Multi-Layer Light Guiding Structure And Method For Using The Same

Abstract

A key module with a multi-layer light guiding structure includes a plurality of keys, light guiding structure and a plurality of light blocks corresponding to the light guiding structure. The light guiding structure includes a plurality of light guiding plates. Each of the light guiding plate includes at least one light guiding strip corresponding to specific keys, which are staggered to each other or corresponding to each other. The light guiding strip is provided with a color layer. An electronic device using the key module individually or selectively lights light emitting elements for each layer of the light guiding plates. Therefore, different lights are emitted from the light guiding strips or a mixed light is produced from the light guiding strips to illuminate the keys. The keys have lights of different color to manifest symbols or alphabets on the keys.

1 . A multi-layer light guiding structure arranged in an electronic device and corresponding to keys and a plurality of light-emitting elements of the electronic device, the multi-layer light guiding structure comprising:
 a plurality of light-guiding plates stacked together, a light-guiding strip formed on each of the light-guiding plates, the light-guiding strips being staggered to each other and corresponding to specific keys, wherein when each light-guiding plate guides light to the light-guiding strip, the light-guiding strip thereon is configured to refract light to corresponding key, whereby light of a specific color passes through a specific key.   
   
   
       2 . The multi-layer light guiding structure as in  claim 1 , wherein the light-guiding strip comprises a plurality of pits. 
   
   
       3 . The multi-layer light guiding structure as in  claim 1 , wherein the light-guiding strip comprises a color layer thereon. 
   
   
       4 . The multi-layer light guiding structure as in  claim 1 , further comprising a light block atop the light-guiding plate and the light-emitting element. 
   
   
       5 . A multi-layer light guiding structure arranged in an electronic device and corresponding to keys and a plurality of light-emitting elements of the electronic device, the multi-layer light guiding structure comprising:
 a light guiding structure comprising a plurality of light-guiding plates stacked together, a light-guiding strip formed on each of the light-guiding plates, the light-guiding strips being corresponding to each other, each of the light-guiding strips comprising a color layer;   a light block arranged between two adjacent light-guiding plates and two light-emitting elements,   wherein two light-guiding plates guide light to corresponding light-guiding strips, and the light-guiding strips refract light to a corresponding key, the light is filtered by the color layer, whereby light of a specific mixed color passes through the key.   
   
   
       6 . The multi-layer light guiding structure as in  claim 5 , wherein the light-guiding strip comprises a plurality of pits. 
   
   
       7 . The multi-layer light guiding structure as in  claim 5 , wherein the color layer of each of the light-guiding strips has different color. 
   
   
       8 . A multi-layer light guiding structure arranged in an electronic device and corresponding to keys and a plurality of light-emitting elements of the electronic device, the multi-layer light guiding structure comprising:
 a light guiding structure comprising a plurality of light-guiding plates stacked together, each of the light-guiding plates comprising a plurality of light-guiding areas, the light-guiding areas being staggered to each other and corresponding to alphabets and symbols of different orientations on the key; and   a plurality of light blocks, each arranged between two adjacent light-guiding plates and two light-emitting elements,   wherein when each light-guiding plate guides light to the light-guiding area, the light-guiding area thereon is configured to refract light to corresponding key, whereby light of a specific color passes through a specific key.   
   
   
       9 . The multi-layer light guiding structure as in  claim 8 , wherein the light-guiding strip comprises a plurality of pits. 
   
   
       10 . The multi-layer light guiding structure as in  claim 8 , wherein the light-guiding strip comprises a color layer thereon. 
   
   
       11 . A method for using a multi-layer light guiding structure, the multi-layer light guiding structure arranged in an electronic device and corresponding to keys and a plurality of light-emitting elements of the electronic device, the method comprising:
 a). providing a plurality of stacked light-guiding plates;   b). providing a light-emitting element corresponding to each of the light-guiding plates;   c). providing light-guiding strips on each light-guiding plate, which are staggered to each other and corresponding to specific keys of the key module; and   d). individually or selectively lighting the light-emitting elements and guiding in the light by the light-guiding plate, where the light-guiding strips change optical path of the light to refract the light to the specific keys.   
   
   
       12 . The method as in  claim 11 , wherein the light-guiding strip comprises a plurality of pits. 
   
   
       13 . The method as in  claim 11 , wherein the light-guiding strip comprises a color layer. 
   
   
       14 . The method as in  claim 11 , wherein the multi-layer light guiding structure further comprises a light block between adjacent light-guiding plates and adjacent light-emitting elements. 
   
   
       15 . A key module having a multi-layer light guiding structure, the multi-layer light guiding structure arranged in an electronic device and corresponding to a plurality of light-emitting elements, the key module comprising:
 a first elastic layer comprising a plurality of metal plates thereon;   a light-guiding structure arranged on the first elastic layer and comprising a plurality of light-guiding plates, each of the light-guiding plates comprising at least one light-guiding strip and the light-guiding strips of different layer of light-guiding plates being staggered to each other and corresponding to specific keys, where a light block is provided between adjacent light-guiding plates and adjacent light-emitting elements;   a second elastic layer arranged on the light-guiding structure; and   a key module arranged on the second elastic layer and comprising a plurality of keys, each key corresponding to a projection.   
   
   
       16 . The key module as in  claim 15 , wherein a binding layer is provided between the second elastic layer and the key module. 
   
   
       17 . The key module as in  claim 15 , wherein the second elastic layer comprises a rubber body and a rigid plastic film on surface of the rubber body, the rubber body comprising a projection on bottom thereof. 
   
   
       18 . The key module as in  claim 15 , wherein the light-guiding strip comprises a plurality of pits. 
   
   
       19 . The key module as in  claim 15 , wherein the light-guiding strip comprises a color layer. 
   
   
       20 . The key module as in  claim 15 , wherein the light-guiding structure comprises a plurality of light-guiding plates, each of the light-guiding plates comprises at least one light-guiding strip and the light-guiding strips are corresponding to respective keys, a color layer is provided for each light-guiding strip and a light block is arranged between two adjacent light-guiding plates and two light-emitting elements. 
   
   
       21 . The key module as in  claim 15 , wherein the wherein the light-guiding structure comprises a plurality of light-guiding plates, each of the light-guiding plates comprises a plurality of light-guiding areas and the light-guiding areas are staggered to each other and corresponding to respective keys, a color layer is provided for each light-guiding area and a light block arranged between two adjacent light-guiding plates and two light-emitting elements. 
   
   
       22 . A key module having a multi-layer light guiding structure, the multi-layer light guiding structure arranged in an electronic device and corresponding to a plurality of light-emitting elements, the key module comprising:
 a first elastic layer comprising a plurality of apertures and each aperture containing a metal plates therein;   a light-guiding structure arranged on the first elastic layer and comprising a plurality of light-guiding plates stacked to each other, each of the light-guiding plates comprising at least one light-guiding strip and a plurality of through holes, the light-guiding strips of different layer of light-guiding plates being staggered to each other and corresponding to specific keys, where a light block is provided between adjacent light-guiding plates and adjacent light-emitting elements; and   a key module arranged on the light-guiding structure and comprising a plurality of keys, the key comprising a second elastic layer and the second elastic layer comprising a projection passing through the through hole of each layer of light-guiding plate.   
   
   
       23 . The key module as in  claim 22 , wherein the light-guiding strip comprises a plurality of pits. 
   
   
       24 . The key module as in  claim 22 , wherein the light-guiding strip comprises a color layer. 
   
   
       25 . The key module as in  claim 22 , wherein the light-guiding structure comprises a plurality of light-guiding plates, each of the light-guiding plates comprises at least one light-guiding strip and the light-guiding strips are corresponding to respective keys, a color layer is provided for each light-guiding strip and a light block is arranged between two adjacent light-guiding plates and two light-emitting elements. 
   
   
       26 . The key module as in  claim 22 , wherein the wherein the light-guiding structure comprises a plurality of light-guiding plates, each of the light-guiding plates comprises a plurality of light-guiding areas and the light-guiding areas are staggered to each other and corresponding to respective keys, a color layer is provided for each light-guiding area and a light block arranged between two adjacent light-guiding plates and two light-emitting elements.