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.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An input device, comprising:
 at least one input element;   at least one light source operative to selectively illuminate the at least one input element; and   a control component operative to dynamically control a brightness, a color and an illumination duration of the at least one light source.   
     
     
         22 . The input device of  claim 21 , wherein the control component dynamically operates the at least one light source based on an application executing on a computing device coupled to the input device. 
     
     
         23 . The input device of  claim 21 , wherein the control component dynamically operates the at least one light source based on a detection of at least one input associated with an application executing on a computing device coupled to the input device. 
     
     
         24 . The input device of  claim 21 , 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.   
     
     
         25 . The input device of  claim 24 , wherein the control component is operative to dynamically control a brightness, a color and an illumination duration of the at least one additional light source. 
     
     
         26 . The input device of  claim 25 , wherein the control component dynamically operates the at least one light source with a first local control element and dynamically operates the at least one additional light source with a second local control element. 
     
     
         27 . The input device of  claim 24 , wherein the at least one light source and the at least one additional light source are independently controlled. 
     
     
         28 . The input device of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one input element comprises a key of a keyboard. 
     
     
         29 . The input device of  claim 21 , wherein the color of the light source comprises two or more colors. 
     
     
         30 . 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 selectively illuminate the at least one input element; and 
 a control component operative to dynamically control a brightness, a color and an illumination duration of the at least one light source. 
   
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the control component dynamically operates the at least one light source based on an application executing on the computing device. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the control component dynamically operates the at least one light source based on a detection of at least one input associated with an application executing on the computing device. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the at least one input element includes an assembly comprising a transparent piece. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the at least one light source comprises a two side-emitting LED coupled to the transparent piece. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the at least one input device comprises a non-rigid keyboard. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the at least one input device is a mouse. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the at least one input device is a controller. 
     
     
         38 . A method of selectively illuminating portions of an input device, the method comprising:
 receiving a signal associated with received input; and   dynamically controlling illumination of a light source associated with an input mechanism of the input device, wherein the dynamically controlling illumination of the light source comprises dynamically controlling a brightness, a color and an illumination duration of the light source.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the received input is input associated with an application. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the first light source is outputs two or more colors substantially simultaneously.