Abstract:
A method for operating an input device and keyboard for a computer. The input device has controls including an ergonomically shaped input button that receives commands from a user and transmits the commands to the computer via a communication link. Users operate the input device by engaging the lower surfaces of their fingers with lower portions of the input button and engaging side surfaces of their fingers with side portions of the input button. Where the input button is curved as it extends away from the users, the users may also curl their fingers to fit the curve of the input button. The users may then depress the input button vertically downward in one embodiment, or at an acute angle to the vertical in another embodiment, or horizontally in yet another embodiment. In still a further embodiment, the input device may be housed within an opening in the keyboard and the users may detach the input device from the keyboard by removing it from the opening and operate the input device when it is either attached to or detached from the keyboard. In yet another embodiment, left and right input devices are removably attached to the keyboard and the users may operate the left input device with their left hands and the right input device with their right hands.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention is directed toward a method for operating a computer input device and keyboard. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Personal computers are relatively small computers that may be operated from a desktop or other flat work surface. Conventional personal computers typically include a display on the desktop and a processor coupled to the display. A first input device, such as a keyboard, is coupled to the processor to allow a user to transmit alphanumeric commands to the processor. 
     Conventional computers also generally include at least one second input device, such as a mouse, that has a pointing device and one or more input buttons. The pointing device of the second input device may include a roller ball, touch pad, joystick, or similar device used to manipulate or move images on the display. The input buttons of the second input device may be activated by the user to transmit additional commands to the processor. 
     One drawback with a typical second input device is that it may be awkward to use the input buttons. In many conventional second input devices, the input buttons are difficult to operate because they are pads on an upper surface that must be pressed downwardly normal to a desktop or keyboard surface. For example, to adequately engage and quickly press the input buttons, users must generally utilize the muscles and tendons associated with the metacarpal bones of their hands while their first and second fingers are almost fully extended. Activating the input buttons with fully extended fingers may cause the users to suffer strain and/or repetitive stress disorders. If the users attempt to curl their fingers in a more natural position, only their fingertips may engage the input buttons, so that the rest of their fingers are unsupported. As a result, some people may experience fatigue while operating a mouse or other conventional second input devices. Furthermore, when the input buttons are adjacent to each other, an incorrect input button may be depressed inadvertently causing an erroneous signal to be transmitted to the processor. 
     Another drawback with conventional second input devices is that they are generally tailored to be used by either right-handed or left-handed users. As such, if the user needs to operate the second input device with either hand, or if the same computer is operated by both left-handed and right-handed users, separate left-hand and right-hand second input devices may need to be repeatedly interchanged with one another. 
     Still a further drawback with conventional second input devices is that they are generally either a permanent, integral component of the keyboard or a permanent, separate component that may not be attached to the keyboard. Conventional second input devices are thus inconvenient to users who, on some occasions, wish to operate a second input device when it is attached to the keyboard, and on other occasions wish to operate the second input device when it is detached from the keyboard. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a method for operating an input device having an input button operatively coupled to a computer. The input button has a concave engaging surface which includes a lower portion and opposing side portions. The method comprises engaging a lower surface of a human finger with the lower portion of the engaging surface while engaging a side surface of the finger with one of the side portions of the engaging surface. The method may further comprise engaging a tip of the finger with an end portion of the engaging surface positioned adjacent the lower portion and side portions. The method further comprises activating the input button to transmit a command to the computer. For example, the input button may be moved downwardly in a generally vertical direction or at an angle relative to the vertical to transmit the signal. In one embodiment, wherein the engaging surface has a first portion facing one direction and a second portion facing another direction, the method may further comprise curling the finger to engage both first and second portions of the engaging surface. 
     In another embodiment, the input device is removably attached to a keyboard. The method comprises detaching the input device from the keyboard, activating the input button of the input device, and attaching the input device to the keyboard such that a curved outer edge of the input device is generally flush with the curved outer edge of the keyboard. The input button may be activated when the input device is either attached to or detached from the keyboard. 
     In one aspect of this embodiment, the keyboard has first and second ends and at least two input devices, one removably attached to the keyboard toward the first end and another removably attached to the keyboard toward the second end. The method comprises detaching the one input device from the keyboard and activating a first input button of the one input device to transmit a first signal to the processor. The method further comprises detaching the other input device from the keyboard and activating a second input button of the other input device to transmit a second signal to the processor. The user may activate the first input button by engaging the first input button with a finger of the right hand and may activate the second input button by engaging the second input button with a finger of the left hand. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of a computer having a keyboard and two input devices that operate in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a top rear isometric view of the keyboard shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a detailed top isometric view of one of the input devices shown in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 is a top isometric view of an input device having input buttons that operate in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a top rear isometric view of a keyboard and input devices that operate in accordance with still another embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a top isometric view of an input device having a pointing device that operates in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a top isometric view of an input device having a pointing device that operates in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed toward a method for operating an input device and keyboard coupled to a personal computer. The user may attach or detach the input device from the keyboard and may engage input buttons of the input device in a comfortable position. Many specific details of certain embodiments of the invention are set forth in the following description and in FIGS. 1-7 to provide a thorough understanding of such embodiments. One skilled in the art, however, will understand that the present invention may have additional embodiments and may be practiced without several of the details described in the following description. 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of a computer  20  having a display  21  coupled to a base  22 . The base  22  is positioned on a flat work surface  23 , such as a desktop, and is coupled to a processor  24  by a cable  25 . A first input device, such as a keyboard  30 , is positioned on the work surface  23  adjacent the base  22 , and the first input device is also coupled to the processor  24  by another cable  25 . The keyboard  30  includes a plurality of input keys  36  and a pair of second input devices  50  (only one shown in FIG.  1 ). The second input devices  50  are each coupled to the processor  24  by a communication link  80 . A user (not shown) transmits signals to the processor  24  via the communication link  80  and the cables  25  by manipulating the second input devices  50  and the input keys  36 . 
     FIG. 2 is a top rear isometric view of an embodiment of the keyboard  30  that operates in accordance with the invention. The keyboard  30  includes a keyboard housing  41  having an upwardly facing top surface  31  and a downwardly facing bottom surface  32  opposite the top surface. A forward surface  33  facing toward the user and a rear surface  34  facing away from the user both extend between the top and bottom surfaces  31  and  32 . 
     The top surface  31  may have a curved outer edge  43 , and in one embodiment, both the top surface  31  and bottom surface  32  have a generally oval shape to orient the input keys  36  and the second input devices  50  in ergonomic positions. In other embodiments, the top and bottom surfaces  31  and  32  may have other shapes that similarly orient the input keys  36  and the second input devices  50  in positions that are comfortable for the user. 
     The top surface  31  includes a plurality of input key apertures  35  (shown by reference numbers  35   a ,  35   b  and  35   c ) from which the input keys  36  project. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the input key apertures  35   a  and  35   b  may each accommodate approximately half a standard QWERTY input key configuration and may be canted toward each other to orient the user&#39;s hands in an ergonomic position. The input key aperture  35   c  may be shaped to accommodate additional input keys  36 , such as number keys, function keys or other types of input keys. 
     The top surface  31  further includes two device openings or bays  37  (shown by reference numbers  37   a  and  37   b ) positioned toward opposite ends of the keyboard  30 . Each opening  37  is configured to removably receive one of the second input devices  50  (indicated by reference numbers  50   a  and  50   b ). Accordingly, the top surface  31  may include a right opening  37   a  to receive one second input device  50   a  and a left opening  37   b  to receive the other second input device  50   b . Each of the second input devices  50  may be moved into and out of an opening  37  between an attached position and a detached position. For purposes of illustration, the second input device  50   a  is shown in the detached position, and the second input device  50   b  is shown in the attached position. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the second input devices  50  may be operated by the user when in either the attached or the detached positions. 
     FIG. 3 is a detailed top isometric view of the second input device  50   a  shown in FIG.  2 . The components and features of one second input device  50   a  may be similar to those of the other second input device  50   b , and thus, unless otherwise noted, the description and reference numbers of the second input device  50   a  apply generally to the second input device  50   b . Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the second input device  50   a  has a device housing  51  (FIG. 3) with an upper surface  53  (FIG.  3 ), a lower surface  54  (FIG.  3 ), and an outer surface  60  extending between the upper and lower surfaces  53  and  54 . The outer surface  60  has a front portion  55  (FIG. 3) facing toward the user and a rear portion  56  facing away from the user when the user operates the second input device  50   a . The upper surface  53  may include a convex region  62  between the front and rear portions  55  and  56  to support the palm of a user&#39;s hand. A plurality of controls  61  may be positioned at least partially rearward of the convex region  62  at the rear portion  56  of the housing  51 . Signals generated by the controls  61  are transmitted to the processor  24  (FIG. 1) via the communication link  80 , which may include a cable  81  extending from the rear portion  56 . 
     The controls  61  may include a pointing device  70  to move images on the display  21  (FIG. 1) and two input buttons  90  to transmit command signals to the processor  24  (FIG.  1 ). As shown in FIG. 3, the pointing device  70  may include a roller ball  71  projecting upwardly from the upper surface  53 . The roller ball  71  may be rotated relative to the housing  51  to move a pointing icon across the display  21 . As discussed below with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, other pointing devices may be used in the second input devices  50  in other embodiments. 
     Still referring to FIG. 3, the input buttons  90  may be positioned within the device housing  51  in two button apertures  52 . The button apertures  52  and the input buttons  90  may have an elongated dimension extending along finger axes A 1 -A 1  and A 2 -A 2 . Additionally, each input button  90  may have a top surface  98  extending along one of the finger axes A 1 -A 1  or A 2 -A 2  to engage and support a substantial portion of a user&#39;s finger in operation. The top surface  98  of each input button  90 , more specifically, may have a proximal section  92  extending along one of the finger axes and a distal section  99  curving downwardly from the corresponding finger axis toward the lower surface  54  of the housing  51 . The proximal section  92  may have a length between approximately 1.25″ and approximately 5.0″, and the distal section  99  may have a length between approximately 0.5″ and 2.0″. The curve between the proximal section  92  and the distal section  99  may be proximate to the back portion  56  of the housing  51 . The top surface  98  of each button  90  is accordingly shaped to conform to a finger of the user when the distal phalange of the finger (i.e., the portion of the finger located between the last knuckle and the finger tip) is bent or curled slightly downwardly. As a result, the user&#39;s fingers may bend over the input buttons  90  in an ergonomic position such that the distal phalanges are engaged by the distal section  99  and the intermediate and/or the proximal phalanges (located progressively closer to the user&#39;s hand) are engaged by the proximal section  92 . To accommodate the curvature of the input buttons  90 , the button apertures  52  may extend through both the upper surface  53  and the back portion  56  of the housing  51 . Additionally, the distal sections  99  of the input buttons  90  are accessible through the opening  37  in the keyboard housing  31  (FIG. 2) when the second input device  50  is attached to the keyboard  30  (FIG.  2 ). 
     The top surface  98  of the input buttons  90  may also be contoured to engage more surface area of the user&#39;s finger. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the top surface  98  is generally concave relative to the upper surface  53  and the back portion  56  of the housing  51 . Additionally, each top surface  98  may also have a rounded lower portion  95  to support the lower surface of the user&#39;s finger, and each top surface  98  may have side portions  93  to engage the side surfaces of the user&#39;s finger. The overall width of the top surface  98  may be between approximately 0.375″ and approximately 1.5″ The edges of the side portions  93  may be flush with the upper surface  53  of the housing  51  (shown in FIG.  3 ), or they may project slightly above or below the upper surface  53 . Additionally, an end portion  96  of each distal section  99  may be rounded. 
     In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the input buttons  90  are movable relative to the device housing  51  along a motion path indicated by arrow  97  between a raised position (shown in FIG. 3) and a depressed position (not shown). To activate the input buttons  90 , the user vertically depresses the input buttons  90  in a conventional manner by pivoting the proximal and/or intermediate phalange of the user&#39;s finger relative to the user&#39;s hand. In another embodiment, also shown in FIG. 3, the input buttons  90  are movable horizontally as indicated by arrow  97   a  between an extended position (shown in FIG. 3) and a retracted position (not shown) by pivoting the distal and/or the intermediate phalanges of the user&#39;s fingers. In either case, users may rest their index fingers on one of the input buttons  90  and one of their middle fingers on the other input button to selectively activate either button. Of course, the input buttons  90  may be activated with other digits as well. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the controls  61  of the second input device  50   a  are arranged so that right-handed users may engage one input button  90  with their index finger, the other input button  90  with one of their middle fingers, and the pointing device  70  with their thumb. The arrangement of the input buttons  90  and the pointing device  70  of the second input device  50   b  generally mirror the arrangement of the second input device  50   a , except that the controls  61  of the second input device  50   b  are operated by the left hand of a user. 
     As discussed above, the second input devices  50  may be attached to or detached from the keyboard  30  to be operated in either position. To detach the second input device  50  from the keyboard  30 , the second input device  50  may be pulled upward and out of the opening  37  (FIG.  2 ). To attach the second input device  50  to the keyboard  30 , the second input device  50  may be inserted downward into the opening  37 . In another embodiment (not shown) in which the rear surface  34  of the keyboard  30  does not extend partially around the back portion  56  of the second input device  50 , the second input device  50  may be slid horizontally into the device opening  37 . When the second input device  50  is attached to the keyboard  30 , the outer surface  60  of second input device  50  may be flush with the curved outer edge  43  of the keyboard  30  to define a smooth contour along the backside of the keyboard  30 . 
     The second input devices  50  may also be prevented from passing through the bottom surface  32  of the keyboard  30 . Referring to FIG. 2, for example, a plurality of tabs  38  may project inwardly into each device opening  37  from the bottom surface  32  of the keyboard  30  to prevent the corresponding second input devices  50  from passing entirely through the device opening  37 . Alternatively, the outer surface  60  of the second input device  50  and an inner surface  46  of the opening  37  may be tapered inwardly so that the second input device  50  wedges against the inner surface  46  when it is attached to the keyboard  30 . 
     The second input device  50  may also be releasably secured to the keyboard  30  with latching device  44 . In one embodiment, the latching device  44  includes a pair of first engagement members  42  that may be aligned with corresponding second engagement members  58  in the outer surface  60  of the second input device  50 . The first engagement members  42  may be spring-loaded balls biased inwardly toward the center of the device opening  37 , and the second engagement members  58  may be sockets in the second input device  50  that receive the balls  42  when the second input device is placed within the opening  37 . In other embodiments, the latching device  44  may have a tab (not shown) that snaps into a detent (not shown) or other mechanisms that releasably secure the second input devices  50  to the keyboard  30 . 
     The second input devices  50  and the keyboard  30  shown in FIGS. 1-3 may be more comfortable and less fatiguing to use than conventional input devices and keyboards. For example, because the input buttons  90  have an elongated proximal section  92  and a distal section  99  curved downward from the proximal section  92 , each input button supports a substantial portion of a user&#39;s finger even when the finger is flexed at the knuckles in an ergonomic position. Accordingly, users may bend their fingers over the input buttons  90  in a relaxed position, potentially reducing the likelihood for fatigue and/or repetitive stress disorders. 
     The second input devices  50  and the keyboard  30  may also be easier to use compared to conventional devices because the input buttons  90  may have concave top surfaces  98  to engage both the lower and side surfaces of the user&#39;s fingers. The concave shape of the top surfaces may potentially reduce the likelihood of inadvertently depressing the incorrect input button because they make it easier to feel the location of the buttons. As such, the second input devices  50  may be easier to use. As such, the second input devices  50  may be easier to use. 
     The second input device  50  and the keyboard  30  shown in FIGS. 1-3 also enhance the convenience and flexibility to operating the computer. Referring to FIG. 2, the keyboard  30  includes two second input devices  50   a  and  50   b  that are configured to be engaged by the user&#39;s right hand and left hand, respectively. Accordingly, users may operate either the right input device  50   a  or the left input device  50   b , depending on their preference. Furthermore, unlike conventional keyboards and input devices, multiple users with different preferences may operate the same keyboard  30  without having to replace one input device with another that more closely accommodates an individual user&#39;s dexterity. 
     The second input device  50  and the keyboard  30  shown in FIGS. 1-3 may also enhance the versatility and convenience of the computer  20  because the second input devices  50  are accessible to the user in either the detached or attached positions. For example, in particularly cramped or confined situations, the second input device  50  may be operated in the attached position. Conversely, in less confined environments, the user may detach the second input device  50  and operate it apart from the keyboard  30 . 
     FIG. 4 is a top isometric view of another second input device  150   a  having input buttons  190  that operate in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 4, each input button  190  is canted about a corresponding finger axis A 1 -A 1  or A 2 -A 2  from the vertical, as indicated by angle α, so that a distal section  199  of each input button  190  is inclined toward the pointing device  70 . The button apertures  52  are shaped to accommodate the canted input buttons  190 . The motion path  197  along which each input button  190  travels as it is activated is also canted so as to form an acute angle β with the housing upper surface  53 . An advantage of the canted input buttons  190  shown in FIG. 4 is that users may rotate their wrists slightly outward when operating the input buttons  190 . This orientation may be more comfortable and produce less strain in the tendons of the user&#39;s hands and fingers. 
     FIG. 5 is a top isometric view of another keyboard  230  with two second input devices  250  (shown by reference numbers  250   a  and  250   b ) having rounded outer surfaces  260  and smoothly contoured upper surfaces  253  that operate in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Accordingly, a top surface  231  of the keyboard  230  may be smoothly contoured with both the rear surface  234  and the forward surface  233  to form a rounded outer edge  243 . Two openings  237  (shown by reference numbers  237   a  and  237   b ) in the keyboard  230  are open to both the top surface  231  and the rear surface  234  to receive the second input devices  250 . The outer surfaces  260  and the top surfaces  253  of the input devices  250  may be generally flush with the outer edge  243  and the top surface  231  of the keyboard  230  when the input devices  250  are positioned in the device openings  237 . 
     As shown in FIG. 5, each opening  237  has an open end  239  in the top surface  231  and a closed end  240  in the bottom surface  232 . Accordingly, the second input device  250  rests on the closed end  240  in the attached position so as not to pass completely through the device opening  237 . As discussed above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, each second input device  250  may include a pair of sockets  58  to receive spring-loaded balls  42  positioned in the inner surface  46  of the device opening  237  to secure the second input device  250  to the keyboard  230 . The top surface  231  of the keyboard  230  may include a finger slot  245  at each opening  237  to more easily detach the second input devices  250  from the keyboard  230 . 
     Each second input device  250  may be operatively coupled to the computer  20  (FIG. 1) by a wireless communication link  280  having a transmitter  282  in the second input device  250  and a receiver  283  in the base  22  (FIG.  1 ). The controls  61  send command signals to the transmitter  282 , which broadcasts the signals at a selected frequency to the receiver  283 . In one embodiment, the transmitter  282  and receiver  283  operate with infrared signals, and in another embodiment the transmitter  282  and receiver  283  operate at radio frequencies. As shown in FIG. 5, the transmitter  282  may be positioned in the back portion  256  of the second input device  250  to be aligned with the receiver  283  when the second input device  250  is either attached to or detached from the keyboard  230 . 
     The curved second input device  250  and the curved keyboard  230  shown in FIG. 5 may be more comfortably gripped than a conventional square edged keyboard and input device. Additionally, the wireless communication link  280  allows the second input device  250  to be moved to a variety of positions to allow more convenient operation of the second input device  250 . 
     Still another advantage of the keyboard  230  is that the closed end  240  of the opening  237  may more completely support the second input device  250  when the second input device is in the attached position. The closed end  240  may also prevent the second input device from being inadvertently bumped upwardly out of the opening  237  from below. Conversely, an advantage of the device opening  37  shown in FIG. 2 is that it may allow the input device to be more easily removed from the opening because the device opening  37  is open to the bottom surface  32  of the keyboard. 
     In addition to the pointing device  70  shown in FIGS. 1-5, the second input device may include several other pointing mechanisms. As shown in FIG. 6, for example, the pointing device  370  may be a touch-sensitive pad  373  to move images on the display  21  (FIG. 1) corresponding to the motion of the user&#39;s fingers on the surface of the touch pad  373 . In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 7, the pointing device  470  may be a joystick  472  that pivots with respect to the housing  51 . An advantage of the touch pad  373  and joystick  472  is that either one may be preferred by certain users over the roller ball  71  shown in FIGS. 1-5. 
     From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the second input devices shown in the figures may include more than two input buttons and/or more than one pointing device. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.