Datahand
Encyclopedia
The DataHand keyboard was introduced in 1995 by DataHand Systems, Inc. Before that it was produced by Industrial Innovations as early as 1992. The keyboard consists of two completely separate "keyboards", one for the left hand and one for the right, that are molded to rest your hands in. This allows you to place each hand wherever it is most comfortable to you. Each finger activates five buttons, the four compass directions as well as down. The thumbs also have five buttons as well, one inside and two outside as well as up and down. The button modules in which the fingers rest are adjustable to best fit the user's hands - each side can be independently moved up and down, towards the palm or further away.
This ergonomic
layout allows for all typing to occur without any wrist motion, as well as without any finger extension. The keyboard layout is initially similar to a QWERTY
keyboard, but the middle two columns of keys (i.e. H,Y,G...) have been delegated to sideways finger movements, and all of the keys outside of the main three rows are accessed through two additional modes, including a mode for mousing. There are three different modes all together: number and symbols, ten-key, and function and mouse mode. Some practice is required. However eventual typing speedups are possible.
Also of note is the button design - instead of being spring-loaded, the buttons are held in place with magnets and are activated using optical sensors. This was done in order to reduce pressure required for typing.
This unconventional keyboard was seen in the Jodie Foster
1997 movie Contact
as the pilot's controls for the futuristic space ship. The Industrial Innovations version was featured on the television series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
.
After the initial prototype was released in 1995, DataHand has released the Professional and Professional II with new bodies. The Professional II also has extended programming capabilities over the Professional, being able to record macros of keystrokes for convenient use.
DataHand Systems, Inc. announced in early 2008 that it was ceasing to market and sell its keyboards. The company web site states that due to supplier issues, the company will not sell the DataHand keyboard "until a new manufacturer can be identified." However, the company plans a final, limited production run to satisfy existing customers. In January 2009, the company's website started taking orders for a "limited number of new DataHand Pro II units".
Ergonomics
Ergonomics is the study of designing equipment and devices that fit the human body, its movements, and its cognitive abilities.The International Ergonomics Association defines ergonomics as follows:...
layout allows for all typing to occur without any wrist motion, as well as without any finger extension. The keyboard layout is initially similar to a QWERTY
QWERTY
QWERTY is the most common modern-day keyboard layout. The name comes from the first six letters appearing in the topleft letter row of the keyboard, read left to right: Q-W-E-R-T-Y. The QWERTY design is based on a layout created for the Sholes and Glidden typewriter and sold to Remington in the...
keyboard, but the middle two columns of keys (i.e. H,Y,G...) have been delegated to sideways finger movements, and all of the keys outside of the main three rows are accessed through two additional modes, including a mode for mousing. There are three different modes all together: number and symbols, ten-key, and function and mouse mode. Some practice is required. However eventual typing speedups are possible.
Also of note is the button design - instead of being spring-loaded, the buttons are held in place with magnets and are activated using optical sensors. This was done in order to reduce pressure required for typing.
This unconventional keyboard was seen in the Jodie Foster
Jodie Foster
Alicia Christian "Jodie" Foster is an American actress, film director, producer as well as a former child actress....
1997 movie Contact
Contact (film)
Contact is a 1997 American science fiction drama film adapted from the Carl Sagan novel of the same name and directed by Robert Zemeckis. Both Sagan and wife Ann Druyan wrote the story outline for the film adaptation of Contact....
as the pilot's controls for the futuristic space ship. The Industrial Innovations version was featured on the television series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers is an American live-action children's television series based on the 16th installment of the Japanese Super Sentai franchise, Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger. Both the show and its related merchandise saw unbridled overnight success, catapulting into pop culture in mere months...
.
After the initial prototype was released in 1995, DataHand has released the Professional and Professional II with new bodies. The Professional II also has extended programming capabilities over the Professional, being able to record macros of keystrokes for convenient use.
DataHand Systems, Inc. announced in early 2008 that it was ceasing to market and sell its keyboards. The company web site states that due to supplier issues, the company will not sell the DataHand keyboard "until a new manufacturer can be identified." However, the company plans a final, limited production run to satisfy existing customers. In January 2009, the company's website started taking orders for a "limited number of new DataHand Pro II units".
See also
- Other innovative keyboard solutions
- AlphagripAlphaGripThe AlphaGrip is a hand-held computer keyboard and game controller that is being marketed as an alternative to the traditional design of data input devices...
- VelotypeVelotypeVelotype is the old trademark for a type of keyboard for typing text known as a syllabic chord keyboard, an invention of the Dutchmen Nico Berkelmans and Marius den Outer. The current tradename is Veyboard...
(chorded keyboard) - Happy Hacking KeyboardHappy Hacking KeyboardThe Happy Hacking Keyboard is a small computer keyboard produced by PFU Limited of Japan, co-developed with Japanese computer pioneer Eiiti Wada...
- Virtual keyboardVirtual keyboardA virtual keyboard is a software component that allows a user to enter characters. A virtual keyboard can usually be operated with multiple input devices, which may include a touchscreen, an actual keyboard and a computer mouse.- Types :...
- Optimus Maximus keyboard
- Das KeyboardDas KeyboardDas Keyboard is a series of premium computer keyboards sold by Metadot Corporation, an open source software company located in Austin, Texas. Their most distinctive feature has been the absence of key labels, i.e...
(blank keyboard) - TypeMatrixTypeMatrixTypematrix is an American computer keyboard design and manufacturing company specializing in ergonomic TCO99-compliant keyboards, and is based out of Santa Barbara, California. The company was founded in 1990 by Henry Webber, who set out to design a superior ergonomic keyboard to alleviate typing...
(keyboard) - Maltron keyboardMaltron keyboardPCD Maltron Ltd., d.b.a. Maltron, is a manufacturer of ergonomic special-needs keyboards, founded by South African-born inventor Lilian Malt, the namesake of the company, and manufacturer Stephen Hobday...
- Kinesis (keyboard)Kinesis (keyboard)The Kinesis line of ergonomic computer keyboards is an alternative to the traditional keyboard design. Most widely known among these are the contoured Advantage line, which feature recessed keys in two bucket-like hollows which allow the fingers to reach keys with less effort as well as a central...
- FrogPad
- Alphagrip
- Related Topics
- Keyboard technologyKeyboard technologyThere are many types of keyboards, usually differentiated by the switch technology employed in their operation. Keyboards are defined by the number of highly durable switches that are incorporated into the system...
- List of human-computer interaction topics
- Computer keyboardComputer keyboardIn computing, a keyboard is a typewriter-style keyboard, which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys, to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches...
- Ergonomic keyboardErgonomic keyboardAn ergonomic keyboard is a computer keyboard designed with ergonomic considerations to minimize muscle strain and a host of related problems. Typically such keyboards are constructed in a V shape, to allow right and left hands to type at a slight angle more natural to the human form.-Keyboard...
- Computer accessibilityComputer accessibilityIn human-computer interaction, computer accessibility refers to the accessibility of a computer system to all people, regardless of disability or severity of impairment...
- Carpal tunnel syndromeCarpal tunnel syndromeCarpal Tunnel Syndrome is an entrapment idiopathic median neuropathy, causing paresthesia, pain, and other symptoms in the distribution of the median nerve due to its compression at the wrist in the carpal tunnel. The pathophysiology is not completely understood but can be considered compression...
- Repetitive strain injuryRepetitive strain injuryRepetitive strain injury is an injury of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems that may be caused by...
- Adaptive technology
- Keyboard technology
External links
- Company Website
- DataHand at Typing FAQ
- How-To disassemble and clean the DataHand
- Images of the DataHand keyboard
- A DataHand owner's experience, with photos of older models
Reviews of the DataHand Keyboard
- Review by Jan Goyvaerts (posted August 6, 2007)
- Follow-up review by Jan Goyvaerts (posted January 7, 2008)
- Review in ExtremeTech written by Robyn Peterson (posted April 22, 2003)
- Review by David Madison
- ATPM Review by Paul Fatula (posted May, 2001)
- [ftp://ftp.cs.princeton.edu/pub/typing-injury/datahand-review3 Evaluation by G Martin] (posted June 10, 1994)
- [ftp://ftp.cs.princeton.edu/pub/typing-injury/datahand-review Evaluation by Cliff Lasser] (posted August 20, 1992)
- Review by Bryan Rosner, BioMed Publishers (posted November 11, 2008)