Lighting system for a keyboard
AssigneeCompaq Computer Corporation
InventorsTim L. Zhang, Jeffrey K. Jeansonne
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An illuminated keyboard that may be used for providing inputs to a computer. The keyboard includes a keyboard base pan and a plurality of input keys having keycaps that may be pressed by a user. An electroluminescent lamp, in the form a flat panel, is sandwiched between the keyboard base pan and the keycaps to illuminate the keyboard during use.
Claims14
A keyboard suitable for use in providing inputs to a computer, comprising:
- a keyboard base pan;
- a plurality of input keys extending from the keyboard base pan, each input key having a hollow keycap including an upper strike surface;
- and
- an illumination panel having openings above which the keycaps extend, said illumination panel disposed between the keycaps and the keyboard base pan to illuminate the plurality of input keys,
- each said keycap incorporating a symbol defined by a light transmitting portion at said strike surface.
A keyboard suitable for use in providing inputs to a computer, comprising:
- a keyboard base pan;
- a plurality of input keys extending from the keyboard base pan;
- a lamp disposed to illuminate the plurality of input keys;
- a power supply connected to said lamp for energization thereof;
- and
- logic circuitry responsive to activation of a said input key concurrently with ambient light below a threshold level to enable said power supply to energize said lamp.
A keyboard for use in providing inputs to a computer, comprising:
- a keyboard base pan;
- a plurality of input keys extending from the keyboard base pan, each input key having
- an actuator attached to an inverted cup shaped keycap having an upper strike surface;
- and
- a lamp panel having openings therein through which said actuators pass, said lamp panel disposed between said keyboard base pan and said keycaps to illuminate the plurality of input keys;
- each said keycap including at least one light transmitting symbol at said strike surface, said symbol defined by a light transmissive portion at said strike surface.
A keyboard for use in providing inputs to a computer, comprising:
- a keyboard base pan;
- a plurality of input keys extending from the keyboard base pan, each input key having an actuator attached to an inverted cup shaped keycap including an upper strike surface, and actuator depending from said strike surface;
- and
- a lamp panel having openings therein through which said actuators pass, said lamp panel disposed between said keyboard base pan and said keycaps to illuminate the plurality of input keys;
- each said keycap incorporating a light transmissive portion defining at least one light transmitting symbol at said strike surface;
- and
- logic circuitry comprising a logic gate having a first input for connection to receive a logic signal input representing activation of a said input key and a second input connected to receive logic signal input from a photo detector when ambient light is below a threshold value, to enable said power supply to energize said lamp panel in response to activation of a said input key when ambient light is below said threshold value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.