KR19990077434A - Computer keyboard with efficiently located movement control keys - Google Patents

Abstract

The computer keyboard or keypad of the present invention includes a QWERTY alphanumeric key layout and movement control keys arranged along the first side of the keyboard or keypad. In addition, a movement control device, such as a pointing device, is disposed near the second side opposite the first side of the keyboard or keypad. In practice, two sets of movement control keys may be provided, one set on the first side and the other set on the second side, or the movement control keys may be selectively attached to either side of the keyboard or keypad. It can be mounted on the base. Moreover, two positioning devices may be provided, one on the first side and the other on the second side. With this structure, the user can manipulate one or more objects on the graphical display screen in accordance with the input of the movement control commands by the first hand by operating the movement control keys with one hand and the positioning device with the other hand. It can be moved efficiently.

Description

Computer User Interface System and Positioning / Movement System {COMPUTER KEYBOARD WITH EFFICIENTLY LOCATED MOVEMENT CONTROL KEYS}

The present invention relates generally to data input devices, and more particularly to a computer keyboard and a keypad.

The entry of data to the computer is by means of various devices having a keyboard and keypad and pointing and moving devices such as a computer mouse, trackball, and joystick. Typically, a computer such as a personal computer or laptop computer is a means of entering letters or numbers, i.e. the movement of graphics objects on the keyboard or keypad and especially on the graphics-user-interface (GUI). It has a means to control. The mouse, trackball, and joystick are all examples of means for controlling graphics movement.

The movement of objects on computer screens is an important feature that determines the utility and desirability of modern processors. The best examples of movement control are position control and motion control by cursors. However, object movement involves much more than that, with the ability to include cursor control. Movement control includes, but is not limited to, scrolling, positioning and repositioning of objects displayed on a computer screen. Such objects may include cursors, icons, text, lines, edges, windows, and the like. The keys on the computer keyboard that provide position and movement control of these objects are referred to below as "movement control keys".

In order to properly configure a computer keyboard and keypad for computer data entry, the computer keyboard and keypad typically have movement control keys in addition to alphanumeric keys, function keys, command keys and have. For example, currently used computer keyboards and keypads have four arrow keys that can respectively move objects up, down, left, and right on the computer display screen as the user presses. In addition, current computer keyboards and keypads have movement control keys such as page up, page down, home, and end. The user can control the movement of the cursor on a display connected to the computer by manipulating a movement control key, typically named a "cursor movement control" key.

The layout of character keys on most keyboards and keypads (called the "QWERTY" layout after the first six characters of the upper row of character keys) tends to be ergonomically inadequate. In addition, Qwerty keyboards were not designed with GUI applications in general, because Qwerty designs were designed with the industrial needs in mind before computers appeared. Nevertheless, Qwerty layouts have been used for decades in keyboard design, and most, if not all, touch typists rely on keyboards (including computer data entry keyboards) with such QWERTY layouts. Doing. Note that the present invention does not standardize the arrangement of the movement control keys such that, unlike the layout of the character keys on the QWERTY keyboard or keypad, the movement control keys must be placed at specific positions on the keyboard without exception.

Moreover, the present invention allows many users to move when interacting with electronic information pages through a portion of the Internet, in particular Internet-related applications, more specifically the World Wide Web (WWW). The idea was to control the movement of the object using a positioning / moving device in addition to the control keys. In other words, in many current computer applications, it is more convenient to control the movement of an object because both a key type input device and a positioning / movement input device are provided.

Unfortunately, movement control keys on current keyboards and keypads are typically located on the right side of the keyboard, which is the same side where the positioning / moving device is typically located on the right side of the keyboard, effectively allowing the user to use both hands effectively. That is, it is difficult to move an object such as a cursor using a positioning / moving device with one hand and a movement control key with the other hand. In most cases, the user must operate the positioning / moving device and then alternately move the user's hand to move the movement control key. This operation is cumbersome and time consuming.

However, as recognized by the present invention, it is practically possible to provide a keyboard capable of controlling the movement of an object displayed on a computer graphics display screen by simultaneously operating a positioning / moving device and movement control keys.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a computer key layout on a keyboard or keypad that facilitates a user to operate a movement control key with one hand and a positioning / moving device with the other hand.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a computer keyboard or keypad for facilitating simultaneous operation of movement control keys and positioning / movement input devices to position a cursor on a graphical display screen.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a computer keyboard or keypad that is easy to use and advantageous in cost.

The computer user interface system includes a base and at least one manually operable positioning device used by the user in a position proximate the first side of the base. Input means for causing a user to input a positioning / movement command are disposed proximate to a second side opposite the first side of the base. With this structure, it becomes easy to cooperatively use both hands of the user with respect to the positioning device which can be manually operated by one hand and the input means by the other hand.

In one embodiment, the input means comprises one of (i) a joystick and (ii) an arrangement of movement control keys. In a particular embodiment, the input means is a plurality of movement control keys arranged on the left side of the keyboard, more specifically the movement control keys are cursor up key, cursor down key, cursor left Key (cursor left key), cursor right key (cursor right key). In addition, the movement control key may include a page up key, a page down key, an end key, and a home key.

If desired, the positioning device may be disposed on the base and selected from the group of devices consisting of a computer mouse, trackball, joystick, touchpad.

In another embodiment, a computer user interface system for manipulating a graphical display includes a keyboard defining a base and first positioning and / or moving means proximate the first side of the base. The second positioning and / or moving means is provided in proximity to the second side of the base, so that the user can simultaneously operate these positioning and / or moving means together to perform control of the graphic display.

In another embodiment, in a graphical control system having a display and a cursor on the display, the positioning / moving system for manipulating the display includes at least one movement control accessible by a computer keyboard or keypad and the user's left hand. At least one first positioning / moving device comprising a key. At least one second positioning / moving device is accessible by the user's right hand. Through the cooperative operation of this structure, the positioning / moving command can be simultaneously input to the display by both hands of the user.

1 is a plan view of a keyboard or keypad according to a first embodiment showing a first movement control key layout in operative engagement with a computer and a video monitor;

2 is a plan view of a keyboard or keypad according to a second embodiment showing a first movement control key layout and a positioning device on the keyboard or keypad;

3 is a plan view of a keyboard or keypad according to a third embodiment showing a third movement control key layout;

4 is a perspective view of a keyboard or keypad in operative relationship with a positioning device and a movement control key module that may be selectively engaged with either side of the keyboard / keypad.

Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings

10; System 12; computer

14; Video monitor 16; Visual display

18; Movable object 20; Movement control key

22; Keyboard40; Positioning device

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A detailed description of the structure and operation of the present invention may be understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like parts are shown with the same reference numerals.

Referring first to FIG. 1, shown by reference numeral 10, there is shown a system that allows a user to control the movement of an object displayed on a graphic display by simultaneously manipulating two respective graphic input devices with both hands. It is. In the particular architecture shown, system 10 may include a digital processing device, such as computer 12. In one intended embodiment, the computer 12 may be a personal computer manufactured by IBM Corporation of Armonk, NY, NY, and is also marketed under the trademark AS400 with IBM Network Station. It can be any computer, including a computer. Computer 12 may also be a Unix computer, an OS / 2 server, a Windows NT server, an IBM RS / 6000 250 workstation, or an IBM laptop computer with 128 MB of main memory running AIX 3.2.5. In addition, computer 12 may be a general purpose processor, dedicated processor, workstation, or any device or device equivalent thereof that may provide a user with the ability to control the movement of one or more displayed objects by manipulation of a keyboard or keypad. It can be implemented as.

1 also shows that system 10 may include peripheral computer equipment known in the art, including an output device such as video monitor 14. It will be appreciated that video monitor 14 may be a flat panel display, cathode ray tube display, or other video monitor. As shown, the video monitor 14 may provide a visual display 16 with movable objects 18 embodied as cursors superimposed thereon. The visual display 16 may also include or be embodied as a line or block composed of alphanumerics, graphics, a combination of graphics and alphanumeric characters, or other movable objects, for example visual display 16 It may be an image of a wide area computer network page, such as a web page containing one or more movable objects.

As will be described in detail below, it is an object of the present invention to facilitate one or more movable objects and / or visual display 16, such as movable object 18, by allowing a user to simultaneously use two input devices, one for each hand, with both hands. To control. As will be described below, these input devices include a movement control key and a positioning device.

Indeed, Figure 1 shows two representative input devices of the present invention. The first of these input devices is at least one set of movement control keys indicated by reference numeral 20 to move an object on the computer keyboard or keypad 22, i.e., to allow a user to enter a positioning / movement command. Positioning / moving device. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the movement control key is implemented with a cursor movement control key. More specifically, the cursor movement control key may include a cursor up key 24, a cursor down key 26, a cursor left key 28, and a cursor right key 30. It will be appreciated that by pressing the cursor movement control keys 24, 26, 28, 30, the movable object 18 can be moved up, down, left, and right on the display 16, respectively. The movement control key also includes a page up key 32, a page down key 34, an end key 36, and a home key 38 that function to move the displayed object according to principles known in the art. can do. It will also be appreciated that the principles of the movement control keys of the present invention can be similarly applied to keyboards and keypads.

System 10 also includes a manually operable positioning device 40 which is a second input device for controlling the movement of an object on the screen. The positioning device moves or locates user-generated tactile signals to moveable objects, such as movable object 18, or to scroll the display 16 or one or more objects within the display 16, or Or any combination of the above functions or electronic pointing signals to perform all the above functions. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the positioning device 40 is implemented with a mouse that is physically separate from the keyboard 22 and electrically connected to the computer 12, wherein the positioning device of the present invention is also a trackball. It will be appreciated that any of the isometric and elastic joysticks, touchpads, and other types of positioning devices known in the art may be implemented.

As noted above, the positioning device (eg, a mouse) of the present invention may be used to scroll the display 16 or one or more objects within the display 16, whereas the positioning device 40 may be a movable object. It can be used to move a movable object such as 18, and the positioning device 40 can also execute both the scrolling function and the positioning function. An example of a positioning device that performs both scrolling and positioning is the IBM "ScrollPoint" ^TM mouse.

The salient features of the present invention can now be understood with reference to FIG. 1. The keyboard or keypad 22 includes a base 42 defined by a left edge 44, a right edge 46, an upper edge 48, and a lower edge 50. The upper and lower edges 48 and 50 define the transverse dimension, and the left and right edges 44 and 46 define the longitudinal dimension. The above-described dimensions and orientations are placed on the user's left hand near the left edge 44, the right hand near the right edge 46, and facing the keyboard or keypad 22 adjacent the lower edge 50. It will be readily understood that relative to the. Therefore, the first keyboard component located above the second keyboard component is located closer to the upper edge 48 than the second keyboard component.

The plurality of movement control keys 20 are arranged as shown on the base 42, wherein at least some of the movement control keys 20 are arranged closer to the left edge 44 than to the right edge 46. have. In other words, at least some of the movement control keys 20 are disposed along the left side of the keyboard or keypad 22 when referenced to the user using the keyboard or keypad 22. Through this structure, the movement control key 20 is easily operated by the user's left hand, while the positioning device 40 is operated by the user's right hand at the same time. As a result, the user can move the movable object 18 by, for example, manipulating the positioning device 40 with the right hand at the same time to scroll the display 16 and manipulating the movement control key 20 with the left hand.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the cursor left key 28, cursor down key 26, and cursor right key 30 are sequentially arranged along a horizontal row near the lower edge 50. As can be seen here, by placing these movement control keys right next to the edge of the keyboard, the user can more easily locate these keys and facilitate cursor control. The cursor up key 24 is located on the vertical line just above the cursor down key 26. As shown, the other movement control keys, including the page up key 32 and the page down key 34, sequentially from top to bottom, are located directly above the cursor left key 28 along a vertical column proximate the left edge 44. While the home key 38 and the end key 36 are arranged on the vertical line of, the home key 38 and the end key 36 are arranged along the vertical row immediately next to the right side of the page up key 32 and the page down key 34. If necessary, each of the insertion key " INS " and the deletion key " DEL " having ordinary functions can be arranged along the vertical row right next to the home key 38 and the end key 36 as shown. have.

In addition to the novel left hand movement control keys described above, those skilled in the art will appreciate that a conventional key layout portion having 13 function keys F1 to F12 arranged in a column immediately below the upper edge 48 is provided with the keyboard or keypad 22 shown in FIG. Will recognize. This conventional layout section also includes an expansion key "ESC" on the left side of function key F1, which sequentially prints the Print Screen Key, Scroll Lock Key from left to right along the right side of function key F12. And Pause / Break Key. Moreover, the ordinary layout portion includes a row of numeric keys accompanied by ordinary symbol keys below the row of function keys.

Also, a typical layout section has 26 character keys arranged in a standard QWERTY layout as shown. In the above, the normal layout section has the upper row of the letter keys representing the letters Q, W, E, R, T, Y, U, I, O, P in order from left to right. Immediately below this upper row is the middle row of character keys representing the letters A, S, D, F, G, H, J, K, L in order from left to right, and the lower row of the letter keys is from left to right. Letters Z, X, C, V, B, N, M are shown. However, it will be appreciated that other layouts than the QWERTY layout described above may be used.

In addition, a symbol key having brackets, parentheses, a key for the space bar, and a punctuation symbol key is included in the usual layout section in accordance with known principles. In addition, the left and right control keys "CTRL", the left and right alt keys "ALT", the left and right shift keys "SHIFT", the left tab key "TAB", the right shift lock key "CAPS LOCK", the right backspace key "BACK", Conventional process control signal keys, including the return key " ENTER ", are provided at their typical locations on the conventional layout.

As shown in FIG. 1, the keyboard or keypad 22 may also include a conventional numeric pad, denoted by reference numeral 52, near its right edge 46. As shown, the numeric pad 52 includes ten numeric keys "0" to "9", four mathematical symbol keys, a return key "ENTER", a delete key "DEL", and a numeric lock key "NUM LOCK". do. When the numeric lock key "NUM LOCK" is first toggled, the numeric keys "0" to "9" function as numeric keys. On the other hand, when the numeric lock key "NUM LOCK" is toggled again, the numeric keys "0" to "9" function as the movement control keys as follows. Numeric key "1" functions as an end key, and numeric key "2" functions as a cursor down key. Also, the numeric key "3" functions as the page down key, and the numeric key "4" functions as the cursor left key. Also, the number key "6" functions as the cursor right key, the number key "7" as a home key, the number key "8" as a cursor up key, and the number key "9" to page up. Functions as a key. The numeric key "0" functions as the insert key.

The system 10 shown in FIG. 1 now includes two complete sets of movement control keys, one set on the left side of the keyboard or keypad 22 and the other set on the right side of the keyboard or keypad 22. You will know that. With this structure, the user places the positioning device 40 on either desired side of the keyboard or keypad 22 and manipulates it with one hand, while with the other hand the movement control key 20 or the number pad 52. Any one of the movement control keys defined by) can be operated.

FIG. 2 is denoted by reference numeral 60 and shows the same keyboard or keypad as the configuration of the keyboard or keypad 22 shown in FIG. 1 in all essential respects except as follows. The keyboard 60 is a cursor arranged sequentially along a horizontal line near the base 61 defined by the left edge 62 and the lower edge 63 and the lower edge 63 adjacent to the left edge 62. A movement control key having a left key 64, a cursor down key 66, and a cursor right key 68. Alternatively, the cursor up key 70 is located on the vertical line just above the cursor down key 66.

Moreover, a movement control key comprising a page up key 72 and a page down key 74 is located directly above the cursor left key 64 near the left edge 62 as shown with the vertical erase key “DEL”. They are arranged in order from top to bottom along the vertical rows located. The movement control key, which includes the home key 76 and the end key 78, is vertical along the right side of the page up key 72, the page down key 74, and the delete key “DEL” along with the insert key “INS”. Arranged along the column.

Unlike the keyboard or keypad 22 shown in FIG. 1, the keyboard or keypad 60 shown in FIG. 2 does not include a conventional number pad on its right side, but such a number pad may be provided. However, the keyboard or keypad 60 shown in FIG. 2 has a positioning device 80 mounted on the lower edge 63 at the center between the left and right edges of the base 61. In one embodiment, the positioning device 80 is a joystick. In another embodiment, the positioning device 80 is a joystick such as an IBM "TrackPoint" ^TM . In any case, the positioning device 80 may be operated by the user's right hand for scrolling and / or positioning on a display, such as the display 16 shown in FIG. One or more movement control keys 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78 can be operated.

FIG. 3 shows a keyboard or keypad, indicated by reference numeral 90, comprising a base 92 defined by a lower edge 94 bounded by left and right edges 96, 98.

The keyboard or keypad 90 shown in FIG. 3 is the same as the configuration of the keyboard or keypad 60 shown in FIG. 2 except for the following. The movement control keys of the vertical column are arranged close to the left edge 96, and the page up key 99, the page down key 100, the cursor up key 102, and the cursor down key 104 are sequentially turned from top to bottom. And a cursor left key 106, and the cursor right key 108 is located to the right of the cursor left key 106. If necessary, an escape key "ESC" may be placed over the page up key 99 as shown. The movement control keys, including the end key 110 and the home key 112, are arranged along a vertical row next to the right edge 98. Therefore, most, but not all, movement control keys of the keyboard 90 are located along the left edge 96 of the keyboard and the remaining movement control keys are located along the right edge 98. If desired, a scroll lock key " SCR LOCK " can be placed directly below the home key 112 on the base 92. Like the keyboard or keypad 60 shown in FIG. 2, the keyboard or keypad 90 shown in FIG. 3 has a lower edge 94 at the center between the left edge 96 and the right edge 98 of the base 92. And a first positioning device 114 mounted above.

4 illustrates a keyboard 130 that can be a conventional keyboard or one of the novel keyboards described above. However, the keyboard 130 shown in FIG. 4 is physically separated from the keyboard 130 as shown in FIG. 4 or integrated with the keyboard 130 in accordance with the principles described above in connection with the keyboard / keypad 60, 90. And a detachable movement control key module 134 having a plurality of movement control keys 136 arranged thereon. The user interface mechanism for instructing positioning / movement is realized by the movement control key 136.

As can be seen in connection with FIG. 4, the module 134 may be electrically connected to the keyboard 130 via an electrical cord 138. As can be further appreciated with respect to FIG. 4, the module 134 can be selectively mechanically attached to the left side 140 or the right side 142 of the keyboard 130 at the user's choice.

Appropriate engagement means are provided to selectively connect or disconnect the module 134 to / from the keyboard 130. In other words, the mounting mechanism is connectable to the keyboard 130 so that the module 134 is fixed to one side of the keyboard. In the illustrated example, the module 134 is formed with left and right clips 144 and 146, each clip having an interference fit or snap of each side 140, 142 of the keyboard 130. It is made to be firmly attached to each side 140, 142 by a snapping fit. The module 134 can be selectively attached to or detached from the keyboard 130 using other connection means including fasteners, such as set screws and hook-and-eye fasteners. I will understand. In any case, using the above structure, the user can facilitate their simultaneous operation by positioning the positioning device 132 on one side of the keyboard 130 and the movement control key module 134 on the other side of the keyboard 130. You can position, scroll, and move the cursor on the display.

Although the specific "computer keyboard with efficiently arranged movement control keys" shown and described in detail herein can fully achieve the object of the present invention described above, this is a preferred embodiment at the present stage of the present invention and thus It is an example of a subject matter broadly contemplated by the present invention, and the scope of the present invention fully includes other embodiments that will become apparent to those skilled in the art, and therefore the scope of the present invention is not intended to be appended claims. It should be understood that it is not limited by anything.

According to the present invention, it is possible to easily control the movement of the object displayed on the computer graphic display screen by simultaneously operating the positioning / moving device and the movement control key.

Claims (30)

In a computer user interface system, Bass, At least one manually operable pointing device used by the user in a position proximate to the first side of the base, It is arranged on a second side opposite the first side of the base and includes input means for allowing a user to input a positioning / moving command, thereby allowing the one handed hand to operate the positioning device. And with the other hand facilitates cooperatively easy use of both hands of the user with respect to the input means. The method of claim 1, Said input means being a plurality of movement control keys on the left side of said keyboard. The method of claim 2, The movement control key comprises a cursor up key, a cursor down key, a cursor left key, and a cursor right key. The method of claim 3, wherein And the movement control key comprises a page up key and a page down key. The method of claim 4, wherein And the movement control key comprises an end key and a home key. The method of claim 3, wherein And the manually operable positioning device is arranged to be operated by the user's right hand. The method of claim 6, And the positioning device is disposed on the base. The method of claim 7, wherein The positioning device is selected from the group of devices consisting of a computer mouse, trackball, joystick, touchpad. The method of claim 1, The manually operable positioning device includes a mouse or a joystick, The input means has (i) a movement control key arranged along one side of the keyboard and (ii) a user interface mechanism at the top to direct positioning / movement, and also a removable keyboard module for one side of the keyboard at the top. And one of the removable keyboard modules having a mounting mechanism connectable with the keyboard to maintain the keyboard. The method of claim 1, And said input means comprises one of (i) a joystick, (ii) an array of cursor keys and page keys. The method of claim 1, And a computer user interface system coupled with the computer. A computer user interface system for manipulating a graphical display, With the keyboard defining the bass, First positioning and / or moving means on the first side of the base, A computer user interface that includes a second positioning and / or moving means on the second side of the base to allow the user to manipulate both of the positioning and / or moving means simultaneously to efficiently control the graphical display. system. The method of claim 12, And said first positioning and / or moving means comprises a plurality of movement control keys on the left side of said keyboard. The method of claim 13, And the movement control key comprises a cursor up key, a cursor down key, a cursor left key, and a cursor right key. The method of claim 14, And the movement control key comprises a page up key and a page down key. The method of claim 15, And the movement control key comprises an end key and a home key. The method of claim 12, The second positioning and / or moving means is at least one device selected from the group of devices consisting of a computer mouse, a trackball, a joystick, and a touch pad, and the second positioning and / or moving means is in the right hand of the user. A computer user interface system arranged to be manipulated by. The method of claim 17, And said second positioning and / or moving means is disposed on said base. The method of claim 12, The second positioning and / or moving means comprises a mouse or a joystick, The first positioning and / or moving means has (i) a movement control key arranged along one side of the keyboard and (ii) a user interface mechanism at the top to direct positioning and position movement, and also at the top And one of the removable keyboard modules having a mounting mechanism connectable with the keyboard to hold the removable keyboard module relative to one side of the keyboard. The method of claim 12, And said second positioning and / or moving means comprises one of (i) a joystick and (ii) an arrangement of movement control keys. The method of claim 12, And a computer user interface system coupled with the computer. In a graphics control system having a display, a cursor located on the display, the positioning / moving system for manipulating the display, Computer keyboard or keypad, At least a first positioning / moving device having at least one key accessible by a user's left hand, And at least a second positioning / moving device accessible by a user's right hand, such that positioning / movement commands can be simultaneously input to the display by both hands of the user. The method of claim 22, And the first positioning / moving device includes a plurality of movement control keys on the left side of the keyboard or keypad. The method of claim 23, The shift control key includes a cursor up key, a cursor down key, a cursor left key, and a cursor right key. The method of claim 24, The movement control key includes a page up key, a page down key, an end key, and a home key. The method of claim 22, The second positioning / moving device is at least one device selected from the group of devices consisting of a computer mouse, trackball, joystick, and touch pad, and the second positioning and / or moving device is operated by the right hand of the user. Positioning / moving system to be positioned as possible. The method of claim 26, The second positioning / moving device is disposed on the keyboard. The method of claim 22, The second positioning / moving device comprises a mouse or a joystick, The first positioning and positioning device has (i) a movement control key arranged along one side of the keyboard or keypad, and (ii) a user interface mechanism at the top to direct positioning and position movement, and also at the top. And one of said removable keyboard modules having a mounting mechanism connectable with said keyboard or keypad for supporting a removable keyboard module against one side of said keyboard or keypad. The method of claim 22, The second positioning / moving device includes one of (i) a joystick and (ii) an arrangement of movement control keys. The method of claim 22, Positioning / moving system in which the system is coupled to a computer.