WO1999049486A1

WO1999049486A1 - A keyboard

Info

Publication number: WO1999049486A1
Application number: PCT/AU1999/000210
Authority: WO
Inventors: Linda Lee Cumings
Original assignee: Linda Lee Cumings
Priority date: 1998-03-25
Filing date: 1999-03-25
Publication date: 1999-09-30

Abstract

The present invention relates to a keyboard and a keyboard overlay suitable for use with a computer. According to one example of the invention, keys (10A to 10C) of a keyboard are shaped in the form of a pyramidal frustum having an uppermost surface (12A to 12C) which defines a touch portion of the key (10A to 10C), respectively. The keyboard area occupied by the keys (10A to 10C) is substantially equal to that of the keys on a conventional keyboard of the same type. The shape of the keys (10A to 10C) provides additional separation between the touch portion (12A to 12C) of adjacent keys. Thus, the likelihood of an operator striking two or more adjacent keys such as (10A and 10B) rather than a single target key (10A) is reduced.

Description

- 1 - A KEYBOARD

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a keyboard, or a key extension or overlay being suitable, although not restricted, for use with a keyboard or keypad of a computer or personal organiser.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION A conventional computer keyboard has minimum space provided between adjacent keys. This is due to the concave shaped upper surface of conventional computer keys. This traditional shape of the computer keys results in minimal space between adjacent keys. As portable personal computers and personal organisers require the keyboard to be much smaller than the standard desk top computer the space between keys is further reduced in these devices. Due to the close proximity of adjacent keys, a keyboard operator can often accidentally strike both the target key and an adjacent key. This may cause damage to the operators fingernail and may result in considerable frustration due to inadvertent typographical errors. Furthermore, the compact design of the conventional keyboard may increase the risk of repetitive strain injuries where an operator must, for extended periods, type with a high degree of accuracy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a keyboard having an effective keyboard area including a plurality of keys being configured so that additional separation is provided between an effective touch portion of adjacent keys of the plurality of keys without increasing the effective keyboard area whereby, in use, the likelihood of an operator striking two or more adjacent keys rather than a single target key is reduced. - 2 -

Generally, the effective keyboard area occupied by the keys is substantially equal to that of the keys on a conventional keyboard of the same type.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a plurality of key extensions each designed to fix to a keyboard of a conventional keyboard having an effective keyboard area including a plurality of keys, the key extensions each being configured so that additional separation is provided between an effective touch portion of adjacent keys of the plurality of keys without increasing the effective keyboard area whereby, in use, the likelihood of an operator striking two or more adjacent keys rather than a single target key is reduced.

Generally the key extensions are each in the form of a truncated sphere including a truncated surface which is adapted to fix to the key, an upper spheroidal surface defining the effective touch portion. Typically the key extensions are each adhered to the key via an adhesive or other fixing means.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a plurality of key overlays each designed to fit to a key of a conventional keyboard having an effective keyboard area including a plurality of keys, the key overlays each being configured so that additional separation is provided between an effective touch portion of adjacent keys of the plurality of keys without increasing the effective keyboard area whereby, in use, the likelihood of an operator striking two or more adjacent keys rather than a single target key is reduced.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a keyboard overlay designed to fit to a - 3 - conventional keyboard having an effective keyboard area including a plurality of keys, the overlay being configured so that additional separation is provided between an effective touch portion of adjacent keys of the plurality of keys without increasing the effective keyboard area whereby, in use, the likelihood of an operator striking two or more adηacent keys rather than a single target key is reduced.

Typically, the separation between the effective touch portion of adjacent keys is at least doubled compared to that of a conventional keyboard. In one example, such as an 84 (United States) or 86 (Europe) key keyboard or 101/102 key enhanced keyboard, the separation between the effective touch portion of adjacent keys is from between 10 to 15 mm.

Generally, each of the plurality of keys or the keyboard or key overlay (s) is configured to include a raised portion with the effective touch portion having a reduced surface area compared to that of a conventional key so as to provide the additional separation between the adjacent keys.

Typically, the raised portion of the keys, or the keyboard or key overlay (s), is generally shaped in the form of a pyramidal frustum. An uppermost surface of the pyramidal frustum defines the effective touch portion. Typically, the uppermost surface of the pyramidal frustum is shaped generally spheroidal. Alternatively the uppermost surface is substantially flat.

Typically, a lower portion of the keyboard overlay or key overlay (s) includes a recess being shaped complementary to the keys of the conventional keyboard so that the overlay fits over the keys. Preferably, the keyboard overlay or key overlay is constructed of a resiliently flexible material such as a plastics material. - 4 - Typically, each of the keys of the keyboard or the keyboard or key overlay (s) include an alpha-numeric or other character marked on an inclined surface of the raised portion, the alpha-numeric or other character thus being clearly visible to an operator. Generally, insufficient space is provided on the touch portion of the keys or keyboard or key overlay (s) for such markings. Alternatively or additionally, the keyboard or key overlay (s) is constructed of a transparent material whereby any alpha-numeric characters marked on the keys are visible through the transparent overlay.

Keyboard is to be understood as including a variety of keyboards and keypads such as those incorporated in or provided with computers, telephones, electronic diaries/organisers, calculators, and other electronic devices .

The keyboard is typically a qwerty keyboard.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In order to achieve a better understanding and nature of the present invention a preferred embodiment of a keyboard and keyboard extensions or overlays will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic of several key extensions fixed to a conventional keyboard.

Figure 2 is a schematic of several adjacent keys of a keyboard together with an operators finger;

Figure 3 is a sectional representation of adjacent keys of a keyboard shown next to adjacent keys of a conventional keyboard for comparative purposes only; and

Figure 4 is a schematic of a keyboard overlay. - 5 - DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 illustrates several key extensions 1 fixed to a conventional keyboard 2 according to one aspect of the present invention.

In this example the key extensions 1 are each shaped in the form of an ellipsoid having an upper convex surface 3 and a lower convex surface 4. The upper convex surface 3 defines the effective touch portion of the key extension and the lower convex surface 4 is shaped generally complementary to and adapted to adhere to a key such as 5 of the conventional keyboard 2. In this embodiment a suitable adhesive is used to fix the key extension 1 to the key 5. This may in one example be effected by a double-sided adhesive tape.

Significantly the key extensions 1 provide additional space between adjacent keys such as 5 and 6 and thus at least reduce the likelihood of striking a key other than the target key.

It should be appreciated that other shaped key extensions are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention so long as they can be fixed to the keys of a conventional keyboard and additional space is provided between effective touch portions of adjacent keys. The key extensions may be formed of a rigid or resiliently flexible material. A resiliently flexible material such as rubber or a foamed polymeric material is beneficial when installed on a laptop computer, personal organiser or other keyboard where the screen closes upon the keyboard. The flexible material is deformed in its height dimension to permit closure of the screen.

The convex upper surface 3 is ergonomically beneficial insofar as it contours underneath a person's fingertip and nail. The key extensions can be coloured or otherwise - 6 - marked to improve the aesthetics of a conventional keyboard. Colour-coding of the keys may be used to assist, particularly children, in learning keyboard typing skills.

Figure 2 shows three adjacent keys 10A to IOC of a keyboard constructed according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Each of the keys 10A to IOC is shaped in the form of a pyramidal frustum having an uppermost surface 12A to 12C which defines a touch portion of the key 10A to IOC, respectively. In this embodiment the touch portion is shaped generally spheroidal although the touch portion may, depending largely on ergonomic considerations, be flat or shaped otherwise. The keyboard area occupied by the keys 10A to IOC is substantially equal to that of the keys on a conventional keyboard of the same type (see Figure 3) .

The shape of the keys 10A to IOC provides additional separation between the touch portion 12A to 12C of adjacent keys without increasing the effective keyboard area. Thus, the likelihood of an operator striking two or more adjacent keys, such as 10A and 10B, rather than a single target key 10A is reduced. It should be appreciated that the shape of each of the keys 10 is not limited to the embodiment illustrated but rather may include practically any shape such as a conical-shaped raised portion which provides an effective touch portion having a reduced surface area thereby increasing the separation between adjacent keys 10.

Figure 3 is provided for comparative purposes and depicts a series of adjacent keys 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention alongside adjacent keys of a conventional keyboard 100. The difference in relative key heights and separation between adjacent keys is readily apparent from Figure 3. Generally, the separation between the effective - 7 - touch portion of adjacent keys in the present invention is at least doubled compared to that of a conventional keyboard 100. For example, the separation between adjacent keys in a keyboard of a personal computer may vary from between 10 to 15 mm. However, the separation between adjacent keys may differ from this example depending on the particular application to which the keyboard is applied. For example, the separation between adjacent keys of a personal computer keyboard may be much greater than that provided in the keyboard of a personal organiser or diary.

The keys 10 of the keyboard described will generally include alpha-numeric or other character markings on an inclined surface of the raised portion which is clearly visible to an operator. This is largely because the touch portion does not provide adequate space for these markings.

Figure 4 schematically illustrates another aspect of the present invention being a keyboard overlay 20 designed to fit to a conventional keyboard including a plurality of keys. As with the preceding embodiment of the invention, additional separation is provided between effective touch portions 22 of adjacent keys as in this instance provided by the keyboard overlay 20.

The keyboard overlay 20 of this embodiment is constructed of a resiliently flexible plastics material which comfortably fits over the conventional keyboard. The keyboard overlay 20 is generally formed from a transparent material. Any alpha-numeric characters marked on the underlying keys may thus be visible through the transparent overlay 20. However, in the event that the alpha-numeric characters are not visible, an inclined surface of the overlay also includes appropriate markings.

The overlay 20 is formed as a membrane having a plurality of - 8 - undulations with raised portions 24 on an upper surface and a corresponding series of cavities formed in an underlying surface. The cavities are each arranged so as to define a recess which is shaped complementary to and thus fits over each of the keys of the conventional keyboard. The keyboard overlay 20 between adjacent raised portions 24 or undulations is suitably resilient so that the depression of one key does not also depress an adjacent key.

In a similar manner to the keyboard 10 described above, the raised portions of the keyboard overlay 20 are each shaped in the form of a pyramidal frustum. An uppermost surface of the frustum defines the touch portion 22 of the overlay 20. Although it is preferred that the overlay 20 is formed as a single membrane dedicated to a group of keys, individual key overlays may be provided for each of the keys. Once again, the individual key overlays are configured so as to provide additional space between adjacent keys.

The keyboard may additionally include a lid which slides or pivots over the keys 10 or keyboard overlay 20 so as to depress all keys when the keyboard is not in use. This may be particularly advantageous with relatively small keyboards such as that used in a personal organiser where the organiser should be of minimal thickness so that it is of a compact design. Alternatively, the keyboard or overlay may be designed so that the cover or screen of the organiser itself serves to depress the keys when the organiser is not in use.

Now that several preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the keyboard and key extension or overlay have at least the following advantages over the admitted prior art:

1. additional separation is provided between adjacent keys - 9 - so that typing can be achieved with relative accuracy; and 2. the key extensions or overlays can be fitted to a conventional keyboard with relative ease.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. For example, on a keyboard having a relatively small number of keys, the perimeter keys may be splayed relative to their adjacent keys so as to achieve additional separation between adjacent keys. Although the invention has been described primarily in its application with a personal computer keyboard it is also applicable to telephones, electronic diaries/organisers, calculators, and other electronic devices .

All such variations and modifications are to be considered within the scope of the present invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description.

Claims

-10- THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS

1. A plurality of key extensions each designed to fix to a keyboard of a conventional keyboard having an effective keyboard area including a plurality of keys, the key extensions each being configured so that additional separation is provided between an effective touch portion of adjacent keys of the plurality of keys without increasing the effective keyboard area whereby, in use, the likelihood of an operator striking two or more adjacent keys rather than a single target key is reduced.

2. A plurality of key extensions as defined in claim 1 each in the form of a truncated sphere including a truncated surface which is adapted to fix to the key, an upper spheroidal surface defining the effective touch portion.

3. A keyboard having an effective keyboard area including a plurality of keys being configured so that additional separation is provided between an effective touch portion of adjacent keys of the plurality of keys without increasing the effective keyboard area whereby, in use, the likelihood of an operator striking two or more adjacent keys rather than a single target key is reduced.

4. A keyboard as defined in claim 3 wherein each of the plurality of keys is configured to include a raised portion with the effective touch portion having a reduced surface area compared to that of a conventional key so as to provide the additional separation between the adjacent keys.

5. A keyboard as defined in either claim 3 or 4 wherein the raised portion of the keys is generally shaped in the form of a pyramidal frustum with an uppermost surface of the pyramidal frustum defining the effective touch portion.

6. A keyboard as defined in claim 5 wherein the uppermost surface of the pyramidal frustum is shaped generally spheroidal . - 11 -

7. A keyboard as defined in claim 5 wherein the uppermost surface is substantially flat.

8. A keyboard overlay designed to fit to a conventional keyboard having an effective keyboard area including a plurality of keys, the overlay being configured so that additional separation is provided between an effective touch portion of adjacent keys of the plurality of keys without increasing the effective keyboard area whereby, in use, the likelihood of an operator striking two or more adjacent keys rather than a single target key is reduced.

9. A plurality of key overlays each designed to fit to a key of a conventional keyboard having an effective keyboard area including a plurality of keys, the overlays each being configured so that additional separation is provided between an effective touch portion of adjacent keys of the plurality of keys without increasing the effective keyboard area whereby, in use, the likelihood of an operator striking two or more adjacent keys rather than a single target key is reduced.

10. A keyboard overlay or key overlays as defined in claim 8 or 9 wherein a lower portion of the keyboard overlay or key overlays includes a recess being shaped complementary to the keys of the conventional keyboard so that the overlay fits over the keys.

11. A keyboard overlay or key overlays as defined in claims 8, 9 or 10 constructed of a resiliently flexible material.