Patent US6161944A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6161944A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Retractable keyboard illumination device
Assignee: Micron Technology Inc
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Filing: 1999-05-18
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Granted: 2000-12-19
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Expires: 2019-05-18
Abstract
Abstract A computer system may include a retractable illumination device to illuminate a keyboard in a dimly lit environment. The illumination device may be located proximal to the keyboard or on a display. The illumination device may be activated by raising it to a position above the keyboard or by exposing the device via a slideable cover. The illumination device may be deactivated by retracting it into the computer system or covering it with the slideable cover.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael V. Leman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 09:44
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1615; G06F1/1616; G06F1/1633; G06F1/1662; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/02; G06F3/0202; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S362/00; Y10S362/802
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A laptop computer comprising: a base unit having a top surface; a display unit coupled to the base unit; a keyboard coupled to the top surface of the base unit; and an illumination device coupled to the base unit having a first position associated with an inactive state of the illumination device and a second position associated with an active state of the illumination device, wherein the illumination device is separate from the display unit and the keyboard.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
A laptop computer comprising: a base unit having a top surface; a display unit coupled to the base unit; a keyboard coupled to the top surface of the base unit; and an illumination device coupled to the base unit having a first position associated with an inactive state of the illumination device and a second position associated with an active state of the illumination device, wherein the illumination device is separate from the display unit and the keyboard.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The laptop computer of claim 1, wherein the first position comprises a retracted position in which a top surface of the illumination device is substantially flush with the top surface of the base unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The laptop computer of claim 1, wherein the second position comprises a raised position in which a top surface of the illumination device is above the top surface of the base unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The laptop computer of claim 1, wherein the illumination device further comprises a lens element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
85 words
A laptop computer comprising: a base unit having a top surface; a keyboard coupled to the top surface of the base unit; a display unit coupled to the base unit, the display unit comprising a display member; and an illumination device coupled to the display unit having a first position associated with an inactive state of the illumination device and a second position associated with an active state of the illumination device, wherein the illumination device is separate from the display member and the keyboard.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
85 words
A laptop computer comprising: a base unit having a top surface; a keyboard coupled to the top surface of the base unit; a display unit coupled to the base unit, the display unit comprising a display member; and an illumination device coupled to the display unit having a first position associated with an inactive state of the illumination device and a second position associated with an active state of the illumination device, wherein the illumination device is separate from the display member and the keyboard.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
The laptop computer of claim 5, wherein the first position comprises a retracted position in which a top surface of the illumination device is substantially flush with the outer surface of the display unit, and the second position comprises a raised position in which the top surface of the illumination device is above the outer surface of the display unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The laptop computer of claim 5, further comprising a slideable cover coupled to the illumination device, wherein the first position corresponds to the slideable cover substantially covering the illumination device, and the second position corresponds to the slideable cover substantially exposing the illumination device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The laptop computer of claim 5, wherein the illumination device further comprises a lens element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
91 words
A laptop computer comprising: a base unit having a keyboard member; a display unit, coupled to the base unit, having a display member; a light source coupled to the display unit, the light source adapted to generate light, a first portion of said light to illuminate the display member; and an illumination mechanism coupled to the display unit, the illumination mechanism adapted to illuminate a portion of the keyboard member using a second portion of said light, wherein the illumination mechanism is separate from the display member and the keyboard member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
91 words
A laptop computer comprising: a base unit having a keyboard member; a display unit, coupled to the base unit, having a display member; a light source coupled to the display unit, the light source adapted to generate light, a first portion of said light to illuminate the display member; and an illumination mechanism coupled to the display unit, the illumination mechanism adapted to illuminate a portion of the keyboard member using a second portion of said light, wherein the illumination mechanism is separate from the display member and the keyboard member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The laptop computer system of claim 9, wherein the display member comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD) and the light source comprises a backlight source.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The laptop computer system of claim 10, wherein the backlight source comprises at least one light element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The laptop computer system of claim 9, wherein the illumination mechanism may be selectively activated and deactivated by a switch.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The laptop computer system of claim 9, wherein the illumination mechanism may be selectively activated and deactivated by a slideable cover.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
55 words
A keyboard module comprising: a keyboard chassis having a top surface; a plurality of keys coupled to the keyboard chassis; and an illumination device having a light source and coupled to the keyboard chassis, the illumination device having a first position associated with an inactive state and a second position associated with an active state.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
55 words
A keyboard module comprising: a keyboard chassis having a top surface; a plurality of keys coupled to the keyboard chassis; and an illumination device having a light source and coupled to the keyboard chassis, the illumination device having a first position associated with an inactive state and a second position associated with an active state.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The keyboard module of claim 14, wherein the first position comprises a retracted position in which a top surface of the illumination device is substantially flush with the top surface of the keyboard chassis.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The keyboard module of claim 14, wherein the second position comprises a raised position in which a top surface of the illumination device is above the top surface of the keyboard chassis.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The keyboard module of claim 14, wherein the illumination device further comprises a lens element.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
108 words
A laptop computer comprising: a base unit having a top surface; a keyboard coupled to the top surface of the base unit; a display unit coupled to the base unit, the display unit having an outer surface; an illumination device coupled to the display unit having a first position associated with an inactive state of the illumination device and a second position associated with an active state of the illumination device; and a slideable cover coupled to the illumination device, wherein the first position corresponds to the slideable cover substantially covering the illumination device, and the second position corresponds to the slideable cover substantially exposing the illumination device.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
108 words
A laptop computer comprising: a base unit having a top surface; a keyboard coupled to the top surface of the base unit; a display unit coupled to the base unit, the display unit having an outer surface; an illumination device coupled to the display unit having a first position associated with an inactive state of the illumination device and a second position associated with an active state of the illumination device; and a slideable cover coupled to the illumination device, wherein the first position corresponds to the slideable cover substantially covering the illumination device, and the second position corresponds to the slideable cover substantially exposing the illumination device.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
92 words
A laptop computer comprising: a base unit having a keyboard member; a display unit, coupled to the base unit, having a display member; a light source coupled to the display unit, the light source adapted to generate light, a first portion of said light to illuminate the display member; and an illumination mechanism coupled to the display unit, the illumination mechanism adapted to illuminate a portion of the keyboard member using a second portion of said light, and wherein the illumination mechanism may be selectively activated and deactivated by a slideable cover.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
92 words
A laptop computer comprising: a base unit having a keyboard member; a display unit, coupled to the base unit, having a display member; a light source coupled to the display unit, the light source adapted to generate light, a first portion of said light to illuminate the display member; and an illumination mechanism coupled to the display unit, the illumination mechanism adapted to illuminate a portion of the keyboard member using a second portion of said light, and wherein the illumination mechanism may be selectively activated and deactivated by a slideable cover.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-12-19 | 2004-06-19 | 2004-12-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-12-19 | 2008-06-19 | 2008-12-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-12-19 | 2012-06-19 | 2012-12-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |