Augmented Keyboard with Integrated Palm Supports and Side Controls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a common repetitive strain injury among computer users, caused by unnatural bending and prolonged use of the wrist, particularly when using a mouse, leading to compression of the median nerve and resulting in pain, numbness, and potential irreversible nerve damage.
Innovation Solution
A computer keyboard design with integrated palm support surfaces and controls that relocate mouse functions to the sides, allowing users to change their hand and wrist position from pronation to neutral alignment, reducing pressure on the carpal tunnel area by shifting the point of contact to the outside edge of the palms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mouse is used for computer input, then pointing and selection functions are achieved, but wrist bending and carpal tunnel pressure increase leading to repetitive strain injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines mouse functions (pointing device and selection buttons) with the keyboard by integrating them into the keyboard housing. The pointing device is positioned on the right side of the keyboard and selection buttons on the left side, merging two separate input devices into one unified structure. This eliminates the need to use a separate mouse while maintaining pointing and selection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent repositions the controls from the traditional mouse position (requiring wrist bending) to the keyboard surface (allowing neutral wrist position). By placing the pointing device and selection buttons on the keyboard, the user can operate them while maintaining a neutral wrist position, effectively changing the spatial dimension of control from a separate device to an integrated keyboard surface.
2Productivity
If standard keyboard position is used, then typing is efficient, but wrist remains in extended position causing unnatural bending and strain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the keyboard and mouse functions into a single integrated unit. The pointing device and selection buttons are incorporated into the keyboard housing, allowing users to switch between typing and pointing/selection without changing devices or wrist positions. This integration maintains typing efficiency while eliminating the need for wrist extension required by separate mouse usage.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If mouse functions are relocated to the keyboard, then wrist position can be neutralized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the pointing device and selection buttons into the keyboard housing, combining multiple input functions into one device. This merger reduces wrist strain by allowing neutral wrist positioning while performing all input operations, and the integrated design minimizes the increase in device complexity by sharing the keyboard housing and surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The keyboard is designed to perform multiple functions: typing, pointing, and selection. The pointing device and selection buttons are incorporated into the keyboard structure, making the keyboard a universal input device that can handle all computer input operations without requiring separate specialized devices, thereby managing complexity while enhancing functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer keyboard with palm support surfaces, and controls providing mouse functions, added to each side of the keyboard. The palm support surfaces are downward sloping, and/or downward curved convex surfaces, on either side of the keyboard, descending from peaks near each top rear corner of the keyboard, laterally away from the keyboard, and towards the front of the keyboard. Outside edges of the palm support surfaces may narrow and curve inward toward the front of the keyboard to allow a more natural hand position. The controls include selection buttons, normally located on a mouse, to the left of the keyboard, and a positioning device normally located on a mouse, to the right of the keyboard, and are generally embedded to the rear of each palm support surface. The controls and palm support surfaces allow a more natural hand placement and avoid pressure on the carpal tunnel area.