FR2773258A1 - KEYPAD REPRESENTING KEYS ARRANGED AS A CLOCK - Google Patents

Abstract

Keypad for a telephone set, a calculator, a remote control, a code lock, a computer or a typewriter, comprising at least ten keys representing numbers (32) among which the keys representing numbers 3, 6 and 9 are placed in special positions. The number keys 3 and 9 have a connection line which passes substantially through the center of the surface plate of the key block, while the number key 6 is located equidistant from, respectively, the number keys 3 and 9. By exploiting the habit that most people have of the arrangement of numbers on a clock, it is possible to quickly identify each key of the keypad according to the present invention and to press it precisely.

Description

I

  KEY BLOCK HAVING KEYS ARRANGED AT THE

WAY OF A CLOCK

  The present invention relates to a key block comprising safety keys and, more particularly a key block, the keys of which can be identified from their specific shapes and / or their positions, simply by touching them with the finger, so that a user does not need to constantly look at the keyboard when pressing keys. More particularly, the key block according to the present invention is designed in such a way that its keys, representing the numbers 3, 6 and 9 are in special locations. The block of 15 keys according to the present invention can be used in many fields, such as telephone sets, calculators, remote controls, etc. In a classic keypad, as used for example as a telephone keypad or computer numeric keypad, the keys of the group generally protrude from a basic plane, which

  shows Figure 1. When a user presses a selected key, it very often happens that a key adjacent to it is touched at the same time, so that an error results.

  On the other hand, to be able to improve performance and to allow the simultaneous execution of several tasks, it is preferable that a user can press keys without having to look at the keyboard.30 However, the classic arrangement of the keys on the the keyboard is normally rectangular, as shown in Figure 2, so it is difficult to identify each individual key simply with the tip of a finger. This is particularly true in the case of a block of keys, arranged in a rectangle

  2 and protruding from a base.

  An object of the present invention therefore consists in proposing a block of keys the keys of which are arranged in the manner of a clock, the 5 keys being generally arranged in a loop and the numerical keys 3, 6 and 9 being located in specific locations of the block, so as to improve both actuation speed and control accuracy, once the user is familiar

with this device.

  Another object of the present invention consists in proposing a block of keys whose keys can be easily identified by virtue of the different positions, shapes, sizes and topographies of the keys, so that a user can identify the key on which he is working to press, without having to look at the keypad. The present invention therefore relates to a key block which comprises a surface plate and at least ten keys representing numbers. The number keys are arranged on the surface plate, and each of them represents a different number, ranging from 0 to 9 respectively, while a first of the number keys, which represents the number 3, and a second of the number keys , representing the number 9, have a connecting line which passes substantially through the center of the surface plate, while a third of the numeric keys, representing the number 6, is located substantially equidistantly by

  relative to the first and second of the number keys.

  In a preferred embodiment, the number key 3 is located substantially in an extreme straight position of the surface plate, the number key 6 is placed substantially at the very bottom of the surface plate 3 and the number key 9 is disposed substantially in an extreme left position of the surface plate. In other words, the numeric keys are arranged clockwise5. Here, the term "extreme right position" designates a location at the rightmost side of the surface plate of the key block. Similarly, the terms "extreme left position" and "bottom position" denote level positions,

  respectively, on the right-most side and the lowest side of the surface plate.

  Alternatively, the numeric keys can be arranged counterclockwise. That is, the number key 3 is located at a substantially leftmost location on the surface plate, that the number key 6 is

  placed in a position substantially at the very bottom of the surface plate, and that the numeric key 9 is located at a substantially rightmost location on the surface plate.

  If desired and, in particular for a keypad of a calculator, one can include another

  numeric key, representing 00, which is pressed to obtain two digits 00, and it will preferably be placed substantially at the very top of the surface plate.

  When this key block is used with a device, such as a telephone set, a calculator, a remote control, a code lock, or a computer, it will further comprise at least one function key, which can be independent of each of said at least ten keys representing numbers, or else sharing buttons with the numeric keys. In this case, switching between the function key and the numeric key can be carried out by means of a mode switching key. Said at least one function key, representing, for example, an operation function, such as +, -, x,.,, =,., M, C for a calculator; a telecommunication symbol such as #, 5 *, transmission, cancellation for a cell phone; a volume and / or channel control symbol, such as A, ô,, for a remote control; a confirmation symbol, for example for entry or cancellation, in the case of a code lock; and the like. On the other hand, these various types of function keys can be present in a single block of keys and be used with the same numeric keys, for obtaining a multifunction keyboard. On the other hand, the ten keys representing the digits can bear the ten Arabic digits, that is to say 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, or even ten designated symbols , for example *, or X, respectively. Insofar as the positions of the numeric keys are provided according to the present invention, they can be easily identified even if all the buttons remain without legend, that is to say without writing a number. Alternatively, a number of the numeric keys can be marked with Arabic numerals, while another fraction of the numeric keys can be labeled symbols. For example, the numeric keys representing the numbers 3, 6 and 9, will bear the respective Arabic numbers 3, 6 and 9 and each of the other numeric keys will have only a dot. According to the present invention, the numeric keys, or in addition the function keys, are preferably arranged in a shape selected from a group comprising a circle, an ellipse, a rectangle, a rhombus, a hexagon and an octagon. 35 Preferably, at least some of the numeric keys are placed at the - below the surface plate of the keypad. For example, every other key is placed below the surface plate. By arranging the keys of a key block according to the present invention, any user can easily and quickly familiarize themselves with this key block. As a result, the actuation speed and the operating precision are improved. The present invention will be better understood on

  reading of the detailed description which will follow, in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:

  Figure 1 schematically shows keys of a conventional keyboard, which keys protrude from the upper surface of the housing; Figure 2 schematically shows the arrangement of keys of a conventional keypad; Figure 3 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of a key block according to the present invention; Figures 4A to 4C are side elevational views of a key block according to the present invention, to schematically show the key shapes; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of a key block according to the present invention; Figure 6A is a diagram showing a third embodiment of a keypad according to the present invention; Figure 6B is a diagram showing a variant of the third embodiment of the keypad according to the present invention; FIG. 6C is a diagram showing another variant of the third embodiment of the key block according to the present invention; Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a fourth embodiment of a key block according to the present invention; Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a fifth embodiment of a key block according to the present invention; Figure 9 is a diagram showing a sixth embodiment of a keypad according to the present invention; Figure 10 is a diagram showing a seventh embodiment of a keypad according to the present invention; and FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an eighth embodiment of a key block according to the

present invention.

  Clocks and / or watches are common in our daily lives and most people are perfectly used to the arrangement of numbers on a clock and a watch. People can easily read the time simply by glancing at the dial even when the dial does not have a number on it. In general, the number 3 is located in the extreme right position of the surface of the clock, the number 6 is at the bottom and the number 925 is on the far left. Consequently, the present invention exploits the habit that any person of a clock or a watch may have to design and modify the arrangement of the numbers on a keypad. EMBODIMENT 130 We will first refer to FIG. 3, which represents a first embodiment of a keypad according to the present invention. The key block 31, shown in FIG. 3, can be used for a telephone set and it comprises a housing 311 having twelve openings 312 in the surface plate 311 of the 7 key block, a corresponding number of keys 313 being installed in the openings 312. The keys 313 are further divided into a group of numeric keys 32 and a group of function keys 335 in the context of telecommunications. The keys 313 are arranged in a circle according to a normal sequence of numbers and the position of the numeric keys, representing the numbers 1 to 9, in the block of keys 31, is similar to that which is used for a clock, that is to say -to say that the numeric keys representing 3, 6 and 9 are placed, respectively, at the far right, at the bottom and at the far left of the surface plate 311, while another numeric key, representing 0, and two function keys, bearing the symbols * and #, are respectively placed in the positions corresponding to the numbers 12, 11 and 10 of the clock. Preferably, the numeric key 0 is adjacent to the numeric key representing the 9 or 1.20 It should be noted that the numeric keys 3, 6 and 9 are located respectively on the far right, while

  bottom and very left of the surface plate 311, in the present embodiment, but a slight modification is possible insofar as the user can always find the keys quickly.

  On the other hand, to avoid the drawback of the conventional key block, as described in connection with FIG. 1, three types of shapes for the keys are proposed, as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C. In each of these embodiments, any of the keys 341, 342 and 343 is lower than the surface plate 311 of the key block, the goal being to avoid pressing another by mistake touch. Alternatively, some of the keys may also protrude from the surface plate 311 of the key block, and the others may be placed at a lower level relative to this surface plate 311, for example like the keys shown in Figures 4A at 4C. In this way, one can just as easily achieve the desired goal and this, on the other hand, makes it easier to identify individual keys. It should also be noted that the keys 341, 342 and 343 can be either numeric keys or function keys. EMBODIMENT 2 FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of a key block according to the present invention. The key block 51, as shown in Figure 5, can be used for a remote control. The key block 51 contains numeric keys 513 and function keys 54, all located respectively in fifteen openings 512 formed in the surface plate 511 of the key block. Function keys 54 include channel control keys 541, a power supply control key 542, and volume control keys 543, keys 513 and 541, for controlling the switching of channels, forming a elliptical loop. Similarly to embodiment 1, the number 3 is located on the far right of the surface plate 511 of the key block, the number 6 is placed at the very bottom and the number 9 is placed on the far left. In addition, the power supply control key 542 and the volume control keys 543 have shapes and dimensions which differ from those of the loop keys and are placed within the loop so that they can be operated. free space without hindering the identification of the keys. EMBODIMENT 3 Figure 6A shows a third embodiment of a key block according to the present invention. The block 9 of keys according to FIG. 6A can be used for a

  code lock, and it also has numeric and function keys, similarly to embodiments 1 and 2, with the difference, however, that the function keys are "J" (enter) and " C "I (cancellation).

  In this embodiment, the loop formed by the keys is rectangular. The art and manner of arranging the keys is similar to that of the embodiments described above, and therefore no further description will be made.

  We will now refer to FIGS. 6B and 6C, which respectively show two variants of the third embodiment of the key block according to the present invention. The key blocks represented in FIGS. 6B and 6C are similar to the embodiment according to FIG. 6A, except that the numeric keys 3, 6 and 9 are different from the other keys, in their shape and in their size, so that 'they stand out20 more. EMBODIMENT 4 FIG. 7 represents a fourth embodiment of a key block according to the present invention. The key block according to Figure 7 can be used for a calculator, and it also includes numeric keys 41 and function keys 42, similar to those used in embodiments 1 to 3. In this embodiment, the loop formed by the keys is substantially hexagonal. The art30 and the way of arranging the keys, as well as the forms of these, are similar to those of the modes of

  embodiment described above, and there will therefore be no further description. For a calculator, you need a display to

  indicate the result of the calculation. The display 43 can be placed inside the loop, as shown in FIG. 7. Alternatively, it can also be located outside the loop, or even mounted in an external device to which is connected the block of 5 keys. On the other hand, an additional numeric key, representing the digits 00, is normally provided in a calculator in order to speed up the digital input since it suffices to press this key once to obtain two digits 00 at the same time. EMBODIMENT 5 Figure 8 shows a fifth embodiment of a keypad according to the present invention. The key block according to FIG. 8 combines the keys used for a calculator with those used for a telephone set. The key block also includes the numeric keys 61 and the function keys 62 and 63, similarly to embodiments 1 to 4. In the present embodiment, the loop formed by the keys is substantially octagonal. The art and the way of arranging the keys, as well as the forms of these, are

  similar to those of the embodiments described above, and there will therefore be no further description. In the present embodiment, the telecommunication function keys 63 are located below the loop, and the communication function keys

  computation 62 are placed next to the loop, with the exception of a frequently used function key "=", which is arranged in a central location, this key 30 being of larger size and protruding. Similar to embodiment 4, a display 64 is provided to indicate the data entered by keys and / or the results of the calculation. This display 64 is placed above the loop, in the present embodiment. EMBODIMENT 6 FIG. 9 represents a sixth embodiment of a keypad according to the present invention. Figure 9 shows a key block similar to that of Embodiment 1, but there are however some modifications as to the basic principle of the present invention. First of all, in the embodiment according to FIG. 9, the numeric keys 0, 3, 6 and 9 bear, respectively, the Arabic numerals 0, 3, 6 and 9 while the other numeric keys simply include a point. This absence of indication of figures will not confuse the users because they know well the meaning of each point, in a provision of figures on a clock or on a watch. Even if the numbers 0, 3, 6 and 9 were not clearly indicated, users would not be disturbed. On the other hand, the numeric keys 0, 3, 6 and 9 are slightly shifted inward and prominent, but the same remains true as long as the numeric keys 3 and 9 have a connecting line that passes substantially through the center of the surface plate of the key block, and that the numeric key 6 is also located equidistant from the numeric keys 3 and 9.25 EMBODIMENT 7 FIG. 10 represents a seventh embodiment of a keypad according to the present invention. FIG. 10 shows a key block similar to that of embodiment 2, except that the function keys for increasing and decreasing control of channels use the buttons 72 in common with the numeric keys 0 and 6 and that the function keys for increasing and decreasing volume control use the buttons 73 in common with the numeric keys 3 and 9. The switching between the function keys and the numeric keys is effected by means of a mode permutation key 71. Consequently, when the keys are in number entry mode, the keys with the legends F, À, Y, M are pressed to produce the numbers O, 3, 6 and 9, respectively. However, when the key is pressed mode switching key 71, to switch the key block to the function control mode, the keys bearing the legends È, 2, À, (are pressed to perform, respectively, the exploration of the channels in ascending nt, exploration of the channels going down, increasing the volume and decreasing the volume. Thanks to such an arrangement, the surface of the key block can be clear and clean. EMBODIMENT 8 FIG. 11 shows an eighth embodiment of a key block according to the present invention. Figure 11 shows a keypad similar to that of Embodiment 3, except that the present keypad is a virtual keypad 82 on a display 81 of an ATM. A user can touch the virtual keypad to enter codes and instructions. The keypad can also be applied to a television screen or computer control screen for automatic orientation in an exhibit or in a park. Although the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be readily understood by persons experienced in this technique that

  modifications in form and in details can be made without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention.

Claims (10)

  1. Key block (31, 51, 82), comprising: a surface plate (311, 511) of the key block; and at least ten keys representing numbers (32, 513, 41, 61) arranged on the surface plate (311, 511) of the key block and each being representative of a different number, from 0 to 9 respectively, in which a first of the keys, representing numbers, indicating the number 3 and a second of the keys, representing numbers, indicating the number 9 have a connection line which passes substantially through the center of the surface plate (311, 511) of the block of keys, while a third of the keys, representing numbers, indicating the number 6 is located equidistant from the first and second of the keys representing numbers. 2. Keypad according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises at least one function key (33, 54, 541, 542, 543, 42, 62, 63, J, C) independent of each of said at least ten keys representing numbers. 3. Key block according to claim 2, characterized in that the keys representing numbers and / or the function key (341, 342, 343) are   arranged below the level of the surface plate (311) of the key block.   4. Key block according to claim 2, characterized in that the function key (33, 54, 541, 542, 543, 42, 62, 63, J, C) is selected from a group comprising a key calculation operation (42, 62), a telecommunication key (33, 63), a processing key (J, C) and an execution key of function (54, 541, 542, 543).   5. Key block according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a fourth key representing digits, indicating the digits 00, and which is pressed once to produce two digits 00, and wherein the third of number keys and the fourth of the number keys have a connecting line which passes substantially through the center of the surface plate of the key block. 10 6. Key block according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: at least one function key sharing a button (72, 73) with one of said at least ten keys representing numbers; and a mode switch key (71), which is pressed to use the button (72, 73) either as a function key or as one of said at least ten keys representing numbers. 7. Key block according to claim 1, characterized in that the first of the keys representing numbers is located in a position substantially to the far right of the surface plate (311, 511) of the key block, the second of the keys representing of numbers is placed in a position substantially to the far left of the surface plate (311, 511) of the key block, and the third of the keys representing numbers is disposed in a position   substantially at the bottom of the surface plate (311, 511) of the key block.   8. Key block according to claim 1, characterized in that the ten keys representing numbers (32, 513, 41, 61) respectively carry the ten Arabic numbers or ten designated symbols, or else a fraction of said at least ten keys representing of35 digits carry Arabic numerals, while another fraction of said at least ten digit keys carry designated symbols. 9. Keypad according to claim 8, characterized in that the keys representing the numbers 3, 6 and 9 carry, respectively, the Arabic numbers 3, 6 and 9 while each of the other keys representing numbers carries a point. 10. Key block according to claim 1, characterized in that the keys representing numbers are arranged in a loop having a shape selected from a group composed of a circle,   an ellipse, a rectangle, a rhombus, a hexagon and an octagon.