Title

Keybowl: An Ergonomically Designed Document Processing Device

Abstract

This paper discloses preliminary findings and provides a discussion of a newly designed alphanumeric input device called the Keybowl. The Keybowl was designed and developed primarily as an alternative input device to allow users of various upper extremity disabilities to effectively type, interact with, and navigate current computer interface designs. In addition, the Keybowl's unique characteristics of adapting to the user's needs may provide a solution to the multi-million dollar a year problem of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) as it relates to typing. The Keybowl totally eliminates finger movement, minimizes wrist movement, and uses the concept of concurrent independent inputs (i.e., chording) in which two domes are moved laterally to type. Initial results indicated that users of the Keybowl typed an average of 52% of their regular QWERTY flatboard keying speed in as little as five hours. With regard to ergonomic advantage, Keybowl typists' flexion/extension wrist movements were reduced by an average of 81.5% when compared to typists using the QWERTY keyboard. Movements in the ulnar/radial plane were reduced by an average of 48%.

Publication Date

1-1-1996

Publication Title

Annual ACM Conference on Assistive Technologies, Proceedings

Number of Pages

86-93

Document Type

Article; Proceedings Paper

Personal Identifier

scopus

Socpus ID

0029707486 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/0029707486

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