BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 depicts the problem sought to be solved;
FIG. 2 depicts a keyboard according to the present invention;
FIG. 3 depicts a keyboard display according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
As shown in FIG. 1a, keyboards (11) often have a numeric set (12) of keys to the left of the alpha (10) keys. This is to allow users to easily type in numbers. However, the problem is that the placement of the keyboard causes the hand to actuate at a damaging angle of abduction. The present invention solved this problem by turning allowing the alphanumeric keys to transform into numeric keys. FIG. 1b depicts that the input device (14) is further towards center when the separate numeric keys are removed from the keyboard (11). This results in not only the keying of numeric number being closer to center, but also the input device (14) which may be a mouse being closer to center. As shown in FIG. 2, and according to one embodiment, a keyboard (10) having an numeric mode (22) and an alphabetic mode (24) the keyboard comprising: a plurality of keys (e.g. 24, 26, 28, 30); a switching means (34) for switching between numeric mode (22) and alphabetic mode (24); a height adjustment means (34) in communication with switching means (34) and the plurality of keys (e.g. 24, 26, 28, 30), wherein the height adjustment means raises (34) and lowers the plurality of keys (e.g. 24, 26, 28, 30) according to the switching means (34). The keys when pressed individually in first mode (which may be numeric) have a first output and are at a first height and wherein the keys when pressed individually in second mode (which may be alphabetic) have a second output and are at a second height that is different than the first height. For example, key 24 may be “,” in alphabetic mode and “1” in numeric mode. It should be understood that the term alphabetic mode refers to standard mode, while it does not only refer to alphabetic numerals. Alphabetic mode would include any standard keys, such as “|” “|”, “{”, “}”. Numeric mode would include keys used in numeric functions such as “1”, “2”, “3”, “*”, “−”, “+”, “enter”, “\”. A display (100) may be on each of the plurality of keys, the display having a first display (102) and a second display (104) and the first display (102) is in first mode and the second display (104) is in second mode. There may be a processor for receiving an output signal by the plurality of keys and associating a character with the output signal. The plurality of keys may comprise sixteen keys arranged in an array having four columns and four rows. It should be understood the keys may be of different sizes so the columns may not form standard columns, but rather staggered columns. The plurality of keys may have a transparent finger receipt portion (106) and the display (100) may be viewable through the transparent finger receipt portion (106). The plurality of keys may be arranged in an array at the far right side of the keyboard. This is particularly suitable for right handed users. The plurality of keys may also be arranged in an array at the far left of the keyboard. This may be particularly suitable for left handed users. The invention herein described solves the ergonomic problem of excessive abduction required to use an input device when using a keypad bearing keyboard and also the low visual and tactile identification of non keypad bearing keyboards by mechanically elevating those keys assigned to numeric key functionality in a “keypad-less” keyboard (see FIG. 2).
The placement of a lever (32) or switch as a switching means, should motorization of the mechanical lifting process be had, acts to both elevate the numerically functioning keys above the height of the remaining keys while at the same time actuating the “numeric lock” key function as per the conventional keyboard design of the present. The mechanical elevating means would raise the plurality of keys. For example, this may be a screw attached to the bottom of the key that raises and lowers the key. In addition the visual identification of the numeric keys may be enhanced by either: The new numeric function assigned to that key being changed in window in the key (See FIG. 3) or by the use of LED's, behind a graphic or themselves forming the key notation or other electrically mediated visually cognoscente means or by tactile means for those with visual impairment. For example, the display may be brail.
It should be understood that the foregoing relates to preferred embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
Patent Application
20080075515
