JPS6219924A - Information processing keyboard - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To increase greatly an input speed and to reduce the operating fatigue of an operator by using a single key for plural input operations with the designated swinging actions and at the same time distributing plural keys on a board. CONSTITUTION:A palm closing area F6 is put on a mounting part 7 with fingers F1-F5 opened slightly to each other. Thus these fingers F1-F5 have contacts with or put close to the neutral positions 2N-6N of keys 2-6 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 a thumb key 2 and other operating positions 2U, 2D, 2R and 2L and operating positions 3U, 3D-6U and 6D of other finger keys 3-6. The area 6F can always be kept on the part 7 and therefore 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 keyboard device used as an input device for word processors, computers, etc., and more specifically, it relates to an information processing keyboard device as an input device for word processors, computers, etc. It is characterized by:

(Prior Art) For example, JIS C8233 defines touch type keys for keyboards in word processors, etc. as two-hand operated type keys with a predetermined number of keys in a predetermined arrangement for inputting Roman characters or other input methods. . In the case of English keyboards, experiments are underway such as toprack arrangement based on ergonomic considerations6 In Japan, a system that changes the regularity of the key arrangement for Japanese keyboards is called thumb shift. Products have been commercialized that reduce the number of keys isometrically and reduce the frequency of finger movement by allocating the same key to two kana characters. In addition, a system called the new Romaji-Kanji conversion system and a system that arranges characters 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. 0 After that, it is necessary to raise the finger again, (1) return the finger to the normal position, and (2) lower the finger to the normal position. Therefore, in order to input, it is necessary to move the finger in 6 steps, excluding the home key, which makes the input operation cumbersome, and the speed and fatigue level of movement cannot be ignored, even if there are differences in degree. Moreover, blind input requires 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
Japanese Patent No. 98284 discloses a portable keyboard with keys arranged in an ergonomically suitable manner so that it can be supported and operated with one hand. That is, the board body is small enough to be held and supported with the fingers of one hand, and at the same time five keys are arranged on the board body with the D1 finger and the other fingers facing each other, and the fingers are placed on each key. Touch input is performed while the keys are placed, and input can be performed using a combination of keys.

(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. Therefore, it cannot be said that the degree of operational fatigue etc. has been sufficiently resolved, and the same problems as mentioned above have not been solved.

Furthermore, according to the portable keyboard disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 58-98284, the six-step and two-step finger movement operation as described above is not required, so the input speed is certainly fast and blind input is easy. It seems that the initial level of proficiency is high. However, each key must be gripped with the fingers facing each other, and the touch force on the key must be increased by more than 1 grip force in order to input from such a state. Therefore, a strong force is required for input operation. This requires a large amount of fingertip operation fatigue, which is not considered to be ergonomically satisfactory, and a maximum of 31 (= 2
It can only perform input in 2×2-1) ways, and is not sufficient as a Roman character input device for a Japanese word processor, for example, and has not been commercialized.

In view of the above-mentioned current situation, I tried to pursue the human finger from an ergonomics standpoint.

First, in the conventional key input method, as shown in typing instruction books, each digit is bent so that the tip of the finger is directed toward the key. According to this method, as shown in FIG. 8, since the thumb moves up and down when typing a key, the CM function of the thumb is f! ! (carpometacarpal joint) acts as the only fulcrum.

In other words, it is due to the activity of only the CM joint. Palmar abduction (Reference “Hand Examination Manual” Translated by Hiroo Yamauchi, Hisashi Inoue ■
Nankodo Publishing) and its reinstatement, 'Mi movements were being carried out.

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 10, MO
Keys are pressed by simply pressing down using the P joint (metacarpal whistle joint) as the main fulcrum.

When pressing a key that is not in the home position, in addition to the MOP joint, the prp15U joint (proximal interphalangeal joint) and the DIR joint are activated.
(distal interphalangeal opening m) etc. are largely used for key selection. That is, the conventional keyboard involves moving the fingers back and forth or more by 2c, which 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 those used for keystrokes are also used in some way at the same time. Requires exercise.

For these reasons, the muscle activity of the above-mentioned region during input is greater than that in the home position, and supplementary activity of other fingers is required.

As a result, if the operations are carried out over a long period of time, excessive repetitive motion and non-physiological stress may cause inflammation of the muscles that activate the above-mentioned parts.
Occupational diseases such as cervico-shoulder-brachial syndrome are often caused by having to support the upper limbs, forearms, and hands from the shoulder down for long periods of time.

Furthermore, due to various constraints such as those described above, with the conventional keystroke method, all key operations except the home position require many pauses to move the fingers, and the initial learning curve is slow. The shortcomings were discovered.

(Point of View of the Present Invention) Based on the above pursuit, the inventor conducted further research and discovered a truly ergonomic feature.

Considering the fatigue of muscles in the joints when typing keys, 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 in order to prevent fatigue due to finger movement. This can reduce the movement of the salmon at the protruding bones, curved points, or angled areas inside the hand, thereby preventing excessive friction at those points.

It is possible to reduce this.

In terms of volume, if multiple joints are available for flexion and extension for a given movement, the activity and therefore fatigue borne by a particular muscle station is distributed. Furthermore, if you feel fatigued by a particular muscle, you can unconsciously shift some of the burden to other muscles in other joints. As shown in Figure 7, the joint that serves as the fulcrum for the thumb is formed at three joints by primarily extending and flexing the thumb in conjunction with abduction and adduction of the metacarpal on its flexural side. (CM joint, MC
P15t1 node, DIP511 node) activities, and fatigue can be dispersed. To do this, swing in the same direction (
This can be realized by providing a key switch that is activated by applying force in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the end finger is facing, rather than by pressing down as in the conventional case.

For fingers other than the thumb, MC:P as shown in Figure 8.
If a key switch is provided to utilize the flexion/extension movements of the , PIP, and DIP joints, the fulcrums used, that is, the joints, will be distributed to three locations. This can be achieved by a swing type key switch mechanism on the thumb.

However, the present invention has been researched and developed based on the above considerations, and by configuring an information processing keyboard device from one group of keys capable of multiple inputs, it is possible to dramatically increase input speed and reduce operational fatigue. Its main purpose is to do so.

(Structure of the Invention) To solve the above object, the information processing keyboard according to the present invention is configured such that one key can be used for multiple inputs by swinging a fingertip, and a plurality of the above keys are arranged on the board. There is a particular thing.

(Operation of the Invention) Basically, one fingertip is placed on one key on the keyboard, but the home position is obtained by placing each fingertip on each of a plurality of keys depending on the number of keys. In this case, the tip of each finger should be directed toward the top surface of the key, as described in typing instruction books, but the thumb should point toward the top of the key.
Place the limb in a physiological position (resting position) that allows smooth movement of flexion and extension by the M, MOP, and DIP joints, and the MCP, PIP, and DIP joints for fingers other than the thumb. Ideally, you should keep your hands as close to each other as possible. (Reference bibliography “Hand depression and agitation disorder” Ishiyaku Publishing Co., Ltd. Translated by Hideo Hagishima).

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. As a result, multiple inputs can be performed by bending and extending each digit, and the number of keys increases isometrically.

(One Embodiment of the Invention) The drawings show an embodiment of the information processing keyboard according to the present invention, which is a one-handed operation type. Plan view explaining the condition, 3rd
The figure 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 l of the information processing keyboard to have a width that allows the fingers of one hand to be slightly apart, and the keys 2 to B are arranged at positions corresponding to the fingertips of the fingers of one hand, and
Ji2117 of the palm proximal part FB is formed below ~6. 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 finger keys 3 to B.

To explain in detail, each digit F2 to F5 is provided on the top surface of the board main body l.
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 main key 3 and the ring finger key 5 are arranged on the left and right sides of the middle finger key 4, respectively, and the ring finger key 5 is arranged on the right side of the ring finger key 4. For little finger'*--s
is located.

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 main body l.

On the other hand, in the thumb key 2, the top surface 8 is moved because the tip of the thumb Fl 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. It is arranged on a different surface from the other top surfaces 3 to 12, and the top surface 8 is located at the tip surface of the thumb in a half-open state.

The functions of each of the keys 2 to 6 are 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 palm surface (palmar abduction/reversion) as described above, so the thumb key 2 has contacts 20 and 211 in the Y-axis direction from the neutral 2N. It is formed.

Moreover, although it is not essential that the folding keys 4 to B other than the index key 3 swing in the Y-axis direction, preferably 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 and 30 to 80.60 are formed in the Y-axis direction due to the activity of oil dissolution from the neutrals 3N to 6N. As each of the above-mentioned contacts, in addition to a contact portion 25 having a contact type structure as shown in the figure, a piezoelectric element or the like can be selected. If necessary, a structure may be provided in which a switch mechanism is provided that is activated by pressing down perpendicularly to the board surface from each of the neutrals 2N to 6N.

Furthermore, the board body l is equipped with a cable 13 to a word processor or other system, and a power switch 14 and a monitor output terminal 1 to an earphone or the like as necessary.
5. A memory cassette insertion slot 16 is provided.

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

When the proximal part of the palm FB is placed on the placing part 7 with the fingers Fl-F5 slightly open, the fingers Fl-F5 come into contact with or come close to the neutral 2N to 6N of each key 2 to B, and the operation standard is reached. Becomes a limb position. In this case, each phalanx except the tip of each terminal phalanx is suspended in a non-contact state with respect to the main body so as not to interfere with their MfjJ.

As a general rule, operation is performed using the neutral 2N of the thumb key 2 and the other operating positions 20, 2D, 2R, 2L, and the other folding keys 3.
The operating positions of ~B can be input in combination with i31+, 3[1~Ill, and 6fl.

According to the above embodiment, the following effects are achieved.

■ Move thumb key 2 to neutral 2N and other operating positions gi2U, 2
Since the structure allows operation to D, 2R, and 2L, the number of keys can be increased equivalently by one, 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 types of input. or,
As mentioned above, each of the keys 3 to 6 can be provided with a switch mechanism (same as that on a conventional keyboard) that is activated by pressing in the X-axis direction, if necessary. (5X 4X 4X 4X 4-1) 1271
Allows one type of input.

■Place each key 2 in a limb position as close as possible to the physiological limb position (resting position).
~6 are arranged, so each digit Fl is placed at the reference position.
-There is almost no tension in any muscle of the F5, and when combined with the swing mechanism described above, it is the easiest to operate.

■Each of the product keys 2 to 8 other than the thumb F1 are arranged in a chevron shape with the middle finger key 4 as the apex on the board body l, so the thumb F1
The bending angles of each girder are approximately the same, and each girder F2 to F5 can take a slightly open position.
F5 can be set to the same pressure condition.

■The top surface 8 of the ΩJ finger cow key is the other top surface 9 above.
Since the thumb keys 2 and 12 are arranged in a vertical plane different from that of the thumb keys 12, the thumb key 2 can be operated by bending and extending it in the direction along the palm (X-axis direction) in a limb position close to the physiological limb position. . In addition, if necessary, secondary palmar abduction and rotation perpendicular to the above
Movement in the repositioning direction (X-axis direction) can also be made possible.

■Furthermore, the proximal part of the palm F6 can be placed a22 on the mounting part 7 at all times, and the load of one hand/arm can be supported at that part.
Reduces shoulder and arm fatigue.

(Other Embodiments of the Invention) FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the information processing keyboard according to the present invention, FIG. 4 is a perspective view thereof, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the same, and FIG.
It is a side view in the viewing direction, and the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 1 to 3 indicate equivalent parts, so repeated explanation will be omitted.

Thus, the board main body 20 has a flat plate shape with a curved upper surface, and has a curved 4 & placement part 21 on which the back of one hand is placed.
The intermediate portion 22 is formed lower than the above.

For the product keys 3 to B other than the thumb, the top surface 10 of the middle finger key 4 is located at the lowest position, and adjacent to this, the top surfaces 9, 11 of the other product keys 3, 5, 6 are positioned slightly higher.゜12 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.

Also, the middle! 22 is 4! It has a structure 24 that can be expanded and contracted with respect to the placement part 21. Further, a band 23 for binding the back of the hand is provided on the upper surface of the storage section 21, if necessary.

According to the above-mentioned embodiment, when one palm part F8 is placed on the placing part 21 and the fingers are slightly opened, the fingertips are placed on each finger key 2.
This is the operating reference position for ~B, and since the back of the hand is bound by the band 23, it can be implemented 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.

(Another Embodiment of the Invention) FIG. 6 is an explanatory plan view of another embodiment of the information processing keyboard according to the present invention.

On the top surface of the board body 30, there are stacking keys 32 to 32 other than the thumb.
35 are arranged side by side so that they can be positioned with the fingers slightly apart, and below this, each loading key 32° to 35 is of the same shape.
゛are arranged, and thus it is configured in multiple stages. The thumb key 31, 31' has a key top surface arranged diagonally on the side end surface of the board body 1 in response to the movement of the tip of the thumb with the fingers slightly apart from a physiological limb position. It is located.

According to this embodiment, each loading key 32-35 or 32
If you select either the upper or lower position between 35° and 35° as your home position and input the swing in the flexion/extension direction, you can get up to 1
60((3X 3X 3X 3-1) +(3X3X
3X 3-1)) possible inputs. In this case, the thumb keys 31 and 31° can be used for swing input not only in the flexion and extension directions but also in the palmar abduction and reversion directions, so they can also be used as 10 (=2×5) function keys. Furthermore, since the toe and tap surfaces of the thumb keys 31 and 31' are arranged diagonally, the key top can be operated in an appropriate position relative to the movement of the tip of the thumb.

Note L - In the embodiment and other embodiments, other necessary mechanical keys are not illustrated or explained, but they can be operated with the thumb or the like provided in several stages #i as in other embodiments, and can be performed with three or more stages. is also possible.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, a right-handed swing machine has been illustrated and described, but a left-handed swing machine may be similarly arranged symmetrically and designed to be a two-handed swing machine.

Board main body 1, 20, 30, thumb key 2, 31.31' and other tooth keys 3 to 8.3 in each of the above embodiments
2 to 35 degrees and 32' to 35 degrees may be used in combination.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, the present invention provides the following effects.

(1) One key is configured to allow multiple inputs by swinging the fingertip, and multiple keys are arranged on the board, making it possible to provide an information processing keyboard having an isometrically large number of keys.

■One key can be used for multiple inputs by swinging your fingertips
This allows input operations to be performed without moving the fingers while remaining in the home position, making it suitable for high-speed operations and having the advantage of avoiding impact to the fingertips and allowing input with a light touch. In this case, since the basic movement of pinching the fist is applied and no movement of the fingers is required, blind touch performance is excellent and early learning can be achieved.

(2) A plurality of keys having multiple input points can be arranged with a small number of keys in a one-handed operation type or a two-handed operation type, and the key positions can also be arranged according to the limb position of the fingers.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show an embodiment of the information processing keyboard according to the present invention; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the keyboard in use, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the key arrangement, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the key arrangement. 4 shows another embodiment of the information processing keyboard according to the present invention, FIG. 4 is a perspective view thereof, and FIG. 5 is a side view in the direction of view A in FIG. , FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing another embodiment of the key arrangement state of the information processing keyboard according to the present invention, FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the movement of the thumb on the keyboard according to the present invention, and FIG. Doji's finger motion theory Figure 11, S.
The figure and the figure $10 are explanatory diagrams of movements of the thumb and other fingers on a conventional keyboard. 1.20,30 , , board body, 2,31.31
', ,Thumb 1,3,32,32', ,Forefinger key, 4,33.33'9. Middle finger key, 5,34
．． 34',, ring finger key, 8.35.35',
, pinky key, ? , 21. ．． ．． Observatory section. 88. Key top for thumb, 8, Key top for boss, 259. Contact part, F18. Thumb, F2°, claw tooth, F39. Middle finger, F49. Ring finger, F5. . little finger. Patent applicant 010. Yoshiki Tachibana Agent 90009. Patent Attorney Yoshiharu Yoshida Figure 1 Figure 7 Figure 8 DIP certificate and procedural amendment (Jigen August 27, 1985)

Claims (7)

[Claims] (1) An information processing keyboard in which one key is configured to allow multiple inputs by swinging a fingertip, and a plurality of the keys are arranged on a board. (2) An information processing keyboard according to claim 1, in which one key is a thumb key, and the information processing keyboard is configured to allow multiple inputs by swinging the thumb in the direction of extension and flexion. . (3) An information processing keyboard according to claim 2, which is configured to allow multiple inputs by swinging the thumb in the palmar abduction/reversion direction. (4) An information processing keyboard according to claim 1, in which one key is an index finger key, and multiple inputs can be made by swinging the index finger in the extension/flexion direction. (5) An information processing keyboard according to claim 1, in which one key is a middle finger key, and multiple inputs can be made by swinging the middle finger in the extension/flexion direction. (6) In the keyboard for information processing according to claim 1, one key is a ring finger key, and the information processing keyboard is configured to allow multiple inputs by swinging the ring finger in an extension/flexion direction. . (7) An information processing keyboard according to claim 1, in which one key is a little finger key, and multiple inputs can be made by swinging the little finger in the direction of extension and flexion.