Comments on: BlackBerry Keys That Light Up Individually?

By: Bob Samson

Bob Samson — Sun, 27 May 2007 11:49:10 +0000

The “light” in the patent refers to infrared light which is sent out from each key. The amount of returning light is then read by the device, and if it determines that a specfic key has been pressed it sends a vibration to the user’s finger so that the user knows that he or she has pressed the key.
As the patent application states, the reason for this technique is to allow for ‘feedback’ from the keyboard in the absence of moving, mechanical keys, which are difficult in that they increase the size of the device and allow for dust and water to enter the device.

By: Robert

Robert — Sat, 26 May 2007 03:51:25 +0000

I was thinking the same as Karl. It could highlight the most likely next key(s) like many navigation systems do.

By: Jacky C.

Jacky C. — Fri, 25 May 2007 22:34:55 +0000

So, each key lights up individually as you click it? That’s weird. How would someone find the next key if they were… say on a dark subway? I play with my BB while I’m in bed, before bed, in the dark. I wouldn’t be able to do that anymore.

By: Karl

Karl — Thu, 24 May 2007 19:44:39 +0000

I could see this being useful when combined with predictive text something like this:

As you type, the keyboard lights up the most likely “next” key presses, helping you (or your subconscious) press the correct button, minimizing mis-spellings. Let’s face it, not many people can touch-type on a berry keyboard, so this might be useful to help you do a little less hunting and a little more pecking.

By: Boris

Boris — Thu, 24 May 2007 19:36:55 +0000

Just thinking out loud here: it woukld be cool if the keys lid up if you just touch them. Then it would be convenient. You could brush your fingers over an area and see the keys in only that area light up.

By: cocolicius

cocolicius — Thu, 24 May 2007 19:29:48 +0000

Why would you want your key to light up AFTER you press it. Don’t you need to see the keys BEFORE you press them? It makes no sense to tell me what I already know I did (strike the ‘A’ key, for example). I need the backlight to show me where the next key is!

Could be cool for games I guess. Or maybe a scrolling text low-res notification thing using the lit keys….. no that’s just stupid.

By: Zander

Zander — Thu, 24 May 2007 15:04:28 +0000

I am sure they would make this something you could turn off. My roomate is prone to seizures caused by blinking lights and video games. Not being able to play Xbox is bad enough. No Xbox and no BlackBerry… I cannot even imagine that…

By: Nelson R.

Nelson R. — Thu, 24 May 2007 14:08:01 +0000

I cannot think of a good reason other than it would look really cool. It would get annoying eventually though.