Electronic device with intelligent keyboard illumination

• US 8,089,469 B2
• Filed: 11/11/2008
• Issued: 01/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Iorfida, Dario, Piccinini, Sandro
• Primary Examiner(s): Dinh, Duc
• Application Number:
  US12/268,639
• Publication Number:
  US 20090243898A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,148 Days
• Field of Search: 345168-170
• US Class Current: 345/170
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0237 using prediction or retrieval techniques

Abstract

An electronic device includes a computer keyboard having keys that are each capable of individual illumination. An electronic dictionary is provided for determining a set of most likely keys to be needed for an application, wherein the electronic dictionary is updated to include new words typed on the keyboard. The keyboard is operated with a user enabled/disabled function of selective illumination of respective keyboard keys so that a set of most likely alphabet keys according to the electronic dictionary along with an enter key and space bar are illuminated if a word processor application is running. Numeric keys are illuminated if a calculator application is running. The selective illumination is automatically disabled if user identification and password fields are being filled. All of the keys are automatically illuminated after a configured timeframe in which none of the suggested keys have been pressed. All of the keys are unlit after an additional configured timeframe in which none of the keys have been pressed.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising:

a computer keyboard having keys that are each capable of individual illumination;

an electronic dictionary for determining a set of most likely keys to be needed for an application, wherein the electronic dictionary is updated to include new words typed on the keyboard;

wherein the keyboard is operated with a user enabled/disabled function of selective illumination of respective keyboard keys so a set of most likely alphabet keys determined by the electronic dictionary along with an enter key and space bar are illuminated if a word processor application is running, numeric keys are illuminated if a calculator application is running, the selective illumination is automatically disabled if user identification and password fields are being filled, all of the keys are automatically illuminated after a configured timeframe in which none of the suggested keys have been pressed, and all of the keys are unlit after an additional configured timeframe in which none of the keys have been pressed.