Keyboard Illumination via Lower Case LED Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices with external LED illumination for keyboards often cause direct light entry into the user's eyes, reducing operability in dark environments.
Innovation Solution
An electronic apparatus design featuring light sources positioned inside the second case, near openings parallel to the rotation axis, which illuminate the input portion without directly entering the user's vision, using red light-emitting diodes to minimize eye strain and improve dark adaptation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If an LED is located in the central portion of the upper long side of the second case to illuminate the keyboard, then the keyboard becomes visible in dark places, but light emitted from the LED and light reflected from the key top are likely to enter the user's eyes directly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the light source from the central upper long side to the lower long side of the second case, changing the spatial dimension and orientation of illumination. This dimensional shift allows the light to illuminate the keyboard from below without directly entering the user's eyes, resolving the contradiction between illumination effectiveness and direct light exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light guide member as an intermediary between the LED and the keyboard. The LED emits light that is guided and distributed through the light guide member, which then illuminates the keyboard indirectly. This intermediary structure allows illumination while controlling the light path to prevent direct entry into the user's eyes.
2Ease of operation
If the LED illuminates the keyboard from the central upper position, then the input portion becomes visible, but the intrinsic function of keyboard illumination is reduced due to light entering user's eyes
Solution Approach 1:
By moving the light source to the lower long side and changing the illumination angle, the patent maintains keyboard visibility while eliminating the harmful effect of light entering the user's eyes. This dimensional repositioning ensures that the light path illuminates the keyboard surface without creating glare or discomfort that would reduce operability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies illumination locally to the keyboard area through strategic positioning of the LED on the lower long side. The light is directed specifically at the input portion where it is needed, while the orientation and positioning ensure that the illuminated area does not include the user's eye position, thus maintaining ease of operation without compromising reliability.
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
Enhances user operability in dark environments by preventing direct light entry, allowing for effective keyboard illumination without dazzling the user, thus improving input operation performance.
Implementation Method 1
at least a pair of light sources capable of illuminating the input portion are provided near or inside the pair of openings in the second case
Implementation Method 2
both light emitted from the LED and light reflected from the surface of a key top that a user presses are likely to enter the eyes of the user directly
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus of the present invention includes a first case 1 including a keyboard 5 and a signal processing portion, a second case 2 including a liquid crystal display 21 that is capable of displaying visible information obtained by converting an input signal into a visible information signal in the signal processing portion, hinges 3 for rotatably supporting the first case 1 and the second case 2, and light source bodies 11, 12 that are capable of illuminating the keyboard 5 and located at both ends of the second case 2 in the axial direction of the hinges 3. With this configuration, the electronic apparatus can not only illuminate the input portion but also prevent light from entering the eyes of a user directly, thereby making it possible for the user to perform the input operation properly in a dark place.