Retractable keyboard illumination device

• US 6,161,944 A
• Filed: 05/18/1999
• Issued: 12/19/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Micro Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Leman, Michael V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sember, Thomas M.
• Application Number:
  US09/313,812
• Time in Patent Office: 581 Days
• Field of Search: 362/253, 362/154, 362/155, 362/802, 362/276, 362/318, 362/287, 345/168, 345/170
• US Class Current: 362/276
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/802 Position or condition responsive switch

Abstract

A computer system may include a retractable illumination device to illuminate a keyboard in a dimly lit environment. The illumination device may be located proximal to the keyboard or on a display. The illumination device may be activated by raising it to a position above the keyboard or by exposing the device via a slideable cover. The illumination device may be deactivated by retracting it into the computer system or covering it with the slideable cover.

Claims

1. A laptop computer comprising:

a base unit having a top surface;

a display unit coupled to the base unit;

a keyboard coupled to the top surface of the base unit; and

an illumination device coupled to the base unit having a first position associated with an inactive state of the illumination device and a second position associated with an active state of the illumination device, wherein the illumination device is separate from the display unit and the keyboard.

2. The laptop computer of claim 1, wherein the first position comprises a retracted position in which a top surface of the illumination device is substantially flush with the top surface of the base unit.

3. The laptop computer of claim 1, wherein the second position comprises a raised position in which a top surface of the illumination device is above the top surface of the base unit.

4. The laptop computer of claim 1, wherein the illumination device further comprises a lens element.

5. A laptop computer comprising:

a base unit having a top surface;

a keyboard coupled to the top surface of the base unit;

a display unit coupled to the base unit, the display unit comprising a display member; and

an illumination device coupled to the display unit having a first position associated with an inactive state of the illumination device and a second position associated with an active state of the illumination device, wherein the illumination device is separate from the display member and the keyboard.

6. The laptop computer of claim 5, wherein the first position comprises a retracted position in which a top surface of the illumination device is substantially flush with the outer surface of the display unit, and the second position comprises a raised position in which the top surface of the illumination device is above the outer surface of the display unit.

7. The laptop computer of claim 5, further comprising a slideable cover coupled to the illumination device, wherein the first position corresponds to the slideable cover substantially covering the illumination device, and the second position corresponds to the slideable cover substantially exposing the illumination device.

8. The laptop computer of claim 5, wherein the illumination device further comprises a lens element.

9. A laptop computer comprising:

a base unit having a keyboard member;

a display unit, coupled to the base unit, having a display member;

a light source coupled to the display unit, the light source adapted to generate light, a first portion of said light to illuminate the display member; and

an illumination mechanism coupled to the display unit, the illumination mechanism adapted to illuminate a portion of the keyboard member using a second portion of said light, wherein the illumination mechanism is separate from the display member and the keyboard member.

10. The laptop computer system of claim 9, wherein the display member comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD) and the light source comprises a backlight source.

11. The laptop computer system of claim 10, wherein the backlight source comprises at least one light element.

12. The laptop computer system of claim 9, wherein the illumination mechanism may be selectively activated and deactivated by a switch.

13. The laptop computer system of claim 9, wherein the illumination mechanism may be selectively activated and deactivated by a slideable cover.

14. A keyboard module comprising:

a keyboard chassis having a top surface;

a plurality of keys coupled to the keyboard chassis; and

an illumination device having a light source and coupled to the keyboard chassis, the illumination device having a first position associated with an inactive state and a second position associated with an active state.

15. The keyboard module of claim 14, wherein the first position comprises a retracted position in which a top surface of the illumination device is substantially flush with the top surface of the keyboard chassis.

16. The keyboard module of claim 14, wherein the second position comprises a raised position in which a top surface of the illumination device is above the top surface of the keyboard chassis.

17. The keyboard module of claim 14, wherein the illumination device further comprises a lens element.

18. A laptop computer comprising:

a base unit having a top surface;

a keyboard coupled to the top surface of the base unit;

a display unit coupled to the base unit, the display unit having an outer surface;

an illumination device coupled to the display unit having a first position associated with an inactive state of the illumination device and a second position associated with an active state of the illumination device; and

a slideable cover coupled to the illumination device, wherein the first position corresponds to the slideable cover substantially covering the illumination device, and the second position corresponds to the slideable cover substantially exposing the illumination device.

19. A laptop computer comprising:

a base unit having a keyboard member;

a display unit, coupled to the base unit, having a display member;

a light source coupled to the display unit, the light source adapted to generate light, a first portion of said light to illuminate the display member; and

an illumination mechanism coupled to the display unit, the illumination mechanism adapted to illuminate a portion of the keyboard member using a second portion of said light, and wherein the illumination mechanism may be selectively activated and deactivated by a slideable cover.