Ergonomic and efficient keyboard

• US 6,712,534 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2002
• Issued: 03/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Keypoint Technologies (Uk) Limited
• Original Assignee: Sanjay M. Patel
• Inventors: Patel, Sanjay M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Funk, Stephen R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ghatt, Dave A.
• Application Number:
  US10/096,853
• Publication Number:
  US 20030016985A1
• Time in Patent Office: 747 Days
• Field of Search: 400/472, 400/480, 400/486, 400/489, 345/168, 341/22
• US Class Current: 400/486
• 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 3/0216 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

Abstract

An ergonomic computer keyboard which integrates conventional keyboard features to form a Multi-Dexterous Keyboard (MDK) system designed to minimize Repetitive Stress Injuries. Specific emphasis is placed on the general and simultaneous utilization by either a single or dual handed, full or limited dexterity, and right and left oriented keyboard user. The ergonomic computer keyboard system is described as a solid and/or split contoured keyboard with centralized composite keys disposed thereon to reduce finger reach within one-hand span. Language characteristics are statistically extrapolated and arranged based on the most used letters or groups of letters in the form of digraphs (coupled letters) and trigraphs (tripled letters, etc.) for efficient utilization of the keyboard via either a dual or single handed user. A special partition of the keyboard provides numerous ergonomic arrangements with simultaneous use as either a Left-Hand-Side (LHS) or Right-Hand-Side computer keyboard module.

Claims

1. An ergonomic keyboard, comprising:

a keyboard having a plurality of keys with at least one form of functional indicia, said plurality of keys having a substantially central set of keys to form a multi-dexterous keyboard system, wherein said substantially central portion of keys includes a first and second column of keys, and a first and second row of keys for efficiently producing a series of characters, words, and functional commands for subsequent processing;

the central set of keys forms a substantially cross pattern having a plurality of intersecting rows and columns of keys to minimize repetitive stress injuries associated with finger extensions for specific keys operatively positioned beyond a hand span of a user;

the first column of keys comprising a first series of keys with distinct statistically extrapolated indicia of the most used characters and internet commands disposed on each of said first series of keys;

the second column of keys comprising a second series of keys with distinct statistically extrapolated indicia of the most used characters and internet commands disposed on each of said second series of keys;

the first row of keys includes a first series of keys with distinct statistically extrapolated indicia of the most used characters and internet commands disposed on each of said first series of keys;

said at least one of said series of keys being arranged substantially perpendicular to at least one of said keys in the first column as at least one ergonomic key in common therewith;

the second row of keys includes a first series of keys with distinct statistically extrapolated indicia of the most used characters and internet commands disposed on each of said second series of keys;

said at least one of said series of keys being arranged substantially perpendicular to at least one of said keys in the second column as at least one ergonomic key in common therewith;

whereby said distinct statistically extrapolated indicia comprises at least one of a digraph and a trigraph.

2. The ergonomic keyboard according to claim 1, wherein said keyboard is adapted with a combination auxiliary keypad and calculator module.

3. The ergonomic keyboard according to claim 2, wherein said combination auxiliary keypad and calculator module includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) for displaying various calculations.

4. The ergonomic keyboard according to claim 2, wherein said combination auxiliary module is configured as a Left-Hand-Side (LHS) module.

5. The ergonomic keyboard according to claim 2, wherein said combination auxiliary module is configured as a Right-Hand-Side (RHS) module.

6. The ergonomic keyboard according to claim 1, wherein said statistically extrapolated indicia is selected from a digraph comprising, at least one of TO, OR, EN, T, I, ON, TH, E, AN, D, ER, IN, G, Y, RE, N, ED, QU, and Q.

7. The ergonomic keyboard according to claim 1, wherein said statistically extrapolated indicia is selected from a trigraph comprising, at least one of QUE, QUA, QUI, THE, ETH, ITH, ION, ONE, TEN, ENT, END, ENV, FOR, TOR, TER, FER, GER, BER, INT, INY, REY, REG, GED, EDY, AND, ANY, and ANI.

8. The ergonomic keyboard according to claim 1, wherein said indicia includes at least one functional command of .pro,.name,http,www,.biz,.org,.co.,.gov,.edu,.net,.info,and .com for internet and computer related applications.