| 摘要 |
An ergonomic keyboard includes a spherical body that is molded with cavities in its outer surface for receiving depressible function keys. The cavities are arranged in arcuate rows, with the rows corresponding to the positions and varied lengths of the fingers on a human hand. Keys are arranged in the cavities in a standard keyboard format such that users with conventional typing skills can use normal fingering for data entry without lifting their hands from the spherical body. Specifically, letter and function keys typically positioned on the left two-thirds of conventional keyboards are arranged in forwardly converging side cavities in a standard QWERTY format, with additional function and specialty keys positioned thereunder. Numeric and mathematical function keys are provided in cavities positioned on the back side of the spherical body which generally faces away from the user. Mouse "clicker" keys are positioned in a front side of the spherical body between the converging letter keys. The spherical body rests in a circular base equipped with a roller ball-type mouse mechanism in its bottom and a connector cable. To allow for adjustment of angle and position of the keys relative to a user's height or position, the spherical body is adjustably connected to the base by means of a dovetail joint provided along the bottom surface of the spherical body and a dovetailed slot provided in a top of the base. During data entry, users' fingers and hands rest in anatomically neutral positions along the surface of the spherical body, with the on-screen pointer being moved by gliding the spherical body/base combination over the work surface while keeping both hands on the spherical body. As no separate mouse, mouse pad or wrist rest is required, the device can be safely and comfortably used at remote locations and in limited work space environments.
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