Adjustable ergonomic keyboard for use with stationary palm and elements thereof

• US 20030011503A1
• Filed: 07/03/2002
• Published: 01/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David J. Levenson
• Original Assignee: David J. Levenson
• Inventors: Levenson, David J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,324,019 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 341/200
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0213 Arrangements providing an integrated pointing device in a keyboard, e.g. trackball, mini-joystick for pointing devices integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/169; joysticks G05G9/047; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• 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 13/807 characterised by the spatial arrangement of the contact sites, e.g. superimposed sites
• 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 2009/0257 Multisided remote control, comprising control or display elements on at least two sides, e.g. front and back surface
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/028 on planes with different or alterable inclination, e.g. convex plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/034 Support for hands or arms
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/04 portable; hand held
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2225/022 other then row-column disposition
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/04 Gadget

Abstract

An ergonomic keyboard as shown in FIG. 3A for use with a stationary palm wherein the keys (15) of the keyboard are actuated only by motion of the joints in the digits. The keyboard may have a thumb region (20), a palm rest region (8) and a hypothenar rest region which are discrete parts and are adjustable relative to one another along a longitudinal axis. Some keys may be actuated by the back surface of the digits. The keyboard may be on an upper portion (2) which is mounted on a base (1) such that three dimensional rotational adjustment is possible between the upper portion and base. The position of the keyboard relative to a user may be adjusted. The spacing of the keys on the keyboard may be spaced at different intervals and have different forces for actuation.

Claims

1. A keyboard for use by a hand comprising a body having:

a) a hand supporter for maintaining the wrist and palm in an unstrained, relaxed, stationary position during keyboard usage;

b) a plurality of keys on a keypad actuatable by the fingers of the hand; and

c) wherein the fingers are permitted unrestrained movement about the three joints of each finger for actuation of the keys on the keypad while the wrist and palm remain in the unstrained, relaxed, stationary position.

2. The keyboard according to claim 1 wherein the hand supporter is comprised of a hypothenar rest region and an adjacent palm rest region.

3. The keyboard according to claim 2 wherein the palm rest region conforms to the shape of the relaxed palm region.

4. The keyboard according to claim 2 wherein the hypothenar rest region conforms to the shape of the hypothenar region.

5. The keyboard according to claim 1 further including a thumb region adjacent to the palm rest region on the opposite side of the hypothenar rest region.

6. The keyboard according to claim 5 wherein the thumb region has a thumb keyboard with keys actuatable by the thumb.

7. The keyboard according to claim 5 wherein the thumb region is generally channel shaped.

8. The keyboard according to claim 1 wherein the palm rest region generally lies along a longitudinal axis and a central axis within the channel of the thumb region and forms an angle of between 15-45 degrees with the longitudinal axis.

9. The keyboard according to claim 8 wherein the thumb region, palm rest region and hypothenar rest region are discrete parts adjustable relative to one another along the longitudinal axis.

10. The keyboard according to claim 1 wherein each key on the keyboard is actuatable by at least one finger moving within an unstrained range of motion for that finger.

11. The keyboard according to claim 1 wherein the keyboard has a signal device in communication with a processing unit.

12. The keyboard according to claim 1 wherein the signal device may be one from the group of a hard wire, coded laser beam, radio frequency signal and ultrasound.

13. The keyboard according to claim 1 further comprising a second body identical but a mirror image in shape to conform with and be used by the second hand.

14. The keyboard according to claim 1 wherein the palm rest region has a top surface and the top surface is covered with cushioning material that conforms to the hand comprised of one material from the group of foam, leather and plastic.

16. The keyboard according to claim 15 wherein each of the hand supporters is comprised of a hypothenar rest region and an adjacent palm rest region.

17. The keyboard according to claim 16 further including on each body a thumb region adjacent to the palm rest region on the opposite side of the palm rest region than the hypothenar rest region.

19. The keyboard according to claim 18 wherein:

a) the base has one of a concave recess or convex protrusion;

b) the upper portion has the other of the concave recess or convex protrusion; and

c) wherein the contour of the concave recess and the contour of the convex protrusion are identical at all operational rotational positions of the recess relative to the protrusion.

20. The keyboard according to claim 19 wherein the recess and the protrusion slide across one another for three degrees of rotational freedom.

21. The keyboard according to claim 20 wherein lubrication is introduced between the recess and the protrusion to promote relative movement therebetween.

22. The keyboard according to claim 20 wherein ball bearings are introduced between the recess and the protrusion to promote relative movement therebetween.

23. The keyboard according to claim 18 wherein the upper portion and the base are frictionally secured to one another to inhibit rotation therebetween.

24. The keyboard according to claim 18 wherein the upper portion and the base have a locking mechanism to permit when deactivated and to prevent when activated relative rotation therebetween.

25. The keyboard according to claim 24 wherein the locking mechanism is comprised of a linkage movably extending through the upper portion, wherein the linkage has a friction plate attached at one end and wherein the friction plate is proximate to the base such that the friction plate may be urged against the base to prevent rotation of the upper portion relative to the base.

26. The keyboard according to claim 25 wherein the linkage is a rod.

27. The keyboard according to claim 25 wherein the linkage is a cable.

28. The keyboard according to claim 18 wherein a cursor controller is mounted within the base such that motion of the base upon a surface will actuate and move the cursor.

30. The assembly according to claim 29 further including at least one degree of translational freedom between the keyboard and the forearm rest.

31. The assembly according to claim 30 wherein the second linkage is comprised of one tubular element that moves telescopically within a second tubular element to provide one degree of translational freedom.

32. The assembly according to claim 29 wherein the rotational freedom is provided by the use of a ball and socket connector between the linkages.

33. The assembly according to claim 32 further including knobs with shafts that are secured to the ball and socket connectors and that may be urged against the balls to prevent rotational freedom.

34. The assembly according to claim 29 further including a wrist support on the keyboard.

35. The assembly according to claim 29 wherein the forearm rest is attached to a chair.

36. The assembly according to claim 29 wherein the keyboard rests upon the surface of a desk.

37. The assembly according to claim 29 wherein the keyboard is attached to the forearm rest.

38. The assembly according to claim 29 wherein the forearm rest is covered with cushioning material comprised of one material from the group of foam, leather, plastic or viscous gel.

40. The keypad according to claim 39 wherein the curvature for any shorter finger of the finger key array is less than the curvature for any longer finger of the finger key array.

41. The keypad according to claim 39 wherein each finger key array is aligned with a plane defined by the path of the finger associated with that array as the finger moves from the clenched position to the fully extended position.

42. The keypad according to claim 41 wherein the planes diverge as they extend away from the clenched hand.

43. The keypad according to claim 41 further including at least one additional finger key array positioned laterally on either side of a respective key array plane, thereby providing at least one additional key actuatable by a finger.

44. The keypad according to claim 43 wherein an additional finger key array for a single finger may be positioned on each side of the plane associated with that finger.

45. The keypad according to claim 39 wherein the keys of each key array are positioned along an arc located between the maximum and the minimum range of flexion and extension of finger motion through the metacarpophalangeal, proximal interphalangeal and distal interphalangeal joints without any wrist motion.

46. The keypad according to claim 45 wherein keys are positioned upon each arc over a range on that arc of at least 90 degrees.

47. The keypad according to claim 45 wherein at least one key positioned along the arc is actuated by flexion at the joints of the finger and at least one other key positioned along the arc is actuated by a combination of extension and flexion of the three joints of the finger.

48. The keypad according to claim 47 wherein each key in a key array has a top surface and the top surfaces of all keys in an array together form a non-planar surface and wherein actuation of each key requires a force perpendicular to the top surface of the respective key.

49. The keypad according to claim 47 wherein the maximum angular difference between the orientation of the top surfaces of at least two keys in an array is at least 90 degrees.

50. The keypad according to claim 47 wherein any finger key array may have a cursor controller.

51. The keypad according to claim 45 wherein the curvature is concave.

52. The keypad according to claim 39 further including a thumb key array positioned adjacent to but separate from the finger key arrays and having a contour to accommodate the thumb range of motion.

53. The keypad according to claim 52 wherein the thumb key array may have a cursor controller.

54. The keypad according to claim 52 wherein the thumb range of motion is defined by an arc extending between the maximum and minimum range of flexion, extension, adduction and abduction of the thumb joints.

55. The keypad according to claim 39 wherein the finger key arrays are contiguous with a palm rest region on a keyboard supporting the keypad.

56. The keypad according to claim 39 wherein home key positions are defined for each finger in the position that finger would assume in a relaxed position.

57. The keypad according to claim 39 wherein the keys associated with each finger key array are spaced apart at smaller distances for smaller fingers and larger distances for larger fingers.

58. The keypad according to claim 39 wherein the keys associated with each finger key array are smaller for smaller fingers and larger for larger fingers.

60. The keypad according to claim 59 further including a key array associated with each the index, long, ring and small fingers and wherein each key array is comprised of a plurality of keys and each key in a key array is spaced apart from an adjacent key in that array by a predetermined distance, wherein the predetermined distance is greater for larger fingers and smaller for smaller fingers.

61. The keypad according to claim 59 wherein the resistance associated with each key is furthermore a function of the distance of the finger from a relaxed position to reach the key.

62. The keypad according to claim 59 wherein the resistance associated with each key is provided by a resilient member having the desired resistance.

63. The keypad according to claim 59 wherein the resilient member is a spring.

64. The keypad according to claim 59 wherein the resilient member is a flexible material displaced by force upon the contact surface of a key.

65. The keypad according to claim 59 wherein the resistance associated with each key is provided by the localized stiffness of a flexible sheet overlaid upon the keys.

66. The keypad according to claim 59 wherein the size of each key is proportionate to the force necessary to actuate that key.

68. The keyboard according to claim 67 wherein the top key is actuated by utilizing extension of all three joints of the digit.

69. The keyboard according to claim 67 wherein the actuation surface of the top key has a soft surface comprised of a material from the group of foam, leather, plastic or gel.

15. A keyboard for use by the hands comprising:

a) a first body having;

1) a right hand supporter for maintaining the wrist and palm in an unstrained, relaxed, stationary position; and

2) a plurality of keys on a keypad actuatable by at least one finger of the right hand;

b) a second body having;

1) a left hand supporter for maintaining the wrist and palm in an unstrained, relaxed, stationary position; and

2) a plurality of keys on a keypad actuatable by at least one finger of the left hand; and

c) wherein the fingers are permitted unrestrained movement about the three joints of each finger for actuation of the keys on the keypad without motion of the wrist or palm.

18. A keyboard for use by a hand, including the wrist, comprising:

a) a base;

b) an upper portion in contact with the base, wherein the upper portion includes a hand supporter for maintaining the wrist and palm in an unrestrained, relaxed, stationary position during keyboard usage; and

c) wherein the upper portion contacts the base and may be positioned in three degrees of rotational freedom.

29. A keyboard support assembly for providing maximum adjustability comprising:

a) a base on which a keyboard is supported;

b) a forearm rest;

c) a three bar linkage connecting the keyboard to the forearm rest, comprised of a first linkage, second linkage and third linkage;

d) wherein the first linkage is connected to the keyboard and to the second linkage;

e) wherein the second linkage is connected to the first linkage and the third linkage;

f) wherein the third linkage is connected to the second linkage and the forearm rest; and

g) wherein there is rotational freedom between the first and second linkages and between the second and third linkages.

39. A keypad on a keyboard comprised of a plurality of finger key arrays adjacent to one another on the keyboard, wherein the fingers are identified as the index, long, ring and short fingers, wherein each finger key array has associated with it specific keys and wherein each finger key array has a different curvature to accommodate the range of motion of that finger to actuate the respective keys when the wrist and palm are in a stationary position.

59. A keypad for a keyboard comprising:

a) a plurality of keys;

b) a predetermined distance each key must be depressed to actuate the key;

c) a resistance associated with each key necessary to depress that key the predetermined distance to actuate the key; and

d) wherein the resistance associated with each key is a function of the size of the finger depressing that key, such that a larger finger has a greater depression force than does a smaller finger.

67. A keyboard having keys actuated by hand comprised of:

a) at least one key positioned on a keypad and having an actuation surface facing the side of a digit of the hand opposite the nail when the hand is in a typing position; and

b) at least one top key positioned on a keypad and having an actuation surface facing the nail or back surface of the digit of the hand when the hand is in the typing position.

70. A keyboard comprised of:

a) a keypad with a plurality of keys thereon, wherein each key has a contact surface which must be depressed for key actuation; and

b) a height adjustment device for placement over at least one key to heighten the contact surface of the at least one key.

71. The keyboard according to claim 70 wherein the height adjustment device is comprised of an overlay sheet on the keypad, wherein the overlay sheet is made of a flexible material and wherein the sheet has a predetermined thickness over at least one key to increase the height of the contact surface of the at least one key.

72. The keyboard according to claim 70 wherein the height adjustment device is comprised of one from a variety of overlay sheets, wherein each sheet is made of a flexible material and wherein each sheet has a predetermined thickness over at least one key to increase the height of the contact surface of the at least one key and wherein the predetermined thickness of each overlay sheet is different thereby providing a variety of height adjustment options for different users.

73. The keyboard according to claim 70 wherein the height adjustment device is an individual shim applied to the contact surface of a key to provide a raised contact surface.

74. A keyboard comprised of:

a) a finger region having a keypad with keys, wherein the keys on the keypad are oriented to be actuatable by only motion of the fingers at their joints when the wrist and palm of a hand are in an unstrained, relaxed, stationary position in a palm rest;

b) wherein a hand axis is defined by a line extending through the metacarpophalangeal joint of each finger;

c) a thumb region having a channel with keys, wherein the channel is oriented along a channel surface having a central axis which forms an angle of between 15-45 degrees with the hand axis; and

d) wherein a thumb home key is located in the position of the thumb along a path defined by the thumb as it moves with flexion from a naturally relaxed position toward the index finger in its relaxed position.

75. The keyboard according to claim 74 wherein the other keys of the keypad in the thumb region are positioned to be actuated by natural motion of the thumb, wherein the movement may be comprised from one or more of the group of flexion, extension, adduction and abduction.

76. The keyboard according to claim 75 wherein the thumb region home key is a cursor controller.

77. A keyboard comprising:

a) a keypad;

b) a plurality of keys on the keypad, wherein each key has a top surface that is physically depressed for key actuation; and

c) wherein the top surface of one or more of the plurality of keys has a different tactile identification to facilitate recognition of the keys.

78. The keyboard according to claim 77 wherein the tactile identification comprises the contour of the top surface of the keys.

79. The keyboard according to claim 77 wherein the tactile identification comprises the texture of the top surface of the keys.

80. The keyboard according to claim 77 wherein the tactile identification comprises the resiliency of the top surface of the keys.

81. The keyboard according to claim 77 wherein the tactile identification comprises the thermal conductivity of the top surfaces of the keys.

82. The keyboard according to claim 77 wherein the keys on the keyboard represent letters and wherein the keys associated with vowels have a different tactile identification than the keys associated with consonants.

83. The keyboard according to claim 77 wherein the keys on the keyboard are associated with different predetermined groups of keys and each group of keys has a different tactile identification associated with it.

84. A keypad for a keyboard comprising:

a) at least one key;

b) a sensor associated with that key to determine the force exerted upon that key;

c) a key identifier;

d) a key actuator which when actuated transfers data to a processing unit;

e) wherein a first force upon the key will actuate the key identifier to identify that key to the user; and

f) wherein a second force, greater than the first force, will actuate the key actuator.

85. The keypad according to claim 84 wherein the key identifier is a visual screen.

86. The keypad according to claim 85 wherein the visual screen is a cathode ray tube screen.

87. The keypad according to claim 84 wherein the key identifier is an audible sound.