Portable computer with chord keyboard

A computing device, including a processor, a screen, and at least one chord keyboard. The screen is coupled to be driven by the processor to display data to a user of the device, and is arranged so as to be viewable by a user of the device while holding the device with both hands, one at either side of the screen. The at least one chord keyboard comprises keys, and is fixed to a side of the screen in such a position as to be gripped by the user while holding the device so as to view the screen, and is coupled to provide input to the processor responsive to pressure exerted on the keys by the user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Reference is now made to FIG. 1 A, which is a simplified schematic illustration of a user 22 holding a computing device 20 with a single chord keyboard 40 and a handgrip 35 , one on either side of a screen 30 , constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Computing device 20 is preferably similar in capabilities and computing power to computing devices known in the art, such as portable or laptop computers, in that it comprises a processor (not shown) and screen 30 for displaying information, such as verbal, pictorial, graphical or mathematical information, to user 22 . Screen 30 is located on the front exterior side of computing device 20 , with the processor typically positioned inside the device, behind screen 30 . The screen preferably has a resolution of at least 500×500 pixels, so that the user can conveniently run substantially any personal computer application on the device. Chord keyboard 40 also acts as a handgrip, allowing a user to hold device 20 in both hands, at handgrip 35 and at chord keyboard 40 , so as to be able to view screen 30 while holding device 20 . Chord keyboard 40 preferably is ergonomically shaped so as to allow a secure and comfortable grip to users with a range of hand-sizes. User 22 typically holds computing device 20 from the front, so as to view screen 30 , with four fingers of each hand gripping behind device 20 and the thumbs gripping at the front. Chord keyboard 40 preferably comprises a plurality of keys located both at the front and the rear of device 20 . Shown in FIG. 1A are thumb keys 45 , 46 , 47 positioned to be pressed by the thumb of user 22 while holding device 20 at chord keyboard 40 , with his right hand. Reference is now made to FIG. 1B which is a schematic rear view of the computing device of FIG. 1 A, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. On the rear of chord keyboard 40 , at the rear of device 20 , are finger keys 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 positioned to be pressed by the fingers of a user while holding device 20 at chord keyboard 40 . In the embodiment of FIG. 1 B, chord keyboard 40 comprises four finger keys 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , each positioned to be pressed by a specific one of a user's fingers. In an alternative embodiment, chord keyboard 40 comprises more than four finger keys, with more than one finger key positioned to be pressed by a specific one of a user's fingers. Chord keyboard 40 functions as an input mechanism for the processor in device 20 , for use by the user while holding device 20 with both hands at handgrip 35 and at chord keyboard 40 , so as to be able to view screen 30 . The user inputs characters via chord keyboard 40 using any suitable coding system for chording of the characters, such as the systems used in chord keyboards known in the art, such as those described in the Background of the Invention. Optionally, chord keyboard 40 and handgrip 35 may be detachable from, and attachable to, device 20 . Once detached, chord keyboard 40 may be attached in place of handgrip 35 , or handgrip 35 may be attached in place of chord keyboard 40 , allowing interchangeability between left-handed and right-handed use of chord keyboard 40 . Additionally or alternatively, chord keyboard 40 may be movable along the edge of device 20 so as to be fixed in place at a user's preferred position relative to screen 30 . Reference is now made to FIG. 2 which is a simplified schematic front view of computing device 20 with two chord keyboard handgrips 40 , one on either side of screen 30 , constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Each of chord keyboards 40 may be used independently as an input device for processor 25 as described above. The user may operate the two keyboards in alternation in order to increase the rate of input to processor 25 . In an alternative embodiment, the two chord keyboards 40 may chord in coordination such that the pressing of a combination of up to ten keys simultaneously generates an input representing different characters or instructions. This embodiment allows a much greater range of characters and symbols to be input to the processor. Preferably, a hardware or software switch is provided to switch between the independent and coordinate modes of two-handed operation. In a further alternative embodiment, one of chord keyboards 40 is used to generate signals representing alphanumeric characters, while the second chord keyboard generates processing or control signals, in an analogous manner to the “shift”, “alt” and “control” keys on a standard keyboard. Reference is now made to FIG. 3 which is a schematic front view of computing device 20 with chord keyboard 40 and a pointer handgrip 55 , one on either side of the screen, constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Device 20 can be held by a user in both hands, at pointer handgrip 55 and at chord keyboard 40 , so as to be able to view screen 30 while holding device 20 . Pointer handgrip 55 typically comprises a pointing device 60 , which functions like a mouse for manipulating a cursor on screen 30 . Pointing device 60 may comprise any suitable pointing device known in the art, such as a joystick, a thumb button (a depressed button for control by rotational pressure of the thumb), or a pressure-sensitive knob such as the TrackPoint device provided in some portable computers, such as the IBM ThinkPad™. Alternatively, the pointer handgrip may comprise a pressure sensitive hand-grip, which responds to directional pressure by the entire hand. In another preferred embodiment, pointer handgrip 55 may comprise a functional mixture of a chord keyboard and a pointing device. For example, pointer handgrip 55 may comprise finger keys at the rear of device 20 , as shown above in FIG. 1 B, while the thumb keys of chord keyboard 40 are replaced by pointing device 60 . Prior art portable or laptop computers typically fold open vertically to expose an internal keyboard and display screen. Computing devices comprising at least one chord keyboard at the edge thereof, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, do not require that a regular keyboard be attached thereto. This reduces the weight and size of computing devices of preferred embodiments of the present invention relative to conventional prior art computing devices, which allows the addition of extra functionalities to portable computers, while maintaining portability. Alternatively, computing devices of preferred embodiments of the present invention, may comprise a regular keyboard, preferably detachable from the computing device, in addition to the at least one chord keyboard. Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A and 4B which are schematic illustrations of a computing device 80 which folds open to expose two connected adjacent screens 85 , 90 and two chord keyboards 40 on the non-connecting edges of adjacent screens 85 , 90 , constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4A the computing device is shown in an open configuration, while in FIG. 4 B, the same device is shown in an almost closed configuration. Device 80 may comprise two chord keyboards 40 as shown in FIG. 4A . Alternatively, device 80 may comprise one chord keyboard 40 and one handgrip 35 or pointer handgrip 55 . Device 80 can be held by a user in both hands, so as to be able to view screen 30 while holding device 80 . The displays on the two screens of the computing device of FIGS. 4A and 4B are typically different from each other. For example, one screen may show icons and text, while the second screen displays graphic application data, such as images. It is appreciated that computing devices comprising at least one chord keyboard attached at the edge thereof, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, do not need to be opened on a flat surface for use, and can be used in minimal spaces while being held by a sitting or standing user. Such computing devices are typically held in a very comfortable and natural position, such as that used when holding as book. It is further appreciated that to take some of the weight of the computing device from off the arms or shoulders of its user, the lower edge of the device can be rested on any convenient surface. To support the arms of the user, the computing device may also comprise at least one arm-rest as described below with reference to FIG. 5 . Reference is now made to FIG. 5 which is a simplified schematic illustration of the computing device of FIG. 2 , with armrests 120 positioned on either side of the screen, to support the lower arms, wrists or hands of user 22 while holding chord keyboards 40 , constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Alternatively, device 20 may comprise one chord keyboard 40 and one handgrip 35 or pointer handgrip 55 . Armrests 120 may be detachable from device 20 . Alternatively or additionally, armrests 120 may be flexibly-connected to the edge of device 20 , and may fold over in front of, or behind, device 20 when not in use. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of various features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications thereto which would occur to a person of skill in the art upon reading the above description and which are not in the prior art.