Patent US6608271B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6608271B2
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Method of dynamically lighting keyboard glyphs
Assignee: Danger Inc
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Filing: 2001-08-17
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Granted: 2003-08-19
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Expires: 2021-08-17
Abstract
Abstract In one embodiment a light source is provided to illuminate one or more keys. Each key has at least one glyph. The color of each glyph corresponds to the light source.
Inventors
- 👤 Matias G. Duarte
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:55
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H9/00; H01H9/18; H01H9/182; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/84; H01H2009/183; H01H2217/00; H01H2217/038; H01H2219/00; H01H2219/002; H01H2219/028; H01H2219/03; H01H2219/036; H01H2239/00; H01H2239/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus comprising: first key; a first non-opaque glyph of a first color disposed on said first key; a second non-opaque glyph of a second color disposed on said first key; a light source oriented towards the first key, the light source capable of providing light of a third color or a fourth color, the third color being relatively closer to a complementary color to said first color than to said second color, and the fourth color being relatively closer to a complementary color to said second color than to said first color; and a light source selector to select between said third color and said fourth color to increase contrast between said first glyph and said second glyph.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus comprising: first key; a first non-opaque glyph of a first color disposed on said first key; a second non-opaque glyph of a second color disposed on said first key; a light source oriented towards the first key, the light source capable of providing light of a third color or a fourth color, the third color being relatively closer to a complementary color to said first color than to said second color, and the fourth color being relatively closer to a complementary color to said second color than to said first color; and a light source selector to select between said third color and said fourth color to increase contrast between said first glyph and said second glyph.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein said light source selector selects either said third color or said fourth color responsive to a selection of a function associated with said second glyph or said first glyph.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein regions of the first key not comprising a glyph are white.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein regions of the first key not comprising a glyph are black.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first key is translucent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 5 , wherein said first and second glyphs on the first key are transparent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 5 , wherein said first and second glyphs on the first key are translucent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 ,wherein the first key is transparent.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 8 , wherein said first and second glyphs on the first key are translucent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
90 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , further comprising: a third non-opaque glyph of a fifth color disposed on said first key; wherein the light source is capable of providing light of a sixth color, the sixth color being relatively closer to a complementary color to said fifth color than to said first color or said second color, the light source selector to select between said third color, said fourth color and said sixth color to increase contrast between said first glyph, said second glyph and said third glyph.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 10 , wherein the glyphs on two or more of the plurality of keys are transparent.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 10 , wherein the first glyph, second glyph and third glyph are translucent.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the light of the third color is complementary to the light of the first color and wherein the light of the fourth color is complementary to the light of the second color.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the selected type of light decreases the visual contrast between a corresponding glyph and the remainder of the key over the visual contrast between a non-corresponding glyph and the remainder of the key.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 14 , wherein the selected type of light is of a complementary color to the color of the corresponding glyph.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the selected wavelength of the light source decreases the visual contrast between a glyph corresponding to the type of light selected and the remainder of the key over the visual contrast between a non-corresponding glyph and the remainder of the key.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the light source is a light emitting diode (“LED”).
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the light source is at least one of a group consisting of: a fluorescent light source, a laser light source, an incandescent light source, an ultraviolet light source, or an infrared light source.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the light source is under the first key.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the light source is above the first key.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the light source is toward a side of the first key.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the light source is located inside the first key.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of additional keys forming a keyboard.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the light source selector is a second key.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the light source selector is voice activated.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the light source selector is a portion of a touch-screen.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the light source selector is implemented in software.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first glyph and the second glyph are either symbols, emblems, marks, figures, patterns, characters, letters, digits, or punctuation marks.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
112 words
A method comprising: providing a key wherein the key includes a first non-opaque glyph of a first color and a second non-opaque glyph of a second color; and providing a light source oriented towards the first key, the light source capable of providing light of a third color or a fourth color, the third color being relatively closer to a complementary color to said first color than to said second color, and the fourth color being relatively closer to a complementary color to said second color than to said first color; and selecting between said third color and said fourth color to increase contrast between said first glyph and said second glyph.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
112 words
A method comprising: providing a key wherein the key includes a first non-opaque glyph of a first color and a second non-opaque glyph of a second color; and providing a light source oriented towards the first key, the light source capable of providing light of a third color or a fourth color, the third color being relatively closer to a complementary color to said first color than to said second color, and the fourth color being relatively closer to a complementary color to said second color than to said first color; and selecting between said third color and said fourth color to increase contrast between said first glyph and said second glyph.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as recited in claim 29 , wherein said third color or said fourth color are selected responsive to a selection of a function associated with said second glyph or said first glyph.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as recited in claim 29 wherein selection of said third color causes the first glyph to have an increased contrast when compared to the second glyph.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as recited in claim 29 wherein selection of said third color causes the second glyph to have a decreased contrast when compared to the first glyph.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as recited in claim 30 , wherein the third color is complementary in color to the first color and the fourth color is complementary to the second color.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
203 words
An apparatus comprising: a keyboard having a perimeter and comprising a plurality of keys at least one of the plurality of keys having a first non-opaque glyph of a first color and a second non-opaque glyph of a second color disposed thereon; a light source oriented towards the first key, the light source capable of providing light of a third color or a fourth color, the third color being relatively closer to a complementary color to said first color than to said second color, and the fourth color being relatively closer to a complementary color to said second color than to said first color a light source to provide light of a third color or a fourth color, the third color being relatively closer to a complementary color to said first color than to said second color, and the fourth color being relatively closer to a complementary color to said second color than to said first color, wherein the light source is located on or outside of the perimeter of the keyboard; and a glyph selector communicatively coupled to the light source to select between said third color and said fourth color to increase contrast between said first glyph and said second glyph.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
203 words
An apparatus comprising: a keyboard having a perimeter and comprising a plurality of keys at least one of the plurality of keys having a first non-opaque glyph of a first color and a second non-opaque glyph of a second color disposed thereon; a light source oriented towards the first key, the light source capable of providing light of a third color or a fourth color, the third color being relatively closer to a complementary color to said first color than to said second color, and the fourth color being relatively closer to a complementary color to said second color than to said first color a light source to provide light of a third color or a fourth color, the third color being relatively closer to a complementary color to said first color than to said second color, and the fourth color being relatively closer to a complementary color to said second color than to said first color, wherein the light source is located on or outside of the perimeter of the keyboard; and a glyph selector communicatively coupled to the light source to select between said third color and said fourth color to increase contrast between said first glyph and said second glyph.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 34 wherein a light ray from the light source is substantially conducted laterally from the perimeter of the keyboard through at least one side of at least one of the plurality of keys.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 34 , wherein a light ray from the light source is substantially conducted laterally through a first key of the keyboard to a second key of the keyboard.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
120 words
An apparatus comprising: a first key; a first non-opaque region of a first color disposed on said first key; a second non-opaque region of a second color disposed on said first key; a light source oriented towards the first key, the light source capable of providing light of a third color or a fourth color the third color being relatively closer to a complementary color to said first color than to said second color, and the fourth color being relatively closer to a complementary color to said second color than to said first color; and a light source selector to select between said third color and said fourth color to increase contrast between said first region and said second region.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
120 words
An apparatus comprising: a first key; a first non-opaque region of a first color disposed on said first key; a second non-opaque region of a second color disposed on said first key; a light source oriented towards the first key, the light source capable of providing light of a third color or a fourth color the third color being relatively closer to a complementary color to said first color than to said second color, and the fourth color being relatively closer to a complementary color to said second color than to said first color; and a light source selector to select between said third color and said fourth color to increase contrast between said first region and said second region.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as in claim 37 further comprising: a first glyph disposed within said first region; and a second glyph disposed within said second region.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as in claim 38 wherein said first glyph and said second glyph are opaque.
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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) | 2006-08-18 | 2007-02-17 | 2007-08-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-08-18 | 2011-02-17 | 2011-08-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-08-18 | 2015-02-17 | 2015-08-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |