Abstract:
The present invention provides for a number pad section of a keyboard having a plurality of digit keys, a plurality of arithmetic operation keys, and a Tab key operational by the ring or little finger of the operator&#39;s hand.

Description:
REFERENCE TO PENDING APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/558,931 filed on Apr. 2, 2004 entitled MODIFIED COMPUTER KEYBOARD. 

   REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
   This application is not referenced in any microfiche appendix. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally toward entering data into a computer system or a similar device, more specifically the present invention directed toward a keyboard having a modified number pad. 
   2. Background 
   The standard configuration for keyboards includes an alphanumeric section, function section, editing section and a number pad section. The alphanumeric section includes keys for each of the letters, digits from 0 to 9, punctuation keys and the tab key. The tab key is typically located along the upper left hand side of this section. The left hand pinky finger is usually used to activate this key. The function section is typically located above the alphanumeric section and includes a series of function keys. An editing section typically located to the right of the alpha numeric section includes arrow keys and other types of editing keys, which include the insert and delete keys. 
   The number pad section typically located to the right of the editing section. Includes keys from the 0 to 9 digits along with the various arithmetic keys including the divide, multiply, subtract and plus keys along with a enter key. A number lock key is typically included in this section in the upper left most corner. The arithmetic keys are typically located above and to the right of the 9 digit keys. 
   The standard keyboard configuration disadvantage is that the tab key is not included in the numeric section even though the tab key is frequently used in data entry. In an effort to resolve this disadvantage is set forth a U.S. Patent Application 20020159811 published on Oct. 31, 2002, which includes a tab key in place of the number lock key in the numeric section of the keyboard. This attempt however, while resolving this issue of providing a tab key in the numeric section creates an unbalanced and in efficient placement of ones hand in order to activate the tab key. There is a need for an improved keyboard that attempts to provide a more efficient numeric section to the keyboard. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention satisfies the needs discussed above. The present invention is generally directed toward a keyboard. More specifically, the present invention is directed toward a keyboard having a modified numeric section, which has an additional tab key. 
   One aspect of the present invention includes having a number pad section of a keyboard having a tab key contained therein. The tab key is located to the right of the established keys of the typical number pad section, more particularly, to the right of the enter key and the arithmetic keys. 
   Another aspect of the present invention is directed toward a keyboard having a modified number pad section having a tab key and an escape key located to the right side of the enter key and the arithmetic keys. By having the addition of the escape key, an incorrectly entered number can be erased with this escape key with one key stroke with the right hand finger. 
   By positioning the tab key outside of the standard number pad, the user is able to enter the numbers without breaking the rhythm of said entry and by not using the left hand for tabbing allows the left hand to be dedicated to handling documents or other papers that data is being entered from. This is shown by the ability to leave fingers over the digit keys utilizing the lowest ring or pinky finger to activate the tab key. By placing the tab key in another position in the numeric section requires the user to lift the fingers away from the digit keys causing delay and accuracy in entry. 
   Upon reading the above description, various alternative embodiments will become obvious to those skilled in the art. These embodiments are to be considered within the scope and spirit of the subject invention, which is only to be limited by the claims which follow and their equivalents. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a prospective view of a prior art keyboard 
       FIG. 2  is a second prospective view the prior art keyboard in  FIG. 1   
       FIG. 3  is a prospective view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a prospective view of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The attached drawing demonstrates an embodiment of the present invention. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in a variety of ways. It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
   The general layout for most computer keyboards is shown in  FIG. 1 . A standard keyboard  10  layout includes an alphanumeric section  12 , an editing section  14 , a number pad section  16 , and a function section  18 . The alphanumeric section  12 , sometimes referred to as the “QWERTY” section, typically includes keys for each of the letters of the alphabet, the digits 0-9, and various punctuation symbols. The editing section  14 , located to the right of the alphanumeric section  12 , typically includes four arrow keys for controlling the cursor, and Insert, Delete, Home, End, PageUp, and PageDown keys. The number pad section  16  is located to the right of the editing section  14 , typically includes keys for each of the digits 0-9 and arithmetic operation symbol keys. The function section  18  includes function keys. 
   A conventional key configuration for a number pad section  20  is shown on a keyboard  22  in  FIG. 2 . The number pad section  20  includes Digit 0-9 keys, respectively designated by reference numerals  30 - 39 , arithmetic operation keys including a Divide “/” key  40 , a Multiply “*” key  42 , a Subtract “−” key  44 , and an Addition “+” key  46 , a Decimal Separator key  48 , a NumLock key,  50 , and an Enter key  52 . The Digit 1-9 keys  31 - 39  are organized in a three-by-three array. The Digit 0 key  30  and the Decimal Separator key  48  are disposed below that array. The arithmetic operation keys  40 - 46  are disposed above and to the right of the array of the Digit 1-9 keys  31 - 39 . The NumLock key  50  is positioned in the upper left corner of the number pad section  20  above the Digit 7 key  37 . The Enter key  52  is positioned in the bottom right corner of the numeric section  20  to the right of the Decimal Separator key  48  and the Digit 3 key  33 . A common variation to this configuration includes switching the Digit 1, Digit 2 and Digit 3 keys  31 - 33  with the Digit 7, Digit 8, and Digit 9 keys  37 - 39  so that the Digit keys  31 - 39  resemble a telephone key number system rather than a calculator key number system. 
   The number pad section  20  on the keyboard  22  is typically utilized in many different types of applications where the data entry of numbers is a frequent occurrence. Some examples of such applications include accounting programs, tax programs, spreadsheets, databases, and e-commerce programs on websites. 
   Exemplary keyboard designs in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention are shown in  FIGS. 3-4  and designated by reference numeral  60 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , the keyboard  60  includes an alphanumeric section  64 , an editing section  66 , a number pad section  68 , and a function section  70 . For reference purposes, the keyboard  60  has a front edge  112  adjacent the user during normal use, a back edge  114  distal from the user during normal use, a left edge  116  to the left side of the user during normal use and a right edge  118  to the right side of the user during normal use. 
   The alphanumeric section  64 , sometimes referred to as the QWERTY section, includes keys for each of the letters of the alphabet, each of the digits 0-9, and various punctuation symbols. The editing section  66 , preferably located immediately to the right of the alphanumeric section  64 , preferably includes four cursor control arrow keys  80 , and Delete, Home, End, PageUp, and PageDown keys  82 . The number pad section  68 , is preferably to the right of the editing section  66 . The function section  70  preferably includes a horizontal row of keys above the alphanumeric section  64 , editing section  66 , and number pad section  68 . In a preferred arrangement, thirteen function keys are located above the alphanumeric section  64  and preferably grouped and labeled for their function as shown. 
   The number pad section  68  includes Digit 0-9 keys  80 - 89 ; arithmetic operation keys  90 - 93  including a Divide “/” key  90 , a Multiply “*” key  91 , a Subtract “−” key  92 , and an Addition “+” key  93 ; a Decimal Separator key  94 ; a Tab key,  95 ; and/or an Enter key  96 . The Digit 1-9 keys  80 - 89 , are organized in a three-by-three array. Digit 0 key  80  and the Decimal Separator key  94  are disposed below that array. The arithmetic operation keys  90 - 93  are disposed above and to the right of the array of digit keys,  61 - 69 . The Enter key  96  is positioned in the bottom right corner of the number pad section  68  to the right of the Decimal Separator key  94  and the Digit 3 key  83 . The Tab key  95  is positioned to the right of the a Subtract “−” key  92 , and an Addition “+” key  93  and the Enter key  96 . 
   By having the Tab key  95  located to the right of the a Subtract “−” key  92 , and an Addition “+” key  93 ; and/or an Enter key  96  various drawbacks of conventional keyboards are eliminated. Such drawbacks include having to use a mouse to switch cells or fields, or the need to awkwardly and inefficiently locate and depress the Tab key  101  on the QWERTY or alphanumeric section  64 . Accordingly, in use, the user can activate all of the digit keys  80 - 89 , the arithmetic operation keys  90 - 93 , the Tab key  95 , and the other keys  94  and  96  in the number pad section  68  efficiently with one hand. 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , another embodiment of the present invention includes adding an “Escape” key  120  to the keyboard  60 . “Escape” key  120  is placed just above Tab key  95  and is also to the right of the a Subtract “−” key  92 , and an Addition “+” key  93  and the Enter key  96 . This allows the user to also have the functionality of the “Escape” key available for use with one hand. This allows an incorrectly entered number to be erased with one keystroke with the right hand fingers. 
   While the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is manifest that many changes may be made in the details of construction and the arrangement of components without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. It is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein for purposes of exemplification.