User input device

Abstract

An input device that alleviates repetitive stress injuries by eliminating static repetition in the use. The input device includes a plurality of zones, the zones being adapted to move. The zones are moved by moving elements. The zones move when any one or more of predetermined conditions occur such as a set time, number of keystrokes, time interval, keystrokes in a zone or area, preprogrammed injury status, preprogrammed injury prevention, programmed diagnosed condition, key temperature, vibration, manual adjustment, and user pattern or preference.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 377,072, filed Mar. 15, 2006, which claims the benefit of Provisional Application Nos. 60 / 661,652, filed Mar. 15, 2005 and 60 / 681,877, filed May 16, 2005, the disclosure contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entity.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates generally to human work environments and particularly to ergonomic workstations.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]One of the consequences of the technology in the workplace has been the emergence of highly specialized machines and machine control environments. These machines and machine controls such as computer controlled systems have greatly increased the productivity and efficiency of workers by grouping substantial operative and control functions within a single compact environment minimizing the amount of movement and travel required by the worker to control div...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018]An ergonomic keyboard that alleviates repetitive stress injuries by eliminating static repetition in the use of keyboards. The keyboard includes a plurality of key zones, the key zones being adapted to move. The zones are moved by moving means. The key zones move when any one or more of predetermined conditions occur such as a set time, number of keystrokes, time interval, keystrokes in a zone or area, preprogrammed injury status, preprogrammed injury prevention, programmed diagnosed condition, key temperature, keyboard vibration, manual adjustment, and user pattern or preference. A keyboard and or mouse or similar input devices used mainly with computers as a therapeutic and palliative instrument for injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome and repetition strain injury is disclosed. The keyboard, mouse, trackball, or other device is preferably programmed through the computer or onboard programming to move in sequences. This keyboard would be able to monitor the user's workload related to keyboard, mouse, or other input peripherals. In a preferred embodiment, this keyboard senses where and how changes could be made to protect the user from injury. This keyboard then executes these changes automatically. These programmed sequences would change in order to alleviate specific conditions like carpal tunnel. Changing positions and other adaptations in timed intervals, or other parameters as discussed above would assist the user by altering the position of nerves, change the blood flow, and interrupt static loading to certain muscle groups, ligaments, tendons, and nerves during the task of using these devices. This movement would diminish the affect on any one area of the body and allow the injured or affected area to be less involved in the task of using the devices, or improve the function and environment of the at risk area resulting in a state of rest and recuperation the motion sequence increases the chance of alleviating the condition. The device would, through the use of a master control program in the keyboard, computer, server or wireless control device, be able to alleviate specific conditions or go through a general movement program whereby the keyboard and or mouse changes positions when work load parameters are met to help prevent conditions exacerbated by or caused by the use of these and other input devices. Motors or other devices would move the keyboard and mouse or other input devices. In addition the keyboard, mouse and other devices may have sensors to help track and change adaptations as necessary or to accumulate data.

[0019]Adaptations include, but are not limited to, position, movement, of the keys, keyboards, wrist support or multiple zones within a keyboard. Temperature changes to the keys, wrist rest including cooling and warming to circulation and provide comfort. Key height and tension can preferably be altered targeting specific zones that are overused for instance providing less strain to overused finger and wrist muscles. In one embodiment, the keyboard includes a wrist support where the wrist tractions. The wrist support preferably includes a temperature control to cool or warm the wrist support to optimal levels for the user.

[0020]A therapeutic / or ergonomic keyboard and mouse or similar input devices used mainly with computers is disclosed. The Keyboard and mouse or trackball or other devices is programmed through the computer or via controls located on the device itself to move the device in sequences or random movements. These sequences or movements are programmed to vary positions. This would alleviate specific conditions like carpal tunnel, or repetitive strain injury. By changing positions in timed, random, or other parameters including but not limited to keystroke count, temperature, measured accumulation of pressure or set intervals positions, or when work load parameters are met to help prevent conditions exacerbated by or caused by the use of these and other input devices. It would assist the user by incorporating more muscle groups. These changes would allow the injured or affected area to be less involved in the task of using the devices, go into a state of rest and recuperation and increases the chance of alleviating or preventing the condition. The deliberate pattern of changes and keyboard motion could diminish the adverse affects on the user in a specific way. For instance movement could be programmed to alleviate overuse to a specific anatomical area like a specific muscle group. The keyboard would maneuver in a way to alleviate an injury to one of the hands by moving a specific are or zone on the keyboard related to the injured hand or wrist. Movements would be programmed to accomplish certain palliative tasks, for instance the keyboard can arrange itself in a way to decompress the median nerve that is usually compressed with a typical keyboard. Stretching out the wrist with the wrist support and altering key angle to optimal position could do this. Additionally the keyboard and or wrist guard could alternatively cooled and warmed to further affect blood flow and decrease pain to the area. This allows the injured or affected area to be optimally adapted to the user and increases the chance of alleviating the condition.

[0021]The device, through the use of a master control program in the computer or through an on board control device, alleviates specific conditions or oscillates through any number of movements during a time period to help prevent conditions exacerbated by or caused by the use of these and other input devices. At least one motors or other device moves the keyboard, mouse, or other input devices. In addition, the keyboard, mouse, and other devices preferably have sensors to help track and change position as necessary or just to accumulate data.

[0029]It is the particular object of the present invention to provide an improved workstation that tends to minimize or prevent injury to the user resulting from limited and repetitive motion, static loading, accumulated stress to the body parts used in keyboarding.

[0030]It is the object of this invention to present an artificially intelligent, interactive design that is passively compliant. No action is needed by the user to make biomechanical adjustments to the keyboard to avoid injury. The programs are preferably automated and require no action to comply with the improved system. The keyboard is capable of learning the user's needs and making appropriate changes in order to help prevent injury to susceptible body parts engaged in typing.

Problems solved by technology

While such highly efficient and compact workstation environments have greatly increased worker productivity and efficiency, the burdens imposed upon the worker in a workstation environment, which essentially limits the ranges of motions, muscle group changes, postural changes, and rest needed, by the worker.

This environment has given rise to substantial risks of injury and other problems to the users of these workstations.

In particular, the tendency for such work stations to utilize a restricted seating portion for the worker and the manipulation of densely compacted controls such as a computer keyboard or the like has given rise to a variety of maladies such as the well known carpal tunnel syndrome as well as a variety of musculo-skeletal ailments generally referred to as repetitive motion syndrome.

One of the most common examples of such problems is the painful injury which often afflicts those operating computer keyboards for extended periods of time as the repeated high speed limited motion of the computer operator's fingers in a fixed keyboard position which gives rise to the carpal tunnel syndrome type injury.

This type of device still limits needed variation in position and other adaptations for the user that could alleviate or avoid injury.

This type of device still limits needed variation in position and other adaptations for the user that could alleviate or avoid injury.

This device also lacks user guidance to optimal positioning and limits adaptation to user only initiated positioning.

This type of device still limits needed variation in position and other adaptations for the user that could alleviate or avoid injury.

This device also lacks user guidance to optimal positioning and limits adaptation to user only initiated positioning.

This type of device still limits needed variation in position and other adaptations for the user that could alleviate or avoid injury.

This device also lacks user guidance to optimal positioning and limits adaptation to user only initiated positioning.

While this keyboard may move it is not interactive, it lacks the ability to make regular specific movements based on workload or time spent working.

This causes unnecessary interruptions at random intervals to the worker without any guarantees of benefit.

It also limits adaptation to movement only and no customization of such movement is available.

It is clumsy and difficult to use.

The keyboard is unable to guide the user to position it optimally.

Additionally, the lack of a corresponding wrist rest allows wrist hyperextension.

This type of device still limits needed variation in position and other adaptations for the user that could alleviate or avoid injury.

This device also lacks user guidance to optimal positioning and limits adaptation to user only initiated positioning.

It offers no way to guide the user to the best keyboard positions.

There is no adaptation at all to address repetition a key component to carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive stress injuries.

This type of device still limits needed variation in position and other adaptations for the user that could alleviate or avoid injury.

This device also lacks user guidance to optimal positioning and limits adaptation to user only initiated positioning.

There is no attention or adaptation for different sized users, different injuries or environments.

This keyboard fails to address most of the needs of carpal tunnel and repetitive stress injury sufferers.

In fact, it does nothing to address the chief cause of carpal tunnel and repetition strain injury, repetition itself.

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