Keyboard backlighting with deposited light-generating sources

Abstract

Techniques and devices provide backlighting for keys of a keyboard or keypad.

1 - 99 . (canceled) 
     
     
         100 : An apparatus comprising:
 at least one key positioned on the apparatus; and   a plurality of light-generating sources positioned substantially underneath a keytop of the at least one key and configured to illuminate the at least one key from underneath the keytop, at least two of the light-generating sources of the plurality of light-generating sources being within a footprint of the keytop.   
     
     
         101 : The apparatus of  claim 100 , wherein the plurality of light-generating sources includes light-emitting semiconductors. 
     
     
         102 : The apparatus of  claim 100 , wherein the plurality of light-generating sources includes light-emitting components that each has a cross-section with a maximum length of 15 to 20 microns. 
     
     
         103 : The apparatus of  claim 100 , wherein the plurality of light-generating sources includes light-emitting components that each has a cross-section with a maximum length of 3 to 50 microns. 
     
     
         104 : The apparatus of  claim 100 , wherein the plurality of light-generating sources is arranged into multiple distinct groups of multiple light-generating sources, each group disposed substantially underneath the keytop. 
     
     
         105 : The apparatus of  claim 100 , wherein the plurality of light-generating sources is deposited onto a lightplate located within the apparatus, underneath the at least one key. 
     
     
         106 : The apparatus of  claim 105 , wherein the plurality of light-generating sources is printed and/or sprayed onto the lightplate. 
     
     
         107 : A method comprising:
 depositing a plurality of light-generating sources within a keyboard assembly, the keyboard assembly including at least one key positioned on a keyboard, and the plurality of light-generating sources deposited substantially underneath a keytop of the at least one key; and   linking the plurality of light-generating sources via an electrically conductive trace to a power source, wherein the plurality of light-generating sources illuminate the at least one key from underneath the keytop when the power supply supplies power to the electrically conductive trace.   
     
     
         108 : The method of  claim 107 , further comprising depositing the plurality of light-generating sources underneath the keytop and within a footprint of the keytop. 
     
     
         109 : The method of  claim 107 , wherein the depositing includes placing the plurality of light-generating sources into multiple distinct groups of multiple light-generating sources with each group placed substantially underneath the keytop. 
     
     
         110 : The method of  claim 107 , wherein the depositing includes printing and/or spraying a liquid or gel into several distinct groups within the keyboard assembly, the liquid or gel having the plurality of light-generating sources suspended therein. 
     
     
         111 : The method of  claim 107 , further comprising replacing a keyboard illumination source within a keyboard assembly with the plurality of light-generating sources to illuminate the at least one key of the keyboard. 
     
     
         112 : The method of  claim 107 , further comprising depositing the plurality of light-generating sources onto a lightplate; and
 locating the lightplate within the keyboard assembly to illuminate the at least one key, such that at least a portion of the plurality of light-generating sources is located underneath the keytop of the at least one key and within the footprint of the keytop.   
     
     
         113 : The method of  claim 107 , wherein the plurality of light-generating sources includes light-emitting semiconductors. 
     
     
         114 : A backlighting apparatus comprising:
 a lightplate comprised of a thin film and located within a keyboard assembly;   a plurality of light-generating sources deposited on the lightplate at a position that is substantially underneath a keytop of a key of the keyboard assembly, the plurality of light-generating sources being configured to illuminate the key from underneath the keytop.   
     
     
         115 : The backlighting apparatus of  claim 114 , further comprising:
 a conductive trace deposited on the lightplate; and   a power source,   the conductive trace electrically linking the plurality of light-generating sources to the power source.   
     
     
         116 : The backlighting apparatus of  claim 114 , wherein at least two of the light-generating sources are underneath the keytop and are within a footprint of the keytop. 
     
     
         117 : The backlighting apparatus of  claim 114 , wherein the plurality of light-generating sources includes light-emitting semiconductors printed and/or sprayed onto the lightplate, while suspended in a liquid or gel medium. 
     
     
         118 : The backlighting apparatus of  claim 117 , further comprising at least one other light-generating source deposited onto the lightplate that is not printed or sprayed onto the lightplate. 
     
     
         119 : The backlighting apparatus of  claim 114 , wherein the plurality of light-generating sources includes light-emitting semiconductors that each has a cross-section with a maximum length of 15 to 20 microns. 
     
     
         120 : The backlighting apparatus of  claim 114 , wherein the plurality of light-generating sources is deposited on the lightplate at a position that is substantially underneath a translucent key legend of the key, the plurality of light-generating sources configured to consistently illuminate the key legend of the key from underneath the keytop. 
     
     
         121 : The backlighting apparatus of  claim 114 , wherein the lightplate is positioned substantially underneath a key mechanism of the keyboard assembly, the key mechanism positioned underneath the keytop and configured to mechanically interact with the keytop, the plurality of light-generating sources being configured to illuminate the underside of the keytop.