GB2306030A - A combined computer keyboard and calculator - Google Patents
A combined computer keyboard and calculator Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2306030A GB2306030A GB9522538A GB9522538A GB2306030A GB 2306030 A GB2306030 A GB 2306030A GB 9522538 A GB9522538 A GB 9522538A GB 9522538 A GB9522538 A GB 9522538A GB 2306030 A GB2306030 A GB 2306030A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- calculator
- keys
- keyboard
- computer keyboard
- power
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
- G06F3/0202—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
- G06F3/021—Arrangements integrating additional peripherals in a keyboard, e.g. card or barcode reader, optical scanner
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)
Abstract
A combined computer keyboard and calculator comprises a plurality of keys for inputting data and commands into a computer, calculator processor means for performing calculations and display means 6 for displaying data input to the calculator processor means and calculated data output from the calculator processor means. Switch means ("Calc/kboard" key) is provided for reassigning the functions of at least some of the plurality of keys 5,4,3 to input data to the calculator processor means and power supply means 7 is provided for supplying power to the calculator processor means, the display means, the reassignment switch means and said at least some of the keys.
Description
A COMBINED COMPUTER KEYBOARD AND CALCULATOR
The present invention generally relates to a combined computer keyboard and calculator and more specifically to such a combination wherein keys of the keyboard can be reassigned for calculator operation.
Calculators are well known technical instruments providing various mathematical functions. Personal computers commonly include programs which mimic calculator functions. The versatile personal computer can be switched into a calculator mode using the computer power supply, the computer processor, the computer screen displaying the calculator input and output data, and the computer keyboard to input the calculator data and commands. Thus when a personal computer is provided on a desk it has generally been suggested that a separate calculator is not necessary.
However, the provision of a calculator as a program within a personal computer has its disadvantages. It is not possible to perform calculator functions independently, e.g. when the computer is not switched on. Also, when further software is being run on the computer, it is necessary to switch to run the calculator program in the foreground. Whilst this latter disadvantage is not a major disadvantage when operating within an operating environment such as Windows (trade mark), the former disadvantage is significant where a user does not always wish to have the personal computer switched on.
These disadvantages go some way to explaining why it is still common practice for an operator to use a pocket calculator alongside a personal computer even when that computer has a calculator program.
Nevertheless, even this arrangement is not without its problems since the pocket calculator can be easily mislaid or borrowed and not returned.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a combined computer keyboard and calculator wherein the calculator can operate independently of the computer for which the keyboard is an input device.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a combined computer keyboard and calculator which provides a compact design with space saving.
The present invention provides a combined computer keyboard and calculator comprising a plurality of keys for inputting data and commands into a computer; calculator processor means for performing calculations; display means for displaying data input to said calculator processor means and calculated data output from said calculator processor means; switch means for reassigning the functions of at least some of said plurality of keys to input data to said calculator processor means; and power supply means for supplying power to said calculator processor means, said display means, said reassignment switch means and said at least some keys.
It will be seen that the present invention provides for a compact combined computer keyboard and calculator which allows the independent operation of the calculator within the keyboard arrangement whilst avoiding duplication of keys.
In one embodiment the power supply means includes calculator supply means for supplying power to the calculator processor means, the display means, the reassignment switch means, and the keys reassigned for calculator functions at least during a period when no power is supplied by the computer to the keyboard.
Thus in this embodiment and during this period the supply of power to the calculator within the keyboard arrangement is separate to the computer's power supply.
In an alternative embodiment the calculator power supply means may be arranged to supply power to the calculator processor means, the display means, the reassignment switch means and the reassigned keys even when the keyboard is supplied with power by the computer.
In another embodiment the actuation of the reassignment switch means may be arranged to simultaneously actuate the calculator power supply means.
In yet another embodiment there is included a power switch means to switch the power supplied to the calculator processor means, the display means and the keys reassigned to function as input keys for the calculator, from the calculator power supply means to the power supplied by the computer to the keyboard during a period when power is supplied by the computer to the keyboard. Thus in this embodiment the availability of mains originating power within the keyboard arrangement is utilised to take over the powering of the calculator functions within the keyboard arrangement when the computer is switched on.
When a computer is switched off the supply of power can be switched back to the calculator power supply means.
Conveniently the reassignment switch means comprises an additional conversion key in the keyboard. This provides for a simple method of reassigning the output of the functions of the common keys shared by the computer keyboard and the calculator.
Conveniently the plurality of keys are laid out in a standard personal computer format with a number key set to one side of the QWERTY key set. The reassignment switch means is arranged to reassign the functions of the keys of the number key set to input data to the calculator processor means. Thus, for a standard keyboard such as an IBM (trade mark) compatible keyboard which provides a number keypad to the right of the QUERTY keypad, the number keypad is ideally suited for use as the keypad of a calculator.
Additional keys can also be provided in addition to the keys normally provided in an IBM (trade mark) compatible computer keyboard for additional calculator functions. Alternatively, some or all of the control keys or cursor locator keys normally provided in an
IBM (trade mark) compatible computer keyboard can be reassigned to perform these functions.
The calculator power supply means can comprise either at least one battery, at least one solar cell or at least one rechargeable battery. If rechargeable batteries are used, these can be rechargeable from the computer power supply when the computer is switched on.
In one embodiment, which provides for a calculator layout similar to a conventional calculator, the display means comprises a liquid crystal display which is conveniently positioned above the number keypad in the keyboard.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a schematic plan view of a combined computer keyboard and calculator in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
Referring now to the drawing, there is illustrated a combined computer keyboard and calculator 1 which has a plurality of keys arranged in the standard QWERTY layout forming a QWERTY keypad 2.
Above the QWERTY keypad 2 the function keys F1 to F12 are arranged in the IBM AT(trade mark) compatible keyboard layout.
To the right of the QWERTY keypad 2, there are provided control keys 3 comprising the Insert, Home,
Page Up, Del, End and Page Down keys. Below these control keys 3 and also to the right of the QWERTY keypad 2 there are provided the usual cursor locator keys 4 together with addition keys CM, CA, and
Calc/Kboard. Above control key 3 there are provided the usual Print Screen/SysRq, Scroll Lock, and
Pause/Break keys, and above these keys is provided the
LED displays indicating whether the Num Lock, Caps
Lock, or Scroll Lock keys have been pressed.
To the right of the control keys 3 and the cursor positioning keys 4, there is provided the conventional number keypad 5. Above the number keypad 5 there is provided a ten digit LCD display 6 and above the LCD display 6 there are provided an array of solar cells 7 to provide power to operate the calculator functions within the combined computer keyboard and calculator.
The combined computer keyboard and calculator 1 of this embodiment differs from the conventional IBM
AT (trade mark) compatible keyboard in that the keys of the number keypad 5, some of the keys of the control keys 3, and the cursor positioning keys 4 are reassignable from being inputs to the computer in a conventional computer keyboard manner to being inputs for the calculator arrangement within the combined computer keyboard and calculator 1. Thus when calculator functions are not required the Calc/Kboard key can be toggled to enable the control keys 3, the cursor positioning keys 4, and the number keypad 5 to operate as conventional input keys for the computer.
When calculator functions are required, the
Calc/Kboard key can be toggled to reassign the functions of some of the control keys 3, the cursor positioning keys 4, and the keypad 5 to act as inputs to the calculator arrangement within the combined computer keyboard and'calculator 1.
As can be seen in the drawing, on the lefthand side of the Calc/Kboard key there is provided a switch 8 to switch on the power supply for the calculator arrangement within the combined keyboard and calculator 1. The calculator arrangement which comprises the conventional calculator processor, the keys of the number keypad 5, the cursor positioning keys 4, and some of the keys of the control keys 3, and the display 6, are supplied with power from the solar cell array 7. Alternatively, batteries can be used which can be rechargeable. If rechargeable batteries are used these can be rechargeable from the computer power supply which is supplied to the combined computer keyboard and calculator 1.
Thus, the calculator arrangement within the combined computer keyboard and calculator 1 can operate independently of the computer for which the combined computer keyboard and calculator 1 is provided. Space saving is provided by providing for the reassignment of keys between keyboard operation and calculator operation using the Calc/Kboard key.
As can be seen in the drawing, each of the keys of the number keypad, cursor positioning keys 4 and some of the keys of the control keys 3 are labelled with the additional functions which are assigned to them when they are reassigned to operate as inputs for the calculator.
It can thus be seen from the embodiment described hereinabove that the present invention can provide for a compact and easily used combined computer keyboard and calculator.
Although the present invention has been described hereinabove with reference to a specific embodiment, it is to be understand that the present invention is not so limited and modifications which fall within the scope of the claims will be clear to a skilled person in the art.
Claims (14)
1. A combined computer keyboard and calculator comprising a plurality of keys for inputting data and commands into a computer; calculator processor means for performing calculations; display means for displaying data input to said calculator processor means and calculated data output from said calculator processor means; switch means for reassigning the functions of at least some of said plurality of keys to input data to said calculator processor means; and power supply means for supplying power to said calculator processor means, said display means, said reassignment switch means and said at least some keys.
2. A combined computer keyboard and calculator as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said power supply means includes calculator power supply means for supplying power to said calculator processor means, said display means, said reassignment switch means and said at least some keys at least during a period when no power is supplied by the computer to the keyboard to activate said plurality of keys.
3. A combined computer keyboard and calculator as claimed in Claim 2 wherein said calculator power supply means is arranged to supply power to said calculator processor means, said display means, said reassignment switch means and said at least some keys even when said keyboard is supplied with power by the computer.
4. A combined computer keyboard and calculator as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said reassignment switch means actuates said calculator power supply means in addition to reassigning the functions of at least some of said plurality of keys.
5. A combined computer keyboard and calculator as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4 including power switch means to switch the power supplied to said calculator processor means, said display means, said reassignment switch means and said at least some keys from said calculator power supply means to the power supplied by the computer to the keyboard during a period when power is supplied by the computer to the keyboard.
6. A combined computer keyboard and calculator as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said reassignment switch means comprises a conversion key.
7. A combined computer keyboard and calculator as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said plurality of keys are laid out in a standard personal computer format with a number key set to one side of a QWERTY key set, and said reassignment switch means is arranged to reassign the functions of the keys of said number key set to input data to said calculator processor means.
8. A combined computer keyboard and calculator as claimed in any preceding claim including additional keys whose function is solely to input data to said calculator processor means.
9. A combined computer keyboard and calculator as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 8 wherein said calculator power supply means comprises at least one battery.
10. A combined computer keyboard and calculator as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 8 wherein said calculator power supply means comprises at least one solar cell.
11. A combined computer keyboard and calculator as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 9 wherein said calculator power supply means comprises at least one rechargeable battery.
12. A combined computer keyboard and calculator as claimed in Claim 11 wherein said at least one rechargeable battery is rechargeable from the computer power supply which supplies power for said plurality of keys.
13. A combined computer keyboard and calculator as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said display means comprises a liquid crystal display.
14. A combined computer keyboard and calculator substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/GB1996/002401 WO1997013190A1 (en) | 1995-10-02 | 1996-09-27 | A combined computer keyboard and calculator |
| AU71376/96A AU7137696A (en) | 1995-10-02 | 1996-09-27 | A combined computer keyboard and calculator |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB9520082.0A GB9520082D0 (en) | 1995-10-02 | 1995-10-02 | Keyboard calculator |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9522538D0 GB9522538D0 (en) | 1996-01-03 |
| GB2306030A true GB2306030A (en) | 1997-04-23 |
Family
ID=10781630
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB9520082.0A Pending GB9520082D0 (en) | 1995-10-02 | 1995-10-02 | Keyboard calculator |
| GB9522538A Withdrawn GB2306030A (en) | 1995-10-02 | 1995-11-03 | A combined computer keyboard and calculator |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB9520082.0A Pending GB9520082D0 (en) | 1995-10-02 | 1995-10-02 | Keyboard calculator |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (2) | GB9520082D0 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2002041130A2 (en) * | 2000-11-16 | 2002-05-23 | David Hudson | Keyboard display |
Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2249200A (en) * | 1990-10-26 | 1992-04-29 | Lei Chuan Wu | Structure of calculator for on-line operation with computer |
-
1995
- 1995-10-02 GB GBGB9520082.0A patent/GB9520082D0/en active Pending
- 1995-11-03 GB GB9522538A patent/GB2306030A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2249200A (en) * | 1990-10-26 | 1992-04-29 | Lei Chuan Wu | Structure of calculator for on-line operation with computer |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2002041130A2 (en) * | 2000-11-16 | 2002-05-23 | David Hudson | Keyboard display |
| WO2002041130A3 (en) * | 2000-11-16 | 2003-05-15 | David Hudson | Keyboard display |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9520082D0 (en) | 1995-12-06 |
| GB9522538D0 (en) | 1996-01-03 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |