Pointing device keyboard light
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A portable computer comprising:
- a system body;
a cover attached by pivot joints to said system body so that the cover can be opened and closed;
a keyboard on the top face of said system body;
a pointing device having an operating end containing a light source which pointing device is located among a plurality of input keys in the keyboard, wherein said pointing device comprises an LED within a clear tubular shaft which shaft has an opaque top;
an elevating and lowering device for raising said operating end higher than said plurality of input keys when said portable computer is to be operated, and for lowering said operated end when the portable computer is not to be operated wherein said elevating and lowering device includes means which interacts with opening and closing of said cover to elevate and lower said operating end; and
an electric circuit for energizing the light source while the pointing device is in the elevated position whereby light is provided to the keyboard of the portable computer.
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Abstract
A lighting source, such as a light emitting diode (LED), is incorporated into the shaft of the pointing device. There is a light shield over the exposed top of the pointing device preferably, backed with a conically shaped reflecting surface to direct the light outwardly and horizontally across the keyboard. The light is activated in a laptop by opening the cover to raise the pointing device to its normal operating position. The lighting function may be disabled when the pointer is raised if there is sufficient ambient lighting.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A portable computer comprising:
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a system body;
a cover attached by pivot joints to said system body so that the cover can be opened and closed;
a keyboard on the top face of said system body;
a pointing device having an operating end containing a light source which pointing device is located among a plurality of input keys in the keyboard, wherein said pointing device comprises an LED within a clear tubular shaft which shaft has an opaque top;
an elevating and lowering device for raising said operating end higher than said plurality of input keys when said portable computer is to be operated, and for lowering said operated end when the portable computer is not to be operated wherein said elevating and lowering device includes means which interacts with opening and closing of said cover to elevate and lower said operating end; and
an electric circuit for energizing the light source while the pointing device is in the elevated position whereby light is provided to the keyboard of the portable computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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- 9. A computer keyboard having a pointing device positioned within keys in the keyboard being characterized by the pointing device having an LED within a clear tubular shaft with an opaque top for front lighting the keys of the keyboard.
Specification