10 Inventions on Laptop Keyboards, by Umakant Mishra http://www.trizsite.

tk

10 Inventions on laptop keyboards
! st"dy based on U# patents
Umakant Mishra
Bangalore, India
umakant@trizsite.tk
http://umakant.trizsite.tk


(This paper was published in May 2005 issue of TRIZsite Journal,
http://trisite!t"/trisite/arti#les/default!asp$%onth&May'year&2005! (lso a)ailable
at **R+ http://papers!ssrn!#o%/abstra#t&,-22./, and
http://d0!doi!or1/20!22-,/ssrn!,-22./ 3

$ontents
1. Introduction.......................................................................................................1
2. Inventions on Laptop keyoards .......................................................................2
2.1 ! tiltale keyoard "or #ortale computers $#atent %1&'(2)* .....................2
2.2 +olding and sliding keyoard "or #ersonal ,omputer $#atent %2&)12)* .....-
2.- .rgonomic +olding keyoard "or laptops $#atent %(1/---* ........................(
2.( 0ri1"old personal computer 2ith touchpad and keyoard $#atent %32&-&(* %
2.% .4pandale keyoard "or small computers $#atent %3-'-%-*.....................&
2.& ,omputer ottom keyoard incorporating arrangement "or enhanced
cooling $#atent %3)'21%* .................................................................................)
2.) 5eyoard and noteook type computer $%33%/2(* .....................................'
2.' 5eyoard having an integral heat pipe $#atent &21%&%)* ...........................3
2.3 #ortale computer 2ith ergonomic keyoard $#atent &-/((-1*..................3
2.1/ #ortale electronic device 2ith a concealale keyoard module $#atent
&%%&(-/* .........................................................................................................1/
-. 6e"erence: ......................................................................................................11




1. Introduction
! desktop keyoard has several sections like character key section, navigation
key section, numeric key section, and "unction key section etc. each consisting o"
several numer o" keys. 7o2ever, a laptop computer does not have so much o"
space to accommodate all these keys into the keyoard. 0here are several
considerations 2hile designing a laptop keyoard.
10 Inventions on Laptop Keyboards, by Umakant Mishra http://www.trizsite.tk

%e&essary 'eat"res
- 0he laptop keyoard should accommodate as many keys o" a "ull size
keyoard as possile 2ithin the limited space o" the keyoard.
- 0he size o" the keyoard should e small to "it inside the laptop o4.
(esirable 'eat"res
- It should e light to carry.
- It may e e4pandale "or com"ort o" operation.
- It may have additional special keys.
- It should e tiltale, ad8ustale and ergonomic.
- It should e collapsile to consume less storage.
2. Inventions on Laptop keyboards
).1 ! tiltable keyboard 'or *ortable &omp"ters +*atent ,1-./)01
2a&k3ro"nd problem
0he keyoards on portale computers are "lat and parallel to its ase. 9hen the
laptop is on a tale, the human arm is at an angle to the keyoard and not
com"ortale to operate a "lat keyoard. +or e4ample 2hen the laptop is on the
tale, a do2n2ardly sloping orientation 2ould make it convenient to operate.
0hus it is ene"icial to have the aility o" tilting the keyoard according the
position o" the laptop to the user.
#ol"tion provided by the invention
,lancy et al. provided a solution to solve the aove prolem $#atent %1&'(2),
assigned to ,ompa: ,omputer ,orporation, Issued in ;ec 1332*. !ccording to
the invention, the keyoard structure is recessed 2ithin an open topped ase
housing portion o" a compact noteook or laptop computer.
+ront corner portions o" the keyoard structure are secured to the ase housing
in a manner permitting the keyoard structure to e pivoted relative to the ase
housing.

;uring storage or transport, the keyoard is locked 2ith the housing in a parallel
condition to the ase housing. 9hen the laptop is used, the keyoard lock can e
opened to pop up the keyoard to an ergonomically improved tilted orientation.
10 Inventions on Laptop Keyboards, by Umakant Mishra http://www.trizsite.tk

0he structure o" the keyoard slopes "or2ardly and do2n2ardly "or com"ortale
use. !lthough the keyoard can still e used in a locked "lat position.
45I6 based analysis
0he keyoard should e at the same angle as the user<s arm "or com"ortale
operation +I751.

9e 2ant the keyoard o" the laptop 2ith a "or2ardly and do2n2ardly sloping
orientation, ut 2e don<t 2ant to increase the overall e4terior dimension o" the
laptop +$ontradi&tion1.

0he invention uses a tiltale keyoard, 2hich can e sloppy 2hile in use and "lat
2hen closed inside cover o" the laptop +*rin&iple1,: (ynamize1.
).) 7oldin3 and slidin3 keyboard 'or *ersonal $omp"ter +*atent ,)-01)01
2a&k3ro"nd problem
0he portale computers or laptops need small size keyoards that should "it into
the laptop o4. ! typical prolem in reducing the size o" a keyoard is its
inconvenience o" operating compared to a standard sized keyoard. It is
necessary to have a large keyoard 2hile typing ut a small keyoard 2hile not
using.
#ol"tion provided by the invention
#ollitt invented a "olding and sliding keyoard $#atent %2&)12), assigned to IB=,
Issued in >ov 3-*. 0he size o" the keyoard is same as a standard keyoard
2hen used, ut very small $almost hal"* 2hen dissociated in a stored position.
0he keyoard in the invention is segmented to t2o halves. 0he portions o" the
keyoard are designed "or a pivotal movement on a keyoard a4is.

10 Inventions on Laptop Keyboards, by Umakant Mishra http://www.trizsite.tk

9hen the keyoard halves are slided to 8oin together they "orm a complete
keyoard o" a standard size. 9hen they are stored, they are slided ack to have
a dimension to "it 2ithin the enclosure.
45I6 based analysis
0he keyoard should change its size to ig or small as and 2hen re:uired +Ideal
7inal 5es"lt1. 0he size o" a keyoard should e that o" a standard desktop
keyoard "or typing com"ort. But the size o" the keyoard has to e small to "it
into the laptop o4 +$ontradi&tion1.

0he invention segments the keyoard into t2o halves +*rin&iple1:
#e3mentation1.

0he keyoard portions are designed "or a pivotal movement, 2hich "acilitates
"olding and sliding +*rin&iple1,: (ynamize1.

).8 9r3onomi& 7oldin3 keyboard 'or laptops +*atent ,/108881
2a&k3ro"nd problem
0he small size keyoards used in laptops and palmtops are not convenient "or
typing. 0hese keyoards reduce e""iciency and cause 6epetitive ?tress In8uries.
#ol"tion provided by the invention
5evin ,on2ay disclosed a method o" ergonomic computer keyoard $#atent
%(1/---, Issued in !pr 3%*, 2hich solves this classical contradiction on the size
o" the keyoard. 0he invented keyoard includes t2o keyoard portions having
keyoard keys disposed on oth the portions. 0he keyoard portions are
interconnected to give the shape o" a "ull keyoard.

45I6 based analysis
0he keyoard should e large on use and small on storage and carriage. !
reduction in the size o" the keyoard reduces its e""iciency. !n increase in the
size o" the keyoard prevents its storage and carriage +$ontradi&tion1.
10 Inventions on Laptop Keyboards, by Umakant Mishra http://www.trizsite.tk


0he invention splits the keyoard into t2o +prin&iple1: #e3mentation1, opens the
keyoard 2hen use and "olds the keyoard 2hen stored +*rin&iple1,: (ynamize1.

)./ 4ri'old personal &omp"ter with to"&hpad and keyboard +*atent
,:)-8-/1
2a&k3ro"nd
0he noteook computers are small, light ut e4pensive. 0he desktop computers
are po2er"ul, cheaper ut large. 0here is a need to comine the elements o" oth
desktop and a noteook computer and get the ene"its o" oth.
#ol"tion provided by the invention
5aridis disclosed a solution $patent %32&-&(, assigned to IB=, @uly 33* o" a
hyrid packaging design "or a portale personal computer. 0he invention
comprises a tri1"old mechanical structure 2ith a touch1screen display screen and
a detachale keyoard, 2hich is easy to pack 2ith the computer. It has a stylus,
a 2ireless remote control and other devices as 2ell. 0he user can operate
through the touchpad using "ingers or a stylus.


45I6 based analysis
0he small noteook computer should contain all the "eatures o" a desktop
computer +desired res"lt1.

>ormally a noteook has a "olded display unit +*rin&iple1,: (ynamize1. 0he
invention proposes to increase the numer o" "olds to three"old +*rin&iple10:
!nother dimension1.

It uses a detachale keyoard +*rin&iple1,: (ynamize1.

10 Inventions on Laptop Keyboards, by Umakant Mishra http://www.trizsite.tk

)., 9;pandable keyboard 'or small &omp"ters +*atent ,:8.8,81
2a&k3ro"nd problem
0he small computers need small keyoards "or carrying along 2ith the computer.
0he user reduces his typing speed 2hen the size o" the keyoard is even slightly
reduced.

Ane option is make a "olding structure o" the keyoard. 0he "olding structure o"
the keyoard, although takes less sur"ace space, increases the depth $or height*
signi"icantly. 0here is a need to reduce the size o" the keyoard 2ithout
increasing its height unlike a "olding keyoard.
#ol"tion provided by the invention
Butler invented an e4pandale keyoard $#atent %3-'-%-, !ug 33* "or small
computers 2hose keys have interlocking side edges and are mounted on a
scissor1linkage that allo2s said keyoard to contract to a 2idth that is much
narro2er than the 2idth o" a standard desktop computer keyoard.

0he invention is ased on the truth that a signi"icant amount o" space e4ists
et2een the raised side edges o" any pair o" ad8acent keys in a standard $13
mm* pitch. 0his gap et2een the keys is aout hal" o" the 2idth o" the key. 0he
prolem can e addressed i" these gaps are availale or e4panded in BopenC
position, yet eliminated or contracted in BclosedC position. 0he elimination o" gaps
et2een the keys can reduce a 2'123 cm keyoard to 1)11' cm length 2ithout
increasing the depth.



45I6 based analysis
0he keyoard should e small to carry and ig to provide typing com"ort
+$ontradi&tion1.

10 Inventions on Laptop Keyboards, by Umakant Mishra http://www.trizsite.tk

0he invention eliminates the gap et2een keys 2hen the keyoard is packed "or
carrying and e4pands the gap et2een keys 2hen used "or typing +*rin&iple8/:
dis&ard and re&over1.

).- $omp"ter bottom keyboard in&orporatin3 arran3ement 'or enhan&ed
&oolin3 +*atent ,:0.)1,1
2a&k3ro"nd problem
0he portale computers are compact in size and, unlike desktop #,s, have no
space "or ventilation. 0his makes the noteook get heated :uickly. Ane o" the
methods to reduce heat is using high po2er cooling "ans. But un"ortunately they
re:uire more attery consumption. 0here is need to increase the cooling capacity
o" the portale computers.
#ol"tion provided by the invention
,hiu et al. disclosed a keyoard "or portale computers having enhanced cooling
mechanism $patent %3)'21%, assigned to IB=, >ov 33*. !ccording to the
invention the portale computer has out2ardly slidale compartments aove the
keyoard. 9hen these compartments are slided out, the structure provides
increased sur"ace areas "or dissipation o" heat.


45I6 based analysis
0he portale computer should automatically cool y itsel" +Ideal 7inal 5es"lt1.

0he invention e4poses more internal components o" the computer "or "aster
dissipation o" heat +*rin&iple8,: *arameter &han3e1.

Ane o" methods used y this invention is an openale or slidale laptop ody
+*rin&iple1,: (ynamize1.

10 Inventions on Laptop Keyboards, by Umakant Mishra http://www.trizsite.tk

).0 Keyboard and notebook type &omp"ter +,::,0)/1
2a&k3ro"nd problem
0he operating sur"ace o" the laptop keyoard is very small ecause o" the
miniaturization o" the computer. 0he lo2 operating sur"ace o" the laptop
keyoards makes them inconvenient "or typing. 7o2 to increase the operating
sur"ace 2ithout increasing the size o" the keyoardD
#ol"tion provided by the invention
5amayashi et al. invented a keyoard $#atent %33%/2(, !ssigned to +u8itsu
Limited, >ov 33* that uses a similar method to provide more operating space.
0he invention realizes that the transverse directional length is use"ul "or typing
com"ortE hence 2e can reduce the vertical length o" the keyoard 2ithout
a""ecting the typing com"ort.
!ccording to the invention the size o" the keys are reduced in the vertical
direction and gaps et2een keys are reduced in the vertical direction 2ithout
changing the size o" the keys or gaps et2een the keys in the transverse
direction. 0his makes the length o" the keyoard larger in transverse direction
than that in the vertical direction.

!s the vertical directional length o" the upper sur"ace o" the keyoard is
shortened, a relatively large armrest area is otained, improving the operaility
results. !s the transverse directional length o" the keytop is longer than the
vertical directional length, it provides the operational com"ort and reliaility.
45I6 based analysis
the keyoard should provide larger operating space "or typing com"ort, ut
providing more operating space 2ill eventually increase the size o" the keyoard
that 2ill not "it into a laptop. +$ontradi&tion1

0he invention reduces the vertical size o" the keys and vertical space et2een
keys, 2hich reduces the vertical size o" the keyoard keeping the transverse size
in tact. 0his provides operating space as 2ell as more armrest area +*rin&iple):
4akin3 o"t, *rin&iple10: !nother dimension1.

10 Inventions on Laptop Keyboards, by Umakant Mishra http://www.trizsite.tk

).. Keyboard havin3 an inte3ral heat pipe +*atent -)1,-,01
2a&k3ro"nd problem
0he processor o" the computer generates a lot o" heat during operation. It<s
necessary to trans"er the heat "rom the I, "or smooth operation o" the computer
especially "or portale computers, 2hich does not provide enough ventilation "or
heat elimination.

0here are various alternative solutions used to solve this prolem. $i* Fse a metal
plate as the heat trans"er media, $ii* use the keyoard support plate as the heat
trans"er media, $iii* heat sinks having integral "ans etc. .ach having some
advantages and disadvantages.
#ol"tion provided by the invention
6akesh Bhatia invented a keyoard having an integral heat pipe $#atent
&21%&%), assigned to Intel corporation, !pr /1* "or heat transmission. 0he heat
pipe provides structural support to the keyoard and is thermally coupled to one
or more heat generating components 2ithin the computer system. 0he heat pipe
replaces the prior art keyoard support plates. 0he heat pipe comprises several
heat pipes 2hich are arranged in a parallel con"iguration. .ach heat pipe is
divided y side2alls and is sealed to contain a t2o1phase vaporizale li:uid,
2hich serves as the 2orking "luid "or the heat pipe.


45I6 based sol"tion
0he invention uses heat pipes to trans"er heat "rom inside +*rin&iple81: <ole1.

).: *ortable &omp"ter with er3onomi& keyboard +*atent -80//811
2a&k3ro"nd problem
,onventionally the keyoard is statically attached to a portale computer. 0his
needs the user to position himsel" straight to operate the computer 2hich may
not e hygienic or com"ortale. 0here are some ergonomic keyoards "or the
desktops ut nothing "or the laptops. 0here is a need "or an ergonomic keyoard
"or laptop.
10 Inventions on Laptop Keyboards, by Umakant Mishra http://www.trizsite.tk

#ol"tion provided by the invention
=yung1@ung 5im invented an ergonomic keyoard $#atent >umer: &-/((-1,
assigned to ?amsung .lectronics, Act /1*. 0he invention makes the keyoard
more ergonomic 2ithout surrendering the portaility.

!ccording to the invention, the keyoard unit is attached to an upper sur"ace o"
the main ody and is structurally and operationally separated along a central a4is
into a le"t keyoard hal" and a right keyoard hal". Both the keyoard halves are
coupled to the main ody ut rotate on the "irst and second hinges to e suitaly
positioned according to user re:uirement.


45I6 based analysis
0he invention splits the keyoard into t2o, one "or each arm +*rin&iple1:
#e3mentation1, and make them "le4ile to ad8ust 2ith the angle o" the arm.
+*rin&iple1,: (ynamize1.

).10 *ortable ele&troni& devi&e with a &on&ealable keyboard mod"le +*atent
-,,-/801
2a&k3ro"nd problem
0he conventional model o" noteook computers includes a keyoard and a touch
pad, 2hich covers all the space on the sur"ace and leaves no space to install
other controls. It is necessary to create space on the laptop sur"ace to install
other controls like touch pad, pen control etc.
#ol"tion provided by the invention
5uo et al. invented a concealed keyoard $#atent >umer: &%%&(-/, assigned to
,ompal electronics, !pr /-* 2hich can e used 2ith a noteook or #;! or
similar small devices. 0he keyoard remains inside the main module and can e
pulled out via an opening. 0his mechanism leaves enough space "or the touch
10 Inventions on Laptop Keyboards, by Umakant Mishra http://www.trizsite.tk

control, pen control and other devices to e "i4ed on the main sur"ace o" the
laptop.


45I6 based analysis
0he invention makes a dra2er type keyoard concealed 2ithin the laptop, 2hich
can e pulled or pushed easily according to usage +*rin&iple8/: (is&ard and
5e&over1.

0he sur"ace o" the keyoard is used "or installing other controlling devices
+*rin&iple !nother (imension1.
3. Reference:
1. F? #atent %1&'(2), ! tiltale keyoard "or laptop computers, ,lancy et al., assigned to
,ompa:, ;ec 32
2. F? #atent %2&)12), B+olding and sliding keyoard "or personal computerC, inventor 6ichard
#ollitt, assigned to IB=, >ov 3-
-. F? #atent %(1/---, B,omputer keyoardC, 5evin ,on2ay, !pr 3%
(. F? #atent %32&-&(, B0ri1"old personal computer 2ith touchpad and keyoardC, @ohn #.
5aridis, assigned to IB=, @ul 33
%. F? #atent %3-'-%-, .4pandale keyoard "or small computers, Invented y Butler, !ug 33
&. F? #atent %3)'21%, ?lidale compartments aove the keyoard "or enhanced cooling
mechanism, ,hiu et al., assigned to IB=, >ov 33
). F? #atent %33%/2(, B5eyoard and noteook type computerC, 5amayashi et al., assigned to
+u8itsu Limited, >ov 33.
'. F? #atent &21%&%), 5eyoard having a heat pipe "or heat transmission., 6akesh Bhatia,
assigned to Intel corporation, !pr /1
10 Inventions on Laptop Keyboards, by Umakant Mishra http://www.trizsite.tk

3. F? #atent &-/((-1, #ortale computer 2ith ergonomic keyoard, =yung1@ung 5im,
assigned to ?amsung .lectronics, Act /1
1/. F? #atent &%%&(-/, B#ortale electronic device 2ith a concealale keyoard moduleC, 5uo et
al., assigned to ,ompal electronics, !pr /-
11. F? #atent and 0rademark A""ice $F?#0A* site, http://222.uspto.gov/