An input device

Abstract

The invention relates to an input device, comprising a substantially flat housing (1) in the shape of a quadrant of a circle, in which a first keyboard circuit board with an associated first key (2) is placed, wherein the first key (2) is located on a first housing side (3) and is arranged in a fan-shaped manner along a concentric arc section. A second keyboard circuit board with an associated second key (4) is placed in the housing (1), wherein the second key is located on a second housing side (5) facing away from the first housing side (3), and the layout of the second key (4) is mirror-inverted with respect to the layout of the first key (2). In addition, a detection element for determining the current orientation of the input device is also provided in the housing (1). The detection element activates only the keyboard circuit board facing upwards according to different orientations, and deactivates the other keyboard circuit board.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an input device, which comprises a substantially flat shell approximately in the shape of a quarter-circle sector, in which a first keyboard circuit board with an associated first key is placed, wherein the first key is located on the first shell side of the shell and is arranged in a fan shape along a concentric circular arc segment. Background Art

[0002] In today's working environment, more and more areas are involved in working with computers. The keyboard is one of the most important input devices for computer work, and there are many ways to improve the ergonomics of the keyboard in order to achieve fatigue-free work that does not burden the user. From a practical point of view, the optimal ergonomics are usually limited to the fact that the layout of the keyboard should not deviate too much from the commonly known and largely standardized layout and should be competitive with cheap conventional keyboards in terms of its manufacturing costs.

[0003] In particular, for disabled persons who can use only one hand, for example, there are practically no affordable solutions suitable for the general public that would make working at a personal computer easier. If there are any, then in most cases only special solutions are known, such as described in patent document patcit 0001: US 2001021332--A--, which, on the one hand, are very expensive to manufacture, since a complex arrangement of keys and circuit boards is necessary, and, on the other hand, require a high degree of training for the user, since the key layout deviates completely from the known standard layout.

[0004] For example, a simpler solution is disclosed in patent document patcit0002: KR 20120070162, in which the keys are arranged in a fan-shaped semicircle, wherein the cursor keys are placed in the area of ​​the center point. This keyboard can at least be implemented on a known flat keyboard circuit board and is largely guided by a standard layout. However, it has the disadvantage that the user's hand has to be turned back and forth 180 degrees, which leads to excessive wrist fatigue during long working hours. In addition, the keyboard can only be made very small so that the upper row of keys can be reached without the palm accidentally operating the cursor keys. This makes it difficult to type quickly and smoothly.

[0005] Patent document patcit0003:AT 15344--U1 discloses a one-handed keyboard, which can be produced at low cost using a flat keyboard circuit board like a traditional keyboard. The keys are arranged in a fan-shaped manner in a quarter-circle sector along concentric arc sections. The palm rest is located in the top area of ​​the keyboard, and the palm rest allows the hand to easily access all the keys. Although this keyboard has solved the above problems, it is still found in practice that there are other needs for improvement. In this way, the above keyboard does not take into account whether the user is right-handed or left-handed. Since most people are right-handed, most mass-produced products are also produced for them, among which, for example, the arrangement of keys on the keyboard, especially the position of control keys, cursor trackballs, etc., is not so ideal for left-handed people. However, in addition to being used by disabled people, one-handed keyboards also have advantages in many behavioral activities, such as when people use their second hand to perform different activities, and computer input must be performed at this time. This, for example, involves input at production machines, inventory counting activities, calculation work, etc. Here, depending on different activities, it often happens that the user uses the dominant hand for the original activity and uses the other hand to perform computer input.

[0006] Patent document patcit0004: JP S62152031 discloses a double-sided keyboard, which has keys on the front and back sides. The two keyboards have different arrangements with respect to the character sets used. Thus, people with different language requirements can operate the same computer without having to swap input devices. The document does not mention the type of switching in more detail. Summary of the invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to improve the above-mentioned one-handed keyboard so that it is more ergonomic and can be manufactured at a low cost, i.e. the user can use it optimally with the right hand or the left hand in an optimized manner. In addition, the manufacturing costs should be kept as low as possible, so that the product can be used on a larger scale and at a low cost.

[0008] According to the invention, this object is achieved in the following manner: a second keyboard circuit board with an associated second key is placed in the housing, wherein the second key is located on a second housing side facing away from the first housing side of the housing, and wherein the layout of the second key is mirror-inverted relative to the layout of the first key, and a detection element for determining the current orientation of the input device is also provided in the housing, wherein the detection element activates only the keyboard circuit board facing upwards according to different orientations, and deactivates the other. For manufacturing costs, electronic components are no longer a decisive factor at this time. Most of the costs generated here fall on the injection molding tool for manufacturing the housing and the keys. Therefore, the provision of a second keyboard circuit board does not excessively increase the manufacturing costs. The two sides of the key are constructed essentially the same, only the arrangement is different, which is why the cost can also be kept low here. Since only one type of housing needs to be manufactured, even for the housing, no higher costs are generated than the above-mentioned keyboard according to the prior art. The user can simply place the input device according to the invention in front of him in the orientation required for the left hand or the right hand, and the detection element identifies which of the two keyboard circuit boards faces upwards and activates the keyboard circuit board, and deactivates the other. Even if multiple people with different usage preferences work on one device, each user can simply turn the input device over during running operation and activate the other accordingly.

[0009] According to a further advantageous feature, a projection is provided in the top region of the circular sector-shaped housing, to which a hand rest which can be plugged can be connected, wherein the projections are symmetrically arranged so that the hand rest can be plugged optionally in one of two possible orientations of the input device. The raised hand rest enables the user to rest his hand comfortably in the top region of the input device when working at the keyboard for a long time and thus to reach all keys comfortably without excessive wrist strain. When changing the orientation, the hand rest can be simply removed and, after turning the keyboard over, plugged back into the corresponding projection.

[0010] Another advantageous feature is that a latching projection or, conversely, a recess is provided on the housing and / or the hand rest for fastening the hand rest in the corresponding plug-in position. In order to hold the hand rest on the housing of the input device in a manner recognizable to the user, it is advantageous if the hand rest is snapped into the plug-in position on the housing.

[0011] Alternatively or additionally thereto, another advantageous feature is that a magnetic connection element is provided on the housing and / or the hand rest for fastening the hand rest in the corresponding plug-in position. In addition to a mechanical latch, a magnetic connection element can also be provided between the hand rest and the housing. The advantage of a magnetic connection element is that it can be placed completely invisibly inside the housing or the hand rest, thereby achieving a smooth, easier-to-clean outer housing.

[0012] According to a possible implementation, the detection element is a position sensor, such as an acceleration sensor or a tilt sensor. Currently, the cost of these sensors is quite low and they are widely used in, for example, tablet computers or mobile phones.

[0013] According to an alternative embodiment, the detection element is formed by electrical contacts arranged on the housing, wherein the contact points are arranged symmetrically on both housing sides and wherein, in each case for the inserted hand rest, only one of the contact points on the housing side is connected to the corresponding mating contact on the hand rest, whereby the orientation of the input device is determined by the insertion direction of the hand rest. Since the hand rest must be unplugged and plugged in again when changing the orientation of the input device, a suitable keyboard circuit board can be activated by establishing electrical contact.

[0014] A further advantageous feature is that buttons are arranged on both sides of the projection of the housing for the hand rest, wherein, depending on the orientation of the inserted hand rest, only one of the two buttons can be actuated via the hand rest. This additional button can be freely programmed or, for example, can also be used to unlock the keyboard, so that the associated keyboard circuit board is only activated when the hand rest is placed on the hand rest.

[0015] Finally, another advantageous feature is that support projections are arranged on the housing towards both sides, which are higher than the keys located on the corresponding housing side in the unloaded state. The support projections can be implemented, for example, as bridges above and below the corresponding keys. This ensures that keys that are in the deactivated state on the corresponding downwardly oriented housing side are not pressed during use. Since the associated keyboard circuit board is just deactivated in this state, pressing will not have any effect on the function of the input device, but will convey an unreliable and shaking feeling to the user. On the contrary, the support projections enable the input device to be reliably and firmly mounted on a stable base surface. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first housing side of an input device in the form of a one-handed keyboard according to the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 Is from Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of a second housing side of an input device according to the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 Is from Figure 1 A side view of an input device according to the present invention;

[0019] Figure 4 Is from Figure 1 An exploded view of an input device according to the present invention with a removed palm rest. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The invention will now be described in more detail based on an embodiment and with the aid of the accompanying drawings:

[0021] Figure 1 The input device according to the invention shown in the figure has a housing 1, in which two keyboard circuit boards oriented opposite to each other are arranged. One of them points upwards and is connected to a first key 2, which extends through a corresponding opening on a first housing side 3. A hand rest 7 is arranged in the top area of ​​the housing 1 in the shape of a quarter circle sector. The hand rest 7 can be, for example, a rubber pad inserted on the housing 1.

[0022] Support protrusions 10 are located above and below the first key 2, and these support protrusions are in the form of ribs in the shape of arc segments that are also arranged concentrically with each other. Figure 2 Shown in Figure 1 The input device is shown in the other orientation. To this end, the palm rest 7 is removed, the input device is turned over and the palm rest 7 is then inserted again. In the second orientation, the second housing side 5 is now oriented upward. The second keys 4 of the second keyboard circuit board are arranged in a layout that is mirror-inverted to the layout of the first keys 2. As a result, the input device can be easily adapted to right-handed or left-handed people, with each user enjoying the same ergonomic advantages.

[0023] Figure 3 The input device is shown from the side, wherein the two housing sides 3, 5 and the keys 2, 4 of the two keyboard circuit boards can be seen. The support projection 10 can also be clearly seen, which is slightly higher than the keys 2, 4 and thus serves as a support point for the input device on the base surface.

[0024] Figure 4The input device according to the invention is shown with the hand rest 7 removed, whereby the projection 6 is visible in the top region of the housing 1, onto which the hand rest 7 can be inserted. A key 9 is schematically shown on the projection 6, which can be actuated by pressing the hand rest 7 when the hand rest 7 is inserted. Furthermore, a contact point 8 is shown, which, when inserted in the corresponding orientation, establishes an electrical connection with a corresponding mating contact on the hand rest 7 and thus serves in this embodiment as a detection element for the oriented input device.

Claims

1. An input device, comprising a flat housing (1) in the shape of a quarter-circle sector, in which a first keyboard circuit board with an associated first key (2) is placed, wherein: The first key (2) is located on the first shell side (3) and is arranged in a fan shape along a concentric arc segment, and a second keyboard circuit board with an associated second key (4) is placed in the shell (1), and the second key is located on the second shell side (5) facing away from the first shell side (3), characterized in that the layout of the second key (4) is mirror-opposite to the layout of the first key (2), and a detection element for determining the current orientation of the input device is also provided in the shell (1), wherein the detection element activates only the corresponding upward-facing keyboard circuit board according to different orientations and deactivates the other keyboard circuit board.

2. The input device according to claim 1, characterized in that A protrusion (6) is arranged in the top area of ​​the circular sector-shaped housing (1), and a hand rest (7) which can be inserted onto the protrusion can be connected to the protrusion, wherein the protrusion (6) is constructed symmetrically so that the hand rest (7) can be optionally inserted in one of the two orientations of the input device.

3. The input device according to claim 2, characterized in that A locking protrusion or a conversely recessed portion is provided on the housing (1) and / or the hand rest (7) for fastening the hand rest (7) in a corresponding insertion position.

4. The input device according to claim 3, characterized in that A magnetic connection element for fastening the hand rest (7) in the corresponding insertion position is provided on the housing (1) and / or the hand rest (7).

5. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The detection element is a position sensor, an acceleration sensor or a tilt sensor.

6. The input device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that: The detection element is formed by electrical contact points (8) arranged on the housing (1), wherein the electrical contact points (8) are symmetrically arranged on the two housing sides (3, 5), and wherein, correspondingly for the inserted hand rest (7), only the electrical contact points (8) on the housing sides (3, 5) are connected to the corresponding matching contact parts on the hand rest (7), whereby the orientation of the input device is determined by the insertion direction of the hand rest (7).

7. The input device according to claim 6, characterized in that On the projection (6) of the housing (1) for the hand rest (7), buttons (9) are arranged facing both sides, wherein, depending on the orientation of the inserted hand rest (7), only one of the two buttons (9) can be operated via the hand rest (7).

8. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: Support protrusions (10) are arranged on both sides of the housing (1), respectively, and are higher than the buttons (2, 4) located on the corresponding housing sides (3, 5) in a non-loaded state.

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