Keyboard Backlight Messaging for Pre-Boot Event Diagnostics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Information handling systems often lack effective communication of events during the boot process or when a display device is not initialized, relying on manual decoding of LED blink patterns, which is time-consuming and prone to ignoring critical system issues.
Innovation Solution
An Information Handling System (IHS) with a backlit keyboard that includes a controller to activate specific light emitting subsystems to backlight keys, providing an event message sequence defined by event messaging information, allowing for efficient communication of system events before a display is initialized.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If LED blink patterns are used to communicate system events, then event communication is possible without a display device, but the process becomes manual and time-consuming for users to decode
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual decoding process of LED blink patterns with an optical display system. The keyboard backlight system optically displays event messages directly as readable text or patterns, eliminating the need for users to manually record and decode blink patterns through documentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the keyboard backlight system as an intermediary between the system events and the user. Instead of directly using LED blink patterns that require manual decoding, the backlight system serves as a mediator that translates events into visually readable messages displayed through illuminated keys.
2Reliability
If manual decoding of LED blink patterns is used, then event communication is achieved, but users may ignore event codes resulting in missed system issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual decoding mechanism with an optical display mechanism. Event messages are displayed as illuminated keys or patterns on the keyboard that can be read directly, eliminating the need for users to manually record and decode blink patterns through documentation, thereby reducing the likelihood of ignored events.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes different colors or illumination states of keyboard backlight to convey different event types or priorities. This visual differentiation through color or light intensity makes event messages more noticeable and easier to interpret at a glance, reducing the likelihood of being overlooked.
3Loss of information
If a dedicated display device is used to communicate events, then clear event messaging is achieved, but the system requires additional hardware that may not be available during boot process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the keyboard serve multiple functions: its primary function as an input device and its secondary function as an event display device. The keyboard backlight system, already present in many modern keyboards for illumination purposes, is repurposed to display event messages, eliminating the need for a dedicated display device during the boot process.
Solution Approach 2:
The keyboard system serves itself by using its own backlighting capability to display event messages. Instead of requiring an external dedicated display device, the keyboard uses its inherent illumination system to communicate system events, making the system self-sufficient for event communication.
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
Enables faster diagnostic times by clearly communicating system events through a readable message on the keyboard, preventing potential issues by providing immediate feedback without requiring manual decoding of LED patterns.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of light emitting subsystems, where each respective light emitting subsystem of the plurality of light emitting subsystems is configured to backlight a respective key of the plurality of keys
Data Source
AI summary
A keyboard backlight event messaging system includes a backlit keyboard that includes a plurality of keys and a plurality of light emitting subsystems. Each respective light emitting subsystem of the plurality of light emitting subsystems is configured to backlight a respective key of the plurality of keys. The keyboard backlight event messaging system also includes a computing system that is coupled to the backlit keyboard. The computing system includes a controller that is coupled to the backlit keyboard and that is configured, in response to an event occurring in the computing system, to receive event messaging information that is associated with the event and activate a subset of the plurality of light emitting subsystems according to an event messaging sequence defined by the event messaging information in order to backlight a respective subset of the plurality of keys to provide an event message.