Products

Graphic Overlays - Graphic Window

OVERVIEW:
The window of a membrane keypad is a translucent area, either clear or colored, allowing for the visualization of information posted on an LED or LCD display which sits behind the keypad. It can also be described as an area allowing light to pass through, emitted by a light-emitting diode (LED). As these windows are not cut out, the structure of the membrane keypad is not weakened in any way. GGI International has the ability to integrate different styles and types of graphic windows into your membrane switch keyboard.

WINDOW TYPES:

LED Windows: are exclusively used to allow light emitted by LEDs to penetrate through the surface to the viewer.

These LEDs can either be embedded into the keypad or placed on a Rigid/ Flex Printed Circuit Board (PCB)

  • LED windows can either be clear, translucent (yellow, red, green, blue and amber), or smoked in various shades of grey. Certain textures can also be used to diffuse light transmission. Contact GGI for more detailed information.
  • The use of a translucent color for LED windows will help mask the details of the light-emitting component. It will also help diffuse the light emitted by the diode.
  • The frosted texture inherent to the material itself also contributes to the diffusion of the light emitted by the diode.

 

Display windows: The display windows make it possible for the user to see the information transmitted using various types of supports.

  • LED display window: The LED display is made up of an array of LEDs that can generate information aspects, numbers and/or pictograms. The LED display window is usually textured and available in several translucent colors.
  • LCD display window: Allows the light emitted by liquid crystal displays to pass through to the surface. The LCD display sits strategically underneath the graphic overlay of the membrane keypad. In the majority of cases, the display will be mounted to a rigid printed circuit board, which is an integral part of GGI's user interface assembly.

    • As the information emitted by LCD screens is in high definition, the window of the membrane keypad must provide an excellent visibility and high legibility. This can be achieved by carefully selecting a non-textured graphic material or by applying a special UV ink to a textured graphic material in the viewing area which evens out the surface while giving it higher-quality optical properties.
    • Several factors will affect the optical quality of a particular graphic material such as; light transmission capacity, blur factor, gloss levels, application environment, etc. GGI International will evaluate and recommend the proper material selection for your application.
    • When designing a membrane keypad assembly that includes an LCD window and an LCD display, the display should be installed as close as possible to the graphic window in order to improve legibility on the screen.
    • GGI International's design department will ensure efficient, mechanical integration of your LCD displays into the user interface thereby avoiding common effects such as the presence of Newton rings.
  • Various display windows:
    • Windows for interchangeable legends: The same technique is used as for LCD windows mentioned above.
    • Neutral type windows (dead front): Allows for viewing specific information only when backlit. When the window is not backlit, the specific information will not be apparent on the graphic overlay, thus blending into the background. Several custom processes are available at GGI to achieve this type of result. Contact us for more information.

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