Single hand keyboard arrays providing alphanumeric capabilities from twelve keys
US4891777A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 13, 1986 |
| Grant date | Jan 2, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 13, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2219/011
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A keyboard system has a keyboard geometric arrangement enriched in intersections of three keys achieved by offsetting or staggering adjacent keys. This provides a greater number of choices from a given number of keys actuable manually one, two or three at a time. The key layout permits touch typing with one hand where twelve keys provides fill alphanumeric capabilities. Finger positions conform with human hand structure and include raised ridges for identifying some of the fingerstroke key selection locations. Thus, accurate high speed typing with either hand is feasible in a telephone dial space frame. The keyboard communicates by an X by Y communication channel matrix or telephone system compatible tone signals with computers, telephones, teletypes and like utility devices. Program steps and function selection is afforded by a self-cataloged two (or more) keystroke sequence to reduce programming time and increase the number of selections possible per key. Thus, as few as four keys and four wires can afford fourteen manual selections by a single fingerstroke in a single live key mode. This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 06/528,975 filed Sept. 2, 1983, now abandoned, whi…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.