Retractable Keyboard Illumination Device

The invention relates generally to computer keyboards, and more particularly, to computer keyboards with illumination features.

As laptop computer systems have become more popular and more portable, computer users now operate their computers in many different locations. Many times the computer user may desire to operate their computer in an environment with insufficient lighting such as an airplane, bus, or dimly lit room. The lack of adequate lighting may hinder the user's view of the keys on the keyboard and may affect the user's ability to work efficiently. The user may attempt to remedy this problem by using lamps or other external lighting. However, external light sources necessitate more space and are frequently unavailable in the environment in which the user chooses to operate the computer. Thus, it would be beneficial to provide improved keyboard illumination.

In one embodiment, the invention includes a laptop computer having a base unit with a keyboard. A retractable illumination device may be located on the base unit to illuminate the keyboard. The illumination device may be raised up from the base unit and retracted into the base unit. In another embodiment, the retractable illumination device may be located on the display unit to illuminate the keyboard.

FIG. 1 shows a laptop computer having a retractable illumination device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a laptop computer having a retractable illumination device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a laptop computer having an illumination device with a slideable cover in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a laptop computer having an illumination mechanism with a slideable cover in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows a computer system having a retractable illumination device in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, an illustrative laptop computer 100 may include a base unit 102 having a processor, system memory, and a long term storage device (e.g., magnetic or optical disk units). The laptop computer 100 may also include a display 104 and a keyboard 106. The keyboard 106 allows user input to the laptop computer 100 and may reside on the top surface of the base unit 102. Additionally, the base unit 102 may include function keys 107 which may be located to the right or left of the keyboard 106. The laptop computer 100 may also include a retractable illumination device 108 to illuminate the keyboard 106 and enable the operation of the laptop computer 100 in a dimly lit environment. The illumination device 108 may be any conventional type of illumination device such as an incandescent light or a light emitting diode (LED). In another embodiment, the illumination device 108 may be a grain of wheat LED to provide greater luminous intensity. Also, the illumination device 108 may be located at the back and center of the base unit 102. Alternatively, the illumination device 108 may be located on either side of the keyboard 106 on the base unit 102. A second retractable illumination device may be included to further illuminate the keyboard. In another embodiment, an illumination device 108 may be located on an outer surface of the display 104 and may be positioned to illuminate the keyboard 106.

As shown in FIG. 2, the illumination device 108 may be a pop-up device. In an active or extended state, device 108 may be raised above the surface of the base unit 102 to illuminate the keyboard 106. In an inactive or retracted state, device 108 may be recessed into the base unit 102. In one embodiment, the illumination device 108 may be popped up by pressing on the top of the device 108. The act of popping up the illumination device 108 may also activate the device 108 to illuminate the keyboard 106. The acts of raising and retracting the illumination device 108 may be controlled by any appropriate type of mechanism such as a spring loaded device. In another embodiment, an electronic device may be employed to control the raising and retracting movements of the device 108. Additionally, the illumination device 108 may include a cover or a lens to diffuse and/or direct the light to provide better illumination of the keyboard 104. Also, power for the illumination device 108 may be supplied by the same source that provides power for the base unit 102.

Referring to FIG. 3, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, an illumination device 300 may be incorporated into the display unit 302. The illumination device 300 may be a pop-up device as described above, or it may be permanently fixed to an outer surface of the display unit 302. Additionally, the illumination device 300 may include a slideable cover 304. To expose and activate the illumination device 300, the slideable cover 304 may be slid back allowing the device 300 to illuminate a keyboard 306 and function keys 308. When illumination is not necessary, the siideable cover 304 may be slid over the illumination device 300 to substantially cover and deactivate the device 300.

In accordance with yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a display unit 400 may include a liquid crystal display 402 and a light source (not shown) to illuminate the display. The light source may be a conventional backlight for laptop computers and may include one or more light elements to illuminate the liquid crystal display 402. The display unit 400 may also include an illumination mechanism 404 that utilizes light emitted by the light source to illuminate a keyboard 406 and function keys 408. In this embodiment, light pipes or other light conducting elements may be used to direct a portion of the light generated by the light source to the illumination mechanism 404. The illumination mechanism may employ a lens to focus the light on the keyboard 406 and function keys 408. The illumination mechanism may be selectively activated and deactivated by a switch. Alternatively, a slideable cover may be included to deactivate the illumination mechanism 404 by substantially covering the mechanism 404.

In accordance with still another embodiment of the invention, a retractable illumination device may be used in a computer workstation. Referring to FIG. 5, an illustrative computer system 500 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention may include a desk or floor unit 502 having a microprocessor, system memory, and a long term storage device (e.g., magnetic or optical disk units). The computer system 500 may also include a monitor 504 to display output and a keyboard 506 to allow user input. Additionally, the computer system 500 may include a retractable illumination device 508 to illuminate both character keys 510 and function keys 512 of the keyboard 506. The illumination device 508 may be raised up from and retracted into the chassis of the keyboard in the same manner as described for the laptop computer 500.

A computer user may gain significant benefits from an illumination device in accordance with the invention. First, the user may operate their computer regardless of the lighting of the environment in which the user is located. The retractable illumination device may illuminate the keys of the keyboard such that the user may work efficiently in a dimly lit environment. When the user is in an environment with adequate external lighting, the illumination device on the base unit or keyboard may be retracted. Additionally, the illumination device should not obstruct normal operation of the computer system because of the location and retractable feature of the device.

While the invention has been disclosed with respect to a limited number of embodiments, numerous modifications and variations will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. It is intended, therefore, that the following claims cover all such modifications and variations that may fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.