U.S. patent application number 09/824170 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-02 for laptop computer with ergonomically enhanced interface features.
This patent application is currently assigned to International Business Machines Corp.. Invention is credited to Winarski, Daniel James, Zamora, George G..
Application Number | 20010010620 09/824170 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23640337 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010010620 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zamora, George G. ; et
al. |
August 2, 2001 |
Laptop computer with ergonomically enhanced interface features
Abstract
A laptop computer has a base and a cover with a display monitor
that are connected together by a hinge. The base and cover have
congruent trapezoidal shapes that give the laptop a unique
appearance. A pair of segregated right and left keyboards are
mounted to the base. Each keyboard is rotated by a small angle from
the center of the base to align with the natural position of the
arms of the user. The keyboards are further articulated such that
their front ends are elevated relative to their rearward ends.
Alternate embodiments of the invention utilize various mechanisms
for articulating the keyboards. In addition, the keys on each
keyboard may be arranged in a curvilinear formation. The laptop has
a wedge that is slidably mounted to the rearward end of the base
for varying the angle of inclination of the keyboards. The wedge
can raise or lower the angle of the keyboards to suit the
preference of the user. The laptop also has a pair of touch pads
with different sensitivities, as well as a track point or track
ball for moving the screen cursor.
Inventors: |
Zamora, George G.; (Vail,
AZ) ; Winarski, Daniel James; (Tucson, AZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Andrew J. Dillon, Esq.
Bracewell & Patterson, L.L.P.
Lakewood On The Park, Suite 350
7600B N. Capital of Tx. Hwy.
Austin
TX
78731
US
|
Assignee: |
International Business Machines
Corp.
Armonk
NY
10504
|
Family ID: |
23640337 |
Appl. No.: |
09/824170 |
Filed: |
April 2, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09824170 |
Apr 2, 2001 |
|
|
|
09414188 |
Oct 7, 1999 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
361/679.09 ;
361/679.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/1656 20130101;
G06F 1/1664 20130101; H01H 2217/028 20130101; H01H 2217/034
20130101; H01H 2223/052 20130101; G06F 1/1616 20130101; H01H 13/807
20130101; G06F 1/1667 20130101; G06F 1/169 20130101; H01H 2219/037
20130101; H01H 2223/05 20130101; G06F 1/1688 20130101; H01H 2225/03
20130101; G06F 1/165 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/683 ;
361/680; 361/681 |
International
Class: |
G06F 001/16; H05K
005/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A laptop computer, comprising: a substantially horizontal base
having a front end, a rear end, and two lateral side edges; a lid
having a display monitor and pivotally mounted adjacent to the rear
end of the base, the lid having an open position wherein it is
pivoted away from the base, and a closed position wherein it is
located adjacent to and faces the base; a keyboard mounted to the
base and having a front end, a rear end, and left and right
portions that are spaced apart from each other, each of the
keyboard portions having a plurality of keys; and an elevation
mechanism mounted to the base for changing a vertical elevation of
the front and rear ends of the keyboard relative to each other.
2. The laptop computer of claim 1 wherein the keyboard portions
extend beyond the lateral side edges of the base when the lid is in
both the open and closed positions.
3. The laptop computer of claim 1 wherein each of the keyboard
portions is symmetrically skewed an acute angle relative to a
centerline of the base extending from the rear end to the front end
of the base.
4. The laptop computer of claim 1 wherein the elevation mechanism
is mounted adjacent to the front end of the base.
5. The laptop computer of claim 1 wherein the elevation mechanism
is mounted adjacent to the rear end of the base.
6. The laptop computer of claim 1, further comprising a pair of
touch pads mounted to the base between the keyboard portions,
wherein a first one of said touch pads has a different degree of
sensitivity for controlling a cursor on the monitor than that of a
second one of said touch pads.
7. The laptop computer of claim 1, further comprising a track point
mounted adjacent to the rear end of the keyboard between the
keyboard portions for controlling a cursor.
8. The laptop computer of claim 1, further comprising a track ball
mounted adjacent to the rear end of the keyboard between the
keyboard portions for controlling a cursor.
9. The laptop computer of claim 1 wherein the keys on each of the
keyboard portions are arranged in a curvilinear formation.
10. The laptop computer of claim 1 wherein the elevation mechanism
comprises a wedge slidably mounted to the base and having at least
one ramp surface for positioning the keyboard portions at selected
elevations.
11. The laptop computer of claim 10 wherein the wedge is mounted to
the rear end of the base, engages the rear end of the keyboard, and
has a plurality of separate ramp surfaces.
12. The laptop computer of claim 1, further comprising a triangular
shaped speaker on each lateral side of the lid.
13. The laptop computer of claim 1, further comprising a triangular
array of function keys mounted to the base and located between the
rear end of the keyboard and the rear end of the base.
14. The laptop computer of claim 1 wherein the elevation mechanism
comprises a pivot element mounted to the front end of each of the
keyboard portions and extending diagonally across an outer front
corner of each of the keyboard portions.
15. The laptop computer of claim 1 wherein the elevation mechanism
comprises a wedge slidably mounted to the front end of the base for
engaging the front end of the keyboard and elevating the front end
of the keyboard above the rear end of the keyboard.
16. The laptop computer of claim 1 wherein the elevation mechanism
comprises a leg pivotally mounted to a lower surface of the front
end of the base and having a collapsed position wherein the leg is
recessed under the base, and a deployed position wherein the leg
extends away from the base to elevate the front end of the keyboard
above the rear end of the keyboard.
17. The laptop computer of claim 1 wherein the elevation mechanism
comprises a cam member rotatably mounted to the front end of the
base for engaging and elevating the front end of the keyboard above
the rear end of the keyboard.
18. The laptop computer of claim 1 wherein the elevation mechanism
comprises a plunger mounted to the front end of the base, the
plunger being extensible for adjustably elevating the front end of
the keyboard above the rear end of the keyboard.
19. The laptop computer of claim 1 wherein the keyboard portions
are pivotally mounted to the base for repositioning them beyond the
lateral side edges of the base.
20. The laptop computer of claim 1 wherein the base and the lid
have congruent trapezoidal shapes.
21. A laptop computer, comprising: a substantially horizontal base
having a front end, a rear end, two lateral side edges, and a
centerline extending from the rear end to the front end; a lid
having a display monitor and pivotally mounted adjacent to the rear
end of the base, the lid having an open position wherein it is
pivoted away from the base, and a closed position wherein it is
located adjacent to and faces the base; a keyboard mounted to the
base and having a front end, a rear end, and left and right
portions that are spaced apart from each other, each of the
keyboard portions having a plurality of keys and extending beyond
the lateral side edges of the base when the lid is in both the open
and closed positions, wherein each of the keyboard portions is
symmetrically skewed an acute angle relative to the centerline of
the base; and an elevation mechanism mounted to the base for
changing a vertical elevation of the front and rear ends of the
keyboard relative to each other and to the base.
22. The laptop computer of claim 21 wherein the elevation mechanism
is mounted adjacent to the front end of the base.
23. The laptop computer of claim 21, further comprising a pair of
touch pads mounted to the base between the keyboard portions,
wherein a first one of said touch pads has a different degree of
sensitivity for controlling a cursor on the monitor than that of a
second one of said touch pads.
24. The laptop computer of claim 21, further comprising a track
point mounted adjacent to the rear end of the keyboard between the
keyboard portions for controlling a cursor.
25. The laptop computer of claim 21, further comprising a track
ball mounted adjacent to the rear end of the keyboard between the
keyboard portions for controlling a cursor.
26. The laptop computer of claim 21 where in the keys on each of
the keyboard portions are arranged in a curvilinear formation.
27. The laptop computer of claim 21 wherein the elevation mechanism
comprises a wedge slidably mounted to the base and having at least
one ramp surface for positioning the keyboard portions at selected
elevations.
28. The laptop computer of claim 21, further comprising a
triangular shaped speaker on each lateral side of the lid.
29. The laptop computer of claim 21, further comprising a
triangular array of function keys mounted to the base and located
between the rear end of the keyboard and the rear end of the
base.
30. The laptop computer of claim 21 wherein the keyboard portions
are pivotally mounted to the base for repositioning the keyboard
portions relative to the lateral side edges of the base.
31. The laptop computer of claim 21 wherein the base and the lid
have congruent trapezoidal shapes.
32. The laptop computer of claim 27 wherein the wedge is mounted to
the rear end of the base, engages the rear end of the keyboard, and
has a plurality of separate ramp surfaces.
33. A laptop computer, comprising: a substantially horizontal base
having a front end, a rear end, two lateral side edges, and a
centerline extending from the rear end to the front end; a lid
having a display monitor and pivotally mounted adjacent to the rear
end of the base, the lid having an open position wherein it is
pivoted away from the base, and a closed position wherein it is
located adjacent to and faces the base; a keyboard mounted to the
base and having a front end, a rear end, and left and right
portions that are spaced apart from each other, each of the
keyboard portions having a plurality of keys and extending beyond
the lateral side edges of the base when the lid is in the open
position, wherein each of the keyboard portions is symmetrically
skewed an acute angle relative to the centerline of the base;
triangular array of function keys mounted to the base and located
between the rear end of the keyboard and the rear end of the base;
and a pair of touch pads mounted to the base between the keyboard
portions, wherein a first one of said touch pads has a different
degree of sensitivity for controlling a cursor on the monitor than
that of a second one of said touch pads.
34. The laptop computer of claim 33, further comprising a track
point mounted adjacent to the rear end of the keyboard between the
keyboard portions for controlling a cursor.
35. The laptop computer of claim 33, further comprising a track
ball mounted adjacent to the rear end of the keyboard between the
keyboard portions for controlling a cursor.
36. The laptop computer of claim 33 wherein the keys on each of the
keyboard portions are arranged in a curvilinear formation.
37. The laptop computer of claim 33, further comprising a
triangular shaped speaker on each lateral side of the lid.
38. The laptop computer of claim 33 wherein the keyboard portions
are pivotally mounted to the base at their outer, rearward corners
for repositioning the keyboard portions relative to the lateral
side edges of the base.
39. The laptop computer of claim 33 wherein the base and the lid
have congruent trapezoidal shapes.
40. A laptop computer, comprising: a substantially horizontal base
having a front end, a rear end, two lateral side edges, and a
centerline extending from the rear end to the front end; a lid
having a display monitor and pivotally mounted adjacent to the rear
end of the base, the lid having an open position wherein it is
pivoted away from the base, and a closed position wherein it is
located adjacent to and faces the base; a keyboard mounted to the
base and having a front end, a rear end, and congruent left and
right portions that are laterally spaced apart from each other,
each of the keyboard portions having a plurality of keys and being
rotatable about center points relative to the base such that the
keyboard portions may be symmetrically skewed at acute angles
relative to the centerline of the base; and a pivot mechanism
mounted to the base and front ends of each of the keyboard portions
for changing a vertical elevation of rear ends of the keyboard
portions relative to the front ends of the keyboard portions and
the base.
41. The laptop computer of claim 40 wherein the keys on each of the
keyboard portions are arranged in a curvilinear formation.
42. The laptop computer of claim 40 wherein each of the pivot
mechanisms extends diagonally across an outer front corner of their
respective keyboard portions.
43. A laptop computer, comprising: a base having a front end and a
rear end; a lid having a display monitor and pivotally mounted
adjacent to the rear end of the base, the lid having an open
position wherein it is pivoted away from the base, and a closed
position wherein it is located adjacent to and faces the base; a
keyboard mounted to the base and having a front end, a rear end,
and a plurality of keys; and an elevation mechanism mounted to the
front end of base and having a retracted position for maintaining
the keyboard in a substantially horizontal orientation, and a
deployed position for selectively elevating the front end of the
keyboard above the rear end of the keyboard.
44. The laptop computer of claim 43 wherein the elevation mechanism
comprises a wedge slidably mounted to the base and having a ramp
surface for slidably engaging the front end of the keyboard to
elevate it above the rear end of the keyboard when in the deployed
position.
45. The laptop computer of claim 44, further comprising a cover
pivotally mounted between the front ends of the keyboard and the
base, the cover having a substantially horizontal orientation when
the wedge is in the retracted position, and the cover being
inclined in an opposite direction to the ramp surface of the wedge
when the wedge is in the deployed position.
46. The laptop computer of claim 43 wherein the elevation mechanism
comprises a leg pivotally mounted to a lower surface of the front
end of the base and being recessed under the base when in the
retracted position, and extending away from the base to elevate the
front ends of the keyboard and the base above the rear ends of the
keyboard and the base when in the deployed position.
47. The laptop computer of claim 46 wherein in the deployed
position the leg extends diagonally away from the front end of the
base.
48. The laptop computer of claim 43 wherein the elevation mechanism
comprises a cam member rotatably mounted between the front ends of
the base and the keyboard.
49. The laptop computer of claim 48 wherein the cam member
comprises a cylindrical upper wedge mounted to the keyboard, and a
cylindrical lower wedge mounted to the base, the wedges having
mating cam surfaces that slidingly engage for moving the upper
wedge between the retracted and deployed positions.
50. The laptop computer of claim 43 wherein the elevation mechanism
comprises an extensible plunger.
51. The laptop computer of claim 50 wherein the plunger has a base
element mounted to the base and a telescopic elevation element
mounted between the base element and the keyboard, the elevation
element being movable to a plurality of vertical positions relative
to the base and the base element.
52. A keyboard having a set of alphanumeric keys for information
input to a computer and a monitor, comprising: a pair of touchpads
mounted to the keyboard, wherein a first one of said touchpads has
a different degree of sensitivity for controlling a cursor on the
monitor than that of a second one of the touchpads.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] This invention relates in general to portable computers and
in particular to portable laptop computers with ergonomically
enhanced keyboard and cursor control interface features.
[0003] 2. Background Art
[0004] In the prior art, laptop computers have keyboards with
substantially flat, linear arrays of keys. The keyboards sit square
in front of the user and force the user to rotate his or her wrists
to awkward, unnatural angles. Unfortunately, discomfort and even
carpal tunnel carpal syndrome can develop in users of non-ergonomic
keyboards that force the user to uncomfortably flex or rotate his
or her wrists. The user's risk of carpal tunnel syndrome may be
reduced by keeping the wrists straight. This problem has been
especially difficult for laptop computer designers to overcome
since laptops are portable and used in varying environments.
[0005] One prior art design attempted to alleviate the
ergonomically incorrect angles by dividing the keyboard into left
and right portions that move apart to a wider spacing when the
cover or lid of the laptop was opened. However, this keyboard
design remained substantially flat after it was deployed. Another
prior art keyboard design exists for non-portable desktop
computers, but it is a static design that cannot be collapsed for
use with laptop computers. An improved keyboard for laptop computer
applications is needed to enhance the ergonomic features of the
computer to reduce the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A laptop computer has a base and a cover with a display
monitor that are connected together by a hinge. The base and cover
have congruent trapezoidal shapes that give the laptop a unique
appearance. A pair of segregated right and left keyboards are
mounted to the base. Each keyboard is rotated by a small angle from
the center of the base to align with the natural position of the
arms of the user. The keyboards are further articulated such that
their front ends (nearest to the user) are elevated above or below
relative to their rearward ends (nearest to the monitor). Alternate
embodiments of the invention utilize various mechanisms for
articulating the keyboards. In addition, the keys on each keyboard
may be arranged in a curvilinear formation. The laptop has a wedge
that is slidably mounted to the rearward end of the base for
varying the angle of inclination of the keyboards. The wedge can
raise or lower the keyboards to suit the preference of the user.
The laptop also has a pair of touch pads with different
sensitivities, as well as a track point for moving the screen
cursor.
[0007] Thus, one object of the invention is to divide the keyboard
into two halves to allow the user adjustable rotation of the
keyboard halves to promote proper posture with straight or unbent
wrists, thus providing an ergonomic laptop.
[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide adjustable
rotation of the keyboard halves via preloaded flexures and a
slidable wedge.
[0009] Still another object of the invention is to provide keyboard
keys that are staggered in an arcuate pattern in order to conform
to the natural curled position of the user's fingers.
[0010] Still another object of the invention is to provide a laptop
computer with a nonconventional profile that is distinctive and
appeals to users.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] So that the manner in which the features, advantages and
objects of the invention, as well as others which will become
apparent, are attained and can be understood in more detail, more
particular description of the invention briefly summarized above
may be had by reference to the embodiment thereof which is
illustrated in the appended drawings, which is drawings form a part
of this specification. It is to be noted, however, that the
drawings illustrate only a preferred embodiment of the invention
and is therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope as the
invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a top view of a first embodiment of a laptop
computer constructed in accordance with the invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a side view of an elevation wedge for the computer
of FIG. 1 taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing of a rectilinear arrangement
of keyboard keys for the computer of claim 1.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of a curvilinear arrangement
of keyboard keys for the computer of claim 1.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a front sectional view of a lower portion of the
wedge and computer of FIGS. 1 and 2 taken along the line 5-5 of
FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the computer and wedge of
FIGS. 1 and 2 in operation taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a top view of a second embodiment of the computer
of FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a top view of a third embodiment of the computer
of FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a fourth embodiment of the
computer of FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a top view of the computer of FIG. 9.
[0022] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of a fifth embodiment of
the computer and wedge of FIGS. 1 and 2 at a nominal position
[0023] FIG. 12 is a schematic side view of the computer of FIG. 11
at an elevated position.
[0024] FIG. 13 is a schematic side view of a sixth embodiment of
the computer and wedge of FIGS. 1 and 2 at a nominal position.
[0025] FIG. 14 is a schematic side view of the computer of FIG. 13
at an elevated position.
[0026] FIG. 15 is a schematic side view of a seventh embodiment of
the computer and wedge of FIGS. 1 and 2 at a nominal position.
[0027] FIG. 16 is a schematic side view of the computer of FIG. 15
at an elevated position.
[0028] FIG. 17 is a schematic side view of an eighth embodiment of
the computer and wedge of FIGS. 1 and 2 at a nominal position.
[0029] FIG. 18 is a schematic side view of the computer of FIG. 17
at an elevated position.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of a laptop computer
100 constructed in accordance with the invention is shown. Laptop
100 has a lid or upper half 110 and a base or lower half 120 that
are connected together by a hinge 115. Hinge 115 allows the upper
half 110 and lower half 120 to rotate relative to each other in a
clamshell-like fashion about the X-axis. Laptop 100 is shown in the
open position but can be moved to a closed position (not shown) to
reduce its size and protect its delicate mechanisms when not in
use.
[0031] Upper half 110 has a rectangular output display screen 111
for displaying output information to the user. Screen 111 is
preferably a liquid crystal display (LCD), but it could use other
technologies such as organic light emitting diodes (OLED). Upper
half 110 also has a rectangular date and time clock 112 located
above screen 111, and triangular right and left speakers 113, 114
located on the lateral sides of screen 111. Note the unique
polygonal shape of upper half 110 compared to conventional
rectangular-shaped laptop covers or lids.
[0032] Lower half 120 has a pair of segregated right and left
keyboards 121, 122 with a plurality of keys 181 for data input to
laptop 100. When viewed from above, keyboard 121 is rotated by a
small positive angle THETA (counterclockwise) about the Z-axis from
the X-axis. An new coordinate system is defined by keyboard 121
with an X'-axis and a Y'-axis. Similarly, keyboard 122 is rotated
clockwise by the same angle THETA in the opposite direction about
the Z-axis from the negative X-axis. A coordinate system with an
X"-axis and Y"-axis is defined by keyboard 122. Note that keyboards
121, 122 are fixed in the trapezoidal configuration shown to match
the profile or shape of upper half 110.
[0033] The range for the angle THETA is approximately 5 to 20
degrees, with a preferred value of 12.5 degrees. Keyboards 121, 122
are rotatably connected to lower half 120 by elements 151, 152,
respectively. Elements 151, 152 allow an angle of twist PHI
relative to their respective X'-axis and X"-axis. In the preferred
embodiment, elements 151, 152 are flexures made from spring steel
that are preloaded to hold keyboards 121, 122 down against lower
half 120.
[0034] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 6, a wedge 170 is mounted to
lower half 120 and is slidable relative thereto along a slot 140
that is parallel to the Y-axis. Wedge 170 is coupled to slot 140
with a dovetail 142 (FIG. 5). Dovetail 142 allows precision sliding
motion of wedge 170 in the +/-Y direction and keeps wedge 170
attached to lower half 120. Wedge 170 is used to elevate or lower
the forward ends of keyboards 121, 122 to suit the preference of
the user. If the user desires to have laptop 100 in a low position,
the keyboards 121, 122 will be more comfortable to use in a
declined position (FIG. 6). Hence, wedge 170 would be moved in the
+Y direction. However, if laptop 100 is elevated relative to the
user, keyboards 121, 122 would be more comfortable in an inclined
position. so wedge 170 would be moved in the -Y direction.
[0035] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, wedge 170 has an inclined ramp
183 which is piecewise continuous. A plurality of slots 185, 187,
189 are cut into ramp 183 to allow precise and repeatable
angulation of keyboards 121 and 122. However, the user would be
free to set wedge 170 at other angles PHI. At the base of wedge 170
dovetail 142 keys the motion of wedge 170 in slot 140. It is
preferred that PHI have a range of -10 degrees to +10 degrees. When
the wedge is fully disengaged, PHI would be -10 degrees and when
the wedge is fully engaged, PHI would be +10 degrees. Thus, slots
185, 187, 189 would represent values of PHI of -5 degrees, 0
degrees or horizontal, and +5 degrees.
[0036] The unusual orientation of keyboards 121, 122 accommodates
the anthropometric parameters of the human body. The
shoulder-to-shoulder dimension of adults and older children is
significantly wider than the width of a laptop keyboard. Thus, the
conventional unitary keyboard employed by traditional laptops must
be divided into two portions with each portion rotated by angle
THETA in order to properly accommodate the shoulder-to-shoulder
dimension of users. If the keyboard is not split and the portions
are not rotated, the user must rotate his wrists to an
uncomfortable angle to use the keyboard. Holding the wrists at
uncomfortable angles for extended periods of time can lead to
carpal tunnel syndrome, which can be painful and debilitating.
[0037] FIG. 6 shows flexure 151 connecting keypad 121 to wrist pad
127 of lower half 120. Surface 190 keeps keyboard 121 from
depressing more than -10 degrees relative to the horizontal when
wedge 170 is not engaged. Then, as wedge 170 is moved in the -Y
direction, it increasingly lifts keyboard 121 up to +10 degrees
relative to the horizontal. The preloading of flexure 151 keeps the
keyboard flexed against the wedge 170, which holds the keyboard
against the wedge and keeps the wedge from shifting under normal
keystroke motion. Alternately, element 151 could be a spring-loaded
hinge.
[0038] Lower half 120 also has wrist pads 126 and 127. In between
wrist pads 126, 127 is an optional touch-pad 128. Similarly, in
between keyboards 121 and 122 is an optional touch-pad 125. By
running a finger along one touch-pad, the laptop user can direct a
cursor 192 on screen 111. The availability of two touch-pads
affords the user two levels of cursor sensitivity without having to
continually readjust the sensitivity of the touch-pad in via the
computer operating system. Thus, touch-pad 128 could have a coarse
sensitivity for rapid and screen-wide motion and touch-pad 125
could have a fine sensitivity for precision motion of the cursor.
Such dual-sensitivity pairs of touch pads could have value in
computer graphic applications.
[0039] In between keyboards 121 and 122 is an optional cursor track
point or track ball 124. Use of the track point 124, or either of
touch pads 125, 128 replaces a computer mouse. Since a computer
mouse is used externally to the laptop body, it typically requires
additional desktop space and adds to the weight that the user of
the laptop must carry. Hence, cursor track point 124, and touch
pads 125 and 128, are offered as light weight, miniature
alternatives to the computer mouse. Lower half 120 also has an
optional handle 130 by which the user may carry laptop 100 when it
is closed.
[0040] FIGS. 3 and 4 show two possible arrangements of the keys 181
in each of the keyboards 121, 122. FIG. 3 shows keys 194 in a
rectilinear pattern commonly seen in all computer keyboards.
However, since the fingers of the user are not all the same length,
keys 196 (FIG. 4) are staggered to accommodate the natural length
and arc of the user's fingers. In one embodiment, the individual
keys are hexagonal in shape, rather than square or rectangular, to
give the user a larger surface area for pushing the keys while
maintaining a small keyboard profile.
[0041] Referring now to FIG. 7, a second embodiment of the
invention is shown as laptop computer 201. Like laptop 100, laptop
201 is unconventional in shape by using trapezoidal features and
skewed orientations, which distinguish its appearance from prior
art designs and enhance its ergonomics. However, the keyboard
portions 203, 205 of laptop 201 are fixed relative to its lower
half 207 and are not movable except for the motion of the
individual keys thereon. The keys on keyboard portions 203, 205 may
be arranged in either of the patterns shown and described for FIGS.
3 and 4. Lower half 207 also has a pair of touch pads 211, 213, a
pair of wrist pads 215, 217, a track point or track ball 219, a set
of function keys 221 arranged in a triangular formation, and an
optional handle 223. Function keys 221 are located between the rear
end of lower half 207 and the rear ends of keyboard portions 203,
205. The other elements are described above and operate in a
similar manner.
[0042] The upper half 231 of laptop 201 is pivotally mounted to
lower half 207 on a hinge 233. Upper half 231 is similar to upper
half 110 of laptop 100, including a rectangular display screen 235,
a triangular speaker 237, 239 on each side lateral side of screen
235, and a date and time display 241 above screen 235. Note that
the outer perimeter shape of upper half 231 perfectly matches that
of lower half 207. Thus, when upper half 231 is pivoted to a closed
position (not shown) about hinge 233, it forms a symmetrical,
trapezoidal case with lower half 207.
[0043] Referring now to FIG. 8, a third embodiment of the invention
is shown as laptop computer 301. Laptop 301 is somewhat of a hybrid
between laptops 100 and 201. The lower half 303 of laptop 301 has
all the features and functions of laptop 201, including keyboard
portions 305, 307, touch pads 311, 313, wrist pads 315, 317, a
track point or track ball 319, and a triangular set of function
keys 321. The upper half 323 of laptop 301 is pivotally mounted to
lower half 303 about a hinge 325, and has a rectangular profile
including a display screen 327.
[0044] When in the open position (shown), lower half 303 also has
the same trapezoidal shape as laptop 201. However, keyboard
portions 305, 307 of laptop 301 are not fixed relative to lower
half 303. Rather, they are pivotally mounted to lower half 303 at
their outer rear edges 331, 333, respectively, so that laptop 301
can be collapsed into a conventional rectangular-shaped profile
when upper half 323 is moved to the closed position (not shown)
adjacent to lower half 303.
[0045] A fourth embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 9 and
10. Laptop computer 401 has an upper half 403, a lower half 405 and
a hinge 407 therebetween. Upper half 403 has a monitor 409 for
displaying images. Lower half 405 has a pair of keyboard portions
411, 413 that are pivotally mounted thereto via pivot elements 415.
Elements 415 are preferably leaf-spring flexures made of spring
steel, but could also be hinges or other pivot mechanisms. Keyboard
portions 411, 413 pivot about axes 421, 423, respectively. Each
keyboard portion 411, 413 has a device 424 near its inner, rearward
corner for assisting rotation about pivot elements 421, 423. In
addition, keyboard portions 411, 413 may rotate or pivot to a
desired position in a "lazy-susan" fashion about the Z-axis at
points 425, 427, respectively. These two pivot capabilities of
laptop 401 give the user greater ergonomic flexibility in adapting
the keyboard portions 411, 413 to a proper fit. Thus, keyboard
portions 411, 413 are movable to various positions such as those
depicted in the previous figures.
[0046] The remaining embodiments of the invention disclosed in
FIGS. 11-19, illustrate alternate mechanisms for elevating the
front edge(s) of the keyboard or keyboard portions (those located
nearest to the user). These mechanisms may be employed with
conventional designs or any of the designs previously described
herein and, thus, should not be limited to the laptop computers
designs that appear in the drawings.
[0047] Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, laptop computer 501 is the
fifth embodiment of the invention. Laptop 501 has a stationary base
503 with a keyboard portion 505, and a lid 507 containing a display
monitor. Lid 507 is pivotally mounted to the rearward end of base
503 with a hinge 509. A triangular wedge 511 is slidably mounted
near the front end of base 503. Wedge 511 has an inclined surface
for engaging the front end of keyboard portion 505. A pivotal cover
513 extends between the front end of base 503 and the front end of
keyboard portion 505. When wedge 511 is in the disengaged position
(FIG. 11), keyboard portion 505 and cover 513 are substantially
horizontal in a conventional configuration. However, when wedge 511
is moved rearward to the engaged position (FIG. 12), the rear end
of keyboard portion 505 is elevated higher than its rearward end at
hinge 509 to form a more ergonomically correct configuration. Cover
513 pivots with keyboard portion 505, but is inclined in the
opposite direction.
[0048] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the sixth embodiment of the
invention is illustrated as laptop computer 601. Laptop 601 has a
base 603 with a built-in keyboard 605 on its upper surface, and a
pivotal lid 607 with a display monitor mounted to the rearward end
of base 603 with a hinge 609. A pivotal leg 611 is hingably mounted
to the lower surface of base 603 near its front end. Leg 611 is
substantially flat and locates in a recess 613 when it is in its
collapsed position (FIG. 13). When leg 611 is in the collapsed
position, keyboard 605 is substantially horizontal. However, when
leg 611 is flipped out to its deployed position in front of base
603 (FIG. 14), the rear end of keyboard 605 is elevated higher than
its rearward end at hinge 609 to form a more ergonomically correct
configuration. The arcuate range of motion of leg 611 is limited to
the diagonal alignment shown to prevent its overextension. The
weight of laptop 601 keeps leg 611 in its deployed position until
it is retracted by the user.
[0049] Referring now to FIGS. 15 and 16, laptop computer 701 is the
seventh embodiment of the invention. Laptop 701 has a stationary
base 703 with a keyboard 705, and a pivotal lid 707 containing a
display monitor. Laptop 701 also has upper and lower cylindrical
wedges or cam members 709, 711 at its front end. Upper cam member
709 is mounted to keyboard 705 and lower cam member 711 is mounted
to base 703. Cam members 709, 711 slidably engage each other along
mating inclined cam surfaces that are semi-helical in nature. When
cam members 709, 711 are in their retracted position (FIG. 15),
keyboard portion 705 is substantially horizontal. However, when cam
member 709 is rotated to the deployed position (FIG. 16), the rear
end of keyboard portion 705 is elevated higher than its rearward
end. Rotating cam member 709 in the opposite direction collapses
laptop 701 back to the retracted position.
[0050] As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the eighth embodiment of the
invention is illustrated as laptop computer 801. Laptop 801 has a
base 803 with a keyboard 805 on its upper surface, and a pivotal
lid 807 with a display monitor. A plunger 811 having base and
elevation elements is mounted to base 803 and the lower surface of
keyboard 805, respectively, near their front ends. When plunger 811
is in its lower or collapsed position (FIG. 17), keyboard 805 is
substantially horizontal. However, when plunger 811 is "clicked" to
its raised or deployed position (FIG. 18), the rear end of keyboard
805 is elevated higher than its rearward end to form a more
ergonomically correct configuration. Plunger 811 may be configured
to have a variety of settings and, thus, the elevation of keyboard
805 may be adjusted according to need . Laptop 801 may be returned
to its original collapsed position by releasing plunger 811.
[0051] The invention has several advantages. The keyboard portions
are divided and configured to maximize the user's ergonomic comfort
while minimizing the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome. The keyboards
can be angled to align with the user's arms and wrists, and the
keys can be arranged in a curvilinear formation in order to contour
to the length of the user's fingers. In addition, the polygonal or
trapezoidal shapes of the various embodiments give the laptops a
distinctive appearance.
[0052] While the invention has been shown or described in only some
of its forms, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art
that it is not so limited, but is susceptible to various changes
without departing from the scope of the invention.
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