Apple invents a Next-Gen Photoluminescence Keyboard Glyph Lighting System
Today the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that relates to keyboards and key mechanisms for electronic devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to photoluminescent material on or within keyboards and key mechanisms for electronic devices.
In Apple's patent background they note that Keyboard keys often include legends or glyphs used to identify the functions of each key. Also, to improve ease of use of a keyboard in low light conditions, many keyboards provide backlighting that illuminates the keys or glyphs. Such traditional keyboard backlighting methods typically include an active light source, such as light emitting diodes and an optical system that brings light to the top of the key for glyph visibility. These types of traditional backlighting require an active electrical subsystem to drive the light source, thereby consuming power in systems that are often power constrained (e.g., battery powered laptops or battery powered standalone wireless keyboards). Therefore, there is a constant need for improvements to the usability, manufacture, and effectiveness of keys and other buttons for electronic devices.
Photoluminescence Keyboard Glyph Lighting
Apple's invention covers a chargeable light emissive material on or within a keyboard assembly. Rather than solely using an active power source, the chargeable light emissive material can be conveniently charged via ambient light or via an artificial light source.
For instance, the chargeable light emissive material can use natural sunlight, ambient/room lighting, or a computing device display to charge the chargeable light emissive material. In turn, the chargeable light emissive material can reduce an amount of power consumption (e.g., from an onboard, active power source) used by the computing device—leading to extended battery life via more efficient power consumption.
In some embodiments, the chargeable light emissive material includes one or more photoluminescent portions of a keycap. For example, a keycap can include a photoluminescent keycap body (e.g., with a dark, non-photoluminescent glyph).
As another example, the keycap can include one or more photoluminescent layers. For instance, the keycap can include a photoluminescent coating over a keycap body (e.g., with a dark glyph etched out of the photoluminescent coating).
In another instance, the keycap can include a photoluminescent glyph layer applied onto the keycap body (e.g., a non-photoluminescent keycap body). In some embodiments, a keycap includes a photoluminescent border or other non-glyph indicator extending along one or more edges of the keycap.
Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the chargeable light emissive material includes photoluminescent material on portions of a keyboard assembly other than a keycap. For example, a keyboard housing can include photoluminescent portions. To illustrate, a keyboard web (e.g., of the keyboard housing) extending in between and/or around key mechanisms can comprise a photoluminescent material, coating, or inset portion. A perimeter of the keyboard housing can also be photoluminescent.
Additionally or alternatively, a trackpad or some portion thereof (e.g., the periphery) can be photoluminescent.
Further, structures (e.g., support structures, base layers, or membranes) underneath the keycaps can be photoluminescent. For example, a substrate underneath the key mechanisms can be photoluminescent for emitting (or guiding) light through keycaps, around keycaps, or up to certain layers of a keycap.
In one or more embodiments, the chargeable light emissive material can be monitored or tracked. For example, various properties of the chargeable light emissive material can be monitored during periods of use or inactivity. To illustrate, a computing device can include a sensor with a field of view configured to capture light emitted by the chargeable light emissive material (e.g., for determining an illumination intensity or charge level). As another example, a keyboard assembly can use a light sensor that detects light to estimate incident light at the chargeable light emissive material (e.g., for similarly determining an estimate of the illumination intensity or charge level of the light emissive material).
Apple's patent FIG. 2 below shows the chargeable light emissive material disposed across the entirety of a keyboard; FIG. 3 illustrates an example embodiment of a keyboard #110 including a sensor #302 and a microcontroller #304. In particular embodiments, the sensor and the microcontroller are configured to respond to light from a light source #300.
Apple's patent FIG. 4 above illustrates an example embodiment of the display #106 and the keyboard #110. In one or more embodiments, the sensor #302 has a field of view #400. That can be configured and oriented to view and capture an image or series of images (e.g., video) of the keyboard including light emitted from the keyboard via a chargeable light emissive material of the keyboard.
To review its full details, review patent application 20240003528.
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