On 1 May 2007 18:09:43 -0700, "hr(bob) "
wrote:

On May 1, 6:50 pm, Herb wrote:
(I'm having difficulty zeroing in on this in web/Usenet searches,
because the common words lead to other subjects.)

I have a Radio Shack 4-in-1 remote control for the tv, with a button
that lights up the keys, for night use. However, there is something
now wrong with it. Only the top keys were illuminated anymore.

So I opened it up and lo and behold... there is no bulb that I could
locate. Where does the light come from? It's a mystery. To top it off,
the floppy soft-rubber piece that comprises the keys must have shifted
or something, because now the pattern of light vs dark keys is all
over the place.

What key words can I use to search and read up on this lighting?
Thanks.

Just play with it, there are Light emitting diodes that are used for
illmination, they are about the size of the head of a pin for most of
these applications.

well no, as I'd said, this is different. I experimented and see that
it is some unusual device. There is a plastic film with wide, donut
shaped white traces that light up. The white center dot makes the
connection when a key is pressed, but the rings light up.
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/6969/remoteta0.jpg

The links between rings don't seem to be broken. Maybe this material
just wears out. Or, it's maybe a problem with contact. I tried it
with the cover removed and see that the spots that light up are
scattered.

If you want to play fine, if you need a remote,
its time to go to your nearest all-0purpose store and buy one for
under $10.00 USA.

H. R. (Bob) Hofmann