Selective-Illumination Keyboard Keys for Multi-Language Typing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current keyboards display symbols of multiple languages on keys, leading to typing confusion and errors due to the constant visibility of incorrect language symbols, and existing screen-based solutions are expensive, unreliable, and harmful to the user's eyes.
Innovation Solution
A keyboard design with separate areas on each key for different language symbols, illuminated by individual light sources, allowing only the selected language to be visible, reducing confusion and errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple language symbols are permanently displayed on keyboard keys, then the keyboard supports multiple languages, but the user experiences typing confusion and errors due to constant visibility of incorrect language symbols
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard key surface is divided into multiple separate areas, each dedicated to displaying symbols of a specific language. This segmentation allows the keyboard to maintain multiple language symbols simultaneously while enabling selective illumination of only the currently active language's symbols, thus preventing user confusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The keyboard employs periodic or selective illumination of different language symbol areas based on the currently selected language. Instead of continuously displaying all symbols, the system activates only the relevant language symbols at any given time, reducing visual clutter and typing errors.
2Ease of operation
If screen-based solutions are used to display language symbols, then language selection is clear, but the keyboard becomes expensive, less reliable, and harmful to the user's eyes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the illumination function from the key surface itself rather than using separate screens. By integrating light sources directly into the key structure and using the key material's optical properties, the design eliminates expensive screen components while achieving clear language selection indication.
Solution Approach 2:
Different areas of the key surface have different optical properties - some areas are transparent or translucent to allow light transmission, while others are opaque to block light. This local quality differentiation enables selective visibility of language symbols without requiring screens.
3Loss of information
If all language symbols are visible on each key, then the keyboard provides complete information, but the user cannot easily identify the active language and makes typing mistakes
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard employs periodic or selective illumination of different language symbol areas based on the currently selected language. Instead of continuously displaying all symbols, the system activates only the relevant language symbols at any given time, reducing visual clutter and typing errors.
Solution Approach 2:
Different language symbol areas can be illuminated with different colors or intensities to indicate which language is currently active. This visual differentiation makes it easy for users to identify the active language while maintaining access to all language information.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively reduces typing mistakes by ensuring only the active language symbols are illuminated, enhancing user experience, reliability, and cost-effectiveness compared to screen-based alternatives.
Implementation Method 1
one or more LEDs positioned at different areas of the key, each LED configured to illuminate only a corresponding and designated area of the key
Data Source
AI summary
An illuminated keyboard, including one or more keys with multiple symbols thereon, wherein one symbol on each key is illuminated. wherein the symbol that is illuminated is active and transmitted by the keyboard when pressing the key.