RU2293367C1 - Ergonomic keyboard arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: ergonomics.

SUBSTANCE: keyboard is divided to two sections disposed correspondingly to anatomical peculiarities of arm's wrist. Keys are grouped according to purpose and character of application. Mutual disposition of keyboard modules in section corresponds to position of any finger of operator, which position the fingers take at natural relaxed state relatively each other. Keyboard modules in first group are disposed in parallel or radial at small angle to each other within limits of value of possible adjacent angles among elongated fingers. Keyboard modules of second group are disposed within range of movement of thumb. Several functions of keyboard are brought in coincidence.

EFFECT: improved comfort; higher speed of introduction of information; reduced sizes, reduced cost; elimination of physiological disorders caused by usage.

4 cl, 10 dwg, 2 tbl

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the design of a keyboard as a data input terminal in information processing devices such as computer and telephone systems,

including one or more one-handed sections that are connected to a computer or telephone system by a data channel or are part of a computer or telephone.

purpose of the invention: creating a keyboard that

- allows you to easily use it without visual inspection;

- is reliable, that is, with a near-zero risk of operational errors;

- adapted to multi-purpose use, i.e. with computers, telephone equipment and control devices of any existing type;

- Suitable for the alphabetical composition of any language;

- easy to learn;

- It can be conveniently combined with mobile devices or be a part of them;

- Adapted to differences in the size and shape of the hands of operators.

The technical result is:

- a significant increase in usability and speed of information input,

- the exception of the development of physiological disorders in connection with the use,

- smaller dimensions, complexity and cost of the device compared to existing ones of the same purpose,

- combination of functions of several devices.

BACKGROUND

The extensive use of the keyboard as the main tool for manual data entry in systems such as personal computers, network terminals and telephones makes it necessary to use it for a large number of people.

The modern standard computer keyboard retains the general structure and functional characteristics of hand-held typewriter keyboards, despite the fact that the principles underlying the layout of such devices have not been applied for a long time.

As you know, the standard symbolic key assignment, the so-called QWERTY was patented for typewriter keyboards in 1868 by Christopher Sholes, inventor, in order to eliminate the possibility of jamming of the printing rods in the typewriter mechanism.

The location of the QWERTY does not facilitate intuitive memorization, creating difficulties in mastering the keyboard.

As a result, most users resort to ineffective methods of using it, such as “two-finger typing,” which requires eye contact with the keyboard to find the right characters.

Another well-known keyboard layout - the Dvorak system, was developed precisely with the aim of achieving greater ease of study and use in comparison with QWERTY. U.S. Patent No. 2,040,248. Inventor: A.Dvorak.

The Dvorak system places the most commonly used consonants on one side of the middle or base row of keys and the vowels on the other side of this row so that typing tends to alternate hands with successive keystrokes.

In theory, the Dvorak system is more convenient than “QWERTY” (for example, approximately 400 of the most used English words can be typed using alphabetic characters in the middle “base” row of keys). However, the main disadvantages of the traditional keyboard have not been eliminated.

Among them can be distinguished such as:

1. A long period of operator training is needed to master an effective working method (the so-called sensory method)

The lack of constant contact between the user's fingers and the keyboard due to the need to keep them on weight and move their hands eliminates the physically basic coordinate points of support and makes it difficult to determine the exact distance and direction of movement from one key to another.

2. Due to the large number of keys, a significant part of the operator’s time is spent only on the process of moving hands over the keyboard.

3. Typically, when printing, the so-called lateral deviation of the wrists is required when they are brought together and form the “V” shape, which is accompanied by continuous muscular tension. The format of the standard keyboard, as shown by numerous studies, adversely affects the user's performance due to fatigue. A large volume of amplitude gestural movements and uncomfortable hand position cause significant tension in the ligaments and tendons, contribute to the so-called "Carpal tunnel syndrome", "repetitive strain injury" and other physiological disorders in users.

4. Conventional standard keyboards contain a large number of keys (over 100) located in parallel rows and located in the same plane.

Such keyboards require significant space for their placement, which makes it difficult or impossible to use them in some cases, for example, in connection with a mobile device or as part of such a device.

Currently, many projects are known aimed at creating a flawless universal keyboard device.

Below are some of them, revealing the prior art.

So, for example, US patent No. 4042777 is known. Inventors: Bequaert and al., Which describes a one-hand keyboard that includes an adjacent finger section containing ten keys and a thumb section containing four keys.

In the adjacent finger section, two keys are assigned to each finger. The keys assigned to the fingers are used in serial or parallel mode, pressing two or more keys simultaneously, the operator generates the so-called "Chords"

The thumb has 4 multi-command keys for entering processing functions and toggle switches for special words and special chords.

The disadvantages include the requirement for finger movements in many directions, which does not facilitate operations on them without visual control.

The use of this keyboard requires a highly skilled operator capable of activating a variety of keyboard shortcuts.

Another one-handed keyboard project is US Pat. No. 5,079,910. Inventor: Guyot-Sionnest.

This keyboard provides sequential command input with keys that have a special profile to achieve smoothness and speed (t.h. "Single Keybutton Four-Way Switch").

By means of an electronic circuit, the key values are interpreted to produce electrical signals that correspond to various symbols or processing instructions. To enter some characters, the operator must simultaneously press three different keys.

An integral part of the device is an electronic display with three separate zones for displaying the current value of the summary code of several keys. From the display, the generated signal is supplied to the communication and memory means only after the interruption of the operator’s contact with all the keys making up the chord.

The need for visual control while working with this keyboard also remains.

The Gambaro project (US Pat. No. 5,178,477) is also widely known.

The task of improving ergonomics is reduced by the author to approximate the shape of the surface of the keyboard to the features of the anatomy of the hand.

The keyboard consists of right and left parts, stably connected with each other.

Fingers are assigned groups of keys adjacent to each other at different heights and at different angles. Each of the index fingers activates a group of eight keys, distributed in two rows. The other fingers are assigned groups of four keys distributed in one row.

Presumably, this design allows different phalanges of the fingers to actuate various keys. The rows of keys have positional adjustment to adapt the keyboard to the hands of operators of various sizes.

Each of the thumbs is assigned a group of keys (30 for the left hand and 29 for the right) located on the concave base and actuated by the movements of the thumb in three orthogonal planes.

The keyboard also contains support for the wrists, hands and palms.

A large number of keys in groups designed for the thumbs and groups for the index fingers makes working with the keyboard very difficult to remember and learn.

Due to the need to adapt the keyboard to the individual sizes of the hands of different operators, it contains mechanisms for positional regulation of rows of keys, which greatly complicates the design.

In general, this device seems to be very bulky, expensive and does not meet the requirements of universality.

U.S. Patent No. 5122786. Inventors: Rader; Freeman describe "Ergonomic keypads for desktop and armrest applications"

The keyboard includes two separable sections and can be placed on the desktop or fixed in the armrests of the chair to allow the operator to have a more comfortable position of the hands.

The individual parts (right and left) of the keyboard can be connected to function as a unitary keyboard for desktop use.

Parts of the keyboard can rotate relative to the connection point and thus be located at different angles to each other.

In the closed position, the right and left parts of the keyboard form the most compact form, convenient for moving.

The keys are grouped in the form of rectangular matrices on the upper planes of the keyboard enclosures, additional buttons and cursor control devices are located on the vertical front surface of each of the keyboard sections for actuation by the user's thumbs.

Disadvantages:

The ergonomics of the device are reduced mainly to the possibility of arbitrary arrangement of the right and left parts of the keyboard, however, no means are provided to support the hand.

The vertical size of the sections, allowing you to place groups of keys on the side vertical surfaces, is quite significant, and therefore use in the desktop position is associated with forced bending of the wrists.

The different nature of the surface of the keys, facilitating tactile recognition, does not facilitate the navigation of hands over the keys, i.e. only helps the operator to identify errors, but does not provide a method for eliminating them.

U.S. Patent No. 4,332,493. Inventor: Einbinder.

Statistics on the frequency of use of individual characters of the alphabet (for example, English and German) are examined in detail in order to optimize the arrangement of characters on the keys.

The result stated the following data:

English input language - 75% of individual keystrokes and 54% of successive keystrokes occur on ten "home" keys; Of the individual “home” keystrokes, 45% is done with the right hand and 30% is done with the left hand.

Of consecutive home key presses, 23% is done with different hands, 31% is done with the same hand: 22% with the right and 9% with the left.

The Einbinder system project emphasizes the importance of having a so-called “home position” for the fingers, from which the fingers, and therefore the hands, must move when working with the keyboard.

Thus, the Einbinder approach does not solve the issue of eliminating the hand movements encountered by users of a conventional keyboard.

U.S. Patent No. 4,849,732. Inventor: Dolenc illustrates and describes a one-handed keyboard device that includes 5 groups of multiple keys arranged in elongated rows and arranged to actuate the fingers associated with this set of fingers.

Compared to a similar Einbinder project, there are no differences in the shape of the keys and the angular activation vector.

Dolenc also does not define a “base” or “home” position for the operator’s hand, as presumably the hand movements are minimized.

Although Dolenc is seriously working on the issue of reducing brush movements when working on the keyboard, its system does not make any noticeable changes in reducing finger movements. In fact, regarding the organization of keys in groups, Dolenc only takes into account the “movement and range of the corresponding fingers”.

Multi-function keys, which are an integral part of this project (the so-called a five-directional momentary dip-switch), significantly complicate the use of the device.

Most well-known ergonomic keyboard designs contain support tools for various areas of the forearm, wrist and palm of the user, implemented in curved convex and concave structural elements.

Examples:

Danziger US Patent No. 5426499; Rader US Patent No. 5122786; Johnson US Patent No. 5730403; Bryan US Patent No. 5612718; Litschel US Patent No. 5627566; Patent US 5,178,477 to Gambaro; Patent US 6,765,502 to Boldy et al; Patent CA 1301885 Dolenc; AU 6097899 Hossenlopp et al.

In some ergonomic keyboard projects, adapting them to various shapes and sizes of users' hands adds mechanisms for the mutual movement of components into the design, which, as a rule, significantly complicates the device and increases its price.

Fort Patent US 5,393,150; Danziger Patent US 5426499; Skovronski Patent US 5457452.

US patent No. 5486058. Inventors: Allen; Donald describes a continuous touch keyboard in which three-position keys are provided on each finger. The keys are distant from the cupped support for the hand at various distances corresponding to the average length of each of the fingers, and the drive heads for the second, fourth, fifth and thumb are raised above the other keys. In addition, the patent describes keys intended for activation by the palms of the hands. The disadvantage of this keyboard is the limitation of the number of characters that can be indicated, and also the difficulty in distinguishing between the positions available for each key.

One of the latest projects recognized by experts as a new step in moving to a keyboard free from imperfections is a device proposed by the authors of Boldy; Manfred (Horb, DE); Ruppert Werner (Schoenaich, DE) U.S. Patent No. 6,765,502 of July 20, 2004.

This keyboard as a data input device is a one-handed module containing groups of buttons, where each of the groups is assigned to a certain finger of the operator.

The keyboard has a housing consisting of 3 parts, the upper of which includes a palm rest section and a finger section with indentations for each finger. Groups of buttons are sequentially located at the base of these recesses and can be reached with outstretched or bent fingers when the operator’s hand is in contact with the palm rest section.

The thumb section is adjacent the recess for the index finger and includes a flat area that contains groups of command keys and additional keys in a vertical partition separating the thumb section from the recess for the index finger.

The keyboard can be used for two-handed actions when connecting two separate one-handed modules. The keyboard includes a graphical multi-purpose display that visualizes control information, controls and characters typed on the keyboard.

Despite the successes achieved in combining new tools with new features, it should be noted disadvantages that will not allow this device to become widespread in use and production.

The claimed purpose of the invention, the use of this keyboard as part of mobile systems or in connection with them does not have obvious advantages compared to a standard keyboard, since there are no means of connecting it to a single module for carrying and storage.

The physical volume of the keyboard, approximately equal (for 2 sections) 700-800 cm ³ slightly differs from the volume parameters of a standard keyboard.

Duplication of the data channel for each of the two sections is necessary.

The need for an autonomous power supply unit increases the mass and dimensions of the device.

The claim that voluminous palm support sections provide improved design ergonomics compared to a flat keyboard is not supported by anything.

The display unit, necessary for controlling the input characters and commands, further complicates the device and increases its price.

The adaptability of the device to various sizes of the hands of operators is achieved by equipping the keyboard with variously sized case parts (casings).

Replacing one casing with another requires a detailed disassembly of the keyboard mechanism, which is not always possible.

T.O. versatility in using the keyboard is not achieved.

Assigning alphanumeric, punctuation characters to keys basically duplicates the sequences set forth in the QWERTY standard, the defects of which are mentioned above. The key values presented in the patent description correspond to the characters of the German alphabet. The use of other languages, in particular the Slavic, East Asian groups, requires the addition of the described design with keys for new alphabetic characters.

T.O. keyboard applicability is limited to only a few languages.

The possibility of placing the operator’s fingers on the keys in a resting state has not been considered.

Those. it is assumed that the fingers must be kept on weight to avoid triggering the keys.

This negative factor of previous projects has not been eliminated.

The overall result of the use of means to ensure fixation and support of the forearm, wrist and palm of the operator remains controversial, since it is associated with a limitation of the mobility of the corresponding parts of the hand, an increase in size, complexity of production and the cost of the keyboard as a device.

Thus, existing projects of various keyboards retain at least one of such drawbacks as:

1. The location of the keys does not provide for its intuitive memorization.

2. Limitation of input speed due to significant amplitude of hand movements.

4. Effective work requires skills that are difficult for most users.

5. A long training period for the operator (user) due to the large number of summary codes.

6. Applicability only to some of the purposes or alphabets.

7. Prolonged use may cause physiological disturbances to the operator.

8. Large size and cost of construction.

Based on the foregoing, we can state the need for a keyboard

- universal in use,

- with an intuitive arrangement of characters,

- ergonomically improved in comparison with existing projects,

- easy to manufacture.

According to the author, the keyboard meets these requirements, the draft of which is described below.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DEVICE

This description discloses a new keyboard device.

Changes, variations and modifications obvious from the description are considered part of the project.

The keyboard includes two sections of the same type of input keys of the same type and a separate group of function keys equipped with standard status indicators.

The right and left sections are approximately symmetrical to each other with respect to the central axis (XX) (Fig. 1)

The exact number and encoding of the keys, due to any necessary changes implied by the application text, may vary slightly between the two halves of the keyboard, so the exact symmetry is not respected.

Each section includes two groups of keyboard modules.

The first group of 5 modules is designed for four adjacent fingers, with 2 modules addressed to the index finger.

The second group of 3 modules is designed for the thumb.

The relative position of the key modules in the section corresponds to the position of each of the fingers of the hand, which they take in a natural relaxed state with respect to the other fingers.

The modules in the first group are parallel or radial, at a slight angle to each other, within the range of possible adjacent angles between outstretched fingers.

The modules of the second group are located within the range of motion of the thumb.

Each finger of the operator’s hand corresponds to a module or a group of modules intended for it.

The keys are grouped by purpose and nature of use. The right and left sections of the keyboard include, for each finger in the hand, a group of input keys associated with it, which are arranged in such a way that they can be activated only with an extremely small movement of bending or straightening, within the natural cone of movement, the apex of which is located at the base finger.

Three key modules in each section are designed for the thumbs and are located at an angle to the modules for four adjacent fingers in accordance with the natural range of mobility of the thumbs.

The part of the keyboard that can be reached by touching the operator’s hand with the “X” finger without changing the position of the hand and wrist is hereinafter referred to as the “X region of the finger”.

Figure 1. The area of the thumb within the right section includes the modules "J", "K", "L".

To actuate any key from such an area, only an extremely small finger movement in its characteristic trajectory is enough.

The order of assigning characters and commands to keys provides their intuitive simple memorization and a new increased level of keyboard usability.

The keyboard includes

two structural parts, hereinafter referred to as sections.

Sections contain grouped keyboard modules, hereinafter referred to as modules located in accordance with the anatomical features of the hand and indicated by the symbols A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, O , P, R, (FIG. 1);

in addition to 2 sections with keyboard modules are provided;

cursor control means “track point” (in FIG. 1, “S”);

scroll wheel - "wheel for vertical scroll of the display" "(in figure 1" U ");

the standardly used function keys are "power", "sleep", "wake", "windows", "context menu";

standardly used indicator lights of functional commands such as:

"Num lock"; "Caps lock"; "Scroll lock", etc.

Sections may

1) performed in separate buildings and arranged arbitrarily relative to each other;

2) to be docked by means of any assembly by design, incl. with the ability to change the angle of articulation in one and two planes, which allows you to fold the device to a very compact size. (about 100 cm ² and 200 cm ³ ) (figure 3);

3) to be combined in one case, representing a single design.

Modules are represented by two types “A” and “B”.

Module “A” is a 3-position key having 3 contact activation groups corresponding to different symbols or processing commands.

Module “B” consists of a combination of module “A” and an additional 1-position key of type “C”, intended only for entering processing commands and functions.

Figure 6 shows a variant of module "C" bi-directional action: the operator has the ability to activate the key due to slight vertical and even smaller horizontal pressure.

Each section of the keyboard contains 4 modules of type “A” and 4 modules of type “B”.

T.O. the keyboard contains key modules associated with groups of alphanumeric characters and command-functional codes, and for entering a character or command, only an extremely small finger movement in the forward or backward direction, corresponding to its natural movement of straightening and bending, is enough, while the forearm, the wrist and palm remain in their original, constant base position.

Permanent support points are provided for the fingertips in a resting state on the modules, which is a sufficient condition for achieving relaxation of the hand.

The upper surface of the module contains three areas correlated with individual contact groups and located at different angles to the keyboard plane.

The shape of the keyboard surface provides confident finger positioning and a small amplitude of movement when entering various commands (figure 5).

The design of the keyboard modules (see figure 3) is such that it can significantly reduce the physical volume of the keyboard. This makes it possible to use it in small format mobile devices.

The design of the main 3-position (keyboard) modules allows you to:

- place the operator’s fingers on them in a resting state without spontaneous operation of the keys;

- enter the various commands assigned to the module without losing contact of the operator’s finger with the key, which minimizes the amplitude of movements during activation;

- Provides a confident touch type of finger navigation from one necessary key to another.

To activate each of the module keys, only an extremely small movement of the finger associated with it is necessary.

Activation of various parts of the module occurs due to various types: shock (push) and sliding movements of the fingertip.

So, for example, (the input language is Russian) on the “P” key module, the “e” symbol is activated by pressing force perpendicular to the keyboard plane;

during the sliding movement of the operator’s fingertip parallel to the keyboard plane, the symbol “u” is activated (by tipping the key) in the forward direction and the symbol “i” in the return direction, respectively.

When using capacitive electrostatic keys, the result is achieved only by touching the user's finger with the corresponding parts of the key.

The "track point" cursor control included in the keyboard contains an activation button for an additional function of 2 keys (corresponding to the purpose of the right and left keys of the mouse), structurally made in the form of a "track point" cap.

By controlling the cursor through the “track point”, the operator lowers the upper plane of the “track point” cap, which allows you to use the “O” and “P” keys as mouse buttons.

Thus, when the “S” key is pressed, the “O” and “P” keys perform the functions of the left and right buttons of the “mouse” manipulator and, accordingly, in the complex, the keyboard elements “S”, “O” and “P” completely replace this device .

The reduced number of keys fully reproduces the functionality of a full-sized standard keyboard, and to activate any character requires pressing no more than 2 keys simultaneously or sequentially.

Most of the parts of the device known by existing designs and designs are excluded from the description (including the electronic decoding circuit, the communication channel interface, materials for the manufacture of components, etc.)

The illustrations represent the device and its components in one of the possible options, but do not exclude its other locations, orientations or layouts that follow logically from the description. The design of the keyboard is adaptive enough to use one of its standard sizes by users with different physical parameters of the hands.

Finger movements when activating any key associated with it from the base position are deprived of an active return vertical component, which reduces operator fatigue during long-term work by 15-20%, which is confirmed by input speed tests using known types of mechanical keys.

T.O. Improved ergonomics of repeatedly repeated movements by the operator of pressing the surface of the key, comprising about 30% of the total volume of hand movements.

All main function keys are duplicated on the right and left sections of the keyboard.

The new placement of the keys and the grouping in the assignment of their codes can increase the efficiency of the user.

The key module has a single top 3 activation plane for 3 keys, which must be lowered for actuation, where its different areas associated with each of the contact groups differ in the angle to the base plane of the keyboard.

Figure 5 presents the module "A", implemented in the form of a rocker type switch.

The design provides a differentiated error-free input of characters and commands assigned to the module due to extremely slight finger movement without losing contact with the key surface. An essential feature of the design of the key, which allows in the neutral position of the finger, in the intervals between the moments of its operational actions, to distribute to it the natural weight of this part of the hand without putting the key in action.

The resistance to pressing the center keys is such that it allows you to place the fingers of the operator’s hands on them in a resting state without triggering these keys.

The keyboard device includes the ability to use keyboard modules with different amounts of activation force, as well as means for adjusting the response (pressure force to actuate).

The element of elastic resistance (resistive ring - hereinafter referred to as the "ring") (see Fig. 5, 7) can be made of various materials with a stable value of deformation resistance (foamed rubber, etc.).

The various sizes of the profile of the ring determines the rank indicator of the load required to trigger the key.

The keyboard may be supplied with a set of additional sets of keys (separate rings with an adhesive layer for mounting on the key) with various degrees of hardness such as “soft”, “medium”, “average”, “hard”.

The goal is the ability to individually adjust the sensitivity of the keys, as they are reference points for the fingertips of the operator in the resting position.

Replacing a key does not require special knowledge or qualifications; its removal and installation occur by easy deformation of the elements of the axial rocking of the key.

The electrical circuit is protected by an insulating membrane (see figure 5)

Structurally, the keyboard is very simple both in production and in assembly-disassembly and provides a high level of dust and moisture protection.

Components: a two-layer membrane with an electrical circuit on foil conductors, a housing and its base, 24 keys of two sizes.

Thus, any user can perform the task of adjusting the sensitivity of each of the keys of the device independently at their discretion and without preliminary preparation.

The values of the symbolic and command correspondence of the keys can be applied to the housing cover, the plane of which allows this to be done quite freely.

Thus, when replacing the keys, there is no need to re-mark them.

If desired, the user can set keys of various colors.

It is understood that other known methods for changing the resistance of a key can be used in the proposed keyboard.

Table 1 illustrates in 2 variants of the keyboard layout the grouping of the key values and the correspondence of the group to a separate key that activates it - i.e. "Activator of the group."

The modular address is an alphanumeric combination, where the letter indicates the index of the key module; a digit is his specific contact group.

Table 2 shows that the device has a sufficient number of backup keys identified in each of the key groups. This allows you to confidently talk about the great possibilities of supplementing the table with other characters and commands (if necessary) without complicating the input codes.

Thus, it can be argued about the achievement of versatility when applying the new keyboard design.

Efficiency and usability of the device provide the operator with new opportunities. As standard options, the device is supplemented with an audio signal in connection with the input of a command or symbol and various options for the interface of a data transmission channel (cable, radio frequency, ultrasound, optical).

Obvious modifications and changes that do not go beyond the scope of the description are considered as particular embodiments of this device.

Thus, the keyboard is described above, which has new features and properties, such as: grouping characters; differentiation of groups of characters; location, design and number of keys on the keyboard; the achieved level of efficiency in the development and use of the device.

DESCRIPTION OF TABLES AND DRAWINGS:

Table 1 - grouping of key values in 2 keyboard layouts.

Table 2 - layout of the device key values and assignment of groups of characters and commands to the activator keys.

Figures 1 and 2 - groups 2 and 7 are activated (by default).

Figure 3 - activated groups 6 and 1.

Figure 4 - activated groups 5, 3 and 1.

Figure 5 - activated groups 8 and 1.

6 - activated groups 9 and 1.

Alphabetical characters are in alphabetical order.

Numeric characters in accordance with the natural sequence.

Punctuation symbols - depending on the frequency of use.

Function keys - depending on the frequency of use.

The drawings illustrate embodiments of the device, not excluding its other embodiments within the description.

Tables 1 and 2 illustrate the assignment of characters, functions, and commands to device keys.

Modules are indicated by the letters of the English alphabet.

Each module is divided into response zones, differing by input values.

The response zone indexation is alphanumeric, where the letter is the name of the module, the number from "" to "" is a specific area of module A, or (from "" to "") of module B

The index "" corresponds to the central areas of the keys (see figure 1) and the 1st row in the symbol assignment table.

The index “” corresponds to a key of type “C” included in a module of type “B”.

Thus, a combination of type J1 is the modular address of a team, symbol, or group activator.

In Fig. 1, key modules are allocated to groups according to their purpose.

Функциональные модули - поддержка функции в течение промежутка времени активации (понижения поверхности клавиши для замыкания контакта) (Shift, Ctrl, Alt,)

Functional modules - support for the function during the activation time period (lowering the surface of the key to close the contact) (Shift, Ctrl, Alt,)

Регистровые модули - переключение в режиме ON/OFF - (Caps Lock, Num Lock, F1-F12...)

Register Modules - ON / OFF Switching - (Caps Lock, Num Lock, F1-F12 ...)

Командные модули (Space, Back Space, Delete, Enter, Page Doun, Page Up, Print Screen, Scroll Lock, Pause Break, Insert, End, Home, Tab)

Command Modules (Space, Back Space, Delete, Enter, Page Doun, Page Up, Print Screen, Scroll Lock, Pause Break, Insert, End, Home, Tab)

Символьные модули (буквы, цифры, знаки пунктуации, символы)

Character modules (letters, numbers, punctuation, characters)

Дополнительные модули

Additional modules

Note: when activating the register keys “N4” and “J3”, some character modules duplicate the command ones.

Figure 1 - layout of the keyboard, the location of the keys and buttons.

A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, R - rocker type keyboard modules.

B, C, G, H, J, K, O, P - type A.

A, D, E, F, L, M, N, R - type B.

“U” is the “weel scroll” scroll wheel.

“S” - “touch point”.

“Power”, “Sleep”, “Wake” - standard keys with status indication.

Figure 2 - diagram of the position of the hands of the operator when working on the keyboard.

Note: the outer rectangle is an A4 sheet.

Figure 3 - compact design of the keyboard (option for mobile devices) The scale of the figure 1: 1.

4 is a diagram of the closure of contact groups by the module "A" (Arrows indicate the activation force vectors).

5 - module "A".

6 is a key type "C".

Fig.7 - module "B" - plan.

Fig - module "B" section.

Fig.9 is a diagram of the rocker switch module "A".

Figure 10 - rocker module "A".

Symbols in the drawings:

1 - the base of the keyboard;

2 - keyboard case;

3 - contact group of the electrical circuit;

4 - key body;

5 - an elastic element of an insulating membrane;

6 - insulating membrane;

7 - resistive ring

(“B” is the width of the resistive ring defining the stiffness class - the sensitivity level of the key);

8 - axis of rocking of the key in the working position;

9 - the axis of swing of the key at the time of removal and installation;

10 - rocker keys (sets the amplitude of the mobility of the axis in the vertical plane);

11 - rocker damper (can be made of any material with a stable value of deformation resistance) - ensures the rocker returns to a neutral position under cyclic load;

12 - key axis foot (allows you to remove and install the key in the module due to its elastic deformation).

Claims (5)

1. Ergonomic keyboard for data entry, containing rocker-type keyboard modules for command and symbolic purposes, standard Power, Sleep, Wake keys and indication tools for them, in which the functionality of a full-sized standard keyboard is fully reproduced with a reduced number of keys, and any character requires pressing no more than 2 keys simultaneously or sequentially without the need to move the operator’s hands relative to the keyboard, the keyboard is divided into two sections, approximately ternary to each other with respect to the central axis (XX), each of which includes two groups of key modules, characterized in that the first of the said groups consists of five key modules designed for four adjacent fingers, with two key modules being addressed to the index finger, and the second of these groups consists of three key modules designed for the thumb, the relative position of the key modules in the section corresponds to the position of each of the fingers, which they take in a natural way In the abnormal state with respect to other fingers, the key modules in the first group are parallel or radially at a slight angle to each other, within the range of possible adjacent angles between outstretched fingers, the key modules of the second group are located within the range of motion of the thumb, with each finger the operator’s hands correspond to the key module intended for him or a group of key modules, the second group of key modules in each section is located at an angle to the key pits of the first group in accordance with the natural range of mobility of the thumbs. 2. The ergonomic keyboard according to claim 1, characterized in that the key modules are grouped as shown in figure 1, where the positions of "A", "B", "C", "D", "E", "F" , “G”, “H”, “J”, “K”, “L”, “M”, “N”, “O”, “P”, “R” are designated three-position key modules having three contact activation groups corresponding to various symbols or processing commands, and the key modules indicated by the positions "A", "D", "E", "F", "L", "M", "N", "R" also contain 1- position keys for entering processing commands and functions, “U” - scroll wheel, “S” - button How to activate the cursor controls. 3. The ergonomic keyboard according to claim 2, characterized in that when the activation button "S" is pressed, the keys "O" and "P" perform the functions of the right and left keys of the mouse. 4. The ergonomic keyboard according to claim 1, characterized in that the command keys are activated by the same type of movements of the operator’s fingers, different from the same type of movements by activating the symbolic keys. 5. The ergonomic keyboard according to claim 1, characterized in that it provides the ability to individually adjust the sensitivity of the keys.

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