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Alphabetic keyboard arrangement for typing Mandarin Chinese phonetic data

  • US 5,212,638 A
  • Filed: 10/31/1990
  • Issued: 05/18/1993
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/14/1983
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A keyboard for typing Roman alphabet transcriptions of Chinese character texts and for inputting phonetic data of said characters, based upon the pinyin phonetic notation system, comprising a plurality of keys actuable by an operator in a two-hand operation, including a row of keys on which said operator'"'"'s fingers usually rest and a central area, said plurality of keys bearing respectively at least the letters of the Roman alphabet and four syllabic tone quality symbols used in the pinyin phonetic system, said keys being arranged such that:

  • keys bearing respectively the letters A, I, O and U are placed among different key groups, wherein each of said groups is struck by a different finger;

    at least two of the seven keys bearing respectively the letters A, I, O, U, N, G and H are placed in the row of keys on which the operator'"'"'s fingers usually rest;

    at least two of the six keys bearing respectively the letters A, E, I, U, H and N are struck by the index finger or the middle finger of either hand; and

    four keys bearing said four syllabic tone quality symbols are placed in the central area of the keyboard such that either of the index fingers can actuate each of said four syllablic tone quality symbol keys.

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