[Trac #965] Keyboard LEDs shine thru case, miss parts of the keyboard

[Zarro Boogs per Child]

#965: Keyboard LEDs shine thru case, miss parts of the keyboard
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 Reporter:  gnu         |       Owner:  mlj      
     Type:  defect      |      Status:  new      
 Priority:  normal      |   Milestone:  Untriaged
Component:  mechanical  |    Keywords:  video led
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 Keyboard LEDs in B2 make the battery box light up visibly when making
 normal use of the laptop.  For example, even in daylight I see a thin area
 in the plastic just above and behind each LED, which lights up when the
 LEDs are on.  It seems to be where a plastic diffuser is embedded in the
 case, trying to spread the LED light.  In total darkness, I also seem to
 see labels of different sizes stuck inside the case, on the top on either
 side of the hinge.  Perhaps something can be painted, aluminized or
 soldered on to block or reflect the LED light, except thru the opening
 where it's intended to be seen.

 This effect also occurs with the power, battery, and wireless lights, to a
 much lesser extent.  There's better optical design there -- or fewer
 photons from the LEDs.

 This particular problem may recur when a camera/mic LED is added.  The
 extra light near the camera could screw up the video sensor.  Hmm -- if
 this new LED illuminates every time the camera is on, should it be
 projecting enough light outward for the camera to be able to see a bit in
 the dark?  Sort of like the LED or laser light that some cameras use to
 autofocus in the dark?
 And if so, how can it avoid projecting any light internally toward the
 video sensor?  It should at least be colored white, such that it won't
 distort the colors of what the camera sees, by e.g. painting them with red
 light.

 In addition, the keyboard's 6, 7, and 8 keys are particularly poorly
 illuminated (and the Y, U, I keys below them, etc).  A bit more diffusion
 toward the middle of the keyboard would improve things.

 Part of the light falls on the white plastic above the keyboard, which
 reflects much more brightly than the green and black keyboard.  That light
 could be redirected to where it will distract less.

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Ticket URL: <http://dev.laptop.org/ticket/965>
One Laptop Per Child <http://laptop.org/>