Method for designing an ergonomic one-finger keyboard and apparatus therefor
First Claim
1. A method for designing a keyboard layout and assigning a plurality of characters in a target language to a keyboard for efficient entry of data using a single data entry vehicle, said keyboard comprising a plurality of keys including at least one key for each of said plurality of characters in said target language wherein the keys are arranged and disposed in a simple geometric formation, said formation defining a distance between every pair of said keys and said keys further arranged in accordance with the method comprising the steps:
- (a) calculating a frequency of use for each of said plurality of characters from a representative corpus of text for said target language;
(b) calculating a frequency of transitions between each pair of characters in said plurality of characters from said representative corpus of text for said target language;
(c) defining a geometry for the keys of the keyboard and calculating the corresponding distance between every pair of keys in said keyboard;
(d) defining a current assignment for the plurality of characters to at least one of the keys on the keyboard and computing an average distance of travel for the single data entry vehicle by weighing the corresponding distance between every pair of said keys assignment by the frequency of transition between the corresponding characters for the assigned keys according to the current assignment;
(e) defining an alternative assignment obtained by permutation of the plurality of characters on said keys and replacing the current assignment by the alternative assignment if the average distance of travel for the alternative assignment is less than that for the current assignment;
(f) repeating step (e) for all permutations of the plurality of characters.
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Abstract
An improved keyboard design and method for manufacturing the same is provided for minimizing the distance of travel required in entering characters using a keyboard with a single data entry device. Such system is especially useful for use in small hand held computers, pen based systems and other devices in which data entry with a pen or a single finger is required.
189 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for designing a keyboard layout and assigning a plurality of characters in a target language to a keyboard for efficient entry of data using a single data entry vehicle, said keyboard comprising a plurality of keys including at least one key for each of said plurality of characters in said target language wherein the keys are arranged and disposed in a simple geometric formation, said formation defining a distance between every pair of said keys and said keys further arranged in accordance with the method comprising the steps:
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(a) calculating a frequency of use for each of said plurality of characters from a representative corpus of text for said target language; (b) calculating a frequency of transitions between each pair of characters in said plurality of characters from said representative corpus of text for said target language; (c) defining a geometry for the keys of the keyboard and calculating the corresponding distance between every pair of keys in said keyboard; (d) defining a current assignment for the plurality of characters to at least one of the keys on the keyboard and computing an average distance of travel for the single data entry vehicle by weighing the corresponding distance between every pair of said keys assignment by the frequency of transition between the corresponding characters for the assigned keys according to the current assignment; (e) defining an alternative assignment obtained by permutation of the plurality of characters on said keys and replacing the current assignment by the alternative assignment if the average distance of travel for the alternative assignment is less than that for the current assignment; (f) repeating step (e) for all permutations of the plurality of characters. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification