KEYBOARD ARRANGEMENT

• US 3,698,533 A
• Filed: 06/15/1970
• Issued: 10/17/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alfred Michael Santacroce, Howard Clayton Illig, James Arthur Sheridan, James Daniel Iii Parker, Wilfred Emile Jr. Lehder
• Original Assignee: Alfred Michael Santacroce, Howard Clayton Illig, James Arthur Sheridan, James Daniel Iii Parker, Wilfred Emile Jr. Lehder
• Inventors: Illig, Howard Clayton, Lehder, Wilfred Emile Jr., Parker, James Daniel III, Santacroce, Alfred Michael, Sheridan, James Arthur
• Primary Examiner(s): Wright, Jr., Ernest T.
• Application Number:
  US05/046,284
• Time in Patent Office: 855 Days
• Field of Search: 197/4,7,9,11,19,20,98,99,100,102,103,104,106
• US Class Current: 400/486
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 5/10 Arrangements of keyboards , e.g. key button disposition

Abstract

The alphabetic keys of a keyboard adapted for coded alphanumeric input are arranged in four staggered rows so as to be operated by the right hand, with the home row including the vowel letter keys A, E, I. O and U, and with the remaining letter keys arranged relative to the home row according to their frequency of use. The numerical keys 0 through 9 are arranged in a single row approximately centered above the alphabetic keys. Various directional and functional keys are arranged so as to be operated by the left hand to indicate the direction or field of the alphanumeric keys operated by the right hand.

Claims

1. A keyboard arrangement adapted for coded alphanumeric information input comprising, alphabetic letter keys A through Z arranged in a plurality of rows positioned so as to facilitate operation of all of said alphabetic keys by one hand, numeric keys 0 through 9 arranged in a single row positioned above said alphabetic keys, said alphabetic and numeric keys being operative for generating manifestations of coded alphanumeric information, a plurality of directional keys arranged in one or more rows positioned alongside said rows of alphabetic keys so as to facilitate operation of all of said directional keys by the other hand, operation of said directional keys generating manifestations identifying predetermined fields associated with said alphanumeric information, and a plurality of function keys peripherally arranged adjacent said alphabetic and directional keys.

2. A keyboard arrangement in accordance with claim 1 adapted for operative association with a file of data based on the name and location of individual parties and for operative association with means for retrieving selected data from said file, wherein said directional keys include keys for generating manifestations identifying name and location fields associated with respective pOrtions of said coded alphanumeric information;

and wherein said function keys include a first key for initiating operation of said retrieving means, a second key for erasing at least part of said alphanumeric information input, and one or more additional keys for controlling data retrieved from said file.

3. A keyboard arrangement in accordance with claim 1 wherein said function keys include keys operative for categorizing and for controlling the input of said generated manifestations of alphanumeric information.

4. A keyboard arrangement in accordance with claim 3 adapted for use with a file of data, said arrangement further comprising a plurality of class keys arranged in clusters disposed adjacent the periphery of said alphabetic, numeric and directional keys, each of said clusters including a general class key and two or more specific class keys, said general class key and said specific class keys in each cluster being hierarchically arranged such that said general class key is operative for generating manifestations defining a predetermined block of data in said file and said specific class keys are operative for generating manifestations defining predetermined subdivisions of said predetermined block of data.