Abstract:
An apparatus of a symmetrical computer keyboard providing for use by a single hand and featuring a key matrix with a combination of keys limited to keys frequently used when playing software computer games. The apparatus features keys in a combinatorial straight grid arrangement and radial arrangement; the most frequently used keys being in the center of key matrix in said straight grid arrangement, and the less frequently used keys being in a radial arrangement. The apparatus is adapted to be equally useful for either the right hand or left hand.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     Not Applicable  
       FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH  
       [0002]     Not Applicable  
       SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM  
       [0003]     Not Applicable  
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     This invention relates to computer keyboards.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     A computer keyboard is primarily meant as a means of inputting data into a computer and is usually operated using both hands positioned side by side for quick access over most keys when typing in data. Where the user desires to use a computer mouse, he/she would generally have to place a single hand away from the keyboard to operate the mouse.  
         [0006]     However, when playing a computer game, a user is often required to operate both the computer mouse and keyboard simultaneously, resulting in a single-handed operation of the keyboard. This manner of operation is a common feature and requirement of computer software games of various genres such as “first-person shooters”, real-time strategy games, simulators (including racing and sports computer games), role-playing computer games or any other computer games requiring fast and accurate responses and reactions from the gamer and where time and timing is of the essence for success in the game.  
         [0007]     Recently, people are taking to computer games more seriously with software gaming competitions involving thousands of participants and with larger prize monies. With these competitions, numerous individuals have taken to become professional ‘gamers’ who train on a constant basis in order to win and obtain larger prize monies; in such situations, quick, split-second response in playing is critical and there is an increasing need to ensure that the keyboard and mouse used by the gamer is appropriate just for the purposes of gaming.  
         [0008]     The conventional ‘QWERTY’ keyboard is suited primarily for data-input activities such as word-processing, but is inadequate in meeting the increasing needs of a computer gamer, and as such, there exists a need for a computer keyboard designed specifically for such needs.  
         [0009]     In light of the above, it is important for a gamer to have his hands positioned properly in relation to the keyboard so as to avoid pressing an erroneous key or becoming momentarily distracted by the numerous keys on a conventional keyboard which may be irrelevant to the game. As examples, the forward slash and back slash, sometimes referred to as solidus and reverse solidus respectively, are generally unused and irrelevant when playing computer software games. As such, there is a need for a computer keyboard featuring only keys which are relevant to the game at hand so as to facilitate the user in focusing and using only the correct keys and to avoid erroneous pressing of irrelevant keys.  
         [0010]     The conventional ‘QWERTY’ keyboard is suitable for two-handed operation and is commonly longer than it is wide. However, in a single-handed operation of the keyboard commonly necessary in playing software games, the user would often have to move his/her hand across the keyboard in accessing various keys. As an example, in a conventional keyboard, the keys are arranged such that the Q button and the ‘Enter’ button are commonly sufficiently far apart as to require a user to move his/her hand across the keyboard in order to press both the buttons in succession. This is unsuitable for the needs of a gamer, as time is wasted moving his/her hand across the keyboard and serves to unnecessarily increase the reaction time of the user; further, the movement of a single hand across the keyboard increases the risk of erroneous pressing of wrong or irrelevant keys.  
         [0011]     Further, for single-handed operation of the keyboard, there is a need to cater to both left-handers and right-handers in relation to the above, as some gamers respond quicker and feel more comfortable using their left-hands in pressing the relevant keys and vice-versa.  
         [0012]     The prior art reveals keyboards for single-handed operation, including U.S. Pat. No. 6,333,734 issued to Rein and U.S. Pat. No. 5,847,697 issued to Sugimoto, both of which feature a smaller number of physical keys and both of which require the combinatory and simultaneous pressing of keys for resolution of character input. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,594 issued to Strøm also features a smaller number of physical keys and resolution of character input is dependent on either the number of successive key presses or the duration over which a key is pressed.  
         [0013]     The single-handed operation keyboards described above are unsuited for playing software games requiring rapid responses from the user.  
         [0014]     The prior art further reveals Chinese Registered Design Numbers CN3389208, CN3372300 and CN3441241, all of which reveal keyboard designs which are non-symmetrical and to be used primarily by the left hand and do not seem to be suitable for right-handed use.  
         [0015]     In addition, in a conventional computer keyboard, it is a common feature that the alphabetical and numeric keys are of the approximate same size partly due to the limited space on a conventional keyboard and partly due to the fact that all one-hundred-and-one keys on a keyboard should be accessible to the user for data-input purposes. Further, it is a common feature of a conventional keyboard for the keys to be arranged in a tiled manner in order to facilitate data input. This feature is unsuited for the purposes of gaming, where it would be more appropriate for the keys to be aligned vertically in order to avoid any confusion as to the position of the keys without any need for the user to visually check the position of his/her fingers in relation to the keys.  
         [0016]     In light of the above, there is a growing demand for computer peripherals such as computer keyboards designed specifically for the purpose of gaming and to facilitate gamers in playing their games more effectively, these needs being beyond the original intended design of the conventional computer keyboard.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]     It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a keyboard ergonomic for the purposes of playing computer software games.  
         [0018]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that enables the comfortable operation of a computer keyboard by a user using a single hand in such manner that all keys on the keyboard are easily accessible without the need for excessive movement of the hand over the keyboard.  
         [0019]     Yet another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus in which the arrangement and configuration of the physical keys on the keyboard are laterally symmetrical so as to facilitate equal comfort levels between right-handed users and left-handed users of the invention. Further, a laterally symmetrical keyboard caters to the lateral symmetry of a hand at rest. A further benefit of a laterally symmetrical keyboard is that in the event where a user tires of using one specific hand in operating the keyboard, he/she is provided with the option of conveniently switching to the other hand without any need for reconfiguring the keyboard. This option of equal ease of use between both hands may also serve to avoid repetitive strain injury, as the user may easily switch hands where strain from constant use by one hand becomes a concern.  
         [0020]     In addition, in considering the industrial application of the invention, a laterally symmetrical keyboard eliminates any requirement for a manufacturer of the keyboard to produce a right-handed version and left-handed version.  
         [0021]     It is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus in which the more frequently used keys are larger and centrally located and arranged in a predetermined matrix to facilitate timely access, thus making these keys more accessible than keys which are used less frequently.  
         [0022]     To achieve the above objects, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus comprises: a laterally symmetrical computer keyboard to be operated using a single hand, featuring a predetermined and limited set of alpha-numeric keys relevant to the playing of computer software games.  
         [0023]     In a primary embodiment, a predetermined set of alphabetical keys which are more frequently used when playing a set of computer games are central to the keyboard and are arranged in a tiled, straight matrix, that is, with the keys being horizontally and vertically aligned in order to facilitate comfortable and timely access.  
         [0024]     Further, a sub-set of frequently used keys are larger in surface area, shaped to be vertically taller and located centrally in order to provide the user with the option of accessing these keys by way of his/her thumb.  
         [0025]     A further predetermined set of alphabetical keys commonly relevant to computer software games but less frequently used are located above, below and to either side of said key matrix.  
         [0026]     In addition, a further set of numerical keys and function keys are radially configured and arranged. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0027]      FIG. 1  is a top view showing key matrix  70  of the invention and keyboard casing  80 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 2  is a top sectional view showing section  30  of the keyboard and the keys located within said section.  
         [0029]      FIG. 3  is a top sectional view showing section  60  of the keyboard and the keys located within said section.  
         [0030]      FIG. 4  is a top sectional view showing section  40  of the keyboard and the keys located within said section.  
         [0031]      FIG. 5  is a top sectional view showing section  50  of the keyboard and the keys located within said section.  
         [0032]      FIG. 6  is a top view showing the invention in relation to a left hand resting in rest position A. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0033]     Within the present description, unless otherwise indicated, it is assumed that a user of the invention is using his/her left hand in operating the apparatus.  
         [0034]      FIG. 1  shows a preferred embodiment of the keyboard  100 , including key matrix  70  of the invention and keyboard casing  80 .  
         [0035]     Keyboard casing  80  of the invention is semi-circular in shape similar to the radial arrangement of a user&#39;s fingertips when his/her hand is placed in rest position RA (shown in  FIG. 6 ).  
         [0036]     Within a primary embodiment, the keys of the invention are physically and laterally symmetrical through the center vertical axis  90  of the keyboard  100 , that is, the physical shape, configuration and arrangement of keys on the left side  102  of the keyboard  100  are a mirror image to the physical shape, configuration and arrangement of keys on the right side  104  of the keyboard  100 . Physically, there is little or no difference in the operation of the keyboard  100  between a left-handed user and a right-handed user.  
         [0037]     The invention may be placed flat on a surface such as a table or may be supported by stands on the underside of the keyboard  100  which can be extended to enable the invention to rest at an angle to the horizontal.  
         [0038]     Further, area  20  is intentionally cut inwards and left empty so as to provide the user with an area to rest his/her palm or to place padding in area  20  for such purpose while ensuring that most of the keys of the keyboard  100  remain within reach.  
         [0039]     As shown in  FIG. 6 , an intended and comfortable position is for the user to place his/her thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger and last finger over keys  5010  (enter key),  3014  ‘D’,  3013  ‘W’,  3012  ‘A’and  4010  ‘shift’ respectively while resting his/her palm in area  20 , referred to in this description as rest position RA.  
         [0040]     A user with his/her left hand in rest position RA would have convenient and rapid access to keys  3021 ,  3022 ,  3023 ,  3031 ,  3032 ,  3033  (see  FIG. 2 ), and all the keys located in section  50  (see  FIG. 5 ) using his/her thumb. Similarly, using his/her index finger from rest position RA, a user would have convenient and rapid access to keys  3014 ,  3005 ,  3006 ,  3007 ,  3015 ,  3023 ,  2007 ,  2008 ,  2009 ,  2010  and  2011 . From rest position RA, the middle finger may be used to access keys  2005 ,  2006 ,  2007 ,  3004 ,  3013 , and  3022 . From rest position RA, the ring finger may be used to access keys  3012 ,  3003 ,  3002 ,  3001 ,  3011 ,  2005 ,  2004 ,  2003 ,  2002  and  2001 . From rest position RA, the last finger may be used to access all keys in section  40 .  
         [0041]      FIG. 2  shows section  30 , being the central section of key matrix  70 . Section  30  is located in the center of key matrix  70  as it involves keys which are most often used when playing computer software games. The keys in the three center columns of section  30  are aligned vertically so as to enable a user to rapidly find these keys by way of touch as his/her index finger, middle finger and ring finger travel up and down said columns. This arrangement reduces the probability of error as fingers travel vertically. This arrangement of vertical alignment of keys is contrasted with a conventional computer keyboard, in which the keys are usually arranged in a staggered, vertically unaligned manner. A left vertical column of keys  32  includes keys  3003 ,  3012 , 3021 , and  3031 ; the middle column of keys  33  is made up of keys  3004 ,  3013 ,  3022  and  3032 ; the right column of keys  34  is made up of keys  3005 ,  3014 ,  3023  and  3033   
         [0042]     Radial key set  38  consists of keys  3001 ,  3002 ,  3003 ,  3004 ,  3005 ,  3006 ,  3007 ,  4009  and  5010  arranged in a radial manner that is similar to the radial positions of the fingertips of a palm resting on key matrix  70  in rest position RA. This radial key set  38  arrangement provides the user with comfortable and quick access from rest position RA in accessing the keys on arc  31  passing through the radial key set  38 . As can be seen in  FIG. 2  there is a set of keys  38  that creates an arc  31  that surrounds a set of keys  39  laid out on horizontal ( 35 , 36 , 37 ) and vertical ( 32 , 33 , 34 ) lines. The combination of commonly used set of keys  39  in the horizontal and vertical lines and the radial arc of keys  38  surrounding them creates an ergonomic keyboard arrangement for the gamer use. As can be seen the center of arc  31  (approximately where vertical line  33  intersects horizontal line  36 ) falls out on the ‘X’ key  3022  which is the approximate center of the horizontal/vertical keyset  39 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 2 and 6  the radial key set  38  is adjacent the finger tips of a user and adjacent the outer edge of the keyboard case.  
         [0043]     Keys  3032 ,  3033  and  3034  are elongated in shape and generally accessed using the index finger, middle finger and ring finger respectively. The elongated shape of these keys provides the user with the additional option of pressing said keys using his/her thumb by moving the thumb beneath his/her palm while fingers remain rested on the keys above.  
         [0044]     In a primary embodiment, within section  30 , keys  3001 ,  3002 ,  3003 ,  3004 ,  3005 ,  3006  and  3007  are keys for the letters K, U, Q, W, E, R and G respectively; key  3011  is a key for tabulation; keys  3012 ,  3013 ,  3014  and  3015  are keys for the letters A, S, D and F respectively; keys  3021 ,  3022  and  3023  are keys for the letters Z, X and C respectively; and keys  3031 ,  3032  and  3033  are keys for the letters I, P and V respectively.  
         [0045]     All keys located in section  40  (see  FIG. 4 ) are accessed by the user using his/her last finger; further, all keys located in section  50  are accessed by the user using his/her thumb. Keys  4005 ,  4006 ,  4009 ,  4010 ,  5005 ,  5006 ,  5009  and  5010  feature a larger surface area as they are generally accessed more frequently. The large, rounded ends  4011 ,  4012  and  5011 ,  5012  of keys  4009 ,  4010 ,  5009  and  5010  respectively provide for comfortable pressing of these keys where the thumb is used.  
         [0046]     In a primary embodiment, within section  40 , key  4001  is an ‘escape’ key, also referred to as ‘esc’ key; key  4002  and  4003  are volume increase and volume decrease keys respectively; key  4004  is a key to switch on and off lights from within the keyboard; keys  4005 ,  4007  and  4008  are keys for the letters J, Y and O respectively; key  4006  is an ‘enter’ key; key  4009  is a ‘shift’ key; and key  4010  is a ‘control’ key, also referred to as ‘ctrl’ key.  
         [0047]     In a primary embodiment, within section  50 , keys  5001 ,  5005 ,  5006 ,  5007 ,  5008  and  5009  are keys for the letters L, B, H, N, M and T respectively; key  5002  is a key serving as a caps lock; key  5003  is a key for the tilde mark; key  5004  is a key to switch on and off lights a projector light from within the keyboard; and key  5010  is a key for the ‘space’ character.  
         [0048]     All keys positioned in section  60  are arranged in a radial manner that is similar to the radial positions of the fingertips of a palm resting on key matrix  70 . This radial arrangement provides the user with comfortable access from rest position RA in accessing keys in section  60 .  
         [0049]     In a primary embodiment, within section  60 , key  2001  is a key for ‘alternate’, also referred to as ‘alt’; keys  6002 ,  6003 ,  6004 ,  6005 ,  6006 ,  6007 ,  6008 ,  6009 ,  6010 ,  6011  are keys for 0 to 9 respectively and lay on a second arc  61  surrounding the first key arc  31 ; and keys  6012 ,  6013 ,  6014 ,  6015 ,  6016 ,  6017 ,  6018 ,  6019 ,  6020 ,  6021 ,  6022  and  6023  are for function keys F1 to F12 and these lay on a third arc  63  surrounding the first and second arcs.  
         [0050]     Within this description, as mentioned for a primary embodiment, a specific set of alphabets, numbers, functions and symbols has been ascribed to the keys within key matrix  70 ; however, in further embodiments, further sets of alphabets, numbers, functions and symbols different and dissimilar to the specific set mentioned may be ascribed in different and dissimilar combinations and arrangements.