Computer keyboard systems and methods for determining excessive key stroke force
First Claim
1. A computer keyboard system comprising:
- a plurality of keys arranged in a keyboard array, individual keys being capable of reciprocation by a keyboard operator through a keystroke range comprising an undepressed position and an actuation position;
a plurality of keyswitches, individual keyswitches being operably associated with individual respective keys for generating a computer input signal when the keyboard operator applies an actuation force sufficient to move an individual key from the undepressed position to the actuation position, the actuation position corresponding to closure of an associated keyswitch;
a keyswitch monitor operably connected with the plurality of keyswitches and configured to determine a keyswitch closure duration value upon closure of an associated keyswitch, the keyswitch monitor being further configured to generate an overpressure signal if the keyswitch closure duration value exceeds a predetermined threshold duration value for the associated keyswitch; and
a sensory warning device operably connected with the keyswitch monitor and configured to receive the overpressure signal and responsive thereto warn the keyboard operator that excessive force has been applied to a key.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Computer keyboard systems and methods of determining excessive keystroke force or overpressure are described. A computer keyboard system 10 is illustrated having a keyboard array of keys 14. Individual keys 14 are capable of being reciprocated through a keystroke range which comprises an undepressed position and an actuation position. The keystroke range may also include an overtravel subrange. Individual keys 14 are operatively connected with individual keyswitches 32 which are activated thereby for providing informational signals to a keyboard microprocessor 54, 56. The microprocessor is configured to determine a keyswitch closure duration value and compare that value with a predetermined threshold duration value. If the closure duration value is greater than the predetermined threshold duration value, then an overpressure signal is produced which enables a sensory warning device 50, 52 to warn the keyboard operator that excessive force has been applied.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A computer keyboard system comprising:
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a plurality of keys arranged in a keyboard array, individual keys being capable of reciprocation by a keyboard operator through a keystroke range comprising an undepressed position and an actuation position; a plurality of keyswitches, individual keyswitches being operably associated with individual respective keys for generating a computer input signal when the keyboard operator applies an actuation force sufficient to move an individual key from the undepressed position to the actuation position, the actuation position corresponding to closure of an associated keyswitch; a keyswitch monitor operably connected with the plurality of keyswitches and configured to determine a keyswitch closure duration value upon closure of an associated keyswitch, the keyswitch monitor being further configured to generate an overpressure signal if the keyswitch closure duration value exceeds a predetermined threshold duration value for the associated keyswitch; and a sensory warning device operably connected with the keyswitch monitor and configured to receive the overpressure signal and responsive thereto warn the keyboard operator that excessive force has been applied to a key. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A computer keyboard system comprising:
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a keyboard housing; a plurality of keys operably mounted within the housing and configured for reciprocation by a keyboard operator through a keystroke range which includes an undepressed position, an actuation position, and an overtravel subrange; a plurality of keyswitches, individual keyswitches being operably associated with individual respective keys for generating a computer input signal when the keyboard operator applies an actuation force sufficient to move an individual key from the undepressed position to the actuation position, the actuation position corresponding to closure of an associated keyswitch; an overtravel monitor operatively connected with the plurality of keys and configured to measure an amount of time which corresponds to a time period during which an individual key is disposed within the overtravel subrange, the overtravel monitor further being configured to generate an overpressure signal if the measured amount of time is greater than a first value and less than a second value; and a sensory warning device configured to receive the overpressure signal and warn the keyboard operator that excessive force has been applied to a key. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A computer keyboard system comprising:
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a keyboard housing; a plurality of keys arranged in a keyboard array within the keyboard housing and wherein the array has an alphanumeric section in which the plurality of keys are arranged in at least two different groups and each group comprises different keys; wherein individual keys are capable of reciprocation by a keyboard operator through a keystroke range comprising an undepressed position and an actuation position; a plurality of keyswitches, individual keyswitches being operably associated with individual respective keys for generating a computer input signal when the keyboard operator applies an actuation force sufficient to move an individual key from the undepressed position to the actuation position, the actuation position corresponding to closure of an associated keyswitch; a microprocessor configured to determine a keyswitch closure duration value which corresponds to an amount of time during which a keyswitch is closed, compare the keyswitch closure duration value with a threshold duration value for the key, and generate an overpressure signal if the keyswitch closure duration value is greater than the threshold duration value for the key; and a sensory warning device operably connected with the microprocessor and configured to receive the overpressure signal and responsive thereto warn the keyboard that excessive force has been applied to the key. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. In a computer keyboard system, a method of determining whether overpressure has been applied by a keyboard operator to a key in an array comprising a plurality of keys in the system, the method comprising the steps of:
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assigning at least some individual keys a threshold duration value which corresponds to a duration of time a corresponding associated keyswitch can be closed by an individual key; measuring an amount of time which corresponds to a duration of time a corresponding associated keyswitch is actually closed by an individual key; comparing the measured amount of time with the corresponding threshold duration value; and producing an operator-discernable overpressure warning signal that warns the operator that excessive force has been applied to a key if the measured amount of time exceeds the corresponding threshold duration value. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification