Coded data generation or conversion – Bodily actuated code generator – Including keyboard or keypad
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-01
2003-04-01
Edwards, Timothy (Department: 2735)
Coded data generation or conversion
Bodily actuated code generator
Including keyboard or keypad
C400S099000, C400S489000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06542091
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to data input devices for computers and related devices. More particularly, this invention relates to a keyboard and method of typing or keying which provides for the mapping of the numerous keys found in a full-sized standard keyboard into a data input device which employs primarily ten data input keys. The keyboard and method of the present invention sets both alpha and numeric character inputs in a consecutive order across the operators fingers and requires the simultaneous actuation of no more than two keys to produce any alpha, numeric or symbolic characters. This invention develops a natural way to produce the twenty six-letter alphabet utilizing ten single presses and two thumb-initiated shifts.
2. Description of the Background Art
Presently, there exist many types of devices for data input. The most conventional device used is the QWERTY keyboard that was developed by Charles Latham Sholes and his co-inventors in the late 1800's. The QWERTY keyboard is based upon one or two keys being depressed or manipulated per character data input. More specifically, as to the alphabetic characters, there is one key per letter of the alphabet. It is commonly believed that in order to prevent the mechanical jamming of the mechanical typewriter keys, the QWERTY keyboard was laid out such that commonly used keys are placed far apart thereby minimizing the likelihood of mechanical problems. While the design of the QWERTY keyboard may have been designed to minimize mechanical problems attendant with manual keyboards, it forces the typist to move their fingers in awkward patterns to construct words and requires the typically weakest fingers and left hand to be utilized predominantly. In modem computer keyboards the antiquated QWERTY design has grown to include more than one hundred keys, making it difficult to master touch typing all of the various functions and inputs. Users of typical QWERTY keyboards often suffer from Repetitive Strain Injuries (hereinafter “RSI”), an umbrella term that refers to strain injuries of the neuro-musculoskeletal system such as carpal tunnel syndrome. RSI presumably result from fine fast repetitive activities which adversely affect the hands, wrists, forearms, elbows, arms and shoulders of one or both upper extremities. Notwithstanding its deficiencies, the QWERTY keyboard has long been the standard for word processing and currently remains so.
Attempts have been made over the years to improve upon data input devices and key arrangements in light of advances in keyboard mechanics and the far ranging applications requiring data input.
The Dvorak keyboard was created by an efficiency expert, August Dvorak, and a former college professor, William L. Dealey, in the mid-1930's. The Dvorak keyboard is premised upon the placement of predominantly used keys, such as the vowels on a home row of keys, thereby minimizing the necessity for the user to remove their hands and/or fingers from frequently used characters. The Dvorak keyboard is a full-sized keyboard and although available today, still has never achieved a high level of commercial success.
Attempts to accommodate advances in electronics design and devices requiring data input continued, including the downsizing of computer systems and their integration into diverse applications, efforts are being made to change computer keyboards, peripherals and methods of typing. There is a great deal of prior art relating to alternative keyboard or data entry devices and methods for data input.
Consider background patents that illustrate, for example, keyboard or data entry devices having a reduced number of keys from a standard QWERTY keyboard. Keyboard or data entry devices that are premised upon use of a minimal number of keys are often referred to as chordal or chordic. Typically, chord keyboards have between five and twenty-five keys. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,432,510 to Matthews; U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,516 to Retter and U.S. Pat. No. 4,775,255 to Langley. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,067,431 to Whitaker discloses a combinational keyboard with movable keys. The disclosure of these patents is incorporated by reference and some may have applicability to the present invention but largely only as representative devices on which the methodology and key assignments of the present invention may be incorporated.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,042,777 to Bequaert et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,189,416 to Estes; U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,181 to George; U.S. Pat. No. 5,281,966 to Walsh, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,900,864 to MacDonald, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein, disclose chord keyboards and methods for encoding characters for a chordic keyboard.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,042,777 discloses a one-handed keyboard and control means. Specifically, a keyboard which has ten keys controlled by the four fingers and four keys controlled by the thumb of the same hand. In use, the operator is often required to press several keys, i.e., four adjacent keys, at once to select the desired character or function and must recall the complex arrangement of characters which coincide to the four fingers of the hand operating the keyboard. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,181 discloses an ergonomically correct hand held, eighteen (18) key, chord keyboard designed to be operated by the four fingers and thumb of one hand of the user.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,189,416 discloses a chordal keyboard method and apparatus incorporating a first set of registers and a second set of registers whereby a controller detects when all of the plurality of keys depressed are in a released position and then generates a key code corresponding to symbol locations set in the first set of registers. The method of this invention relies on a particular form of binary Gray code.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,900,864 discloses an input device with a plurality of keys whereby the processor device displays a prompt or indicia to indicate which combination of one or more digits effect the desired instruction or data input and thereby which keys must be activated to achieve the desired effect.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,281,966 discloses a method of encoding only the alphabetic characters for a chord keyboard.
Reduced key or chord keyboards have failed to gain commercial success largely due to the complexity in learning a new system for associating multiple keystrokes to realize specific character inputs and their inability to reproduce the entire functionality of a modern full sized QWERTY computer keyboard. Additionally, prior chord keyboards were typically based upon too few keys, resulting in complex fingering combinations being required to generate each desired character thus slowing the typing process and increasing the likelihood of user error.
Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide an improvement which overcomes the aforementioned inadequacies of the prior art devices and provide an improvement which is a significant contribution to the advancement of the data input device art.
Another object of this invention is to provide a keyboard and keying system that is capable of emulating the functionality of a standard full sized keyboard, including computer peripheral functionality found on most pointing devices.
Another object of this invention is to provide a small number of keys and reduce or eliminate the movement of the fingers from one key to another, thereby simultaneously reducing the incidence of “hunt and peck” typing.
Another object of this invention is to permit the production of alpha and numeric characters consecutively by actuating no more than two keys and the desired character is generated upon the instant of contact with the second key or release of a single pressed key.
Another object of this invention is to provide a method of data input which is logical and easy to learn and requires only ordinary skill and care on the part of the operator to avoid unwanted keystrokes.
Another object of the invention is to develop a system that can interpret finger positions into a language that contains all data nor
Edwards Timothy
Holland & Knight LLP
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