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Input keyboards

  • US 3,929,216 A
  • Filed: 09/04/1973
  • Issued: 12/30/1975
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/04/1973
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An input keyboard for the transfer of information to a machine by a human operator, comprising:

  • a plurality of keys arranged in transversely oriented key rows as viewed by the operator;

    the number key row being situated at the greatest distance from the operator;

    the upper letter key row being situated closer to the operator than the number key row;

    the home key row being situated closer to the operator than the upper letter key row;

    the lower letter key row being situated closer to the operator than the home key row; and

    the thumb key row being situated closer to the operator than the lower letter key row;

    wherein the upper letter key row comprises twelve keys;

    six keys on the left hand side of the keyboard as viewed by the operator, and six keys on the right hand side of the keyboard as viewed by the operator;

    wherein the home key row comprises twelve keys;

    six keys on the left hand side of the keyboard as viewed by the operator, and six keys on the right hand side of the keyboard as viewed by the operator;

    wherein the thumb key row comprises six keys;

    three keys on the left hand side of the keyboard as viewed by the operator, and three keys on the right hand side of the keyboard as viewed by the operator;

    wherein the keys on the upper letter key row are designated in serial order along the upper letter key row as viewed by the operator from the outer edge of the keyboard from the center of the keyboard as follows;

    on the left hand side of the keyboard as viewed by the operator-the first upper letter key, the second upper letter key, the third upper letter key, the fourth upper letter key, the fifth upper letter key, and the sixth upper letter key, respectively; and

    on the right hand side of the keyboard as viewed by the operator-the seventh upper letter key, the eighth upper letter key, the ninth upper letter key, the tenth upper letter key, the eleventh upper letter key, and the twelfth upper letter key, respectively;

    wherein the keys on the home key row are designated in serial order along the home key row as viewed by the operator from the outer edge of the keyboard to the center of the keyboard as follows;

    on the left hand side of the keyboard as viewed by the operator-the first home key, the second home key, the third home key, the fourth home key, the fifth home key, and the sixth home key, respectively; and

    on the right hand side of the keyboard as viewed by the operator-the seventh home key, the eighth home key, the ninth home key, the tenth home key, the eleventh home key, and the twelfth home key, respectively;

    wherein the keys on the thumb key row are designated in serial order along the thumb key row as viewed by the operator from the outer edge of the keyboard to the center of the keyboard as follows;

    on the left hand side of the keyboard as viewed by the operator-the first thumb key, the second thumb key, and the third thumb key, respectively; and

    on the right hand side of the keyboard as viewed by the operator-the fourth thumb key, the fifth thumb key, and the sixth thumb key, respectively;

    wherein the upper and lower case forms of a single letter are assigned to the same key;

    wherein space and letter keys are arranged on the left hand side of the keyboard as viewed by the operator as follows;

    the space key, which generates the separation between words, is assigned to the second thumb key;

    one high frequency vowel is assigned to the second home key;

    a second high frequency vowel is assigned to the third home key;

    a third high frequency vowel is Assigned to the fourth home key; and

    a fourth high frequency vowel is assigned to the fifth home key;

    wherein each of these four high frequency vowels is a different letter; and

    wherein letter keys are arranged on the right hand side of the keyboard as viewed by the operator as follows;

    one high frequency consonant is assigned to the fifth thumb key;

    a second high frequency consonant is assigned to the eighth home key;

    a third high frequency consonant is assigned to the ninth home key; and

    a fourth high frequency consonant is assigned to the tenth home key; and

    a fifth high frequency consonant is assigned to the eleventh home key;

    wherein each of these five high frequency consonants is a different letter.

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