Abstract:
A keyboard support arm assembly includes the keyboard platform having a planar surface and upon which is projected a virtual keyboard the projection being by means of a projection device having virtual image capability and having the capability of reading on a site-by-site basis the position and existence of or status of any manual digit input signal.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    In a principal aspect, the present invention relates to an integral virtual keyboard and keyboard support arm assembly.  
           [0002]    With the advent of the computer and the personal computer, installation of a keyboard support arm in an office or other environments has become commonplace. Typically a keyboard support arm includes a keyboard support platform mounted on an adjustable bracket which is, in turn, pivotally attached to one or more arms that are linked to the underside of a desk surface. Various linkages and features of such combinations are disclosed in prior art references including the following:  
                                                       U.S. Pat. No.   Title   Issue Date                           4,616,798   Adjustable support for CRT   Oct. 14, 1986               Keyboard           4,632,349   Support Assembly   Dec. 30, 1986           4,790,611   Adjustable Work Surface   Dec. 13, 1988           4,826,123   Adjustable Keyboard Support   May 2, 1989           4,843,978   Table with Vertically   Jul. 4, 1989               Adjustable Work Surface           4,988,066   Selectively Controlled   Jan. 29, 1991               Keyboard Support           5,037,054   Adjustable Support   Aug. 6, 1991               Mechanism for a Keyboard               Platform           5,145,136   Adjustable Support   Sep. 8, 1992               Mechanism for a Keyboard               Platform           5,257,767   Adjustable Support   Nov. 2, 1993               Mechanism for a Keyboard               Platform                                  
 
           [0003]    Typically with respect to such devices, a personal computer or a keyboard is placed on a surface platform. The platform is then adjusted to the right level, pitch, yaw and extent of separation from the desk support for the particular operator. Also, typically, a brake mechanism is utilized to lock the keyboard support platform in a specific, desired orientation or position. Additionally, various mechanisms have been devised to release the platform from a locked position and to permit the ease of adjustment and storage of the platform when not in use.  
           [0004]    In all instances, the platform is configured and positioned in a manner which will support a keyboard or a personal computer. The keyboard or personal computer will have a fixed weight which requires that the platform be manufactured in a manner which will support such a weight. Additionally, the platform must be made in a manner which enables the use of ancillary elements or features such as a mouse and incorporation of ergonomic features such as wrist support pads.  
           [0005]    There has remained, however, the necessity to provide a keyboard support platform and assembly which combines with projected images and apparatus which projects such images, but which is capable of adjustment to a level, yaw, pitch and separation from a support surface without distortion of the project image.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    Briefly, the present invention comprises the combination of a keyboard support arm assembly and a virtual projection monitor which is mounted on the top edge of the keyboard support platform of the assembly in a manner that enables undistorted projection of a virtual, keyboard image onto a flat, planar projection surface of the platform and so that the image is properly positioned for engagement of site specific elements thereof by an operator or typist. Additionally, the keyboard support arm assembly includes an arrangement of ergonomic pads which to facilitate utilization of the support platform, and more particularly, in combination with a virtual keyboard image projected thereon.  
           [0007]    Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved keyboard support arm assembly.  
           [0008]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a keyboard support arm assembly which is combined with apparatus for projecting a virtual keyboard image onto a projection surface of the keyboard platform associated with the keyboard support art assembly.  
           [0009]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a keyboard support arm assembly which permits adjustment of the keyboard support platform in any one of a number of independent ways including adjustment of the pitch, yaw, and level of the platform and the extent of spacing of the platform from the desk support associated with the platform.  
           [0010]    Further, the support arm assembly desirably includes and it is an object thereof to include means for adjustment of the support arm assembly and for support of the parts utilized to implement usage of the virtual image on the keyboard support platform.  
           [0011]    These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0012]    In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures:  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of the combination of the invention;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 1 wherein the keyboard arm and the virtual projection monitor are in an operating position; and  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in the storage position.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0017]    Referring to the figures, a flat planar keyboard support platform  10  includes an undercarriage comprising a mounting bracket  12  attached to the platform  10 . Pivotally connected to the bracket  10  about pivot axes  11 ,  13  are first and second linkage arms  14  and  16 . The arms  14  and  16  are, in turn, pivotally attached at separate pivot points  15 ,  17  to an undercarriage bracket  18 . The undercarriage bracket  18  is pivotal about a vertical axis  20 . The bracket  18  is thus attached to a sliding plate  22  which slides in channels  24  and  26  on the underside of a desk support surface  28 .  
         [0018]    The platform  10  may be raised and lowered and adjusted in any of a number of ways by virtue of the connecting mechanism between the platform  10  and the desk surface  28 . Thus, the platform  10  may be moved inwardly and outwardly as a result of the mounting of the plate  22  in the sliding channels  26  and  27 . The bracket  18  may be pivoted about the vertical pivot axis  20 . The arms  14  and  16  which are pivotally connected to brackets  12  and  18 , respectively, again may be pivoted to raise and lower the platform  10 . The pitch of the platform, in other words, the tilt thereof may be adjusted by virtue of a mechanism connecting the platform  10  to the bracket  12 . The yaw or roll of the platform  10  may also be adjusted by a mechanism associated with the bracket  12 .  
         [0019]    Numerous patents illustrate various alternative constructions for attaching a platform  10  to a work surface  28  and those patents listed in the Background of the Invention are incorporated herewith by reference.  
         [0020]    Importantly, the platform  10  comprises a general flat, planar image receiving surface having a bottom or lower edge  40  and upper or top edge  42 , a first side edge  44  and a second spaced, side edge  46 . In this preferred embodiment the platform  10  includes a generally flat planar surface  48 . The platform  10  further includes a wrist rest pad  50  along the front edge  40 . The platform  10  is desirably perfectly planar and includes a projector  60  mounted at top edge  42 . The projector  60  is a virtual image projector and projects an image outwardly and downwardly onto the flat surface  48  as depicted in the drawing. The preferred projection comprises a standard keyboard alone or in combination with a key pad operated mouse control  62 . The planar surface  10  thus comprises a keyboard which may actuate, for example, a personal computer or a computer via a connection of the sensory equipment associated with the projector  60 . Projectors and sensors of the type described are available through Siemens of Hanover, Germany or directly through VKV, Inc. if Israel, the disclosure and description of which is incorporated herewith by reference.  
         [0021]    Importantly the platform  48  is a flat and even texture throughout so that the projection from the projector  60  will be uniform and complete. However, alternative surface treatments, colors, textures, and the like may be utilized in the practice of the invention. For example, a projection of red or blue images upon a colored background may be provided to reduce eye strain and other physical strain that is associated with extended periods of typing. Further, by permitting adjustment and then fixing of the platform  10  in space relative to the desk  28 , an ergonomic benefit can be achieved. An ergonomic benefit can be enhanced by utilization of proper pads such as pad  50  for support of the wrist. Positioning of the projector  60  along the top edge  42  ensures that the orientation position, size, and use of the input image projected on the platform will be useful.  
         [0022]    The surface of the keyboard  10  may also be coated with an elastic or shock absorbing material to reduce finger strain such as a layer of foam rubber ( 11  in FIG. 3). As a further alternative, the keyboard  10  may support a flexible cloth or fabric keyboard such as made by Logitech. Placement of a hook and loop fastening mechanism (Velcro fastener) on the under surface of a fabric pad,  13  in FIG. 4, will facilitate placement and retention of the fabric keyboard device on the keyboard  10 . In such a circumstance, the fabric pad  13  is utilized in conjunction with a pilot sized processor rather than a projector  60 .  
         [0023]    It is possible to vary the construction of the support assembly to otherwise accommodate the flat, planar platform which preferably is monochromatic but which may be multicolored and may be patterned, for example, to coincide with the projection of the projector  50 . In this manner a fail-safe mechanism may be provided in that, so long as the projection image is substantially identical to the preset image on the platform surface.