Computer input device with interactively illuminating keys

• US 5,936,554 A
• Filed: 08/01/1996
• Issued: 08/10/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Gateway 2000, Inc. (Acer, Inc.)
• Inventors: Stanek, James B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): WONG, ALBERT KANG
• Application Number:
  US08/690,855
• Time in Patent Office: 1,104 Days
• Field of Search: 341/22, 341/23, 341/20, 341/26, 340/825.79, 345/173, 345/174, 345/175, 345/159, 200/5 A, 84/478, 364/709.14, 364/709.15
• US Class Current: 341/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2013/026 with two or more independent lighting elements located inside the push button switch that illuminate separate zones of push buttons
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/016 programmable
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/07 transparent

Abstract

An interactively illuminating computer input device for a computer is disclosed. In one embodiment the device is a keyboard. The keyboard has a bi-directional communication link between the keyboard and the computer. The keyboard also has one or more keys, each capable of illumination. The keyboard also has a keyboard controller, operably coupled to the bi-directional communication link and the keys. The keyboard controller detects depression of a key on the keyboard by the user of the computer. The keyboard controller also controls the illumination of a key on the keyboard by the computer. In one embodiment, the keyboard controller receives from the computer a unique command for each key to illuminate the key. In a further embodiment, the keyboard controller receives from the computer a unique command for each key to dim the key. In yet a further embodiment, the keyboard controller receives from the computer a unique command for each key to illuminate the key if the key is dim, and to dim the key if the key is illuminated.

Claims

1. An interactive illuminated computerized system comprising:

a computer;

an alphanumeric computer keyboard coupled to the computer and comprising a plurality of individually and selectively illuminable keys, each key comprising;

a key cap capable of motion along a vertical axis, having an entirely translucent upper surface with a fixed key legend disposed thereon, and having a lower surface intersected by one or more ribs such that one or more underside cavities are defined; and

,

a single light-emit diode (LED) positioned directly below one of the underside cavities of the keycap, the LED responsive to a turn-on signal received from the computer and a turn-off signal received from the computer to control illumination of the LED, the LED positioned along an axis coincident with the vertical axis of the motion of the key cap; and

,

a bi-directional link coupling the computer to the keyboard for sending the turn-on signal and the turn-off signal for each key from the computer.

2. The interactive illuminated computerized system of claim 1, wherein the keyboard receives from the computer a unique command to control the illumination of each key.

3. The interactive illuminated computerized system of claim 1, wherein the keyboard receives from the computer a unique command to control the color of illumination of each key.

4. The interactive illuminated computerized system of claim 1, wherein the keyboard receives from the computer a unique command to control the frequency of illumination of each key.

5. The interactive illuminated computerized system of claim 1, wherein the keyboard receives from the computer a unique command to control the intensity of illumination of each key.

6. The interactive illuminated computerized system of claim 1, wherein the keyboard includes some keys that are not individually and selectively illuminable.

7. The interactive illuminated computerized system of claim 1, wherein the keyboard includes an alphabetic group of keys organized in a QWERTY layout.

8. The interactive illuminated computerized system of claim 1, wherein the keyboard includes a numeric group of keys organized in a ten-key layout.

9. The interactive illuminated computerized system of claim 1, wherein the keyboard includes a group of function keys and a group of cursor control keys.

10. The interactive illuminated computerized system of claim 1, wherein the bi-directional communication link is a cable attached to the keyboard on one side and attached to the computer on the other side.

11. The interactive illuminated computerized system of claim 1, wherein the bi-directional communication link is a wireless link such that of the computer and the keyboard has a transceiver capable of wireless transmission of signals.

12. The interactive illuminated computerized system of claim 1, further comprising guidance means, residing within the RAM and executed by the CPU, for changing the illumination of a particular key to guide a user of the computer as to the operation of the computer.

13. The interactive illuminated computerized system of claim 1, further comprising interactive learning means for illuminating a particular key and upon depression of the particular key by a user, displaying on a monitor attached to the computer, a multimedia presentation associated with the particular key.

14. The interactive illuminated computerized system of claim 1, further comprising game mapping means for illuminating the particular keys that are active in a particular game and dimming the other keys while a user of the computer is playing the particular game.

15. The interactive illuminated computerized system of claim 1, further comprising typing tutor means for changing the illumination of the keys in conjunction with teaching a user of the computer how to type on the keyboard.