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

The keyboard dynamically adjusts to reduce muscle strain and promote recovery by altering key positions, improving blood flow and reducing pain, thereby minimizing the risk of repetitive motion injuries.

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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