Ergonomically condensed QWERTY keyboard
US5660488A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 23, 1994 |
| Grant date | Aug 26, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 23, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/0219
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An ergonomically improved, reduced size keyboard having a QWERTY keyboard layout allows maintenance of the same typing speed and accuracy associated with conventional keyboards. In one embodiment, the keys of the keyboard are divided into two sections, the sections being arranged to form a V-shape such that the centermost key in each row of each section approximately contacts the centermost key of the corresponding row in the other section. The V-shaped key layout allows the keyboard to maintain nearly all of the interkey spacing of a full-size keyboard while reducing overall keyboard width. The V-shaped key layout also alleviates wrist and finger strain that may otherwise occur during prolonged use of a keyboard. In another embodiment, further ergonomic improvement and size reduction of the keyboard is obtained by arcing each row of keys. Keys not on the row of home row keys are placed in the same positions relative to home row keys as found on a standard QWERTY keyboard. As a result, typists may switch easily between standard QWERTY keyboards and the keyboard according to the invention. A keyboard with a V-shaped keyboard layout and arced key rows according to the invention has a…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.