EP1003188A3 - Ergonomic computer keyboard - Google Patents

Ergonomic computer keyboard Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1003188A3
EP1003188A3 EP99302414A EP99302414A EP1003188A3 EP 1003188 A3 EP1003188 A3 EP 1003188A3 EP 99302414 A EP99302414 A EP 99302414A EP 99302414 A EP99302414 A EP 99302414A EP 1003188 A3 EP1003188 A3 EP 1003188A3
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
keys
actuate
finger
fingers
side walls
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP99302414A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1003188A2 (en
Inventor
George P. English
Norman V Morse
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Key Tronic Corp
Original Assignee
Key Tronic Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Key Tronic Corp filed Critical Key Tronic Corp
Publication of EP1003188A2 publication Critical patent/EP1003188A2/en
Publication of EP1003188A3 publication Critical patent/EP1003188A3/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
    • H01H13/702—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
    • H01H13/705—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches characterised by construction, mounting or arrangement of operating parts, e.g. push-buttons or keys
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2215/00—Tactile feedback
    • H01H2215/004—Collapsible dome or bubble
    • H01H2215/006—Only mechanical function
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2217/00—Facilitation of operation; Human engineering
    • H01H2217/044—Repetitive strain injury [RSI] considerations
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2227/00—Dimensions; Characteristics
    • H01H2227/032—Operating force
    • H01H2227/034—Regulation of operating force

Abstract

A computer keyboard system 10 is illustrated having a keyboard array of keys 14 that are utilized for activating digital membrane keyswitches 32 for providing informational electrical signals to a computer. Each key 14 has an elastomeric dome 40 for resisting downward movement of a keytop 28, 50 from an un-depressed position to an actuation position and for returning the keytop 28, 50 to an un-depressed position when the actuation force is released. Each dome 40 has a collapsible side wall 44. The keys 14 are subdivided into groups 68, 70, 72, and 74 associated with the index finger, middle finger, ring finger and little finger, respectively. The collapsible side walls 44 of the domes 40 associated with the little and ring fingers are thinner than the side walls 44 of the side walls associated with the index and middle fingers so that less force is required to actuate the keys in groups associated with the ring and little fingers than that required to actuate the keys in groups associated with the index and middle fingers. Additionally the forces required to actuate a group of peripheral and control keys is greater than thatrequired to actuate the alphabetical keys.
EP99302414A 1998-11-19 1999-03-29 Ergonomic computer keyboard Withdrawn EP1003188A3 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US19632698A 1998-11-19 1998-11-19
US196326 1998-11-19

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1003188A2 EP1003188A2 (en) 2000-05-24
EP1003188A3 true EP1003188A3 (en) 2001-04-25

Family

ID=22724939

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99302414A Withdrawn EP1003188A3 (en) 1998-11-19 1999-03-29 Ergonomic computer keyboard

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1003188A3 (en)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9134807B2 (en) 2012-03-02 2015-09-15 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Pressure sensitive key normalization
US9268373B2 (en) 2012-03-02 2016-02-23 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Flexible hinge spine
US9298236B2 (en) 2012-03-02 2016-03-29 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Multi-stage power adapter configured to provide a first power level upon initial connection of the power adapter to the host device and a second power level thereafter upon notification from the host device to the power adapter
US9304549B2 (en) 2013-03-28 2016-04-05 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Hinge mechanism for rotatable component attachment
US9348605B2 (en) 2012-05-14 2016-05-24 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc System and method for accessory device architecture that passes human interface device (HID) data via intermediate processor
US9360893B2 (en) 2012-03-02 2016-06-07 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Input device writing surface
US9426905B2 (en) 2012-03-02 2016-08-23 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Connection device for computing devices

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7385530B2 (en) 2005-05-16 2008-06-10 Research In Motion Limited Key system for a communication device
EP2273522B1 (en) 2005-05-16 2012-05-09 Research in Motion Limited Key system for communication device
KR101569176B1 (en) 2008-10-30 2015-11-20 삼성전자주식회사 Method and Apparatus for executing an object
US9064654B2 (en) 2012-03-02 2015-06-23 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Method of manufacturing an input device
US9870066B2 (en) 2012-03-02 2018-01-16 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Method of manufacturing an input device
USRE48963E1 (en) 2012-03-02 2022-03-08 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Connection device for computing devices
US10031556B2 (en) 2012-06-08 2018-07-24 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc User experience adaptation

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2151405A (en) * 1983-12-12 1985-07-17 Kokoku Rubber Ind A spring unit for a key board
WO1985003595A1 (en) * 1984-02-03 1985-08-15 Npm International Improvements in switches and keyboards
US4602135A (en) * 1985-05-30 1986-07-22 Phalen Robert F Membrane switch
EP0518648A2 (en) * 1991-06-10 1992-12-16 Fujitsu Limited Adjusting keyboard "feel"
WO1994005027A1 (en) * 1992-08-18 1994-03-03 Key Tronic Corporation Computer keyboard with cantilever switch design and improved pcb/switch membrane interface
US5801345A (en) * 1996-06-21 1998-09-01 Acuson Corporation Keyboard assembly incorporating multiple lighting modes for improved user feedback

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2151405A (en) * 1983-12-12 1985-07-17 Kokoku Rubber Ind A spring unit for a key board
WO1985003595A1 (en) * 1984-02-03 1985-08-15 Npm International Improvements in switches and keyboards
US4602135A (en) * 1985-05-30 1986-07-22 Phalen Robert F Membrane switch
EP0518648A2 (en) * 1991-06-10 1992-12-16 Fujitsu Limited Adjusting keyboard "feel"
WO1994005027A1 (en) * 1992-08-18 1994-03-03 Key Tronic Corporation Computer keyboard with cantilever switch design and improved pcb/switch membrane interface
US5329079A (en) * 1992-08-18 1994-07-12 Key Tronic Corporation Computer keyboard with improved cantilever switch design
US5801345A (en) * 1996-06-21 1998-09-01 Acuson Corporation Keyboard assembly incorporating multiple lighting modes for improved user feedback

Cited By (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9275809B2 (en) 2012-03-02 2016-03-01 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Device camera angle
US9465412B2 (en) 2012-03-02 2016-10-11 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Input device layers and nesting
US9134807B2 (en) 2012-03-02 2015-09-15 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Pressure sensitive key normalization
US9158384B2 (en) 2012-03-02 2015-10-13 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Flexible hinge protrusion attachment
US9158383B2 (en) 2012-03-02 2015-10-13 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Force concentrator
US9176901B2 (en) 2012-03-02 2015-11-03 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Flux fountain
US9176900B2 (en) 2012-03-02 2015-11-03 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Flexible hinge and removable attachment
US9268373B2 (en) 2012-03-02 2016-02-23 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Flexible hinge spine
US9146620B2 (en) 2012-03-02 2015-09-29 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Input device assembly
US9134808B2 (en) 2012-03-02 2015-09-15 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Device kickstand
US9304948B2 (en) 2012-03-02 2016-04-05 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Sensing user input at display area edge
US9304949B2 (en) 2012-03-02 2016-04-05 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Sensing user input at display area edge
US9298236B2 (en) 2012-03-02 2016-03-29 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Multi-stage power adapter configured to provide a first power level upon initial connection of the power adapter to the host device and a second power level thereafter upon notification from the host device to the power adapter
US9460029B2 (en) 2012-03-02 2016-10-04 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Pressure sensitive keys
US9360893B2 (en) 2012-03-02 2016-06-07 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Input device writing surface
US9411751B2 (en) 2012-03-02 2016-08-09 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Key formation
US9426905B2 (en) 2012-03-02 2016-08-23 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Connection device for computing devices
US9348605B2 (en) 2012-05-14 2016-05-24 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc System and method for accessory device architecture that passes human interface device (HID) data via intermediate processor
US9304549B2 (en) 2013-03-28 2016-04-05 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Hinge mechanism for rotatable component attachment

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1003188A2 (en) 2000-05-24

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