JPH10207599A - Keyboard - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To adapt the keyboard to both a right-handed and a left-handed operator by providing a mouse ball in the center of a housing below an array of key tops and arranging mouse buttons below the mouse ball along an arc having its center at the mouse ball. SOLUTION: The keyboard 1 constituted including the mouse ball 6 which is provided in the center of the housing below the array of key tops and the mouse buttons 7 and 8 which are arranged below the mouse ball 6 along the arc having its center at the mouse ball 6. When the right-handed operator uses the keyboard, the operator can press the mouse button 7 while rotating the mouse ball 6 with the right hand naturally placed. When the left-handed operator uses the keyboard, the operator can press the mouse button 8 while rotating the mouse ball 6 with the left hand naturally placed. To press the mouse button 7, the ring finger or little finger is used.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a keyboard,
Related to a keyboard equipped with a pointing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional keyboard will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the related art. The keyboard shown in FIG. 3 has a mouse ball 6 attached to the right of the arrangement of the character keys 3, and mouse buttons 2a to 2c attached to the upper right of the mouse ball 6. (See, for example,
In this manner, the thumb is applied to the mouse ball 6 with the right hand naturally opened, the index finger is applied to the mouse button 2a, the middle finger is applied to the mouse button 2b, and the ring finger is applied to the mouse button 2c. With such an arrangement, it is easy to operate the mouse buttons 2a to 2c simultaneously while operating the mouse ball 6.

[0004]

Since the conventional keyboard described above is difficult to operate by a left-handed operator, a mouse ball is attached to the left side of the arrangement of the character keys 3, and a mouse button is provided at the upper left of the mouse ball. There is a drawback that a keyboard with a must be prepared.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a keyboard having a mouse ball provided at a position lower than an arrangement of key tops at a center of a housing and a position lower than the mouse ball. And a plurality of mouse buttons arranged along an arc centered on the mouse ball.

In a keyboard according to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, when the thumb of the right hand (or the left hand) is put on the mouse button, the mouse ball is arranged at a position where the index finger of the right hand (or the left hand) is engaged. .

In a keyboard according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, when the thumb of the right hand (or the left hand) is put on the mouse button, the mouse ball is arranged at a position where the middle finger of the right hand (or the left hand) is applied. .

[0008]

Next, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention. The keyboard shown in FIG. 1 includes a mouse ball 6 provided at a position below the key top arrangement at the center of the housing,
The position below the mouse ball 6 and the mouse ball 6
And a plurality of mouse buttons 7, 8 arranged along an arc centered at.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are top views showing one use example of the present invention. FIG. 2B shows a case in which the right-handed operator uses the device. When the right hand 15 is placed naturally, the index finger or the middle finger is applied to the mouse ball 6 and the thumb is applied to the mouse button 7. The mouse button 7 can be pressed while pressing.

FIG. 2A shows a case where a left-handed operator uses the camera. The index finger or the middle finger is applied to the mouse ball 6 while the left hand 14 is naturally placed, and the thumb is applied to the mouse button 8. The mouse button 8 can be pressed while rotating. When the mouse button 7 is to be pressed, the ring finger or the little finger may be used.

[0012]

According to the keyboard of the present invention, since the mouse ball is set at the center instead of being provided at the left end or the right end, it is possible to cope with right-handed and left-handed operators.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are top views showing one usage example of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Keyboard 2 Mouse Button 3 Alphanumeric / Kana Key 4 Numeric Keypad 5 Function Key 6 Mouse Ball 7 Mouse Button 8 Mouse Button 14 Left Hand 15 Right Hand

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A mouse ball provided at a position lower than an arrangement of key tops in a center of a housing, and disposed along an arc at a position lower than the mouse ball and centered on the mouse ball. And a plurality of mouse buttons. 2. The mouse button has a right hand (or a left hand).
The keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the mouse ball is arranged at a position where the right finger (or the left hand) of the index finger touches when the thumb is applied. 3. A right hand (or a left hand) on the mouse button.
The keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the mouse ball is arranged at a position where the middle finger of the right hand (or the left hand) is applied when the thumb is put on the mouse ball.