Key surface lighting
First Claim
1. A keyboard, comprising:
- a printed circuit board;
a number of keys coupled to the printed circuit board, each key comprising;
an actuator;
a movement mechanism coupled to the actuator that biases the actuator towards an un-depressed position and allows movement of the actuator towards a depressed position to activate the respective key;
a light emitting diode coupled to the actuator; and
a power receiver coupled to the light emitting diode that is operable to provide power wirelessly received from the printed circuit board to the light emitting diode.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An illuminator may be coupled to the key cap of a key. The key cap may include a portion that is operable to be illuminated and one or more illuminators may be coupled thereto. In particular embodiments, keys may include power delivery systems that are operable to wirelessly transmit power from a power source to illuminators. Such power delivery systems can include inductive transmitters and/or receivers, ultrasonic transmitters and/or receivers, laser diodes and photodiodes, electrodes that capacitively couple to wirelessly transfer power, and so on. In various embodiments, keys may include interconnects that connect an illuminator with a power source. The interconnect may be a flexible material that includes one or more traces and is configured with a shape that bends and twists to allow movement without stretching. The interconnect may also be part of a movement or support mechanism of a key.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A keyboard, comprising:
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a printed circuit board; a number of keys coupled to the printed circuit board, each key comprising; an actuator; a movement mechanism coupled to the actuator that biases the actuator towards an un-depressed position and allows movement of the actuator towards a depressed position to activate the respective key; a light emitting diode coupled to the actuator; and a power receiver coupled to the light emitting diode that is operable to provide power wirelessly received from the printed circuit board to the light emitting diode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A key stack, comprising:
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a substrate having a switch and a power conduit; a key cap disposed above the switch; a support mechanism moveably coupling the key cap to the substrate and configured to move the key cap into a depressed position to actuate the switch; an illuminator coupled to the key cap; and a power delivery system operable to wirelessly transmit power from the power conduit to the illuminator. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A key stack, comprising:
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a key cap; a support mechanism coupled to the key cap that allows movement of the key cap and comprises a fabric web having an underside to which the key cap is bonded; an illuminator coupled to the key cap; and a conductive interconnect in or on the fabric web;
wherein;the conductive interconnect is coupled to the illuminator and a power source that provides power from the power source to the illuminator. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification