Ergonomic laptop computer and ergonomic keyboard

• US 5,502,460 A
• Filed: 08/02/1994
• Issued: 03/26/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bowen, James H.
• Original Assignee: Bowen, James H.
• Inventors: Bowen, James H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe, Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): Liang, Regina
• Application Number:
  US08/284,108
• Time in Patent Office: 602 Days
• Field of Search: 345/168, 345/169, 400/82, 400/472, 400/485, 400/486, 400/488, 400/489, 400/682, 400/715, 400/716, 400/717, 400/718, 341/21, 341/25
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/021 Arrangements integrating additional peripherals in a keyboard, e.g. card or barcode reader, optical scanner
• 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 3/0221 Arrangements for reducing keyboard size for transport or storage, e.g. foldable keyboards, keyboards with collapsible keys G06F3/0216 takes precedence; for keyboards integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/1666
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0231 Cordless keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2207/048 Inductive or infrared coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/05 composed of hingedly connected sections
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/052 reductible in size, e.g. for transportation

Abstract

A keyboard to be used on an operators lap that separates to relieve stress in an operators neck and wrists. The keyboard has a flat surface between the keyboard sides, so while being held on a persons lap, will hold reference material and a second party pointing device that can be used with either hand to keep the neck straight. A separable keyboard that is only electrically connected, so each side of the keyboard can be operated on completely different surfaces. A notebook computer with keyboards that open up on each side so the operators hands are separated. The keyboards can slide closed or fold closed, and when folded, interleave so full size keys can be used and facilitate a more compact design, and can be unfolded so the keyboards slant down below the computer to centralize the computer on a persons lap, and reduce the twist between the hand and wrist. The keyboard includes a means to turn all visual indication of computer operation off to be used in a secure no light area with a speaker to give verbal enunciated messages in response to the keyboard and from a computer.

Claims

1. A stand alone keyboard where the keys are split and separable so a first plurality of alpha characters can be entered with a left hand separated from a second plurality of alpha characters entered with a right hand, said keyboard comprising in combination:

a left hand set of alpha keys for entering said first plurality of alpha characters, said left hand set being housed in a left housing;

a right hand set of alpha keys for entering said second plurality of alpha characters, said right hand set being housed in a right housing;

a flat planar surface forming a top surface of a structure separating said left hand set of alpha keys and said right hand set of alpha keys, said structure spanning substantially from front to rear of said keyboard, said left and right housing forming left and right keyboard, respectively, said structure connecting said left and right housings to maintain alignment between said left and right housings; and

a reference material holder disposed on said structure mounted from a fulcrum with an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of said keyboard, said reference material holder moves in an arc which is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said keyboard from said fulcrum between a closed position near said flat planar surface to an open position.

2. A keyboard as claimed in claim 1, further including

a speaker that a keyboard operator can receive enunciated audible verbal responses for a key entry or computer transmitted message.

3. A keyboard as claimed in claim 1, further comprising in combination:

a speaker that a keyboard operator can receive enunciated audible verbal responses for a key entry or computer transmitted message; and

means to turn off a computer display and lights associated with said keyboard or a computer connected to said keyboard during operation of said computer.

4. A keyboard as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for generating, and means for transmitting and receiving data by radio frequency signals responsive to said keyboard.

5. A keyboard as claimed in claim 1, further comprising in combination:

a computer processor housed in said structure between said left and right keyboards, and wherein said keyboards are moveable from a closed position that is over said flat planar surface, to an open position that exposes said flat planar surface; and

a display disposed on said reference material holder.

6. A keyboard as claimed in claim 5, wherein

at least one of said keyboards is slidable.

7. A keyboard as claimed in claim 5, wherein

said left keyboard is rotatably supported from a pivot;

said right keyboard is rotatably supported from a pivot; and

said left keyboard rotates from said open position toward said right keyboard and said right keyboard rotates from said open position toward said left keyboard to said closed position over said computer processor.

8. A keyboard as claimed in claim 5, wherein

said left side keyboard is rotatably supported and has a first maximum thickness from a top to a bottom of said left side keyboard;

said right side keyboard is rotatably supported and has a second maximum thickness from a top to a bottom of said right side keyboard;

said left side keyboard rotates from said open position toward said right side keyboard and said right side keyboard rotates from said open position toward said left side keyboard to an interleaving position; and

said interleaving position is formed when a first of said left and right side keyboards is notched to a configuration to receive a second of said left and right side keyboards so as to overlap, the cumulative thickness at said overlap is less than the sum of said first and second maximum thicknesses.

9. A keyboard as claimed in claim 5, wherein

said display is sensitive to a persons finger or stylus for inputting data to said computer processor.

10. A keyboard as claimed in claim 1, further including in combination:

a computer processor housed in said structure between said left and right keyboards; and

a display, to display data from said computer processor and said left and right keyboards, disposed on said flat planar surface.

11. A keyboard as claimed in claim 10, further including

said keyboards are moveable from a closed position, that is over said flat planar surface and said display, to an open position, that exposes said flat planar surface and said display;

and

at least one of said left and right keyboards are slidable.

12. A keyboard as claimed in claim 10, wherein

said keyboards are moveable from a closed position, that is over said flat planar surface and said display, to an open position, that exposes said flat planar surface and said display;

said left keyboard is rotatably supported from a pivot;

said right keyboard is rotatably supported from a pivot; and

said left keyboard rotates from said open position toward said right keyboard and said right keyboard rotates from said open position toward said left keyboard to said closed position.

13. A keyboard as claimed in claim 10, wherein

said keyboards are moveable from a closed position, that is over said flat planar surface and said display, to an open position, that exposes said flat planar surface and said display;

said left side keyboard is rotatably supported and has a first maximum thickness from a top to a bottom of said left side keyboard;

said right side keyboard is rotatably supported and has a second maximum thickness from a top to a bottom of said right side keyboard;

said left side keyboard rotates from said open position toward said right side keyboard and said right side keyboard rotates from said open position toward said left side keyboard to an interleaving position; and

said interleaving position is formed when a first of said left and right side keyboards is notched to a configuration to receive a second of said left and right side keyboards so as to overlap, the cumulative thickness at said overlap is less than the sum of said first and second maximum thicknesses.

14. A keyboard as claimed in claim 10, wherein

the active surface of said integral display is narrower in the X dimension than in the Y dimension.

15. A keyboard as claimed in claim 10, wherein said display is sensitive to a persons finger or a stylus for inputting data.

16. A stand alone keyboard where the keys are split and separable so a first plurality of alpha characters can be entered with a left hand separated from a second plurality of alpha characters entered with a right hand, said keyboard comprising in combination:

a left hand set of alpha keys for entering said first plurality of alpha characters;

a right hand set of alpha keys for entering said second plurality of alpha characters;

said left and right hand sets of alpha keys moveable on interconnecting front and rear support members towards a closed position where said left and right hand sets of alpha keys are one contiguous set of alpha keys and in an opposing direction where said left and right hand sets of alpha keys can be in a separated position exposing said support members;

said left and right sets of alpha keys are housed in a left and right housing, respectively, forming left and right keyboards;

an activity area support rotatably mounted and integral with said rear support member that moves from an open position to a closed position, said open position being perpendicular to said rear support member, said closed position being nested in said rear support enabling said activity area support to remain attached when said keyboard is in said closed position; and

said keyboard is operable in said separated position with said activity area support in both said open position and said closed position.

17. A keyboard as claimed in claim 16, further including

a speaker that a keyboard operator can receive enunciated audible verbal responses for a key entry or computer transmitted message.

18. A keyboard as claimed in claim 16, further comprising in combination:

a speaker that a keyboard operator can receive enunciated audible verbal responses for a key entry or computer transmitted message; and

means to turn off a computer display and lights associated with said keyboard or a computer connected to said keyboard during operation of said computer.

19. A stand alone keyboard where the keys are split and separable so a first plurality of alpha characters can be entered with a left hand separated from a second plurality of alpha characters entered with a right hand, said keyboard comprising in combination:

a left hand set of alpha keys for entering said first plurality of alpha characters, said left hand set being housed in a left housing;

a right hand set of alpha keys for entering said second plurality of alpha characters, said right hand set being housed in a right housing,

said left and right hand sets of alpha keys being moveable on interconnecting front and rear support members towards a closed position where said left and right hand sets of alpha keys are one contiguous set of alpha keys and in an opposing direction where said left and right hand sets of alpha keys can be in a separated position exposing said support members; and

a reference material holder rotatably mounted and integral with said rear support member that moves from an open position to a closed position, said reference material holder open position being vertical to a longitudinal axis of said keyboard, said reference material holder closed position being nested in said rear support member enabling said reference material holder to remain attached when said keyboard is in said closed position, said keyboard is operable in said closed position and said keyboard is operable in said separated position with said reference material holder in both said open position and said closed position.

20. A keyboard as claimed in claim 19, further including

a speaker that a keyboard operator can receive enunciated audible verbal responses for a key entry or computer transmitted message.

21. A keyboard as claimed in claim 19, further comprising in combination:

a speaker that a keyboard operator can receive enunciated audible verbal responses for a key entry or computer transmitted message; and

means to turn off a computer display and lights associated with said keyboard or a computer connected to said keyboard during operation of said computer.

22. A stand alone keyboard where the keys are split and separable so a first plurality of alpha characters can be entered with a left hand separated from a second plurality of alpha characteres entered with a right hand, said keyboard comprising in combination:

a left hand set of alpha keys for entering said first plurality of alpha characters, said left hand set of alpha keys being housed in a left housing;

a right hand set of alpha keys for entering said second plurality of alpha characters, said right hand set of alpha keys being housed in a right housing;

a flat surface forming a top surface of a structure separating said left hand set of alpha keys and said right hand set of alpha keys, said structure spanning substantially from front to rear of said keyboard said left and right housing forming left and right keyboard, respectively, said structure connecting said left and right housings to maintain alignment between said left and right housings;

a computer processor housed in said structure between said left and right keyboards;

a display disposed on said flat surface,

wherein said left and right sets of alpha keys are moveable from a closed position that is over said flat planar surface and said display, to an open position that exposes said flat surface and said displays and wherein at least one of said left and said right sets of alpha keys are slidable; and

a detent mechanism which interacts with said structure and at least one of said left and right housings for restraining movement of said at least one of said left and right housings, said detent mechanism at least restraining movement when said left and right sets of alpha keys are in said closed position.

23. A keyboard as claimed in claim 22, further including

a speaker that a keyboard operator can receive enunciated audible verbal responses for a key entry or computer transmitted message.

24. A keyboard as claimed in claim 22, further comprising a means to turn off said display and lights associated with said keyboard and or said computer processor during operation of said computer processor.

25. A keyboard as claimed in claim 22, further comprising a speaker that a keyboard operator can receive enunciated audible verbal response for a key entry or computer transmitted message;

and

a means to turn off said display and lights associated with said keyboard or said computer processor during operation of said computer processor.

26. A keyboard as claimed in claim 22, wherein

said display is narrower in the X dimension than in the Y dimension.

27. A keyboard as claimed in claim 22, wherein

said display is sensitive to a persons finger or stylus for inputting data to said computer processor.

28. A keyboard as claimed in claim 22, wherein said detent mechanism comprises a plurality of detents which interact with and restrain movement of said at least one of said left and right sets of alpha keys that is slidable at a plurality of positions.

29. A stand alone keyboard where the keys are split and separable so a first plurality of alpha characters can be entered with a left hand separated from a second plurality of alpha characters entered with a right hand, said keyboard comprising in combination:

a left hand set of alpha keys for entering said first plurality of alpha characters, said left hand set of alpha keys being housed in a left housing;

a right hand set of alpha keys for entering said second plurality of alpha characters, said right hand set of alpha keys being housed in a right housing;

a flat surface forming a top surface of a structure separating said left hand set of alpha keys and said right hand set of alpha keys, said structure spanning substantially from front to rear of said keyboard, said left and right housing forming left and right keyboard, respectively, said structure connecting said left and right housings to maintain alignment between said left and right housings;

a computer processor housed in said structure between said left and right keyboards;

a display disposed on said flat surface,

wherein said left housing is rotatably supported from a left pivot and said right housing is supported from a right pivot, and wherein said left and right housings rotate from a closed position that is over said flat surface and said display, to an open position that exposes said flat surface and said display with said left and right housings rotating towards each other to said closed position and away from each other to said open position;

a detent mechanism which interacts with said structure and at least one of said left and right housings for restraining movement of said at least one of said left and right housings, said detent mechanism at least restraining movement when said left and right sets of alpha keys are in said closed position; and

said left and right housing support integral to said structure to position said left and right housings at an angle of rotation to define a full open position.

30. A keyboard as claimed in claim 29, wherein a horizontal plane is defined when said left and right housings are rotated toward said open position until a top of both said left and right housings are parallel and wherein said left and right housing support stops rotation of said left and right housings at an angle of rotation greater than said horizontal plane.

31. A keyboard as claimed in claim 29, wherein said left housing has a first maximum thickness from a top to a bottom of said left housing, said right housing has a second maximum thickness from a top to a bottom of said right housing, and wherein said left housing interleaves with said right housing when said left and right housings are in the closed position, said interleaving is achieved when a first of said left and right housings is notched to a configuration to receive a second of said left and right housings so as to overlap, and wherein the cumulative thickness at said overlap is less than a sum of said first and second maximum thicknesses.

32. A keyboard as claimed in claim 29, further including

a speaker that a keyboard operator can receive enunciated audible verbal responses for a key entry or computer transmitted message.

33. A keyboard as claimed in claim 29, further comprising in combination a means to turn off said display during operation of said computer processor.

34. A keyboard as claimed in claim 29, further comprising in combination:

a speaker that a keyboard operator can receive enunciated audible verbal responses for a key entry or computer transmitted message; and

means to turn off said display and lights associated with said keyboard or said computer processor during operation of said computer processor.

35. A keyboard as claimed in claim 29, wherein

said display is narrower in the X dimension than in the Y dimension.

36. A keyboard as claimed in claim 29, wherein

said display is sensitive to a persons finger or stylus for inputting data to said computer processor.

37. A keyboard as claimed in claim 29, wherein said detent mechanism comprises a plurality of detents positioned between said right housing and said right pivot and between said left housing and left pivot which interact with and restrain rotational movement of said left and right housings on said left and right pivots, respectively, at a plurality of positions.

41. A keyboard as claimed in claim 36, further comprising a means to turn off said display and lights associated with said keyboard or said computer processor during operation of said computer processor.

38. A stand alone keyboard where the keys are split and separable so a first plurality of alpha characters can be entered with a left hand separated from a second plurality of alpha characters entered with a right hand, said keyboard comprising in combination:

a left hand set of alpha keys for entering said first plurality of alpha characters, said left hand set of alpha keys being housed in a left housing;

a right hand set of alpha keys for entering said second plurality of alpha characters, said right hand set of alpha keys being housed in a right housing;

a flat surface forming a top surface of a structure separating said left hand set of alpha keys and said right hand set of alpha keys, said structure spanning substantially from front to rear of said keyboard, said left and right housing forming left and right keyboard, respectively, said structure connecting said left and right housings to maintain alignment between said left and right housings;

a computer processor housed in said structure between said left and right keyboards,

wherein said left housing is rotatably supported from a left pivot and said right housing is supported from a right pivot, and wherein said left and right housings rotate from a closed position that is over said flat surface and said display, to an open position that exposes said flat surface with said left and right housings rotating towards each other to said closed position and away from each other to said open position;

a detent mechanism which interacts with said structure and at least one of said left and right housings for restraining movement of said at least one of said left and right housings, said detent mechanism at least restraining movement when said left and right sets of alpha keys are in said closed position;

said left and right housing support integral to said structure to position said left and right housings at an angle of rotation to define a full open position; and

a display rotatably disposed on said rear of said structure on an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of said keyboard, said display moves in an arc which is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said keyboard from a closed position over said left and right housings when said left and right housings are in said closed position to an open position where said display is at least perpendicular to said structure.

39. A keyboard as claimed in claim 38, wherein a horizontal plane is defined when said left and right housings are rotated toward said open position until a top of both said left and right housings are parallel and wherein said left and right housing support stops rotation of said left and right housings at an angle of rotation greater than said horizontal plane.

40. A keyboard as claimed in claim 38, further including

a speaker that a keyboard operator can receive enunciated audible verbal responses for a key entry or computer transmitted message.

42. A keyboard as claimed in claim 38, further comprising in combination:

a speaker that a keyboard operator can receive enunciated audible verbal responses for a key entry or computer transmitted message; and

means to turn off said display and lights associated with said keyboard or said computer processor during operation of said computer processor.

43. A keyboard as claimed in claim 38, wherein

said display is sensitive to a persons finger or stylus for inputting data to said computer processor.

44. A keyboard as claimed in claim 38, wherein said detent mechanism comprises a plurality of detents positioned between said right housing and said right pivot and between said left housing and left pivot which interact with and restrain rotational movement of said left and right housings on said left and right pivots, respectively, at a plurality of positions.

45. A stand alone keyboard where the keys are split and separable so a first plurality of alpha characters can be entered with a left hand separated from a second plurality of alpha characters entered with a right hand, said keyboard comprising in combination:

a left hand set of alpha keys for entering said first plurality of alpha characters, said left hand set of alpha keys being housed in a left housing;

a right hand set of alpha keys for entering said second plurality of alpha characters, said right hand set of alpha keys being housed in a right housing;

a flat surface forming a top surface of a structure separating said left hand set of alpha keys and said right hand set of alpha keys, said structure spanning substantially from front to rear of said keyboard, said left and right housing forming left and right keyboard, respectively, said structure connecting said left and right housings to maintain alignment between said left and right housing;

a computer processor housed in said structure between said left and right keyboards,

wherein said left and right sets of alpha keys are moveable from a closed position that is over said flat surface, to an open position that exposes said flat surface, and wherein at least one of said left and said right sets of alpha keys are slidable;

a detent mechanism which interacts with said structure and at least one of said left and right housings for restraining movement of said at least one of said left and right housings, said detent mechanism at least restraining movement when said left and right sets of alpha keys are in said closed position; and

a display rotatably disposed on said rear of said structure on an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of said keyboard, said display moves in an arc which is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said keyboard from a closed position over said left and right sets of alpha keys when said left and right sets of alpha keys are in said closed position, to an open position where said display is at least perpendicular to said structure.

46. A keyboard as claimed in claim 45, further including

a speaker that a keyboard operator can receive enunciated audible verbal responses for a key entry or computer transmitted message.

47. A keyboard as claimed in claim 45, further comprising in combination a means to turn off said display and lights associated with said keyboard or said computer processor during operation of said computer processor.

48. A keyboard as claimed in claim 45, further comprising in combination:

a speaker that a keyboard operator can receive enunciated audible verbal responses for a key entry or computer transmitted message; and

means to turn off said display and lights associated with said computer processor during operation of said computer processor.

49. A keyboard as claimed in claim 45, wherein

said display is sensitive to a persons finger or stylus for inputting data to said computer processor.

50. A keyboard as claimed in claim 45, wherein said detent mechanism comprises a plurality of detents which interact with and restrain movement of said at least one of said left and right sets of alpha keys that is slidable at a plurality of positions.