Backlit Keyboard?

[gotwake424]

I was reading through the "pandora Hacker guide"

and it seems that OPT did indeed leave pads for leds that can be used for backlighting.

taken from the manual....

http://www.openpandora.org/downloads/PANDORA_Hackers_manual_v101.pdf
"9) SPARE KEYPAD BACKLIGHT
- This isn’t specifically for keypad lighting but that is one possible
application. It can be used for any type of lighting or many
applications requiring a variable current source."

My question is has anyone tried this? The hardware side is easy enough (soldering smd leds to the pad that is, i've soldered smd parts before) but how would you go about enabling this in the OS?
Also after looking at the key pad I do not know how well the light would transmit to make this venture usable/plausible. In addition do they package smd leds with resistors?

TLR Anyone tried this or thinking of trying it??

PS. This thread really didn't go anywhere but to the same transparency issue
http://www.gp32x.de/board/index.php?/topic/53803-led-beneath-keys-or-nubs-or-will-that-be-to-hard/

 

[gotwake424]

Can anyone tell me what voltage this pad is giving out? It says it direct to the battery...but Idk if its going throught any "systems" first.

any thoughts on these?
http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/ROHM-Semiconductor/SMLK15WBFPW1/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMsgllGlynFdfvMm8c9X5ZvDGcxgAgWlSy0%3d

 

[EdCa22]

Where are you going to put the LEDs? The pandora keyboard is not transparent, so the light cannot pass through!

 

[CPUnltd]

at this point, I would expect someone to offer a keymat replacement with LEDs built in, as this is probably... hands down... the most viable solution to such a situation...

 

[WizardStan]

Can anyone tell me what voltage this pad is giving out? It says it direct to the battery...but Idk if its going throught any "systems" first.

I'm pretty sure it is battery voltage (4.2 volts or so) but it is run through PWM so you can get a variable current and dim them if desired.
You still need a resistor as well as the LED.

any thoughts on these?
http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/ROHM-Semiconductor/SMLK15WBFPW1/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMsgllGlynFdfvMm8c9X5ZvDGcxgAgWlSy0%3d

Those are quite bright. At 180ma you will be sucking back a lot of power, cutting total play time by several hours I'm sure.