10 Inventions on improving keyboard efficiency: A TRIZ based analysis

Abstract

A keyboard is the most important input device for a computer. With the development of technology a basic keyboard does not want to remain confined within the basic functionalities of a keyboard, rather it wants to go beyond. There are several inventions which attempt to improve the efficiency of a conventional keyboard. This article illustrates 10 inventions from US Patent database all of which have proposed very interesting methods for improving the efficiency of a computer keyboard. Some interesting inventions include, adding toolbar buttons on the keyboard, power saving method, keyboard-cooling mechanism, robust keyboard for public use, keyboard enhancement for children`s use. Each of these inventions have been analyzed from TRIZ perspective, in many cases formulating the Ideal Final Result, contradictions and highlighting the Inventive Principles used in the solution.