Patent Publication Number: US-2003222799-A1

Title: Computer keyboard with storage area

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
     [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of Alan Uke, U.S. application Ser. No. 10/156,736, filed May 29, 2002, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, including all drawings. 
    
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] The present invention relates to computer keyboards, and more specifically to computer keyboards having a storage area for storing objects.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003] Computer users often have volumes of computer readable secondary storage devices or media, such optical and magnetic disks, that store executable programs, graphics files, backup files, etc. Besides these items, computer users also have numerous manuals and other paper work associated with software. Despite the availability of file cabinets and storage boxes, many users unfortunately misplace or lose the computer readable medium and computer related paperwork. In many instances, computer users need to access the contents of such computer readable medium and computer related paperwork. For example, executable programs, such as that for an operating system, often need to be reinstalled. If a compute user has misplaced the computer readable medium or paperwork associated with the program, the user is typically required to purchase a new version of the program for installation on the user&#39;s computer. In light of this problem, a need exists for an easily recollected location where computer users can store critical computer readable medium and/or computer related paperwork.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004] The present invention provides a convenient means for retaining computer readable media and/or paperwork in association with a computer by providing a computer keyboard that includes a storage area or areas suitable for storing computer readable secondary storage medium and/or computer related paperwork. Typically the keyboard includes a housing, with the keys at the upper side of the housing. The storage area is generally located on the underside of the keyboard, and is accessible from the underside or from one of the other sides, depending on the particular configuration of the storage area and/or closure or cover for the storage area. The size of the storage area can also vary, allowing storage of various quantities of materials. Use of these storage areas thus provides a safe storage location, in close physical association with the computer to which the stored material most likely relates, but a location that is also unlikely to be accidentally disturbed or to have the storage media or paperwork mixed with unrelated storage media and paperwork or other materials. Such keyboard storage areas are particularly advantageous for storing the critical disks (or other secondary storage media) for operation of the associated computer, as distinguished from general storage or filing of disks or other storage media items. Such critical disks can include, for example, disks containing the operating system, utilities, and/or most important programs (such as word processor, communications, image editing, and other software of particular importance to a particular user). The number of disks and/or other storage media items will typically be 10 or less, i.e., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10. When used in this way, the storage area serves as convenient central location for locating the software essential for recovering computer function in the event a critical program or operating system file is corrupted or one or more files otherwise need to be replaced or installed.  
       [0005] As indicated, the storage area (and the remainder of the keyboard) can be configured in various ways. For example, the space or volume for the storage area can be created by the sidewalls (i.e., transverse walls) of the keyboard with or without a cover enclosing the storage volume of the storage area, or by having legs on the bottom of the keyboard to create a desired elevation, thereby making space for a storage area of corresponding depth. Thus, the walls or legs can be extended to create a deeper or shallower storage area as desired. For any configuration of keyboard and storage area, a support of some type is provided to hold stored materials from dropping down from the storage area. In most cases, such support is provided by a structure under a storage area, or forming the bottom of a storage area. Examples of such supports include covers, bands (which may for example be rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible) straps, lower portions of storage receptacles or other containers, and the like. Alternatively, a support may hold the stored material directly, without forming a support under the storage area. Examples of such direct supports include disk holding hubs or posts, e.g., for compact disks. Such hubs or posts (or similar structures for other storage media) can utilize friction to hold the media and/or can utilize a center retainer that holds a disk(s) in place at the center, e.g., a ring or disk with an outer diameter slightly larger than the central hole of a type of disk that is to be held.  
       [0006] The storage area can also be configured in various ways. In certain embodiments, the storage area is a space or volume defined by surfaces at the lower side of the keyboard or by the keyboard and the surface on which the keyboard rests (for example, when the volume for storage is created by legs on the lower side of the keyboard), where the volume may be covered or uncovered on the access side. The storage area may be fully enclosed, (e.g., a cavity with a cover or a bin with or without a cover, where the bin abuts the lower surface of the keyboard such that the cover or the underside of the keyboard completes the enclosure. The storage area may be less than fully enclosed, such that a volume is provided for storage, but items stored therein are partially exposed. For example, the storage area may include one or more U-shaped straps (fixed, removable, or moveable, e.g. hinged at one side) and/or a cup (e.g., shallow rectangular cavity) that retain stored items. Thus, the structure that holds items in the storage area need not be solid on all sides (including a cover), but can be constructed in various ways to provide a lower support and/or protection for stored items. As indicated, such support/protection can be provided by structures that have openings, e.g., of sufficient size to allow at least some stored materials to be identified without removal from the storage area. A storage area can be an area separated from the interior of the keyboard by a wall, or can be a portion of the interior, e.g., below the keys and the switch circuit board or other switch construct.  
       [0007] A storage area can be shaped and/or sized for storage of particular types of items. For example, a storage area can be sized and/or shaped to hold up to a pre-selected number of CDs, DVDs, floppy disks, 3.5 inch floppy disks, or other format storage media. The shape of a storage area can be selected to generally match the medium to be stored (e.g., circular and at least slightly larger than a circular disk to be stored, or can be any convenient shape that is also sufficiently large to accommodate the desired medium, e.g., rectangular with a minimum dimension at least slightly larger than the medium that is to be stored. For example, for CDs a storage area will generally accommodate disks of approximately 120 mm diameter. The depth or thickness selected for a storage area will depend on the medium to be stored and the number of disks or other media that are intended to be stored. In some embodiments, an area will be sized to hold one or a few storage media items, e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 such items. For a particular type of storage media item, there should be an available depth that is at least as great as the number of items times the thickness of each item (e.g., approximately 1-1.5 mm for CDs, approximately 3.5 mm for 3.5 inch floppy disks). For providing protection to storage media and/or making removal easier and/or other advantages, it can be beneficial to provide additional depth, e.g., to allow media to be spaced somewhat from each other. In addition, the depth of a storage area can be designed to accommodate protective structures, such as CD cases, for the stored items. Exemplary CD cases are 5-10 mm thick, e.g., approximately 7 mm. Exemplary storage areas will be thus, for example, be 1-50 mm in thickness, 2-30 mm, 5-30 mm, 10-40 mm, 10-50 mm, 20-30 mm, 20-40 mm, 20-50 mm, 30-40 mm, or 30-50 mm.  
       [0008] Storage of secondary media and/or paperwork or other materials may be directly in the storage area or in a storage receptacle that is attached in the storage area. For example, a rigid or semi-rigid box or drawer or a rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible pocket or folder or other storage receptacle can be attached in the storage area, where the box, drawer, or pocket can be slid and/or detached and/or unfolded from the body of the keyboard. A detachable storage receptacle can be held or attached in various ways; e.g., held or attached using one or more clips, latches, straps (e.g., elastic), hook and loop fastener (e.g., VELCRO®); releasable adhesive, pockets, and/or bands, or by being contained within a compartment such as in a pocket, bin, or drawer.  
       [0009] Access may be from the underside of the keyboard and/or from one or more of the other sides (e.g., a sliding drawer(s) that extends out a transverse side(s) when opened or a slot with or without a door or cover where the opening is on one of the transverse sides. When the space is covered, the cover may, for example, be rigid, semi-rigid, flexible, or soft. A cover may be clipped, hinged, held by a fastener(s), e.g., hook and loop fastener such as VELCRO® fastener, or by a releasable adhesive.  
       [0010] As used herein, the term “storage area” refers to a physical location of a keyboard where a storage volume is at least partially defined by keyboard structure. Materials may be stored directly in that storage volume, or may be in one or more storage receptacles that are located in the storage area.  
       [0011] “Storage receptacle” refers to a structure adapted to fit in a storage area and contain paperwork, storage media, or other materials. A storage receptacle can be moveable, e.g., slidable or swingable, removable, or attachable to a keyboard. Typically, a storage receptacle will be made of plastic (e.g., molded plastic), metal, and/or cloth. Such receptacles may be in various forms, e.g., drawers, tubs or bins, sleeves, straps, and the like.  
       [0012] As used in connection with a computer keyboard, the term “housing” refers to a structure that at least partially contains components of the keyboard. Generally the housing will be made of rigid or semi-rigid material, e.g., molded thermoset plastic. Typically, keys will be mounted in or protrude through an upper side or surface of a keyboard housing and/or switch and other circuit components will be located inside the housing.  
       [0013] In a related aspect, the invention also provides a computer system that includes at least one central processing unit (CPU) and a computer keyboard that has at least one storage area as described herein. Typically the CPU(s) will be in a case or housing, which will usually also include other components typical for personal and mini computers, e.g., disk drives, modem, video card, audio card, power supply, and the like. The computer will typically also include a display device, such as a CRT, LCD, or other computer monitor. The storage area can contain at least one secondary storage medium item, e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or even more such items, and/or papers, books or booklets, and the like.  
       [0014] In another related aspect, the invention provides a method for storing secondary storage media with a computer that involves placing or storing one or more secondary storage media items in a storage area in a computer keyboard as described herein, where the keyboard is functionally part of the computer, i.e., signals resulting from depressing keys on the keyboard are received and processed by another component(s) of the computer.  
       [0015] Additional embodiments, advantages and features associated with the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and from the claims. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modification in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not limitative. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0016]FIG. 1 is perspective view of an upper side of a computer keyboard in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0017]FIG. 2 is perspective view of a bottom side of the computer keyboard illustrated in FIG. 1, where a storage area of the computer keyboard is closed.  
     [0018]FIG. 3 is perspective view of the bottom side of the computer keyboard illustrated in FIG. 1, where the storage area of the keyboard is open.  
     [0019]FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the computer keyboard illustrated in FIG. 1.  
     [0020]FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the computer keyboard illustrated in FIG. 1, taken along the line  5 - 5  in FIG. 2 and illustrating a cover of the computer keyboard in a closed position.  
     [0021]FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the computer keyboard illustrated in FIG. 1, taken along the line  6 - 6  in FIG. 1 and illustrating the cover of the computer keyboard in an open position.  
     [0022]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a bottom side of a second embodiment of a computer keyboard in accordance with the present invention, where a storage area of the computer keyboard is closed by a cover.  
     [0023]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a bottom side of the computer keyboard illustrated in FIG. 7, where the cover is open to expose the storage area of the computer keyboard.  
     [0024]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a bottom side of a third embodiment of a computer keyboard in accordance with the present invention, where two storage areas of the computer keyboard are closed by covers.  
     [0025]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a bottom side of the computer keyboard illustrated in FIG. 9, where the covers are open to expose the storage areas of the computer keyboard.  
     [0026]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a bottom side of a fourth embodiment of a computer keyboard in accordance with the present invention, where a storage area of the computer keyboard is closed by a cover.  
     [0027]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a bottom side of the computer keyboard illustrated in FIG. 11, where the cover is open to expose the storage area of the computer keyboard.  
     [0028]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a bottom side of a fifth embodiment of a computer keyboard in accordance with the present invention, where a storage area of the computer keyboard is closed by a cover.  
     [0029]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a bottom side of the computer keyboard illustrated in FIG. 13, where the cover is open to expose the storage area of the computer keyboard.  
     [0030]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a bottom side of a sixth embodiment of a computer keyboard in accordance with the present invention, where a first storage area of the computer keyboard is closed by a cover and a second storage area of the computer keyboard is exposed.  
     [0031]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a bottom side of the computer keyboard illustrated in FIG. 15, where the cover is open to expose the first storage area of the computer keyboard.  
     [0032]FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a bottom side of a seventh embodiment of a computer keyboard in accordance with the present invention, where a storage area of the computer keyboard includes a receptacle therein.  
     [0033]FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a bottom side of the computer keyboard illustrated in FIG. 17, where the receptacle has been removed from the storage area.  
     [0034]FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a receptacle for use with the computer keyboard illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0035] As described in the Summary above, a large number of embodiments of computer keyboards with storage areas can be designed and constructed. Included in the various types of storage areas, are configurations with open, partially open, and closed storage areas. In addition, moveable or removable storage receptacles can be included, including slidable drawers, removable sleeves, and the like. Further, a variety of different types of covers can be used to close and opening to a storage area. In many cases, the storage area or areas in a keyboard are accessible from the underside of the keyboard, but storage areas can also be configured for access in other ways, e.g., access from a side (including any of the front, back, and lateral sides) into a pocket opening to the side, or from above, e.g., access from above into an open top slidable drawer that slides out one of the sides.  
     [0036] While in many embodiments the keyboard is separate from other components of the computer, storage areas as described herein can also be designed and constructed in laptop, notebook, and other such portable computers. In these cases, the capability to store important software or other materials can be of even greater importance as such computers are often used away from the “home” geographic location where the materials would otherwise be stored. For such computers storage areas will usually be constructed on the bottom of the computer, though other locations can also be used, such as a drawer or tray in the side of computer (e.g., in a similar location to those commonly used for installation of CD and other disk drives). While storage areas for such portable computers can be constructed in many different ways as described for separate keyboards, for portable computer applications the storage area may advantageously be designed to accommodate one more types of storage media appropriate for the particular computer (e.g., CDs, DVD, solid state memory modules or cards). In most cases, the storage area will be relatively shallow, e.g., less than 10 mm, less than 7 mm, or less than 5 mm in depth. Also in most cases, the storage area will be fully covered, e.g., the storage area will have a moveable or removable cover, or the storage area will be in the form of a drawer that slides out for access. It can also be advantageous for portable applications that the disks or other media is restrained from movement relative to the computer to protect against damage to the storage media (and/or to the computer). Such restraint can, for example be provided by pressure holding the items in place, posts that provide friction or clamp retaining ability, as well as other techniques).  
     [0037] FIGS.  1 - 19  illustrate embodiments of computer keyboards  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 ,  600 ,  700  in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention. As described below, the computer keyboards  100 ,  200 ,  200 ,  400 ,  500 ,  600 ,  700  each include one or more storage areas in which a user of the keyboard can store objects, such computer readable medium  50  and computer related document  60  to lessen the chance that the user will misplace the objects. Because the computer keyboards  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 ,  600 ,  700  are functionally similar and share a number of similar parts, in the following description like numbered parts of the computer keyboards  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 ,  600 ,  700  are referred to by like numbers, increased by  100 &#39;s and/or letters (a, b, c).  
     [0038] As illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 6 , the computer keyboard  100  is an input device for a computer (not illustrated) and has a set of alphabetic, numeric, punctuation, symbol and/or control keys  102 . When a user presses one of the keys  102 , a signal is sent to the computer, which responds to the signal by displaying a character on screen or taking some other action. Hence, the computer keyboard  100  is hardwired or wirelessly connected to a computer, which is a device that follows instructions to alter data in a desirable way and to perform at least some operations without human intervention. Examples of computers to which the computer keyboard  100  can be connected include personal computers, laptop computers, personal digital assistants, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the computer keyboard  100  does not have processing capabilities (other than interpreting and generating signals in response to keyboard strokes) and is physically separate from a computer to which the computer keyboard is connected, i.e., it is not integral with a computer, similar to most conventional computer keyboards that are configured for use with conventional personal computers.  
     [0039] The illustrated computer keyboard  100  includes a housing  103  having an upper portion  104  and a lower portion  105 . In alternative embodiments, the housing  103  is defined by more or less portions and by differently divided portions. For example, the housing  103  may have lateral halves. The housing  103  is preferably molded, but may be cast, machined, stamped, etc. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper portion  104  of the housing  103  includes an upper side  106  that typically faces a user of the computer keyboard  100  during operation of the computer keyboard  100 . Likewise, the bottom portion  105  of the housing  103  has an underside, lower side or bottom side  107  that is located opposite from the upper side  106  and is the surface upon which the computer keyboard  100  typically rests when a user strikes the keys  102 . In one embodiment where the computer keyboard  100  is a keyboard for a personal computer, the keys  102  are arranged in the conventional Qwerty or Dvorak format. In another embodiment, the keys  102  are arranged in a four by three grid. The keys  102  have illustrations thereon, such as alphanumeric characters. The keys  102  are of a conventional format, preferably each having a non-resilient (stiff) strike portion and a protrusion that retains the key in the computer keyboard  100  as described below.  
     [0040] As is illustrated in the exploded view of FIG. 4, the upper portion  104  of the housing  103  includes a plurality of openings  108   a ,  108   b  in which the keys  102  are located. In an alternative embodiment, the upper portion  104  has only one opening  108   b . The openings  108   a ,  108   b  are conduits that pass through the housing  103  and are sized to receive a portion of a single key or are sized to receive multiple keys. For example, as is best illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, in the illustrated computer keyboard  100 , the upper portion  104  includes a number of openings  108   a  that each receive the protrusion of a single key  102 . When assembling the computer keyboard  100 , the retaining clips of each key  102  snap into one of the openings  108   a  so as to moveably retain the key in the respective opening  108   a . In this manner, each opening  108   a  accommodates movement of one key  102 . Hence, FIG. 1 illustrates some of the openings  108   a  accommodating the respective protrusion of individual keys  102 .  
     [0041] The openings  108   b  (see FIGS.  1 , and  4 - 6 ) are sized to receive a plurality of keys  102  (at least two). More specifically, each opening  108   b  receives a modular key assembly  120  having a number of keys  102  thereon. Each modular key assembly  120  includes a base plate  122  having a number of openings therein that are similar to the openings  108   a  in the upper portion  104  of the housing  103 . Each of the openings in the base plate  122  receives the protrusion and retaining clips of a single key  102  so as to moveably retain the received key in the opening of the base plate. Each of the keys  102  is freely moveable in the openings of the base plate  122 . That is, the keys  102  are not biased in any direction of movement. The keys  102  in the openings  108   b  move with respect to the upper portion  104  of the housing  104  in a similar manner as the keys in the openings  108   a.    
     [0042] Each modular key assembly, or at least a portion thereof, is inserted into the respective opening  108   b  of the upper portion  104  of the housing  103 . The modular key assembly  120  is retained in the opening  108   b  by one or more clips, screws, snaps, press fits, ledges, locators or other devices of the modular key assembly and/or the housing  103 . Because each modular key assembly  120  is located in an opening  108   b , the keys  102  are also located in the opening  108   b . In this manner, each opening  108   b  accommodates movement of a plurality of keys  102 .  
     [0043] As is apparent, the keys  102  can be retained to the keyboard  100  in other manners, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos.: 3,736,397; 4,362,408; 4,791,257; 4,906,117; and 5,676,476, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.  
     [0044] In the illustrated embodiment, the computer keyboard  100  also includes a resistance setting device  130 , which can be one or more sheet-like items having a plurality of deformable members  132  that protrude from an upper surface  134  thereof. When the resistance setting device  130  is located in the computer keyboard  100 , the deformable members  132  resist movement of the keys. That is, one or more of the deformable members  132  is disposed directly adjacent the protrusion (or other intermediary member) of each key  102  such that when a user strikes a key, the deformable member resists movement of the key. When a user strikes the key  102  with sufficient force to overcome the resistance of the deformable member  132 , the deformable member will deform; when the user removes the striking force, the deformable member and the adjacent key  102  will return to its static position. The resistance setting device  130  and its deformable members  132  are preferably constructed of an elastomeric material having a suitable durometer or hardness necessary to achieve a desired keystroke resistance. For example, the resistance setting device  130  may be constructed, i.e., molded, cast, stamped, woven, etc., from a polymeric material, such as polyurethane, polypropylene, polyethylene, equivalents of these materials, and blends of these materials. Additionally, the resistance setting device  130  may be constructed of a synthetic or natural rubber. The resistance setting device  130  may also be fabricated from a conductive elastomeric material. In a further embodiment, the resistance setting device  130  is formed from a combination of materials, such as a woven nylon sheet having polyethylene deformable members  132  secured thereto. The resistance setting member  130  may be similar to that described in WO 00/73078 A1 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,494,363, 5,588,760 and 5,933,133, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.  
     [0045] In a preferred embodiment, the resistance setting device  130  is the only device that resists movement of the keys  102 . That is, the computer keyboard  100  preferably does not include any other devices besides the deformable members  132  that resist striking movement of the keys  102 . However, in alternative embodiments, movement of the keys  102  is resisted by devices in addition to the deformable members  132 . For example, movement of the keys  102  may also be resisted by one or springs or pads, such as that described in some the earlier referenced patent publications. In a further embodiment, the computer keyboard  100  does not include the resistance setting device  130 . Rather, the resistance of the keys  102  is set by other devices, such as individual metallic springs.  
     [0046] As is also illustrated in FIGS.  4 - 6 , a circuit board  140  is located directly underneath the resistance setting device  130 . Hence, the resistance setting device  130  is located between the keys  102  and the circuit board  140 . The circuit board  140  is of a conventional construction and has a plurality of switches  142  that are switched, i.e. tripped or closed, when the deformable member contacts the circuit board. When the deformable member  132  contacts the circuit board  140 , a signal is sent via the circuits of the circuit board  140 .  
     [0047] In one embodiment, the circuit board  140  is a flexible membrane type circuit board, which is widely employed in the keyboards of personal computers, such as those illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,434,566 and 5,588,760, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. A suitable flexible membrane type circuit board includes two flexible films on which electrical contacts are formed in opposed relation with a spacer barrier there between. The spacer barrier includes a number of holes there through that are located at positions corresponding to the contacts of the respective barriers. When a key  102  deforms the deformable member  132 , the deformable member will cause the opposed electrical contacts to touch and close the switch.  
     [0048] In a further embodiment, the circuit board  142  is a single barrier type circuit board, and each deformable member has a conductive insert therein or is formed of a conductive material. When the conductive insert or the conductive deformable member contacts the barrier, it creates an electrical contact to switch one of the switches  142 . An example of this type of circuit board is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,494,363, the entire disclosure of which is also hereby incorporated by reference.  
     [0049] As is illustrated in FIG. 4, the switches  142  of the circuit board  140  are connected via conductive lines or patterns to connecting lines of a tongue  144  in the conventional manner. As is known, each switch  142  corresponds to a specific key  102 , depending upon each key&#39;s respective position. The connecting lines of the tongue  144  are in turn connected to a printed circuit board  146  or equivalent device, which translates the signals from the switches  142  in any one of a variety of conventional manners. The printed circuit board  146  is in turn connected to an electronic cord or wireless connection device that communicates with a computer.  
     [0050] As is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the computer keyboard  100  includes and interior area  150  in which the keys  102  and deformable members  132  move when a user operates the keyboard. In the illustrated embodiment, the interior area  150  is located between the circuit board  140  and an inside surface  109  of the upper portion  104  of the housing  103 . As is also illustrated, the computer keyboard  100  includes a storage area  160 , which is at least partially defined by the housing  103 . In the illustrated embodiment, the storage area  160  is an area that is separate from the interior area  150  in which the keys  102  move. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom portion  105  of the housing  103  includes four side walls  164  that slope away from the bottom side  107  of the housing to a recessed wall  162 . Hence, the wall  162  is recessed from the bottom side  107  of the housing  103 . Hence, the lower portion  105  of the housing  103  defines the storage area  160 , which is bounded by the four side walls  164  and the recessed wall  162 .  
     [0051] The recessed wall  162  is preferably planar and is recessed from the bottom side  107  a predetermined depth D (as measured along a depth axis that is generally perpendicular to the recessed wall  162  or upper side  106 ). The predetermined depth D is preferably sufficient to accommodate portable secondary storage devices, such as optical and magnetic disks, cards, tapes, etc., as well as some computer-related documents. In the particular embodiment illustrated in the Figures, the predetermined depth D is approximately 10 mm, such that the storage area  160  is deep enough to accommodate most portable secondary storage devices, as well as some computer related paperwork. In alternative embodiments, the storage area  160  may be configured to accommodate only certain types of portable secondary storage devices. In many configurations, the predetermined depth D is in the range 1-50 mm. In particular embodiments, D is 1-30 mm, 5-20 mm, 10-20 mm, 20-40 mm, 30-50 mm. As is illustrated in FIG. 4, the recessed wall  162  is continuous, i.e., it is devoid of any openings or voids passing there through. However, in an alternative embodiment, the recessed wall  162  may have one or more openings passing there through such that the interior area  150  is in communication with the storage area. For instance, in one embodiment the recessed wall  162  only partially separates the interior area  150  and the storage area  160 . In a further embodiment, the recess wall  162  is a perforated so as to define a cage-like wall. The recess wall can also be absent, such as in a configuration where the upper surface of the storage area is defined by the lower surface of a circuit board or by a divider between the circuit board and the storage area (e.g., a metal or plastic plate attached to the bottom of the circuit board and/or to the housing).  
     [0052] As is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the circuit board  140  abuts the recessed wall  162 . Hence, the recessed wall  162  extends a predetermined length L (as measured along a longitudinal axis of the computer keyboard), which in the illustrated embodiment is approximately equal to or greater than the length of the circuit board  140 . In the particular embodiment illustrated in the Figures, the predetermined length L is approximately 340 mm, which is also sufficiently long to accommodate most portable secondary storage devices, as well as some computer related paperwork. In an alternative embodiment, the circuit board  140  abuts a metallic plate or other device located between the circuit board and the recessed wall  162 . In alternative embodiments, the storage area  160  is configured to accommodate only certain types of portable secondary storage devices, e.g., CDs, DVDs, floppy disks, and solid state memory modules. In many embodiments, the predetermined length L is in the range 20-500 mm, e.g., in a range 50-400 mm, 100-400 mm, 100-300 mm, 200-400 mm, or 200-350 mm.  
     [0053] As is illustrated in FIG. 5, the recessed wall  162  also extends a predetermined width W (as measured along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the computer keyboard and generally parallel to the recessed wall  162 ), which in the illustrated embodiment is approximately equal or greater than the width of the circuit board  140 . Hence, in the particular embodiment illustrated in the Figures, the predetermined width W is approximately 130 mm (±20%), which is sufficiently wide to accommodate most portable secondary storage devices, as well as some computer related paperwork. In alternative embodiments, the storage area  160  is configured to accommodate only certain types of portable secondary storage devices. In particular embodiments, the predetermined width W is in a range 20-200 mm, 50-150 mm, 100-150 mm, 100-200 mm, or 80-130 mm.  
     [0054] In one embodiment of the computer keyboard, the Length L of the storage area  160  is between 20-500 mm, the depth D of the storage area is between 1-50 mm, and the width W of the storage area is between 20-200 mm. In another embodiment of the computer keyboard, the Length L of the storage area  160  is between 50-400 mm, the depth D of the storage area is between 1-30 mm, and the width W of the storage area is between 50-150. mm. In a further embodiment of the computer keyboard, the Length L of the storage area  160  is between 200-350 mm, the depth D of the storage area is between 5-20 mm, and the width W of the storage area is between 100-150 mm. Keyboards may also be constructed with other selections of L, D, and W, e.g., in accordance with the various selections indicated above, in any individual combination. Thus, storage areas of varying thickness, width, and length can be constructed as desired, and/or as needed to accommodate particular types of materials for storage and/or to fit length and width dimensions for a particular keyboard layout.  
     [0055] The computer keyboard  100  is constructed such that the storage area  160  is covered by a cover  170  to define a compartment in the computer keyboard that is openable and closeable via the cover such that a user can contain an object within the storage area and remove the object from the storage area. Hence, the cover  170  is moveable from a closed position illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5 to an open position illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6. When at the closed position illustrated in FIG. 5, the cover  170  covers the storage are  160  to retain any objects therein. When at the open position illustrated in FIG. 6, the storage area  160  is exposed and accessible by a user such that the user can insert objects into the storage area  160  and remove previously stored objects from the storage area. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover  170  is a rigid, solid, and rectangular wall of plastic material that pivotably attached to the housing  103  via a hinge connection that permits the cover  170  to rotate with respect to the housing  130  about the hinge connection as illustrated in FIG. 3. In alternative embodiments of the computer keyboard  100 , the cover  170  is perforated. In further embodiments, the cover  170  is flexible. For example, the cover  170  may be defined by netting or an elastic strap(s) that is removably or hingedly attached to the housing  103  so as to retain objects in the storage area. A cover is not necessary, as materials may be retained in a storage area by other means, or the storage are may be configured such that materials will be held in the storage are by gravity and/or by friction and/or by other retainers such as straps, clips, bands, and the like.  
     [0056] The cover also includes retaining members  172 , such as snaps, keys, threaded attachments, clips, buttons, and/or other retainers that retain the cover to the housing  103  to keep the cover in the closed position illustrated in FIG. 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining members  172  are flexible clips. When the user desires access to the storage area  160 , the user flexes the retaining members  172  away from the housing and rotates or pivots the cover to the open position illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6. As will be appreciated, the cover  170  may be retained to the housing  103  in any variety of manners so long as the cover  170  covers the storage area  160  to define a compartment for the storage of objects, such as the portable secondary storage devices  50  and the computer related paperwork  60 . Because the storage area  160  is part of the computer keyboard, users of the keyboard have an easily recollected location in which computer readable media and/or paperwork may be stored for future use, such as when a program or operating system needs to be reinstalled on the user&#39;s computer.  
     [0057] In the illustrated embodiment, the storage area has a number of conventional disk holding hubs  174  located therein for holding disk type portable secondary storage devices in a fixed location within the storage area  160 . As is illustrated in FIG. 3, 5, and  6 , the disk holding hubs  174  protrude from the recessed surface  162 . In an alternative embodiment, the disk holding hubs protrude from the inside surface of the cover  170  that faces the recessed surface  162  when the cover is closed. Such disk holding hubs can generally be utilized in many different embodiments, including the various embodiments described or illustrated herein, and are not limited to covered storage areas or the embodiments particularly showing disk holding hubs shown in drawings herein.  
     [0058] FIGS.  7 - 19  illustrate additional embodiments of computer keyboards  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 ,  600 ,  700  in accordance with the present invention. As described below, the computer keyboards  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 ,  600 ,  700  each include a storage area  260 ,  360 ,  460 ,  560 ,  660 ,  760  in which a user of the keyboard can store objects, such a computer readable secondary storage devices and computer related paperwork to lessen the chance that the user will misplace such objects. Because the computer keyboards,  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 ,  600 ,  700  are functionally similar and share a number of similar parts, in the following description like numbered parts of the computer keyboards  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 ,  600 ,  700  are referred to by like numbers as the keyboard  100 , increased by  100 &#39;s and letters (a,b).  
     [0059] Like the computer keyboard  100 , the computer keyboard  200  includes a housing  203  having a recessed wall  262  that is recessed from a bottom side  207  of the keyboard (opposite from the upper side where the keys are located). The recessed wall  262  at least partially separates an interior area in which the keys move from the storage area  260 . In the illustrated embodiment, the storage area is sized to receive at least a 120 mm diameter disk and has the following dimensions: Length L 180 mm, Width W 150 mm, Depth D 3 mm. The computer keyboard  200  also includes a cover  270  that covers the storage area  260  to define a compartment in the computer keyboard that is openable and closeable such that a user can contain objects within the storage area and remove objects from the storage area. Hence, the cover  270  is moveable from a closed position illustrated in FIG. 7 to an open position illustrated in FIG. 8. When at the closed position, the cover  270  covers the storage area  260  to retain objects therein. When at the open position, the storage area  260  is exposed and accessible by a user such that the user can insert objects into the storage area  260  and remove previously stored objects from the storage area. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover  270  is removeably attached to the housing  203  via a combination of retaining members  272   a,b . The retaining members  272   a  are protrusions while the retaining member  272   b  is a flexible clip. Together, the retaining members  272   a,b  retain the cover to the housing  203  to keep the cover in the closed position illustrated in FIG. 7. When the user desires access to the storage area  260 , the user flexes the clip  272   b  away from the housing and lifts the cover away from the housing  103  to an open position, such as illustrated in FIG. 8. Because the storage area  260  is part of the computer keyboard, users of the keyboard have an easily recollected location in which computer readable medium and/or paperwork may be stored for future use.  
     [0060] The computer keyboard  300  includes a housing  303  having recessed walls  362   a,b  that each are recessed from a bottom side  307  of the keyboard (opposite from the upper side where the keys are located). Each recessed wall  362   a,b  at least partially separates an interior area in which the keys move from a respective storage area  360   a,b . In the illustrated embodiment, the storage area  360   a  is sized to receive a memory card and has the following dimensions: Length L 60 mm, Width W 100 mm, Depth D 20 mm. The storage area  360   a  is sized to receive paperwork and/or disks and has the following dimensions: Length L 150 mm, Width W 180 mm, Depth D 20 mm. The computer keyboard  300  also includes cover  370   a,b  that each covers the respective storage area  360   a,b  to define compartments in the computer keyboard that each are openable and closeable such that a user can contain objects within the storage areas and remove objects from the storage areas. Hence, the covers  370   a,b  are moveable from the closed positions illustrated in FIG. 9 to the open positions illustrated in FIG. 10. When at the closed positions, the respective covers  370   a,b  cover the respective storage areas  360   a,b  to retain objects therein. When at the open positions, the respective storage areas  360   a,b  are exposed and accessible by a user such that the user can insert objects into the respective storage areas  360   a,b  and remove previously stored objects from the respective storage areas. In the illustrated embodiment, the covers  370   a,b  are pivotably attached to the housing  303  via a hinge connection and are retained to the housing via retaining members  372   a,b , which are rotatable locks. Each lock  372   a,b  retains the respective cover  370   a,b  to the housing  303  to keep the cover in the closed position illustrated in FIG. 9. When the user desires access to the storage areas  360   a,b , the user rotates the locks  371   a,b  and pivots the covers away from the housing  103  to an open position, such as that illustrated in FIG. 10. Because the storage areas  360   a,b  are part of the computer keyboard, users of the keyboard have an easily recollected location in which computer readable medium and/or paperwork may be stored for future use.  
     [0061] The computer keyboard  400  includes a housing  403  having a recessed wall  462  that is recessed from a bottom side  407  of the keyboard (opposite from the upper side where the keys are located). The recessed wall  462  at least partially separates an interior area in which the keys move from the storage area  460 . In the illustrated embodiment, the storage area  460  has the following dimensions: Length L 340 mm, Width W 130 mm, Depth D 20 mm. The computer keyboard  400  also includes a cover  470  that covers the storage area  460  to define a compartment in the computer keyboard that is openable and closeable such that a user can contain objects within the storage area and remove objects from the storage area. Hence, the cover  470  is moveable from a closed position illustrated in FIG. 11 to an open position illustrated in FIG. 12. When at the closed position, the cover  470  covers the storage area  460  to retain objects therein. When at the open position, the storage area  460  is exposed and accessible by a user such that the user can insert objects into the storage area  460  and remove previously stored objects from the storage area. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover  470  is slideably attached to the housing  403  via a retaining member  472 , which is a slide and groove device. When the user desires access to the storage area  460 , the user slides the cover from the closed position illustrated in FIG. 11 to the open position illustrated in FIG. 12. Because the storage area  460  is part of the computer keyboard, users of the keyboard have an easily recollected location in which computer readable medium and/or paperwork may be stored for future use.  
     [0062] Similar to the computer keyboard  400 , the computer keyboard  500  includes a housing  503  having a recessed wall  562  that is recessed from a bottom side  507  of the keyboard (opposite from the upper side where the keys are located). The recessed wall  562  at least partially separates an interior area in which the keys move from the storage area  560 . In the illustrated embodiment, the storage area  560  has the following dimensions: Length L 340 mm, Width W 130 mm,. Depth D 20 mm. The computer keyboard  500  also includes a cover  570  that covers the storage area  560  to define a compartment in the computer keyboard that is openable and closeable such that a user can contain objects within the storage area and remove objects from the storage area. Hence, the cover  570  is moveable from a closed position illustrated in FIG. 13 to an open position illustrated in FIG. 14. When at the closed position, the cover  570  covers the storage area  560  to retain objects therein. When at the open position, the storage area  560  is exposed and accessible by a user such that the user can insert objects into the storage are  560  and remove previously stored objects from the storage area. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover  570  is slideably attached to the housing  503  via a retaining member (not illustrated), which is a slide and groove device inside the housing  103 . When the user desires access to the storage area  560 , the user slides the cover from the closed position illustrated in FIG. 13 into the housing to the open position illustrated in FIG. 14. Because the storage area  560  is part of the computer keyboard, users of the keyboard have an easily recollected location in which computer readable medium and/or paperwork may be stored for future use.  
     [0063] The computer keyboard  600  includes a housing  603  having recessed walls  662   a,b . The recessed wall  662   b  is recessed from a bottom side  607  of the keyboard (opposite from the upper side where the keys are located), while the recessed wall  662   a  is recessed from a transverse side  610  of the housing that is approximately transverse to the bottom side  607 . Each recessed wall  662   a,b  at least partially separates an interior area in which the keys move from a respective storage area  660   a,b . In the illustrated embodiment, the storage area  660   a  has the following dimensions: Length L 200 mm, Width W 150 mm, Depth D 20 mm. The storage area  660   b  is sized to receive a compact disk and has the following dimensions: Length L 130 mm, Width W 130 mm, Depth D 5 mm. The computer keyboard  600  also includes a cover  670   a  that covers the storage area  660   a  to define a compartment in the computer keyboard that is openable and closeable such that a user can contain objects within the storage area  660   a  and remove objects from the storage area. Hence, the cover  670   a  is pivotable from a closed position illustrated in FIG. 15 to an open position illustrated in FIG. 16. When at the closed position, the cover  670   a  covers the storage area  660   a  to retain objects therein. When at the open position, the storage area  660   a  is exposed and accessible by a user such that the user can insert objects into the storage area  660   a  and remove previously stored objects from the storage area. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover  670   a  is pivotably attached to the housing  603  via a hinge connection and is retained to the housing via retaining members (not illustrated). When the user desires access to the storage area  660   a , the user rotates the cover  670  away from the side  609  of the housing  103  to an open position illustrated in FIG. 16. Because the storage area  660   a  is part of the computer keyboard, users of the keyboard have an easily recollected location in which computer readable medium and/or paperwork may be stored for future use. As is illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16, the storage area  660   b  does not include a cover. Rather the storage area is open or exposed for immediate access and includes a disk holding hub  674  that holds one or more disk-type portable secondary storage devices in a fixed location within the storage area  660   b . The disk holding hub  674  protrudes from the recessed surface  662 . To use the disk holding hub, a user will attached a disk to the hub such that the storage area  660   b  stores the disk therein.  
     [0064] The computer keyboard  700  includes a housing  703  having a recessed wall  762 . The recessed wall  762  is recessed from a bottom side  707  of the keyboard (opposite from the upper side where the keys are located). The recessed wall  762  at least partially separates an interior area in which the keys move from a storage area  760 . The storage area  760  is sized to receive a receptacle  40 , which is a flexible or stiff container that holds objects, such as the computer readable medium  50  and computer related documents. In the illustrated embodiment, the receptacle  40  is a flexible folder having a pocket  42  that is sized to receive at least a computer readable medium  50 . The pocket  42  is openable and closeable by a flap  44 . As is illustrated in FIG. 18, the receptacle  40  is releaseably coupled to the recessed wall  762  by a coupling mechanism  730  such that the receptacle may be repeatedly attached to and unattached from the keyboard  700 . The coupling mechanism  730  is a hook and loop mechanism, but may be other coupling mechanisms, such as a lock and key mechanism, a fastener, a clip, a button, a snap, or other known coupling mechanism. A user of the computer keyboard  700  can contain objects within the storage area  760  and remove objects from the storage area via the receptacle  40 . Hence, a user can store an object in the pocket  42  of the receptacle  40  and then attach the receptacle to the wall  762  via the coupling  730  such that the receptacle  40  (and any objects stored therein) are stored in the storage area  760 . FIG. 17 illustrates the receptacle  40  attached to the computer keyboard and located within the storage area  760 , while FIG. 18 illustrates the receptacle  40  removed from the storage area  760 . Thus, a user can insert objects into the storage area  760  and remove previously stored objects from the storage area. FIG. 19 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a receptacle  40   a  for use with the computer keyboard  700 . The receptacle  40   a  includes a number of foldable segments  46   a  each having a pockets  42  in the form of a sleeve sized to receive a disk-type computer readable medium  50 . Like the receptacle  40 , the receptacle  40   a  includes a coupling mechanism (not illustrated) such that the receptacle may be repeatedly attached and unattached from the interior of the storage area  760  of the keyboard  700 . In an alternative embodiment of the computer keyboard  700 , the receptacle  40  is permanently attached within the storage area  760 , such as by an adhesive or interference fit attachment.  
     [0065] Rather than having a cover that can be slid, swung away, or removed to access a storage area, a storage container or receptacle can itself be slidable, hinged or removable. For example, the storage container or receptacle can be a bin-shaped container (or a box-shaped container, a rectangular pocket-shaped container, or a slidable tray that fits in a slot or pocket). A bin-shaped container can be slidably attached with the opening upward (thus forming a drawer), removable (with the open part of the bin up when the bin is attached to the keyboard in normal position), or hinged, e.g., with the hinge side toward the back of the keyboard. Likewise, a tray can slide out of a horizontally arranged slot or pocket to expose one or more storage locations, e.g., one or more disk holding hubs, sleeves, or retaining straps. Such trays will generally slide out on a side, e.g., lateral or front side.  
     [0066] In yet another configuration, a storage care can include one or more brackets, straps or bands to retain stored materials, either directly or in storage receptacles. Thus, for example, disks can be placed in a cassette or other disk storage device that is retained in a bracket, e.g., a T-shaped bracket that retains the cassette on 3 sides. The cassette or other device can be held in various ways, e.g., by friction against the bracket or by using a retainer over an open side of a bracket, such as a rigid or flexible strap, band, or latch.  
     [0067] All patents and other references cited in the specification are indicative of the level of skill of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, and are incorporated by reference in their entireties, including any tables and figures, to the same extent as if each reference had been incorporated by reference in its entirety individually.  
     [0068] One skilled in the art would readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The methods, variances, and compositions described herein as presently representative of preferred embodiments are exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art, which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention, are defined by the scope of the claims.  
     [0069] It will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that varying substitutions and modifications may be made to the invention disclosed herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, other materials may be used to construct keyboards and storage areas. Thus, such additional embodiments are within the scope of the present invention and the following claims.  
     [0070] The invention illustratively described herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitations which is not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, for example, in each instance herein any of the terms “comprising”, “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of” may be replaced with either of the other two terms. The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention that in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed. Thus, it should be understood that although the present invention has been specifically disclosed by preferred embodiments and optional features, modification and variation of the concepts herein disclosed may be resorted to by those skilled in the art, and that such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.  
     [0071] In addition, where features or aspects of the invention are described in terms of Markush groups or other grouping of alternatives, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group or other group.  
     [0072] Also, unless indicated to the contrary, where various numerical values are provided for embodiments, additional embodiments are described by taking any 2 different values as the endpoints of a range. Such ranges are also within the scope of the described invention.  
     [0073] Thus, additional embodiments are within the scope of the invention and within the following claims.