Input apparatus for people having small hands

• US 7,354,209 B2
• Filed: 07/28/2006
• Issued: 04/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dennis W. Nusser
• Original Assignee: Dennis W. Nusser
• Inventors: Nusser, Dennis W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Anthony H.
• Application Number:
  US11/495,125
• Publication Number:
  US 20060263136A1
• Time in Patent Office: 620 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 400/472
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 5/10 Arrangements of keyboards , e.g. key button disposition
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/84 characterised by ergonomic functions, e.g. for miniature keyboards; characterised by operational sensory functions, e.g. sound feedback legends H01H13/83
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/004 Larger or different actuating area

Abstract

Input apparatus scaled for non-adult humans and adult humans having small hands. The input apparatus are especially well suited for use as computer keyboards for use by schoolchildren. Also disclosed is a computing system including the input apparatus.

Claims

1. A method of teaching data entry comprising providing a fixed key apparatus reduced in size to be between 60 to 86% of the adult standard size wherein fixed key input apparatus comprises a plurality of keys to generate input signals corresponding to each letter of the alphabet wherein the keys are arranged with a horizontal key spacing, centerline to centerline, of 10.8 to 16.4 millimeters, a vertical key spacing, centerline to centerline of 10.8 to 18.0 millimeters, and a keystroke travel range of said keys is about 0.9 to 6 millimeters.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the individual keys are a ranged in a qwerty layout.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the alphabet is English and the input apparatus comprises at least 26 keys.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising keys to generate input signals corresponding to each numeral.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the numerals are Arabic numerals and the input apparatus comprises at least 36 keys.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising keys for generating signals corresponding to a function to be undertaken.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the function to be undertaken is selected from the group consisting of:

shift, return, control, alt, tab, caps lock, home, end, page up, page down, clear, scroll lock and combinations thereof.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the individual key width is 7.2 mm to 13 mm.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the individual key depth is 7.2 mm to 15 mm.