Light Emitting Keyboard with Dynamic Key Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional keyboards lack aesthetics and engagement, making key press detection solely based on mechanical sound dull and unentertaining.

Innovation Solution

A light emitting keyboard with programmable controllers, LED light sources, and switch circuits that activate surrounding keys when a key is pressed, offering various modes such as single key, surrounding keys, breathing light, and ripple styles to enhance user experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a conventional keyboard without light sources is used, then the device complexity is low and manufacturing cost is low, but the aesthetics and user engagement are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetics and visual engagementVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the keyboard key structure with light-emitting components (LEDs or other light sources) into an integrated unit. Each key cap or key housing incorporates a light source that illuminates through or around the key, combining the mechanical input function with optical feedback function into a single integrated component structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs light sources that can emit different colors or illumination patterns to indicate various keyboard states, functions, or modes. The controller adjusts the illumination characteristics (color, intensity, pattern) to provide visual feedback corresponding to different operational states, enhancing user engagement and aesthetic appeal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Illumination intensity

If light sources are added to each key, then the aesthetics and sense of operation are improved, but the use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetics and visual engagementVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic or intermittent illumination rather than continuous lighting. The controller activates light sources only during specific events such as key presses, state changes, or in rhythmic patterns, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining visual engagement and aesthetic appeal during active use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The illumination system is designed to be dynamic and adaptive, adjusting light intensity, duration, and activation patterns based on usage context. The controller modulates the light sources to provide enhanced visual feedback during active typing while reducing or eliminating illumination during idle periods, optimizing the balance between aesthetics and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Illumination intensity

If light sources are added to each key, then the aesthetics and sense of operation are improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetics and visual engagementVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent structures the keyboard as modular units where each key or key group can be manufactured and assembled independently. The light sources are integrated into individual key caps or key housings as separate modules, allowing for standardized mass production of key units that can be assembled into the complete keyboard, thereby reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs the light-emitting key structure to serve multiple functions: mechanical key input, visual indication of key state, and aesthetic enhancement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and systems, consolidating functions into integrated key units that simplify the overall manufacturing process and reduce component count.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 enhances keyboard aesthetics and operation, providing a more engaging and entertaining typing experience, especially in dim environments, by dynamically illuminating keys and creating unique lighting effects.

Implementation Method 1

each of the plurality of keys has a light source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentUS10037857B2Light emitting keyboard
Publication Date: 2018.07.31 DUCKYCHANNEL INT
  • US10037857B2 patent drawing
  • US10037857B2 patent drawing
  • US10037857B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A light emitting keyboard is provided. The keyboard includes: a plurality of keys, wherein each of the keys has a light source; and a controller, for turning on the light source of at least one second key when a user presses one of the plurality of keys.