In-plane keyboard illumination
US8330725B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 3, 2010 |
| Grant date | Dec 11, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 24, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2219/062
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A computer keyboard includes a plurality of keys arranged in a pattern contained within a plane, a webbed structure defining openings for each of the keys, an illumination source, and one or more light pipes positioned along the webbed structure and arranged to deliver light from the illumination source to the keys, wherein each of the keys is illuminated thereby. Although the keys have the appearance of being backlit similar to traditional illuminated keyboards, the illumination source is actually located along at least one side of and within the same plane as the pattern of keys, rather than beneath the keys. The keyboard can thus be made thinner in such arrangements where the illumination source does not need to be located beneath the keys.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.