CN201122272Y - Input device with thumb key - Google Patents

Abstract

An input device with a thumb key comprises a body, a plurality of keys, a thumb key and a keyboard circuit. The plurality of keys are arranged on the body; the thumb key is arranged on the body, and the position of the thumb key is the position corresponding to the thumb of a user when the user uses the key with the other four fingers except the thumb. The keyboard circuit is assembled on the body and can judge whether the thumb key is pressed, if the thumb key is not pressed, a first function signal corresponding to each key is sent out when the keys are pressed, and if the thumb key is pressed, a second function signal corresponding to each key is sent out when the keys are pressed. Through the design of the thumb keys, the user can input the second function provided by the keyboard by only using one hand.

Description

Input device with thumb keys

technical field

The utility model relates to an input device, in particular to an input device with thumb keys.

Background technique

Referring to FIG. 1 , there is an external digital keyboard 11 designed in the prior art, which can be plugged into a notebook computer 12 to facilitate user input. There is a Num Lock key 13 on the numeric keypad 11. When the Num Lock key 13 is On, the user can use the numeric keypad 11 to input numbers and some arithmetic symbols. When the Num Lock key 13 is Off, the user can use the numeric keypad 11 to input Additional functions provided, such as up, down, left, right movement keys, PgUp key, PgDn key, etc., to move the cursor or page.

In addition, when the Num Lock key 13 is On, if the user wants to use the up, down, left, right movement keys, PgUp key, PgDn key and other functions while inputting numbers or some operation symbols, the user can use the left hand Press and hold the Shift key on the notebook computer 12, and then press the numeric keypad 11 with the right hand to obtain the effects of moving up, down, left, and right, Pg Up, and Pg Dn. However, this method needs to use the user's left hand to hold down the Shift key on the notebook computer 12, which is easy to make the user feel inconvenient in operation, so there is a need for improvement.

Utility model content

The purpose of the utility model is to provide an input device with a thumb key which allows the user to switch between different functions for input with one hand.

The utility model has a thumb key input device, comprising: a body, a plurality of keys, a thumb key and a keyboard circuit.

A plurality of buttons are arranged on the body.

The thumb key is arranged on the body, and the position of the thumb key is the corresponding position of the user's thumb when using the key with the other four fingers other than the thumb.

The keyboard circuit group is set on the body, which can judge whether the thumb key is pressed. If the thumb key is not pressed, a first function signal corresponding to each of the keys will be sent out when the key is pressed. If the thumb key is pressed Pressing, a second function signal corresponding to each of the buttons is sent out when the buttons are pressed.

In the input device with a thumb key according to the utility model, the thumb key is a Shift key.

The input device with thumb buttons of the present invention further includes a mouse button electrically connected to the keyboard circuit, and the keyboard circuit can detect that the mouse button is manipulated and correspondingly generate a cursor displacement signal.

In the input device with thumb keys described in the present invention, the mouse keys are adjacent to the thumb keys.

The input device with thumb keys of the present invention further includes a rocker electrically connected to the keyboard circuit, and the keyboard circuit can detect that the rocker is manipulated and correspondingly generate a cursor displacement signal.

In the input device with thumb keys described in the present invention, the rocker is adjacent to the thumb keys.

The input device with thumb keys described in the utility model also includes a small screen electrically connected with the keyboard circuit.

The input device with thumb keys described in the utility model, the input device with thumb keys has the function of a computer, the keys include number keys and operation symbol keys, and the keyboard circuit can detect that the keys are pressed and The corresponding numbers, operation symbols and operation results are displayed on the screen.

The input device with thumb keys described in the utility model is an external keyboard.

The input device with thumb keys described in the utility model is a wireless keyboard.

The beneficial effect of the utility model is that: through the design of the thumb key, the user can switch between the first function and the second function of the key of the input device as long as the user presses the thumb key with the thumb, so as to achieve more convenient operation of the keyboard effect.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the structure of an existing external keyboard;

Fig. 2 is a three-dimensional exploded view, illustrates the structure of the preferred embodiment of the present utility model;

Fig. 3 is a front view illustrating the structure of the preferred embodiment;

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the detection steps of a thumb key detection circuit;

Fig. 5 is a front view illustrating another embodiment of the utility model;

Fig. 6 is a front view illustrating another embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed ways

Below in conjunction with accompanying drawing and embodiment the utility model is described in detail.

Referring to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the preferred embodiment of the input device with thumb keys of the present invention is an external keyboard, which can be plugged into electronic devices such as notebook computers through USB connectors or other electrical connectors, which includes A housing 2 , a body 3 , a plurality of keys 4 , a thumb key 5 and a keyboard circuit 6 .

The housing 2 includes an upper shell 21 and a lower shell 22 which can be assembled correspondingly. The upper case 21 has a generally rectangular base portion 211 and a protruding portion 212 protruding outward from the left bottom end of the base portion 211. A generally rectangular key groove 213 is formed on the base portion 211, and a generally rectangular key groove 213 is formed on the protruding portion 212. There is a generally rectangular thumb keyway 214 , and the size of the thumb keyway 214 is much smaller than that of the keyway 213 .

The shapes of the lower case 22, the body 3 and the keyboard circuit 6 are similar to those of the upper case 21 for easy assembly.

The button 4 and the thumb button 5 are arranged on the body 3, and their positions are designed such that the buttons 4 are arranged and combined in the body 3 and can be correspondingly accommodated in the button groove 213, and the setting position of the thumb button 5 is designed as the thumb button 5 It is correspondingly accommodated in the thumb keyway 214 .

The keyboard circuit 6 is set between the body 3 and the lower case 22, and includes a first circuit board 61 and a second circuit board 62, the first circuit board 61 is provided with multiple keys corresponding to the buttons 4 and the thumb keys 5. A pressing part 611, when the button 4 or the thumb key 5 is pressed, the pressing part 611 is also pressed to be electrically connected with the first circuit board 61, and a message is transmitted through the first circuit board 61 to the second circuit board 62, and the second circuit board 62 transmits the signal to the plugged electronic device.

After the above components are assembled, the body 3 and the keyboard circuit 6 are accommodated in the casing 2, and the thumb key 5 is accommodated in the thumb key groove 214 and protrudes upwards. The key 4 is like the thumb key 5 and accommodates It is in the key groove 213 and protrudes upwards. When the user uses this keyboard and puts his hand on the keyboard, his thumb can be placed on the thumb key 5 correspondingly, and the other four fingers are placed on the key. 4 up to press.

In this embodiment, the function of the thumb key 5 is equivalent to the function of the Shift key on the general computer keyboard. When the thumb key 5 was not pressed, the keyboard was in a first functional state. When the thumb key 5 was pressed , the keyboard is in a second functional state, and in order to detect whether the thumb key 5 is pressed, a large thumb key detection circuit (not shown) is provided on the keyboard circuit 6, and its detection process can refer to Fig. 4, at first As in step 41, it is judged whether the thumb button 5 is pressed, if not, proceed to steps 42 and 43, and generate a first function signal corresponding to the pressed button 4, and send it to the plugged electronic device; if so, then as follows In steps 44 and 45, a second function signal corresponding to the pressed key 4 is generated and sent to the plugged electronic device.

The first and second functions of each button 4 are shown in Table 1 on the following page, where the first row is the name of each button 4, the second row is the first function of each button 4, and the second row is the first function of each button 4. Two functions, so when the user's thumb does not press the thumb button 5, the pressed button 4 can output corresponding numbers or some arithmetic symbols, when the user presses the thumb button 5 with his thumb, he can press Other buttons 4, carry out the second function of control cursor or computer screen page such as up, down, left, right, Page Up (previous page), Page Down (next page) etc. move.

Table 1

key name The first function Secondary function 0 0 lns 000 000 Control+Z . . Del 1 1 End 2 2 Down 3 3 Page Down 4 4 Left 5 5 F2 6 6 Right 7 7 Home 8 8 up 9 9 Page Up Enter Enter send + + % - - Square Root Num Lock Toggle from PCLOCK, PC, and CALC Toggle from PCLOCK, PC, and CALC / / ( * * )

Backspace Backspace = C/CE ESC ESC

Preferably, as shown in Figure 5, the utility model can also include a mouse button 7 electrically connected with the keyboard circuit 6 (referring to Figure 2), this mouse button 7 is adjacent to the thumb button 5 and has a similar mouse function, when When manipulated, a signal is generated and sent back to the keyboard circuit 6, so that the keyboard circuit 6 correspondingly generates a cursor displacement signal to the connected electronic device. In addition, the mouse button 7 can also be replaced by a joystick (not shown) at the same position, which can produce the same function as the mouse button 7 .

Or, as shown in Figure 6, a small touch pad (touch pad) 8 electrically connected to the keyboard circuit 6 is set on the keyboard, and this touch pad 8 allows the user to touch and move on its surface with fingers, so that the keyboard The circuit 6 correspondingly generates a cursor displacement signal to the connected electronic device.

In addition, when the utility model is designed to have the function of a computer, the touch panel 8 can be replaced by a small screen electrically connected to the keyboard circuit 6. When the keyboard is in the first functional state, the keyboard circuit 6 detects all The keys 4 (including number keys and operation symbol keys) are pressed to display the corresponding numbers, operation symbols and operation results on the screen. In addition, the touchpad 8 and (or) the screen can be co-located with the mouse button 7 or the rocker, that is, when there is the mouse button 7 or the rocker, it has the function of a touchpad or a computer at the same time; What's more, a button 81 is also designed on the keyboard. When the user wants to use the computer function, he only needs to press the button 81, and just press the button 81 again to turn off the computer function.

It should be further explained that the embodiment in FIG. 3 is designed for right-hand use, but those skilled in the art can design another embodiment for left-hand use, which should still fall within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, although the utility model is an external keyboard, the technology of wireless communication can also be introduced to make the utility model a wireless keyboard. This technology is existing, so it will not be repeated.

In summary, through the design of the thumb key 5, the utility model replaces the function of the Shift key on the traditional keyboard with the thumb key 5, allowing the user to directly press the thumb key 5 with the thumb, and the other four fingers can input The second function provided by the keyboard means that the different functions provided by the keyboard can be switched and used with only one hand, so the purpose of the utility model can indeed be achieved.

Claims (10)

1. An input device with thumb keys, comprising: a body and a plurality of buttons arranged on the body; it is characterized in that, the input device with thumb keys also includes a thumb key and a keyboard circuit , the thumb key is arranged on the body, and corresponds to the position of the thumb of the user, and the key corresponds to the position of the other four fingers of the user; the keyboard circuit is set on the body, And corresponding to the thumb keys that are not pressed, make the pressed keys send a first function signal corresponding to each of the keys, and corresponding to the pressed thumb keys, make the pressed keys A second function signal corresponding to each of the keys is sent out. 2. The input device with a thumb key according to claim 1, wherein the thumb key is a Shift key. 3. The input device with thumb buttons according to claim 2, further comprising a mouse button electrically connected to the keyboard circuit, and the keyboard circuit can detect that the mouse button is manipulated and correspondingly Generate a cursor displacement signal. 4. The input device with a thumb button according to claim 3, wherein the mouse button is adjacent to the thumb button. 5. The input device with thumb keys according to claim 2, further comprising a rocker electrically connected to the keyboard circuit, and the keyboard circuit can detect that the rocker is manipulated and respond accordingly. Generate a cursor displacement signal. 6. The input device with thumb keys according to claim 5, wherein the rocker is adjacent to the thumb keys. 7. The input device with thumb keys according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a small screen electrically connected to the keyboard circuit. 8. The input device with thumb keys according to claim 7, characterized in that, the input device with thumb keys has the function of a computer, and the keys include number keys and operation symbol keys, and the keyboard circuit can detect It is detected that the key is pressed and the corresponding number, operation symbol and operation result are displayed on the screen. 9. The input device with thumb keys according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the input device with thumb keys is an external keyboard. 10. The input device with thumb keys according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the input device with thumb keys is a wireless keyboard.

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