Keyboard for use with one hand having curvilinear and linear rows of keys

• US 5,059,048 A
• Filed: 10/17/1989
• Issued: 10/22/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mark J. Sirkin
• Original Assignee: Mark J. Sirkin
• Inventors: Sirkin, Mark J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crowder, Clifford D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hilten, John S.
• Application Number:
  US07/422,590
• Time in Patent Office: 735 Days
• Field of Search: 400/485-487, 400/484, 400/488, 400/489
• US Class Current: 400/486
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 5/10 Arrangements of keyboards , e.g. key button disposition
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards

Abstract

A keyboard permitting data entry with only one hand in which the keys are arranged in non-alphabetic order. The keyboard contains at least four vertical columns of keys, at least six horizontal rows of keys, at least 26 data entry keys, at least 11 multiple entry keys, and at least 3 command keys.

Claims

1. A keyboard allowing data input with only one hand, wherein said keyboard is comprised of at least five rows of keys, and wherein:

(A) said keyboard is comprised of at least about 26 data entry keys suitable for inputting at least one kind of alphanumeric information, wherein;

a. said data entry keys comprise keys of at least three different shapes,

b. each of said rows of keys consists of data entry keys of the same shape, and

c. said data entry keys are arranged in non-alphabetic order;

(B) said keyboard is comprised of at least 11 multiple-function data entry keys suitable for inputting at least two kinds of alphanumeric information,

(C) said keyboard is comprised of at least 3 command keys,

(D) said keyboard is comprised of an upper section and a lower section, wherein;

a. said upper section is comprised of a top, curvilinear row of keys, and a second, curvilinear row of keys,

b. said top, curvilinear row is comprised of more keys than said second, curvilinear row,

c. said lower section is comprised of a top, substantially linear row of keys, a second, substantially linear row of keys, and a third, substantially linear row of keys,

d. said top, substantially linear row is comprised of more keys than said second, substantially linear row,

e. said second, substantially linear row is comprised of more keys than said third substantially linear row, and

f. said second, curvilinear row is comprised of more keys than said top, substantially linear row, and

(E) said lower section is comprised of a bottom row which consists of one key.

2. The keyboard as recited in claim 1, wherein said keyboard comprises at least about 28 of said data entry keys.

3. The keyboard as recited in claim 1, wherein said keyboard is comprised of at least about 20 of said multiple-function data entry keys.

4. The keyboard as recited in claim 1, wherein said keyboard comprises at least about 5 of said command keys.

5. The keyboard as recited in claim 4, wherein said keyboard is comprised of at least about 26 of said multiple function data entry keys.

6. The keyboard as recited in claim 1, wherein said keyboard is comprised of a key in the shape of an elongated ellipse.

7. The keyboard as recited in claim 6, wherein said top, curvilinear row consists of 11 keys.

8. The keyboard as recited in claim 7, wherein said second curvilinear row consists of 7 keys.

9. The keyboard as recited in claim 8, wherein said top, substantially linear row consists of 4 keys.

10. The keyboard as recited in claim 9, wherein said second, substantially linear row consists of 3 keys.

11. The keyboard as recited in claim 10, wherein said third, substantially linear row consists of 2 keys.

12. The keyboard as recited in claim 11, wherein each of the keys in said top curvilinear row and said second curvilinear row has a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape.

13. The keyboard as recited in claim 12, wherein each of the keys in said top, substantially linear row has a square cross-sectional shape.

14. The keyboard as recited in claim 13, wherein each of the keys in said second, substantially linear row and said third, substantially linear row have an inverted-trapezoidal cross-sectional shape.