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Keyboard with arrays of function keys

  • US 4,698,618 A
  • Filed: 09/25/1986
  • Issued: 10/06/1987
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/04/1984
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A keyboard for a terminal for use by a telephone assistance operator for communicating with a processor of an operator assistance system comprising:

  • a main array of keys comprising a plurality of alphabetic keys and a plurality of function keys representing functions including the function of identifying subsequently keyed alphabetic data, said alphabetic keys arranged in the configuration of a QWERTY keyboard;

    an array of numeric keys located to the right of said main array comprising a plurality of rows of numeric keys and function keys representing functions including the function of entering a frequently used sequence of numbers, and having an inter-key distance measured by the distanee between centers of adjacent numeric keys of one of said rows of said array of numeric keys;

    a first array of keys comprising a plurality of function keys, located adjacent to the left of said array of numeric keys and to the right of said main array, separated from said main array and said array of numeric keys by an inter-array distance, inter-array distances between two arrays being measured by the shortest distance between the center of a key of a first of said two arrays and the center of a key of a second of said two arrays, greater than said inter-key distance, comprising function keys representing functions usually keyed immediately before a number is keyed using said array of numeric keys;

    a second array of keys comprising a plurality of function keys located adjacent to the right of said array of numeric keys and separated from said array of numeric keys by an inter-array distance greater than said inter-key distance, comprising function keys representing functions, including the function of initiating the setting up of a connection to a communication terminal identified by a telephone number previously keyed, usually keyed immediately after a number is keyed using said array of numeric keys;

    a third array of keys, comprising a plurality of function keys, located to the left of said main array and separated therefrom by an inter-array distance greater than said inter-key distance;

    an array group of keys, comprising a plurality of variable function keys, located behind said main array and separated therefrom by an inter-array distance greater than said inter-key distance;

    wherein said main array further comprises a control key for controlling change of functions of said plurality of variable function keys; and

    wherein each of said main array, said first, second, and third arrays, and said array of numeric keys has a back row of keys, and wherein the back row of said third array, said main array, said first array, said array of numeric keys, and said second array are aligned in a straight line;

    whereby said array of numeric keys and said first and second arrays are positioned so that they can be readily accessed by the right hand of said telphone assistance operator.

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