Typewriting machines – Key-board or key lever-actuating mechanism – Key-board including keys grouped to facilitate positioning...
Reexamination Certificate
2001-03-14
2003-04-08
Hilten, John S. (Department: 2854)
Typewriting machines
Key-board or key lever-actuating mechanism
Key-board including keys grouped to facilitate positioning...
C400S488000, C341S022000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06543947
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to manually activated data entry keyboards. The invention has particular application to keyboards adapted for one-handed operation.
BACKGROUND
In nearly every sector of the economy, data entry systems play a central role. Manually operated keyboards remain the most common data entry device. The basic keyboard design has an array of keys positioned linearly side by side. Top faces of the keys usually lie in a generally planar configuration. In an alphanumeric keyboard, alphabetical keys are usually located in three rows positioned in the centre of the array. Numerical, function and punctuation keys are distributed around the alphabetical keys.
The current basic standard, for the locations of specific keys, is the Qwerty two-handed keyboard, which was developed by C. L. Sholes around 1872. The appellation refers to the fact that such keyboards contain the letters Q-W-E-R-T-Y, beginning at the upper left end of the first row of alphabetical keys. In the standard Qwerty keyboard, a typist rests his or her fingers on well-defined keys on the central“Home Row” which is the second row of alphabetical keys. More specifically, a typist rests the fingers of his or her left hand on the letters A, S, D and F and the first three fingers of his or her right hand (i.e. excluding th little finger) resting on the letters J, K and L. The letters F and J, on which each index finger rests, are the main home keys. Typical computer keyboards provide small protrusions on these keys so that they can be identified by a user by feel. Although Qwerty is the most common keyboard layout design currently in use, other keyboard layouts, such as the Dvorak keyboard (named after its inventor), exist. The majority of these keyboard layouts are designed for two-handed operators. Two-handed keyboards are well-known in the art.
There is a need for one-handed keyboards. Such keyboards are particularly useful for individuals who only have the use of one hand or individuals in occupations in which only one hand is free or is convenient for data entry. Further, two-handed keyboards tend to be undesirably bulky and cumbersome for some applications. Various one-handed keyboard designs having special character/key allocations and/or having special configurations of keys are known.
Because one-handed keyboards usually have a reduced number of keys compared to standard two-handed keyboard designs, some prior art keyboards, such as the one taught by Stone et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,555,193), require that two or more keys be depressed to generate each character required. Other prior art keyboards, such as the keyboard taught by Matias (U.S. Pat. No. 5,288,158), are modifications of a character/key allocation standard (i.e. Qwerty or Dvorak), while others, such as the keyboard taught by Russo (U.S. Pat. No. 5,336,002) teach their own particular character/key allocation.
Some prior art keyboards teach alternatives to the linear side-by-side configuration of keys. An example is found in Levinrad et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,197,811), which teaches the use of vertical and horizontal strips of multifunction keys arranged in a user-friendly way. Another example is found in the keyboard taught by Sirkin (U.S. Pat. No. 5,059,048), where keys are positioned along curvilinear rows. Other keyboards provide alternatives to the generally planar configuration of the keys. An example is found in the rocking keyboard taught by Livits (U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,598).
Despite the wide variety of available keyboard devices, there remains a need for a keyboard which can be comfortably and efficiently operated with one hand. There is a particular need for a one-handed keyboard having a special configuration of keys which is compact and easy to use. There is also a need for such keyboards which have a character/key allocation that is intuitive for users already familiar with a known standard keyboard.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides manually-activated keyboards comprising an array of central keys in a generally planar configuration and a plurality of inwardly angled keys positioned around and angled toward the central keys. The central keys and inwardly-angled keys define a pan-like configuration.
The inwardly-angled keys may be positioned in generally linear rows and columns.
An array of outside keys may be positioned outside of the inwardly-angled keys in a generally planar configuration.
An outwardly angled key may be positioned peripherally adjacent to the central keys, the outwardly angled key angling away from the central keys. The outwardly angled key is located in a position easily accessible by a user's thumb, little finger or the side of a user's hand. The outwardly angled key is typically positioned radially outward a distance between 2 inches and 4 inches from a middle finger home key, the middle finger home key being the key where a user's middle finger naturally rests during operation. In a preferred embodiment, the outwardly angled key is positioned at an intersection of one of the rows of inwardly-angled keys with one of the columns of inwardly-angled keys.
This invention provides keyboards capable of being connected with one another to form a single logical input device to an electronic apparatus, such as a computer. Alternative embodiments of forming a single logical input device comprise keyboards connected directly to the electronic apparatus and keyboards connected to one another, with one keyboard connected to the electronic apparatus.
A keyboard according to the preferred embodiment of this invention can be used with one hand. The keyboard comprises four rows and five columns of central keys, with:
a) an inwardly-angled key positioned at each end of each row of central keys to form two columns of inwardly-angled keys, and
b) an inwardly-angled key positioned at each end of each column of central keys to form two rows of inwardly-angled keys.
The preferred embodiment provides a key allocation scheme as follows:
a) the first row of central keys is assigned the letters “Q”, “W”, “E”, “R” and “T” of the English alphabet;
b) the second row of central keys is assigned the letters “A”, “S”, “D”, “F” and “G” of the English alphabet;
c) the third row of central keys is assigned the letters “Y”, “U”, “I”, “O” and “P” of the English alphabet;
d) the fourth row of central keys is assigned the letters “H”, “J”, “K” and “L” of the English alphabet and the character “;” or
e) the top row of inwardly-angled keys is assigned the letters “Z”, “X”, “C”, “V” and “B” of the English alphabet; and
f) the bottom row of inwardly-angled keys is assigned the letters “N” and “M” of the English alphabet and the characters “,” or “<”, “.” or “>” and “/” or “?”.
The columns of inwardly-angled keys are assigned characters or functions from a group consisting of:
a) characters “{grave over ( )}”, “~”, “-”, “_”, “\”, “|”, “'′” and “″”; and
b) functions “Tab”, “Insert”, “Delete” and “Back Space”.
The outside keys are assigned functions selected from a group consisting of “Home”, “Esc”, “End”, “Alt”, “Ctrl”, “Page Up”, “Page Down”, “←” (left arrow), “→” (right arrow), “↓” (down arrow), “↑” (up arrow), “Shift”, “Num”, “PC” and “Md”. A “PC” key activates an alternative character/key allocation scheme. An “Md” key is a function key which activates a manufacturer definable mode.
The outwardly angled key is assigned a function selected from the group consisting of “Space” and “Enter”.
The preferred embodiment further comprises a toggling key, wherein engaging the toggling key causes the functions, assigned to the outside keys, to toggle between two or more alternative key allocation schemes.
Preferably, where two preferred embodiment one-hand keyboards are either connected to one another, or connected to an electronic apparatus, so as to form a single logical input device, the preferred key allocation scheme is as follows:
a) the first row of central keys of the first keyboard is assigned the characters “1” or “!”, “2” or “@”, “
Ghatt Dave A.
Hilten John S.
Oyen Wiggs Green & Mutala
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