Comprehensive computer data and control entries from very few keys operable in a fast touch typing mode

• US 5,184,315 A
• Filed: 05/05/1992
• Issued: 02/02/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/1983
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Laitram LLC
• Original Assignee: Laitram LLC
• Inventors: Lapeyre, James M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Malzahn, David H.
• Application Number:
  US07/879,128
• Time in Patent Office: 273 Days
• Field of Search: 364/709.16, 364/709.15
• US Class Current: 708/146
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 5/10 Arrangements of keyboards , e.g. key button disposition
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 5/28 Multiple-action keys, e.g. keys depressed by two or more amounts or movable in two or more directions to effect different functions or selections
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0235 using chord techniques G06F3/0234 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0236 using selection techniques to select from displayed items
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/027 for insertion of the decimal point
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2003/127 Details of the key cap concerning the actuation by fingernails or having provision to allow usage with long fingernails
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/036 Plural multifunctional miniature keys for one symbol
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/011 with integrated photo- or thermovoltaic cell as power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H03M 11/08 by operating selected combinations of multifunction keys

Abstract

A data processing keyboard system is provided wherein data and command signals from the keyboard are entered by two or more successive keystrokes. At least two operation modes serve to change the entry command assignments to the keys, thereby affording a large number of selections from a few keys. This makes available from the comprehensive capability of present day computers large numbers of keyboard accessible commands. Also surprisingly then this invention can replace a normal QWERTY typewriter keyboard with most of its functions by a set of only three, four, seven or nine keys. Thereby alphabetic characters, decimal digits and a store of computer command entries may be processed with each entry requiring two or more strokes of the computer keyboard keys. Functional commands such as spacing return or shift can be intermixed with the choice of data characters. Means for shifting from a computation mode to an alpha mode of computer operation may be provided. Keyboard selected modes change the key assignments. Thus an alpha mode for a computer may assign the entire alphabet first stroke to a set of three home keys arranged in a geometric configuration of no more than sixteen keys for touch typing control by fingers on one hand. The key assignments are made wherein the easier to access strokes are allocated to the more frequently encountered letters of the alphabet. Provisions are made for allocating some of the keys to custom tailored command signals entered from the keyboard.

Claims

1. A four key alphanumeric keyboard entry system providing for forty eight entries, comprising in combination:

four keys;

a graphic key chart on each key showing symbolically twelve entry command choices available for each key including for the set of four keys entry choices for twenty six alphabetic characters and ten decimal digits, said entry command choices being arranged in a pattern of three rows and four columns, and three further sets of indicia markers on each key with sets respectively identifying the four columns and two of the three rows of keys, the four column markers respectively identifying each of the four keys;

a computer for executing the entry command choices;

keyboard entry means for providing entry command signals responsive to the entry choices shown on the four keys for a two-stroke-per-entry mode accommodating the forty eight command entry choices, including the indicia markers, said two strokes being identified by a first stroke entry choice of a key upon which the desired symbol is found and the second stroke entry being identified by a column marker for the column in which the desired symbol is located;

mode selection means for establishing three modes for respectively processing entries identified on the three respective rows of entry choices, a first default mode for providing entry signals from the row not marked by the indicia markers and two further modes respectively for providing entry signals from the two rows identified by indicia markers when selected by a preceding entry choice of the indicia marker for designing the respective row, thereby implementing a four-stroke-per-entry selection mode for command entries in the two rows with indicia markers; and

keyboard assignment means for assigning to the row not marked by indicia markers for direct two-stroke-per-entry selection mode, those entry choices and symbols more frequently encountered in operation.

2. The keyboard entry system of claim 1 wherein the keyboard assignment means further comprises means for assigning the ten decimal digit entries to one of the rows marked by an indicia marker, and wherein the keyboard entry means provides a shift lock entry signal effective as a toggle to establish a decimal digit input entry mode for entry of decimal digits by two-strokes-per-entry.