Apparatus and Method to Dynamically Vary Backlighting for a Physical Keyboard

摘要

An apparatus and method for dynamically varying backlighting for mechanical keys. By one approach at least some of the individual mechanical keys each includes a capacitively-sensitive keycap. A plurality of light emitters are disposed behind the physical keyboard and are configured to provide backlighting for the individual mechanical keys. A control circuit operably couples to the plurality of light emitters and controls the plurality of light emitters to selectively provide dynamically-varied backlighting for at least some of the individual mechanical keys. By one approach the dynamically-varied backlighting comprises, at least in part, instructions regarding available touch-based gestures (for example, gestures that the user can employ in conjunction with the capacitively-sensitive keycaps). Examples of touch-based gestures include, but are not limited to, swipe-based gestures and tap-based gestures. By one approach the aforementioned instructions include non-alphabetic visually-symbolic instructions.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
a physical keyboard including a plurality of mechanical keys, wherein at least some of the mechanical keys each includes a capacitively-sensitive keycap; a plurality of light emitters disposed behind the physical keyboard and configured to provide backlighting for the mechanical keys; and a control circuit operably coupled to the plurality of light emitters and configured to control the plurality of light emitters to selectively provide dynamically-varied flashing backlighting for at least some of the mechanical keys.