United States Patent
`
`[19]
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`5,600,313
`
`Freedman
`
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`Feb. 4, 1997
`
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`USOO5600313A
`
`[54] COMPUTER KEYBOARD
`
`Primary Examiner—Jefl°ery Hofsass
`Assistant Examiner—Andrew Hill
`
`[76]
`
`Inventor: Lorri Freedman, 2667 Loretta St.,
`Yorktown Heights, N.Y. 10598
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 577,112
`_
`De“ 22: 1995
`F1139:
`122]
`Int. c1.6 ..................................................... H03K 17/94
`[51]
` [52]
`______U 341/22; 341/23; 400/489
`[58] Field of Search ........................ 341/22, 23; 345/161,
`345/168; 364/709.01, 709.12; 400/472,
`479 486 489 715
`’
`’
`’
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,438,331
`5,486,846
`
`8/1995 Gilligan ............................. 345/168
`1/1996 Comer et al. ................... .. 345/168
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`A computer keyboard including a keyboard body that has a
`top side, a bottom side, and a pair of short peripheral walls
`with a pair of long peripheral walls therebetween. The top
`side of the keyboard body has a keyboard mechanism
`10°31“ ‘h°“‘=°“- A Wrist Pad is P°5i‘i°“ed 0“ the ‘OP Side Of
`the keyboard and is perpendicular one of the long peripheral
`:;’):111i'e1‘;)";:fcfdma::,fa$:’fna1‘:fl p:sS“‘:::‘ib::‘
`fu
`. y
`P .
`.
`. p .
`.’
`.I'1Ct101‘l keys and alphabet keys. A pointing stick 1S posi-
`tioned from the space bar and between the alphabet keys of
`the keyboard mechanism. The pointing stick controls all
`movement of a cursor on a display screen of a computer.
`Lastly, a pair of mouse buttons are provided and spaced from
`the space bar on the keyboard mechanism. The pair of mouse
`bununs funn u n-gm bnnun and u left button that funcuuns
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`in accordance with the pointing stick when the user positions
`the cursor on an icon.
`
`94-24865
`
`10/1994 WIPO .................................... .. 341/22
`
`1 Claim, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
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`
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`Elllill
`
`RPX Exhibit 1139
`RPX Exhibit 1139
`RPX v. DAE
`RPX V. DAE
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 4, 1997
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`Sheet 1 of 3
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`5,600,313
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 4, 1997
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`Sheet 2 of 3
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`5,600,313
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` Feb. 4, 1997
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`Sheet 3 of 3
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`5,600,313
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`5,600,313
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`1
`COMPUTER KEYBOARD
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention relates to a computer keyboard and
`more particularly pertains to providing a plurality of mouse
`buttons formed integrally with the top side of the keyboard,
`and further having a built-in wrist pad associated with the
`top side of the keyboard.
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`The use of a keyboard is known in the prior art. More
`specifically, a keyboard heretofore devised and utilized for
`the purpose of computer operation are known to consist
`basically of familiar, expected, and obvious structural con-
`figurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encom-
`passed by the crowded prior art which has been developed
`for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
`By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,339,097 to Grant
`discloses a computer keyboard. U.S. Pat. No. 5,274,766 to
`Long and Ward discloses a universal keyboard and key-
`board/spatial input device controller. U.S. Pat. No. Des.
`346,161 to Oh and Lee discloses a keyboard for a computer.
`U.S. Pat. No. Des. 350,126 to Leung discloses a computer
`keyboard wit built-in trackball. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 298,535
`to Shim discloses a computer keyboard. Lastly, U.S. Pat. No.
`Des. 281,426 to Kurihara and Mizuno discloses a keyboard
`for an electronic computer.
`their respective, particular
`While these devices fulfill
`objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do
`not describe computer keyboard that allows a computer user
`to control functions within an application through the use of
`a keyboard that incorporates a variety of programmable
`function icons along the periphery, and incorporates a plu-
`rality of mouse buttons integral with the top side of the
`keyboard.
`In this respect, the computer keyboard according to the
`present invention substantially departs from the conven-
`tional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so
`provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose
`of providing a plurality of mouse buttons formed integrally
`with the top side of the keyboard, and further having a
`built-in wrist pad associated with the top side of the key-
`board.
`
`Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a con-
`tinuing need for a new and improved computer keyboard
`which uses a plurality of mouse buttons formed integrally
`with the top side of the keyboard, and further having a
`built-in wrist pad associated with the top side of the key-
`board. In this regard,
`the present invention substantially
`fulfills this need.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the
`known types of a keyboard now present in the prior art, the
`present invention provides an improved computer keyboard.
`As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which
`will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide
`a new and improved computer keyboard and method which
`has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the
`disadvantages.
`To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises
`a generally rectangular keyboard body that has a top side, a
`bottom side, and a pair of short peripheral walls with a pair
`of long peripheral walls. Included is a keyboard mechanism
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`that is located on the top side of the keyboard body. The
`keyboard mechanism has an inner key area with a peripheral
`key area therearound. Also, a generally rectangular wrist pad
`is positioned on the top side of the keyboard below the inner
`key area and the peripheral key area. The wrist pad is
`perpendicular one of the long peripheral walls in a lower
`quadrant of the top side. The wrist pad is formed of a flexible
`material. The wrist pad has a length equal to a length of the
`long peripheral walls. Provided are a plurality of keys for
`depressing by movement of the fingers of a user in a first
`direction, when positioned within the inner key area of the
`keyboard mechanism. The plurality of keys form a space
`bar, function keys and alphabet keys. The plurality of keys
`are capable of being depressed while a wrist of the user rests
`on the wrist pad. Additionally, a pointing stick is positioned
`from the space bar and between the alphabet keys within the
`inner key area of the keyboard mechanism. The pointing
`stick is cylindrical and rotatable three and sixty hundred
`degrees. The pointing stick controls all movement of a
`cursor on a display screen of a computer by movement of
`stick with any two fingers of the user. A pair of mouse
`buttons are positioned along the inner key area of the
`keyboard mechanism and spaced from the space bar. The
`pair of mouse buttons form a right button and a left button.
`The right and left buttons function in accordance with the
`pointing stick when the user positions the cursor on an icon
`in a “WINDOWS” application on the display screen of the
`computer. Lastly, three sets of icon keys are provided. Each
`set
`is positioned within the peripheral key area of the
`keyboard mechanism. The three sets of icon keys form a set
`of static icon keys, a set of command icon keys and a set of
`tool bar icon keys. The set of static icon keys is positioned
`vertically on a left side of the keyboard mechanism. The set
`of command icon keys are positioned vertically on a right
`side of the keyboard mechanism. The tool bar icon keys are
`positioned horizontally above the function keys of the
`keyboard mechanism. The three sets of icon keys function
`within an application appearing on the display screen. The
`three sets of icon keys free up display screen space to allow
`more screen space for the application when the user is
`imputing useful data into the computer.
`There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more
`important features of the invention in order that the detailed
`description thereof that follows may be better understood
`and in order that the present contribution to the art may be
`better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features
`of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which
`will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
`In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment
`of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the
`invention is not limited in its application to the details of
`construction and to the arrangements of the components set
`forth in the following description or illustrated in the draw-
`ings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of
`being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is
`to be understood that the phraseology and terminology
`employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and
`should not be regarded as limiting.
`As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
`conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily
`be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures,
`methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes
`of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the
`claims be regarded as including such equivalent construc-
`tions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope
`of the present invention.
`It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide
`a new and improved computer keyboard which has all of the
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`5,600,313
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`3
`advantages of the prior art a keyboard and none of the
`disadvantages.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide a
`new and improved computer keyboard which may be easily
`and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
`It is further object of the present invention to provide a
`new and improved computer keyboard which is of durable
`and reliable constructions.
`
`invention is to
`An even further object of the present
`provide a new and improved computer keyboard which is
`susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both
`materials and labor, and which accordingly is then suscep-
`tible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby
`making such computer keyboard economically available to
`the buying public.
`Still yet another object of the present invention is to
`provide a new and improved computer keyboard which
`provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art
`some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously over-
`coming some of the disadvantages normally associated
`therewith.
`
`Even still another object of the present invention is to
`provide a computer keyboard for providing a plurality of
`mouse buttons formed integrally with the top side of the
`keyboard, and further having a built-in wrist pad associated
`with the top side of the keyboard.
`Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide
`a new and improved computer keyboard including a key-
`board body that has a top side, a bottom side, and a pair of
`short peripheral walls with a pair of long peripheral walls
`therebetween. The top side of keyboard body has a keyboard
`mechanism located thereon. A wrist pad is positioned on the
`top side of the keyboard and is perpendicular one of the long
`peripheral walls in a lower quadrant of the top side. Included
`are a plurality of keys. The keys are positioned on the
`keyboard mechanism and comprised of a space bar, function
`keys and alphabet keys. A pointing stick is positioned from
`the space bar and between the alphabet keys of the keyboard
`mechanism. The pointing stick controls all movement of a
`cursor on a display screen of a computer when a user
`activates the stick. Lastly, a pair of mouse buttons are
`provided and spaced from the space bar on the keyboard
`mechanism. The pair of mouse buttons form a right button
`and a left button that functions in accordance with the
`pointing stick when the user positions the cursor on an icon.
`These together with other objects of the invention, along
`with the various features of novelty which characterize the
`invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims
`annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better
`understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and
`the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be
`had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in
`which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the
`invention.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The invention will be better understood and objects other
`than those set forth above will become apparent when
`consideration is given to the following detailed description
`thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed
`drawings wherein:
`FIG. 1 is a fragmented sectional view of the present
`invention constructed in accordance with the principles
`thereof.
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`FIG, 2 is a front elevational view of the present invention.
`FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the present invention.
`FIG. 4 is a left side view of the present invention of FIG.
`
`1.
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`invention
`FIG. 5 is a right side view of the present
`constructed in accordance with the principles thereof.
`FIG. 6 is a bottom plane view of the present invention.
`FIG. 7 is a perspective View of the preferred embodiment
`of the computer keyboard constructed in accordance with
`the principles of the present invention.
`The same reference numerals refer to the same parts
`through the various Figures.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to
`FIG. 1 thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and
`improved computer keyboard embodying the principles and
`concepts of the present invention and generally designated
`by the reference numeral 10 will be described.
`The present
`invention,
`the computer keyboard 10 is
`comprised of a plurality of components. Such components in
`their broadest context include a keyboard and a keyboard
`mechanism. Such components are individually configured
`and correlated with respect to each other so as to attain the
`desired objective.
`Specifically, the present invention includes a generally
`rectangular keyboard body 12, as shown in FIG. 7. The
`keyboard body is formed of a rigid plastic of the type used
`in commercially available keyboards. The keyboard has a
`top side 14, a bottom side 16, and a pair of short peripheral
`walls 18 with a pair of long peripheral walls 20. The bottom
`side of the keyboard, as shown in FIG. 6, has a pair of wires
`24 that extend therefrom for coupling to the CPU of a
`computer. Also, a switch 26 is included on the bottom side.
`The switch allows the keyboard to function with the PC or
`function with multi-stations.
`
`Included is a keyboard mechanism 28 located on the top
`side 14 of the keyboard body. The keyboard mechanism has
`an inner key area 32 with a peripheral key area 34 surround-
`ing the inner key area.
`As best illustrated in FIG. 7, a generally rectangular wrist
`pad 36 is positioned on the top side 14 of the keyboard 12,
`just below the inner key area and the peripheral key area.
`The wrist pad is perpendicular one of the long peripheral
`walls 20 in a lower quadrant 38 of the top side. The wrist pad
`is formed of a flexible material, as shown in FIG. 1. The pad
`is made from rubber and has a neoprene fabric covering. The
`wrist pad has a length equal to a length of the long peripheral
`walls. The wrist pad reduces the onset and severity of the
`repetitive strain injury known as a carpal tunnel syndrome,
`as well as other neurological or orthopedic malfunctions.
`Additionally, a plurality of keys are included. The keys
`are for depressing by movement of fingers of a user in a first
`direction, when positioned within the inner area of the
`keyboard mechanism. The plurality of keys form a space bar
`40, function keys 44 and alphabet keys 46. The plurality of
`keys may be depressed while the wrist of the user rests on
`the wrist pad 36. The plurality of keys are arranged in the
`normal layout of most commercially available keyboards for
`computers. Further,
`there are keys bearing numbers 48
`arranged in manner familiar to the art.
`A pointing stick 52 is positioned from the space bar 40
`and between the alphabet keys 46 within the inner key area
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`of the keyboard mechanism. Specifically, the pointing stick
`is positioned between G, H, and B alphabet keys on the
`keyboard mechanism. FIGS. 4 and 5 show the pointing stick
`projecting upward above the plurality of keys. The pointing
`stick is cylindrical and rotatable three hundred and sixty
`degrees. The pointing stick controls all movement of a
`cursor on a display screen of a computer. The cursor is
`moved by movement of stick with any two fingers of the
`user. The user can control the cursor, by moving the pointing
`stick, and not removing the hand from over the keyboard
`mechanism. Pressure on the pointing stick allows it to move
`the cursor in a direction the pointer stick is rotated. The
`pointer stick rotates around a universal joint located within
`the keyboard mechanism.
`'
`FIG. 1 shows a pair of mouse buttons 58 and 60. The
`mouse buttons are positioned along the inner key area of the
`keyboard mechanism, and spaced from the space bar_40, as
`shown in FIG. 7. The pair of mouse buttons form a right
`button 58 and a left button 60. The right and left buttons are
`capable of functioning in accordance with the pointing stick,
`when the user positions the cursor on an icon in a “WIN-
`DOWS” application on the display screen of the computer.
`Also, the mouse operates in conjunction with the pull-down
`menus of the “WINDOWS” application. Addition of the
`mouse buttons,
`to the keyboard body, allows continued
`typing without moving off the keyboard mechanism.
`Lastly, three sets of icon keys are included. Each set is
`positioned within the peripheral key area of the keyboard
`mechanism, as shown in FIG. 7. The keys are formed of
`commercially available plastic that is currently being used in
`the market place for computers. The three sets of icon keys
`form a set of static icon keys 66, a set of command icon keys
`68 and a set of tool bar icon keys 70. The set of static icon
`keys is positioned vertically on a left side of the keyboard
`mechanism. The set of command icon keys is positioned
`vertically on a right side of the keyboard mechanism. The
`tool bar icon keys are positioned horizontally above the
`function keys 44 of the keyboard mechanism 28. The three
`sets of icon keys function within an application appearing on
`the display screen. The three sets of iconkeys are capable of
`freeing up display screen space to allow more screen space
`for the application, when the user is imputing useful data
`into the computer.
`The present invention is an improved computer keyboard.
`The computer keyboard consists of a standard PC keyboard
`with a wrist pad added, a pointing stick, and mouse buttons,
`and three sets of icon keys. Specifically, the three sets of icon
`keys positioned in the peripheral area along the keyboard
`mechanism allows a user to keep their hands on the key-
`board instead ofjumping from the keyboard to the mouse for
`making common application short—cuts. This is especially
`useful for the professional
`typists operating data entry
`applications. By providing a keyboard-concentric input
`environment making use of these icon sets and the pointing
`stick, the user will rarely have to pause and loose their flow.
`A major secondary reason for providing the three sets of icon
`key, is that they save screen space. The space set is currently
`being used to display more relevant information pertaining
`to the application itself. Many applications are overwhelmed
`with icons, which essentially takes large amounts of screen
`space from useful data. The three icon sets may be updated
`prograrnrnably, either through the standard keyboard cable
`or through a secondary cable attached to the parallel port. If
`a secondary cable is used, the parallel port connection would
`have a port extended to continue to allow for normal printer
`through—put.
`As to the manner of usage and operation of the present
`invention, the same should be apparent from the above
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`description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to
`the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
`With respect to the above description then, it is to be
`realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the
`parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials,
`shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly
`and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one
`skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those
`illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification
`are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
`Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
`of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
`modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled
`in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
`construction and operation shown and described, and
`accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may
`be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
`What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected
`by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:
`1. A new and improved computer keyboard for keeping
`the hands of a user on the keyboard during computer
`operation comprising in combination:
`a generally rectangular keyboard body having a top side,
`bottom side and a pair of short peripheral walls with a
`pair of long peripheral walls therebetween, the bottom
`side of the keyboard having a pair of wires that extend
`therefrom for coupling to a computer, the bottom side
`having a switch that allows key board function with the
`computer;
`a keyboard mechanism located on the top side of the
`keyboard body,
`the keyboard mechanism having a
`inner key area with a peripheral key area therearound;
`a generally rectangular wrist pad positionable on the top
`side of the keyboard below the inner key area and the
`peripheral key area, the wrist pad being perpendicular
`one of the long peripherals wall in a lower quadrant of
`the top side, the wrist pad being formed of a flexible
`material, the wrist pad having a length equal to a length
`of the peripheral walls;
`a plurality of keys for depressing by movement of fingers
`of a user in a first direction when positionable within
`the inner key area of the keyboard mechanism, the
`plurality of keys forming a space bar, function keys and
`alphabet keys, the plurality of keys capable of being
`depressed while a wrist of the user rest on the wrist pad;
`a pointing stick positionable from the space bar and
`between the alphabet keys G, H, and B within the inner
`key area of the keyboard mechanism, the pointing stick
`being cylindrical and rotatable 360 degrees about a
`universal joint,
`the pointing stick being capable of
`controlling all movement of a cursor on a display
`screen of a computer by movement thereof with any
`two fingers of the user;
`a pair of mouse buttons being positionable along the inner
`key area of the keyboard mechanism and spaced from
`the space bar, the pair of mouse buttons forming a right
`button and a left button, the right and Left buttons being
`capable of functioning accordance with the pointing
`stick when the user positions the cursor on an icon in
`a Windows application on the display screen of the
`commuter; and
`three sets of icon keys with each set being positionable
`within the peripheral key area of the keyboard mecha-
`nism, the three sets of icon keys forming a set of static
`icon keys, a set of command icon keys and a set of
`toolbar icon keys, the set of static icon keys being
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`5,600,313
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`7
`positionable vertically on a left side of keyboard
`mechamsm the Set of Command 19°“ keys bemg P051‘
`tionable vertically on a right side of the keyboard
`mechanism, the toolbar icon keys being positionable
`horizontally above the function keys of the keyboard 5
`meehanism, the three sets of icon keys being capable of
`functioning within an application appearing on the
`
`8
`display screen, the three sets of icon keys being capable
`free up display screen space for allowing more screen
`space for the application when the user inputting useful
`_
`data “"0 the Computer-
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