Key-board Including Keys Grouped To Facilitate Positioning Of Typist's Fingers Patents (Class 400/489)
  • Patent number: 11947747
    Abstract: A method for aligning an input interface of a touchscreen with an overlay for the touchscreen is provided. The method comprises receiving a touch input on the touchscreen, wherein the touch input identifies a first position on the touchscreen corresponding to an alignment mark of the overlay; determining, based on the received touch input, a region of the touchscreen in which to render the input interface; and rendering the input interface in the determined region of the touchscreen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Miura Systems Limited
    Inventors: Darren Shaw, Gareth Richards, Enrique Garrido
  • Patent number: 11928267
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for user input to a computer. The apparatus consists of movable left and right paddles connected to the ends of a tie bar by 3-axis gimbles. The paddles are shaped to facilitate holding the device and rotating the paddles while keeping a user's fingers and thumbs free to activate tactile key-switches positioned under them. The position of the gimbles relative to the tie bar cause the paddles to rest in a neutral position when the apparatus is pressed between a user's hands. The gimbles rotate off the neutral position based on a user's wrist position. Both the rotations of the paddles and the status of the key-switches are used to determine the input codes sent to a paired computer. A display on the paired computer shows left and right arrays of icons representing available inputs and highlights the inputs currently accessible by the user's fingers and thumbs based on the paddle positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Inventor: William James McDermid
  • Patent number: 11910915
    Abstract: An ergonomic keyboard apparatus comprising a keyboard frame including an ergonomic contour defined in part by a gabled portion of the keyboard frame that is pitched into a contoured peak that forms a first slope and a second slope on either side of the keyboard frame. A plurality of keys are disposed within the keyboard frame such that key tops of each of the plurality of keys follow the ergonomic contour of the keyboard frame. A wrist pad coupled to the keyboard frame has a gabled center portion and a surface contour that corresponds to the ergonomic contour of the keyboard frame defined by its gabled portion, first slope, and second slope. Each location along at least a portion of the surface contour of the wrist pad is elevated to at least a height of corresponding key tops of the plurality of keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventors: Sylvain Sauvage, Maxence Perret-Gentil, Lars Holm Lauridsen
  • Patent number: 11875951
    Abstract: A button structure includes a circuit board, a first portion, a second portion, and a reinforcement structure. The circuit board has a switch thereon. The first portion is located above the switch. The second portion partially covers the first portion and surrounds the first portion. The reinforcement structure is disposed on the first portion. The reinforcement structure is higher than the first portion in Young's modulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: WISTRON CORP.
    Inventors: Te-Wei Chang, Chih-Wei Hsu
  • Patent number: 11797101
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus that comprises at least a repositioning mechanism wherein at least one of said repositioning mechanisms alternately repositions for use and disuse at least an input device such that user can transition from using at least one of said input devices to using at least another one of said input devices even while both palms remain continuously engaged to their locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Inventor: Christian Ryan Umali Leonardo
  • Patent number: 11747913
    Abstract: An example keyboard can include: a base with a midpoint, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end; and a plurality of keys arranged on the base, wherein the plurality of keys is positioned to form a curved shape on the base such that the plurality of keys extend from the midpoint of the base towards a user as the plurality of keys extends towards the first end and the second end of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Inventor: Harold Eugene Collier
  • Patent number: 11713052
    Abstract: A passenger car that has a function of being able to partially or fully drive, not in accordance with driver's intentions, includes a grip that is provided independent of an operation system of the passenger car and is configured to receive driver's operating intentions according to operation of the driver, and a control unit that is configured to determine whether a driver's operating intention has been changed to another intention via the grip and to determine, when the operating intention has been changed, whether to give an operating initiative to the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Hatanoganshoudoushoten Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tadashi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 11557445
    Abstract: A keyboard device includes a bottom cover, a supporting plate, a flexible circuit board and plural key structures. The supporting plate is installed on the bottom cover. The supporting plate has a curved arc-shaped profile that is bent upwardly in a direction away from the bottom cover. The supporting plate includes plural perforations. The flexible circuit board is arranged between the bottom cover and the supporting plate. The plural key structures are installed on the supporting plate. The plural key structures are penetrated through the corresponding perforations and contacted with the flexible circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventors: Liu-Bing Cai, Rui-Qing Xiao, Xiao-Ping Wang, Jin-Chun Zhang
  • Patent number: 11500538
    Abstract: An input device for an electronic device includes an enclosure and a top member defining an input surface having multiple differentiated input regions. The input device further includes a first force sensing system associated with a first area of the top member and including a first group of the differentiated input regions, and a second force sensing system associated with a second area of the top member and including a second group of the differentiated input regions. The input device further includes a touch sensing system configured to determine which input region from the first group of the differentiated input regions corresponds to the first force input and to determine which input region from the second group of the differentiated input regions corresponds to the second force input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alex J. Lehmann, Chang Zhang, Dayu Qu, Kenneth M. Silz, Paul X. Wang, Qiliang Xu, Zheng Gao, Scott J. McEuen, Reza Nasiri Mahalati
  • Patent number: 11487388
    Abstract: An anti-accidental touch detection method is provided, comprising: when a terminal is in a first interface scenario, in response to detecting that a screen is touched, the terminal determines to perform anti-accidental touch detection by using a first anti-accidental touch detection parameter. When the terminal is in a second interface scenario, in response to detecting that the screen is touched, the terminal determines to perform anti-accidental touch detection by using a second anti-accidental touch detection parameter. The first interface scenario is different from the second interface scenario. The first anti-accidental touch detection parameter is different from the second anti-accidental touch detection parameter. The first anti-accidental touch detection parameter and the second anti-accidental touch detection parameter each include at least one of an abnormal-shape touch image attribute and a quantity of frames for detecting an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xuan Zhou
  • Patent number: 11360515
    Abstract: A personal hand-held electronic device having a case and an elongated handle. The case has a front surface, and rear surface, and a side wall, and disposed within the case is a micro-computer. The front surface has an outer perimeter wall and a display. The display has a central portion that displays images and an outer portion that displays a keyboard that extends around on the interior of, and adjacent to, the outer perimeter wall of the front surface of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventor: Jon Jay Goeders
  • Patent number: 11283795
    Abstract: An intelligent electronic device (IED) includes an image capture module configured for capturing images or video in a location of the IED. The IED may also include a heat sensor for sensing heat inside or outside a housing of the IED. In one application, these techniques are implemented in IEDs such as electrical power and energy meters and used to control access to reset, configuration, billing, communication, and data acquisition/processing functions of the meters. Additionally, image processing techniques are employed by the IED to detect events in an electrical distribution system and implement control functions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Electro Industries/Gauge Tech
    Inventor: Erran Kagan
  • Patent number: 11163376
    Abstract: The present invention extends adjustable keyboard components. A user can selectively adjust height, tilt, and other keyboard positioning aspects (e.g., pitch, tilt, roll, yaw etc.), to accommodate the specific preferences and/or physical or anatomical characteristics of the user. Keyboard adjustments can tailor a solid foundational position for the user's fingers and hands. The keyboard can include separate left and right modules. Adjustability and separability facilitate highly variable and independent movement of the user's left and right hands. Adjustments and re-adjustments allow a user to make a wide range of alterations to their typing position at any point in time based on circumstances and comfort. As such, adjustments and re-adjustments can (potentially significantly) reduce discomfort and/or injuries associated with repetitive motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Inventor: Thomas W. Wilson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10890993
    Abstract: A Braille display system can include a plurality of Braille cells; and a touch sensitive surface for providing input to the system. The Braille display system can include a plurality of modular portions, with each portion including a plurality of Braille cells. A Braille display system can include a docking station to receive one or more modules with a plurality of Braille cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Optelec Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Sofieke Jagtman
  • Patent number: 10860274
    Abstract: A method and an electronic device are provided, which attach or detaches two displays by magnetism. The electronic device includes a first housing including a first display exposed through a surface of the first housing, and a first cylindrical magnet disposed in a side of the first housing; and a second housing including a second display exposed through a surface of the second housing, and a second cylindrical magnet disposed in a side end of the second housing. At least one of the first cylindrical magnet and second cylindrical magnet is configured to rotate within the first housing and the second housing, respectively, by magnetic attraction of the first cylindrical magnet and second cylindrical magnet being adjacent to each other. The first housing and the second housing are coupled to each other by the magnetic attraction of the first cylindrical magnet and the second cylindrical magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Inventors: Hyunkeun Son, Jangwoon Kim, Chungha Kim, Jaeho Baik, Junwon Lee, Seungho Jang
  • Patent number: 10386936
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a personal mobility vehicle hand control. The personal mobility vehicle hand control includes a housing, a display, a first keypad, a second keypad, and a joystick. The display is proximate an end of the housing. The first keypad is proximate the display. The second keypad is proximate an opposite end of the housing. The joystick is between the first keypad and the second keypad. At least one key of the first keypad is configurable to correspond with a function displayed on the display. At least one key of the second keypad is configurable to correspond with the same function displayed on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Curtis Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Stucki, Thomas Kurzen, Christof Zurbrugg, Marcel Born, Kurt Stump
  • Patent number: 10166291
    Abstract: Described herein are carrier nanoparticles comprising a polymer containing a polyol coupled to a polymer containing a nitroboronic boronic acid and a linkage cleavable under reducing conditions, configured to present the polymer containing the nitroboronic acid to an environment external to the nanoparticle. Targeted versions of the described nanoparticles are also described, as are related compositions, methods and systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Mark E. Davis, Han Han
  • Patent number: 9990051
    Abstract: A portable keyboard includes a plurality of key assemblies including a plurality of key tops, a main body of a pillar shape of n angles, which is located in the vicinity of a first key assembly among a plurality of the key assemblies and includes a plurality of sides, a flexible connection member configured to connect a plurality of the key assemblies with the main body, and a main board configured to be embedded in the inside of the main body and process input signals inputted from a plurality of the key assemblies. In this case, the main body includes a first side of which one edge of the first side is connected with the flexible connection member, a second side adjacent to another edge of the first side and the second side of which an angle with the first side is equal to or greater than 90 degrees, and a cradle configured to combine one end of the cradle with the second side using a hinge to make the cradle to be rotated and the cradle configured to be contacted with the second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Yunjin Choi, Siyoung Park, Kwangsoon Jang, Hyunwoo Yoo, Sooyong Shim
  • Patent number: 9933858
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a keyboard and a key layout method. When an operator holds the keyboard with both hands, thumbs of a left and right hands cannot touch a middle position of the keyboard, the keyboard has at least three rows of keys and more than five keys arranged in each row, and widths of all the keys arranged on a middle line of the keyboard are all greater than a width exceeding a touchable range of the thumbs of both hands in a keyboard width; widths of a left side key and a right side key arranged closest to the middle line of the keyboard are greater than a half of the width exceeding the touchable range of the thumbs of both hands in the keyboard width. All the keys in the keyboard are respectively located at positions touched by the left and right thumbs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: SHENZHEN HSMC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mengming Luo
  • Patent number: 9921607
    Abstract: A portable user interface device receives user inputs in two modes. The user interface device includes a central portion attached to two side portions. Relative rotation between the central portion and the side portions converts the user interface device between the two modes. In the first mode, the user interface device is suspended on the front of a user's torso. In the second mode, the user interface device may be placed on a substantially flat horizontal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: SOLATIDO INC
    Inventor: Thomas M. Sherlock
  • Patent number: 9507434
    Abstract: A computer keyboard is designed to accommodate a variety of security features that may be installed in the keyboard during manufacturing, whereby various combinations of devices that impart selected security features or other functions may be assembled. The keyboard assembly includes a base extension for accommodating the security devices, and a number of interchangeable modular tops supporting various discreet input technologies. This modular design is tooled to accommodate different combinations of technologies, such as biometric fingerprint readers, NFC-RFID receivers, auto locking sonar, game cartridges, and connector-supporting modules. Each interchangeable modular top can hold independent modular technology that can be used to construct an integrated device that meets the customer requirements without any substantial modification of the keyboard base or extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Inventors: Philip J. Bruno, Robert A. D. Schwartz, Paul Schwartz
  • Patent number: 9329637
    Abstract: A configurable keyboard. The configurable keyboard includes a base with a top face, and a first edge. A position adjustable panel containing keyboard keys. The position adjustable panel is attached to the base by a position adjustment device. The position adjustment device includes a shaft and a first connector. The shaft is attached, towards a bottom end, to the base. The first connector connects the position adjustable panel to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gary I. Dickenson, Richard Hutzler
  • Patent number: 9170604
    Abstract: A keyboard includes a first keyboard section, a second keyboard section, and a connection structure. The connection structure includes a hook portion, a first operation member, a drive portion, and at least one latch portion. The hook portion, the first operation member, and the drive portion are defined at the first keyboard section, and the at least one latch portion is defined at the second keyboard section. The first operation member is detachably clasped with the hook portion. The drive portion drives the hook portion moving along a first direction to protrude out of the first keyboard section when the first operation member is operated to detach the hook portion. The at least one latch portion is configured for latching with the hook portion to detachably engage the first keyboard section with the second keyboard section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ji-Bing Guo
  • Patent number: 9134759
    Abstract: A dual-mode mobile communication device is provided including a device housing having a front surface, a rear surface and a plurality of side surfaces coupling the front surface to the rear surface. The dual-mode device includes a transceiver for sending and receiving voice and data communications is integrated into the device housing, a display, mounted within the front surface of the device housing, for displaying information to a user of the device regarding voice and data communications, a QWERTY keyboard mounted below the display and within the front surface of the device housing, for generating data communications, and a microphone and a speaker for generating voice communications, wherein the microphone is mounted below the display within the front surface of the device housing and the speaker is mounted above the display within the front surface of the device housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Jason T. Griffin, Mihal Lazaridis
  • Patent number: 9128533
    Abstract: A keyboard and a keyboard circuit, wherein the keyboard acts as an input device for a portable device or a computer. The keyboard circuit comprises an interface for connecting with the computer or the portable device, a detection circuit for detecting the logic level signal of the power supply from the computer or the portable device connected to the keyboard, and a microprocessor determining whether a computer or a portable device is connected to the keyboard in accordance with the logic level signal of the power input. The keyboard circuit uses a first communication circuit to communicate with the computer and a second communication circuit to communicate with the portable device, thus the keyboard is compatible with the computer or the portable device. The keyboard is capable of entering a sleep mode after finishing the transmission of the key codes to the computer or the portable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignees: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fan-Lin Lu, Xin Zhao, Ruey-Shyang You, Xiao-Guang Li, Han-Che Wang
  • Patent number: 9063587
    Abstract: Disclosed an ergonomically improved computer mouse provides several advantageous features and is different in several respects from prior mice. A mouse (100) has an upper casing (101) and a bottom part (102) with spacings, which provide sufficient clearance between upper and rear surfaces of the mouse, and the user's fingers and their hand plane when their hand rests on a working surface in a naturally relaxed curled fingers and hand position while at the same time, their index and middle fingertips are placed in respective moulds or receptacles (117) and (118), which are formed on the upper surfaces of a primary button (105) and a secondary button (106). A wheel button (123) is placed between the moulds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Inventor: Alexander Boldin
  • Patent number: 9041657
    Abstract: An ergonomic keyboard is described. In one aspect, a keyboard layout for a subject language is developed by determining a percent of frequency of monograph characters and digraphs of characters used in writing in the subject language. Thereafter, each key for the characters from each most frequent digraph is positioned under different hands on the keyboard layout, on a middle row of the keyboard layout, and under the index or middle fingers of a keyboard user. Other most frequent characters are positioned in the middle row of the keyboard layout or in a position on the keyboard layout to be struck using the index or middle fingers. The least frequent monograph characters are positioned in the bottom and top rows of the keyboard, with the least frequent characters under pinky fingers of a keyboard user. An optimized Arabic keyboard layout is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: KING SAUD UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Mohamed Zaki Ramadan Osman
  • Publication number: 20150063891
    Abstract: Overloaded typing apparatuses, and related devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a typing apparatus is provided. The typing apparatus comprises a plurality of overloaded keys in a key layout. The plurality of overloaded keys comprises at least three injectively overloaded keys disposed in a first row of keys. At least one first injectively overloaded key among the at least three injectively overloaded keys is injectively overloaded with a first at least three characters assigned to a first finger in a represented non-overloaded keyboard. The plurality of overloaded keys also comprises at least one second injectively overloaded key disposed outside the first row of keys. The at least one second injectively overloaded key is injectively overloaded with a second at least three characters assigned to the first finger in the represented non-overloaded keyboard. Other embodiments and related methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Bjorn Jawerth, Nathan Hall
  • Patent number: 8931969
    Abstract: The invention provides large, vertically elongated keyboard keys strategically chosen and positioned above the alphanumeric section of a standard keyboard (e.g. a laptop PC keyboard) to provide a more ergonomic keyboard arrangement. The invention provides for keys that appropriately address the needs of touch typists when striking frequently used keys located above the alphanumeric section of the keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Aaron M. Stewart, Hiroki Hirano, David W. Hill, Mitsuo Horiuchi, Tomoyuki Takahashi, Kazuo Nakada, Go Osaki
  • Patent number: 8911165
    Abstract: Overloaded typing apparatuses, and related devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a typing apparatus is provided. The typing apparatus comprises a plurality of overloaded keys in a key layout. The plurality of overloaded keys comprises at least three injectively overloaded keys disposed in a first row of keys. At least one first injectively overloaded key among the at least three injectively overloaded keys is injectively overloaded with a first at least three characters assigned to a first finger in a represented non-overloaded keyboard. The plurality of overloaded keys also comprises at least one second injectively overloaded key disposed outside the first row of keys. The at least one second injectively overloaded key is injectively overloaded with a second at least three characters assigned to the first finger in the represented non-overloaded keyboard. Other embodiments and related methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: 5 Examples, Inc.
    Inventors: Bjorn Jawerth, Nathan Hall
  • Patent number: 8908362
    Abstract: A foldable keyboard includes a first input module, a second input module, a folding support member, a magnetic element and a ferromagnetic element. The magnetic element and the ferromagnetic element put on the second input module and the folding support member separately that the folding support member can close with the second input module. Using magnetic element avoid wearing away by traditional fastener and reducing the complexity of production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Dexin Corporation
    Inventor: Ting-Sheng Wang
  • Patent number: 8894305
    Abstract: An adjustable keyboard assembly and support mounts and keying layout are provided allowing a user to orient keying modules of the assembly in a variety of desired configurations. In one embodiment, the assembly includes pivoting support plates that allow the flexible adjustments. In another embodiment, at least one lift module is utilized to allow achieving multiple tenting angles expediently. In yet another embodiment, a modular support mount assembly is provided to allow the user to mount keying modules to a structure such as a chair using modular mounts that allow for easy and effective peripheral device supports and reconfiguration of the modular support mount assembly to support keying modules and peripheral devices of various sizes and shapes. Furthermore, a keying layout and assembly is provided to improve efficiency and intuitiveness of using a keying module and for programming the keying modules without use of a separate computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Kinesis Corporation
    Inventors: William R. Hargreaves, Mark Ando, Carsten Buus, Jonathan H. Biggs
  • Patent number: 8858103
    Abstract: An adjustable keyboard includes a first keying module situated pivotably with respect to the second keying module for providing a keyboard having improved ergonomics and comfort, and promoting improved productivity of a user. In one embodiment, the first and the second keying modules are pivotably mounted on a base assembly having fixed opposing tenting angles. In one embodiment the first and the second keying modules are mounted on a pivot link assembly configured to pivot the keying modules with respect to each other. In one embodiment, the first and the second keying modules are configured to also laterally separate. In one embodiment, first and second lift modules space a portion of the first and the second keying modules, respectively, from a supporting surface to form opposing tenting angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Kinesis Corporation
    Inventors: William R. Hargreaves, Carsten Buus, Jonathan H. Biggs, Mark Ando
  • Patent number: 8824669
    Abstract: A keyboard includes a plurality of keys each of which is associated with indicia corresponding to at least one of alphabetic characters, numbers, or commands. The keys of the plurality of keys associated with alphabetic characters number fewer than 26 and greater than nine. No more than two alphabetic characters are associated with each of the keys associated with alphabetic characters. At least one of the keys associated with alphabetic characters is associated with two alphabetic characters and at least one number. The numbers are arranged and displayed in the format of a phone keypad and the letters are arranged and displayed in a keyboard layout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Blackberry Limited
    Inventor: Jason T. Griffin
  • Publication number: 20140199107
    Abstract: An ergonomic keyboard comprises a right hand module and a left hand module. Each of the modules comprises multiple parallel adjacent banks of four aligned keys. Each key is sequentially positioned at a mean distance from a reference position and has a corresponding effective actuation surface defined by an effective height and surface profile orientation. Each of the reference positions is determined by the relative length of the digits of a representative human hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Inventor: Maria J. Jorge
  • Publication number: 20140186084
    Abstract: A configurable keyboard. The configurable keyboard includes a base with a top face, and a first edge. A position adjustable panel containing keyboard keys. The position adjustable panel is attached to the base by a position adjustment device. The position adjustment device includes a shaft and a first connector. The shaft is attached, towards a bottom end, to the base. The first connector connects the position adjustable panel to the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
  • Patent number: 8760404
    Abstract: A keyboard can be comprised of a plurality of alphabetic keys that are disposed in an evenly-spaced grid pattern with respect to one another. In any event, these keys have keycaps configured to comport with touch typing as with a keyboard having a plurality of alphabetic keys that are disposed in an offset pattern (such as the classic QWERTY offset-pattern typewriter-styled keyboard). By one approach, these keycaps can have keycaps having bilaterally-nonsymmetrical tactile features that at least substantially match standard touch-typing finger positions. By one approach these tactile features can comprise an indentation. If desired, these keycaps can share a same form factor. In such a case, some of the keycaps for the alphabetic keys can be disposed on the keyboard at a 180 degree rotation as compared to others of the alphabetic character keycaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Jason Tyler Griffin, Roman Rak
  • Patent number: 8749962
    Abstract: A mobile computing device is disclosed. The mobile computing device comprises a housing that includes a section to retain a keypad assembly. The keypad assembly includes at least a keypad façade that carries a plurality of keys. The keypad façade of the keypad assembly is contoured to adjoin and be substantially flush with the section of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Wilhelmus Crooijmans, Yoshimichi Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 8746999
    Abstract: Carrier nanoparticles comprising a polymer containing a polyol coupled to a polymer containing a boronic acid, configured to present the polymer containing a boronic acid to an environment external to the nanoparticle and related compositions, methods and systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Mark E. Davis, Akinleye Alabi
  • Patent number: 8734036
    Abstract: In a preferred form, a keyboard has a single row of eight multi-position keys with the letters arranged in a standard QWERTY keyboard configuration. The eight keys correspond to the eight fingers used when touch typing; each finger operates one key, and that key contains all the letters that the finger normally accesses when touch typing on a standard QWERTY keyboard. With this design, no finger has to move to a different key while typing. When depressed at different locations on its key face, each key either moves straight down, or down while tilting slightly about one of a plurality of axes. Three-position keys have two tilt axes and six-position keys have five tilt axes. The keys utilize contacts located on the bottom of the keys which may be conductive or nonconductive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventor: Steven B. Hirsch
  • Patent number: 8721204
    Abstract: A keyboard having improvements to the combination wave and curve keyboards of the prior art. In one embodiment, the invention provides a wave shape on a keyboard palm rest. In another embodiment, the invention provides a unique combination of a QWERTY keyboard, with both a wave and a curve, where the D and K keys are the low points of the wave. In another embodiment, a combination of more than one lateral waves and a constant radius curve is provided. Yet another embodiment provides the combination of a curved keyboard and a straight number pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventors: Sylvain Sauvage, Lorenzo Mandelli, Eugene Canavan, Cathal Loughnane
  • Patent number: 8704648
    Abstract: A handheld communication device having a reconfigurable keyfield and a display screen upon which characters are displayed. A plurality of actuable input keys makeup the keyfield, and each has at least one character associated therewith and an engageable top surface for actuation. A microprocessor is configured to receive data indicative of an actuated input key and to output data indicative of an associated character determined to correspond to the indicated input key. At least one of the plurality of actuable input keys is mounted to the handheld communication device by an adjustable interconnection configurable between at least first and second operating orientations. In the first operating orientation, the engageable top surface of the at least one input key faces a first direction and in the second operating orientation the engageable top surface of the at least one input key faces a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Norman Ladouceur, Jason T. Griffin, Roman Rak
  • Patent number: 8681102
    Abstract: An ergonomic, elevated keyboard includes: (a) a typing keyboard including upper level keys; (b) at least one substantially vertical support leg, a top edge of the support leg being attached to a lower surface of the keyboard, the support leg either elevating a front side of the keyboard substantially above a level of an opposite, rear side of the keyboard, forming a negative keyboard slope, or holding the keyboard in a raised, substantially horizontal position, the support leg forming a lower level under the keyboard, with a central, lower level space open to the front of the keyboard; and (c) at least one thumb key on the support leg on the lower level, the thumb key being absent from among the upper level keyboard keys. This simplified abstract is not intended to limit, and should not be interpreted as limiting, the scope of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Inventor: Kevin Lee Edenborough
  • Patent number: 8662769
    Abstract: A keyboard may include a base portion, a first keyboard portion, a second keyboard portion, and a connection component that couples the second keyboard portion with the base portion. The connection component allows a movement of the second keyboard portion, relative to the base portion and the first keyboard portion, between a first orientation and a second orientation. In some implementations, the keyboard has a longer length dimension when the second keyboard portion is positioned in the second orientation than when the second keyboard portion is positioned in the first orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventor: Jason Tyler Griffin
  • Publication number: 20140037355
    Abstract: An adjustable keyboard assembly and support mounts and keying layout are provided allowing a user to orient keying modules of the assembly in a variety of desired configurations. In one embodiment, the assembly includes pivoting support plates that allow the flexible adjustments. In another embodiment, at least one lift module is utilized to allow achieving multiple tenting angles expediently. In yet another embodiment, a modular support mount assembly is provided to allow the user to mount keying modules to a structure such as a chair using modular mounts that allow for easy and effective peripheral device supports and reconfiguration of the modular support mount assembly to support keying modules and peripheral devices of various sizes and shapes. Furthermore, a keying layout and assembly is provided to improve efficiency and intuitiveness of using a keying module and for programming the keying modules without use of a separate computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: William R. Hargreaves, Mark Ando, Carsten Buus, Jonathan H. Biggs
  • Patent number: 8559622
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for telephony tone signal and character code generation for QWERTY keyboards includes a QWERTY style keyboard, a processor and a keyboard mode control software module. The QWERTY style keyboard has a plurality of letter keys, wherein each letter key is configured to generate a unique input signal. The processor is coupled to the keyboard and is configured to convert each unique input signal generated by the letter keys into a character code and/or a telephony tone signal. The keyboard mode control software module operates on the processor, and controls whether the processor converts the unique input signals from the letter keys into character codes or telephony tone signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Wen Zhao, Runbo Fu, Xin Jin, Pokin Yeung, Karen A. Rudnitski
  • Publication number: 20130230345
    Abstract: Wireless handheld mobile communication device and keyboard therefore having a keyfield including a plurality of depressible keys arranged in rows that are distributed about a vertical centerline (Vc) of the keyboard. Each depressible keys has a top engagement surface with an upper inboard portion that is raised relative a lower outboard portion thereof. The top engagement surface of each depressible keys is ramped from the lower outboard portion toward the upper inboard portion. Each top engagement surface is generally crest shaped, with the apex of the crest running generally diagonally across the respective key with a remaining surface falling away from the crest toward the upper outboard portion and the lower inboard portion of the key. The top engagement surface of each of the depressible keys terminates at an upper edge thereof in an elevated ridge down from which the balance of the respective top engagement surface slopes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Roman P. RAK, Jason Tyler GRIFFIN, Norman M. LADOUCEUR
  • Patent number: 8523464
    Abstract: This disclosure describes an ergonomic computer keyboard with an integrated joystick pointing device. The keyboard incorporates a palm support and a key orientation that enables a user to rest his hand on the palm support and access keys. The joystick pointing device is situated on a portion of the keyboard that is closest to the user such that the user can manipulate the joystick pointing device without removing his hands from the keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Inventor: Wm. David Edmister
  • Publication number: 20130202339
    Abstract: A touch-type keyboard with multiple functions associated with each key which functions are uniquely selected based on finger position. Each of a plurality of mechanical keys are associated with at least three functions. Each key has a surface area for actuation by a user's finger. The surface area is mapped to zones associated with each function. Function actuation is determined by detection of the finger position when the key is actuated. In the event of a finger overlapping multiple zones during actuation, unique function selection is determined at least in part from the pattern of finger overlap with the plural zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: Synerdyne Corporation
    Inventors: Mark S. Knighton, Mydul R. Islam, Tzyy-Woei R. Sung, Kevin H. Vuong
  • Publication number: 20130183074
    Abstract: An adjustable keyboard includes a first keying module situated pivotably with respect to the second keying module for providing a keyboard having improved ergonomics and comfort, and promoting improved productivity of a user. In one embodiment, the first and the second keying modules are pivotably mounted on a base assembly having fixed opposing tenting angles. In one embodiment the first and the second keying modules are mounted on a pivot link assembly configured to pivot the keying modules with respect to each other. In one embodiment, the first and the second keying modules are configured to also laterally separate. In one embodiment, first and second lift modules space a portion of the first and the second keying modules, respectively, from a supporting surface to form opposing tenting angles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: KINESIS CORPORATION
    Inventor: KINESIS CORPORATION