Computer keyboard

• US 20070147932A1
• Filed: 01/06/2005
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Susan Giles
• Original Assignee: Susan Giles
• Inventors: Giles, Susan
• Application Number:
  US10/583,756
• Publication Number:
  US 20070147932A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 400/472
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 13/02 Dummy practice keyboard apparatus for teaching music G09B15/08
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 13/04 Devices used in association with a real typewriter, teleprinter, or the like

Abstract

A computer keyboard that includes features which assist a child in learning how to type. The keys have different colors based upon the function of the keys. The number keys are physically separated from the letter keys by a gap to prevent accidental contact with the number keys while typing words. The keyboard includes a mechanism which disables the normal repeat function. This mechanism prevents the repeated typing of a letter or number regardless of how long the key is pressed.

Claims

1. A computer keyboard comprising:

a frame;

a set of letter keys arranged in a QWERTY layout and mounted to an upper surface of the frame;

a set of number keys arranged in a sequential and linear configuration parallel to the top row of the QWERTY layout and mounted to the upper surface of the frame; and

a gap that separates the top row of QWERTY layout from the number keys.

2. The computer keyboard of claim 1, further comprising:

a mechanism for disabling a key repeat function for all letters and numbers.

3. The computer keyboard of claim 2 wherein the mechanism for disabling the key repeat function is a firmware program stored in a first electronic memory in the frame of the computer keyboard.

4. The computer keyboard of claim 2 wherein the mechanism for disabling the key repeat function is a software program stored in a second electronic memory in a computer associated with the computer keyboard.

5. The computer keyboard of claim 1 further comprising:

a first recess in which at least some of the set of letter keys are positioned;

a second recess in which at least some of the set of number keys are positioned; and

a drain that provides a path for liquids to flow from the recess out of the keyboard.

6. The computer keyboard of claim 1 wherein the set of letter keys have vowel keys that are a first color and consonant keys which are a second color.

7. The computer keyboard of claim 1 wherein the number keys are a third color that is distinct from the second color of the consonant keys.

8. The computer keyboard of claim 1 further comprising:

a shift key having text in a fourth color printed on a surface of the shift key;

wherein the number keys each have a symbol in the forth color printed on a surface of the number keys.

9. A computer keyboard comprising:

a frame;

a set of letter keys arranged in a QWERTY layout and mounted to an upper surface of the frame;

a set of number keys arranged in a sequential and linear configuration parallel to the top row of the QWERTY layout and mounted to the upper surface of the frame; and

a mechanism for disabling a key repeat function for all letters and numbers.

10. The computer keyboard of claim 9 wherein the mechanism for disabling the key repeat function is a firmware program loaded into a first electronic memory in the frame of the computer keyboard.

11. The computer keyboard of claim 9 wherein the mechanism for disabling the key repeat function is a software program loaded into a second electronic memory in a computer associated with the computer keyboard.

12. The computer keyboard of claim 9 wherein the set of letter keys have vowel keys that are a first color and consonant keys which are a second color.

13. The computer keyboard of claim 9 wherein the number keys are a third color that is distinct from the second color of the consonant keys.

14. The computer keyboard of claim 9 further comprising:

a shift key having text in a fourth color printed on a surface of the shift key;

wherein the number keys each have a symbol in the forth color printed on a surface of the number keys.

15. A computer keyboard comprising:

a frame;

a set of letter keys arranged in a QWERTY layout and mounted to an upper surface of the frame; and

a mechanism for disabling a key repeat function for all letters and numbers.

16. The computer keyboard of claim 15 wherein the mechanism for disabling the key repeat function is a firmware program loaded into a first electronic memory in the frame of the computer keyboard.

17. The computer keyboard of claim 15 wherein the mechanism for disabling the key repeat function is a software program loaded into a second electronic memory in a computer associated with the computer keyboard.

18. The computer keyboard of claim 15 further comprising:

a USB type connector which allows the computer keyboard to be used as a secondary keyboard for a computer.

19. The computer keyboard of claim 15 further comprising:

a recess in which at least some of the set of letter keys are positioned; and

a drain that provides a path for liquids to flow from the recess out of the keyboard.

20. The computer keyboard of claim 15 further comprising:

a set of number keys each have a symbol printed in a third color on a surface of the number key; and

a shift key having text printed in the third color on a surface of the shift key.