×

Curved keyboard with wave-shaped key height variation to accommodate natural finger positions

  • US 8,721,204 B2
  • Filed: 12/06/2006
  • Issued: 05/13/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2006
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A computer keyboard apparatus comprising:

  • a keyboard having a top housing including a front portion and a rear portion, the top housing including;

    a plurality of rows of letter keys in a QWERTY key arrangement;

    a row of number keys disposed above the plurality of rows of letter keys;

    a row of function keys disposed above the row of number keys,wherein the QWERTY keys and number keys varying in height along a plurality of said rows to provide a dual wave shape to said keyboard, wherein the letter keys A-S-D-F-G form a first wave, and the letter keys H-J-K-L form a second wave,wherein the plurality of rows of QWERTY keys on said keyboard are curved horizontally, such that a middle portion of said rows is closer to the front portion of the top housing than the ends of said rows, and the ends of said rows are closer to the rear portion of the top housing than the middle portion of said rows,wherein the row of number keys are curved horizontally, such that a middle portion of the row of number keys is closer to the front portion of the top housing than either end of the row of number keys,wherein the row of function keys are curved horizontally, such that a middle portion of the row of function keys is closer to the front portion of the top housing than either end of the row of function keys,wherein the letter keys have concave tops, with the D and K keys being symmetrical, with a plurality of keys on either side of the D and K keys have a height which varies from one side to another, so that the key tops are not symmetrical, and are angled in the same direction as the wave,wherein each row of QWERTY keys and number keys have a substantially uniform separation between each key along that particular row,wherein a highest point in the wave is between the G and H keys in one row, and is the Y key in another row,wherein the letter keys and number keys have a front portion and a back portion, wherein the letter keys are not tilted from front portion-to-back portion (front-to back), such that the housing is flat at the rows with the letter keys, andwherein a top of each of the number keys includes a positive tilt from front-to-back;

    a media panel tilted with respect to said QWERTY keys;

    a zoom rocker switch mounted proximate an edge of said keyboard; and

    a number pad with straight rows, the keys of said number pad forming a wave.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×