JPS6219923A - Single hand operation type information processing keyboard - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To increase greatly an input speed and to reduce the operating fatigue of an operator by arranging the keys in response to five fingers of a single hand with the top face of the key for thumb set at a position different from those of other four fingers and therefore attaining the plural input operations with the swinging actions of fingers. CONSTITUTION:A palm closing area F6 is put on a mounting part 7 with fingers F1-F5 opened slightly to each other. Thus the fingers F1-F5 have contacts with or put close to the neutral positions 2N-6N respectively. Thus the standard operating positions are set for each finger. Then the combinations are secured in principle for input operations among the neutral position 2N of the thumb key 2, the operating positions and other operating positions 2U, 2D, 2R and 2L and the operating positions 3U, 3D-6U and 6D of other finger keys 3-6. The area F6 can always be kept on the part 7 and the weight of the hand and the arm can be supported at the area F6. This can reduce the operating fatigue of an operator.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an information processing system w! used as an input device for a word processor, computer, etc. The present invention relates to a panel device, and specifically relates to a panel device that can be operated with one hand by reducing the number of keys to each index.

(Prior Art) For example, as a touch type key on a keyboard for a word processor, etc., JIS (6233) specifies a two-handed type with a predetermined number of keys in a predetermined arrangement using a Roman alphabet input method or a kana input method. For keyboards, experiments such as toprack layout based on ergonomic considerations are underway. By assigning keys to two kana characters, the number of keys can be reduced equivalently.
Moreover, products that reduce the frequency of finger movement have been commercialized. In addition, a system called the new Romaji-Kanji conversion system and a system that arranges each character in alphabetical order to speed up the initial learning curve have been commercialized.

In any case, to operate each key except the home key on each of the above keyboards, ■ place the fingers of both hands in a fixed position, raise the fingers from the fixed position, ■ move the fingers to the keystroke position, and then ■ Press the key. After that, it is necessary to: ■ raise the finger again, ■ return the finger to the normal position, and ■ lower the finger to the normal position. Therefore, in order to input, six steps of finger movement are required, excluding the home key, which makes the input operation cumbersome, and the speed and fatigue required for movement cannot be ignored, even if there are differences in degree. Moreover, blind input required considerable training.

In view of the above circumstances, various proposals have been made recently.

First, in order to reduce operational fatigue, there are devices in which the keys are arranged in such a way that the range of movement of the fingers is reduced. Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 1983
Japanese Patent No. 140,548 discloses a keyboard comprising a selected key and adjacent keys that can be pressed simultaneously.

Next, as a method for eliminating the movement of fingers, there is
! Publication No. 182134 discloses an IS! key that is ergonomically adapted to be supported and operated with one hand.
A keyboard that can be carried around is disclosed. That is, the board body is made small enough to be held and supported by the fingers of one hand, and at the same time five keys are arranged on the board body with the thumb and other fingers facing each other.

Touch input is performed with a finger placed on each key, and manual input can be performed by combining each key.

(Problems with the Prior Art) Although the keyboard with adjacent keys disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 59-140548 reduces the travel distance by the adjacent keys, it requires six steps of finger movement except for the home key. It is something. Depends on it.

The problem of operational fatigue, etc., was not sufficiently alleviated, and the same core problems as those mentioned above were not solved.

Furthermore, according to the portable keyboard disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 59-98284, the six-step finger movement operation described above is not required, so manual speed is certainly fast, blind input is easy, and initial input is easy. It seems that the level of proficiency is high.

However, since each key is gripped with the fingers placed in an opposed position ffl, and in order to input from this state, the touch force of the key must be greater than the grip force. Something that requires strength,
Operation fatigue of the fingertips is large and cannot be considered ergonomically satisfactory, and the maximum is 31 (= 2X 2X 2X
Since it can only perform input in 2X2-1) ways, it cannot be said to be sufficient as a Roman character input device for a Japanese word processor, for example, and has not been commercialized.

1. Considering the current situation, I tried to investigate the human finger from an ergonomics perspective.

First, in the conventional key input method, as shown in typing instruction books, keys are pressed by bending six fingers so that the tips of the fingers are directed toward the keys. According to this method, as shown in the tJSB diagram, since the thumb moves up and down when typing a key,
Only the CM joint (carpometacarpal joint) of the thumb acts as the sole fulcrum.

In other words, palmar abduction (literature ``Hand Examination Manual'' translated by Hiroo Yamauchi and Hisashi Inoue ■ Nankodo Publishing) and its return movement were performed by the activation of only the ON joint.

Next, fingers other than the thumb are bent so that the tips of the fingers are directed toward the keys. First, consider hitting the keys at the home position. In this case, as shown in Figure 9, 14c
Keys are pressed by simply pressing down using the p joint (metacarpal finger joint) as the main fulcrum.

When pressing a key that is not in the home position, in addition to the MCP joint, the PIPrJJ joint (proximal interphalangeal joint), the DIP joint m (
Distal interphalangeal joint) etc. are largely used for key selection. That is, the conventional keyboard involves moving the fingers around 2 cm or more, and requires greater bending and stretching of the joints at the home key. Also, in this case, use as many fingers as possible other than those used for keystrokes, at least 1
If the fingers are not kept at the home position as an anchor key, blind touching will be hindered.This fact is disadvantageous for finger movement, and in most cases, fingers other than the fingers used for keystrokes are also held in some way at the same time. Requires exercise.

From these facts, the activity of the muscle salmon in the above region during input becomes greater than in the home position, and
Requires auxiliary activity of other fingers. As a result, if the operation is carried out over a long period of time, excessive repetitive motion and non-physiological stress may cause keyring inflammation, or the muscles of the upper limbs and forearms that must be fatigued for up to 1M to activate the above-mentioned parts. Occupational diseases such as cervico-shoulder-brachial syndrome are often caused by having to support workers for long periods of time.

Furthermore, due to the various M1 conventions described above, with the conventional keying method, it takes a lot of time to move the fingers for all teno operations except for the home position, and there is also a steep rise at the beginning of the learning curve. Defects such as slowness were found.

(Point of View of the Present Invention) The inventor l± conducted further research based on the above pursuit and discovered a truly ergonomic feature.

First, we considered from the perspective of muscle tension in the joints during keystrokes.

In order to prevent fatigue caused by finger movement, it is desirable to use an input method in which the tips of each finger do not move from the home position as much as possible.By inputting only from the home position, muscle activity can be reduced, and the protrusions and curves of the bones inside the hand can be reduced. Since the movement of the lungs at points or angled points can be minimized, it is important to prevent or reduce excessive friction at those points.

For each fold, if there are multiple joints that can be used for flexion and extension for a given movement, the activity borne by a particular vJlm,
Fatigue is therefore distributed. Furthermore, when a particular muscle frog feels fatigued, it is possible to subconsciously replace part of the burden with another muscle frog located at another joint. As shown in Figure 6, the joint that serves as the fulcrum for the thumb is created by mainly extending and flexing the thumb in conjunction with abduction and adduction of the metacarpal on its flexural side. 11T (C:
M[l, MCp joint m, DIP joint) activities are dispersed, and fatigue is dispersed. This can be accomplished by providing a key switch that is activated by swinging in the same direction (not by pressing down like in the past, but by applying force in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the distal phalanx faces). .

For fingers other than the thumb, as shown in Figure 7, MOP,
PIP, DIP rjJf! If a key switch is provided to utilize the i-motions of flexion and extension a, the fulcrums to be used, that is, the joints, can be distributed to three locations. This can be achieved by a swing type key switch mechanism on the thumb.

Second, we considered it from the perspective of finger activity ability. When fingers other than the thumb are gradually bent deeply from a state where the palm is open, the terminal phalanges of the fingers are bent toward the navicular bone. In the initial state, each fold freely abducts and adducts (moves in any direction along the palmar surface) centering on the Nil:PrjJ point.
However, as the fingers are flexed, the collateral ligaments become tense, so the abduction and adduction of the CP joint begins to occur. When fully gripped, sideways movement is no longer possible. On the other hand, when each joint is fully extended, simply holding the limb in that position causes muscle tension and fatigue, and it becomes difficult to operate the switch mechanism through flexion and extension movements.

From this discussion, there is no tension in any of the muscles in the fingers,
In other words, it has been found that the ideal position is one that allows the hand to be held in a position as close to the physiological position (resting position) as possible (#Review: Hand Pain and Functional Disorders, Ishiyaku Publishing Co., Ltd.) In the present invention, the above limb position is referred to as a state with the fingers slightly spread.

Therefore, it is desirable to arrange the keys at positions corresponding to each finger in the above-mentioned limb positions. Combining the limb position described above with the swing type mechanism provides the easiest operation. In this case, the thumb key can operate in two axes: along the palm surface and perpendicular to it, and the index finger key can also operate in two axes: flexion/extension and abduction/adduction. Therefore, the number of keys can be equivalently increased.

Third, we considered the relationship between the thumb and other fingers in the physiological limb position.

The tips of each finger other than the thumb are lined up on the same plane on the board body when they are slightly apart. In this case, in order for each digit to have the same movement conditions, the bending angle of each digit must be approximately the same. , then each digit other than the thumb will be in the X-axis direction (second
(see figure), ideally they should be arranged in a chevron shape with the middle finger as the apex, depending on their length.

The thumb is linked to the palmar abduction of the metacarpal bone and its reversion direction (these are the same directions as the thumb movement on a conventional keyboard, that is, the two axes perpendicular to the palmar surface), and the flexural abduction mentioned above. - Extension and adduction/flexion movements (in the X-axis direction along the palmar surface) can be used to operate keys and therefore switches.

From the above considerations, if the keys for keys other than the thumb are installed on the flat surface of the keyboard, the keys for the thumb should be installed on the other surface.

However, the present invention has been researched and developed based on the above considerations, and is a one-handed information processing system ffl! Its main purpose is to dramatically increase the input speed of the device and reduce operational fatigue.

(Structure of the Invention) In the one-handed information processing keyboard according to the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problem [j], the information processing keys are located at positions corresponding to each finger with the fingers of one hand slightly apart, and are located on the board body at each index. The top surface of the thumb key is arranged on a different surface from the top surface of the other can keys, and at least one key for the thumb or forefinger is arranged on a different surface from the top surface of the other can keys. It is configured to allow multiple inputs by swinging.

(Operation of the invention) When you place one hand on the board with your fingers slightly apart,
Fingertips are positioned on the keys. Each digit other than the thumb is located on each key surface of the board body. On the other hand, since the thumb key is arranged on the top surface different from the above, the thumb is positioned on the thumb key, and the thumb is placed in the direction of abduction and adduction on the product side, that is, in the palmar direction. It is located in a moat that can also move in the direction along the surface.

For input, it is sufficient to simply swing the fingertip while touching or in proximity to each key, making it unnecessary to move the fingertip to each key as described above.

In particular, since the thumb key or index finger key has a swing input structure, multiple inputs can be performed by bending and extending the thumb or index finger. In addition, the thumb can perform multiple inputs in the direction perpendicular to the palm surface by abducting and restoring the palm using the same key, and the number of keys is equivalently increased.

(One Embodiment of Version II+) The drawings show one embodiment of a one-handed operation type information processing keyboard according to the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the arrangement of the keys, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the thumb key switch structure. The keyboard shown here is for right-handed use and is in the form of a flat plate.

It is sufficient for the board body 1 of the information processing keyboard to have the width of one hand with the fingers slightly apart, and keys 2 to 6 are arranged at positions corresponding to the fingertips of one hand with the fingers slightly apart. In front of 2 to 6, use the thumb method of the palm and the proximal part of the little foot F.
6 mounting portions 7 are formed. Each of the keys 2 to 6 is provided with a plurality of input mechanisms, and the thumb key 2 is arranged on a different surface from the other product keys 3 to 6.

To explain in detail, each digit F2 to F5 is provided on the top surface of the board main body 1.
They are arranged in a chevron shape with the middle finger key 4 at the apex according to the length of each digit F2 to F5, with the opening angles of the keys being approximately the same.

That is, in the X-axis direction, the index finger key 3 and the thumb key 5 are arranged on the left and right sides of the middle finger key 4, respectively, and the index finger key 3 and the thumb key 5 are arranged on the right side of the thumb key 4, and the index finger key 3 and the thumb key 5 are arranged on the right side of the middle finger key 4, respectively. A little finger key 6 is disposed at.

The top surfaces 9 to 12 of each of the keys 3 to 6 are provided substantially horizontally on the upper surface of the board body 1.

On the other hand, in the thumb key 2, the tip of the thumb F1 is moved within a plane that intersects the plane in which the tips of the other digits F2 to F5 move by bending and stretching.

The top surface 8 is arranged on a different surface from the other top surfaces 9 to 12, and the top surface 8 is located at the tip surface of the thumb in a half-open state.

The g1 function of each key 2 to 6 is configured by a swing switch system in which the fulcrums are distributed. First, the thumb key 2 has a neutral position 2N at the center of the top surface 8, and contacts 2R and 2L are formed in the X-axis direction by operating movement from the neutral position 2N. In this case, the thumb can also move in the direction perpendicular to the palmar surface (palmar abduction/reversion) as described above, so the thumb key 2 has contacts 2U and 2D in the Y-axis direction from the neutral 2N. It is formed.

Moreover, although it is not essential that the product keys 4 to 6 other than the index key 3 swing in the Y-axis direction, it is preferable that all of them have a swing structure. In this case, the centers of the top surfaces 9 to 12 are set to neutrals 3N to 6N, and contact points 3u in the Y-axis direction due to muscle activity from neutrals 3N to 8N.

3D to B1J, 80 are formed. As each of the above-mentioned contacts, a piezoelectric element or the like can be selected, in addition to the illustrated contact portion 25 of the vertical contact type. If necessary, a structure may be provided in which a switch am is operated by pressing down perpendicularly to the board surface from each of the neutrals 2N to 8N.

Furthermore, the board body l is provided with a cable 13 to a word processor or other system.

Power switch if necessary] 4. Monitor output terminal for earphones, etc. 15. A memory cassette insertion slot 16 is provided.

Next, the effect of the above configuration will be explained together with its operation.

With fingers F1 to F5 slightly apart, 1=2 proximal part FB
When placed on section 7, fingers F1 to F5 are pressed to keys 2 to 6.
It comes into contact with or comes close to neutral 2N to 6N, and becomes the operation reference limb position. In this case, each finger whistle, except for the tip of each last finger whistle, is suspended in a non-contact state with respect to the main body so as not to interfere with their movement.

In principle, the operation is performed by combining the neutral 2N of the thumb key 2 and the other operating positions 21121, 20, 2R, 2L, and the operating positions 3U, 30 to 611.80 of the other product keys 3 to B. Can be input.

According to the above embodiment, the thumb key 2 can be moved to the neutral 2N and other operating positions! Since it has a structure that can be operated to 20, 2D, 2R, and 2L, the number of keys can be increased equivalently, and selection of this thumb key 2 and combination input with other product keys 3 to 6 can be performed. In this case, the neutral 2N to 6N of all fingers used can be used as the reference position, and the maximum (5X 3X 3X
3X 3-1) Allows 404 inputs.

Also, as mentioned above, each key from 3 to G can be equipped with a switch (arc (same as the one on a conventional keyboard) that is activated by pressing in the Z-axis direction), in this case. Maximum (5X 4X 4X 4X 4-1)
Allows 1279 inputs. Furthermore, the proximal part of the palm can be placed on the placing part 7 at all times, and the load of the hand and arm can be supported by that part, so that the fatigue of the 1M arm can be reduced.

(Other Embodiments of the Invention) FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the one-handed information processing keyboard according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view thereof, and FIG.
The figure is a side view in the direction of view A in FIG. 4, and the same reference numerals as in FIGS.

Thus, the board main body 20 has a curved upper surface in the form of a board, and the intermediate portion 22 is formed lower than the curved placement portion 21 on which the back of one hand is placed.

The top surface 10 of the middle finger key 4 for the keys 3 to G other than the thumb is positioned at the lowest position, and adjacent to this, the other Namekawa keys 3, 5. The top surfaces 9, 11° 12 of G are arranged. The center extension line of the top surface 8 of the thumb key 2 substantially coincides with the top surface 9 of the thumb key 3.

Further, the intermediate portion 22 has a structure 24 that can be expanded and contracted at t2 with respect to the portion 21. Furthermore, a band 23 for binding the back of the hand is provided on the upper surface of the placing portion 21 as required.

According to the above-mentioned embodiment, the palm portion F6t is placed on the placing portion 21 by 4
! If the keyboard is placed on the keyboard and the fingers are opened slightly, the fingertips become the operating reference positions for each of the finger keys 2 to B, and the back of the hand is bound by the band 23, so it can be used as a portable keyboard. In particular, since the middle part 22 is low, the phalanges do not come into contact with it, and the movement of the phalanges provides good operability, and the extendable structure 24 has the advantage of being able to be adjusted to extend or contract depending on the length of the fingers.

In each of the above embodiments, an example was explained in which the thumb key 2 is provided on a vertical surface, but it may be on a surface that is different from the other key top surfaces 9 to 12, and the arrangement provided on the side surface of the board body l may also be arranged in a circular manner. be.

The above embodiments may be implemented in combination.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, according to the present invention, the following effects are achieved.

■The information processing keys are arranged on the board body in positions corresponding to each digit with the fingers of one hand slightly apart and in each index, and the top surface of the thumb key is different from the top surface of other Namegawa keys. The keys are arranged on a surface and at least one key for either the thumb or the thumb is configured to allow multiple inputs by swinging the fingertip, so it is possible to perform one-handed information processing with an isometrically large number of keys. We were able to provide a keyboard for

■At least one key for either the thumb or the thumb has an input structure by swinging the fingertip, so input operations can be performed with the finger in a fixed position without moving.
It is suitable for high-speed operation, reduces fatigue, and has the advantage of avoiding impact to the fingertips and allowing input with a light touch.

■Applies basic movements such as grasping and pinching, and does not require precise finger movement, allowing for effortless and accurate input. Excellent blind touch performance allows for early proficiency.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show an embodiment of the one-handed operation type information processing keyboard according to the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the layout of the keys, FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the thumb key switch structure, and FIG. 4 is another embodiment of the one-handed information processing keyboard according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the same, FIG. 5 is a side view of FIG. Figures 8 and 9 are explanatory views of movements of the ring finger and other fingers on a conventional keyboard. 1.20. , board body, 21. Thumb key, 31
．． Chief's key, 41. Middle finger key, 53. Ring finger key, 80. Key for little finger? , 21. ．． aOkibe, 85.
Key top for thumb finger. 92. Key top for index finger, 258. Contact part, F18.
Thumb, F21. Index finger, F3. ．． Middle finger, F419 finger,
F51. little finger. Special 1st work applicant 918. Hashimoto 8th Department Agent 06098. Patent Attorney Yoshiharu Yoshida Figures 6, 7, and 9. 31. b Ll l l'rtl procedure 7 city Nira E-6 (voluntary) II/(August 27, 1980)

Claims (8)

[Claims] (1) Information processing keys are arranged on the board body at positions corresponding to each finger with the fingers of one hand slightly apart and at each index, and the top surface of the thumb key is the top surface of the other finger keys. 1. A one-handed information processing keyboard arranged on a different surface and configured such that at least one key for either the thumb or the index finger can be used for multiple inputs by swinging the fingertip. (2) A one-handed information processing keyboard according to claim 1, in which the top surface of the thumb key is erected on the side of the board main body with the top surface facing toward the finger tip side. (3) A one-handed information processing keyboard according to claim 2, in which the top surface of the thumb key is provided at a lower position than the top surfaces of the other finger keys. (4) A one-handed information processing keyboard according to claim 2, in which the top surface of the thumb key is provided at a position that substantially coincides with the top surface of the index key. (5) A one-handed information processing keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the thumb key is configured to allow swing input in the direction of radial abduction and adduction of the thumb. (6) In the product described in claim 5, the thumb key is configured to allow swing input in the radial abduction/adduction direction and the palmar abduction/reversion direction of the thumb. An operational keyboard for information processing. (7) A one-handed information processing keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the index finger key is configured to allow swing input in the direction of flexion and extension of the index finger. (8) A one-handed information processing keyboard according to claim 1, wherein keys for the middle finger, ring finger, and little finger are configured to allow swing input in the direction of flexion and extension of each finger.