Keyboard with Increased Control of Backlit Keys

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses are disclosed that provide increased control of backlit keys for a keyboard. Some embodiments may include controllers within the keyboard that are capable of dynamically programming illumination of the keyboard based upon interaction, where each key of the keyboard may be individually programmed in a dynamic manner. For example, a spell checking function may be executing on a computer system, and as the user types various words, the keyboard may dynamically program the illumination of keyboard controllers such that the next letter of the word being typed is illuminated by the keyboard. Also, different keyboard illumination schemes may be generated based upon mouse movements by the user and/or based upon which application is currently executing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An input device, comprising:
 at least one input element;   at least one light source operative to illuminate the at least one input element; and   at least one control component coupled to the at least one light source that dynamically operates the at least one light source during operation of the input device based at least on detection of at least one input associated with at least one application executing on a computing device coupled to the input device.   
     
     
         2 . The input device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one additional input element; and   at least one additional light source operative to illuminate the at least one additional input element;   wherein the at least one control component dynamically operates the at least one additional light source during operation of the input device based at least on detection of at least one additional input associated with the at least one application executing on the computing device.   
     
     
         3 . The input device of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one control component dynamically operates the at least one light source via at least one first local control element and the at least one control component dynamically operates the at least one additional light source via at least one second local control element. 
     
     
         4 . The input device of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one light source and the at least one additional light source are independently controlled. 
     
     
         5 . The input device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one light source is configured to emit two or more colors. 
     
     
         6 . The input device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one input element comprises at least one key of at least one keyboard. 
     
     
         7 . A system, comprising:
 a computing device;   at least one input device coupled to the computing device, the at least one input device comprising:
 at least one input element; 
 at least one light source operative to illuminate the at least one input element; and 
 at least one control component coupled to the at least one light source that dynamically operates the at least one light source during operation of the input device based at least on detection of at least one input associated with at least one application executing on the computing device. 
   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising at least one display, wherein the at least one control component dynamically operates the at least one light source based on the detection of the least one input and on information on the at least one display. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising an input device wherein the additional input device mirrors the at least one input. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one input element includes an assembly with at least one transparent piece. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one light source comprises at least two side-emitting LEDs coupled to the at least one transparent piece. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one input device further comprises:
 at least one additional input element; and   at least one additional light source operative to illuminate the at least one additional input element;   wherein the at least one control component dynamically operates the at least one additional light source during operation of the input device based at least on detection of at least one additional input associated with the at least one application executing on the computing device.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one light source and the at least one additional light source are independently controlled. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one input device comprises at least one non-rigid keyboard. 
     
     
         15 . A method of operating an input device, the method comprising the acts of:
 executing at least one application on a computing device, the computing device coupled to an input device;   detecting at least one input associated with the at least one application; and   dynamically controlling illumination of at least one light source coupled to at least one input element of the input device, wherein the dynamic control is based upon the at least one input.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising dynamically controlling illumination of at least one additional light source coupled to at least one additional input element of the input device, wherein the dynamic control is based upon at least one additional detected input associated with the at least one application. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the illumination of the at least one light source and the illumination of the at least one additional light source are independently controlled. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one light source is capable of simultaneously emanating at least two primary colors. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one input element comprises at least one key of at least one keyboard. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said operation of dynamically controlling illumination of at least one light source is performed to indicate a probable subsequent key of the at least one keyboard.