Keyboard

A keyboard (1) for use on an electronic device allowing input of both alphabetic and numerical information adapted for use with a minimal number of keys (2-73) and space. The keyboard includes numerical keys (39-41, 51-53, 63-65) arranged in the format used in telephones and a qwerty arrangement of alphabetic keys (32-42, 44-54, 56-65). Multiple function keys (67-69, 71) allow use to create all functions of a computer keyboard for use in a small device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to input devices for electrical devices. In particular, the invention relates to keyboards for use with multi-function devices. With still greater particularity, the invention relates to limited key keyboards for miniature devices.

BACKGROUND ART

Keyboards are used in a wide variety of electrical devices. Many arrays of keys have been developed for use, but the standard QWERTY remains the most popular. Keyboards are used in calculators, phones and several other devices. Miniature devices such as Personal Digital Assistants (PDS) generally use touch screens with a handwriting recognition program, but a few devices use a thumb keyboard for rapid entry of alphanumeric material. A typical device of this type is the Blackberry®manufactured by Research in Motion Limited. To type the numeral one (1) on a Blackberry®, for example, you must first push the Alt key then the Q key. To enter strings of numbers such as telephone numbers, this entry method is quite cumbersome.

A suitable keyboard is an essential element of a new generation of electronic devices which will combine the functions of a personal computer, cell phone, web browser, PDA and calculator. Such devices will have full wireless internet capability and a high resolution display. Add-ons could include global positioning system receivers and imaging equipment. These devices will need a keyboard able to support such functions without being unduly cumbersome. A keyboard for such devices should be able to access all Windows® functions as well as allow easy entry of long streams of numerals and cell phone functions.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

A problem has arisen in keyboard technology where a relatively small keyboard is needed in order to have a small device that accesses many functions. This problem has led to the development of so-called thumb keyboards specializing in e-mail devices where text can be rapidly produced by use of two thumbs for typing. To-date such keyboards are limited to easy production of text. Long numbers are still tedious to type with thumb key boards with many errors. Accordingly, there is a demand for a keyboard which allows rapid production of both text and numbers.

Because of the limited number of keys on a thumb keyboard, the invention makes extensive use of the Shift key and the two Function keys. When the user simply presses a key, the invention generates the lower case character. When the user presses a Shift key followed by another key, the invention generates the upper case letter. When the user presses the first function key followed by another key, the invention generates the character shown in a color corresponding to the first function key. When the user presses the second function key followed by another key, the invention generates the character shown on the chosen key in the color of the second function key.

A portion of the keyboard functions as a telephone keypad. These keys are activated by using a Num Lock key. Keys affected by Num Lock have a colored highlight in the upper right of the key cap. Caps Lock and Num Lock cannot both be set at the same time. When the Num Lock is activated the device functions as a call phone. Additional keys include browser and e-mail activation keys and a joypad with dual triggers for game operation and cursor control. Volume controls and power controls complete the device.

The invention's QWERTY thumb keyboard supports a full compliment of standard Windows keyboard navigation shortcuts including Alt, Ctrl, Del, Tab, Page Down, Home, Page Up, End, and Insert. For convenience with a thumb keyboard, these shortcuts and accelerators use sequential key presses rather than simultaneous. The keyboard is capable of operating in international modes to produce a full set of international characters.

The invention provides a suitable input device for allowing the entry of telephone numbers for direct dialing including Talk and End functions. The numerical operation of the invention is also suitable for operation of programs such as web browsers, spreadsheets and databases, both quickly and efficiently.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1is a top plan view of a device incorporating the keyboard of the invention. The device is shown with a slide-out keyboard1, but an embodiment where all buttons are on a single plane is within the concept of the invention. This device incorporates a number of additional controls to those of keyboard1. The controls include a left trigger2for game use on the device top which is also a duplicate of Tab key. A similar right trigger3on device top which is a duplicate of a Space Bar. A power button4is located on side of the device as are the VOLUME UP6and VOLUME DN7controls. On the top of the device are located a ZOOM control8and a Joypad9which further includes a LEFT ARROW11, a UP ARROW12, a RIGHT ARROW13, a DOWN ARROW14, and a Just Joypad click16which is also a duplicate of the Enter key. The top of the device further includes controls for BACK17which duplicates Esc, HOME/Today18, BROWSER19, EMAIL21, TALK/END22.

FIG. 2is a top plan view of keyboard1of the invention. Keys32-42,44-54and56-65are arranged in a qwerty arrangement to provide an alphabetic keyboard. A shift key69provides access to upper case letters and symbols, the return key66and a space bar70located in the traditional location inserts a blank between characters. Numbers are provided by pressing keys39-41,51-53,63-65and72arranged in a pattern identical to a standard telephone keyboard. A Num Lock key71aids in accessing the numbers. An Escape key31, a Tab Key43, a Alt key55, a Ctrl key68, a Del/backspace key54and minus (−) key42provide standard computer functions. Alternative key assignments are accessed through the Blue Fun key67and Orange Fun key73.

The invention makes extensive use of Shift key69and the two Fun keys67and73. When the user simply presses one of alphabetic keys32-42,44-54or56-65, the invention generates the lower case character, e.g., key60(B) generates (b) represented by the hexadecimal character code value returned by the Windows WM_CHAR message code[42]. When the user presses Shift key69or71, which are either of the up arrow keys (↑)69or70next to Space bar (70) followed by another key, the invention generates the upper case letter, e.g., key (60) B generates (B). When the user presses blue Fun67followed by another key, the invention generates the character shown in blue on the key cap, e.g., key60(B) generates (]) represented by the hexadecimal character code value returned by the Windows WM_CHAR message[DD]. When the user presses orange Fun73followed by another key, the invention generates the character shown in orange on the key cap, e.g., key60(B) generates (') represented by the hexadecimal character code value returned by the Windows WM_CHAR message[DE].

The sequence orange Fun key73followed by Shift key69sets the keyboard into a “Caps Lock” state, where all subsequent alphabetic key presses32-42,44-54or56-65are interpreted as if they were preceded by Shift key69or71. Pressing orange Fun key73followed by Shift key69again clears the Caps Lock state. Similarly, blue Fun key67and Num key71sets the keyboard into a “Num Lock” state. Pressing blue Fun key67and Num key71again clears the Num Lock state. Keys affected by Num Lock39-41,51-53,63-65and72have the blue highlight in the upper right of the key cap. Caps Lock and Num Lock cannot both be set at the same time.

FIG. 3is a chart of key combinations used to produce international and extended characters. Although they are not shown on the keycaps, the invention supports the entry of international characters. To change these settings, the user can access the Regional Settings icon in the Control Panel. The International keyboard layout does not remap the standard US keyboard layout; instead, it creates international characters by assigning certain characters a strikeover function so that the user can add an accent or diacritical mark to a character. It also assigns new functions to orange Fun key73.

When the user generates an APOSTROPHE ('), QUOTATION MARK (“), ACCENT GRAVE ({grave over ( )}), TILDE ({tilde over ( )}), ACCENT CIRCUMFLEX, or CARET (^), nothing appears on the screen until the user generates the second key code. If the user presses one of the letters designated as eligible to receive an accent mark, the accented version of the letter appears. If the user presses an ineligible key, two separate characters appear. The invention automatically accents letters that customarily receive an accent but does not automatically accent letters that do not customarily receive an accent.

The user can press the orange Fun key73and then another character to produce some common extended characters. Most keys on the keyboard produce one or two extended characters in combination with the orange Fun key73. Table 1 is an incomplete list of some of these extended characters:

With the International keyboard, if the user wants to type one of these characters (an APOSTROPHE, QUOTATION MARK, CARET, TILDE, or ACCENT GRAVE) followed by an unaccented letter, the user presses the SPACE BAR after the user presses the key. For example, to type “A girl named Sally,” the user presses orange Fun key73, then A key44(for “), then presses SPACE70, then presses a Shift key69or71, then presses A 44.

Table 2 lists the accented characters created by the US-International keyboard:

Table 3 details the result of all key combinations present in the best mode. The first column lists the state of the device as unshifted, shifted, Fun (orange) or Fun (blue). The second column is the key number fromFIG. 1or FIG.2. The third column is the description and the fourth a symbolic name and the last column is the hexadecimal character code value returned by the Windows WM_CHAR message for each key if applicable.

The present invention has been particularly shown and described with respect to certain preferred embodiments and features thereof. However, it should be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventions as set forth in the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more”. The inventions illustratively disclosed herein may be practiced without any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.