Keyboard Backlighting via External Display Light
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical keyboards in low-light environments require backlighting for key visibility, which reduces battery life due to constant power consumption, and existing solutions do not efficiently manage backlighting using external light sources.
Innovation Solution
A dual-display computing device system that uses internal key backlights only when necessary and leverages an external light source, such as a display screen, to illuminate keycaps, with software managing the image to provide unobstructed paths for light through transparent materials or voids within the keyboard, thereby extending battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If internal key backlights are used to illuminate keycaps in low-light environments, then key visibility is improved, but battery life deteriorates due to constant power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an external light source (such as a display screen or separate lighting device) as an intermediary to illuminate the keycaps instead of relying solely on internal backlights. This external source acts as a mediator that provides the necessary illumination without drawing power from the keyboard's battery, thereby resolving the contradiction between visibility and energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the keyboard capable of accepting illumination from multiple sources - both internal backlights and external light sources. By designing the keyboard structure to be universally compatible with different lighting methods (through transparent keycaps and strategic light paths), the system can adapt to available light sources, reducing reliance on battery-powered internal illumination
2Use of energy by moving object
If internal key backlights are disabled to extend battery life, then energy consumption is reduced, but key visibility in low-light environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
When internal backlights are disabled, the patent employs an external light source as an intermediary to provide the necessary illumination. This external source compensates for the absence of internal lighting, maintaining key visibility without requiring battery power
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the keyboard to utilize ambient light from the environment (such as display screens or room lighting) to illuminate itself. By designing transparent keycaps and optimized light paths, the keyboard essentially serves itself by capturing and directing available external light to the keycaps, eliminating the need for active internal illumination
3Reliability
If the keyboard structure blocks external light paths, then internal component protection is improved, but external light source effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different optical properties to different parts of the keyboard structure. Specifically, the keycaps are made transparent or translucent to allow external light passage, while other structural components remain opaque for protection. This localized differentiation of material properties enables simultaneous achievement of component protection and light transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the keyboard structure into light-transmissive zones (keycaps and light path areas) and light-blocking zones (internal component housings and protective barriers). This spatial segmentation allows external light to reach the keycaps effectively while the blocked zones continue to protect internal components from light and environmental factors
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
This solution enhances key visibility in low-light conditions while conserving battery life by using external light sources when available, reducing power consumption and prolonging the keyboard's operational time.
Implementation Method 1
one or more unobstructed paths for light, from an external light source located beneath the keyboard, to reach the keycap. An unobstructed path may pass through (i) a transparent material, (ii) voids within the keyboard, or both
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, a keyboard may comprise internal light sources to backlight keycaps. In addition, the keyboard may provide one or more unobstructed paths for light from an external light source located beneath the keyboard to reach the keycaps. When the keyboard is placed onto the external light source, the keycaps within the keyboard may be illuminated from the external light source. When the keyboard is placed on a display device of a dual-display computing device, one display device may be used to present text and images to a user while the other display device provides backlighting for the keyboard. Software may manage the image shown on the display device located under the keyboard device to alter the appearance of the keycaps. The keyboard battery life may be extended by disabling key backlights within the keyboard when the dual-display computing device provide the backlight.