Abstract:
A compact ergonomic keyboard that places a raised input control pad at the center of the keyboard in order to maintain smaller lateral dimensions and prevent inadvertent engagement of the central input control pad. Placed between the left and right sections of the keyboard, said input control pad provides easy implementation of web browser commands, media commands, and direction controls. A raised miniature trackball or raised trackpad for cursor controls is also placed between the left and right sections. An alternate configuration achieves the same benefit by placing the input control pad and the trackball/trackpad at an elevation that is lower than the keys of the left and right sections.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a compact ergonomic computer keyboard that separates the left and right sections of the keyboard. 
         [0002]    Numerous embodiments of ergonomic computer keyboards exist in the prior art in which a left section and a right section of the keyboard are separated with various keys, trackballs, scrollwheels, or trackpads placed between the left and right sections (U.S. Pat. No. 5,731,808, U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,367, U.S. Pat. No. 6,224,279, U.S. Pat. No. D387,340, U.S. Pat. No. D357,011, U.S. Pat. No. D341,134) or with no input controls between the left and right sections (U.S. Pat. No. 5,612,691, U.S. Pat. No. 6,022,156). 
         [0003]    In U.S. Pat. No. 6,111,527 the overall keyboard retains more compact dimensions by allowing left and right sections of the keyboard to separate by rolling on tracks to reveal input keys on a body that is set at a lower elevation than the left and right halves. For use in folding portable keyboards that allow two-handed typing with standard dimension keys, the space-savings are minimized by keeping the left and right halves straight relative to each other as they are opened and closed. For non-folding, desktop keyboards, the rolling mechanism consumes time and adds moving parts that could break down. 
         [0004]    My U.S. Pat. No. 6,869,289 provides the basis for several dependent claims that result in new art in conjunction with the independent claims in this application. 
         [0005]    It would be advantageous to provide a more compact ergonomic computer keyboard in which an input control pad is conveniently located between the left and right sections, but in which the gap between the left and right sections is minimized without causing inadvertent engagement of the input control pad. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    It is an object of the invention to provide a more compact ergonomic computer keyboard in which command keys are located between the left and right sections of the keyboard, but in which the gap between the left and right sections is minimized by placing the command keys at a higher elevation than the keys of the left section and the right section in order to prevent inadvertent engagement of the command keys. 
         [0007]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a modified form of construction in which command keys are located between the left and right sections of the keyboard, but in which the gap between the left and right sections is minimized by placing the command keys at a lower elevation than the keys of the left section and the right section in order to prevent inadvertent engagement of the command keys, and in which the left and right sections of the keyboard are separately hinged to a center body that houses the center input control pad, such that the left and right sections can rotate into a position in which they are adjacent to each other. 
         [0008]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a modified form of construction in which the left and right sections of the keyboard and the center input control pad are built into a laptop computer. 
         [0009]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a modified form of construction in which the left and right sections of the keyboard and the center input control pad are built into a tablet computer. 
         [0010]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a modified form of construction in which the left and right sections of the keyboard and the center input control pad are built into a body that houses a retractable display screen. 
         [0011]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a modified form of construction in which the left and right sections of the keyboard are separately hinged to a center body that houses the center input control pad, such that the left and right sections can rotate into a closed position in which they are adjacent to each other, and in which the center body includes an extension that reaches away from the typist and includes a pivoting hinge by means of which a display screen rotates from a folded position adjacent to the closed left and right sections of the keyboard to a position suitable for viewing and use in conjunction with the keyboard, and wherein the pivoting hinge allows the display screen to be placed in a stored position in one of two ways: with the display screen facing the folded keyboard or with the display screen facing away from the folded keyboard. 
         [0012]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a modified form of construction in which the left and right sections of the keyboard are separately hinged to a center body that houses the center input control pad, such that the left and right sections can rotate into a closed position in which they are adjacent to each other, and in which the center body includes an extension that reaches away from the typist and includes a pivoting hinge by means of which a computerized device with a touch-sensitive display screen rotates from a folded position adjacent to the closed left and right sections of the keyboard to a position suitable for viewing and use in conjunction with the keyboard, and wherein the pivoting hinge allows the computerized device with a touch-sensitive display screen to be placed in a stored position in one of two ways: with the display screen facing the folded keyboard or with the display screen facing away from the folded keyboard, and wherein the body that houses the computerized device with a touch-sensitive display screen can be detached by way of a release mechanism from the pivoting hinge such that the computerized device with a touch-sensitive display screen can be used without said keyboard. 
         [0013]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a modified form of construction in which the left and right sections of the keyboard are separately hinged to a center body that houses the center input control pad, such that the left and right sections can rotate into a closed position in which they are adjacent to each other, and in which the center body includes an extension that reaches away from the typist and includes a hinge by means of which a holder for a PDA or smartphone rotates from a folded position adjacent to the closed left and right sections of the keyboard to a position suitable for holding a PDA or smartphone for use in conjunction with the keyboard. 
         [0014]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a modified form of construction in which the left and right sections of the keyboard are separately hinged to a center body that houses the center input control pad, such that the left and right sections can rotate into a closed position in which they are adjacent to each other, and in which the center body includes a hinge on the side of the center body facing the typist, by means of which a body containing a trackpad is attached and can be unfolded for use with the keyboard. 
         [0015]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a modified form of construction in which a miniature display projector is housed within the keyboard. 
         [0016]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a modified form of construction in which a trackpad is located in the input control pad between the left and right sections of the keyboard. 
         [0017]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a modified form of construction in which a trackball is located in the input control pad between the left and right sections of the keyboard. 
         [0018]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a modified form of construction in which a scroll wheel is located in the input control pad between the left and right sections of the keyboard. 
         [0019]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a modified form of construction in which the left and the right half of the keyboard each consist of only a home row of depressible keys, such that, when the keyboard is placed on a touchscreen, images of keys appear on the touchscreen, arrayed around the keyboard such that the sections of the touchscreen indicated by the images of keys provide all other keys of the keyboard. 
         [0020]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a modified form of construction in which the left and the right half of the keyboard each consist of only a home row of four depressible keys located on an arm that has a hole between the depressible keys and the center input control pad, such that, when the keyboard is placed on a touchscreen, images of keys appear on the touchscreen, arrayed all around the left and right half of the keyboard such that the sections of the touchscreen indicated by the images of keys provide all other keys of the keyboard. 
         [0021]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a modified form of construction in which the left and right sections of the keyboard are separately attached by way of a pivot to a center body that houses an input control pad, such that the left and right sections can rotate into a closed position in which they are adjacent to each other, and in which a body containing a trackpad is connected by a hinge to the central body, said hinge being located on the side of the central body facing a user of the keyboard, said hinge providing movement of the body containing a trackpad back and forth between a functioning position in which the body containing a trackpad is closer to the user of said keyboard than the central body and such that the body containing a trackpad can be folded into a stored position on top of a right section and a left section of the keyboard when the right and left sections have been rotated together into a stored position adjacent to each other lengthwise. 
         [0022]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a modified form of construction in which the left and right sections of the keyboard are separately attached by way of a pivot to a center body that houses an input control pad, such that the left and right sections can rotate into a closed position in which they are adjacent to each other, and in which a body containing a trackpad is connected by a hinge to the central body, said hinge being located on the side of the central body facing a user of the keyboard, said hinge providing movement of the body containing a trackpad back and forth between a functioning position in which the body containing a trackpad is closer to the user of said keyboard than the central body and such that the body containing a trackpad can be folded into a stored position on top of a right section and a left section of the keyboard when the right and left sections have been rotated together into a stored position adjacent to each other lengthwise, and in which the center body includes an extension that reaches away from the typist and includes a hinge by means of which a holder for a PDA or smartphone rotates from a folded position adjacent to the closed body containing a trackpad to a position suitable for holding a PDA or smartphone for use in conjunction with the keyboard. 
         [0023]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a modified form of construction in which the left and right sections of the keyboard are separately attached by way of a pivot to a center body that houses an input control pad, such that the left and right sections can rotate into a closed position in which they are adjacent to each other, and in which a body containing a trackpad is connected by a hinge to the central body, said hinge being located on the side of the central body facing a user of the keyboard, said hinge providing movement of the body containing a trackpad back and forth between a functioning position in which the body containing a trackpad is closer to the user of said keyboard than the central body and such that the body containing a trackpad can be folded into a stored position on top of a right section and a left section of the keyboard when the right and left sections have been rotated together into a stored position adjacent to each other lengthwise, and in which the center body includes an extension that reaches away from the typist and includes a pivoting hinge by means of which a display screen rotates from a folded position adjacent to the closed body containing a trackpad to a position suitable for viewing and use in conjunction with the keyboard, and wherein the pivoting hinge allows the display screen to be placed in a stored position in one of two ways: with the display screen facing the closed body containing a trackpad or with the display screen facing away from the closed body containing a trackpad. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0024]    The present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed descriptions thereof when read in conjunction with the attached drawings, and wherein: 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the keyboard in accordance with the present invention in which a central touch-sensitive input control pad is placed at a higher elevation than the left and right sections of the keyboard, a trackball is housed between the left and right sections of the keyboard, the left and right sections of the keyboard are set at an oblique angle relative to each other, and only the home row keys and the space bar keys are depressible, with all other keys being touch-sensitive; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a modified form of construction of the keyboard in accordance with the present invention in which a center touch-sensitive input control pad is placed at a higher elevation than the left and right sections of the keyboard, a trackball and a scroll wheel are housed between the left and right sections of the keyboard, the left and right sections of the keyboard are set at an oblique angle relative to each other, and only the home row keys and the space bar keys are depressible, with all other keys being touch-sensitive; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a still further modified form of construction of the keyboard in accordance with the present invention in which the left and right sections of the keyboard are separately housed and are each separately attached by way of a sliding pivot to a central body such that they can be folded up together about the central body, and wherein touch-sensitive keys are housed within the central body, and wherein an extension on the central body has a pivoting hinge on its end, by means of which a display screen rotates upwards away from the keyboard for use in conjunction with the keyboard; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a yet still further modified form of construction of the keyboard in accordance with the present invention in which the left and right sections of the keyboard are separately housed and are each separately attached by way of a hinge to a central body such that they can be folded up together about the central body, and wherein touch-sensitive keys are housed within the central body; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a yet further modified form of construction of the keyboard in accordance with the present invention in which the keyboard is housed in a laptop computer; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an even yet further modified form of construction of the keyboard in accordance with the present invention in which a miniature display projector is housed within the central section of the keyboard; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a even yet still further modified form of construction of the keyboard in accordance with the present invention in which a flexible retractable display screen is housed within the keyboard and is shown unfurled for use; and 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a still even further modified form of construction of the keyboard in accordance with the present invention in which the keyboard is housed in a tablet computer. 
           [0033]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a yet still even further modified form of construction of the keyboard in accordance with the present invention in which the left and the right sections of the keyboard are each comprised of four depressible home row keys for the four fingers of each hand, and wherein a space bar is depressible, and wherein the keyboard works in conjunction with a touch screen, such that when the keyboard is place on the touch screen, images of keys appear on the screen surrounding the four home row keys on each section, said images of keys defining areas of the touch screen that can be touched to implement input of alphanumeric characters and commands, and wherein the center input control pad is raised higher than the left and right sections 
           [0034]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a still even yet further modified form of construction of the keyboard in accordance with the present invention in which the left and the right sections of the keyboard are each comprised of seven depressible home row keys, and wherein a space bar is depressible, and wherein the keyboard works in conjunction with a touch screen, such that when the keyboard is place on the touch screen, images of keys appear on the screen above and below the home row keys on each section, said images of keys defining areas of the touch screen that can be touched to implement input of alphanumeric characters and commands, and wherein the center input control pad appears on the touch screen through an opening between the left an right sections. 
           [0035]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of another further modified form of construction of the keyboard in accordance with the present invention in which the left and right sections of the keyboard are separately attached by way of a pivot to a center body that houses an input control pad, such that the left and right sections can rotate into a closed position in which they are adjacent to each other, and in which a body containing a trackpad is connected by a hinge to the central body, said hinge being located on the side of the central body facing a user of the keyboard, said hinge providing movement of the body containing a trackpad back and forth between a functioning position in which the body containing a trackpad is closer to the user of said keyboard than the central body and such that the body containing a trackpad can be folded into a stored position on top of a right section and a left section of the keyboard when the right and left sections have been rotated together into a stored position adjacent to each other lengthwise. 
           [0036]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a yet another further modified form of construction of the keyboard in accordance with the present invention in which the left and right sections of the keyboard are separately attached by way of a pivot to a center body that houses an input control pad, such that the left and right sections can rotate into a closed position in which they are adjacent to each other, and in which a body containing a trackpad is connected by a hinge to the central body, said hinge being located on the side of the central body facing a user of the keyboard, said hinge providing movement of the body containing a trackpad back and forth between a functioning position in which the body containing a trackpad is closer to the user of said keyboard than the central body and such that the body containing a trackpad can be folded into a stored position on top of a right section and a left section of the keyboard when the right and left sections have been rotated together into a stored position adjacent to each other lengthwise, and in which the center body includes an extension that reaches away from the typist and includes a hinge by means of which a holder for a PDA or smartphone rotates from a folded position adjacent to the closed body containing a trackpad to a position suitable for holding a PDA or smartphone for use in conjunction with the keyboard. 
           [0037]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a still another further modified form of construction of the keyboard in accordance with the present invention in which the left and right sections of the keyboard are separately attached by way of a pivot to a center body that houses an input control pad, such that the left and right sections can rotate into a closed position in which they are adjacent to each other, and in which a body containing a trackpad is connected by a hinge to the central body, said hinge being located on the side of the central body facing a user of the keyboard, said hinge providing movement of the body containing a trackpad back and forth between a functioning position in which the body containing a trackpad is closer to the user of said keyboard than the central body and such that the body containing a trackpad can be folded into a stored position on top of a right section and a left section of the keyboard when the right and left sections have been rotated together into a stored position adjacent to each other lengthwise, and in which the center body includes an extension that reaches away from the typist and includes a pivoting hinge by means of which a compact computerized device with a display screen rotates from a folded position adjacent to the closed body containing a trackpad to a position suitable for viewing and use in conjunction with the keyboard, and wherein the pivoting hinge allows the compact computerized device to be placed in a stored position in one of two ways: with the display screen facing the closed body containing a trackpad or with the display screen facing away from the closed body containing a trackpad. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0038]    In  FIG. 1 , there is shown a perspective view of an example of the keyboard showing the depressible key switches  1 - 16  and the touch-sensitive key switches  17 - 54 . Number  57  is the input control pad of touch-sensitive key switches that is located at the center of the keyboard an elevation that is higher than all other key switches  1 - 54 . A trackball  58  is located at a higher elevation than and between the two space bars  15  and  16 . 
         [0039]    This keyboard is particularly useful for providing a more compact ergonomic keyboard, because it allows characters and commands to be conveniently engaged by using the input control pad  57  at the center of the keyboard without creating a large gap between the left section of the keyboard and the center input control pad  57  or between the right section of the keyboard and the center input control pad  57 . This higher elevation helps to prevent inadvertent engagement of the center input control pad  57  when the typist is entering alphanumeric characters and commands. Similarly, the trackball  58  is set at a higher elevation in order to keep it close to the thumbs of the typist and to prevent inadvertent engagement when the typist is engaging the space bars  15  and  16 . 
         [0040]    In  FIG. 2  there is shown a further example of the keyboard that places a scroll wheel  59  between the center input control pad  57  and the trackball  58 . The scroll wheel  59  is set at a higher elevation than key switches  1 - 54  in order to prevent inadvertent engagement of the scroll wheel  59  when the typist is entering alphanumeric characters and commands. 
         [0041]    In  FIG. 3  there is shown a further example of the keyboard in which the left and right sections of the keyboard are separately housed and are each separately attached by way of a sliding pivot to a central body such that they can be folded up together about the central body, and wherein a touch-sensitive input control pad  57  is housed within the central body, and wherein an extension  70  on the central body has a pivoting hinge  71  on its end, by means of which a body  72  that houses a display screen  73  rotates upwards away from the keyboard for use in conjunction with the keyboard. 
         [0042]    In  FIG. 4  there is shown a further example of the keyboard in which the left and right sections of the keyboard are separately housed and are each separately attached by way of a sliding pivot to a central body such that they can be folded up together about the central body, and wherein a touch-sensitive input control pad  57  and touch-sensitive space bar keys  74  and  75  are housed within the central body. 
         [0043]    In  FIG. 5  there is shown a further example of the keyboard in which the keyboard is housed in a laptop computer  77  with a display screen  78 . The keyboard employs rows of touch-sensitive surfaces  79  and  80  above the home row of depressible keys  1 - 14 . Specific characters and commands are assigned to distinct areas of these touch-sensitive surfaces  79  and  80 . The keyboard also employs rows of touch-sensitive surfaces  81 - 84  below the home row of depressible keys  1 - 14 . Specific characters and commands are assigned to distinct areas of these touch-sensitive surfaces  81 - 84 . A depressible space bar  76  and a central touch-sensitive input control pad  57  are located between the left and right sections of the keyboard. The elevation of the central input control pad  57  is lower than all depressible key switches  1 - 14  and  76  as well as the touch-sensitive surfaces  79 - 84 . A trackpad  85  is also housed in the laptop  77 . 
         [0044]    In  FIG. 6  there is shown a further example of the keyboard in which a miniature display projector  86  is housed within the central section of the keyboard below a trackpad  85 . The keyboard employs rows of touch-sensitive surfaces  79  and  80  above the home row of depressible keys  1 - 14 . Specific characters and commands are assigned to distinct areas of these touch-sensitive surfaces  79  and  80 . The keyboard also employs rows of touch-sensitive surfaces  81 - 84  below the home row of depressible keys  1 - 14 . Specific characters and commands are assigned to distinct areas of these touch-sensitive surfaces  81 - 84 . 
         [0045]    In  FIG. 7  there is shown a further example of the keyboard in which a flexible retractable display screen  88  is housed within a compartment  89  that is located on the edge of the keyboard that is furthest from the typist. The flexible retractable screen  88  is shown unfurled for use with the keyboard. A central input control pad  87  is comprised of depressible keys that are located at a higher elevation than all other depressible key switches  1 - 14  and  76  as well as the touch-sensitive surfaces  79 - 84 . 
         [0046]    In  FIG. 8  there is shown a further example of the keyboard in which the keyboard is housed in a tablet computer with a touch-sensitive display screen  90 . The row of key switches above the depressible home row keys  1 - 6  and  8 - 16  is comprised of a touch-sensitive surface  91 . A central touch-sensitive input control pad  92  is located between the left and right sections of the keyboard. The elevation of the central input control pad  92  is lower than all depressible key switches  1 - 6  and  8 - 13  as well as the touch-sensitive surfaces  81 - 84  and  91 . 
         [0047]    In  FIG. 9  there is shown a further example of the keyboard in which the left and the right sections of the keyboard are each comprised of four depressible home row keys  3 - 6  and  9 - 12  for the four fingers of each hand, and wherein the keyboard works in conjunction with a touch screen  93 , such that when the keyboard is place on the touch screen  93 , images of keys appear on the screen surrounding the depressible home row keys  3 - 6  and  9 - 12  within areas of the touch screen  94 - 99  and  101 - 104  that can be touched to implement input of alphanumeric characters and commands, and wherein the center input control pad  100  is raised higher than the left and right sections. 
         [0048]      FIG. 10  there is shown a further example of the keyboard in which the left and the right sections of the keyboard are each comprised of seven depressible home row keys  1 - 14 , and wherein the keyboard works in conjunction with a touch screen  93 , such that when the keyboard is place on the touch screen  93 , images of keys appear on the screen above and below the depressible home row keys  1 - 14  within areas of the touch screen  94 - 99  that can be touched to implement input of alphanumeric characters and commands, and wherein the center input control pad appears within an area of the touch screen  105  that can be touched to implement input of alphanumeric characters and commands and that appears through an opening between the left an right sections. 
         [0049]    In  FIG. 11  there is shown a further example of the keyboard in which the left and right sections of the keyboard are separately housed and are each separately attached by way of a sliding pivot to a central body such that the left and right sections can rotate into a closed position in which they are adjacent to each other. A touch-sensitive input control pad  57  is housed within the central body. An additional body  113  containing a trackpad  108  and additional touch-sensitive input control pads  109  and  111  is connected by a hinge  110  to the central body, said hinge  110  providing movement of the additional body  113  back and forth between a stored position and a functioning position in which the additional body  113  is closer to the user of said keyboard than the central body. The keyboard employs rows of touch-sensitive surfaces  79  and  80  above the home row of depressible keys  1 - 6 ,  8 - 13 . Specific characters and commands are assigned to distinct areas of these touch-sensitive surfaces  79  and  80 . The keyboard also employs rows of touch-sensitive surfaces  81 - 84  below the home row of depressible keys  1 - 14 . Specific characters and commands are assigned to distinct areas of these touch-sensitive surfaces  81 - 84 . The additional body  113  can be folded into a stored position on top of the right left sections of the keyboard when the right and left sections have been rotated together into a stored position adjacent to each other lengthwise. Depressible space bars  106  and  107  are each attached to the additional body  113  by way of a pivot and can be rotated into a more comfortable position according to the size of the typist&#39;s hands. 
         [0050]    In  FIG. 12  there is shown a further example of the keyboard in which the left and right sections of the keyboard are separately housed and are each separately attached by way of a sliding pivot to a central body such that the left and right sections can rotate into a closed position in which they are adjacent to each other. A touch-sensitive input control pad  57  is housed within the central body. An additional body  113  containing a trackpad  108  and additional touch-sensitive input control pads  109  and  111  is connected by a hinge  110  to the central body, said hinge  110  providing movement of the additional body  113  back and forth between a stored position and a functioning position in which the additional body  113  is closer to the user of said keyboard than the central body. The keyboard employs rows of touch-sensitive surfaces  79  and  80  above the home row of depressible keys  1 - 6 ,  8 - 13 . Specific characters and commands are assigned to distinct areas of these touch-sensitive surfaces  79  and  80 . The keyboard also employs rows of touch-sensitive surfaces  81 - 84  below the home row of depressible keys  1 - 14 . Specific characters and commands are assigned to distinct areas of these touch-sensitive surfaces  81 - 84 . The additional body  113  can be folded into a stored position on top of the right left sections of the keyboard when the right and left sections have been rotated together into a stored position adjacent to each other lengthwise. Depressible space bars  106  and  107  are each attached to the additional body  113  by way of a pivot and can be rotated into a more comfortable position according to the size of the typist&#39;s hands. The central body includes an extension  70  that reaches away from the typist and includes a hinge  114  by means of which a holder for a PDA or smartphone  112  rotates from a folded position adjacent to the closed additional body  113  to a position suitable for holding a PDA or smartphone for use in conjunction with the keyboard. 
         [0051]    In  FIG. 13  there is shown a further example of the keyboard in which the left and right sections of the keyboard are separately housed and are each separately attached by way of a sliding pivot to a central body such that the left and right sections can rotate into a closed position in which they are adjacent to each other. A touch-sensitive input control pad  57  is housed within the central body. An additional body  113  containing a trackpad  108  and additional touch-sensitive input control pads  109  and  111  is connected by a hinge  110  to the central body, said hinge  110  providing movement of the additional body  113  back and forth between a functioning position in which the additional body  113  is closer to the user of said keyboard than the central body. The keyboard employs rows of touch-sensitive surfaces  79  and  80  above the home row of depressible keys  1 - 6 ,  8 - 13 . Specific characters and commands are assigned to distinct areas of these touch-sensitive surfaces  79  and  80 . The keyboard also employs rows of touch-sensitive surfaces  81 - 84  below the home row of depressible keys  1 - 14 . Specific characters and commands are assigned to distinct areas of these touch-sensitive surfaces  81 - 84 . The additional body  113  can be folded into a stored position on top of the right left sections of the keyboard when the right and left sections have been rotated together into a stored position adjacent to each other lengthwise. Depressible space bars  106  and  107  are each attached to the additional body  113  by way of a pivot and can be rotated into a more comfortable position according to the size of the typist&#39;s hands. The central body includes an extension  70  that reaches away from the typist and includes a pivoting hinge  71  by means of which a compact computerized device  72  rotates from a folded position adjacent to the closed additional body  113  to a position suitable for viewing and use in conjunction with the keyboard. The pivoting hinge  71  allows the compact computerized device  72  to be placed in a stored position in one of two ways: with the display screen  73  facing the closed additional body  113  or with the display screen  73  facing away from the closed additional body  113 .