초록 ▼

An ergometrically improved computer of typewriter keyboard having the keys arranged and designated so that they are operated using finger movements which substantially mimic those currently employed by a typist using a standard “QWERTY”keyboard. The keyboard is divided into two separate sections, on

An ergometrically improved computer of typewriter keyboard having the keys arranged and designated so that they are operated using finger movements which substantially mimic those currently employed by a typist using a standard “QWERTY”keyboard. The keyboard is divided into two separate sections, one of which is intended to be used by the right hand of the operator and the other of which is intended to be used by the left hand to permit independent positioning of the two sections relative to one another. Each keyboard section includes a housing having a raised central portion designed to ergometrically support and steady the hands of the operator, in a natural relaxed position from which all of the keys may be operated without significant hand movement. The fingers and thumb are positioned in respective cavities each having a plurality of push button key switches arranged therein for engagement by the thumb and fingers, with a minimal and unique finger movement required to actuate any key. Each key touches a different part of each finger, providing differential tactile feedback. The fingers and thumbs never need to be moved from the cavities which eliminates all “float”, and the hands are continually supported in one comfortable position. Extensive utilization of the thumbs is provided. The device is smaller and more versatile than a conventional keyboard.

대표청구항 ▼

A keyboard for controlling data input characters of a full set of desired including in combination: a keyboard housing having a raised central portion devoid of keys and adapted to generally underlie and fit against the palm of a hand thereon for supporting the hand through the palm thereof resting

A keyboard for controlling data input characters of a full set of desired including in combination: a keyboard housing having a raised central portion devoid of keys and adapted to generally underlie and fit against the palm of a hand thereon for supporting the hand through the palm thereof resting on said raised central portion and having thumb and finger positions adjacent the raised central portion arranged in a pattern generally corresponding to the relaxed position of a hand with the fingers extending downwardly from a generally horizontal plane when the palm of the hand is placed on said raised central portion with the palm of the hand remaining in one basic position resting on said raised portion throughout operation of said keyboard; a plurality of key switch means arranged in an overall pattern corresponding substantially to a non-chording QWERTY style key arrangement wherein each data input character is produced by actuation of a single discrete key switch means, and also arranged in additional predetermined patterns at each of said thumb and finger positions for separate actuation by the thumb and finger at each such position, with the palm of the hand remaining on said raised central portion, the key switch means at said finger positions being arranged in a first predetermined pattern at each finger position and the key switch means at said thumb position being arranged in a second predetermined pattern at such thumb position, at least each of said finger positions comprising individual, substantially vertical open-top fingertip wells in said housing for freely receiving the fingertips of an operator, each of said wells having substantially vertical walls and a bottom, with first key switch means located in the bottom of each of said wells, and at least one other key switch means located on a vertical wall of each of said wells, such that each key switch means in each well is actuated by movement of the fingertips alone without requiring movement of the hand relative to said raised central portion, each key switch means being actuated by a distinct and different portion of the fingertip in each such well to provide a different tactile feedback to the operator for each different key switch means contacted by the fingertips in each well, sufficient key switch means being provided in said wells so that the full set of desired characters and functions are accessible without requiring movement of the hand from said one basic position; the thumb position comprising a thumb cavity having bottom and upright sides located, respectively, adjacent the end and sides of a thumb placed in said thumb cavity, with the key switch means at said thumb position comprising keys arranged in the bottom and on the upright sides of the thumb cavity in said second predetermined pattern, such that upon actuation, each such key switch touches a distinct and different portion of the thumb to provide a different tactile feedback to the operator for each different key switch contacted by the thumb; and means for coupling each of said key switch means with a processing device.