PL243277B1 - A keyboard system, especially a computer keyboard - Google Patents

Abstract

A keyboard system (1), especially a computer keyboard, for manual control of devices or manual input of data by sending signals is characterized in that the keyboard (1) contains from eight to fourteen keys divided into two groups, and each signal is generated by pressing a combination of at least two keys, wherein the keys of the first group are ergonomically arranged under the fingers of one hand of the user, and the second group on the keyboard (1) is physically separated from the first group, and the keys of the second group are ergonomically arranged under the fingers of the user's other hand.

Description

The subject of the invention is a keyboard system, especially a computer keyboard, applicable in the human-machine interface, especially in a typewriter or computer keyboard for blind, visually impaired people, people with hand paresis, or with limited precision of finger movements due to the protective clothing used.

In classic computer keyboards, pressing one key sends a signal to the computer. Each key is assigned its own pair of signals. Characters such as letters, numbers, special characters or punctuation marks are saved after pressing the corresponding one key, or in the case of some characters such as diacritics, capital letters and some special characters after pressing two or more keys.

In a Braille typewriter, characters consisting of six dots are written - two columns of three dots. Such a keyboard has at least seven keys, and saving a character requires simultaneous pressing of the keys corresponding to the locations of points included in one character in Brail.

Gloves for operations in space - Glove-yEnabled Computer Operations - allow you to write characters using a virtual representation of the layout of a classic computer keyboard. The microprocessor detects the movement of the hand and tracks the change of position on the virtual keyboard, and the movement of the finger causes pressing the virtual button over which the hand is located.

US patent US 7216588 B2 discloses a modified QWERTY keyboard comprising twenty-six letters of the Latin alphabet arranged in a matrix of six rows of three to six letters in each row. The rows of letters are grouped into three sets of two rows each, with the first, second and third sets respectively containing the letters from the first, second and third rows of a classic QWERTY keyboard. The keyboard is designed to facilitate one-handed operation.

From US patent US 9235270 B2 a keyboard is known which has mechanical keys, each of which is equipped with capacitive sensors for detecting the position of a finger on the surface of a given key. More than one symbol is assigned to each key, and the selection of a specific symbol depends on the position of the finger on the key when pressing it. Thanks to this, it is possible to enter alphabetic characters, as well as use other functions assigned to the keys, while reducing the number of keys.

From the US patent description US 6760013 B2 there is known a keyboard with a structure similar to a video game controller that also functions as a computer mouse. The keyboard has an ergonomic shape and is held in both hands. On its upper surface there are keys dedicated to pressing with the thumbs, while on the bottom there are keys dedicated to pressing with the other fingers. The required character is entered by pressing one key or a combination of two or more keys.

Keyboards with a classic layout, adapted for the blind or visually impaired, containing raised Braille dots on the keys, are known to be used.

From the US patent description US 7151525 B2 there is known a device for generating signals corresponding to alphanumeric characters. The device contains two movable panels of a shape similar to a dome, on which the hands rest. The selection of the appropriate sign is made by the appropriate movement of the hand or forearm. The device is dedicated to people with limited ability to move their fingers or wrists.

From the US patent US 4913573 A there is known a computer keyboard with an ergonomic structure, divided into two separate sections, one for use by the right and the other by the left hand of the user. The sections can be arranged in an independent position. The housing of each section includes a raised central part, which allows the palm surface of the hand to be supported. The fingers on the keyboard are placed in depressions, with several buttons in each depression. When using the keyboard, such as entering text, you do not need to take your fingers out of the recesses.

German patent DE 127 9693 discloses a typewriter keyboard which is divided into two parts, each of which has concave keys arranged in outwardly opening rows in such a way that their arrangement allows the hands to be placed at an angle 30° relative to the symmetry axis of the keyboard.

From the American application description US 2005089355 A1, a keyboard is known which is a modification of the classic QWERTY keyboard, in which the keys intended for pressing with the left hand are separated from the keys intended for pressing with the right hand. Dividing these keys into two groups, with the keys of each group in separate bodies. The layout of the keys basically corresponds to that found in classic QWERTY keyboards.

GB 191307316 A describes a shorthand keyboard consisting of three groups of keys, including a group of keys for the left hand and a group of keys for the right hand. Some characters or strings of characters are obtained by pressing several keys at the same time.

From the British application GB 498713 A a keyboard is known in which the keys are divided into three groups, including one group for operating with the right hand and the other for operating with the left hand. Some of the characters or character strings are entered by pressing more than one key simultaneously. Alphanumeric characters are assigned to individual keys, so that the most frequently used characters are obtained by pressing a single key, less frequently used characters require pressing two keys, and sequences of frequently occurring characters can be obtained by pressing two or three keys closely spaced.

In keyboards known from the state of the art, for entering characters, it is usually necessary to press the key corresponding to a given character or function, and thus it is necessary to perform precise finger movements to a greater or lesser extent, or pressing several keys requiring changing the position of the fingers above the keyboard also requiring precision of movement . The use of prior art keyboards can be very difficult for people with limited hand dexterity, and in situations where keyboard use is performed in environments requiring the use of protective clothing, including space.

A keyboard system, especially a computer keyboard, for manual control of devices or manual input of data by sending signals, comprising two groups of keys separated from each other, according to the invention characterized in that the keyboard comprises from ten to fourteen keys divided into two groups, each containing at least at least five keys, and each signal is generated by pressing a combination of at least two and at most four keys, the keys from the first group are placed ergonomically under the fingers of one hand of the user, and the second group on the keyboard is physically separated from the first group, and the keys from the second group are placed ergonomically under the fingers of the user's other hand, and moreover, the signal corresponding to the alphabetical characters of any alphabet or special characters is generated by pressing a combination of keys, one from each group, and moreover, the signal corresponding to a numeric character or a punctuation mark is generated by pressing a combination of two keys from that the group itself.

Preferably, the keyboard system comprises twelve keys, with six keys in each group, one of the keys of each group being a function key, and a signal corresponding to special or user-defined functions is generated by pressing a key combination using that function key.

Further benefits are obtained if at least eight keys are pressed in one position of the fingers on the keyboard.

Further advantages are obtained if the signal corresponding to a capital letter or a diacritical letter is generated by pressing three keys.

Further advantages are obtained if the signal corresponding to a capital letter with a diacritic is generated by pressing four keys.

Further advantages are obtained if the keyboard system has a loudspeaker, and when a combination of keys is pressed, a sound corresponding to the character associated with the generated signal is generated.

Further advantages are obtained if the keyboard system is in the form of two gloves and the keys are in the form of a set of sensors located at the fingertips of the gloves.

Further advantages are obtained if the generated signals are assigned to the characters of the Latin alphabet.

Further advantages are obtained if the generated signals are assigned to Braille characters. Further advantages are obtained if the keys are mechanical or capacitive.

Further benefits are obtained if its keyboard is an on-screen touch keyboard. Further advantages are obtained if the keyboard system includes a microphone.

Further advantages are obtained if the keyboard system includes a memory card reader.

The keyboard system according to the invention facilitates the correct entry of characters and the recording of information by blind or visually impaired people. The user does not have to learn a new alphabet, but only to familiarize himself with the sequence of fixed button combinations. The keyboard system gives you the ability to type or control devices without having to move your hands and with very limited finger movements. This gives the possibility of using the keyboard by people with paresis of the upper limbs, as well as the blind or visually impaired. The solution also makes it possible to use the keyboard in situations where, due to the need to use protective clothing, the user's hands are in thick gloves, such as when using an astronaut suit. The system provides the ability to, among other things, record data or communicate in open space. This may prove particularly useful in situations requiring the crew to escape (Launch, Entry and Abort) - because the currently used spacesuits have control systems with significantly limited capabilities. The planned increase in the time the crew will spend in space not only requires better protection against radiation and low temperature, but also communication, data entry and control systems, the full operation of which will be possible despite the limitation of the precision of movements caused by the suit. The combination of at least two keys adopted in the system for entering a character or using a given function allows for achieving a high degree of reliability of entered characters, creating a string of information or description, which is difficult when using known solutions due to the limitations created by the astronaut's gloves.

The subject of the invention in the embodiments has been shown in the drawing, in which Fig. 1 shows a keyboard using the system in a top view, and Fig. 2 - an electrical diagram of the keyboard.

In an embodiment, the keyboard system 1 for manually controlling devices or manually inputting data by sending signals has a compact housing in which twelve keys are mounted divided into two groups of six keys in each group. The keys are arranged so that after placing your hands on the keyboard 1, pressing the keys is possible with limited finger movement. Generating each signal requires pressing a combination of at least two keys, where the keys from the first group are placed ergonomically under the fingers of one hand of the user, and the second group on the keyboard 1 is physically separated and visible to the user from the first group, and the keys of the second group are ergonomically placed under the fingers of the user's other hand, so that the keys of the first group are to be pressed by the left hand and the keys of the second group are to be pressed by the right hand. Each group contains five keys, which when used in combination, one from each group, generates a signal corresponding to alphabetic or special characters and one key, which is a function key, and the combination in which it occurs generates a signal corresponding to special or user-defined functions. Pressing two keys from the same group generates a signal corresponding to a numeric character or a punctuation mark. Generating a signal corresponding to a capital letter or a letter with a diacritic mark requires pressing three keys. An uppercase letter with a diacritic is obtained by pressing four keys.

The keyboard system 1 has a microcontroller to which a memory card reader 2 is connected at the input and output 3. Moreover, the system has a loudspeaker 4 connected to the microcontroller's output through an amplifier 5. The microcontroller has twelve digital ports to which twelve monostable key switches and twelve pull-up resistors are connected, and six monostable switches of the first group of keys are connected to the six digital ports of the microcontroller on one side, and six monostable switches of the second group of keys are connected to the six digital ports on its other side. Sounds are stored on the memory card 3, which are played after pressing the appropriate combination of keys through the loudspeaker 4 connected to the amplifier 5 at the output of the keyboard 1. The microphone 6 is connected to the input of the microcontroller, with the help of which the user can record his own sounds corresponding to given key combinations. The microcontroller of the keyboard system is connected via the USB 7 connector to the computer connection. The keyboard 1 on its body has a Velcro fastener 8 for connection to the suit and securing it against dropping. The keys are located on the keyboard body 1 on one of its walls, the arrangement of the keys of the second group mirroring the keys of the first group. The four keys within each group are arranged along one arc line

PL 243277 BI on the side of one of the edges of the keyboard body 1, and two keys within each group are on the side of the other group. Between the groups of keys there is a Velcro fastener 8 and a loudspeaker 4.

Using the keyboard system 1 according to the invention, it is possible to enter the same number of characters as using a conventional computer keyboard 1 for typing.

Exemplary key combinations for generating a given character or running a specific function are presented in the tables.

The microcontroller is programmed using the principles of classical logic, in which each sentence can accept only one of two logical values - true "1" or false "0" - as shown in table 1. Shorting the button results in giving a digital signal to the microcontroller in the form of a logical state "1", in the open state it is a logical "0". Table 1 presents a set of characters obtained by pressing a combination of two keys, one from each group. The keys from the second group are responsible for selecting the appropriate row in the table, which has been marked with the sign. The keys from the first group are responsible for selecting the column. For example, pressing the key No. VII from the second group and the key No. II from the first group will generate the "e" character.

Table 1. Key combinations including one key from each group

First group Second group AND II III IV V VI VII VIII IX x XI XII other functions e d c b and • other functions j and h g f • other functions 0 n m 1 k • other functions at t p r P • other functions spacc With y x In • other functions other functions other functions other functions other functions enter •

Table 2 shows the set of characters obtained by pressing two keys from the second group, from VII to XI. The "·" sign denotes a key that is responsible for selecting a row in a given combination, pressing one of the other keys from the above-mentioned range is responsible for selecting a column.

Table 2. Key combinations involving two keys from the second group

First group Second group AND II III IV V VI VII VIII IX x XI XII 4 3 2 1 • 7 6 5 • 9 8 • 0 •

PL 243277 B.I

Table 3 presents key combinations used to write punctuation and special characters. The combinations involve pressing two keys from the first group.

Table 3. Key combinations including two keys from the first group

First group Second group AND II III IV V VI VII VIII IX x XI XII - = • [ ] \ • 3 and • / / •

Table 4 shows the set of characters entered using three-key combinations. The keys from the second group, from VII to XI, are responsible for selecting the line, and the additional key number XII - pressed before pressing the combination of keys from the second group - is responsible for the capital letter.

Table 4. Key combinations including two keys from the second group and one key from the first group

First group Second group AND II III IV V VI VII VIII IX x XI XII other functions E d c b AND • • other functions J AND h g f • • other functions 0 n m L k • • other functions at T S R P • • other functions space WITH Y x In • • other functions other functions other functions other functions other functions enter •

Table 5 presents a set of characters entered using a combination of three keys - two from the first group and one from the second group. The characters from the second group, from the range VII to XII, are responsible for selecting the row, the characters from the first group, from the range II to VI, for the selection of the column, and the additional pressing of the number I key - pressed before the other keys used in the combination - allows you to obtain diacritical marks.

PL 243277 B.I

Table 5. Combination of three keys used to obtain diacritics

First group Second group AND II III IV V VI VII VIII IX x XI XII • ę d c b and • • j and h g f • • about ń m la k • • at t Wed r P • • space With y With In • • other functions other functions other functions other functions enter •

Table number 6 shows the combinations of four keys that can be used to obtain diacritics in uppercase. In the combination, in addition to the table number 5, the key number XII from the second group is pressed.

Table 6. Combinations of three keys used to obtain diacritics in capital letters

First group Second group AND II III IV V VI VII VIII IX x XI XII • Ä d c b AND • • • J AND h g f • • • ABOUT Б m L k • • • AT T St R P • • • space WITH Y WITH In • • • other functions other functions other functions other functions enter •

Tables 7 and 8 show the combination of three keys that can be pressed simultaneously to enter punctuation marks and special characters.

PL 243277 B.I

Table 7. Punctuation and special characters entered using three-key combinations

First group Second group AND TT III IV V VT VII VTIT IX x XT XII • < > — • • • { } • • • 75 • • • ? • •

Table 8. Punctuation and special characters entered using three-key combinations

First group Second group AND TI III IV V VI VII VIII IX x XI XII • $ # @ AND • • & AND % • • ( * • • ) •

Patent claims

Claims (14)

1. A keyboard system, especially a computer keyboard, for manually controlling devices or manually entering data by sending signals, comprising two groups of keys separated from each other, characterized in that the keyboard (1) comprises ten to fourteen keys divided into two groups, each of which contains at least five keys, and each signal is generated by pressing a combination of at least two and at most four keys, the keys from the first group are ergonomically placed under the fingers of one hand of the user, and the second group on the keyboard (1) is physically separated from the first group and the keys of the second group are arranged ergonomically under the fingers of the user's other hand, and furthermore, the signal corresponding to the alphabetic characters of any alphabet or special characters is generated by pressing a combination of keys, one from each group, and furthermore, the signal corresponding to the numeric character or punctuation mark is generated by pressing combination of two keys from the same group. 2. A system according to claim The method of claim 1, characterized in that it comprises twelve keys, six keys in each group, wherein one of the keys of each group is a function key, and the signal corresponding to special or user-defined functions is generated by pressing a combination of keys using that function key. 3. A system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least eight keys are pressed in one position of the fingers placed on the keyboard (1). 4. A system according to claim A method according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, characterized in that the signal corresponding to the capital letter or the diacritical letter is generated by pressing three keys. 5. A system according to claim 4, characterized in that the signal corresponding to the capital letter with the diacritical mark is generated by pressing four keys. 6. The system of claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5, characterized in that it has a loudspeaker (4), and after pressing the combination of keys, a sound corresponding to the character assigned to the generated signal is generated. 7. The system of claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6, characterized in that it is in the form of two gloves, and the keys are in the form of a set of sensors located at the fingertips of the gloves. 8. The system of claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7, characterized in that the generated signals are assigned to characters of the Latin alphabet. 9. The system of claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7, characterized in that the generated signals are assigned to Braille characters. 10. The system of claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9, characterized in that the keys are mechanical. 11. The system of claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9, characterized in that the keys are capacitive. 12. The system of claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9, characterized in that its keyboard (1) is an on-screen touch keyboard (1). 13. The system of claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 11 or 12, characterized in that it comprises a microphone (6). 14. The system of claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 11 or 12 or 13, characterized in that it comprises a memory card (3) reader (2).