Inventions on Integrating Pointing Devices with Computer Keyboard

Author: Umakant Mishra

Abstract:

A keyboard is the most essential input device for the computer. Although a keyboard contains navigation keys, in most cases we use a pointing device like mouse to operate the cursor. There are many kinds of pointing devices like mouse, track ball, touch pad, touch stick, joy stick and so on each used for different purposes.

           

Although each of these pointing devices have specific advantages, the disadvantages of using all these pointing devices is that they occupy lot of desk space, clutter the table by using several cables and makes the place messy. Many inventors have tried to integrate one or more of these pointing devices with the computer so that the user can save space and get operating comfort as well.

This article illustrates 14 inventions on integrating various pointing devices to the keyboard. The patents are selected from US patent database. The inventions try to combine a mouse, joystick, stylus, touch pad and other pointing devices with the keyboard to get the advantage of cost, space and convenience.

Keywords: TRIZ, Computer Keyboard, Computer Hardware, Hardware Inventions, Computer Patents, Inventive Problem Solving, Computer accessories, computer keyboard, Pointing devices, mouse, trackball, touch pad, joystick, stylus

http://papers.ssrn.com/abstract=932278

http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.932278

http://works.bepress.com/umakant_mishra/18

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258120360_Inventions_on_integrating_Pointing_Device_with_Computer_Keyboard_-A_study_based_on_US_patents  

10 Inventions on Ergonomically Developed Computer Accessories

Author: Umakant Mishra

Abstract:

The height, shape and habit of every human being are different. In large workplaces, the construction of computer furniture and accessories cannot be of that user.

           

The major made according these peculiarities of every human being. As a result every computer user has to work on standard computer furniture and standard computer accessories that may not match with his physical construction and peculiarities physical problems caused by prolonged computer 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.

           

This article illustrates 10 inventions on ergonomically developed computer accessories including keyboard stands, monitor accessories, stands and tables which attempt to substantially reduce these problems caused by uncomfortable positioning of computer devices.

Keywords: TRIZ, Computer Keyboard, Computer Hardware, Hardware Inventions, Computer Patents, Inventive Problem Solving, Computer accessories, computer stand, computer table, ergonomic accessories

http://papers.ssrn.com/abstract=932277

http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.932277

http://works.bepress.com/umakant_mishra/17

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/256069217_10_Inventions_on_Ergonomically_Developed_Computer_Accessories

10 Inventions on Key Guides and Keyboard Templates

Author: Umakant Mishra

Abstract:

A keyboard has many function keys and each function key can have multiple functions when used with control, shift and alt keys, it is difficult for a user to remember the functionality of the function keys. We need a mechanism to indicate the operations assigned to each function key for different software programs. A keyboard guide or template is used for this purpose.

This article illustrates 10 inventions on keyboard key guide and function key templates selected from US patent database. Various mechanisms of keyboard templates have been proposed, including static, dynamic, manual, mechanical, onscreen display and others.

Keywords: TRIZ, Computer Keyboard, Computer Hardware, Hardware Inventions, Computer Patents, Inventive Problem Solving, Keyboard design, keyboard inventions, key guides, keyboard templates, keyboard extensions, software template, function key guide

http://papers.ssrn.com/abstract=932276

http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.932276

http://arxiv.org/abs/1310.3165

http://works.bepress.com/umakant_mishra/16

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258120271_10_Inventions_on_key_guides_and_Keyboard_templates_-A_study_based_on_US_patents?ev=srch_pub

10 Inventions on Special Type of Keyboards

Author: Umakant Mishra

Abstract:

A keyboard is the most important input device for a computer. It is used with various types and sizes of computer. But the same standard keyboard will not work efficiently with different types of computers at different environments. There is a need to develop special keyboards to meet special requirements.

This article illustrates 10 inventions on special types of keyboards. The special keyboard are used in special computers or computers used for special purposes. A special keyboard is to be understood as a keyboard having features beyond a normal keyboard.

           

The example of special keyboards are, a children’s keyboard which may be colorful and attractive, a keyboard in public place need to be more robust, the keyboard in a palmtop may have less number of keys, the keyboard for a game station may have special attachments, a multimedia keyboard may have CD ROM and speakers, a wireless keyboard may have remote control features, a touch sensitive keyboard may have sensors on the keys and so on.

Keywords: TRIZ, Computer Keyboard, Computer Hardware, Hardware Inventions, Computer Patents, Inventive Problem Solving, Keyboard design, keyboard inventions, portable keyboard, adjustable keyboard, ergonomic keyboard, ComfyKeyboard, KidBoard, Hands-free keyboard, wireless keyboard, transparent keyboard, programmable keyboard, PDA keyboard

http://papers.ssrn.com/abstract=932275

http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.932275

http://arxiv.org/abs/1310.3145

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258120146_10_Inventions_on_special_type_of_keyboards_-A_study_based_on_US_patents?ev=srch_pub

http://works.bepress.com/umakant_mishra/15

Inventions on Laptop Keyboards

Author: Umakant Mishra

Abstract:

A desktop keyboard has several sections like character key section, navigation key section, numeric key section, and function key section etc. each consisting of several number of keys. However, a laptop computer does not have so much of space to accommodate all these keys into the keyboard. There are several considerations while designing a laptop keyboard.

This article illustrates 10 inventions on keyboards for laptop and portable computers. The inventions are selected from US patent database. The inventions try to improve various aspects of a laptop keyboard, such as reducing size, folding and concealing, ergonomic features, improving quality and reducing cost.

Keywords: TRIZ, Computer Keyboard, Computer Hardware, Hardware Inventions, Computer Patents, Inventive Problem Solving, Keyboard design, keyboard inventions, Laptop keyboard, portable keyboard, adjustable keyboard, ergonomic keyboard, expandable keyboard, collapsible keyboard, folding keyboard, sliding keyboard

http://papers.ssrn.com/abstract=932274

http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.932274

http://arxiv.org/abs/1310.3849

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258120142_10_Inventions_on_Laptop_Keyboards?ev=srch_pub

http://works.bepress.com/umakant_mishra/14

10 Inventions on Keyboard Key Switch Mechanism

Author: Umakant Mishra

Abstract:

The key switches of the keyboard of a computer system are generally comprised of a key cap having a plunger, conductive rubber disposed above a membrane circuit and compressed by the plunger to trigger the membrane circuit causing it to produce an electric signal to the computer.

           

Some key switches use springs. Some other keyboards use rubber domes or a dome sheet, which do the function of springs. When the user depresses the key button the spring or domes collapse. The key switch depresses the key stem, which actuates the button on the membrane circuit. When the user releases the button the springs or rubber domes push the button up to the rest position.

           

This article illustrates 10 inventions on different key switch mechanism. The inventions are selected from US patent database. The inventions try to simplify the mechanism, reduce manufacturing cost, increase accuracy and reliability, and increase strength and robustness of the keys.

Keywords: TRIZ, Computer Keyboard, Computer Hardware, Hardware Inventions, Computer Patents, Inventive Problem Solving, Keyboard design, keyboard inventions, Key switch, plunger, membrane circuit, rubber domes

http://papers.ssrn.com/abstract=932273

http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.932273

http://arxiv.org/abs/1310.3140

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258120218_10_Inventions_on_keyboard_key_switch_mechanism_-A_study_based_on_US_patents?ev=srch_pub 

http://works.bepress.com/umakant_mishra/13

Keyboards for inputting Japanese Language: A study based on US Patents

Author: Umakant Mishra

Abstract:

The most commonly used Japanese alphabets are Kanji, Hiragana and Katakana. The Kanji alphabet includes pictographs or ideographic characters that were adopted from the Chinese alphabet. Hiragana is used to spell words of Japanese origin, while Katakana is used to spell words of western or other foreign origin.

Two methods are commonly used to input Japanese to the computer. One, the “kana input method” that uses a keyboard having 46 Japanese iroha (or kana) letter keys. The other method is “Roma-ji input method”, where the Japanese letters are composed of English input from a standard QWERTY keyboard. Both the methods have their advantages and disadvantages.

This article analyses two inventions on inputting Japanese language through a computer keyboard. One invention uses a standard English keyboard to input Japanese characters, the other invention uses a standard mobile phone key board to input the Japanese characters.

Keywords: TRIZ, Computer Keyboard, Computer Hardware, Hardware Inventions, Computer Patents, Inventive Problem Solving, Keyboard design, keyboard inventions, Japanese keyboard, Japanese language, PinYin system, Kanji alphabet, Hiragana and Katakana, Japanese iroha, Stroke input encoding, Stoke from encoding, gojyuon table

http://papers.ssrn.com/abstract=932272

http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.932272

http://arxiv.org/abs/1310.3115

http://works.bepress.com/umakant_mishra/12

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258119935_Keyboards_for_inputting_Japanese_language_-A_study_based_on_US_patents?ev=srch_pub