The present invention refers to a keyboard according to the preamble of the independent demand.

The background to the invention

Keyboards typically consist of fixed, rectangular elements, with a long side that has a longitudinal extent wider than a typical laptop computer. If one wishes to use a separate, full- size keyboard with a laptop computer, one must also store and transport an unnecessarily large element, which is impractical. On a traditional keyboard is in addition the placement of the keys fixed, and structured in a rectilinear check pattern, which doesn't correspond to how the hands normally move, since the hands at sideways movements naturally follow an arc and not a straight line.

One purpose of the invention is therefore to provide a keyboard which enables less space demanding storage space.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide a keyboard where the keys can be distributed in a way that better corresponds to the typical motion patterns of the hands of the user.

This and other purposes are achieved through a keyboard according to the characteristic parts of the independent demand.

Summary of the invention

The invention refers to a keyboard la-c intended for communication with a computer unit 6, where the keyboard la-c is divisible into at least two keyboard parts. The keyboard can then in a beneficial way be disassembled into parts which can be stored on each other, which is space saving. The keyboard parts can in a beneficial way further be distributed when being used in a way which is more ergonomic than for a fixed, rectangular keyboard.

In one design the keyboard la-c is divisible into a numeric keypad lc and one or two additional keyboard parts la-b.

The invention in addition refers to such a keyboard la-c, where all keyboard parts la-c are battery operated and equipped with a cordless communication unit 4a-c for communication at least with the computer unit 6.

A brief description of the figures

Fig. 1 shows a design of the keyboard according to the invention in assembled mode Fig. 2 shows the keyboard in disassembled mode

Fig. 3 shows details on the bottom part of the keyboard seen from above in a partial cross section

Fig. 4 shows schematically how the three parts of the keyboard interact with the computer Description of a preferred design

Fig. 1 shows a design of the keyboard according to the invention in assembled mode. The keyboard comprises three from each other separable parts la-c. The three parts can be separated from each other along two cut surfaces 2a-b which is illustrated as solid lines. The rightmost part lc of the keyboard consists of a keyboard part primarily intended for input of numbers and related numerical codes which typically are used at input of accounting data and similar. The numeric keypad lc is adjacent to the midmost keyboard part lb along a straight demarcation line 2b and can as in the figure be put together with this.

The leftmost la and the midmost keyboard part lb together comprise the part of the keyboard which is used for input of letters, but also numbers and other characters can be entered with these two parts of the keyboard. The leftmost la and the midmost keyboard part lb are connected to each other along a demarcation line which extends in zigzag shape between the rightmost keys of the left keyboard part and the leftmost keys of the midmost keyboard part. The connected demarcation line has parties which extend parallel to the long side of the keyboard and other parties which extend parallel to the short side of the keyboard. The two keyboard parts can thus easily be pulled apart, but also be pushed together and locked in fixed position.

In the illustrated design the pitch line 2a goes between the leftmost keyboard parts straight through the long space bar. Obviously the space bar can instead be moved so that it in its whole only extends over one keyboard part. If so, also other keys must be repositioned.

Fig. 2 shows the keyboard in disassembled mode, where the three parts have been separated completely from each other and been arranged along a circle arc with the user at its center. By this method of use a more practical and ergonomic distribution of the keys is achieved which is desirable from a user standpoint.

With the three keyboard parts separated in the way which is described they can thereafter be put on top of each other for storage in a bag or similar. This means that the total longitudinal extent of the keyboard is significantly shorter than it would have been in assembled mode. This is convenient for transport, especially since a full-size keyboard with numeric keypad lc is wider than the width of a typical laptop computer.

Of the keyboard parts can then only the two leftmost be joined into one keyboard element if the numeric keypad is not needed, or all three parts can be joined into one full-size keyboard with numeric keypad. Of course can, if the user so desires, the different parts be used separately or be joined in any desired way. The figure does not illustrate the joining elements required if the keyboard parts should be used joined together, but these are designed in the prevalent manner with for instance elements that can be pushed together, snap brackets or in any other suitable manner. One can also consider a version of the invention which lacks joining elements and where the parts always are intended to be used in a non-joined position, for instance as illustrated in the figure. Each keyboard part can be equipped with adjustable support, so that each part can be tilted in any desired angle relative to the desk surface.

Fig. 3 shows details of the under part of the keyboard, seen from abo e in partial cross section. In each keyboard part there are batteries 3 which power the electronics of the keyboard part. Obviously there are electronics and electromechanical parts which in a normal way are related to the prevalent functionality of the keyboard, but these are not illustrated. In all three keyboard parts there is a communication unit 4a-c which is designed to communicate with a computer and in the figures is also symbolically illustrated associated antennas 5, which are required when using RF communication. Obviously other ways of communication can be used such as for instance IR or by cable.

Fig. 4 shows schematically how the three parts of the keyboard la-c interact with a symbolically illustrated computer 6. In the figure is illustrated how the signal is sent from each keyboard part to the computer and how the computer sends signals to each keyboard part. The majority of communications is from the keyboard parts to the computer, but the computer can also send information to the keyboard parts to control CAPS LOCK

functionality and NUM LOCK functionality or similar.

If for example the key CAPS LOCK is pressed on the leftmost keyboard part, typically a CAPS LOCK indicator is lit and the information that CAPS LOCK has been activated is sent to the computer. This information can then be forwarded from the computer to the other keyboard parts so that these continue to send uppercase letters to the computer. Obviously the computer can internally store information about the CAPS LOCK being activated and convert characters sent from the other keyboard parts to uppercase, so this communication is obviously not necessary. Alternatively, one can consider a version in which the three keyboard parts communicate such information directly between the keyboard parts.