Ergonomic computer keyboard

• US 10,025,392 B1
• Filed: 02/20/2018
• Issued: 07/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Frederick Dykes
• Original Assignee: Frederick Dykes
• Inventors: Dykes, Frederick
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, QUANG
• Application Number:
  US15/900,420
• Time in Patent Office: 147 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0216 Arrangements for ergonomically adjusting the disposition of keys of a keyboard for keyboards integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/1664
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/83 characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/84 characterised by ergonomic functions, e.g. for miniature keyboards; characterised by operational sensory functions, e.g. sound feedback legends H01H13/83
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/86 characterised by the casing, e.g. sealed casings or casings reducible in size
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/012 Two keys simultaneous considerations
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/034 Support for hands or arms
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/002 Calculator, computer

Abstract

The ergonomic computer keyboard is configured for use with a computer. The ergonomic computer keyboard is adapted for use with a person. The ergonomic computer keyboard is an interface device that enables a person to use the computer. The ergonomic computer keyboard comprises a housing and a key set. The key set is installed in the housing. The orientation of the key set is set such that the angle of attack of a finger to a key selected from the key set key is adjusted relative to a traditional computer keyboard. This adjusted orientation results in a more natural orientation of the hands to the key set relative to the traditional computer keyboard. The ordering of the indicia of each key in the key set is adjusted relative to the QWERTY ordering such that hand movements are minimized during the typing process.

Claims

1. An ergonomic input arrangement being an interface device and enabling a user to use with a computer, the ergonomic input arrangement comprising:

a housing and a key set;

wherein the housing is a casing that contains the key set;

wherein the housing is further defined with an anterior direction and a posterior direction;

wherein the key set comprises an orientation being adjusted relative to the QWERTY ordering;

the adjusted orientation resulting in a more natural orientation of human hands to minimize movements of the user'"'"'s hands while using the ergonomic input arrangement;

wherein the orientation of the keyset comprises a first column, a second column, a third column, a fourth column, a fifth column, a sixth column, a seventh column, a ninth column, and a tenth column;

wherein each column comprises a plural of keys contained in the key set;

each key contained in the key set displaying an image that presents an indicia that is used to indicate an alpha-numeric character used in written communication, and each key contained in the key set containing a momentary switch that is actuated by a key selected from the key set;

the housing being further defined with a keyboard bisector referring to a plane that bifurcates the ergonomic input arrangement;

wherein the housing is further defined with a perpendicular keyboard angle, an approximate fourteen degree keyboard angle, an approximate eighteen-degree keyboard angle, an approximate twenty-two-degree keyboard angle, an approximate twenty-six-degree keyboard angle, and an approximate thirty-degree keyboard angle;

wherein the perpendicular keyboard angle refers to the angle of an axis along the posterior edge of the housing that is perpendicular to the keyboard bisector;

wherein the first column and the tenth column are positioned such that the corresponding center axis of the first column and the tenth column intersect with the keyboard bisector to form the approximate fourteen-degrees keyboard angle;

wherein the second column and the ninth column are positioned such that the corresponding center axis of the second column and the ninth column intersect with the keyboard bisector to form the approximate eighteen-degree keyboard angle;

wherein the third column and the eighth column are positioned such that the corresponding center axis of the third column and the eighth column intersect with the keyboard bisector to form the approximate twenty-two degree keyboard angle;

wherein the fourth column and the seventh column are positioned such that the corresponding center axis of the fourth column and the seventh column intersect with the keyboard bisector to form the approximate twenty-six degree keyboard angle;

wherein the fifth column and the sixth column are positioned such that the corresponding center axis of the fifth column and the sixth column intersect with the keyboard bisector to form the approximate thirty-degree keyboard angle;

wherein the approximate eighteen-degree keyboard angle is an angle formed between the keyboard bisector and an intersecting line that forms a cant with a span of an arc between twenty-five degrees and thirty-five degrees;

wherein the approximate twenty-two-degree keyboard angle is an angle formed between the keyboard bisector and an intersecting line that forms a cant with a span of an arc between thirty-five degrees and forty-five degrees;

wherein the approximate twenty-six-degree keyboard angle is an angle formed between the keyboard bisector and an intersecting line that forms a cant with a span of an arc between forty-five degrees and fifty-five degrees;

wherein an approximate thirty-degree keyboard angle is an angle formed between the keyboard bisector and an intersecting line that forms a cant with a span of an arc between fifty-five degrees and sixty-five degrees.

2. The ergonomic input arrangement according to claim 1

wherein the key set comprises a collection of individual buttons referred to as keys;

wherein each key selected from the key set actuates a momentary switch;

wherein the keys of the key set are depressed as a part of an interface process with the computer;

wherein each key selected from the key set is spring loaded; and

wherein each key selected from the key set returns to its primary position after the selected key has been depressed.

3. The input arrangement according to claim 2

wherein the key set comprises a plurality of number keys;

wherein each of the plurality of number keys is a key that inputs a numeric symbol used in a creation of written communication to the computer;

wherein the plurality of number keys comprises a keypad and a number row;

wherein the keypad refers to a cluster of numbers and symbols associated with an entry and evaluation of numeric data;

wherein the number row refers to a row of numbers and symbols associated with an entry and evaluation of numeric data.

4. The input arrangement according to claim 3

wherein the key set comprises a plurality of control keys, and a plurality of function keys;

wherein each of the plurality of control keys is a key that is used to control a focus of the computer as determined by a location of a cursor;

wherein each of the plurality of function keys is a key that is used to initiate a programmed function or service available from the computer.

5. The input arrangement according to claim 4

wherein the key set comprises a plurality of primary keys;

wherein each of the plurality of primary keys is a key that is used to input a letter or symbol used in the creation of written communication;

wherein the letter is not numeric;

wherein the symbol is not numeric.

6. The input arrangement according to claim 5

wherein the plurality of primary keys comprises a plurality of letter keys, a plurality of modifier keys, a plurality of correction keys, and a plurality of hotkeys;

wherein each of the plurality of letter keys is a key that is used to input a letter or symbol used in the creation of written communication;

wherein each of the plurality of modifier keys is a key that is used to modify an operation of a key selected from the plurality of letter keys;

wherein any of the plurality of modifier keys operates by pressing a key selected from the plurality of modifier keys simultaneously with a key selected from the plurality of letter keys to modify the behavior of the key selected from the plurality of letter keys;

wherein the plurality of correction keys are keys dedicated to correcting data entry errors;

wherein each of the plurality of correction keys deletes unwanted data that was previously entered into the computer;

wherein each of the plurality of hotkeys initiates the computer to initiate a previously programmed function.

7. The input arrangement according to claim 6

wherein the plurality of letter keys comprises a first key, a second key, a third key, a fourth key, a fifth key, a sixth key, an eighth key, a ninth key, a tenth key, a thirteenth key, a fourteenth key, a fifteenth key, a nineteenth key, a twentieth key, a twenty-first key, a twenty-third key, a twenty-fifth key, a twenty-sixth key, a twenty-seventh key, a twenty-eighth key, a twenty-ninth key, a thirtieth key, a thirty-first key, a thirty-second key, a thirty-third key, a thirty-fifth key, a thirty-sixth key, a thirty-seventh key, a thirty-ninth key, a fortieth key, and a forty-first key;

wherein the first key indicates a letter y key;

wherein the second key indicates a letter 1 key;

wherein the third key indicates a semicolon and colon key;

wherein the fourth key indicates a letter f key;

wherein the fifth key indicates a letter d key;

wherein the sixth key indicates a comma key;

wherein the eighth key indicates a letter m key;

wherein the ninth key indicates a letter h key;

wherein the tenth key indicates a letter z key;

wherein the thirteenth key indicates a letter c key;

wherein the fourteenth key indicates a letter a key;

wherein the fifteenth key indicates a letter j key;

wherein the nineteenth key indicates a letter b key;

wherein the twentieth key indicates a letter g key;

wherein the twenty-first key indicates a less than and comma key;

wherein the twenty-third key indicates a spacebar key;

wherein the twenty-fifth key indicates a letter p key;

wherein the twenty-sixth key indicates a letter w key;

wherein the twenty-seventh key indicates a greater than and period key;

wherein the twenty-eighth key indicates a letter t key;

wherein the twenty-ninth key indicates a letter e key;

wherein the thirtieth key indicates a letter v key;

wherein the thirty-first key indicates a letter n key;

wherein the thirty-second key indicates a letter i key;

wherein the thirty-third key indicates a letter k key;

wherein the thirty-fifth key indicates a letter s key;

wherein the thirty-sixth key indicates a letter o key;

wherein the thirty-seventh key indicates a letter x key;

wherein the thirty-ninth key indicates a letter r key;

wherein the fortieth key indicates a letter u key;

wherein the forty-first key indicates a letter q key.

8. The input arrangement according to claim 7

wherein the plurality of modifier keys comprises a seventh key, an eleventh key, and a twenty-second key;

wherein the seventh key indicates a Ctrl key;

wherein the eleventh key indicates an alt key; and

wherein the twenty-second key indicates a shift key.

9. The input arrangement according to claim 8

wherein the plurality of correction keys comprises a sixteenth key and an eighteenth key;

wherein the sixteenth key indicates a delete key; and

wherein the eighteenth key indicates a backspace key.

10. The input arrangement according to claim 9

wherein the plurality of hotkeys comprises a twelfth key, a seventeenth key, a twenty-fourth key, a thirty-fourth key, and a thirty-eighth key;

wherein the twelfth key indicates a “

.edu”

key;

wherein the seventeenth key indicates a “

.com”

key;

wherein the twenty-fourth key indicates a “

.net”

key;

wherein the thirty-fourth key indicates an enter key;

wherein the thirty-eighth key indicates a mode key.

11. The input arrangement according to claim 10

wherein depressing the twelfth key instructs the computer to enter a text “

.edu”

into the creation of written communication currently being entered through the ergonomic input arrangement;

wherein the seventeenth key instructs the computer to enter a text “

.com”

into the creation of written communication currently being entered through the ergonomic input arrangement;

wherein the twenty-fourth key instructs the computer to enter a text “

.net”

into the creation of written communication currently being entered through the ergonomic input arrangement;

wherein the thirty-fourth key instructs the computer to initiate an operation of the most recent instructions received by the computer through the ergonomic input arrangement;

wherein the thirty-eighth key instructs the computer to switch the mode of the operating system.

12. The input arrangement according to claim 11

wherein the plurality of letter keys comprises a sub-plurality of home keys;

wherein each of the sub-plurality of home keys are reference points used to identify the location of each of the plurality of primary keys;

wherein the second key is a home key of the first column;

wherein the fifth key is a home key of the second column;

wherein the ninth key is a home key of the third column;

wherein the fourteenth key is a home key of the fourth column;

wherein the twenty-ninth key is a home key of the seventh column;

wherein the thirty-second key is a home key of the eighth column;

wherein the thirty-sixth key is a home key of the ninth column;

wherein the fortieth key is a home key of the tenth column;

wherein the twenty-ninth key is adapted to be positioned under the index finger of the right hand when in use;

wherein the fourteenth key is adapted to be positioned under the index finger of the left hand when in use.

13. The input arrangement according to claim 12

wherein the plurality of primary keys further comprises a plurality of upper flat keys, and a plurality of lower flat keys;

wherein an alignment of the keys in the first column is further defined by the corresponding center axis;

wherein an alignment of the keys in the second column is further defined by the corresponding center axis;

wherein an alignment of the keys in the third column is further defined by the corresponding center axis;

wherein an alignment of the keys in the fourth column is further defined by the corresponding center axis;

wherein an alignment of the keys in the fifth column is further defined by the corresponding center axis;

wherein an alignment of the keys in the sixth column is further defined by the corresponding center axis;

wherein an alignment of the keys in the seventh column is further defined by the corresponding center axis;

wherein an alignment of the keys in the eighth column is further defined by the corresponding center axis;

wherein an alignment of the keys in the ninth column is further defined by the corresponding center axis;

wherein an alignment of the keys in the tenth column is further defined by the corresponding center axis;

wherein the first column comprises the first key, the second key, and the third key;

wherein the second column comprises the fourth key, the fifth key, the sixth key, and the seventh key;

wherein the third column comprises the eighth key, the ninth key, the tenth key, and the eleventh key;

wherein the fourth column comprises the thirteenth key, the fourteenth key, and the fifteenth key;

wherein the fifth column comprises the nineteenth key, the twentieth key, and the twenty-first key;

wherein the sixth column comprises the twenty-fifth key, the twenty-sixth key, and the twenty-seventh key;

wherein the seventh column comprises the twenty-eighth key, the twenty-ninth key, and the thirtieth key;

wherein the eighth column comprises the thirty-first key, the thirty-second key, the thirty-third key, and the thirty-fourth key;

wherein the ninth column comprises the thirty-fifth key, the thirty-sixth key, and the thirty-seventh key;

wherein the tenth column comprises the thirty-ninth key, the fortieth key, and the forty-first key;

wherein the plurality of upper flat keys comprises the twelfth key, the seventeenth key, the eighteenth key, and the twenty-fourth key; and

wherein the plurality of lower flat keys comprises the sixteenth key, the twenty-second key, the twenty-third key, and the thirty-eighth key.

14. The input arrangement according to claim 13

wherein the first key is located in an anterior position relative to the second key which is located in an anterior position relative to the third key;

wherein the fourth key is located in an anterior position relative to the fifth key which is located in an anterior position relative to the sixth key which is located in an anterior position relative to the seventh key;

wherein the eighth key is located in an anterior position relative to the ninth key which is located in an anterior position relative to the tenth key which is located in an anterior position relative to the eleventh key;

wherein the thirteenth key is located in an anterior position relative to the fourteenth key which is located in an anterior position relative to the fifteenth key;

wherein the nineteenth key is located in an anterior position relative to the twentieth key which is located in an anterior position relative to the twenty-first key;

wherein the twenty-fifth key is located in an anterior position relative to the twenty-sixth key which is located in an anterior position relative to the twenty-seventh key;

wherein the twenty-eighth key is located in an anterior position relative to the twenty-ninth key which is located in an anterior position relative to the thirtieth key;

wherein the thirty-first key is located in an anterior position relative to the thirty-second key which is located in an anterior position relative to the thirty-third key which is located in an anterior position relative to the thirty-fourth key;

wherein the thirty-fifth key is located in an anterior position relative to the thirty-sixth key which is located in an anterior position relative to the thirty-seventh key;

wherein the thirty-ninth key is located in an anterior position relative to the fortieth key which is located in an anterior position relative to the forty-first key.

15. The input arrangement according to claim 14

wherein the plurality of primary keys further comprises a ring finger span, a middle finger span, a little finger span, an index finger span, and a secondary index finger span;

wherein the ring finger span is the span of the perpendicular distance from the anterior tip of both the fourth key and the thirty-fifth key to the axis formed by the posterior edge of the housing;

wherein the middle finger span is the span of the perpendicular distance from the anterior tip of both the eighth key and the thirty-first key to the axis formed by the posterior edge of the housing;

wherein the little finger span refers the span of the perpendicular distance from the anterior tip of both the first key and the thirty-ninth key to the axis formed by the posterior edge of the housing;

wherein the index finger span refers the span of the perpendicular distance from the anterior tip of both the thirteenth key and the twenty-eighth key to the axis formed by the posterior edge of the housing; and

wherein the secondary index finger span refers the span of the perpendicular distance from the anterior tip of both the nineteenth key and the twenty-fifth key to the axis formed by the posterior edge of the housing.

16. The input arrangement according to claim 15

wherein the span of the ring finger span is greater than the span of the middle finger span;

wherein the span of the middle finger span is greater than the span of the little finger span;

wherein the span of the little finger span is greater than the span of the index finger span; and

wherein the span of the index finger span is greater than the span of the secondary index finger span.