An ergonomic keyboard apparatus comprising a keyboard frame including an ergonomic contour defined in part by a gabled portion of the keyboard frame that is pitched into a contoured peak that forms a first slope and a second slope on either side of the keyboard frame. A plurality of keys are disposed within the keyboard frame such that key tops of each of the plurality of keys follow the ergonomic contour of the keyboard frame. A wrist pad coupled to the keyboard frame has a gabled center portion and a surface contour that corresponds to the ergonomic contour of the keyboard frame defined by its gabled portion, first slope, and second slope. Each location along at least a portion of the surface contour of the wrist pad is elevated to at least a height of corresponding key tops of the plurality of keys.

The embodiments herein describe a mode of applications on the portable electronic device that improves single-handed operation of the devices. For example, the embodiments herein describe an ergonomic mode of an application that displays the graphical user interface (GUI) of the application in a bottom area of the display screen of the electronic device to allow the user to more easily interact with objects. The embodiments herein also describe an ergonomic mode of a keyboard displayed on the display screen of the portable electronic device. During the ergonomic mode of the keyboard, the keyboard is shifted towards a vertical edge of the display screen to allow a user to more easily reach keys of the keyboard that were previously unreachable without the user switching to two handed operation of the device or repositioning the electronic device in the user's hand.

A keyboard module, adapted to an electronic device, is provided. The keyboard module includes a bottom plate, a flexible circuit layer, a first key structure and a second key structure. The bottom plate includes a first area and a second area. The flexible circuit layer covers the first area and the second area. A first key structure is arranged at the position of the flexible circuit layer corresponding to the first area. A second key structure is arranged at the position of the flexible circuit layer corresponding to the second area. The height of the first key structure is greater than the height of the second key structure. An electronic device with the keyboard module is also provided.

A computer input device can include a housing, a set of key switch mechanisms positioned in the housing, and a removable key structure that is operable between a first configuration positioned in the housing and a second configuration detached from the housing. The removable key can have a position sensor, wherein in the first configuration, the removable key structure is operable to provide a key-based typing input, and, in the second configuration, the removable key structure is operable as a computer pointing device using the position sensor. The removable key structure can therefore allow comfortable, portable, and precise pointer input for a computer input system.

An ergonomic keyboard apparatus comprising a keyboard frame including an ergonomic contour defined in part by a gabled portion of the keyboard frame that is pitched into a contoured peak that forms a first slope and a second slope on either side of the keyboard frame. A plurality of keys are disposed within the keyboard frame such that key tops of each of the plurality of keys follow the ergonomic contour of the keyboard frame. A wrist pad coupled to the keyboard frame has a gabled center portion and a surface contour that corresponds to the ergonomic contour of the keyboard frame defined by its gabled portion, first slope, and second slope. Each location along at least a portion of the surface contour of the wrist pad is elevated to at least a height of corresponding key tops of the plurality of keys.

A keyboard with a thumb-operable control button on the front surface is disclosed. In one embodiment, the keyboard comprises an upper surface, a lower surface, a front surface, a back surface, a left surface, and a right surface. A plurality of keys disposed on the upper surface of the housing includes alphanumeric and non-alphanumeric keys arranged into rows and a thumb-operable spacebar arranged below the alphanumeric keys and non-alphanumeric keys. A thumb-operable control button is disposed on the front surface of the housing, the thumb-operable control button configured to be depressed at an angle of depression perpendicular to the front surface, and wherein the thumb-operable control button is independently and selectively configured to perform a function identical to a function of one of the alphanumeric keys or the non-alphanumeric keys when depressed. This arrangement can greatly improve both functionality and accessibility to certain keys on the upper surface of housing.

The invention relates to an input device in the form of a single-hand keyboard, comprising a substantially flat housing (1) approximately in the shape of a quadrant of a circle, in which housing a first keyboard circuit board having associated first keys (2) is accommodated, the first keys (2) lying on a first housing side (3) and being arranged along concentric circular arc segments in the manner of a fan. A second keyboard circuit board having associated second keys (4) is accommodated in the housing (1), the second keys lying on the second housing side (5) facing away from the first housing side (3), and the layout of the second keys (4) being mirror-inverted with respect to the layout of the first keys (2). Furthermore, a detection element for determining the current orientation of the input device is provided in the housing (1). The detection element activates only the keyboard circuit board facing upward and deactivates the other keyboard circuit board, depending on the orientation.

One embodiment provides a method, including: receiving, at an information handling device, an indication to transmit an electrical pulse to an electropermanent magnet; transmitting, responsive to the receiving and using a pulse transmitter, the electrical pulse to the electropermanent magnet; and affecting a movement of a keyboard of the information handling device based on the received electrical pulse. Other aspects are described and claimed.

An adjustable keyboard having a number of keys is formed in at least two segments which are mutually movable relative-to one another using a hinge or joint. Each of the segments of the keyboard has mounted thereon some of the keys. The adjustable nature of the keyboard reduces stress and discomfort to the user by reducing contortion to the user's wrists. More particularly, discomfort to the user caused by pronation of the wrists and/or ulnar deviation of the wrists is reduced. The hinge or joint is in the form of a ball and socket-type joint with a locking mechanism, which preferably includes a pivoted handle, in the form of a lever, used for locking and unlocking the hinge or joint. The surface of at least one of the ball and socket of the joint define a plurality of recesses or a plurality of projections, to provide increased resistance to joint movement.

One is to compose stratified keyboard for commands and symbols. Another is to compose corresponding system between screen displayed virtual keyboard and actual keyboard. For instance, one virtual key on the screen is endowed with certain function and when we touch one key on the actual keyboard whose position is corresponding to that one on the displayed screen, the function belonging to displayed one is executed. All operations are executed through touching keyboard and thus manipulations get stereo typed and speedy. Furthermore, stratified stereo typed keyboard system for command, symbols, figures and characters propose us the chance to deliberate systematic formation for them.