JPH075965A - Character input device operable by one hand - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To select a character and a function, etc., and to input them to a word processor, etc., by arranging plural keys or push buttons on a bar-shape grip in a line in the up/down direction at an equal interval, and depressing them with fingers of a hand simultaneously. CONSTITUTION:When the character or numeral is inputted by supporting a grip 1 with a stem 2 on a board or table, one or two or more of keys 7, 8 are depressed simultaneously, and a desired character or numerical can be selected. At this time, a groove-shape recessed part 9 guides the finger, which enables a key position to be easily recognized, and also, prevents an erroneous key from being depressed. Input is performed for shifting the key by either depressing adjacent two keys of a key 8 arranged in two lines simultaneously or after depressing a shift lock push button 4. When it is desired to select 'function', a function switch 5 is switched, and when it is desired to input the numeral, a numeral select switch 6 is switched. When it is desired to use the character input device for the movement of a cursor, it can be moved by depressing a cursor lock push button 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a rod-shaped grip having a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a square shape, a rectangular shape, or a cross section having a similar shape, and a plurality of keys.
Or, the push buttons are arranged in one row above and below, or in more rows, at equal intervals, and one or more fingers simultaneously press one or more keys to select letters, numbers, signs, or functions, The purpose is to freely move the cursor that appears on the display screen of a word processor, etc. by tilting the grip back and forth or left and right while inputting to a word processor, computer, electronic type, or similar electronic device. It relates to the device. Conventionally, a device using a large number of keys called a keyboard or a keypad has been used to input characters, numbers, symbols, etc. into a word processor, computer, etc., but such a device generally uses one character or It is by pressing one designated key to input a number, and because of the large number of keys, it was necessary to use both hands to input a large number of letters and numbers in succession. In addition, another key group is prepared to move the cursor. To move the cursor while inputting normal letters and numbers, use one hand of the cursor. It was necessary to move to the position where the key was. Therefore, it is necessary for the operator to keep both hands on the keyboard at all times and frequently move the left hand and the right hand. I was also very tired. The purpose of this invention is to eliminate the inconvenience of using both hands and the fatigue caused by frequent movements of the hands. The present invention proposes a character input device that allows a cursor to be freely moved while inputting a code. That is, in the character input device according to the present invention, in addition to the method of selecting a character by pressing only one key, two or more keys are simultaneously pressed by two or more fingers, and a combination of such keys is used. It is based on the method of selecting different letters, numbers, or signs depending on. This can be achieved by arranging a plurality of keys on a bar-shaped grip in the upper and lower rows at equal intervals in one row or in more rows. For example, when 5 keys are arranged on one grip, 15 combinations are possible when one key is pressed and when two keys are pressed, and that number of characters can be input. Become. Also, 1 apart from the previous 5 keys
Arrange one or more keys in different positions, the first 5
The number of combinations can be further increased by operating each key with a finger other than the thumb and operating the remaining keys with the thumb. If there are two keys operated by the thumb in the above example,
The number of operable keys is 7, and 28 characters can be selected depending on whether one key is pressed to select a character or two keys are pressed simultaneously. Although 40 to 50 keys are used in a normal keyboard, according to the method of the present invention, two keys are operated by the thumb and seven keys are operated by other fingers. Then, 45 characters can be selected, and the function can be almost the same as that of the conventional standard keyboard. The character input device based on the present invention may be a grip as it is, or the grip may be fixed to any table or desk using a stem or a pillar, but if possible, it can be tilted back and forth and left and right. By attaching it to a table or desk in a ready state and tilting the grip back and forth, left and right, the cursor that appears on the display screen of a word processor or the like can be moved in any direction. Also, the top surface of the grip "shift lock", cursor. Pushbuttons such as "lock" can be attached to keep the keys shifted or the cursor or keys locked. In addition, under the top surface of the grip, or elsewhere, the "function." It is also possible to attach a switch for "select" or "numerical select" so that the function of the key can be used only for function or number selection. Also, each side of the grip with more keys can be used. It is preferable that a recess is provided corresponding to each key so that the position of each key can be easily identified and that an erroneous key selection is not performed.
The keys operated by fingers other than the thumb are arranged in two rows, upper and lower, and when only one of them is pressed, it is a normal input, and when two adjacent keys are pressed with one finger at the same time. Can also have its keys shift.
Such a character input device seems to be very difficult to operate at first glance, but when considering playing musical instruments such as clarinet and saxophone, due to skill, characters, numbers, signs, and functions required faster than ordinary keyboards are required due to skill. It is clear that the choice of can be made and the degree of fatigue is low. (Embodiment) An embodiment based on the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings by taking a character input device operated by using only a right hand as an example. (1) The grip (1) which is the main body is supported by the stem or the desk (10) by the stem (2) while being tiltable back and forth and left and right. (2) On the grip (1), a large number of keys (8) for inputting letters, numbers, symbols and functions are arranged at equal intervals in the vertical direction, and the key (7) is also attached at another position. Has been. (3) A "shift lock" button (4) and a "cursor lock" button (3) are mounted on the top surface of the grip (1). (4) A "function select" switch and a "numerical select" switch are attached to the side surface of the upper part of the grip (1). (5) On the left side surface of the grip (1), that is, where a finger other than the thumb touches, there is a recess corresponding to each key and serving as a guide. The character input device according to the present invention has the above-described structure and is operated as follows. When inputting ordinary letters or numbers, one of the keys (7) and (8),
Or press two or more at the same time and select the desired letter or number. Needless to say, pressing only one key has the function of typing, such as spaces and line breaks,
It is desirable to use for input of. The groove-like recess (9) is a finger guide, which makes it easy to know the position of the key and prevents the wrong key from being pressed. To shift a key, two adjacent keys of the two rows of keys (8) are pressed at the same time, or the "shift lock" push button (4) is pressed before normal input is made. To select a function, switch the "function" switch (5), and to continue inputting numbers, switch the "number select" switch (6). If you want to use this character input device to move the cursor, press the "Cursor Lock" push button (3). By this operation, character input will not be mistakenly performed while the cursor is moving.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS (FIG. 1) An external view of an embodiment of an apparatus based on the present invention is shown. FIG. 2 shows the appearance of another embodiment of the device according to the present invention. (Description of symbols) (1) Grip (2) Stem (3) "Cursor lock" push button (4) "Shift lock" push button (5) "Function select" switch (6) "Numeric select" switch (7) key (8) key (9) finger guide groove (10) stand or desk

Claims (1)

(Claim 1) A plurality of keys or push buttons are arranged at equal intervals in a row in a row on a grip in the shape of a circle, an ellipse, a quadrangle, a rectangle, or a rod-shaped grip having a similar cross section. By pressing one or more keys or pushbuttons simultaneously with a book or more fingers, letters, numbers,
Select code, function, word processor,
A device that inputs to a computer, electronic typewriter, or machine control device. (Claim 2) In the character input device based on the above item 1, a plurality of keys or push buttons are arranged on the grip at equal intervals in two rows, and keys that are adjacent to each other at the left and right with one finger are simultaneously provided. It is characterized by shifting the selected key by pressing it. (Claim 3) In the character input device based on the above items 1 and 2, one or more keys are arranged at a position different from the keys in the upper and lower rows or the two rows at the same interval in the upper and lower rows. It is characterized by (Claim 4) In the character input device based on the above items 1, 2, and 3, a push button for "shift lock", a push button for "cursor lock", and "function select" are provided on the grip. It is characterized in that a switch for "and a switch for" numerical selection "are attached. (Claim 5) In the character input device based on the above items 1, 2, 3 and 4, each key has a recess for guiding a finger on a side surface of the grip where more keys are arranged. It is characterized by being attached corresponding to. (Claim 6) In the character input device based on the above items 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, the device is a table or a desk,
It is attached via a stem in a state that it can be tilted back and forth and left and right, and the feature is that the cursor that appears on the display screen of a word processor or the like can be moved by operating the part of the grip and tilting it.