Patent US6918677B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6918677B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Illuminated keyboard
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 2002-11-14
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Granted: 2005-07-19
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Expires: 2022-11-14
Abstract
Abstract A keyboard is provided having illuminating keys. The keyboard includes a light channeling membrane and key members constructed at least partially of translucent material so that light produced from a light source is channeled upwardly to the upper surfaces of the key members. The light source may include LED or LEC systems in adjoining relationship to the light channeling membrane or light pipe. In a preferred embodiment, the light source is constructed of a substantially planar illuminescent sheet which underlies the light channeling membrane. In an alternative preferred embodiment, a light pipe is constructed to illuminate light laterally along a portion of its length to illuminate a plurality of key members.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Shipman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:51
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; H01H2219/036; H01H2219/037; H01H2219/054; H01H2219/062
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A lighted keyboard comprising: a keyboard housing having an upper clamshell member including a substantially translucent region for communicating light rays through said clamshell member, said upper clamshell member including indicia optically connected to said translucent region to provide illuminated indicia, said indicia indicating the function of at least one key member; a plurality of key members constructed of a substantially hard non-deformable material, said key members including a key cap and being depressably positioned within said keyboard housing; a biasing means underlying said key members for biasing said key members in an upward direction; a circuit board underlying said plurality of key members, said circuit board being operational to produce signals in response to depression of said key members; and a light source for producing light rays; said light source providing light for communication to said clamshell member to illuminate said indicia.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
A lighted keyboard comprising: a keyboard housing having an upper clamshell member including a substantially translucent region for communicating light rays through said clamshell member, said upper clamshell member including indicia optically connected to said translucent region to provide illuminated indicia, said indicia indicating the function of at least one key member; a plurality of key members constructed of a substantially hard non-deformable material, said key members including a key cap and being depressably positioned within said keyboard housing; a biasing means underlying said key members for biasing said key members in an upward direction; a circuit board underlying said plurality of key members, said circuit board being operational to produce signals in response to depression of said key members; and a light source for producing light rays; said light source providing light for communication to said clamshell member to illuminate said indicia.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The lighted keyboard of claim 1 wherein said light source is a luminescent planar sheet underlying said upper clamshell member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The lighted keyboard of claim 2 wherein said at least one key member is constructed at least partially of a substantially translucent material, said light source communicating light rays to said key member so as to at least partially illuminate said key member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The lighted keyboard of claim 1 further comprising a light pipe positioned underlying said indicia, said light pipe channeling light from said light source to illuminate said indicia.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The lighted keyboard of claim 4 wherein said at least one key member is constructed at least partially of a substantially translucent material, said light source communicating light rays to said key member so as to at least partially illuminate said key member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The lighted keyboard of claim 1 wherein said at least one key member is constructed at least partially of a substantially translucent material, said light source communicating light rays to said key member so as to at least partially illuminate said key member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
152 words
A lighted keyboard comprising: a keyboard housing having an upper clamshell member including a substantially translucent region for communicating light rays through said clamshell member, said upper clamshell member including indicia optically connected to said translucent region to provide illuminated indicia, said indicia indicating the function of at least one key member; at least twenty six (26) key members, said key members corresponding to letters and constructed of a substantially hard non-deformable material, said key members including a key cap and being depressably positioned within said keyboard housing; a biasing means underlying said key members for biasing said key members in an upward direction; a circuit board underlying said plurality of key members, said circuit board being operational to produce signals in response to depression of said key members; and a light source for producing light rays; said light source providing light for communication to said clamshell member to illuminate said indicia.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
152 words
A lighted keyboard comprising: a keyboard housing having an upper clamshell member including a substantially translucent region for communicating light rays through said clamshell member, said upper clamshell member including indicia optically connected to said translucent region to provide illuminated indicia, said indicia indicating the function of at least one key member; at least twenty six (26) key members, said key members corresponding to letters and constructed of a substantially hard non-deformable material, said key members including a key cap and being depressably positioned within said keyboard housing; a biasing means underlying said key members for biasing said key members in an upward direction; a circuit board underlying said plurality of key members, said circuit board being operational to produce signals in response to depression of said key members; and a light source for producing light rays; said light source providing light for communication to said clamshell member to illuminate said indicia.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The lighted keyboard of claim 7 wherein said light source is a luminescent planar sheet underlying said upper clamshell member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
The lighted keyboard of claim 8 wherein said at least one key member is constructed at least partially of a substantially translucent material, said light source communicating light rays to said key member so as to at least partially illuminate said key member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The lighted keyboard of claim 7 further comprising a light pipe positioned underlying said indicia, said light pipe channeling light from said light source to illuminate said indicia.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The lighted keyboard of claim 10 wherein said at least one key member is constructed at least partially of a substantially translucent material, said light source communicating light rays to said key member so as to at least partially illuminate said key member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
The lighted keyboard of claim 7 wherein said at least one key member is constructed at least partially of a substantially translucent material, said light source communicating light rays to said key member so as to at least partially illuminate said key member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
182 words
A lighted keyboard comprising: a keyboard housing having an upper clamshell member including a substantially translucent region for communicating light rays through said clamshell member, said upper clamshell member including indicia optically connected to said translucent region to provide illuminated indicia, said indicia indicating the function of at least one key member; at least twenty six (26) key members constructed of a substantially hard non-deformable material, said key members including a key cap and being depressably positioned within said keyboard housing, at least one of said key members being constructed at least partially of a substantially translucent material; a biasing means underlying said key members for biasing said key members in an upward direction; a circuit board underlying said plurality of key members, said circuit board being operational to produce signals in response to depression of said key members; and a light source for producing light rays; said light source communicating light rays to said clamshell member to illuminate said indicia and communicating light rays to said at least one key member so as to at least partially illuminate said key member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
182 words
A lighted keyboard comprising: a keyboard housing having an upper clamshell member including a substantially translucent region for communicating light rays through said clamshell member, said upper clamshell member including indicia optically connected to said translucent region to provide illuminated indicia, said indicia indicating the function of at least one key member; at least twenty six (26) key members constructed of a substantially hard non-deformable material, said key members including a key cap and being depressably positioned within said keyboard housing, at least one of said key members being constructed at least partially of a substantially translucent material; a biasing means underlying said key members for biasing said key members in an upward direction; a circuit board underlying said plurality of key members, said circuit board being operational to produce signals in response to depression of said key members; and a light source for producing light rays; said light source communicating light rays to said clamshell member to illuminate said indicia and communicating light rays to said at least one key member so as to at least partially illuminate said key member.
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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) | 2008-07-18 | 2009-01-17 | 2009-07-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-07-18 | 2013-01-17 | 2013-07-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-07-18 | 2017-01-17 | 2017-07-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |