User:Tsmpaul2/draft article on Luxeed keyboard

Luxeed Dynamic Pixel LED Keyboard

The Luxeed Dynamic Pixel LED Keyboard is a keyboard developed by South Korean company Luxiium Lighting & Technology Inc. Each of its keys, with the exception of the function keys, has its own light-emitting diodes (LEDs) which allow customisation of illumination and colour.

Overview
Originally only selling in South Korea, an international version was first featured briefly on the technology website Chipchick on January 13, 2007, followed by more images and articles appearing on other major technology websites, such as Engadget.

Each Luxeed keyboard contains 430 LEDs, allowing the user to assign colour to each main key. The keyboard does not feature a built-in numeric keypad, but instead offers a seperate keypad which may be used either with the Luxeed keyboard, or used individually.

Individual patterns of colour and illumination are called a ColorSkin, with keyboard variations allowing ColorSkins to be saved to the computer, or to program hotkeys on the keyboard.

There are three variations of Luxeed illuminated keyboards, and the additional illuminated numeric keypad. Additional keycaps are available that allow users to further customise the look of their keyboard, with black (the letters are semi-transparent, allowing LED colour to show through), white (the key is semi-transparent, illuminated by the LEDs, while the letters are black), or sunglass (the key is semi-transparent, illuminated with a glass-like effect, the letters are white).

deTa Series
The Luxeed deTa keyboard features both a White and Black version. This keyboard requires software to be installed on the host computer to manage the colouration of its keys, with a selection of 512 colours to choose from. Individual ColorSkin patterns can be saved to the computer, and shared via email or websites with other Luxeed users. The deTa keyboard is only available for users of the Windows XP operating system. It does not contain an Anti-Ghosting capability.

U5 Series
The Luxeed U5 keyboard features both a White and Black version. It does not require software to be installed on a computer, but internally saves and manages the colouration and brightness of the keyboard, allowing four profiles to be saved to hotkeys. Custom ColorSkins cannot be shared with other users. The function keys allow selection of seven rainbow colours, which can be applied individually to any key except the function keys, and a range of lighting effects. The U5 keyboard does feature anti-ghosting capabilities, and works with Microsoft Windows, Macintosh and Linux operating systems.

raMa Series
The Luxeed raMa keyboard features both a White and Black version. This keyboard variant requires software to be installed on the host computer to manage the colouration of the keyboard. Colorskins can be shared with other users via email or websites. It features 512 colours, and has access to an additional feature which lights keys up in time to music the computer is playing, and a range of other lighting effects. In addition, the raMa keyboard has anti-ghosting capabilities. The raMa series works with Windows XP and Windows Vista operating systems.

Mk5 Series
The Mk5 is an external numeric USB keypad, which features the same custom illumination technologies as the Luxeed keyboard, and features both White and Black variations. In addition to functioning as a numeric keypad, and having custom illumination per key, it also supports custom macros allowing the computer to perform multiple keystroke functions with the press of a single programmed key. The Mk5 keypad requires software to be installed on the host computer. Colorskins make use of 512 colours, and can be shared with other users via email or websites.

Common Specifications
Each Luxeed keyboard follows these common specifications:


 * LEDs: 430
 * Interface: USB 2.0 (or 1.1)


 * Dimensions: Width: 380mm (15"), Depth: 180mm (7-3/32"), Height: 24mm (1")


 * Number of Keys: 87 regular keys, 11 special keys


 * Key Stroke: 2.5mm (0.1") as average value


 * Weight: 793g (1-3/4 lb)


 * Cable Length: 1500mm (59")


 * Power Consumption: 2 watts