Unpatent #4: Self powered wireless keyboard

Okay, by now you should know the drill for my unpatent posts. Here are the claims for my invention "Self powered wireless keyboard" which basically solves the problem of "damnit - the wireless keyboard needs new batteries again (and it won't even let me use rechargeables!)"

1. The act of typing on a computer keyboard can generate power by the mechanical motion of the keys

2. The power can be then used to charge a battery based energy storage system or directly power the circuitry of the keyboard, including wireless transmission of keypress information to a remote device e.g. computer

3. The power could be collected from keypresses by many means including, but not limited to:

i) electromagnetic coils energized as a magnet attached to the key passes through them,
ii) motion of fluid (air or liquid) pumped by the motion of the key,
iii) force driven current generation such as piezo electric effects,
iv) pure mechanical transfer via levers to a generator (as in a hand cranked generator attached to many emergency electrical devices or motion driven generator in some self-winding watches).

4. Energy could also be stored in non-electrical ways, such as directly compressing a gas, elastic medium or mechanical system that releases its energy later to run a small generator.

5. As an energy suppliment solar or thermal (using environmental or hand heat) power generation could also be utilized for more passive collection of energy when not in use thus ensuring sufficient energy immediately when typing begins.

Such a system will enable a wireless keyboard to be self-sufficient in energy for long periods of time with minimal or no battery based storage.

So, go with it, run with it, make it - but now I've published it you can't patent it. And if someone got to my idea first, so what? I can't wait to use their product as soon as its available.