Abstract:
A keyboard includes a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism is configured to drive each of a plurality of keyboard zones to move in a synchronous sequence. The drive mechanism simultaneously tilts and abducts each of the plural keyboard zones.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 61/018,767 filed Jan. 3, 2008, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to keyboards, and more particularly to an ergonomic keyboard. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    A known ergonomic keyboard is split and manually moveable in a tenting motion. This keyboard is not motorized or provided with sensors. It offers no way to guide the user to the best keyboard positions. A manual adjustment mechanism is used so for the user can decide on the best course of treatment. There is no adaptation at all to address repetition a key component to carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive stress injuries. This type of device still limits needed variation in position and other adaptations for the user that could alleviate or avoid injury. This device also lacks user guidance to optimal positioning and limits adaptation to user only initiated positioning. 
         [0006]    Another known ergonomic keyboard does not alter its position at all. There is no attention or adaptation for different sized users, different injuries, or environments. This keyboard fails to address most of the needs of carpal tunnel and repetitive stress injury sufferers. In fact, it does nothing to address the chief cause of carpal tunnel and repetition strain injury, repetition itself. 
         [0007]    Another known keyboard has sections that move or pivot in response to use. The sections are all substantially on an underlying surface of the keyboard that elevates towards the middle and towards the outer edges, and descends towards the front. Legs attach the keyboard sections to underlying gears. Multiple gears, and multiple motors, if necessary, allow the sections of the keyboard to move either as a group or individually to each area of the underlying surface. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    While the foregoing described prior art devices have provided improvement over fixed inflexible work station environments or ordinary flat keyboards, there remains a continuing need in the art for work station environments and apparatuses that provide further attention to the physical needs of the user and which protect the user more substantially against the limited motion and confined motion types of injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome or repetitive motion syndrome. 
         [0009]    An object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard that alters its shape. In particular, the present keyboard includes a drive mechanism that, among other motions, causes keyboard sections to abduct. In contrast to other keyboards that cause the user&#39;s hands to pivot, the present keyboard causes the user&#39;s hands to abduct. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment of the invention, a drive mechanism is provided that allows each of a plurality of keyboard zones to move in a synchronous sequence. The drive mechanism simultaneously tilts and abducts each of the plural keyboard zones. In a preferred embodiment, the drive mechanism includes one motor, however, multiple motors or driving means are used in other embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    Further features and advantages of the invention are specified below accompanied by descriptions of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the figures in the drawing. In said drawing: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a top view of a keyboard according to an embodiment of the invention in a first position; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a top view of a keyboard according to an embodiment of the invention in a second position; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a keyboard according to an embodiment of the invention in a first position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a keyboard according to an embodiment of the invention in a second position; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a top view of a keyboard drive mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a side view of a keyboard drive mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a side view of a keyboard drive mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a side view of a keyboard drive mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a top view of a keyboard drive mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a bottom view of a keyboard drive mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a front view of a keyboard drive mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]      FIG. 1  is a top view of a keyboard  100  according to an embodiment of the invention in a first position. As shown, the keyboard has two moveable key sections  20  and  30  in a frame  10 . While two keyboard sections are shown, the keyboard can be divided into any number of sections. In one embodiment of the invention, the number pad is a separate section of the keyboard that is configured for independent movement. In one embodiment of the invention, the portions of the key sections  20  and  30  adjacent to frame section  60  are raised with respect to the portions of key sections  20  and  30  distally located from frame section  60 . In a preferred embodiment, each key section is a smooth curve or arc. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is a top view of keyboard  100  after moveable key sections  20  and  30  abduct. As shown, each keyboard section  20 ,  30  moves a distance  40 ,  50  from central frame segment  60 . In one embodiment, the key sections  20  and  30  are substantially in contact with one another without a central frame section  60 . In  FIG. 2 , arrows designate the direction of abduction. It should be noted that key sections  20  and  30  move in a substantially linear manner. 
         [0025]      FIGS. 3 and 4  are a side view of the keyboard.  FIGS. 3 and 4  depict a pivoting motion of the keyboard  100 . As shown, a front edge  25  and a rear edge of the keyboard  35  are configured to seesaw about an axis that is substantially at a midline of the keyboard. In another embodiment, the axis about which the keyboard pivots is located offset from the midline of the keyboard. 
         [0026]      FIG. 5  is a top view of a drive mechanism for the keyboard  100 . In one embodiment, the drive mechanism comprises a drive motor  210 . The motor  210  is powered via a USB connection, a transformer, batteries, or the like. The motor is shown as a rotary motor. In another embodiment, a linear motor is used. The motor is coupled to a drive shaft via coupler  220 . In one embodiment, the coupler  220  is a variable clutch. A first drive shaft  240  is coupled to coupler  220 . In a preferred embodiment, the first drive shaft  240  has a left-handed pitch  235 . 
         [0027]    In one embodiment, a keypad slide assembly  230  rides on the drive shaft. The slide assembly  230  has a coupling nut that rides on the threaded drive shaft so that as the drive shaft rotates, the slide assembly  230  moves laterally along the axis of the drive shaft. Variations in pitch and drive shaft diameter vary the speed of motion. 
         [0028]    The drive shaft includes a portion  250  having a right-handed pitch. In one embodiment, the slide assembly moves the keypad and other auxiliary keys and a first keyboard slide assembly (not shown) is mounted on the drive shaft portion  250 . A main drive unit  260  is configured to drive the cart assembly. A keyboard slide assembly  270  is mounted on the drive shaft portion  275 . As the drive shaft is driven, the keyboard slide assembly  270  is laterally driven along the drive shaft. In a preferred embodiment, the two keyboard slide assemblies are driven in opposite directions due to the opposite thread pitch of their respective drive shaft portions. 
         [0029]    Main drive unit  260  drives a cart assembly  300 . Inner roller wheels and outer roller wheels are mounted to the cart assembly  300 . The roller wheels serve to pivot the keyboard sections as discussed in more detail below. It should be noted that while the motor  210  is shown on one side of the assembly, in other embodiments, a plurality of motors are used. In another embodiment, the motor  210  is oriented at a middle of the assembly and the drive shafts extend laterally in both directions from the center position. 
         [0030]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the drive mechanism without the wave plate. As shown, the inner roller wheels  280  drive the cart assembly  300  across a surface.  FIG. 7  is a side view of the drive mechanism including wave plate  310 . Outer roller wheels  290  ride on wave plate  310 . The waves on wave plate  310  are configured to pivot the keyboard sections about an axis substantially corresponding to the drive shaft.  FIG. 8  shows the keyboard  100  from the side including motor  210 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 9  is a top view of the drive mechanism including wave plate  310 . In a preferred embodiment, the slide assembly  230  is couples to key section  20  and slide assembly  270  is coupled to key section  30 . In operation, there are two substantially independent movements. The first movement is the driving of the wave plate laterally. The lateral driving of the wave late causes the keyboard portions to pivot. A second motion is the driving of the slide assemblies  230  and  270 , which are driven in opposite directions die to the opposite thread pitches. 
         [0032]      FIG. 10  is a bottom view of the drive mechanism for the keyboard  100 . The motor  210  is shown configured to drive the wave plate  310  and the cart  300 . The outer wheels  290  are positioned in the cart  300  such that they ride on the waves  325  of the wave plate  310 .  FIG. 11  is a front view of the drive mechanism showing the cart  300 , wave plate  310 , and waves  325 . It should be noted that in a preferred embodiment, the cart  300  moves laterally with respect to the motor  210  that remains stationary. The key portions pivot due to rollers  290  and waves  325  interacting. 
         [0033]    In a preferred embodiment, the drive mechanism is housed in a housing. The housing comprises an upper portion including frame  10  and a base portion. The housing base has preferably has grooves or guides in which rollers  280  of cart  300  roll. The area of the housing configured for the cart to traverse is preferably dust and dirt free. In a preferred embodiment, the keyboard  100  is spillproof to protect the drive mechanism and the electronics associated with the keyboard. In this manner, the cart can be transversely driven to pivot the keyboard portions and without interference from the surrounding environment. 
         [0034]    The keyboard is preferably microprocessor controlled. The control can be performed via a PC or an on-board microprocessor. In one embodiment, a computer program running on the user&#39;s computer controls the motion. In another embodiment, the program is stored on firmware, onboard the keyboard. In yet another embodiment, the program is stored in flash or other memory that can be updated. Control can also be transmitted from the keyboard or computer using wireless technology. In yet another embodiment, a server on a network such as a local LAN or the Internet controls the keyboard. 
         [0035]    The keyboard&#39;s movement can be controlled in one of several manners. The keyboard can change its position based on time, amount of use, distance moved temperature, heat, pulse rate, weight, or random motion. Regular rhythmic patterns may also be used to move various portions of the keyboard. Movement may also be based on the program being used or expected keyboard motions. For example, the keyboard can be alerted that a program with heavy side-to-side movement is being used and so that movement may occur more often or with a different pattern. 
         [0036]    In one embodiment, the motion is not continuous. In other words, the keyboard will step between positions. The length of time the keyboard remains in any given position will be based at least in part on the above factors. 
         [0037]    In one embodiment, the keyboard has a display window (not shown). In one embodiment, the display window is an LCD display. The display can include such items as the specific user, speed setting, motion type, and the like. In one embodiment, the display notifies the user of imminent motion. 
         [0038]    In one embodiment of the invention, a user is prompted to use an exercise program based in part on the user&#39;s activity. The program will prompt the user to perform tasks to minimize the risk of RSI. 
         [0039]    Control software preferably includes, but is not be limited to, programming aimed at relieving or preventing a specific disease such as carpal tunnel or other ailments due to repetitive motion. The gradual movements of the plural keyboard sections substantially eliminate repetitive motion from the same angle thereby improving blood flow, changing position of the median nerve, and resting overworked muscles. The control software preferably stores user information so that a specific user can have a designated motion profile. The control software preferably provides periodic but imperceptible repositioning of the hands and wrists. The reposition provides movement is three axes. 
         [0040]    The software programming will preferably monitor repetitive motion on specific keys and adjust the plural keyboard sections accordingly. If a user is constantly focusing on one or a few keys, then the programming will preferably adjust that portion accordingly, moving it more frequently, or various other angles. 
         [0041]    The software can be stored on the keyboard itself, the computer or network to which it is attached, a third party computer or a server on the network, a dedicated hardware controller, or on an external source such as a key card or a USB memory card, solid state memory or other storage mechanisms. 
         [0042]    In one embodiment, the customization of the software is manipulated by use of pre-programming, settings stored on the computer, server, or by user input. The configuration changes can be made automatically when the user logs on the computer or network. It can also be automatically configured with the help of biometrics or their personal key cards or identification cards. Once the user is identified, the software, wherever it is stored, can adjust the keyboard for that specific user. 
         [0043]    In one embodiment, the user can set the keyboard to a preferred position. The keyboard does not vary from that position or, alternatively, the user preset is the starting point for automatic motion. 
         [0044]    In another embodiment, at least one of the keyboard and a wrist pad coupled to the keyboard could monitor hand and wrist rest temperature and in addition to the other mentioned adaptations to alleviate common hand and wrist and arm ailments. To that end, at least one of the keyboard and the wrist pad can be heated to warm a user&#39;s hands. 
         [0045]    While this invention has been described by reference to a preferred embodiment, it should be understood that numerous changes could be made within the spirit and scope of the inventive concepts described. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but that it have the full scope permitted by the language of the following claims.