Illuminated keyboard

• US 20030067758A1
• Filed: 11/14/2002
• Published: 04/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael Shipman
• Original Assignee: Michael Shipman
• Inventors: Shipman, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 6,918,677 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/70 having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard mounting together a plurality of independent switches H02B
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/018 Electroluminescent panel
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/037 using organic materials, e.g. organic LED
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/062 Light conductor

Abstract

A keyboard is provided having illuminating keys. The keyboard includes a light channeling membrane and key members constructed at least partially of translucent material so that light produced from a light source is channeled upwardly to the upper surfaces of the key members. The light source may include LED or LEC systems in adjoining relationship to the light channeling membrane or light pipe. In a preferred embodiment, the light source is constructed of a substantially planar illuminescent sheet which underlies the light channeling membrane. In an alternative preferred embodiment, a light pipe is constructed to illuminate light laterally along a portion of its length to illuminate a plurality of key members.

Claims

1. A lighted keyboard comprising:

a keyboard housing;

at least twenty-six key members constructed of a substantially hard non-deformable material, said key members including a key cap and a vertically projecting keyshaft, said key members being depressably positioned within said keyboard housing and being constructed at least partially of a substantially translucent material for communicating light rays through said key members;

a biasing means underlying said key members for biasing said key members in an upward direction;

a circuit board underlying said plurality of key members, said circuit board being operational to produce signals in response to depression of said key members;

a light source for producing light rays; and

a light pipe connected to said light source, said light pipe not independently light producing but instead provides for channeling light from said light source to a plurality of said key members, said light pipe being positioned adjacent to a plurality of key shafts to enable said light pipe to transmit light laterally along a portion of its length upon the exterior of a plurality of key members to illuminate a plurality of said key members.

2. The lighted keyboard of claim 1 wherein said housing comprises an upper clamshell member having a plurality of bores forming sidewalls for receiving said plurality of key members, a plurality of said sidewalls having openings for allowing light to project from said light pipe through said openings to illuminate a plurality of said key members.

3. The lighted keyboard of claim 2 wherein said light pipe is attached to a plurality of said sidewalls.

4. The lighted keyboard of claim 1 wherein said housing further comprises an upper clamshell member having a plurality of bores forming sidewalls for receiving said plurality of key members, a plurality of said sidewalls being at least partially translucent for allowing light to project from said light pipe through said openings to illuminate a plurality of said key members.

5. The lighted keyboard of claim 4 wherein said light pipe is attached to a plurality of said sidewalls.

6. The lighted keyboard of claim 1 wherein said light pipe includes notches on its exterior surface, said notches positioned adjacent to said key members to transmit light from said light pipe upon said key members.

7. The lighted keyboard of claim 1 wherein said light source includes one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs).

8. The lighted keyboard of claim 6 wherein said light source includes one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs).

9. The lighted keyboard of claim 1 wherein said biasing means is an elastic diaphragm.

10. The lighted keyboard of claim 8 wherein said biasing means is an elastic diaphragm.

11. A lighted keyboard comprising:

a keyboard having an upper clamshell member including a substantially translucent region for communicating light rays through said clamshell member to provide illuminated indicia, said indicia indicating the function of at least one key member;

at plurality of key members constructed of a substantially hard non-deformable material, said key members including a key cap and a vertically projecting keyshaft, and said key members being depressably positioned within said keyboard housing;

a biasing means underlying said key members for biasing said key members in an upward direction;

a circuit board underlying said plurality of key members, said circuit board being operational to produce signals in response to depression of said key members; and

a light source for producing light rays;

said light source providing light for communication to said clamshell member to illuminate said indicia.

12. The lighted keyboard of claim 11 wherein said light source is a luminescent planar sheet underlying said upper clamshell member.

13. The lighted keyboard of claim 11 further comprising a light pipe positioned underlying said indicia, said light pipe channeling light from said light source to illuminate said indicia.

14. The lighted keyboard of claim 11 wherein said at least one key member is constructed at least partially of a substantially translucent material, said light source communicating light rays to said key member so as to at least partially illuminate said key member.

15. The lighted keyboard of claim 12 wherein said at least one key member is constructed at least partially of a substantially translucent material, said light source communicating light rays to said key member so as to at least partially illuminate said key member.

16. The lighted keyboard of claim 13 wherein said at least one key member is constructed at least partially of a substantially translucent material, said light source communicating light rays to said key member so as to at least partially illuminate said key member.