GB2362134A

GB2362134A - Keyboard having at least two multidirectional thumb keys in place of a spacer bar

Info

Publication number: GB2362134A
Application number: GB0011367A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Donald Ernest Williams Rees
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-05-12
Filing date: 2000-05-12
Publication date: 2001-11-14
Also published as: GB0011367D0

Abstract

A keyboard is disclosed wherein a spacer bar may be replaced or partially replaced by at least two multidirectional thumb keys 9,10 (Fig.2). One of the keys 9 operates by vertical movement of the thumb, whilst the other 10 operates by horizontal movement of the thumb. Alternatively, the spacer bar may be completely replaced by four thumb keys (14-17,Fig.3), which function respectively as space, backspace and shift keys. The arrangement increases the effectiveness of the thumbs and enables them to act as guides for the position of the hands which allows a user to input information without looking at the keys. The arrangement also facilitates the learning of touch typing.

Description

2362134 Keyboard for Computers.

This invention relates to a keyboard for putting information into computers and related devices.

For the most effective use of a keyboard it is advantageous to be able to use all the fingers of each hand and to do so without looking at the keys. It is recognised that the industrial standard keyboard, known as 'Qwerty' is of inefficient design and a number of alternative designs have been proposed, some of which have used extra thumb keys operating by applying downward pressure on the keys.

According to this invention two or more keys are provided for at least one thumb, one of which keys is operated by vertical, downward movement of the thumb, while an adjacent key is operated by an essentially horizontal movement of the same thumb. This arrangement may be used in conjunction with, or as a replacement for, the existing space bar. The ability to type or input information without looking at the keys is a valuable skill, but one difficult to acquire as the position of the hand has to move relative to the keyboard. The provision of a key operated by horizontal pressure of the thumb can act as an important guide for the position of the hand, facilitating the process of learning to touch type.

Specific embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of examples.

Example 1. Figure 1 shows an arrangement of two keys, to be operated by one thumb. Key 1 is operated by downward movement of the thumb (vertical arrow), activating switch 2, mounted on base 3, sending the required signal to the computer by the connections 4 and 5. Key 6 operates by sideways movement acting on switch 7 (horizontal arrow), which sends the required signal to the computer. This allows the one thumb to input two signals to the computer without moving its overall position relative to the keyboard.

Example 2. Figure 2 shows a keyboard similar to the industry standard board except that the space bar has an extension 8 which acts as a thumb key by normal downward pressure, giving the usual 'space' function. Key 9 operates by sideways movement of the right thumb, and could be used for 'back-space' while Key 10 is operated by sideways movement of the left thumb and can be used for an additional input signal. The finger keys of the industry standard keyboard layout is represented in Figure 2 by the three rows and twelve columns of squares, 11.

Example 3 Figure 3 shows an arrangement in which the standard space bar is replaced by four thumb keys; Key 14 is operated by downward movement of the right thumb and Key 15 by sideways movement of the same thumb. Key 16 uses downward action of the left thumb and Key 17 sideways action of the left thumb. Key 14 would act as 'space'; Key 15 as 'back-space'; Key 16 as 'shift' and Key 17 could act as an additional 'shift' or to input a letter. The blocks 12 and 13 represent the finger keys arranged in a more ergonomic pattern.

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Claims

CLAIN4S.

1. An arrangement of two adjacent keys, one of which moves in a vertical direction, one in a horizontal direction, both operated by the same thumb, for computer input.

2. A keyboard similar to the industry standard, also known as Qwerty, in which a part of the space bar is replaced by two thumb keys both operated by the same thumb.

3. A keyboard similar to the industry standard except that the whole of the space bar is replaced by two or more thumb keys, one of which at least in operated by horizontal action and one at least by vertical action.

4. A keyboard similar to the industry standard, in which the space bar is extended in the area of the thumb, and provided with an extra thumb key which operates by horizontal action.

5. A keyboard in which four keys, (two vertical action, two horizontal action) are provided for each thumb.

6. An arrangement of any of the above in which the horizontally operated key may be retracted for storage or other purposes.

7. A keyboard in which any of the thumb keys may be sculpted in such a manner as to help the thumbs guide the position of the hands.

8. A keyboard in which the movement of the thumb keys may be within 20 degrees of the vertical or within 20 degrees of the horizontal.