Computer keyboard with accessory platform

• US 5,880,685 A
• Filed: 05/28/1996
• Issued: 03/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James A. Weeks
• Original Assignee: James A. Weeks
• Inventors: Weeks, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US08/672,381
• Time in Patent Office: 1,015 Days
• Field of Search: 341/22, 345/157, 345/160, 345/167, 345/168, 364/709.15, 200/339, 200/5 A, 400/485, 400/488, 400/489, 455/89, 455/90, 455/128, 455/129, 455/347, 455/351, 455/95
• US Class Current: 341/22
• 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 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards

Abstract

A keyboard for use with a computer is disclosed. The keyboard has an array of keys made up of four rows such that all keys are accessible by a user using finger and thumb movements of the user'"'"'s hands without moving the hands from a central location. All modes and functions of the keyboard are accessible using finger movements also in that the character keys on the keyboards are capable of producing different characters or performing different functions when actuated in combination with other mode and function keys on the keyboard. The keyboard has a space bar and an enter key that are accessible by the user'"'"'s thumbs. The space bar and enter key are actuated by pressing either key horizontally rather than vertically as in standard keyboards. The keyboard also includes dual mode keys which allow the user to access additional modes. This feature expands the capability of the keyboard to interact with more software functions. The keyboard also includes a trackball that is accessible using either of the user'"'"'s thumbs with its three buttons accessible by the index finger of either hand. The front surface of the trackball lies in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the keyboard. The keyboard also includes visual aids on each key so that the user can correlate a given mode with the function it produces when used in conjunction with a multiple character function key. The keyboard also includes an accessory platform extending from below the array of keys and towards the user. The accessory platform can accommodate an electronic notepad and audio speakers. The keyboard also includes a detachable antenna that can be mounted on the keyboard for use or stored within the keyboard when not in use. The keyboard also includes a microphone mounted within the keyboard.

Claims

1. A keyboard for use with a computer, the keyboard including a surface in a first plane and a surface in a second plane, the first plane substantially perpendicular to the second plane, the keyboard having an array of keys in which some of the keys are actuated by movement substantially perpendicular to the first plane and some of the keys are actuated by movement substantially perpendicular to the second plane, the keyboard also including a platform extending away from the array of keys said platform including an upper relatively flat surface lying in a plane substantially parallel to said first plane with an indented area in said upper surface, with the keys actuated by movement substantially perpendicular to the second plane extending into said indented area.

2. The keyboard according to claim 1 further comprising a mounting area formed in the platform.

3. The keyboard according to claim 2 wherein the platform extends toward the user and the mounting area is centrally located on the platform between the user and the array of keys.

4. The keyboard according to claim 1 further comprising a pair of audio speakers mounted within the platform.

5. The keyboard according to claim 1 further comprising a microphone mounted within the keyboard.

6. The keyboard according to claim 1 wherein the array of keys comprising four rows, a top row of keys including a plurality of character/function keys and at least one mode key at at least one end of the top row;

a second row of keys below the top row, the second row of keys including a plurality of character/function keys and at least one mode key at at least one end of the second row;

a third row of keys below the second row, the third row of keys including a plurality of character/function keys and at least one mode key at at least one end of the third row; and

a bottom row of keys just below the third row, the bottom row of keys including a plurality of mode keys, with at least one mode they located at at least one end of the bottom row, the bottom row also including at least one service key.

7. The keyboard according to claim 6 wherein adjacent mode keys in the bottom row and adjacent mode keys at the ends of the rows have been modified to define a plurality of single level dual mode keys and a plurality of dual level dual mode keys.

8. The keyboard according to claim 6 wherein an LED display area is centrally located within the top row of keys, the LED display area indicating a status of activity.

9. The keyboard according to claim 1 wherein the keys include labels that bear lower-case letters.

10. A keyboard for use with a computer, the keyboard including a surface in a first plane and a surface in a second plane, the first plane substantially perpendicular to the second plane, the keyboard having an array of keys in which some of the keys are actuated by movement substantially perpendicular to the first plane and some of the keys are actuated by movement substantially perpendicular to the second plane, the keyboard also including a platform extending away from the array of keys and further comprising means for mounting an antenna positioned on a surface of the keyboard.

11. The keyboard according to claim 10 further comprising an antenna fixedly mounted to the means for mounting the antenna.

12. The keyboard according to claim 10 further comprising an antenna detachably mounted to the means for mounting the antenna.

13. The keyboard according to claim 12 further comprising an antenna storage compartment formed within the keyboard and means for securing the antenna in the antenna storage compartment.

14. A keyboard for use with a computer, the keys of the keyboard consist of:

a. a first key group consisting of a plurality of manually actuable character/function keys capable of producing different characters or performing different functions when actuated in combination with other types of keys on the keyboard;

b. a second key group consisting of a plurality of manually actuable mode keys;

c. a third key group consisting of a plurality of manually actuable service keys; and

d. a key support means for supporting the character/function keys, the mode keys, and the service keys in an array, the array of keys consisting of said first key group, said second key group and said third key group, and being such that a user can actuate all keys using the fingers of the user'"'"'s hands without having to move the user'"'"'s hands from a central hand location.

15. The keyboard according to claim 14 further including a platform extending from the key support means and a mounting area formed in the platform.

16. The keyboard according to claim 15 wherein the platform extends toward the user and the mounting area is centrally located on the platform between the user and the array of keys.

17. The keyboard according to claim 15 further comprising an electronic notepad mounted within the mounting area.

18. The keyboard according to claim 14 further including a platform extending from the key support means and a pair of audio speakers mounted within the platform.

19. The keyboard according to claim 14 further comprising means for mounting an antenna positioned on a surface of the keyboard.

20. The keyboard according to claim 19 further comprising an antenna fixedly mounted to the means for mounting the antenna.

21. The keyboard according to claim 19 further comprising an antenna detachably mounted to the means for mounting the antenna.

22. The keyboard according to claim 21 further comprising an antenna storage compartment formed within the keyboard and means for securing the antenna in the antenna storage compartment.

23. The keyboard according to claim 14 further including a microphone mounted within the keyboard.

24. The keyboard according to claim 14 wherein the array of keys comprising four rows, a top row of keys including a plurality of character/function keys and at least one mode key at at least one end of the top row;

a second row of keys below the top row, the second row of keys including a plurality of character/function keys and at least one mode key at at least one end of the second row;

a third row of keys below the second row, the third row of keys including a plurality of character/function keys and at least one mode key at at least one end of the third row; and

a bottom row of keys just below the third row, the bottom row of keys including a plurality of mode keys, with at least one mode located at at least one end of the bottom row, the bottom row also including at least one service key.

25. The keyboard according to claim 24 wherein adjacent mode keys in the bottom row and adjacent mode keys at the ends of the rows have been modified to define a plurality of single level dual mode keys and a plurality of dual level dual mode keys.

26. The keyboard according to claim 24 wherein an LED display area is centrally located within the top row of keys, the LED display area indicating a status of activity.

27. The keyboard according to claim 14 wherein the keys include labels that bear lower-case letters.

28. A keyboard for use with a computer, the keyboard including a surface in a first plane and a surface in a second plane, the first plane substantially perpendicular to the second plane, the keyboard having an array of keys in which some of the keys are actuated by movement substantially perpendicular to the first plane and some of the keys are actuated by movement substantially perpendicular to the second plane, the keyboard also including a platform extending away from the array of keys toward the user and a mounting area centrally formed in the platform between the user and the array of keys.

29. The keyboard according to claim 28 further including a depression in the platform.

30. The keyboard according to claim 28 further comprising an electronic notepad mounted within the mounting area.

31. The keyboard according to claim 28 wherein the array of keys is located such that a user can actuate all keys using the fingers and thumbs of the user'"'"'s hands without having to move the user'"'"'s hands from a central hand location.

32. A keyboard for use with a computer, the keyboard comprising:

a. a plurality of manually actuable character/function keys capable of producing different characters or performing different functions when actuated in combination with other types of keys on the keyboard;

b. a plurality of manually actuable mode keys;

c. a plurality of manually actuable service keys;

d. a key support means for supporting the character/function keys, the mode keys, and the service keys in an array, the array of keys being such that a user can actuate all keys using the fingers of the user'"'"'s hands without having to move the user'"'"'s hands from a central hand location;

e. a platform extending from the key support means;

f. at least one of said function keys being a tab key and means mounting said tab key to rock in one direction to tab forward and to rock in an opposite direction to tab backward; and

g. an indented area in the platform.

33. The keyboard according to claim 32 wherein said tab key is located substantially in the center of the keyboard.

34. The keyboard according to claim 32 wherein said tab key rocks from side to side of the keyboard.