Micro word-pad with tactile multifunctional keys
US5841374A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 28, 1997 |
| Grant date | Nov 24, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 28, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2225/022
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An improved key and keyboard arrangement for a compact word processor, the keyboard arrangement consisting of only twelve toggle keys with each key capable of seven functions, six of the keys being operated in a tactile manner by the finger tips of each hand. Additional keys are provided along a vertical edge adjacent to the twelve keys for operation by the users thumbs. A second embodiment includes a pair of similar keyboards hinged together, each keyboard having a single row of six toggle keys movable in six directions and a center depressable function, and a plurality of keys perpendicular to the six toggle keys located along a vertical edge adjacent to the six toggle keys, each of the six toggle keys having seven functions operated by tactile manipulation. The six toggle keys on each keyboard portion and the associated perpendicular keys represent all of the functions of one half of a standard QWERTY computer keyboard.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.