US6590508B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Backlit keyboard
Assignee: Dell USA LP
•
Filing: 1999-05-24
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Granted: 2003-07-08
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Expires: 2019-05-24
Abstract
Abstract A portable computer system includes an illuminated keyboard. The computer system has an enclosure including a base and a cover pivotally attached to the base. The keyboard subassembly is mounted in the base. The keyboard subassembly includes a plurality of key mechanisms mounted on a first side thereof. A light panel having a plurality of openings formed therethrough in a pattern generally corresponding to the plurality of key mechanisms is provided. The light panel is mounted adjacent the first side of the keyboard subassembly with each one of the key mechanisms extending through a respective opening in the light panel. A key cap is mounted on each one of the key mechanisms. In one embodiment, each key cap includes a body formed of a non-opaque material having an opaque character indicia portion formed thereon. Light is transmitted through body such that the character indicia portion may be viewed in low light conditions. The key cap may include a light diffuser to enhance the projection of light from the light panel to the character indicia portion.
Inventors
- 👤 Bryan F. Howell
- 👤 Sean P. O'Neal
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:31
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/02; G06F3/0202; H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H2219/00; H01H2219/002; H01H2219/018; H01H2219/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
An illuminated keyboard, comprising: a keyboard subassembly including a plurality of key mechanisms mounted on a first side thereof; a light panel having a plurality of openings formed therethrough in a pattern generally corresponding to the plurality of key mechanisms, the light panel mounted adjacent the first side of the keyboard subassembly with each one of the key mechanisms extending through a respective opening in the light panel; and a key cap attached to each one of the key mechanisms.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
An illuminated keyboard, comprising: a keyboard subassembly including a plurality of key mechanisms mounted on a first side thereof; a light panel having a plurality of openings formed therethrough in a pattern generally corresponding to the plurality of key mechanisms, the light panel mounted adjacent the first side of the keyboard subassembly with each one of the key mechanisms extending through a respective opening in the light panel; and a key cap attached to each one of the key mechanisms.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The illuminated keyboard of claim 1 wherein a character indicia portion is formed on each key cap, the character indicia portion being formed of a non-opaque material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The illuminated keyboard of claim 1 wherein the light panel is flexible.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The illuminated keyboard of claim 1 wherein the light panel is an electro-luminescent type light panel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The illuminated keyboard of claim 1 wherein each key cap has a non-opaque portion and an opaque portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The illuminated keyboard of claim 5 wherein the non-opaque portion of the key caps is translucent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The illuminated keyboard of claim 5 wherein the opaque portion of the key caps is formed in the shape of a character indicia.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The illuminated keyboard of claim 5 wherein the non-opaque portion of the key caps is formed in the shape of a character indicia.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The illuminated keyboard of claim 1 wherein the light panel is removably mounted to the keyboard subassembly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The illuminated keyboard of claim 2 wherein each key cap includes an integral light diffuser.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The illuminated keyboard of claim 10 wherein the light diffuser is adjacent the non-opaque portion of the key cap.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The illuminated keyboard of claim 1 wherein the light panel includes a plurality of lighting regions having a first lighting region providing a first color of light and a second lighting region providing a second color of light different from the first color.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
The illuminated keyboard of claim 1 wherein the light panel includes a plurality of lighting regions having a first lighting region providing a first intensity of light and a second lighting region providing a second intensity of light different from the first intensity.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
101 words
A portable computer system, comprising: an enclosure including a base and a cover pivotally attached to the base; a keyboard subassembly mounted in the base, the keyboard subassembly including a plurality of key mechanisms mounted on a first side thereof; a light panel having a plurality of openings formed therethrough in a pattern generally corresponding to the plurality of key mechanisms, the light panel mounted adjacent the first side of the keyboard subassembly with each one of the key mechanisms extending through a respective opening in the light panel; and a key cap mounted on each one of the key mechanisms.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
101 words
A portable computer system, comprising: an enclosure including a base and a cover pivotally attached to the base; a keyboard subassembly mounted in the base, the keyboard subassembly including a plurality of key mechanisms mounted on a first side thereof; a light panel having a plurality of openings formed therethrough in a pattern generally corresponding to the plurality of key mechanisms, the light panel mounted adjacent the first side of the keyboard subassembly with each one of the key mechanisms extending through a respective opening in the light panel; and a key cap mounted on each one of the key mechanisms.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The illuminated keyboard of claim 14 wherein the light panel is an electro-luminescent type light panel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The illuminated keyboard of claim 14 wherein the light panel is removably mounted to the keyboard subassembly.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The illuminated keyboard of claim 14 wherein each key cap includes an integral light diffuser.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
125 words
A computer system, comprising: a microprocessor; a keyboard subassembly coupled to provide input to the microprocessor, the keyboard subassembly including a plurality of key mechanisms mounted on a first side thereof; a mass storage coupled to the microprocessor; a display coupled to the microprocessor by a video controller; a system memory coupled to provide storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by the microprocessor; a light panel having a plurality of openings formed therethrough in a pattern generally corresponding to the plurality of key mechanisms, the light panel mounted adjacent the first side of the keyboard subassembly with each one of the key mechanisms extending through a respective opening in the light panel; and a key cap mounted on each one of the key mechanisms.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
125 words
A computer system, comprising: a microprocessor; a keyboard subassembly coupled to provide input to the microprocessor, the keyboard subassembly including a plurality of key mechanisms mounted on a first side thereof; a mass storage coupled to the microprocessor; a display coupled to the microprocessor by a video controller; a system memory coupled to provide storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by the microprocessor; a light panel having a plurality of openings formed therethrough in a pattern generally corresponding to the plurality of key mechanisms, the light panel mounted adjacent the first side of the keyboard subassembly with each one of the key mechanisms extending through a respective opening in the light panel; and a key cap mounted on each one of the key mechanisms.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The illuminated keyboard of claim 18 wherein the light panel is an electro-luminescent type light panel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The illuminated keyboard of claim 18 wherein the light panel is removably mounted to the keyboard subassembly.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The illuminated keyboard of claim 18 wherein each key cap includes an integral light diffuser.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-07-07 | 2007-01-06 | 2007-07-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-07-07 | 2011-01-06 | 2011-07-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-07-07 | 2015-01-06 | 2015-07-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |