Data input monitor and indicator for managing work pace and rest periods

A data input monitor for use with a computer keyboard and computer, the data input monitor comprising:

• a counter for counting a number of keystrokes of the computer keyboard made by a user during a work period;
• arithmetic logic, coupled to the counter, to compute intermittent rest periods based upon the number of keystrokes counted;
• and
• a display, coupled to the arithmetic logic, to inform a user to rest during the rest periods.

A data input monitor for use with a data input device that enters data into a computer, the data input monitor comprising:

• memory means for storing a predefined work period, a predefined rest period, and a predefined input rate for entering data into the computer during the predefined work period;
• monitoring means for measuring an actual input rate of data entered from the data input device to the computer during the predefined work period;
• processing means, operatively coupled to the memory means and the monitoring means, for deriving an actual rest period by adjusting the predefined rest period in accordance with a relationship between the actual and predefined input rates;
• and
• informing means, coupled to the processing means, for indicating to a user to enter data during the predefined work period and to rest during the actual rest period.

A data input monitor for use with a computer keyboard and computer, the data input monitor comprising:

• a non-volatile memory for storing a predefined work period, a predefined rest period, and a predefined input rate for entering data into the computer during the predefined work period;
• a counter for counting a number of keystrokes of the computer keyboard during the predefined work period to provide an actual input rate;
• arithmetic logic coupled to the counter and the non-volatile memory to compute an actual rest period by adjusting the predefined rest period in accordance with a relationship between the actual and predefined input rates;
• and
• an indicator, coupled to the arithmetic logic, to inform a user when to work and when to rest.

A computer peripheral unit for use with a computer keyboard and computer, the computer peripheral unit comprising:

• a wrist support structure for positioning adjacent to the computer keyboard to prop a users hands at a selected vertical height;
• a data input monitor housed in the wrist support structure;
• interface means electrically coupled between the keyboard and the computer for transferring to the data input monitor the data entered from the keyboard to the computer;
• the data input monitor comprising:
• monitoring means for counting a number of keystrokes of the computer keyboard;
• determination means for establishing intermittent rest periods in accordance with the number of keystrokes counted;
• and
• means for informing a user to rest during the rest periods.

A computer peripheral unit for use with a computer keyboard and computer, the computer peripheral unit comprising:

• a wrist support structure for positioning adjacent to the computer keyboard to prop a users hands at a selected vertical height;
• a data input monitor housed in the wrist support structure;
• interface means electrically coupled between the keyboard and the computer for transferring to the data input monitor the data entered from the keyboard to the computer;
• the data input monitor comprising:
• memory means for storing a predefined work period, a predefined rest period, and a predefined input rate for entering data into the computer during the predefined work period;
• keyboard monitoring means, coupled to receive the data transferred via the interface means, for counting a number of keystrokes of the computer keyboard during the predefined work period;
• processing means, operatively coupled to the memory means and the keyboard monitoring means, for computing an actual input rate based upon the number of keystrokes and for deriving an actual rest period by adjusting the predefined rest period in accordance with a relationship between the actual and predefined input rates;
• and
• informing means, coupled to the processing means, for indicating to a user to enter data during the predefined work period and to rest during the actual rest period.

A computer peripheral unit for use with a computer keyboard and computer, the computer peripheral unit comprising:

• a wrist support structure for positioning adjacent to the computer keyboard to prop a users hands at a selected vertical height;
• a data input monitor housed in the wrist support structure;
• interface means electrically coupled between the keyboard and the computer for transferring to the data input monitor the data entered from the keyboard to the computer;
• the data input monitor comprising:
• a microprocessor coupled to the interface means and programmed to (1) measure an amount of data entered from the data input device to the computer during a work period, (2) compute intermittent rest periods based upon the measured data amount;
• and
• an indicator, coupled to the microprocessor, to inform a user to rest during the rest periods.

A computer peripheral unit for use with a computer keyboard and computer, the computer peripheral unit comprising:

• a wrist support structure for positioning adjacent to the computer keyboard to prop a users hands at a selected vertical height;
• a trackball assembly operably mounted within the wrist support structure for inputting cursor movement information to the computer;
• a data input monitor housed in the wrist support structure;
• interface means electrically coupled between the keyboard and the computer for transferring to the data input monitor data entered from the keyboard to the computer and for bussing the cursor movement information from the trackball assembly to the computer;
• the data input monitor comprising:
• monitoring means for counting a number of keystrokes of the computer keyboard;
• determination means for establishing intermittent rest periods in accordance with the number of keystrokes counted;
• and
• means for informing a user to rest during the rest periods.

A method for managing user work pace on a data input device for entering data into a computer, the method comprising the following steps:

• measuring an amount of data entered from the data input device into the computer;
• providing intermittent rest periods based upon the measured data amount;
• and
• informing a user to rest during the rest periods.

A method for managing user work pace on a data input device for entering data into a computer, the method comprising the following steps:

• setting a predefined work period, a predefined rest period, and a predefined input rate for entering data into the computer during the predefined work period;
• measuring an actual input rate that data is entered into the computer;
• deriving an actual rest period by adjusting the predefined rest period in accordance with a relationship between the predefined and actual input rates;
• and
• informing a user to work during the predefined work period and to rest during the actual rest period.

A method for managing user work pace on a computer keyboard for entering data into a computer, the method comprising the following steps:

• setting a predefined work period, a predefined rest period, and a predefined input rate for entering data into the computer during the predefined work period;
• counting a number of keystrokes made by a user on the computer keyboard;
• computing an actual input rate from the number of keystrokes counted;
• deriving an actual rest period by adjusting the predefined rest period in accordance with a relationship between the predefined and actual input rates;
• and
• informing a user to work during the predefined work period and to rest during the actual rest period.