Keyboard Backlight Uses Fewer LEDs

Thinner than previous versions, the company's latest LED-based backlight for use with desktop or notebook PC keyboards employs fewer LEDs to reduce both power consumption and cost. It relies on patented MicroLens light extraction technology to extract more light through to the keyboard, increasing brightness while spreading light uniformly. The backlight design employs side-firing LEDs that focus into a light guide. Additionally, the company can optimize uniformity and, in some cases, use diversion features molded directly into the light guide to bend a portion of the light around a potential through hole. LEDs can be located on the edge of the light guide or, in some cases, in the middle of the backlight depending-upon the surrounding geometry. Typical backlight thicknesses for desktop keyboards range from 0.6 mm to 0.8mm and laptop keyboards from 0.3 mm to 0.4mm. Pricing for backlights depends upon application, size, and volume. For more details, contact David DeAgazio at GLOBAL LIGHTING TECHNOLOGIES INC., Brecksville, OH. (866) 922-4584.