Lite-On Technology has been granted a patent for a key module featuring a base plate, circuit layer, and a lifting mechanism. The design includes an abutment element to minimize operational noise, and a keycap that interacts with a recessed hole in the circuit layer during use. GlobalData’s report on Lite-On Technology gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.

Access deeper industry intelligence

Experience unmatched clarity with a single platform that combines unique data, AI, and human expertise.

Find out more

According to GlobalData’s company profile on Lite-On Technology, micro-LED wearables was a key innovation area identified from patents. Lite-On Technology's grant share as of June 2024 was 73%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.

Key module with noise-reducing lifting mechanism

Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Credit: Lite-On Technology Corp

The patent US12046426B2 describes a key module designed for use in various electronic devices. The key module consists of a base plate, a circuit layer mounted on the base plate, and a keycap that is connected to a lifting mechanism. The lifting mechanism allows the keycap to move vertically relative to the circuit layer. Notably, the keycap features a skirt portion and a connecting portion, with the latter designed to engage with a recessed hole in the circuit layer when the keycap is pressed. The claims detail various configurations of the key module, including the physical interactions between the keycap, the circuit layer, and the lifting mechanism, which may include elastic components to enhance the tactile feedback during use.

Further claims elaborate on the structural elements of the key module, such as the presence of multiple membranes within the circuit layer, which may include perforation and interference portions. The design also incorporates an abutment element that interacts with the circuit layer, ensuring proper contact during key presses. The claims specify various configurations for the abutment element, including its material properties and geometric arrangements, which are intended to optimize the key module's performance. Overall, the patent outlines a comprehensive design aimed at improving the functionality and user experience of key modules in electronic devices.

To know more about GlobalData’s detailed insights on Lite-On Technology, buy the report here.

Data Insights

From

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Blending expert knowledge with cutting-edge technology, GlobalData’s unrivalled proprietary data will enable you to decode what’s happening in your market. You can make better informed decisions and gain a future-proof advantage over your competitors.

GlobalData

GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.

GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.