Real-time word typewriter

• US 4,804,279 A
• Filed: 12/19/1985
• Issued: 02/14/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Special Systems Industry BV
• Original Assignee: Special Systems Industry BV
• Inventors: Berkelmans, Nicolaas M., Den Outer, deceased, Marius, Den Outer, legal representative, by Annie
• Primary Examiner(s): Pearson, Charles A.
• Application Number:
  US06/811,656
• Time in Patent Office: 1,153 Days
• Field of Search: 400/91, 400/92, 400/93, 400/94, 400/95, 400/96, 400/97, 400/98, 400/99, 400/100, 400/101, 400/102, 400/110, 400/482, 400/484
• US Class Current: 400/94
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/26 for stenographic writing
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 5/10 Arrangements of keyboards , e.g. key button disposition

Abstract

A word typewriter is disclosed. An entire syllable is typed by simultaneously pressing a chord of keys on a keyboard. The chord of keys is decoded according to certain decoding rules and priority rules. The invention produces an output of written text in standard format. The invention produces an output in standard format like a conventional typewriter, but at a speed which is faster than a conventional shorthand machine. A butterfly-shaped keyboard is used which has a center group of vowel keys. Eleven of the most frequently used consonants are placed on either side of the vowel keys, which are arranged in mirror images of each other. Less frequently used letters which are missing from the keyboard are formed by simultaneously pressing two keys.

Claims

1. A word typewriter for the display of written information comprising a keyboard, the keyboard being provided with letter keys, the letter keys including a first centrally positioned group of letter keys for vowels, and on either side of said group in mirror positions a second and third group of letter keys for a limited number of consonants, the number of consonants represented by the second and third group of letter keys being less than the number of consonants appearing in a standard written format of the information to be processed, the keyboard being further provided with a row of letter keys below said groups conveniently operable by a typist'"'"'s thumbs, the decoding of the letter keys being such that by simultaneous operation of more than one key, letters omitted from the keyboard are formed by the typewriter and provided in an order corresponding to a standard form of a word, the letter keys also being operable for the formation of signs or digits, a further row of two sign keys below said row of letter keys operable by the thumbs and between which a shift key is provided to selectively form letters and signs or digits, the letter keys being coupled to an electronic decoding and processing unit, the electronic decoding and processing unit being operable to decode signals from simultaneously operated keys and to subsequently supply signals representing a set of letters which are placed in an order corresponding to a standard form of a word, the combination of two simultaneously operated letter keys which may be associated with a letter omitted from the keyboard being processed into the standard display form of the letter omitted from the keyboard, the electronic decoding and processing unit serving as a means to process the simultaneous operation of keys in accordance with programmed priority rules and to produce a realtime output of signals representative of the standard form of a word, wherein the simultaneously operated letter keys which combine to form letters omitted from the keyboard are selected so that the combination of letters on those letter keys suggest in form or phonetic sound the missing letter so formed.

2. A word typewriter according to claim 1 further comprising near the lower edge of the keyboard a case shift bar for uppercase letter or lowercase letter display, said bar being operable by the ball of the typist'"'"'s hand, the decoding and processing unit being operable to decode signals from said case shift bar for uppercase letter or lowercase letter display such that when said shift bar is separately pre-operated the following syllable starts with a capital, and when said case shift bar is operated simultaneously with one or a plurality of other letter keys, representing initial consonants, it is displayed as letter h.

3. A word typewriter according to claim 2, further comprising near the lower edge of the keyboard a space bar for linking-up or space display, said space bar being operable by the ball of the typist'"'"'s hand, the decoding and processing unit being operable to decode signals from said space bar for linking-up or space display such that when said space bar is operated simultaneously with a syllable or separately when operating letter after letter, then the said syllable is displayed linked-up to the preceding syllable or the said letters in the letter after letter display are displayed with space therebetween.

4. A word typewriter according to claim 1, wherein on a number of letter keys also the digits 0 through 9 are provided such that they will be displayed when said keys are operated simultaneously with said shift key, the digits being distributed over the middle vowel group such that the digit 0 is placed on a middle thumb letter key, and the digits 1, 2, 3, and 4, 5, 6, and 7, 8, 9 successively are placed on three rows of three vowel keys.

5. A word typewriter according to claim 4, wherein the row of thumb letter keys consists of five keys, on the left two and on the right two thumb letter keys respectively the signs +, -, :

, ×

are provided, and the decoding and processing unit comprising a computation circuit, which in combination with a calculation function key outside the keyboard accomplishes the calculations of adding, subtracting, dividing, and multiplying in cooperation with the keys carrying said signs and digits.

6. A word typewriter according to claim 1, wherein chord combinations of initial consonants and final consonants, which do not exist in normal language and which are simultaneously actuated, are used in the decoding and processing unit to selectively provide for specific keyboard functions of correction, line switching, and language switching.

7. A per-syllable typewriter for real-time processing of information capable of producing a legible output of the information in standard written format, comprising:

a keyboard, the keyboard having a plurality of keys, the keyboard being designed so that an operator'"'"'s hands may remain in a substantially fixed position from which the fingers can reach all keys in order to permit rapid actuation of the keys, the keys being positioned so that most frequently used letters appearing in a standard written format of the information to be processed may be indicated by pressing a key which is positioned under the strongest fingers of the operator'"'"'s hands, the keys being organized into three groups, the first group of keys being positioned on one side of the keyboard and being designated to represent initial consonants of a syllable, the second group of keys being positioned on the middle of the keyboard and being designated to represent vowels of a syllable, the third group of keys being positioned on a side of the keyboard remote from the first group of keys and being designated to represent final consonants of a syllable, the number of keys in each of the first group of keys and the third group of keys being less than the number of consonants appearing in a standard written format of the information to be processed, the keyboard further including a shift key positioned so that it may be actuated by a thumb of an operator'"'"'s hand; and

,

an electronic decoding and processing unit, the decoding and processing unit being operatively coupled to the keyboard for receiving signals from the keyboard in response to actuation of the keys of the keyboard by an operator'"'"'s hands, the decoding and processing unit being operative to interpret simultaneously actuated keys and to produce a real-time output indicative of the standard written format for representing the syllable corresponding to the simultaneously actuated keys, the decoding and processing unit being operative to process in real-time the simultaneously actuated keys whereby keys from the first group of keys are output in standard format as initial consonants of a syllable, keys from the second group of keys are output in standard format as vowels of a syllable, and keys from the third group of keys are output in standard format as final consonants of a syllable, the decoding and processing unit being operative to process in real-time simultaneous actuation of two consonant keys from the same group of keys, whereby simultaneously actuated consonant keys from the first group or third group of keys are output in standard format as consonants which are not represented by individual keys of the keyboard thereby supplying consonants missing from the keyboard in a standard format for output, the decoding and processing unit being operable when a syllable is indicated by simultaneous actuation of a plurality of keys on the keyboard to produce a real-time output representative of letters arranged in a sequence that corresponds to the standard written format for said syllable.

8. The per-syllable typewriter according to claim 7, further comprising:

a no-space bar, the no-space bar being located below the keys of the keyboard so that the no-space bar may be actuated by the ball of an operator'"'"'s hand while the operator'"'"'s hand remains in a fixed position, the no-space bar being operatively coupled to the electronic decoding and processing unit, the electronic decoding and processing unit being operative to automatically produce a real-time output representative of a space after a syllable unless the no-space bar is actuated by an operator'"'"'s hand, thereby reducing manipulation of the keyboard when monosyllabic words occur more frequently than polysyllabic words in the standard written format of the information to be processed, the electronic decoding and processing unit being operative to produce a real-time output representative of the standard written format of two syllables linked into a word when the no-space bar is actuated by an operator'"'"'s hand between two syllables, the decoding and processing unit being operative to automatically link, without a space, individual letters represented by the actuation of individual keys unless the no-space bar is actuated between the actuation of said individual keys.

9. A per-syllable typewriter according to claim 8, further comprising:

a capital-H bar, the capital-H bar being located below the keys of the keyboard so that the capital-H bar may be actuated by the ball of an operator'"'"'s hand while the operator'"'"'s hand remains in a relatively fixed position, the capital-H bar being operatively coupled to the electronic decoding and processing unit, the decoding and processing unit being operative to interpret the first letter of a syllable as a capital letter when the capital-H bar is actuated alone, prior to actuation of other keys representative of said syllable, the decoding and processing unit being operative to interpret the capital-H bar as the letter h when the capital-H bar is actuated simultaneously with other keys.

10. The per-syllable typewriter according to claim 9, wherein:

the keyboard has a key designated to represent a period, and the electronic decoding and processing unit being operative automatically to insert a space and to capitalize the following letter after a period has been indicated, unless the no-space bar and the capital-H bar are simultaneously actuated prior to a following syllable.

11. The per-syllable typewriter according to claim 10, wherein:

the electronic decoding and processing unit is operative to interpret the following letter, after a period has been indicated, as a lower case letter when the capital-H bar is actuated prior to said letter.

12. The per-syllable typewriter according to claim 11, wherein:

the electronic decoding and processing unit includes a diode matrix decoder operatively coupled to a processor having memory means and program means, and a buffer operatively coupled to the keyboard for storing signals representative of key actuation, whereby when keys of the keyboard have been actuated and released, signals representative of keys which were simultaneously actuated are stored in the buffer, the processor being operative to receive the signals from the buffer and to interpret a plurality of such signals into a standard written format representation of information.

13. The per-syllable typewriter according to claim 12, wherein:

the keyboard further includes signs and digits represented by said keys; and

,

the electronic decoding and processing unit is operative to selectively interpret key actuations as letters or signs and digits in response to actuation of the shift key.

14. The per-syllable typewriter according to claim 12, wherein:

the electronic decoding and processing unit is operative to interpret the simultaneous actuation of keys, which in combination cannot be interpreted as a valid representation of a standard written format of a syllable, as a control signal to selectively activate special functions.

15. The per-syllable typewriter according to claim 14, wherein:

the simultaneous actuation of the "C" and "R" keys from the first group of keys and the "R" and "C" keys from the third group of keys is interpreted by the electronic decoding and processing unit as a control signal to correct a previous syllable entry.

16. The per-syllable typewriter according to claim 14, wherein:

the second group of keys on the keyboard includes two keys designated to represent the same letter, the first key designated to represent said letter being operable by one of an operator'"'"'s hands while such hand remains in a relatively fixed position, the second key designated to represent said letter being operable by the other hand of the operator, the electronic decoding and processing unit being operable to interpret the separate actuation of the first key as said letter and to interpret the separate actuation of the second key as a frequently used punctuation mark without the need for actuating the shift key.

17. The per-syllable typewriter according to claim 16, wherein:

the first group of keys on the keyboard includes keys designated to represent the letters "Z", "S", "F", "P", "T", "C", "K", "J", "r", "L", and "n", and missing consonants are obtained from the simultaneous actuation of two keys from the first group of keys;

the third group of keys on the keyboard includes keys designated to represent the letters "n", "L", "K", "J", "r", "P", "T", "C", "F", "S", "Z", and missing consonants are obtained from the simultaneous actuation of two keys from the third group of keys;

the first group of keys being located to the left of the second group of keys in the middle, and the third group of keys being located to the right of the second group of keys in the middle, the third group of keys being arranged symmetrically with respect to the first group of keys;

the keys of the keyboard being positioned so that the keys for the letters "Z", "F", and "S" are operable by an operator'"'"'s little fingers, the keys for the letters "P", "T", and "C" are operable by an operator'"'"'s ring fingers, the keys for the letters "K", "J", and "r" are operable by an operator'"'"'s middle fingers, the keys in the second group of keys representing vowels can be operated by an operator'"'"'s forefingers, and the keys for the letters "L" and "n" are operable by an operator'"'"'s thumbs;

the electronic decoding and processing unit being operable to interpret the simultaneous actuation of keys in the first group of keys as beginning consonant combinations, as follows;

FJn interpreted as VR

TJn interpreted as DR

CJn interpreted as CR

PJn interpreted as BR

to minimize awkward keystrokes and to avoid the need to press slit positions with weaker fingers; and

,

the electronic decoding and processing unit being operable to interpret the simultaneous actuation of the "n" key, the "J" key, from the first group of keys, and the capital-H bar as the beginning consonant combination "WR".

18. The per-syllable typewriter according to claim 17, wherein:

the electronic decoding and processing unit is operative to interpret the simultaneous actuation of keys from the first group of keys as beginning consonant combinations, as follows;

PK interpreted as PR

SPK interpreted as SPR

TK interpreted as TR

STK interpreted as STR

FK interpreted as FR

and,

the electronic decoding and processing unit is operative to interpret the simultaneous actuation of keys from the third group of keys, when such keys end a syllable and follow other letters in the syllable, as follows;

TZ interpreted as TS

PZ interpreted as PT

KT interpreted as CT

KTS interpreted as CTS

CZ interpreted as CH

GL interpreted as GH

GLZ interpreted as GHT

in order to minimize the strain upon an operator'"'"'s hand and to make keystrokes easier, and to minimize occasions when two keys must be actuated by either the operator'"'"'s little finger, ring finger, or middle finger.

19. A per-syllable typewriter for real-time processing of information capable of producing a legible output of the information in standard written format which can be interpreted by an ordinary person, comprising:

a keyboard, the keyboard having a plurality of keys, the keyboard being designed so that an operator'"'"'s hands may remain in a substantially fixed position from which the fingers can reach all keys in order to permit rapid actuation of the keys, the keys being positioned so that most frequently used letters appearing in a standard written format of the information to be processed may be indicated by pressing a key which is positioned under the strongest fingers of the operator'"'"'s hands, the keys being organized into three groups, the first group of keys being positioned on one side of the keyboard and being designated to represent initial consonants of a syllable, the second group of keys being positioned on the middle of the keyboard and being designated to represent vowels of a syllable, the third group of keys being positioned on a side of the keyboard remote from the first group of keys and being designated to represent final consonants of a syllable, the number of keys in each of the first group of keys and the third group of keys being less than the number of consonants appearing in a standard written format of the information to be processed, the keyboard further including a shift key positioned so that it may be actuated by a thumb of an operator'"'"'s hand;

an electronic decoding and processing unit, the decoding and processing unit being operatively coupled to the keyboard for receiving signals from the keyboard in response to actuation of the keys of the keyboard by an operator'"'"'s hands, the decoding and processing unit being operative to interpret simultaneously actuated keys and to produce a real-time output which is substantially the standard written format for representing the syllable corresponding to the simultaneously actuated keys, the decoding and processing unit being operative to process in real-time the simultaneously actuated keys whereby keys from the first group of keys are output in standard format as initial consonants of a syllable, keys from the second group of keys are output in standard format as vowels of a syllable, and keys from the third group of keys are output in standard format as final consonants of a syllable, the decoding and processing unit being operative to process in real-time simultaneous actuation of two consonant keys from the same group of keys, whereby simultaneously actuated consonant keys from the first group or third group of keys are output in standard format as consonants which are not represented by individual keys of the keyboard thereby supplying consonants missing from the keyboard in a standard format for output, the decoding and processing unit being operable, when multiple syllables are each indicated by simultaneous actuation of a plurality of keys on the keyboard to produce a real-time output that substantially consists of letters arranged in a sequence that corresponds to the standard written format for words and sentences formed by said syllables;

a no-space bar, the no-space bar being located below the keys of the keyboard so that the no-space bar may be actuated by the ball of an operator'"'"'s hand while the operator'"'"'s hand remains in a fixed position, the no-space bar being operatively coupled to the electronic decoding and processing unit, the electronic decoding and processing unit being operative to automatically produce a real-time output of a space after a syllable unless the no-space bar is actuated by an operator'"'"'s hand, thereby reducing manipulation of the keyboard when monosyllabic words occur more frequently than polysyllabic words in the standard written format of the information to be processed, the electronic decoding and processing unit being operative to produce a real-time output that substantially consists of the standard written format of two syllables linked into a word when the no-space bar is actuated by an operator'"'"'s hand between two syllables, the decoding and processing unit being operative to automatically link, without a space, individual letters represented by the actuation of individual keys unless the no-space bar is actuated between the actuation of said individual keys;

a capital-H bar, the capital-H bar being located below the keys of the keyboard so that the capital-H bar may be actuated by the ball of an operator'"'"'s hand while the operator'"'"'s hand remains in a relatively fixed position, the capital-H bar being operatively coupled to the electronic decoding and processing unit, the decoding and processing unit being operative to interpret the first letter of a syllable as a capital letter when the capital-H bar is actuated alone, prior to actuation of other keys representative of said syllable, the decoding and processing unit being operative to interpret the capital-H bar as the letter h when the capital-H bar is actuated simultaneously with other keys, the decoding and processing unit being operative to produce an output in standard written format in accordance with its interpretation;

the electronic decoding and processing unit including a matrix decoder operatively coupled to a processor having memory means and program means, and a buffer operatively coupled to the keyboard for storing signals representative of key actuation, whereby when keys of the keyboard have been actuated and release, signals representative of keys which were simultaneously actuated are stored in the buffer, the processor being operative to receive the signals from the buffer and to interpret a plurality of such signals into a standard written format representation of information; and

,

display means for displaying a visually perceptible indication of information indicating the standard written format representation of key actuations.

20. The per-syllable typewriter according to claim 19, further comprising:

printer means for producing a printed copy of the standard written format representation of the information represented by key actuations.

21. The per-syllable typewriter according to claim 19, wherein:

the first group of keys on the keyboard includes keys designated to represent the letters "Z", "S", "F", "P", "T", "C", "K", "J", "r", "L", and "n", and missing consonants are obtained from the simultaneous actuation of two keys from the first group of keys;

the third group of keys on the keyboard includes keys designated to represent the letters "n", "L", "K", "J", "r", "P", "T", "C", "F", "S", "Z", and missing consonants are obtained from the simultaneous actuation of two keys from the third group of keys;

the first group of keys being located to the left of the second group of keys in the middle, and the third group of keys being located to the right of the second group of keys in the middle, the third group of keys being arranged symmetrically with respect to the first group of keys;

the keys of the keyboard being positioned so that the keys for the letters "Z", "F", and "S" are operable by an operator'"'"'s little fingers, the keys for the letters "P", "T", and "C" are operable by an operator'"'"'s ring fingers, the keys for the letters "K", "J", and "r" are operable by an operator'"'"'s middle fingers, the keys in the second group of keys representing vowels can be operated by an operator'"'"'s forefingers, and the keys for the letters "L" and "n" are operable by an operator '"'"'s thumbs;

the electronic decoding and processing unit being operable to interpret the simultaneous actuation of keys in the first group of keys as beginning consonant combinations, as follows;

FJn interpreted as VR

TJn interpreted as DR

CJn interpreted as CR

PJn interpreted as BR

to minimize awkward keystrokes and to avoid difficult keystrokes with weaker fingers; and

,

the electronic decoding and processing unit being operable to interpret the simultaneous actuation of the "n" key, the "J" key, from the first group of keys, and the capital-H bar as the beginning consonant combination "WR".

22. The per-syllable typewriter according to claim 21, wherein:

the electronic decoding and processing unit is operative to interpret the simultaneous actuation of keys from the first group of keys as beginning consonant combinations, as follows;

PK interpreted as PR

SPK interpreted as SPR

TK interpreted as TR

STK interpreted as STR

FK interpreted as FR

and,

the electronic decoding and processing unit is operative to interpret the simultaneous actuation of keys from the third group of keys, when such keys end a syllable and follow other letters in the syllable, as follows;

TZ interpreted as TS

PZ interpreted as PT

KT interpreted as CT

KTS interpreted as CTS

CZ interpreted as CH

GL interpreted as GH

GLZ interpreted as GHT

in order to minimize the strain upon an operator'"'"'s hand and to make keystrokes easier, and to minimize occasions when two keys must be actuated by either the operator'"'"'s little finger, ring finger, or middle finger.