A computer keyboard

Abstract

This invention discloses a computer keyboard, including a main keyboard area comprising all the letter keys of a QWERTY keyboard. The letter keys are divided into a left-hand operation letter key group and a right-hand operation letter key group; the two groups are spatially separated. The main keyboard area also includes a 3×3 key array arranged between the left-hand and right-hand operation letter key groups. The keys in the 3×3 key array are configured to perform one of the following functions: (a) numeric input; (b) editing; (c) selectively implementing editing and numeric input functions by switching modes. This invention enables a neat 3×3 key array on the main keyboard for numeric input and / or editing functions, providing convenient operation from both left and right hands, and a natural and comfortable hand position. It is suitable for various product types such as desktop computer keyboards, laptop keyboards, and tablet keyboards.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of computer input device technology, specifically to a computer keyboard applicable to various products such as desktop computer keyboards, laptop keyboards, and tablet keyboards. Background Technology

[0002] Current computer keyboards generally use the QWERTY layout, which is the most common character input layout, and users have developed stable operating habits. The existing QWERTY keyboard's 3x3 numeric input array (which is reused for editing functions) is located on the right side of the main keyboard area. This array can be used to input the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, and can also be used for editing functions by toggling a switch. However, when operating this array, the right hand needs to move a considerable distance to operate it, which is inconvenient and unsuitable for left-handed operation. Furthermore, with the current layout, when users operate the letter keys with both hands, their hands are placed too close together, which can easily lead to fatigue during prolonged use.

[0003] A small number of laptop keyboards incorporate a numeric keypad within the main keyboard area. However, these numeric keypads employ an "attached" design, meaning they share key positions with the character keys on the main keyboard area of ​​a standard QWERTY keyboard, requiring a toggle switch for numeric input and editing. The arrangement of these keypads is constrained by the natural staggered layout of the original character keys, preventing the creation of a neat and orderly array structure. This makes touch typing difficult and significantly diminishes the user experience compared to a dedicated numeric keypad on the right side of the main keyboard area on a typical keyboard. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a computer keyboard designed to solve the problems in the prior art where users cannot conveniently operate the numeric input array and / or editing function array with their left and right hands when their left and right hands are on the letter area, and where the spacing between the keys when both hands are operating the letter keys does not meet ergonomic requirements.

[0005] The technical solution of the present invention: A computer keyboard, comprising a main keyboard area, wherein the main keyboard area includes all the letter keys of a QWERTY keyboard main keyboard area, the letter keys being divided into a left-hand operation letter key group and a right-hand operation letter key group; the two groups of keys are spatially separated; the main keyboard area further includes a 3×3 key array; the key array is arranged between the left-hand operation letter key group and the right-hand operation letter key group; the keys in the 3×3 key array are configured to perform one of the following functions: (a) numeric input function; (b) editing function; (c) selectively implementing numeric input function and editing function by switching modes.

[0006] Further, the arrangement of the left-hand operation letter key group and the right-hand operation letter key group is one of the following: (a) The first row of the left-hand operation letter key group: Q, W, E, R, T; the second row: A, S, D, F, G; the third row: Z, X, C, V, B; the first row of the right-hand operation letter key group: Y, U, I, O, P; the second row: H, J, K, L; the third row: N, M; (b) The first row of the left-hand operation letter key group: Q, W, E, R, T; the second row: A, S, D, F, G; the third row: Z, X, C, V, B; the first row of the right-hand operation letter key group: Y, U, I, O, P; the second row: H, J, K, L; the third row: B, N, M.

[0007] Furthermore, the front of the 3×3 key array is provided with asterisk (*), forward slash ( / ), minus (-), and plus (+) function keys, and the rear of the key array is provided with a 0 key and a decimal point (.) key for calculation purposes.

[0008] Furthermore, the computer keyboard is equipped with a left space key and a right space key; the left space key is located behind the letter keys C and V; the right space key is located behind the letter keys N and M.

[0009] Furthermore, a cursor movement button group is provided on the rear side of the 3×3 button array.

[0010] Compared with existing technologies, the advantages of this invention are as follows: 1. This invention integrates a 3×3 key array within the main keyboard area for numeric input and / or editing functions. Whether the left or right hand is on the letter keys, the array can be easily operated, significantly improving input efficiency and solving the problem of inconvenient operation due to the excessive distance of the independent numeric keypad in existing technologies. 2. This invention splits the letter keys into two separate areas, increasing the spacing between the user's hands when operating the letter keys, which is more ergonomic and reduces user fatigue even during prolonged use. 3. The 3×3 key array of this invention does not rely on the character keys on the main keyboard area, making it easy to achieve neat arrangement and providing the same user experience as the numeric keypad array on the right side of a standard keyboard's main keyboard area. Attached Figure Description Figure 1 This is a detailed layout diagram of the computer keyboard according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a detailed layout diagram of the computer keyboard according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; Figure 3This is a detailed layout diagram of the computer keyboard according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention; the markings in the diagram are as follows: 10: 3x3 key array; 20: left-hand operation letter key group; 30: right-hand operation letter key group; 30a: right-hand operation letter key group; 40: cursor movement key group; 50: switch for switching between number input and editing functions; 51: left space key; 52: right space key; 53: 0 key; 54: decimal point key; 60: left B key; 61: right B key. Detailed Implementation The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. The drawings include forward and backward arrows as references for describing the orientation of technical features.

[0011] Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the detailed keyboard layout is as follows: Figure 1 As shown, the computer keyboard in this embodiment includes a main keyboard area, which includes all the letter keys of a QWERTY keyboard. These letter keys are divided into a left-hand operation letter key group 20 and a right-hand operation letter key group 30, which are spatially separated. The main keyboard area also includes a 3×3 key array 10, which is arranged between the left-hand operation letter key group 20 and the right-hand operation letter key group 30. The keys in the 3×3 key array 10 are configured to perform numeric input and editing functions, and can be switched between these two functions via a switch 50.

[0012] In this embodiment, the left-hand operation letter key group 20 is arranged as follows: First row: Q, W, E, R, T; Second row: A, S, D, F, G; Third row: Z, X, C, V, B; The right-hand operation letter key group 30 is arranged as follows: First row: Y, U, I, O, P; Second row: H, J, K, L; Third row: N, M.

[0013] The shared key relationship of the keys in the 3×3 key array 10 for numeric input and editing functions is the same as that of the numeric keypad on the right side of the main keyboard area of ​​a normal QWERTY keyboard.

[0014] like Figure 1As shown, in this embodiment, the B key is located in the left-hand operation letter key group 20, i.e., the left B key 60. In this embodiment, the front of the 3×3 key array 10 also has addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division function keys for calculation, i.e., + key, - key, * key, and / key; the rear of the 3×3 key array 10 has a number 0 key 53 and a decimal point key 54 for convenient calculation. This embodiment also includes two space keys, a left space key 51 and a right space key 52. ​​The left space key 51 is located behind the letter keys C and V, and the right space key 52 is located behind the letter keys N and M. The two space keys can be connected in parallel to achieve the same space input function. In this embodiment, a cursor movement key group 40 is also located on the rear of the 3×3 key array 10.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this embodiment are as follows: Compared with the built-in numeric array of laptops that reuses character keys on the right side of the main keyboard in the prior art, the operation experience of this embodiment is closer to the independent numeric key array on the right side of a normal keyboard, resulting in a better user experience; Compared with the independent 3×3 numeric input and editing function key array on the right side of the main keyboard area of ​​a normal keyboard, the array of this embodiment is built into the main keyboard area, so that the key array can be quickly operated whether the left or right hand is on the letter area, without the need to move the right hand significantly; At the same time, the spacing between the user's hands when operating the letter keys is more in line with ergonomic requirements, and it is less tiring to use for a long time.

[0016] Embodiment 2 of the present invention, the detailed keyboard layout is as follows: Figure 2 As shown, this embodiment is largely the same in structure as Embodiment 1. However, the right-hand operation letter key group 30a in this embodiment also includes a B key, as shown by the right B key 61 in the figure. The third row of the right-hand operation letter key group 30a is arranged as: B, N, M. The keys in the 3×3 key array 10 of this embodiment have been adjusted for editing functions. The front left corner is the PageUp key, the front right corner is the PageDown key, the rear left corner is the Home key, and the rear right corner is the End key, which facilitates Chinese input. In addition to the advantages of Embodiment 1, this embodiment also allows users to conveniently operate the B key with their right hand. The left B key 60 and the right B key 61 can be connected in parallel to input the letter B.

[0017] Embodiment 3 of the present invention, the detailed keyboard layout is as follows: Figure 3As shown, the computer keyboard in this embodiment has most of the same structure as that in embodiment 2. Both the left and right letter key groups are equipped with B keys, as shown in the figure: left B key 60 and right B key 61. In this embodiment, compared with embodiment 2, the 3×3 key array 10 is moved forward by one row. The front row of keys of the 3×3 key array 10 in this embodiment is on the same row as the front number row of the QWERTY keyboard. The front number keys 6 and 7 of the QWERTY keyboard are separated to accommodate the front row of the 3×3 key array 10. The 3×3 key array 10 is still located between the left-hand operation letter key group 20 and the right-hand operation letter key group 30a, and the separate layout of the left and right letter key groups has not been changed. The keys in the 3×3 key array 10 in this embodiment are only configured to perform numeric input functions, and no function switching switch is required. Editing keys are arranged around the cursor movement key group 40 for easy access to editing functions.

[0018] The computer keyboard provided by this invention can be directly implemented based on existing keyboard manufacturing processes without the need for additional special equipment or materials, thus possessing excellent industrial applicability. This invention is applicable to various product types, including desktop computer keyboards, laptop keyboards, tablet keyboards, mechanical keyboards, and gaming keyboards.

[0019] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. In this application, "front side" and "rear side" refer to the front and rear direction arrows in the accompanying drawings; the directional descriptions of "left side" and "right side" refer to the left and right directions when used by the user. Those skilled in the art can adjust the directional markings according to actual needs, and all such adjustments fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A computer keyboard, characterized in that, The system includes a main keyboard area comprising all the letter keys of a QWERTY keyboard, which are divided into left-hand and right-hand operation groups; the two groups are spatially separated; the main keyboard area also includes a 3×3 key array positioned between the left-hand and right-hand operation groups; the keys in the 3×3 key array are configured to perform one of the following functions: (a) numeric input; (b) editing; (c) selectively implementing numeric input and editing functions by switching modes.

2. The computer keyboard according to claim 1, characterized in that, The arrangement of the left-hand operation letter key group and the right-hand operation letter key group is one of the following: (a) The first row of the left-hand operation letter key group: Q, W, E, R, T; the second row: A, S, D, F, G; the third row: Z, X, C, V, B; the first row of the right-hand operation letter key group: Y, U, I, O, P; the second row: H, J, K, L; the third row: N, M; (b) The first row of the left-hand operation letter key group: Q, W, E, R, T; the second row: A, S, D, F, G; the third row: Z, X, C, V, B; the first row of the right-hand operation letter key group: Y, U, I, O, P; the second row: H, J, K, L; the third row: B, N, M.

3. The computer keyboard according to claim 1, characterized in that, The front of the 3×3 key array is equipped with asterisk (*), forward slash ( / ), minus (-), and plus (+) function keys, while the rear of the key array is equipped with a 0 key and a decimal point (.) key for calculation purposes.

4. The computer keyboard according to claim 1, characterized in that, The computer keyboard is equipped with a left space key and a right space key; the left space key is located behind the letter keys C and V; the right space key is located behind the letter keys N and M.

5. The computer keyboard according to claim 1, characterized in that, A cursor movement button group is provided on the rear side of the 3×3 button array.

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