Quasi-steno keyboard for text entry into a computer
First Claim
1. In apparatus for entering text into a computer, comprising a standard "QWERTY" keyboard having a plurality of keys arranged in at least three parallel rows, there being at least ten keys in a first row, at least ten keys in a second row and at least seven keys in a third row, said first, second and third rows being oriented successively closer to the position of the keyboard user,the improvement wherein the tops of said keys in said first and second rows are substantially coplanar and the tops of at least four keys in said third row are coplanar and are lower than said tops of the keys in said first and second rows,whereby the configuration of keys corresponds both to a standard "QWERTY" keyboard and to a standard stenotyping keyboard, whereby said keys in said first and second rows may be actuated by fingers, either individually or by pressing plural keys together, and said four keys in said third row may be actuated either by thumbs or fingers.
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Abstract
A quasi-steno keyboard permits text entry into a computer either by standard letter-by-letter typing or by stenotyping. The keys of the keyboard are arranged in three parallel rows with the tops of the keys in the first and second rows being substantially coplanar and the tops of at least four keys in the third row being coplanar and lower than those in the first and second rows. The four keys in the third row are laterally centered in the keyboard and are positioned, with respect to the keys of the first and second rows, such that a thumb can rest comfortably on each of these keys when an index or other finger of the same hand rests on a crack between adjacent keys in the first and second rows.
40 Citations
20 Claims
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1. In apparatus for entering text into a computer, comprising a standard "QWERTY" keyboard having a plurality of keys arranged in at least three parallel rows, there being at least ten keys in a first row, at least ten keys in a second row and at least seven keys in a third row, said first, second and third rows being oriented successively closer to the position of the keyboard user,
the improvement wherein the tops of said keys in said first and second rows are substantially coplanar and the tops of at least four keys in said third row are coplanar and are lower than said tops of the keys in said first and second rows, whereby the configuration of keys corresponds both to a standard "QWERTY" keyboard and to a standard stenotyping keyboard, whereby said keys in said first and second rows may be actuated by fingers, either individually or by pressing plural keys together, and said four keys in said third row may be actuated either by thumbs or fingers.
Specification