Ergonomic keyboard apparatus

Data input apparatus for interfacing the fingers of the hand of an operator with a data processing device comprising:

• first and second key arrays having a plurality of key means constructed for manipulation by the fingers of the operator for providing input to the data processing device, said plurality of key means including home keys having surfaces that define a reference surface, said home keys further defining a reference position for a hand of the operator wherein the index finger of the operator defines a reference line when said hand of the operator is positioned in the reference position;
• and
• first and second auxiliary key arrays including a plurality of auxiliary key means constructed for manipulation by the thumb of said hand of the operator for providing input to the data processing device by depressing said activation key means and with no substantial lateral movement of said auxiliary key means, said auxiliary key means being vertically displaced from the reference surface defined by said home keys and positioned so that the fingers of the operator extend downward from the thumbs when said first and second auxiliary key arrays including first and second elongated keys positioned at an angle between about 60.degree. and about 80.degree. with respect to the reference line so that the thumb of the operator may be positioned along the surface of said elongated key;
• and
• palm rest means for receiving the palms of the operator.

A method for data input, comprising:

• providing a data input device having first and second laterally spaced apart alphanumeric key arrays and first and second laterally spaced apart function key arrays, said first and second function key arrays being substantially aligned with said first and second alphanumeric key arrays, said alphanumeric key array comprising home keys, said function key arrays having a plurality of function keys oriented at an angle with respect to a support surface of between about 20.degree. and about 60.degree. and aligned in a substantially linear row, each having a keycap;
• actuating said home keys by movement in a non-pivoting fashion in a first linear direction of actuation, said first linear direction of actuation defining a reference surface perpendicular thereto;
• and
• actuating said function keys by moving the surface of said function key keycaps, in a direction different from said first linear direction.