Author: Umakant Mishra
Abstract:
Most conventional keyboards are designed keeping their
technical efficiency in mind and not human comfort or ergonomic aspects. This
leads to various physical problems by keyboard users and more seriousness to
the prolonged users.
The major physical problems caused by prolonged keyboard
usage can be categorized as neck pain and stiffness, low back pain and
stiffness, and strain of the wrists. These problems are caused by chairs, computer
desks, and keyboard support stands that are unsuitable for the particular
computer user.
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a debilitating injury to the
wrist joint which has been frequently attributed to long term repetitive hand
motion activities. A further factor contributing to carpal tunnel syndrome and
its symptoms is the strain on the operator's wrists due to using a keyboard
that is too high or too low.
This article illustrates 10 inventions on ergonomic aspects
of a computer keyboard from US patent database. The ergonomic keyboards and
keyboard holders are flexible, movable and adjustable to the position and
peculiarities of the user. Hope the manufacturers will shift their focus from
the technology to the user or customer in future days.
Keywords: Computer Keyboard, Computer Hardware,
Hardware Inventions, Computer Patents, Inventive Problem Solving, Keyboard
design, keyboard inventions, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Repetitive stress
injuries, ergonomic keyboard, folding keyboard, Collapsible keyboard
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