The keypad of claim 12 , wherein the height of the micro-optic structures is substantially two third the thickness of the light guide film.
15. The keypad of claim 12 , wherein the light guide film has a top surface and a bottom surface, a portion of the top and bottom surfaces of the light guide film located corresponding to the boundaries are coated with an opaque material.
16. The keypad of claim 15 , wherein the opaque material comprises a dark material configured to absorb light.
17. The keypad of claim 12 , wherein the light guide film has a top inner surface and a bottom inner surface; the micro-optic structures are positioned such that a group of the micro-optic structures located on the top inner surface of the light guide film are interdigitated with another group of the micro-optic structures located on the bottom inner surface of the light guide film.
18. The keypad of claim 12 , wherein the light guide film has a top inner surface and a bottom inner surface, and wherein the micro-optic structures are grouped into a plurality of basic formations, the basic formation comprises at least two rows of the micro-optic structures arranged in interspersed manner, and every basic formation located on the top inner surface is interdigitated with another basic formation located on the bottom inner surface.
19. The keypad of claim 12 , wherein the light guide film has a top inner surface and a bottom inner surface; the micro-optic structures are arranged in multiple rows such that every row located on the top inner surface is interdigitated with another row located on the bottom inner surface.
20. The keypad of claim 12 , wherein the keypad forms a portion of a mobile device.
21. A light guide film, for use in a display having at least two display areas and a plurality of light sources, the light guide film comprising:
a plurality of light segments positioned corresponding to the display area, wherein each of the light segments is configured to transmit light independently to the corresponding display segment of the display, and wherein the plurality of light sources is operable to emit light independently into the corresponding light segments; and,
a plurality of micro-optic structures located within the light guide film, wherein the micro-optic structures are arranged to further define boundaries of the light segments of the light guide film, and wherein each of the micro-optic structures has a height at least half the thickness of the light guide film.