Chordic keyboard system for generating a signal in response to a chord that is assigned using a correlation based on a composite chord-difficulty index

• US 5,493,654 A
• Filed: 08/09/1994
• Issued: 02/20/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Infogrip, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Infogrip, Inc.
• Inventors: Gopher, Daniel, Hilburn, John, Vicknair, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Bowler, Alyssa H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HARRITY, JOHN E
• Application Number:
  US08/288,220
• Time in Patent Office: 560 Days
• Field of Search: 395/375, 395/275, 400/486, 400/489, 341/22, 364/234
• US Class Current: 341/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0235 using chord techniques G06F3/0234 takes precedence

Abstract

A chordic keyboard system for communicating with a data processing system. The chordic keyboard system includes ergonomic features, i.e., a keyboard that is tilted and an integrated palm rest. The chordic keyboard system also includes data entry features, i.e., storage for data representative of a plurality of chords, each chord corresponding to a subset of the plurality of keys of the chordic keyboard, and for a plurality of symbols, each data representative of a chord represented by and corresponding to one of the plurality of symbols according to a frequency-of-use index of the symbol and further according to a correlation based on a chord-difficulty index of the chord. The plurality of groups includes an alphabetic group, a punctuation/cursor control group, an editing/control function group, a numerical/mathematical group, and a punctuation/symbolic-type group. The chordic keyboard system also includes means for receiving data from the chordic keyboard identifying a selected chord of the plurality of chords, means for identifying, using the stored data and symbols, the group corresponding to the selected chord, and for identifying a selected symbol of the plurality of symbols representative of the selected chord, and means for generating a signal corresponding to the selected symbol.

Claims

1. A chordic keyboard system for use by an operator having a hand including a thumb, fingers, and a palm, to communicate with a computer-based machine using a plurality of symbols, including a primary symbol set of said symbols, the chordic keyboard system comprising:

a tilted chordic keyboard with at least five keys and with an integral palm rest wherein said tilted chordic keyboard is comprised of a finger group of keys and a thumb group of keys and wherein said finger group of keys consists of four keys arranged in a finger pattern and wherein said thumb group of keys consists of at least one key and wherein said thumb group of keys are located on the keyboard in relation to said finger group of keys such that said thumb group of keys can be actuated by the thumb of the operator'"'"'s hand while the fingers of said operator'"'"'s hand are positioned on said finger group of keys and wherein said integral palm rest is integrated with said tilted chordic keyboard such that the palm of said operator'"'"'s hand can rest on and be partially supported by said integral palm rest while the fingers of said operator'"'"'s hand are positioned on said finger group of keys and the thumb of said operator'"'"'s hand is positioned on said thumb group of keys and wherein said tilted chordic keyboard is tilted at an angle in a range of 20°

to 45°

;

means for detecting a plurality of chords of said finger group of keys and said thumb group of keys produced by the actuation of said finger group of keys and said thumb group of keys;

means for transmitting said chords to said computer-based machine; and

means for programming said computer-based machine to receive said chords from said transmitting means and to assign to each primary symbol of said primary symbol set a unique chord, said assignment to be derived using a correlation based on a frequency-of-use index of the symbol and a composite chord-difficulty index of the unique chord such that when said computer-based machine is executing said programming means, said operator can communicate with said computer-based machine by actuating chords of keys on said tilted chordic keyboard.

2. A dual chordic keyboard system for use by an operator having a right hand and a left hand, each hand having a thumb, fingers, and a palm, to communicate with a computer-based machine using a plurality of symbols, including a primary symbol set of said symbols, the dual chordic keyboard system comprising:

a right-handed tilted chordic keyboard with at least five keys and with a right-handed integral palm rest wherein said right-handed tilted chordic keyboard is comprised of a right-handed finger group of keys and a right-handed thumb group of keys and wherein said right-handed finger group of keys consists of four keys arranged in a finger pattern and wherein said right-handed thumb group of keys consists of at least one key and wherein said right-handed thumb group of keys is located on the keyboard in relation to said right-handed finger group of keys such that said right-handed thumb group of keys can be actuated while the fingers of said operator'"'"'s right hand are positioned on said right-handed finger group of keys and wherein said right-handed integral palm rest is integrated with said right-handed tilted chordic keyboard such that the operator'"'"'s right palm can rest on and be partially supported by said right-handed integral palm rest while the fingers of said operator'"'"'s right hand are positioned on said right-handed finger group of keys and the thumb of said operator'"'"'s right hand is positioned on said right-handed thumb group of keys and wherein said right-handed tilted chordic keyboard is tilted at an angle in a range of 20°

to 45°

;

a left-handed tilted chordic keyboard with at least five keys and with an left-handed integral palm rest wherein said left-handed tilted chordic keyboard is comprised of a left-handed finger group of keys and a left-handed thumb group of keys and wherein said left-handed finger group of keys consists of four keys arranged in a finger pattern and wherein said left-handed thumb group of keys consists of at least one key and wherein said left-handed thumb group of keys is located on the keyboard in relation to said left-handed finger group of keys such that said left-handed thumb group of keys can be actuated while the fingers of said operator'"'"'s left hand are positioned on said left-handed finger group of keys and wherein said left-handed integral palm rest is integrated with said left-handed tilted chordic keyboard such that the palm of said operator'"'"'s left hand can rest on and be partially supported by said left-handed integral palm rest while the fingers of said operator'"'"'s left hand are positioned on said left-handed finger group of keys and the thumb of said operator'"'"'s left hand is positioned on said left-handed thumb group of keys and wherein said left-handed tilted chordic keyboard is tilted at an angle in the range of 20°

to 45°

;

means for detecting a plurality of right- handed chords produced by the actuation of said right-handed finger group of keys and said right-handed thumb group of keys;

means for detecting a plurality of left-handed chords produced by the actuation of said left-handed finger group of keys and said left-handed thumb group of keys;

means for transmitting said right-handed chords to said computer-based machine;

means for transmitting said left-handed chords to said computer-based machine; and

means for programming said computer-based machine to receive said chords from said transmitting means, and to assign to each primary symbol of said primary symbol set a unique chord, said assignment to be derived using a correlation between a frequency-of-use index for each primary symbol and a composite chord-difficulty index of the unique chord such that when said computer-based machine is executing said programming means, said operator can communicate with said computer-based machine by actuating chords of keys on said tilted chordic keyboard.

3. A chordic keyboard system in a data processing apparatus, wherein the chordic keyboard system is used to communicate with a chordic keyboard including a plurality of keys, the chordic keyboard system comprising:

means for storing data representative of a plurality of chords, the data organized as a plurality of groups, wherein each chord corresponds to a subset of the plurality of keys of the chordic keyboard, and for storing a plurality of symbols, wherein data representative of a chord is represented by and corresponds to one of the plurality of symbols according to a correlation between a frequency-of-use index of the symbol and a composite chord-difficulty index of the chord, and wherein the plurality of groups includes an alphabetic group, a punctuation/cursor control group, an editing/control function group, a numerical/mathematical group, and a punctuation/symbolic-type group;

means for receiving data from the chordic keyboard identifying a selected chord of the plurality of chords;

means for identifying, using the stored data and symbols, the group corresponding to the selected chord, and for identifying a selected symbol of the plurality of symbols representative of the selected chord; and

means, coupled to the identifying means, for generating a signal corresponding to the selected symbol.

4. The chordic keyboard system of claim 3 wherein the receiving means includes a means for recognizing that the data from the chordic keyboard corresponds to a depression of at least one of the plurality of keys of the chordic keyboard, wherein the keys are divided into a plurality of, groups, including at least one of the following groups:

a finger group and a thumb group, wherein the finger group includes a plurality of keys including an index-finger key, a middle-finger key, a ring-finger key, and a little-finger key, and wherein the thumb group includes a plurality of keys including a first thumb key, a second thumb key and a third thumb key.

5. The chordic keyboard system of claim 4 wherein the alphabetic group of the plurality of groups of chords corresponds to a combination of at least one of the second thumb key and a plurality of the finger group of keys.

6. The chordic keyboard system of claim 4 wherein the punctuation/cursor control group of the plurality of groups of chords corresponds to a combination of the first thumb key and at least one of the finger group of keys.

7. The chordic keyboard system of claim 4 wherein the editing/control function group of the plurality of groups of chords corresponds to a combination of the third thumb key and at least one of the finger group of keys.

8. The chordic keyboard system of claim 4 wherein the numerical/mathematical group of the plurality of groups of chords corresponds to a combination of the third thumb key followed by at least one of the second thumb key and a plurality of the finger group of keys.

9. The chordic keyboard system of claim 4 wherein the punctuation/symbolic-type group of the plurality of groups of chords corresponds to a combination of the third thumb key and the index-finger key followed by at least one of the second thumb key and a plurality of the finger group of keys.

10. The chordic keyboard system of claim 3 further comprising means for generating the data in the chordic keyboard identifying a selected chord of the plurality of chords.

11. The chordic keyboard system of claim 10 wherein the means for generating includes a right-hand generating means and a left-hand generating means, wherein the right-hand generating means and left-hand generating means independently generate data.

12. A chordic keyboard system in a data processing apparatus, wherein the chordic keyboard system communicates with a chordic keyboard in a plurality of modes, including a let-mode and a num-mode, wherein said chordic keyboard includes a plurality of keys, the chordic keyboard system comprising:

means for storing data representative of a plurality of chords, the data organized as a plurality of data groups, wherein each chord corresponds to a subset of the plurality of keys of the chordic keyboard, and for storing a plurality of symbols, wherein data representative of a chord is mapped to one of the plurality of symbols based on a correlation between a plurality of symbol-groups and a plurality of chord groups in which each of the symbols is assigned to one of the symbol-groups based on a frequency-of-use index of the symbol and each chord is assigned one of the chord groups based on a composite chord-difficulty index of the chord, wherein the composite chord-difficulty index includes both a motor difficulty index and a perceptual difficulty index corresponding to the chord, and wherein the plurality of data groups includes an alphabetic group, a punctuation/cursor control group, an editing/control function group, a numerical/mathematical group, and a punctuation/symbolic-type group;

means for receiving data from the chordic keyboard identifying a selected chord of the plurality of chords and for recognizing that the received data corresponds to a depression of the plurality of keys of the chordic keyboard, wherein the keys are divided into a plurality of groups, including at least one of the following groups;

a finger group and a thumb group, wherein the finger group includes a plurality of keys including an index-finger key, a middle-finger key, a ring-finger key, and a little-finger key, and wherein the thumb group includes a plurality of keys including a first thumb key, a second thumb key and a third thumb key;

means for identifying, using the stored data and symbols, the group corresponding to the selected chord, and for identifying a selected symbol of the plurality of symbols representative of the selected chord; and

means, coupled to the identifying means, for generating a signal corresponding to the selected symbol.

13. The chordic keyboard system of claim 12 wherein the plurality of symbols includes data representative of the following characters:

a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, y, z, and a character representative of a blank space.

14. The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key, the index-finger key, the middle-finger key, and the ring-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "a" as the selected symbol.

15. The chordic keyboard system of claim 14 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "a" in the let mode as data representative of a mathematical operator "+" in the num mode and wherein the mathematical operator "+" corresponds to the mathematical function for addition.

16. The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the index-finger key and the little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "b" as the selected symbol.

17. The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key and the middle-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "c" as the selected symbol.

18. The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key, the index-finger key and the middle-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "d" as the selected symbol.

19. The chordic keyboard system of claim 18 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "d" in the let mode as data representative of a mathematical operator "/" in the num mode and wherein the mathematical operator "/" corresponds to the mathematical function for division.

20. The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the index-finger key, the middle-finger key, and the ring-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "e" as the selected symbol.

21. The chordic keyboard system of claim 20 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "e" in the let mode as data representative of a mathematical operator "=" in the num mode and wherein the mathematical operator "=" corresponds to the mathematical function for equals.

22. The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key and the little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "f" as the selected symbol.

23. The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key and the ring-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "g" as the selected symbol.

24. The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the middle-finger key and the ring-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "h" as the selected symbol.

25. The chordic keyboard system of claim 24 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "h" in the let mode as data representative of a mathematical operator ">

" in the num mode and wherein the mathematical operator ">

" corresponds to the mathematical function for greater than.

26. The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the index-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "i" as the selected symbol.

27. The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key, the index-finger key, and the ring-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "j" as the selected symbol.

28. The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the index-finger key and the ring-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "k" as the selected symbol.

29. The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key and the index-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "1" as the selected symbol.

30. The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key, the index-finger key, and the middle-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "m" as the selected symbol.

31. The chordic keyboard system of claim 30 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "m" in the let mode as data representative of a mathematical operator "*" in the num mode and wherein the mathematical operator "*" corresponds to the mathematical function for multiplication.

32. The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key, the middle-finger key, the ring-finger key, and the little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "n" as the selected symbol.

33. The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key, the index-finger key, the middle-finger key, the ring-finger key, and little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "o" as the selected symbol.

34. The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key, the middle-finger key, and the ring-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "p" as the selected symbol.

35. The chordic keyboard system of claim 34 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "p" in the let mode as data representative of a mathematical operator "%" in the num mode and wherein the mathematical operator "%" corresponds to the mathematical function for percentage.

36. The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key, the index-finger key, the ring-finger key, and little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "q" as the selected symbol.

37. The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the middle-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "r" as the selected symbol.

38. The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the middle-finger key, the ring-finger key, and the little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "s" as the selected symbol.

39. The chordic keyboard system of claim 38 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "s" in the let mode as data representative of a mathematical operator "-" in the num mode and wherein the mathematical operator "-" corresponds to the mathematical function for subtraction.

40. The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the index-finger key, the middle-finger key, the ring-finger key, and the little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "t" as the selected symbol.

41. The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the ring-finger key and the little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "u" as the selected symbol.

42. The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key, the ring-finger key, and the little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "v" as the selected symbol.

43. The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "w" as the selected symbol.

44. The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key, the index-finger key, and the little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "x" as the selected symbol.

45. The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the middle-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "y" as the selected symbol.

46. The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the index-finger key, the ring-finger key, and the little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "z" as the selected symbol.

47. The chordic keyboard system of claim 46 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "z" in the let mode as data representative of a mathematical operator "<

" in the num-mode and wherein the mathematical operator "<

" corresponds to the mathematical function for less than.

48. The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key, the index-finger key, the middle-finger key, and the ring-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the blank space as the selected symbol.

49. The chordic keyboard system of claim 12 wherein the plurality of symbols includes mode symbols corresponding to the plurality of modes, and wherein the identifying means identifies a selected mode symbol representative of the selected chord, and wherein the generating means generates a mode selection signal corresponding to the selected mode symbol to change a current mode to the mode corresponding to the selected mode symbol.

50. The chordic keyboard system of claim 49 wherein a num-mode symbol corresponds to the num-mode, and an operator operates the chordic keyboard and wherein when, the receiving means receives data indicating that the operator has depressed the third thumb key to identify the selected chord, the identifying means identifies a symbol representative of the num-mode as the selected mode symbol.

51. The chordic keyboard system of claim 12 wherein the plurality of symbols includes data representative of the following numerals and mathematical/logical operators:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0, +, *, -, /, %, #, =, >

, <

, $, and a blank space.

52. The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the numeral "1" as the selected symbol.

53. The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the index-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the numeral "2" as the selected symbol.

54. The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the middle-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the numeral "3" as the selected symbol.

55. The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the ring-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character representative of the numeral "4" as the selected symbol.

56. The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the numeral "5" as the selected symbol.

57. The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key and the index-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the numeral "6" as the selected symbol.

58. The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key and the middle-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the numeral "7" as the selected symbol.

59. The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key and the ring-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the numeral "8" as the selected symbol.

60. The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key and the little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the numeral "9" as the selected symbol.

61. The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key, the index-finger key, the middle-finger key, the ring-finger key, and the little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the numeral "0" as the selected symbol.

62. The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key, index-finger key, middle-finger key, and ring-finger key to identify the selected chord, and the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the mathematical/logical operator "+" as the selected symbol, wherein the mathematical/logical operator "+" corresponds to the mathematical function for addition.

63. The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "a" in the let-mode as data representative of the mathematical/logical operator "+" as the selected symbol in the num-mode, wherein the mathematical/logical operator "+" corresponds to the mathematical function for addition.

64. The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key, index-finger key, and middle-finger key to identify the selected chord, and the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the mathematical/logical operator "*" as the selected symbol, wherein the mathematical/logical operator "*" corresponds to the mathematical function for multiplication.

65. The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "m" in the let-mode as data representative of the mathematical/logical operator "*" as the selected symbol in the num-mode, wherein the mathematical/logical operator "*" corresponds to the mathematical function for multiplication.

66. The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the middle-finger key, ring-finger key, and little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the mathematical/logical operator "-" as the selected symbol, wherein the mathematical/logical operator "-" corresponds to the mathematical function for subtraction.

67. The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "s" in the let-mode as data representative of the mathematical/logical operator "-" as the selected symbol in the num-mode, wherein the mathematical/logical operator "-" corresponds to the mathematical function for subtraction.

68. The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the index-finger key and the middle-finger key to identify the selected chord, and the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the mathematical/logical operator "/" as the selected symbol, wherein the mathematical/logical operator "/" corresponds to the mathematical function for division signal corresponding to the selected symbol.

69. The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "d" in the let-mode as data representative of the mathematical/logical operator "/" as the selected symbol in the num-mode, wherein the mathematical/logical operator "/" corresponds to the mathematical function for division.

70. The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key, the middle-finger key, and the ring-finger key to identify the selected chord, and the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the mathematical/logical operator "%" as the selected symbol, wherein the mathematical/logical operator "%" corresponds to the mathematical function for percentage.

71. The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "p" in the let-mode as data representative of the mathematical/logical operator "%" as the selected symbol in the num-mode, wherein the mathematical/logical operator "%" corresponds to the mathematical function for percentage.

72. The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key, the middle-finger key, the ring-finger key, and the little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the mathematical/logical operator "#" as the selected symbol.

73. The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "n" in the let-mode as data representative of the mathematical/logical operator "#" as the selected symbol in the num-mode.

74. The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the index-finger key, the middle-finger key, and the ring-finger key to identify the selected chord, and the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the mathematical/logical operator "=" as the selected symbol, wherein the mathematical/logical operator "=" corresponds to the mathematical function for equals.

75. The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "e" in the let-mode as data representative of the mathematical/logical operator "=" as the selected symbol in the num-mode, wherein the mathematical/logical operator "=" corresponds to the mathematical function for equals.

76. The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the middle-finger key and the ring-finger key to identify the selected chord, and the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the mathematical/logical operator ">

" as the selected symbol, wherein the mathematical/logical operator ">

" corresponds to the logical function for greater than.

77. The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "h" in the let-mode as data representative of the mathematical/logical operator ">

" as the selected symbol in the num-mode, wherein the mathematical/logical operator ">

" corresponds to the logical function for greater than.

78. The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the index-finger key, the ring-finger key, and the little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the mathematical/logical operator "<

" as the selected symbol, wherein the mathematical/logical operator "<

" corresponds to the logical function for less than.

79. The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "z" in the let-mode as data representative of the mathematical/logical operator "<

" as the selected symbol in the num-mode, wherein the mathematical/logical operator "<

" corresponds to the logical function for less than.

80. The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the ring-finger key and the little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the mathematical/logical operator "$°

as the selected symbol.

81. The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "u" in the let-mode as data representative of the mathematical/logical operator "$" as the selected symbol in the num-mode.

82. The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the index-finger key and the little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the mathematical/logical operator for the blank space.

83. The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "b" in the let-mode as data representative of the mathematical/logical operator for the blank space as the selected symbol in the num-mode.