Asymmetric Key Biasing Structure for Multi-Keyboard Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users, particularly employees, face challenges in maintaining computer activity when away from their keyboards due to monitoring requirements in unified communications solutions like Microsoft Teams, and power-saving or security features that deactivate screens or lock computers.
Innovation Solution
A keyboard-key biasing device with resiliently-flexible body elements and elongate biasing members that can be positioned in various orientations to depress keyboard keys, maintaining computer activity while the user is away, and accommodating different keyboard configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single-orientation biasing device is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate different keyboard configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing device employs asymmetric contact areas where the first contact area is positioned at a different distance from the body element than the second contact area. This asymmetric configuration enables the device to adapt to different keyboard layouts and key positions without requiring multiple specialized devices, resolving the contradiction between versatility and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing device is designed with multiple contact areas that can engage with different keyboard configurations. The same device can be used across various keyboard types and layouts by utilizing different contact areas, achieving universal compatibility while maintaining a single unified structure rather than requiring multiple specialized devices.
2Reliability
If the biasing members are made resiliently-flexible to provide depressing force, then computer activity can be maintained, but the device may potentially damage laptop screens
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing members are constructed from resiliently-flexible materials that can dynamically adjust their mechanical properties. When a laptop screen is closed onto the device, the material's flexibility allows it to deform and absorb the impact force, changing its structural parameters to prevent screen damage while maintaining the key-depressing function when the laptop is open.
Solution Approach 2:
The resiliently-flexible material inherently provides cushioning protection before any potential screen contact occurs. The material's elastic properties are designed to absorb and dissipate impact energy, creating a protective buffer that prevents harmful forces from reaching the laptop screen if the device is accidentally placed under a closed lid.
3Adaptability or versatility
If contact areas are positioned far from the body element to reach distant keys, then keys at large distances can be depressed, but the device becomes less adaptable to different keyboard configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates contact areas at asymmetric distances from the body element, with the first contact area positioned at a different distance than the second contact area. This asymmetric arrangement allows the device to reach different key positions on various keyboard configurations without requiring a uniformly long structure, maintaining adaptability while minimizing overall device length.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than extending the device length uniformly to reach distant keys, the asymmetric contact area positioning utilizes spatial distribution in multiple dimensions. The contact areas are strategically placed at different distances and positions, allowing the device to access various key locations on different keyboard layouts without requiring a single long contact point, thus reducing the maximum length requirement.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device effectively maintains computer activity, preventing the user from being marked as 'away' in unified communications solutions, while also being adaptable to various keyboard configurations and preventing damage to laptop screens.
Implementation Method 1
a resiliently-flexible elongate first biasing member which extends from a first end portion of the body element and has a first contact area for depressing a keyboard key
Data Source
AI summary
A keyboard-key biasing device 10 having a resiliently-flexible body element 12, a resiliently-flexible elongate first biasing member 14 which has a first contact area 30 and a resiliently-flexible elongate second biasing member 16 which has a second contact area 34. The first and second contact areas 30, 34 being at different distances from the body element 12 so that the biasing device 10 is usable in a plurality of orientations to suit a plurality of keyboard configurations.