US 6,712,534 B2Granted

Ergonomic and efficient keyboard

OwnerSanjay M. Patelinventor

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Abstract

An ergonomic computer keyboard which integrates conventional keyboard features to form a Multi-Dexterous Keyboard (MDK) system designed to minimize Repetitive Stress Injuries. Specific emphasis is placed on the general and simultaneous utilization by either a single or dual handed, full or limited dexterity, and right and left oriented keyboard user. The ergonomic computer keyboard system is described as a solid and/or split contoured keyboard with centralized composite keys disposed thereon to reduce finger reach within one-hand span. Language characteristics are statistically extrapolated and arranged based on the most used letters or groups of letters in the form of digraphs (coupled letters) and trigraphs (tripled letters, etc.) for efficient utilization of the keyboard via either a dual or single handed user. A special partition of the keyboard provides numerous ergonomic arrangements with simultaneous use as either a Left-Hand-Side (LHS) or Right-Hand-Side computer keyboard module.

An ergonomic keyboard, comprising:

a keyboard having a plurality of keys with at least one form of functional indicia, said plurality of keys having a substantially central set of keys to form a multi-dexterous keyboard system, wherein said substantially central portion of keys includes a first and second column of keys, and a first and second row of keys for efficiently producing a series of characters, words, and functional commands for subsequent processing;
the central set of keys forms a substantially cross pattern having a plurality of intersecting rows and columns of keys to minimize repetitive stress injuries associated with finger extensions for specific keys operatively positioned beyond a hand span of a user;
the first column of keys comprising a first series of keys with distinct statistically extrapolated indicia of the most used characters and internet commands disposed on each of said first series of keys;
the second column of keys comprising a second series of keys with distinct statistically extrapolated indicia of the most used characters and internet commands disposed on each of said second series of keys;
the first row of keys includes a first series of keys with distinct statistically extrapolated indicia of the most used characters and internet commands disposed on each of said first series of keys;
said at least one of said series of keys being arranged substantially perpendicular to at least one of said keys in the first column as at least one ergonomic key in common therewith;
the second row of keys includes a first series of keys with distinct statistically extrapolated indicia of the most used characters and internet commands disposed on each of said second series of keys;
said at least one of said series of keys being arranged substantially perpendicular to at least one of said keys in the second column as at least one ergonomic key in common therewith;
whereby said distinct statistically extrapolated indicia comprises at least one of a digraph and a trigraph.

6 more elements

Facts

Application

10/096,853Filed 14 Mar 2002 · us provisional application

Priority

23 Jul 2001

Published

US 2003/0016985 A123 Jan 2003

Granted

30 Mar 2004

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification4 codes

G06F 3/0219
Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device: special purpose keyboards
G06F 3/021
Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device: arrangements integrating additional peripherals in a keyboard, e.g. card…
G06F 3/0216
Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device: arrangements for ergonomically adjusting the disposition of keys of a keyboard
G06F
Computing and data processing

Abstract

Claims8