Sequential stroke keyboard
First Claim
1. A keyboard system suited for one-handed entry of information into a digital device comprising:
- a plurality of keys in a fixed configuration each labeled by a first character generated by a single keystroke of the key wherein the sequential stroking of two adjacent keys generates a second or a third character;
an encoder connected to the plurality of keys that generates a unique key code in response to stroking of each key;
a function key that outputs an enter signal when stroked or a threshold timer that outputs an enter signal when a predetermined threshold interval between keystrokes has been exceeded;
a translator that outputs a character code upon receipt of one or two key codes and an enter signal, said character code corresponding to;
a) a first character when one single key code and said enter signal are received, b) a second character when two key codes in a sequential order and said enter signal are received, c) a third character when two keys codes in a reverse sequential order and said enter signal are received.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A keyboard having fewer keys than the characters available utilizes linked sequences of keystrokes in generation of some characters. Other characters may be produced with one keystroke. The difference between linked keystrokes and independent keystrokes both made in sequence is determined by either the length of the interval between keystrokes or use of a delimiting key. A threshold level for the interval between keystrokes which decides whether two sequential keystrokes are linked or not may be set by the user or may be automatically determined with the use of an adaptive predictive algorithm. It is generally suggested that pairs of keys be linked, particularly adjacent pairs of keys in a fixed configuration, and that the characters generated by either a single keystroke of a given key or the characters generated by two linked keystrokes be represented upon the keyboard in a disposition which facilitates intuitive learning of the keyboard. The characters ‘A’ and ‘B’ might both be represented between the keys identified as ‘1’ and ‘2’ with the ‘A’ adjacent the ‘1’ and the ‘B’ adjacent the ‘2’ connoting that the linked keystrokes 1-2 generate the character ‘A’, the linked keystrokes 2-1 generate the character ‘B’ and independent keystrokes 1 and 2 each generate the characters ‘1’ and ‘2’ respectively. The keys may be identified and arranged in a fixed configuration in any manner desired. A hexagonal pattern with keys identified by a simplified Morse code using ·, -, ··, --, ·-, and -· is specifically suggested for use by those having a physical disability.
-
Citations
61 Claims
-
1. A keyboard system suited for one-handed entry of information into a digital device comprising:
-
a plurality of keys in a fixed configuration each labeled by a first character generated by a single keystroke of the key wherein the sequential stroking of two adjacent keys generates a second or a third character;
an encoder connected to the plurality of keys that generates a unique key code in response to stroking of each key;
a function key that outputs an enter signal when stroked or a threshold timer that outputs an enter signal when a predetermined threshold interval between keystrokes has been exceeded;
a translator that outputs a character code upon receipt of one or two key codes and an enter signal, said character code corresponding to;
a) a first character when one single key code and said enter signal are received, b) a second character when two key codes in a sequential order and said enter signal are received, c) a third character when two keys codes in a reverse sequential order and said enter signal are received. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61)
an input signal of a unit-time-period LMS predictor is given as where nSmax is the upper limit of nS(k); and
a transfer function ƒ
u(·
) is defined bywhere S/(k) is the output of a character-space decision rule at iteration k, r(k) defined by equation (7) below is a predicted unstable inter-keystroke space ratio;
then, a predicted unit time period u(k) at iteration k is obtained from output of the predictor
-
Specification