JPH06149434A - Keyboard for one-hand operation - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform the input operation of the keyboard without forcing any burden to an arm in the state of inclining the palm based on human engineering in the case of performing the input operation of the keyboard and further to enlarge the range of enabling the inputs of inputtable characters or symbols by increasing the degree of freedom for the palm, enlarging an operating area and increasing the number of keys. CONSTITUTION:A palm rest 3 is expanded and formed on a keyboard main body 2A of a keyboard 2 for one-handed operation. At the time of operating the keyboard, the palm is put on the palm rest 3 while being inclined, and the input operations of keys are performed by respective fingers. Since the operations are performed while putting the palm on the palm rest 3, the input operations are easily performed without loading any burden to the arm by supporting the weight of the hand with the palm rest 3, and workability can be improved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic keyboard operated with one hand, and more particularly to a keyboard for one-handed operation for inputting Japanese characters, alphanumeric characters, symbols, or similar character symbols and processing commands.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a one-hand operation keyboard which is operated with one hand to input a desired character or number, a plurality of input keys are provided on a flat keyboard surface according to each finger,
There is known a one-handed operation keyboard for inputting desired characters, symbols and processing commands by a combination of input keys (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-199160 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-199160).
See Japanese Patent No. 36322). These one-handed operation keyboards are configured to include a group of keys operated by the thumb and a group of keys operated by fingers other than the thumb. When operating the keyboard with one hand, the keys operated by the thumb and the thumb are used. A desired character or number is input in combination with a key operated by a finger other than.

In these conventional one-hand operation keyboards, the keyboard surface is formed flat, and the key rows in which the keys are arranged in parallel are arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval, and when operating the keyboard, the keyboard is operated. Place the keyboard body on a flat place such as, and hold the palm parallel to the keyboard surface and operate the key with each finger, or place the wrist side of the palm on the keyboard surface and operate the key corresponding to each finger It has become.

[0004]

In the conventional one-handed operation keyboard described above, it is necessary to secure a sufficient space between the keys in order to avoid an erroneous operation when the palm is floated on the keyboard during operation. Also, when part of the palm is placed on the keyboard surface for operation, the movement of the palm is limited and the range of movement of each finger is also limited, so it is necessary to place the keys within a predetermined limited area. is there. Therefore, in the conventional one-hand operation keyboard, there is a problem that the number of keys on the keyboard is limited and the range of characters, numbers and symbols that can be input is limited. In addition, in order to expand the range of characters, numbers, and symbols that can be input, it is necessary to enter a small number of keys in a complicated combination, which complicates keyboard operation and reduces workability. There is a problem that it takes time to do. In addition, with conventional keyboards, the arm must be twisted to direct the palm downward when operating, or the palm must be held parallel to the keyboard surface, or part of the palm must be placed on the keyboard surface, making it impossible for the arm. However, there is a problem in that an excessive amount of force is required to operate the keyboard for a long time, resulting in fatigue or occupational diseases such as tendonitis.

The present invention has been made in order to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks, and realizes an ergonomic keyboard shape and key arrangement with a simple structure, inclining the palm and inputting the keyboard in a natural state of the arm. One-handed operation that can be operated and also increases the flexibility of the palm to improve operability and expands the operation area to increase the number of keys and the range of characters and symbols that can be input. A keyboard for use is provided.

[0006]

A keyboard for one-handed operation according to the present invention comprises a plurality of keys and an electronic circuit which is electrically connected to these keys and sends a predetermined signal to the outside in response to the input of the keys. A one-handed operation keyboard equipped with,
The palm rest is formed by bulging on the keyboard, and when the keyboard is operated, the palm is tiltably placed on the palm rest for operation.

[0007]

In the keyboard for one-handed operation according to the present invention, the palm rest is placed on the palm rest formed by bulging on the keyboard with the palm inclined, and the keys are operated by the fingers. The keyboard can be operated in a natural state without burdening the user, and the work efficiency is improved.

[0008]

The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments.
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a keyboard for one-handed operation according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 to 3 are II-II of FIG. 1, respectively.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the one-handed operation keyboard of FIG. 1, which is a sectional view taken along the line III-III. As shown in FIG. 1, the one-handed operation keyboard 2 has a substantially elliptical shape according to the size of one hand with each finger extended (in this embodiment, the right hand is assumed), and the inside is hollow. Keyboard body 2A
Then, the bottom lid 2B is attached to the opening bottom portion of the keyboard body 2A by screws (see FIG. 2). An electronic circuit 4 is provided on the upper surface of the bottom cover 2B, and the electronic circuit 4 includes keys A1 to A11, B1 to B10, C1 to C5, and D1 described later.
To D5 and E1 to E5 are electrically connected. Electronic circuit 4
Is electrically connected to a CPU, a storage memory, a CRT screen, an output device, and the like (not shown).

By the way, a bulged portion having a curved surface is formed as a palm rest 3 at a position deviated from the center O of the one-handed operation keyboard 2. The upper portion 3A (see FIGS. 2 and 3) of the palm rest 3 is formed into a gentle curved surface, and when the palm is placed on the palm rest 3,
Even when the palm is tilted and placed on the palm rest 3 with the thumb facing upward, the weight of the hand is supported by the palm rest 3 so that the palm rest 3 is easy to operate.

As shown in FIG. 1, first to fifth key groups G1 to G5 are provided radially on the palm rest 3 on the keyboard 2 for one-handed operation. As shown in FIG. 3, the one-handed operation keyboard 2 is formed such that the surface on which the key group G1 corresponding to the thumb is provided is gradually inclined outward, and the keys corresponding to each finger from the index finger to the little finger. The surfaces on which the groups G2 to G5 are provided are curved in a concave shape. Each of the key groups G1 to G5 has a predetermined number of keys and a key area in accordance with a region where each finger from the thumb to the little finger can be operated. Each key group G1 to G5
When the palm is placed on the palm rest 3, not only the reach of each finger from the thumb to the little finger but also the palm rests on the palm rest 3
It is located within the reach of each finger even when it moves up and is tilted. Each key group G1 to G5 has a different operable area of each finger from the corresponding thumb to little finger, so that the number and arrangement of the keys are different for each key group as shown in FIG. In addition, the area occupied by each key group is different according to the operability of each finger.

As shown in FIG. 1, the key group G1 corresponding to the thumb is composed of 11 keys A1 to A11. The keys A1 to A6 of the key group G1 are, as shown in Table 1,
It performs the functions of shift, conversion, backspace, English mode, Japanese mode, and numeric mode. The keys A7 to A11 of the key group G1 are additional function keys, respectively, and are capable of giving desired functions. For example, the additional function keys A7 to A11 are used alone or in combination with other keys to call up a document, save a document,
Execution (selection) and kanji, hiragana, katakana, symbols,
A desired input mode such as double-width or half-width can be set.

The key group G2 corresponding to the index finger is composed of ten keys B1 to B10, as shown in FIG.
Key group G3 corresponding to the middle finger, key group G4 corresponding to the ring finger
The key group G5 corresponding to the little finger has five keys C each.
1 to C5, D1 to D5, and E1 to E5, respectively. Keys A1 to A11, B1 to B10, C1 to C
5, D1 to D5 and E1 to E5 respectively have different key shapes and areas according to the range in which each finger is easily moved.

In the one-handed operation keyboard 2, when the key A5 of the key group G1 is operated by the thumb and the input processing state of the Japanese sentence mode is entered, the respective keys B1 to B10, C1 to C5, D1.
5 to D5 and E1 to E5 can input the Japanese sentences and symbols shown in FIG. 5 and Table 1, respectively. For example, when inputting the hiragana "a", the key B1 of the key group G2 forming the consonant string including the matrix a
Is operated to select line a, and then the key C1 is operated to select a vowel in line a, whereby "a" is input. Similarly, for example, when inputting "ku", when the key B2 is operated and then the key E1 of the vowel vowel is operated, "ku" is input.

The keyboard 2 for one-handed operation is the key A.
When 6 is operated and the input processing state of the number mode is entered, the respective keys B1 to B10, C1 to C5, D1 to D5, E1 to E5
Can input the numbers and symbols shown in FIG. 6 and Table 1, respectively.

Further, when the key A4 is operated to enter the English text mode input processing state, the keys B1 to B5 of the key group G2.
In combination with each key C1-C3, D1-D3, E1,
Each of the E2 can input the English characters shown in FIG. 7 and Table 1. Further, the symbols and functions shown in FIG. 7 and Table 1 can be individually input for E3 to E5. For example, when inputting "A", the key B1 is operated to operate the keys C1 to C3 and D1 to D.
Select the letter (A, D, G, B, E, H, C, F) displayed on the rightmost side of 3, E1, E2, and then operate the key C1 to select the letter A Then, "A" is input.

A one-handed operation keyboard 2 having the above-mentioned configuration
When operating, the palm is placed on the palm rest 3 and the keys A1 to E5 corresponding to each finger are operated. Therefore, the weight of the palm is dispersed by the palm rest 3, and the burden on the arm is reduced. Further, since the palm rest 3 is formed in a curved surface, the palm can be operated while smoothly moving the palm. Further, since the keys A1 to E5 are arranged radially and the frequently used keys are arranged outside, that is, at the positions where the fingers can easily operate, the keys A1 to E5 can be operated smoothly. The keys A1 to E5 are arranged on the upper surface of the tilted or curved keyboard body 2A, and the palm is placed along the curved surface of the palm rest 3, so that the palm is tilted and the keys A1 to E5 are operated. It is possible to operate without applying excessive force to the arm.

Further, in the one-hand operation keyboard 2 having the above-mentioned configuration, when any one of the keys A4 to A6 of the key group G1 is selected, the input mode is switched to any one of English sentence input, Japanese sentence input and numeral input, By operating each of the other keys B1 to E5, the input processing according to the input mode is performed.

In the above embodiment, the input processing is performed according to the input code shown in Table 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. For the keys A1 to E5 to which no function is added, Needless to say, the range of character symbols that can be input can be expanded by providing another additional function or input code. Further, a mouse may be provided below the one-handed operation keyboard according to the above-described embodiment to connect with the electronic circuit. In addition, although the palm rest 3 is integrally formed with the keyboard body 2A in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and the palm rest 3 may be detachably provided.

[0019]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the palm is placed on the palm rest and tilted for the operation, the weight of the hand is supported by the palm rest and the input operation can be performed easily without burdening the arm. The workability can be improved. Also, by increasing the freedom of the palm,
It is possible to expand the operation area of each finger, increase the number of keys, and expand the range of characters and symbols that can be input.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a one-handed operation keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the one-handed operation keyboard of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an input code in a Japanese sentence input mode.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an input code in a numeral input mode.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an input code in an English sentence input mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 Keyboard for one-handed operation 2A Keyboard (keyboard body) 3 Palm rest 4 Electronic circuits A1 to A11, B1 to B10, C1 to C5, D1 to D
5, E1-E5 keys

[Table 1]

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A one-handed operation keyboard comprising a plurality of keys and an electronic circuit which is electrically connected to the keys and sends out a predetermined signal to the outside according to the input of the keys,
A keyboard for one-handed operation, in which a palm rest is bulged and formed on the keyboard, and the palm is tiltably placed on the palm rest when the keyboard is operated. 2. On the keyboard surface, each key is arranged corresponding to an operable area of each finger centering on a palm rest, and a keyboard surface on which a group of keys operated by a thumb is arranged is formed to be inclined, The keyboard for one-handed operation according to claim 1, wherein a keyboard surface on which the other keys are arranged is curved. 3. The keyboard for one-handed operation according to claim 2, wherein each key has a different size according to the operable area of each finger. 4. The keyboard for one-handed operation according to claim 3, wherein the input code of each key is determined from the outer peripheral side according to the frequency of use. 5. The key group operated by the thumb is provided with a key capable of switching the input mode of another key to any one of Japanese, English and numerical symbols.
The one-handed operation keyboard described in.