Abstract:
A plurality of embodiments of improved ergonomic keyboards of the present invention that provide a natural flow for keyboardists to have efficient wrists, hands, and arms postures with grid key arrangements at optimal angel, in which typing activities are distributed to stronger fingers and thumbs. One or more heuristics comprise a heuristic of one or more finger contacts on the integral section, the built-in touchpad, a heuristic of one or more finger contacts on one or more keycaps correspond to one or more instructions to be processed by one or more microcontrollers and/or processors. In addition to the low profile key elevation, built-in ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) lights, and the modular keyboard housing that provides extended support to the keyboardist&#39; palms and maintain the wrists, arms, shoulders at natural positions for healthy typing experience.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
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                 U.S. Patent References 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Primary 
               
               
                 Patent Number 
                 Title of Invention 
                 Issue Date 
                 Patentee 
                 Class 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 US20140152568 
                 Data Entry keyboard 
                 June, 2014 
                 Streitz et. al. 
                 345/168 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 8,289,684 
                 Computer keyboard 
                 October, 2012 
                 Kinesis et. al. 
                 361/679.17 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 7,338,224 
                 Ergonomic keyboard 
                 March, 2008 
                 Jones et al. 
                 400/489 
               
               
                   
                 apparatus 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 6,802,662 
                 Non-linear ergonomic 
                 October, 2004 
                 Cheng et al. 
                 400/489 
               
               
                   
                 keyboard 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 6,404,621 
                 Laptop computer with 
                 June, 2002 
                 Zamora et al. 
                 361/680 
               
               
                   
                 ergonomically enhanced 
               
               
                   
                 interface features 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 6,379,060 
                 Ergonomic keyboard 
                 April, 2002 
                 Louis 
                 400/489 
               
               
                   
                 apparatus and method of 
               
               
                   
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                 Keyboard improvements 
                 December, 2001 
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                 U.S. Pat. No. 5,731,808 
                 Ergonomic keyboard 
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                 U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,253 
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                 apparatus 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,040 
                 Ergonomic keyboard 
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                 U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,488 
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                 U.S. Pat. No. 2,040,248 
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                 197/100 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Other References 
               
               
                 American National Standard for Human Factors Engineering of Display Terminal Workstations, The Human Factor Society, 1988, 7 pgs. 
               
               
                 How to learn typing on the US standard 101 keyboard known as a Qwerty keyboard. http://www.powertyping.com/qwerty.html, 2010 
               
               
                 Human Factors Engineering of Computer Workstations, Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 2002, 11 pages. 
               
               
                 Kinesis Contoured Keyboards, http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/contoured.htm, 2005. 
               
               
                 W. Marklin, Simoneau, and F. Monroe&#39;s “Wrist and Forearm Posture from Typing on a Split and Vertically Inclined Computer Keyboards. Human Factors, 41(4), 559-569 (1995). 
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to improvements on ergonomic keyboards to transmit instructions, messages to computerized devices, computer-implemented methods, data entry terminals, electromechanical typewriters, electronic consoles, cash registers, or the like apparatuses. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    In original typewriters, each key was attached to a lever. Each row was arranged diagonally to leave space for the adjacent row of keys. There have been designs of ergonomic keyboards that attempted to give keyboard users efficient results wherein the keyboard is divided into two angular sections with gable angles. These keyboards can be more specifically described as “fixed-split Keyboards”, “adjustable-split keyboards”, and “contoured keyboards” as shown in is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 8,289,684 (2012). U.S. Pat. No. 2,040,248 (1936) issued to August Dvorak and U.S. Patent No. US20140152568 (2014) attempted to rearrange characters which caused learnability difficult. Yet the zigzagged or staggered layout of the keys has virtually remained unchanged for over 140 years. 
         [0004]    US patent D387, 340 in  FIG. 1  strives to achieve a design with features that provide improving access to keys. Keys are arranged in non-staggered patterns. Such ergonomic design provides consistent key arrangement between rows, enhancing the movements of the fingers and cognitive learning experience, while maintaining QWERTY keyboard layout to inspire keyboardists to adapt to the new key arrangement with minimal efforts. 
         [0005]    Studies have shown that the QWERTY keyboard distributes workloads unevenly among fingers, causing the weaker fingers such as little fingers to be strained leading to low productivity. See e.g., How to learn typing on the US standard 101 keyboard known as a QWERTY keyboard. http://www.powertyping.com/qwerty.html, 2010. In traditional keyboards, keyboardists&#39; hands are bent outward to accommodate the tight space of the home rows between the left and the right hands. The fingers of both hands are forced to move diagonally at the same angle as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The linear key arrangement in QWERTY keyboard places the keyboardists&#39; writs at a skewed angle that contributes to postural muscular strain and/or a leading cause of ulnar deviation disorders for some keyboardists. 
         [0006]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4A , frequently used editing, navigating, modifier, or miscellaneous keys are positioned in the integral section of the keyboard. This key arrangement distributes the amount of typing to the index fingers and thumbs of both hands. The space in the integral section expands the distance between the two hands which further enhances the keyboardists&#39; wrists and hands postures. 
         [0007]    The isosceles trapezoid keys in the integral section guide a plurality of central keys of the left hand and right hand sections at an angle that reduces the unnatural postures which believed to lead to elevated pressure inside the carpal tunnel and to strain muscle structures. The integral section integrates between the left and the right sides, creating an area of the isosceles trapezoid that gives the modifier or control keys their unique shapes. Unlike fixed-split and adjustable-spit keyboards with a gap or an “intermediate zone” between the left and the right sections, the middle section is an integral part which provides a cohesive key arrangement that maximizes accessibility and work load distribution for all fingers of both hands. This factor is useful for cognitive learning and transitioning to the present invention. 
         [0008]    Researchers have reported that pressure inside the carpal tunnel is elevated when the wrist is extended or when the hand is bent upward. See e.g., W. Marklin, Simoneau, and F. Monroe&#39;s “Wrist and Forearm Posture from Typing on a Split and Vertically Inclined Computer Keyboards. Human Factors, 41(4), 559-569 (1995). The ergonomic keyboard provides a built-in palm rest by extending the front face of the keyboard housing to construct a platform for the palms of the hands to rest on in such a way that is natural to wrist extension posture. The planes of the keys are lower to the built-in palm rest to further allow the wrists to be at the neutral angle. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0009]    Some embodiments have attempted to improve deficiencies in the QWERTY keyboard by rearranging the alphabets and special characters. Some embodiments split the QWERTY keyboard into separate sections with a gap in between. However, these embodiments have not been widely accepted because of the difficulties in production, learnability, adaptation, usefulness, and cost-effectiveness. 
         [0010]    In accordance with embodiments of the present invention that comprises a plurality of an ergonomic keyboard that provides a natural flow of the fingers for the keyboardists to have efficient wrists, hands, and arms postures; and effective key arrangements, in which typing activities are distributed to stronger fingers and thumbs. In addition to the elevated keyboard housing, the built-in palm rest provides supports to the keyboardist&#39; palms so that the writs are positioned at an optimal angle. 
         [0011]    In another aspect of the present invention, a set of heuristics for sensing one or more finger contacts of one or more keys and/or the integral section for directing the cursor or mouse pointer, vertical or horizontal scrolling, navigating of screens, graphics, items, windows, masks, forms, records, or other objects in the user interface, transmitting instructions to one or more processors to perform specific functions predefined by the manufacturer, operator. 
         [0012]    In accordance with embodiments of the present invention that comprises modular layers of various materials to create customizable and cost-effective design. 
         [0013]    Furthermore, the present invention with energy efficient engineering that composes elevated housing in combination with low profile keys to allow modular LED lights to project controlled lighting and LED germicidal ultra-violate (UVC) lights to the surface of the key caps with fewer LED lights in comparison to conventional keyboards that have LED lights for each individual key. 
         [0014]    Other characteristics of the present invention are described below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The improved ergonomic keyboards of the invention are further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of prior art ergonomic keyboard designs; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of QWERTY keys arrangement; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of the keys arrangement of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4A  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of the integral section; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4B  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of the integral section engineered as touchpad wherein the plane comprises sensing components; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of the built-in five-sided polygon touchpad; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6A  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of the touch keys; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6B  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of the touch keys with sensing components; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of the block diagram of the touch sensing components; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8A  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of the light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and LED germicidal ultra-violate (UVC) lights assemblies comprising LED lights, circuit board, anchoring or mounting pieces, and transparent or translucent filter or light guide; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8B  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of the LED modules; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9 . Illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of the embodiments in cross-sectional view of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of the extended built-in palm rest; 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of the exploded view of modular embodiments of the present Invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of the bottom view of the top layer with rare earth magnets or electromagnetic fasteners; 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of the perforated openings of the transparent or translucent layer and the main frame; 
           [0032]      FIG. 14  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of the bottom View of the bottom layer with rare earth magnets or electromagnetic fasteners; 
           [0033]      FIG. 15  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of the socket of the power receptacle; 
           [0034]      FIG. 16  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of the power receptacle; 
           [0035]      FIG. 17  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of flat cable and extended connector of the present invention; 
           [0036]      FIG. 18  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of optimal angles of the present invention; 
           [0037]      FIGS. 19A, 19B  illustrate exemplary non-limiting design of a keyboard incorporating one or more features of the various embodiments of ergonomic keyboards in accordance with the invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 20  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of the side view of the attachable or detachable feet at the lowest level. 
           [0039]      FIG. 21  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of the side view of the attachable or detachable feet at the middle level. 
           [0040]      FIG. 22  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of the side view of the attachable or detachable feet at the highest level. 
           [0041]      FIG. 23  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of the isometric view of the attachable or detachable feet. 
           [0042]      FIG. 24  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of the attachable feet affix to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0043]    Overview 
         [0044]    The present invention improves on existing functionalities and geometries of prior art ergonomic keyboards in a number of aspects. 
         [0045]      FIG. 1  presents a design patent of prior art ergonomic keyboard. 
         [0046]      FIG. 2  illustrates QWERTY key arrangement, which forces keyboardists&#39; wrists to be placed at unnatural angles. The little (weak) fingers of the keyboardists are required to operate more keys  10  and  28 , comparing to the index, middle, and ring fingers. 
         [0047]      FIG. 3  in accordance with the grid or “non-staggered” key layout of the commonly used keys in various non-limiting embodiments described in exemplary detail above such that the upper row contains keys Q, W, E, R, and T  30 . The home keys (A, S, D, F, and G)  32  are vertically adjacent to the upper row. Vertically adjacent to the home keys, the lower row has keys Z, X, C, V, and B  34  listed in the left-to-right order. In accordance with the grid or “non-staggered” key layout of the commonly used keys in various non-limiting embodiments described in exemplary detail above such that the upper row contains keys Y, U, I, O, and P  36 . The home keys (H, J, K, L, and semicolon or colon)  38  are vertically adjacent to the upper row. Vertically adjacent to the home keys, the lower row has keys N, M, comma or less than, and period or greater than  40  listed in the left-to-right order. An additional backspace key  42  is included for removing character(s) efficiently when user is in the process of entering data from the numeric keypad. Num Lock key  44  is relocated to the right of minus key in assisting user&#39;s index finger, middle finger, and ring finger to easily reach divide key, multiplication key, and minus. The numeric keypad further includes an additional Tab key  46  to help operators who perform intense data entry on forms or spreadsheets to navigate more quickly from field to field with one hand. 
         [0048]      FIG. 4A  as described in various embodiments, the integral section  48  of the present invention comprises the editing, navigating, modifier, and miscellaneous keys that are efficiently accessed by the left or the right index fingers for optimal distribution of typing efforts and to reduce fatigue to little fingers. The keyboardists may continuously maintain focus as the Insert, Home, Page Up, Delete, End, Page Down, navigating, and editing keys are positioned in the center of the keyboard to provide optimal access by the keyboardist&#39;s left or right hand. 
         [0049]      FIG. 4B  illustrates the integral section of various, non-limiting embodiments, consisting of editing, navigating, modifier, and miscellaneous keys integrate into the integral section, wherein engineers and functions as a touchpad to provide instructions to the interfaces, devices and/or to control the mouse pointer or cursor with built-in capacitive and/or resistive sensing embodiments  50 ,  52  to detect finger gestures or movements on the plane of the integral section. 
         [0050]      FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of the built-in five-sided polygon touchpad  54  with resistive and/or capacitive sensing embodiments to detect figure gestures and/or movements for manipulating the mouse pointer or cursor; 
         [0051]      FIG. 6A  illustrates the efficient distribution of various, non-limiting embodiments, the keyboardists&#39; index, middle, ring, and little fingers would have extensive range of movements to effectively access key(s) within proximity when the Shift  56  key are controlled by the thumbs instead of the little fingers. The Space Bars  58  on either side of the Shift key provides the flexibility to keyboardist&#39;s left thumb or right thumb. 
         [0052]      FIG. 6B  as described in various, non-limiting embodiments, the Space Bars, modifier, or miscellaneous keys have built-in capacitive and/or resistive sensing embodiments  60 ,  62  to detect finger gestures or movements to assist keyboardists in navigating the pages, screens, graphical displays, or windows, manipulating objects, or sending instructions to the interfaces, devices. 
         [0053]      FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of the block diagram of the touch sensing components; 
         [0054]      FIG. 8A  illustrates the non-limiting embodiment of the light-emitting diode (LED) lights  64  that provide illumination on the surface of the keys and the light-emitting diode (LED) lights attach to circuit board  66  that are capable of generating ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI). The light-emitting diode (LED) lights  64  are light sources to transparent or translucent layer  68  changes colors as the LED lights operate in various frequencies. Transparent or translucent piece or light guide  70  is attached to anchoring or mounting pieces  72  that provides a soft, uniform ambience on the surfaces of the keys. 
         [0055]      FIG. 8B  illustrates the non-limiting embodiment of LED modules  74  are positioned around the outer perimeter of the keys to provide lights to the surfaces of the keys and transparent or translucent layer  68 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 9  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of the embodiments in cross-sectional view to show various layers of the present invention.  64  depicts LED lights that provide illumination to the surface of the keys. The LED lights furthermore produce short-wavelength (UV-C). The surface of the keys are substantially lower than the surface of the keyboard housing.  68  illustrates transparent or translucent layer to emit accent lighting to the sides of the keyboard housing from the LED lights. 
         [0057]    The built-in palm rest  76  as show in  FIG. 10  provides the keyboardists a platform to rest their hands at an optimal angle as such the wrists are not exposed to “extended” or “flexed” postures, helping to reduce “carpal tunnel syndrome.” 
         [0058]      FIG. 11  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of the modular embodiments of the keyboard housing comprises of swappable top layer  78 , transparent or translucent layer  68 , main frame  80 , bottom layer  82 , and pins  84 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 12  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of magnetic fasteners  86 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 13  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of perforated openings  88  on transparent or translucent layer and the main frame. 
         [0061]      FIG. 14  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of magnetic fasteners  90 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 15  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of USB micro-B/C or Lightning receptacles  92  to receive power from a power source and to provide electricity to electronic components in the present invention and to charge electronic devices that are connected to present invention. 
         [0063]      FIG. 16  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of the power receptacle  94   
         [0064]      FIG. 17  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of the embodiments of wires  96  are attached in parallel to create a flat cable that is less likely to tangle or kink comparing to standard twisted wires. The extended connector  98  provides an additional length to the connector for ease of identifying, grabbing, engaging, or dis-engaging the cable;  100  illustrates concaved surface(s) of the extended connector for better handling. 
         [0065]      FIG. 18  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of optimal angles of the present invention 
         [0066]      FIGS. 19A, 19B  illustrate exemplary non-limiting design of a keyboard incorporating one or more features of the various embodiments of ergonomic keyboards in accordance with the invention. 
         [0067]      FIG. 20  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of the embodiment of the side view of the attachable or detachable feet at the lowest level  102  when attached to present invention. 
         [0068]      FIG. 21  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of the embodiment of the side view of the attachable or detachable feet at the middle level  104  when attached to present invention. 
         [0069]      FIG. 22  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of the embodiment of the side view of the attachable or detachable feet at the highest level  106  when attached to present invention. 
         [0070]      FIG. 23  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of the embodiment of the isometric view of the attachable or detachable feet. 
         [0071]      FIG. 24  illustrates an exemplary non-limiting structure(s) of the embodiments of the isometric view of the attachable or detachable feet  108  when attached to the present invention without the touchpad. 
         [0072]    Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope 
         [0073]    As applicable, described features of the invention can be implemented using compiled software or machine code to provide inputs to processor(s) to process predefined outputs on fixed terminals, entertainment consoles, portable, handheld, tablet, and wearable devices. 
         [0074]    The keyboard layout of the present invention can be implemented via projection of visible light on vertical or horizontal surfaces, visual displays, touchscreen displays, and mechanical and electromechanical typewriters including or excluding the touchpad. 
         [0075]    Furthermore, the QWERT keyboard can be used for character sets like and Arabic, Chinese, Devanagari, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, Vietnamese, and so on. The Computer Keyboard would also provide the users with a logical arrangement of the letters consistent with their learning of the English language. 
         [0076]    The various non-limiting designs of the present invention have been illustrated and described above; however, the features in these embodiments may be implemented on other input devices such as computer mice, handheld controllers, electronic consoles, and so on. 
         [0077]    The scope of the present invention is further entailed in the claims below.