Patent · US Expired

Ergonomic keyboard for a portable computer and methods of operation and manufacture therefor

US5717431A · kind A · utility

33Cited by
92References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 8, 1996
Grant dateFeb 10, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 8, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01H2223/052
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A portable computer and method of operation thereof. The portable computer includes: (1) a first chassis portion hingedly coupled to a second chassis portion by first and second bulkheads to allow relative rotation between a closed position and an open position, (2) a display screen associated with the first chassis portion, (3) data processing and storage circuitry contained within the second chassis portion and coupled to the display screen via a cable located proximate a hinge structure coupling the first and second chassis portions and (4) a keyboard coupled to the second chassis portion and the data processing and storage circuitry and including: (4a) a first keyboard portion pivotally coupled to a first location on the second chassis portion for rotation relative thereto, the first keyboard portion supporting a first plurality of keys aligned along a first axis, (4b) a second keyboard portion pivotally coupled to a second location on the chassis for rotation relative thereto, the second keyboard portion supporting a second plurality of keys aligned along a second axis, and (4c) a baseplate having a plurality of peripheral tabs aligning with corresponding slots formed in the s…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.