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Keyboard Backlighting- 500 pieces, anyone want in?

post #1 of 46
6/28/05 at 5:20pm
Thread Starter 
I have just spoken with a company called Lumitex about ordering some of their fiber optic panel backlights to use for backlighting my keyboard. Unfortunately, they do not sell individually, however they will make a group of 500 panels to my specifications for around 250 dollars. These boards are great, they do not give off any heat, and have a VERY VERY low draw on power. I have also located an extremely small sub-mini slider switch from radio shack that can be used to turn the panel on and off.

Now heres the thing, I was wondering if anyone would like to get in on this and help me pay the 250, and then I can send out the boards to everyone else. If everyone contributes like 3 to 5 bucks, I can have a panel custom made to the I9300 and XPS2 keyboards. If anyone is interested leave a post and I'll set up a place to donate the money and then eventually buy it.

If you are interested in the website, here it is: http://www.lumitex.com/lcd_backlighting.html

whata you think?
JC
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post #2 of 46
6/28/05 at 5:34pm
Got any mock ups of what it would look like as a finished product?
How would it be connected to the laptop power? Can it be done without voiding the warrany?

Thanks!
Spuds
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post #3 of 46
6/28/05 at 5:37pm
If you can organize this well, I'd be interested and I'm sure others would be as well.
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post #4 of 46
6/28/05 at 5:45pm
Thread Starter 
nope, no mockups yet. I only got off the phone with the man 15 minutes ago. Heres my plan though.

I'll get it made to fit the exact size, or just a little less than the actual keyboard. As a source of power, USB ports can be used by connecting it to the back of the pins. There should be several ways to secure it to the back of the keyboard. Electrical tape, plastic clips sticky tack. Then you have your choice of controlling the on/off switch. It can either be wired directly to the Laptops USB plug. In this way the USB plug can just be disabled to turn it off. Or you can use one of the switches I have found at radioshack. Its an extremely small slider switch, I can provide the part number if anyone needs it.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to set up an account for this? I can post my email address so you can paypal money, and whatever is left I will just eat the cost.

JC
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post #5 of 46
6/28/05 at 5:47pm
Where would you mod this from +5v etc., (board specs.) and would you have to dremel down the bottom case slightly for the slider (where) ??

Jason.
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post #6 of 46
6/28/05 at 5:51pm
Hey if you can get a backlit one for XPS2 , count me IN!!!!!
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post #7 of 46
6/28/05 at 5:58pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jpearn
Where would you mod this from +5v etc., (board specs.) and would you have to dremel down the bottom case slightly for the slider (where) ??

Jason.

I don't understand your questions? The panel is .068 inches thick, I'm sure it will fit although I haven't taken it apart yet to see. The first question I really don't understand. Could you please rephrase it?

Thanks.
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post #8 of 46
6/28/05 at 5:59pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rockinfella2k
Hey if you can get a backlit one for XPS2 , count me IN!!!!!

Take some measurements of your XPS2 keyboard and PM me them. I will ask a sales rep if I can get half and half.

JC
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post #9 of 46
6/28/05 at 6:04pm
I'd be in. Let me know what you come up with.
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post #10 of 46
6/28/05 at 6:09pm
How would this work? Our keyboards are not transparent/translucent. The mounting plate is metal. How/where would these backlights be mounted? Under the keys?
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post #11 of 46
6/28/05 at 6:13pm
Dude, have you actually removed the keyboard yet? It takes a few minutes, so do it, and then tell us what you are envisioning here, because unless you want to remove every single key off the keyboard seperately so you can install a panel, you're not going to be putting any lights underneath.
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post #12 of 46
6/28/05 at 6:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jmX
Dude, have you actually removed the keyboard yet? It takes a few minutes, so do it, and then tell us what you are envisioning here, because unless you want to remove every single key off the keyboard seperately so you can install a panel, you're not going to be putting any lights underneath.

My thoughts exactly! Hence my question above.
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post #13 of 46
6/28/05 at 6:30pm
Thread Starter 
I do not have my I9300 yet, therefor I have not seen the interior, its just a thought.

The laptop arrives in 3 days, which will also be when I open up the laptop to install the LEDs I have purchased. At this time I can inspect the space behind, next to, and around the keyboard to determine how I am going to backlight it.

I am envisioning a light source behind the keys to backlight it, similar to what desktop modders sometimes due to there keys. With any luck I will be able to figure out a way to also backlight the letters in the keys, so light can be seen where to white is. A panel seemed like the easiest route rather than installin multiple LEDs and after a suggestion from reaver to look up EL film, I assumed that these would also work.

So, since I have no laptop to take apart heres my request. Take apart the keyboard, it only takes a few mintues, so do it, and then take pics, and send them to me.
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post #14 of 46
6/28/05 at 6:35pm
Where would you run the power from, a USB port, and you mentioned a slider, are you going to flush mount it to the case ??

Jason.
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post #15 of 46
6/28/05 at 6:35pm
You will see that only way to backlight the keys is to take the keys off and place something between the mounting plate and the keys which would more than likely hinder key operation. The keys are black plastic with the letters painted on them. There is no way to illuminate the letters with the idea above.
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post #16 of 46
6/28/05 at 6:49pm
Thread Starter 
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...l%3Den%26lr%3D

http://www.cluboverclocker.com/revie...itek/kb(3).jpg

http://www.thumb.dk/img/25-01-04/26/26.jpg


The first link is to a turtorial that I thought was interesting. If his technique of allowing light to come through can be used on our computer keys it would be excellent. I can use dremel to cut out the letters, tape the back and fill with a clear epoxy. The panel would serve as the light source.

Also, if these panels are to thick, other methods can be used. And I think that the manufacturer also have thinner models available. However, .068 inches is very thin. I need more interior pictures and measurements.

I cant wait for my I9300!
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post #17 of 46
6/28/05 at 7:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigsurf75
I can use dremel to cut out the letters, tape the back and fill with a clear epoxy.
Keep talking, that sounds like the right approach but you'll probably need a more precise idea for cutting out those tiny letters than dremmel. And those clear epoxies don't bond too well to plastic.

More proof that simply lighting the area around the keys isn't enough:
http://highlandsun.com/hyc/LumiKey/
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post #18 of 46
6/28/05 at 7:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mich43L
...
More proof that simply lighting the area around the keys isn't enough:
http://highlandsun.com/hyc/LumiKey/

OOoooo FUGLY!
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post #19 of 46
6/28/05 at 7:31pm
Thread Starter 
anyone have any suggestions? What could I then use to cut out the lettering?

What would I use instead of clear epoxy???

Any one else have any ideas?
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post #20 of 46
6/28/05 at 8:18pm
Looking at the previous posters link, I would give up on the idea. I honestly believe it's a waste of time. But ifyou have nothing better to do go for it...
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