Computer keyboard

• US 7,825,833 B2
• Filed: 01/09/2007
• Issued: 11/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Leslie William Iii Manthe
• Original Assignee: Leslie William Iii Manthe
• Inventors: Manthe, Leslie William III
• Primary Examiner(s): WONG, ALBERT KANG
• Application Number:
  US11/651,291
• Publication Number:
  US 20080165034A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,393 Days
• Field of Search: 341/20, 341/22, 341/35, 345/168, 345/169, 400/472, 400/489
• US Class Current: 341/20
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224

Abstract

A keyboard for one-handed data input is disclosed. The keyboard includes a primary keypad including a first set of keys. The primary keypad is defined by a first side and an opposed second side. The keyboard also includes an auxiliary keypad including a second set of keys, as well as an input selection pad with a multiple position switch. The switch is used to selectively map the keyboard to various input value sets. The auxiliary keypad is attached to the first side, while the input selection pad is attached to the second side. There is also a rest pad centrally mounted to the primary keypad.

Claims

1. A keyboard for one-handed data input, comprising:

a primary keypad defining a first side and an opposed second side, the primary keypad having a first set of keys arranged in spaced rows and columns;

an auxiliary keypad disposed on the first side of the primary keypad and projecting therefrom, the auxiliary keypad having a second set of keys arranged in spaced rows and columns;

an input selection pad disposed on the second side of the primary keypad and projecting therefrom, the input selection pad including a multiple position switch; and

a rest pad centrally mounted to the primary keypad;

wherein each of the keys is mapped to a corresponding input value generated in response to an activation thereof;

wherein each of the keys of a subset have mapped thereto a plurality of corresponding input values, related input values being associated with an input value set;

wherein the multiple position switch selectively maps the keys of the subset to a one of the input value sets; and

wherein the multiple position switch has a plurality of angular stop positions, the multiple position switch further having an raised contact position and an lowered contact position at each of the angular stop positions, each of the raised and lowered contact positions being associated with a one of the selectively mapped input value sets.

2. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the primary keypad includes a pair of opposed arms extending therefrom.

3. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the rest pad further includes

a tray slidable engaged to the arms;

and

a cushion removably attached to the tray.

4. The keyboard of claim 3, wherein the cushion is a neoprene shell filled with a supple gel material.

5. The keyboard of claim 2, wherein the input selection pad is slidably engaged to one of the arms.

6. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the mapping between the input value and a one of the keys is user-programmable.

7. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the input value set is selected from a group consisting of alphabetical characters, numerical characters, symbolic characters, function inputs, navigation inputs, and miscellaneous inputs.

8. A one-handed keyboard, comprising:

a primary keypad including a first set of keys each being associated with a one of first input values, a subset of the first set of keys each being associated with a one of second input values;

an input value selection pad with a mechanical switch positionable to select between the first input values and the second input values, the input value selection pad being engaged to the primary keypad; and

wherein the mechanical switch is a combination push and rotary switch with a plurality of angular stop positions, each angular stop position having an raised position and an lowered position, in the raised position the keys being mapped to the first input values, and in the lowered position the keys being mapped to the second input values.

9. The one-handed keyboard of claim 8, further comprising:

an auxiliary keypad including a second set of keys each being associated with an input value, the auxiliary keypad being engaged to the primary keypad.

10. The one-handed keyboard of claim 8, further comprising:

a palm rest tray slidably engaged to the primary keypad; and

an impact-absorbing palm rest pad disposed on the palm rest tray.

11. The one-handed keyboard of claim 8, wherein the first input values are lower case alphabetical characters, and the second input values are upper case alphabetical characters.

12. The one-handed keyboard of claim 8, wherein the first input values are numerical characters and the second input values are symbolic characters.

13. The one-handed keyboard of claim 8, wherein the first input values are navigation inputs and the second input values are function inputs.

14. The one-handed keyboard of claim 8, further comprising momentary pushbuttons disposed at each of the angular stop positions, the pushbuttons being activated with the combination push and rotary switch being in the lowered position, and the pushbuttons being deactivated with the combination push and rotary switch being in the raised position.