10 Inventions on laptop keyboards-arxiv

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. Necessary features-The laptop keyboard should accommodate as many keys of a full size keyboard as possible within the limited space of the keyboard.-The size of the keyboard should be small to fit inside the laptop box. Desirable features-It should be light to carry.-It may be expandable for comfort of operation.-It may have additional special keys.-It should be tiltable, adjustable and ergonomic.-It should be collapsible to consume less storage. Background problem The keyboards on portable computers are flat and parallel to its base. When the laptop is on a table, the human arm is at an angle to the keyboard and not comfortable to operate a flat keyboard. For example when the laptop is on the table, a downwardly sloping orientation would make it convenient to operate. Thus it is beneficial to have the ability of tilting the keyboard according the position of the laptop to the user. Solution provided by the invention Clancy et al. provided a solution to solve the above problem (Patent 5168427, assigned to Compaq Computer Corporation, Issued in Dec 1992). According to the invention, the keyboard structure is recessed within an open topped base housing portion of a compact notebook or laptop computer. Front corner portions of the keyboard structure are secured to the base housing in a manner permitting the keyboard structure to be pivoted relative to the base housing. During storage or transport, the keyboard is locked with the housing in a parallel condition to the base housing. When the laptop is used, the keyboard lock can be opened to pop up the keyboard to an ergonomically improved tilted orientation. The structure of the keyboard slopes forwardly and downwardly for comfortable use. Although the keyboard can still be used in a locked flat position. TRIZ based analysis The keyboard should be at the same angle as the user's arm for comfortable operation (IFR). We want the keyboard of the laptop with a forwardly and downwardly sloping orientation, but we don't want to increase the overall exterior dimension of the laptop (Contradiction). The invention uses a tiltable keyboard, which …