Patent Publication Number: US-7214897-B2

Title: Illuminated keyboard with illuminated patterns displayed on top surface of keyboard

Description:
The present invention relates to an illuminated keyboard, particularly a user-friendly illuminated keyboard with illuminated patterns being displayed on the top surface of the keyboard. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The conventional illuminated keyboard uses an electroluminescent light as a continuous light source in dark environments. An electroluminescent board is installed inside conventional illuminated keyboards, such that when power is supplied, the electroluminescent board is illuminated to emit light onto the keyboard. However, the main purpose of the electroluminescent board is to emit a continuous illuminated light in a dark environment. The user of such an illuminated keyboard is only provided with the feeling of a cold-hearted device. 
   In view of the above shortcoming in the conventional illuminated keyboard, the present invention provides an illuminated keyboard that invokes a user-friendly feeling by displaying figured patterns on its top using the light projected from the electroluminescent board, in addition to its regular function of providing an illuminated light in a dark environment. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is the first objective of this invention to provide an illuminated keyboard with illuminated patterns displayed on top of the keyboard. 
   It is a second objective of this invention to provide an illuminated keyboard with contrasted illuminated patterns being displayed on top of the keyboard. 
   It is a third objective of this invention to provide an illuminated keyboard that, in addition to enabling continued operation even in a dark environment, it has enhanced user-friendliness by displaying figured patterns on top of the keyboard. 
   To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides an illuminated keyboard with illuminated patterns on top of the keyboard that includes a plurality of keys, a top cover accommodating the keys, a bottom cover that is combined with the top cover, and an electroluminescent board installed between the top cover and the bottom cover. The electroluminescent board includes patterns that can be illuminated and displayed on top of the keyboard. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent with reference to the appended drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded view of the present invention of the keyboard with illuminated patterns displayed on top of the keyboard; 
       FIG. 2  is an illustration of a first embodiment of the electroluminescent board in the invention; 
       FIG. 3  is an illustration of a second embodiment of the electroluminescent board in the invention; 
       FIG. 4  is an illustration of a third embodiment of the electroluminescent board in the invention; and 
       FIG. 5  is an illustration of a fourth embodiment of the electroluminescent board in the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1  shows an exploded view of the illuminated keyboard of the present invention with patterns of figures being displayed on top of the keyboard. The illuminated keyboard  10  of the present invention includes at least a top cover  101 , a bottom cover  103 , a plurality of keys  105  and an electroluminescent board  107 . In assembling the keyboard  10 , the final step is to combine the top cover  101  with the bottom cover  103  to form a single unit. The space between the top cover  101  and the bottom cover  103  is used to accommodate the electroluminescent board  107  and related components, including a plurality of flexible members  109  and a membrane circuit board  111 . To enable penetration of the electroluminescent light emitted from the electroluminescent board  107  through the top surface of keyboard  101   a , the top cover  101  is preferably made of transparent materials. The keys  105  are installed on the top cover  101  and are preferably transparent to enable penetration of electroluminescent light being emitted from the electroluminescent board  107 . The top surface of keyboard  101   a  encompasses an area which includes the area occupied by the keys  105 , as well as other areas of the top cover  101  not occupied by the keys  105 . Importantly, the main purpose of the top surface of keyboard  101   a  is to display a visual effect created by the electroluminescent light emitted from the electroluminescent board  107 . 
   The electroluminescent board  107  is installed between the top cover  101  and the bottom cover  103 . For example, the electroluminescent board  107  is installed on a bottom side of the top cover  101 . The most important characteristic of the electroluminescent board  107  of the invention is its inclusion of at least one pattern of a  figure 1071 . The patterns  1071  may consist of one of the following: a cartoon figure, a series of text and digits, or a picture pattern. 
     FIG. 2  shows a first embodiment of the electroluminescent board of the present invention. On the electroluminescent board  107  shown in  FIG. 2 , the pattern  1071   a  (shown in diagonal lines) is coated with electroluminescent material, to enable display of illuminated patterns when they are electrified. When the light of the pattern  1071   a  penetrates the top surface of keyboard  101   a , the pattern  1071   a  is lit and displayed on the top surface of keyboard  101   a . The pattern  1071   b  consists of a series of letters “BTC”. The letters “BTC” themselves may not be electrified to give light. The remaining area (shown in diagonal lines) surrounding patterns  1071   b , such as a rectangular zone from which the letters “BTC” are excluded, is coated with electroluminescent material. When the surrounding area is illuminated, the pattern  1071   b  is displayed on the top surface of keyboard  101   a  as a shadow on the surrounding area. 
     FIG. 3  shows a second embodiment of the electroluminescent board of the present invention. On the electroluminescent board  107  shown in  FIG. 3 , the patterns  1071   c ,  1071   d  are not capable of being illuminated, however, the other areas on the electroluminescent board  107  (shown at the diagonal lines) are coated with electroluminescent material. When the electroluminescent board  107  is electrified, most of the area on the top surface of keyboard  101   a  is illuminated thereby, whereby the figures  1071   c ,  1071   d  are displayed in shadow. 
     FIG. 4  shows a third embodiment of the electroluminescent board of the present invention. On the electroluminescent board  107  shown in  FIG. 4 , the patterns  1071   e  (shown in diagonal lines) are coated directly on the electroluminescent board with electroluminescent material. The electroluminescent coating on the patterns  1071   e  is positioned on the surface that is occupied by keys  105 . Thus, when the patterns  1071   e  on the electroluminescent board  107  are electrified to give light, the top surface of keyboard  101   a  where the keys  105  are located displays an illuminated image of the patterns  1071   e.    
     FIG. 5  shows a fourth embodiment of the electroluminescent board of the present invention. On the electroluminescent board  107  shown in  FIG. 5 , patterns  1071   f  themselves are not capable of being illuminated, but are formed on the electroluminescent board  107 . Instead, the area surrounding the patterns  1071   f  is coated with electroluminescent material. The marked area having diagonal lines designates the area that is occupied by keys  105 . When the electroluminescent board  107  is electrified to give light, the marked area having diagonal lines is illuminated, thereby displaying shadows of the patterns  1071   f , such that they are visible on keys  105 . 
   Using the illuminated electroluminescent board  107 , the present invention can be operated even in a dark environment by displaying an illuminated image of the patterns on the top surface of the keyboard, providing the user with a feeling of variety in the illuminated figures being displayed on the keyboard, as well as visual enjoyment. 
   It is to be understood that variations or modifications may be made to the present invention by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and intent of the invention, and that all variations and modifications so made are encompassed in the following claims.