DE102021003377A1 - KEYBOARD FOR CONTROLLING VIDEO GAMES ON PERSONAL COMPUTER - Google Patents

Abstract

A keyboard for video games on the personal computer (PC) is proposed, which, due to a special keyboard layout or key distribution, facilitates the control of video games on the personal computer (PC), the keyboard also being used to perform the usual functions of a keyboard (e.g. entering data and commands, text, graphics, spreadsheet or image processing, etc.).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a keyboard for a personal computer (PC) which, due to a special keyboard assignment or key distribution, makes it easier to control video games on the personal computer (PC).

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

The input of data and programs and, in general, the operation of personal computers (PCs) takes place via a keyboard, with the help of which the information entered by the user is fed into the PC via a data line and which, according to the usual English-language terminology, are referred to as "keyboards". be designated.

In their basic structure, keyboards consist of an approximately rectangular base plate in which the individual keys are arranged in groups in one or more rows. They are often divided into three groups, first, similar to a typewriter, the input of alphanumeric characters, second, the input of numbers, and third, the group representing function keys. Their number and arrangement vary depending on the respective computer type; Likewise, the form and shape of the individual keys are chosen differently, especially on the surface.

When designing the keyboard, the shape of the keys, and also the arrangement on the base plate, ergonomic aspects are in the foreground, which aim to achieve relaxed and fatigue-free work without cramping the muscles in the finger, arm and neck area of the user or at least largely ruled out and also to improve the visibility of the individual keys or the lettering attached to them. For these reasons, the base plate is not strictly rectangular, but has a sloping surface that rises from the operator towards the computer or screen.

With the increasing development of video games, the functionality and comfort of a keyboard becomes more and more important.

In addition to entering various characters, a keyboard can even be used to control the entire computer system. The commercially available keyboards usually have 101 or 104 keys, with the keyboards used by professional players having a larger number of keys and correspondingly being available at a higher price.

Due to the great popularity of video games among young people, game manufacturers are willing to constantly innovate in game design, i.e., provide more difficult missions in the video game, but which require faster completion. In this respect, the shortcut keys on a keyboard are gaining in importance.

The current keyboards are usually too large and have character keys whose positions are not easily recognizable. In addition, the keycaps are usually provided in a size that makes operation by hand movement difficult.

In order to solve the above-mentioned disadvantages, the inventor made studies thereon and thereby developed the present keyboard, which is adequately designed and can eliminate or at least ameliorate the above disadvantages.

The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a keyboard for controlling video games on the personal computer (PC), which facilitates and simplifies the control, the keyboard also being able to perform the usual functions of a keyboard (e.g. entering data and commands, text, graphics, spreadsheet or image processing, etc.).

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A first object of the invention relates to a keyboard comprising two key fields A and B, key field A corresponding to a traditional keyboard layout or key distribution, and key field B divided into four different key fields B.1, B.2, B.3 and B.4 is subdivided, the keypad B.2 having at least six keys (2), and the keypad B.3 having at least two keys (1), characterized in that the keypads B.2 and B.3 are arranged in such a way that the at least two buttons (1) of the keypad B.3 are positioned within comfortable reach of the thumb of the user's left or right hand, the user having his or her left or right hand positioned in contact with the keypad B so that the keys (2 ) of the keypad B.2 are positioned within comfortable reach of the index finger, middle finger and ring finger.

As already mentioned, the key field A corresponds to a traditional keyboard layout or key distribution, which is characterized by that the rows of keys are offset against each other.

In a preferred embodiment, the keypad B.2 occupies the central area of the keypad B; while the keypad B.1 is on the upper portion of the keypad B and the keypad B.3 on the lower portion of the keypad B. The keypad B.4 and the keypad A are arranged such that they define a space in which the Keypads B1, B.2 and B.3 are.

According to the invention, the keys (2) of the keypad B are not offset from one another.

In a preferred embodiment, the keypad B.3 has at least three keys (1).

In accordance with the present invention, the keypad B can be arranged on the left side of the keypad A, as in FIG illustrated. However, a reverse arrangement, ie the keypad B is arranged on the right side of the keypad A, is also possible.

Surprisingly it has been found that, due to the relative arrangement of the keypads B.2 and B.3, when the user has one of his hands positioned on the keypad B in touch-stop such that the keys (2) of the keypad B.2 are within comfortable reach the index finger, middle finger and ring finger are positioned, the keys (1) of the keypad B.3 can be easily and comfortably reached by the user through the natural movement of the thumb.

The relative arrangement of the keypads B.2 and B.3, but also the relative arrangement of the keypads B.1 and B.4 according to the invention, allow the user to control the game with small finger movements, which increases the speed and reduces it of muscular tension. Thus, the player's efficiency in playing and consequently the chances of a successful game are increased.

In a further preferred embodiment, the keypad B.2 has additional keys (2'). Depending on the game and personal preferences, the user can assign additional functions to the additional keys (2') in order to achieve greater efficiency and, consequently, the chances of a successful game.

The additional keys (2') are positioned within comfortable reach of the index finger of the user's left hand or within comfortable reach of the ring finger of the user's right hand, with the user having their left or right hand positioned on the keypad B in touch stroke such that the keys (2) the keypad B.2 positioned within comfortable reach of the index, middle and ring fingers.

In a further preferred embodiment, the keypad B.1 has at least nine keys (3). Depending on the game and personal preferences, the user can assign additional functions to the buttons (3) in order to achieve greater efficiency and, consequently, the chances of a successful game.

In a further preferred embodiment, at least seven of the nine keys (3) are shaped in such a way that one side is wider than the opposite side.

In a further preferred embodiment, the at least seven keys (3) are arranged in such a way that a third key (3) is positioned in the space between two keys (3) positioned in parallel and the same way, with the third key (3) and the two keys (3) positioned parallel and oriented in the same way have a reverse orientation.

In a preferred embodiment, the keypad B.4 has at least three keys (4). Depending on the game and personal preferences, the user can assign additional functions to the buttons (4) in order to achieve greater efficiency and, consequently, the chances of a successful game.

In a further preferred embodiment, the keypad B.4 has at least three user-defined keys (4).

In a further preferred embodiment, all keys of the keypad B have a flat surface.

In a further preferred embodiment, at least six keys (2) of the keypad B.2 have a flat surface, the remaining keys of the keypad B not having a flat surface but being ergonomically equipped.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term "ergonomic" means that the keys are shaped like the fingers; the surface facing the finger is therefore not flat but at least partially flattened.

In a further preferred embodiment, all keys of the keypad B are designed ergonomically.

In a further preferred embodiment, some of the keys (2) of the keypad B.2 have a flat surface, with the remaining keys (2) being designed ergonomically.

In a further preferred embodiment, part of the keys (2) of the keypad B.2 has a flat surface, with the remaining keys (2) being partially concave in shape.

In a further preferred embodiment, the keyboard according to the invention is a mechanical keyboard.

In a further preferred embodiment, the keyboard according to the invention is a rubber dome keyboard.

In a further preferred embodiment, the keyboard according to the invention is a wireless keyboard.

In a further preferred embodiment, the keyboard according to the invention is a Bluetooth keyboard or a wireless keyboard.

A further object of the invention relates to the use of the keyboard according to the invention as an input device for controlling video games on the personal computer (PC).

character list

• general representation of the keyboard according to the invention.
• Representation of a preferred embodiment of the keypad B.

Claims (10)

Keyboard comprising two key fields A and B, key field A corresponding to a traditional keyboard layout or key distribution, and key field B divided into four different key fields B.1, B.2, B.3 and B.4, key field B .2 has at least six keys (2), and wherein the keypad B.3 has at least two keys (1), characterized in that the keypads B.2 and B.3 are arranged in such a way that the at least two keys (1) of the Keypad B.3 are positioned within comfortable reach of the thumb of the user's left or right hand, the user having his left or right hand positioned on the keypad B in touch stroke so that the keys (2) of the keypad B.2 are within comfortable Reach of the index finger, middle finger and ring finger are positioned. keyboard after claim 1 , characterized in that the keypad B.3 has at least three keys (1). Keyboard according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the keypad B.2 has additional keys (2'). keyboard after claim 3 , characterized in that the additional keys (2') are positioned within comfortable reach of the index finger of the user's left hand or within comfortable reach of the ring finger of the user's right hand, the user positioning his left or right hand on the keypad B in touch stroke so has that the keys (2) of the keypad B.2 are positioned within comfortable reach of the index finger, middle finger and ring finger. Keyboard according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the keypad B.1 has at least nine keys (3). keyboard after claim 5 , characterized in that at least seven of the nine keys (3) are shaped in such a way that one side is wider than the opposite side. keyboard after claim 6 , characterized in that the at least seven keys (3) are arranged in such a way that a third key (3) is positioned in the space between two keys (3) positioned parallel and oriented in the same way, the third key (3) and the two keys (3) positioned parallel and oriented in the same way have a reverse orientation. Keyboard according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the keypad B.4 has at least three user-defined keys (4). Keyboard according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that part of the keys (2) of the keypad B.2 has a flat surface and the remaining keys (2) are partially concave in shape. Use of the keyboard according to one of the preceding claims as an input device for controlling video games on the personal computer (PC).

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