Light sensitive keyboard
View Patent ↗A physical keyboard includes a plurality of light-sensing electrodes, where individual ones of the light-sensing electrodes of the plurality of light-sensing electrodes correspond to an individual key of the keyboard. The physical keyboard also includes a microprocessor electrically coupled to individual ones of the light-sensing electrodes. The microprocessor is configured to perform operations including determining that light is obstructed to a first particular light-sensing electrode of the plurality of light-sensing electrodes and sending a signal indicating a selection of a first key corresponding to the first particular light-sensing electrode. The microprocessor is configured to perform operations further comprising determining that the light is obstructed to a second particular light-sensing electrode, and sending a second signal indicating a second selection of a second key corresponding to the second particular light-sensing electrode. The microprocessor is configured to perform operations further comprising predicting a word based on the first and second key.
1. A physical keyboard comprising:
a plurality of light-sensing electrodes, wherein individual ones of the light-sensing electrodes of the plurality of light-sensing electrodes correspond to individual keys of the physical keyboard; and
a microprocessor electrically coupled to individual ones of the light-sensing electrodes, the microprocessor configured to perform operation comprising:
determining that light is obstructed to a first light-sensing electrode of the plurality of light-sensing electrodes for a predetermined period of time;
measuring an amount of light received by the first light-sensing electrode after the light is obstructed;
sending, based on the amount of light received by the first light-sensing electrode, a signal indicating a selection of a first key corresponding to the first light-sensing electrode;
receiving data received from at least one ambient light sensor;
determining, based on the data received from the at least one ambient light sensor, that an amount of ambient light falling on the physical keyboard is less than a predetermined threshold; and
providing power to one or more light emitting diodes to illuminate the physical keyboard.
2. The physical keyboard of claim 1 , wherein individual ones of the light-sensing electrodes measure an amount of light falling on individual ones of the light-sensing electrodes.
3. The physical keyboard of claim 1 , wherein individual ones of the light-sensing electrodes comprise light dependent resistors having a resistance that varies between about 200 kilohms to about 10,000 kilohms.
4. The physical keyboard of claim 1 , wherein keys of the keyboard are sealed inside a membrane to prevent moisture and particulate matter from entering into the physical keyboard.
5. The physical keyboard of claim 1 , the microprocessor configured to perform operations further comprising:
determining that the light is obstructed to a second light-sensing electrode of the plurality of light-sensing electrodes; and
sending a second signal indicating a second selection of a second key corresponding to the second light-sensing electrode.
6. The physical keyboard of claim 5 , wherein a stylus or a user's appendage slides from the first key to the second key.
7. The physical keyboard of claim 5 , the microprocessor configured to perform operations further comprising:
predicting a word based on the first key and the second key.
8. The physical keyboard of claim 1 , wherein:
a closed circuit is formed in response to light being present at individual keys of the keyboard; and
the closed circuit transitions to an open circuit in response to light being obstructed to a particular light-sensing electrode corresponding to a particular key of the keyboard.
9. A computing device comprising:
a housing comprising:
an ambient light sensor;
one or more processors;
one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media; and
a keyboard, comprising:
a plurality of light-sensing electrodes, wherein individual ones of the light-sensing electrodes of the plurality of light-sensing electrodes correspond to individual keys of the keyboard; and
a microprocessor electrically coupled to individual ones of the light-sensing electrodes, the microprocessor configured to perform operations comprising:
determining that light is obstructed to a first light-sensing electrode of the plurality of light-sensing electrodes for a predetermined period of time;
measuring an amount of light received by the first light-sensing electrode after the light is obstructed;
sending, based on the amount of light received by the first light-sensing electrode, a signal indicating a selection of a first key corresponding to the first light-sensing electrode;
receiving data received from at least one ambient light sensor;
determining, based on the data received from the ambient light sensor, that an amount of ambient light falling on the keyboard is less than a predetermined threshold; and
providing power to the one or more light emitting diodes to illuminate the keyboard.
10. The computing device of claim 9 , wherein the microprocessor is configured to perform operations further comprising:
determining that the light is obstructed to a second light-sensing electrode of the plurality of light-sensing electrodes; and
sending a second signal indicating a second selection of a second key corresponding to the second light-sensing electrode.
11. The computing device of claim 9 , wherein:
in a first state of the keyboard, one or more closed circuits are formed in response to light being present at individual keys of the keyboard; and
in a second state of the keyboard, an open circuit is formed at an individual key of the keyboard in response to light being obstructed to a particular light-sensing electrode corresponding to the individual key of the keyboard for the predetermined period of time.
12. The computing device of claim 11 , wherein the microprocessor is configured to perform operations further comprising:
determining that the light is obstructed to a second particular light-sensing electrode of the plurality of light-sensing electrodes;
sending a second signal indicating a second selection of a second key corresponding to the second particular light-sensing electrode; and
predicting a word based on the first key and the second key.
13. The computing device of claim 9 , further comprising:
the plurality of light-sensing electrodes are disposed on a key matrix, wherein the plurality of light-sensing electrodes are mapped to a character map.
14. A computing device comprising:
a housing comprising:
one or more processors; and
one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media; and
a keyboard communicatively coupled to the housing, the keyboard comprising:
a plurality of light-sensing electrodes, wherein individual ones of the light-sensing electrodes of the plurality of light-sensing electrodes correspond to individual keys of the keyboard; and
a microprocessor electrically coupled to individual ones of the light-sensing electrodes, the microprocessor configured to perform operations comprising:
determining that light is obstructed to a first light-sensing electrode of the plurality of light-sensing electrodes for a predetermined period of time;
measuring an amount of light received by the first light-sensing electrode after the light is obstructed;
sending, based on the amount of light received by the first light-sensing electrode, a signal indicating a selection of a first key corresponding to the first light-sensing electrode;
receiving data received from at least one ambient light sensor;
determining, based on the data received from the at least one ambient light sensor, that an amount of ambient light falling on the keyboard is less than a predetermined threshold; and
providing power to one or more light emitting diodes to illuminate the keyboard.
15. The computing device of claim 14 , wherein individual ones of the light-sensing electrodes measure an amount of light falling on the individual light-sensing electrodes.
16. The computing device of claim 14 , wherein a wired connection communicatively couples the keyboard to the housing.
17. The computing device of claim 14 , wherein a wireless connection communicatively couples the keyboard to the housing.
18. The computing device of claim 14 , wherein keys of the keyboard are sealed inside a membrane to prevent moisture and particulate matter from entering into the keyboard.
19. The computing device of claim 14 , wherein the microprocessor is configured to perform operations further comprising:
determining that the light is obstructed to a second light-sensing electrode of the plurality of light-sensing electrodes; and
sending a second signal indicating a second selection of a second key corresponding to the second light-sensing electrode.
20. The computing device of claim 14 , wherein:
in a first state of the keyboard, one or more closed circuits are formed in response to light being present at individual keys of the keyboard; and
in a second state of the keyboard, an open circuit is formed at an individual key of the keyboard in response to light being obstructed to a particular light-sensing electrode corresponding to the individual key of the keyboard for the predetermined period of time.