Computer-compatible, visualizably presented, intuitive and self-explanatory manual input system

• US 6,943,776 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2002
• Issued: 09/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Herman Ehrenburg
• Original Assignee: Herman Ehrenburg
• Inventors: Ehrenburg, Herman
• Primary Examiner(s): Eisen, Alexander
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KIMNHUNG T
• Application Number:
  US10/083,746
• Publication Number:
  US 20030067444A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,296 Days
• Field of Search: 345/168, 345/156, 345/161, 341 20- 23, 341/26, 341/28
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0235 using chord techniques G06F3/0234 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224

Abstract

A manual input system for efficient generation of inputs by entering chords comprises a keyboard (66) with ten colored keys (74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, and 92) and a legend (94) The keys of the keyboard (66) each are operated by a different digit of a human operator and each have a different color. The legend (94) presents the assignment of chords to the symbols found on the standard computer keyboard. Character chords involve only fingers, while modifier chords involve only thumbs, so that each character can be combined with each modifier. Command chords also involve a thumb, so that accidental input of modified characters and commands during character input is prevented. The legend (94) shows determination of chords by visualizing the position of symbols relative to the rows. Chords are represented by combinations of digit-representing colored area. Each colored area resembling a digit or colored keys.

Claims

1. A method of enabling an operator to generate a plurality of inputs, comprising:

(a) providing a manual input means having a plurality of digit-operated switches by which a human operator can generate said plurality of inputs by entering chords, each of said switches operated by a specific digit of said operator, maid inputs comprising letters, said letters comprising the alphabet,

(b) providing a plurality of modifiets, said modifiers being symbols other than said letters, said modifier, used in combination with non-modifier symbols to provide an input selected from the class consisting of a different case of the non-modifier symbol and a combination of the modifier and the non-modifier symbol, said non-modifier symbols including said letters,

(c) assigning a first plurality of chords involving only fingers to said letters, said fingers being index, middle, ring, and little fingers of said operator, and

(d) assigning at least one chord involving only thumbs of said operator to said respective modifiers,

whereby (1) each chord composed of each chord assigned to said letters and each chord assigned to said modifiers can be assigned to a modified letter, (2) said modified letters can be readily input by said operator by entering a chord said operator composes of one chord assigned to maid letters and one chord assigned to said modifiers, (3) said combination can be a known combination of the modifier and the letter commonly used as input to known computer programs, (4) accidental input of said modified letters during input of said letters is prevented, and (5) maid chords involving only thumbs can be easily memorized by said operator as a specific type of chord assigned to said modifiers.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said chords of said first plurality of chords assigned to said letters correspond to two of said fingers of said operator, whereby said letters can readily be input, and whereby said chords involving two fingers can be easily memorized by said operator as a specific type of chord assigned to said letters.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein those of said letters which occur more frequently in American English are assigned chords which are easier to enter, whereby American English is easier to input.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein frequently occurring vowels are assigned said chords assigned to said letters corresponding to corresponding fingers of the left hand and the right hand of said operator, whereby said chords corresponding to corresponding fingers of the left hand and the right hand can be easily memorized by said operator as a specific type of chord assigned to frequently occurring vowels.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein a second plurality of chords involving only fingers is assigned to respective characters other than letters, whereby each chord composed of each chord assigned to said characters and each chord assigned to said modifiers can be assigned to a modified character, said modified character being a combination of the modifier and the character, and whereby said modified characters can be readily input by said operator by entering a chord said operator composes of one chord assigned to said characters and one chord assigned to said modifiers.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said second plurality of chords involving three of said fingers of said operator are assigned to punctuation marks and miscellaneous characters and brackets for operating a computer, whereby said punctuation marks and said miscellaneous characters and said brackets can readily be input, and whereby said first plurality of chords involving three of said fingers can be easily memorized by said operator as a specific type of chord assigned to said punctuation marks and said miscellaneous characters and said brackets.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein a second plurality of chords involving one of said fingers and one of said thumbs of said operator is assigned to commands for operating a computer, whereby said commands can readily be input, whereby said chords involving one of said fingers and one of said thumbs can be easily memorized by said operator as a specific type of chord assigned to said commands, and whereby accidental input of said commands during input of said letters is prevented.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein a second plurality of chords involving one of said digits of said operator is assigned to numerals, whereby said numerals can readily be input, and whereby said chords involving one of said digits can be easily memorized by said operator as a specific type of chord assigned to said numerals.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said numerals correspond in their natural order to said digits of said operator, whereby chords assigned to said numerals can be easily memorized.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein a plurality of first pairs of said inputs are assigned a plurality of second pairs of chords, said plurality of first pairs being pairwise related inputs, said plurality of second pairs being each other'"'"'s minor image by pairwise exchanging switches assigned to coirespouding digits of the left hand and the right hand of said operator, whereby said operator is misted in memorizing said second pairs assigned to said first pairs.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein said chords of said first plurality of chords assigned to said letters correspond to two of said fingers of said operator,

said letters more frequently occurring in American English generally being assigned chords easier to enter,

frequently occurring vowels being assigned said chords assigned to said letters corresponding to corresponding fingers of the left hand and the right hand of said operator,

a second plurality of chords involving only fingers is assigned to characters other than letters,

said second plurality of chords involving three of said fingers of said operator being assigned to punctuation marks and miscellaneous characters and brackets for operating a computer,

a third plurality of chords involving one of said fingers and one of said thumbs of said operator being assigned to commands for operating a computer,

a fourth plurality of chords involving one of said digits of said operator being assigned to numerals,

said numerals correspond in their natural order to said digits of said operator, and

a plurality of first pairs of said inputs being assigned a plurality of second pairs of said chords, said plurality of first pairs being puirwise related inputs, said plurality of second pairs being each other'"'"'s mirror image by pairwise exchanging switches assigned to corresponding digits of the left hand and the right hand of said operator.

12. A method of enabling an operator to generate any one of a plurality of inputs, comprising:

(a) providing a manual input means having a plurality of digit-operated switches by which a human operator can generate said plurality of inputs by entering chords, each chord comprising a unique combination of maid switches, each of said Switches being positioned to be operated by a respective digit of said operator, and

(b) providing a legend presenting a plurality of first indicia representing said plurality of inputs, said plurality of first indicia selected from the class consisting of visual and tactile indicia, a first plurality of said plurality of first indicia arranged substantially in an array of diagonal rows, each of said rows representing a specific digit, each chord corresponding to a specific row of said rows comprising a specific switch of said switches, the switch corresponding to the digit represented by the row, said rows arranged so that said operator can associate said rows directly with said respective digits, thereby mapping each first indicium of each of said rows to the digit represented by the row,

whereby (1) said operator can easily determine two of said digits corresponding to each indicium of said first plurality by visualizing the position of the indicium relative to said rows, and (2) said legend can be very compact.

13. The method of claim 12 wharein said first indicia are symbols found on a standard computer keyboard, whereby said manual input means in combination with said legend can be an alternative to the standard computer keyboard.

14. The method of claim 12 wherin each chord corresponding to a specific row of said rows of indicia comprises exactly one switch of said switches corresponding to a finger of a particular hand of said operator, the switch corresponding to the finger represented by the row, whereby said operator can easily determine the finger of said particular hand corresponding to said first indicia in said rows.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein said rows of indicia are labeled with respective second indicia, said second indicia indicating said digits represented by said rows, whereby said operator can determine said digits represented by said rows.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said second indicia are colors.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein said second indicia are area shaped like the respective digits.

18. The method of claim 12 wherein a middle column of said array corresponding to corresponding digits of the left hand and the right hand of said operator is labeled with a second indicium, whereby said first indicia corresponding to corresponding digits are easily distinguished by said operator, and whereby maid first indicia of said array to the left of said middle column and said first indicia of said array to the right of said middle column can be easily distinguished by said operator as separate groups.

19. The method of claim 12 wherein said second indicium is a color.

20. The method of claim 12 wherein a second plurality of said plurality of first indicia corresponding to two adjacent digits of a particular hand of said operator is shown adjacent to said array, each indicium of said second plurality shown between adjacent rows of said diagonal rows corresponding to the indicium, whereby said operator can easily determine said adjacent digits corresponding to each indicium of said second plurality by visualizing the position of the indicium relative to said array, and whereby said first indicia corresponding to adjacent digits of the left hand of said operator and said first indicia corresponding to adjacent digits of the right hand of said operator can be easily distinguished by said operator as separate groups.

21. The method of claim 12 wherein a second plurality of said plurality of first indicia corresponding to digits of a particular hand of said operator is labeled with second indicia, said second indicia representing said digits of a particular band, whereby said operator can easily determine said digits corresponding to each indicium of said second plurality.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein said second indicia are colors.

23. The method of claim 12 wherein said first indicia are symbols found on a standard computer keyboard,

each chord corresponding to a specific row of said rows of indicia comprises exactly one of said switches corresponding to a finger of a particular hand of said operator, the switch corresponding to the finger represented by the row,

said rows of indicia being labeled with respective second indicia, said second indicia indicating said digits represented by said rows,

said second indicia being colored areas shaped like the respective digits,

a middle column of said array corresponding to corresponding digits of the left hand and the right hand of said operator being labeled with a third indicium,

said third indicium being a color,

a second plurality of said plurality of first indicia corresponding to two adjacent digits of a particular hand of said operator is shown adjacent to said array, each indicium of said second plurality shown between adjacent rows of said diagonal rows corresponding to the indicium,

a third plurality of said plurality of first indicia corresponding to digits of a particular band of said operator is labeled with fourth indicia, said fourth indicia representing said digits of a particular hand, and

said fourth indicia being colors.

24. A method of enabling an operator to generate any one of a plurality of inputs, comprising:

(a) providing a manual input means having a plurality of digit-operated switches by which a human operator can generate said plurality of inputs by entering chords, each chord comprising a unique combination of said switches, each of said switches being positioned to he operated by a respective digit of said operator, and

(b) providing a legend presenting a plurality of first indicia representing said plurality of inputs, said plurality of first indicia selected from the class consisting of visual and tactile indicia, a plurality of said plurality of first indicia arranged substantially in an array, said array comprising;

(1) a plurality of first rows along a first dimension, each of said first rows representing a specific digit, each chord corresponding to a specific row of said first rows comprising a specific switch of said switches, the switch corresponding to the digit represented by the row, said first rows arranged so that said operator can associate said first rows directly with said respective digits, thereby mapping each first indicium of each of said first rows to the digit represented by the row, and

(2) a plurality of second rows along a second dimension, said first indicia of each of said second rows corresponding to a specific type of chord,

whereby (1) said operator can easily determine one of said digits corresponding to each indicium of said plurality of said plurality of first indicia by visualizing the position of the indicium relative to said first rows, (2) said operator can easily determine the type of chord corresponding to said first indicia of said first rows by knowing the row of said second rows of the indicium, and (3) said legend can be very compacts.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein said first indicia are symbols found on a standard computer keyboard, whereby said manual input means in combination with said legend can be an alternative to the standard computer keyboard.

26. The method of claim 24 wherein each chord corresponding to a specific row of said first rows of indicia comprises exactly one switch of said switches corresponding in a finger of a particular hand of said operator, the switch corresponding to the finger represented by the row, whereby said operator can easily determine the finger of said particular hand corresponding to said first indicia in said first rows.

27. The method of claim 24 wherein said first and second rows of indicia are labeled with respective second indicia, said second indicia indicating said digits represented by said first and second rows, whereby said operator can determine said digits represented by said first and second rows.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein said second indicia are colors.

29. The method of claim 27 wherein said second indicia are areas shaped like the respective digits.

30. The method of claim 24 wherein said first rows are columns, each of said columns being one of said first rows.

31. The method of claim 24 wherein each of said first rows is arranged approximately in line with one of said switches, whereby said operator can easily determine said digits represented by said first rows.

32. The method of claim 24 wherein said first indicia of each of said second rows are of a specific type, whereby said operator can easily determine the type of chord corresponding to said first indicia of said first rows by knowing the type of the indicium, and whereby said operator can easily determine the specific chord corresponding to each of said first indicia of said first rows by visualizing the row of said first rows of the indicium and knowing the type of the indicium.

33. The method of claim 24 wherein said first indicia are symbols found on a standard computer keyboard,

each chord corresponding to a specific row of said first rows of indicia comprises exactly one of said switches corresponding to a finger of a particular hand of said operator, the switch corresponding to the finger represented by the row,

said first and second rows of indicia being labeled with respective second indicia, said second indicia indicating said digits represented by said first and second rows,

said second indicia being colored areas shaped like the respective digits,

said first rows being columns, each of said columns being one of said first rows,

each of said columns being arranged approximately in line with one of said switches, and

said first indicia of each of said second rows being of a specific type.

34. A method of enabling an operator to generate a plurality of inputs, comprising:

(a) providing a manual input means having a plurality of digit-operated switches by which a human operator can generate said plurality of inputs by entering chords, each chord comprising a unique combination of said switches, each of said switches operated by a specific digit of said operator, and

(b) providing a legend indicating a combination of colors for each of said plurality of inputs, the combination of colors representing the chord by which the input is entered, each of said colors representing a specific digit of said operator, said colors accompanied by indicia representing said digits, each of said indicia accompanying a specific color of said colors, the indicium accompanying the color representing the digit represented by the color, said indicia self-explanatory representing said digits, said colon thereby directly linked to said digits,

whereby (1) the chord representations can stand out since colors can stand out, (2) said operator can instantaneously see that said colon represent said digits, (3) said manual input means combined with said legend can be intuitive and self-explanatory, (4) said combinations of colors can compactly and flexibly represent said chords, (5) each of said colors representing a specific digit can be easily recognized and distinguished, and (6) said operator can easily determine which chord to enter to generate one of said inputs.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein said switches are keys.

36. The method of claim 34 wherein said colors are pink, red, orange, yellow, white, black, green, blue, purple, and brown, corresponding respectively to the left hand little finger, ring finger, middle finger, index finger, thumb, and the tight band thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger, whereby said operator needs to recognize and remember only simple, well-known colors, and whereby said operator can be misted in memorizing said colors representing said digits by using common knowledge of the order of colors in the spectrum of light as found in a rainbow.

37. The method of claim 34 wherein said colors form two easily distinguishable groups, one of said groups representing thumbs of said operator, and one of said groups representing fingers of said operator, said fingers being index, middle, ring, and little fingers, whereby said operator can instantly recognize said colors representing said thumbs of said operator and said colors representing said fingers of said operator.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein said colors representing the thumbs are white and black, and said colors representing the fingers are the real colors pink, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and brown.

39. The method of claim 34 wherein said colors form two easily distinguishable groups, each of said groups representing a particular hand of said operator, one of said groups representing the left hand and one of said groups representing the right hand, whereby said operator can instantly recognize said colors representing said particular hand of said operator.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein said colors representing the left hand are light colors, and said colors representing the right hand are dark colors.

41. The method of claim 34 wherein said indicia are areas shaped like the respective digits, said areas dimensioned and positioned relative to one another to resemble the digits of the human hand, whereby said areas are universally recognizable by human operators as representing the digits of the human hand.

42. The method of claim 34 wherein a plurality of said combinations of colors are arranged in groups, said combinations of each of said groups being a specific type of combination, whereby said operator can easily determine the specific type of each combination of said groups from the group of said combination.

43. The method of claim 42 wherein said combinations of one of said groups correspond to two-finger chords, and said combinations of one of said groups correspond to thumb chords.

44. The method of claim 34 wherein indicia representing said inputs are arranged in an array, rows of said array labeled by said colors, said rows corresponding to each of said indicia in said array labeled with said colors corresponding to one of said inputs, the input represented by the indicium, whereby said operator can determine which chord to enter to generate one of said inputs, and whereby said legend can be very compact.

45. The method of claim 34 wherein a first set of indicia representing said inputs and a second set of said combinations of colors are grouped in pairs, each of said pairs pairing one combination of said second set to one of said indicia of said first set, such that entering the chord corresponding to each pair of said pairs generates the input corresponding to the pair, whereby said operator can determine which chord to enter to generate one of said inputs.

46. The method of claim 34 wherein each of said combinations of colors is arranged in at least one group, said group representing the class consisting of said fingers of a particular hand of said operator and said thumb of said operator, whereby said operator can easily determine the colors of maid combinations representing the fingers of a particular hand or the thumbs.

47. The method of claim 34 wherein said switches are keys,

said colors are pink, red, orange, yellow, white, black, green, blue, purple, and brown, corresponding respectively to the left hand little finger, ring finger, middle finger, index finger, thumb, and the right hand thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger,

said colors forming two easily distinguishable first groups, one of said first groups representing thumbs of said operator, and one of said first groups representing fingers of said operator, said fingers being index, middle, ring, and little fingers,

said colors representing the thumbs being white and black, and said colors representing the fingers being the real colors pink, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and brown,

said colors forming two easily distinguishable second groups, each of said second groups representing a particular band of said operator, one of said second groups representing the left hand and one of said second groups representing the right hand,

said colors representing the left hand being light colors, and said colors representing the right hand being dark colors,

said indicia being areas shaped like the respective digits, said areas dimensioned and positioned relative to one another to resemble the digits of the human hand,

a plurality of said combinations of colors being arranged in third groups, said combinations of each of said third groups being a specific type of combination,

said combinations of one of said third groups corresponding to two-finger chords, and said combinations of one of said third groups corresponding to thumb chords,

indicia representing said inputs being arranged in an array, rows of said my labeled by said colors, said rows corresponding to each of said indicia in said array labeled with said colors corresponding to one of said inputs, the input represented by the indicium,

a first set of indicia representing maid inputs and a second set of said combinations being grouped in pairs, each of said pairs pairing one combination of said second set to one of said indicia of said first set, such that entering the chord corresponding to each pair of said pairs generates the input corresponding to the pair, and

each of said combinations being arranged in at least one fourth group, said group representing the class consisting of said fingers of a particular hand of said operator and said thumbs of said operator.

48. A method of enabling an operator to generate a plurality of inputs, comprising:

(a) providing a manual input means having a plurality of digit-operated switches by which a human operator can generate said plurality of inputs by entering chords, each chord comprising a unique combination of said switches, each of said switches being positioned to be operated by a respective digit of said operator, and

(b) providing a legend indicating a combination of colors for each of said plurality of inputs, the combination of colors representing the chord by which the input is entered, each of said colors representing a specific digit of said operator, said colors representing said digits indicated on said switches, the color on each of said switches representing the digit operating the switch, said colors thereby linked to said digits via said switches,

whereby (1) the chord representations can stand out since colors can stand out, (2) said operator can instantaneously see that said colors represent said digits, (3) maid manual input means combined with said legend can be intuitive and self-explanatory, (4) said combinations of colors can compactly and flexibly represent said chords, (5) each of said colors representing a specific digit can be easily recognized and distinguished, and (6) said operator can easily determine which chord to enter to generate one of said inputs.

49. The method of claim 48 wherein said switches are keys.

50. The method of claim 48 wherein said colors are pink, red, orange, yellow, white, black, green, blue, purple, and brown, corresponding respectively to the left hand little finger, ring finger, middle finger, index finger, thumb, and the right hand thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger, whereby said operator needs to recognize and remember only simple, well-known colors, and whereby said operator can be assisted in memorizing said colors representing said digits by using common knowledge of the order of colors in the spectrum of light as found in a rainbow.

51. The method of claim 48 wherein said colors form two easily distinguishable groups, one of said groups representing thumbs of said operator, and one of said groups representing fingers of said operator, said fingers being index, middle, ring, and little fingers, whereby said operator can instantly recognize said colors representing said thumbs of said operator and said colors representing said fingers of said operator.

52. The method of claim 51 wherein said colors representing the thumbs are white and black, and said colors representing the fingers are the real colors pink, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and brown.

53. The method of claim 48 wherein said colors form two easily distinguishable groups, each of said groups representing a particular hand of said operator, one of said groups representing the left hand and one of said groups representing the right band, whereby said operator can instantly recognize said colors representing said particular hand of said operator.

54. The method of claim 53 wherein said colors representing the left hand are light colors, colors representing the right hand are dark colors.

55. The method of claim 48 wherein said colors are accompanied by indicia, said indicia possibly in combination with said color clearly representing said switches, whereby said colors are very clearly linked to said digits via said switches.

56. The method of claim 55 wherein said indicia are areas shaped like the switches, whereby said areas in combination with said colors clearly represent said switches.

57. The method of claim 48 wherein a plurality of maid combinations of colors are arranged groups, said combinations of each of said groups being a specific type of combination, whereby said operator can easily determine the specific type of each combination of said groups from the group of said combination.

58. The method of claim 57 wherein said combinations of one of said groups correspond to two-finger chords, and said combinations of one of said groups corresponds to thumb chords.

59. The method of claim 48 wherein indicia representing said inputs are arranged in an array, rows of said array labeled by said colors, said rows corresponding to each of said indicia in said array labeled with said colors corresponding to one of said inputs, the input represented by the indicium, whereby said operator can determine which chord to enter to generate one of said inputs, and whereby said legend can be very compact.

60. The method of claim 48 wherein a first set of indicia representing said inputs and a second set of said combinations of colors are grouped in pairs, each of said pairs pairing one combination of said second set to one of said indicia of said first set, such that entering the chord corresponding to each pair of said pairs generates the input corresponding to the pair, whereby said operator can determine which chord to enter to generate one of said inputs.

61. The method of claim 48 wherein each of said combinations of colors is arranged in at least one group, said group representing the class consisting of said fingers of a particular hand of said operator and said thumbs of said operator, whereby said operator can easily determine the colors of said combinations representing the fingers of a particular hand or the thumbs.

62. The method of claim 48 wherein said switches are keys,

said colors are pink, red, orange, yellow, white, black, green, blue, purple, and brown, corresponding respectively to the left hand little finger, ring finger, middle finger, index finger, thumb, and the right hand thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger,

said colors forming two easily distinguishable first groups, one of said first groups representing thumbs of said operator, and one of said first groups representing fingers of said operator, said fingers being index, middle, ring, and little fingers,

said colors representing the thumbs being white and black, and said colors representing the fingers being the real colon pink, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and brown,

said colors forming two easily distinguishable second groups, each of said second groups representing a particular hand of said operator, one of said second groups representing the left hand and one of said second groups representing the right hand,

said colors representing the left hand being light colors, and said colon representing the right hand being dark colors,

said colors being accompanied by indicia, said indicia possibly in combination with said colors clearly representing said switches,

said indicia being areas shaped like the switches,

a plurality of said combinations of colors being arranged in third groups, said combinations of each of said third groups being a specific type of combination,

said combinations of one of said third groups corresponding to two-finger chords, and said combinations of one of said third groups corresponding to thumb chords,

indicia representing said inputs being arranged in an array, rows of said array labeled by said colors, said rows corresponding to each of said indicia in said array labeled with said colors corresponding to one of said inputs, the input represented by the indicium,

a first set of indicia representing said inputs and a second set of said combinations being grouped in pairs, each of said pairs pairing one combination of said second set to one of said indicia of said first set, such that entering the chord corresponding to each pair of said pairs generates the input corresponding to the pair, and

each of said combinations being arranged in at least one fourth group, said group representing the class consisting of said fingers of a particular band of said operator and said thumbs of said operator.

63. A device for enabling an operator to generate a plurality of inputs, comprising:

(a) a manual input means having a plurality of digit-operated switches by which a human operator can generate said plurality of inputs by entering chords, each of said switches operated by a specific digit of said operator, said inputs comprising letters, said letters comprising the alphabet,

(b) a plurality of modifiers, maid modifiers being symbols other than said letters, said modifiers used in combination with non-modifier symbols to provide an input selected from the class consisting of a different case of the non-modifier symbol and a combination of the modifier and the non-modifier symbol, said non-modifier symbols including said letters,

(c) assigning a first plurality of chords involving only fingers to said letters, said fingers being index, middle, ring, and little fingers of said operator, and

(d) assigning at least one chord involving only thumbs of said operator to said respective modifiers,

whereby (1) each chord composed of each chord assigned to said letters and each chord assigned to said modifiers can be assigned to a modified letter, (2) said modified letters can be readily input by said operator by entering a chord said operator composes of one chord assigned to said letters and one chord assigned to said modifiers, (3) said combination can be a known combination of the modifier and the letter commonly used as input to known computer programs, (4) accidental input of said modified letters during input of said letters is prevented, and (5) said chords involving only thumbs can be easily memorized by said operator as a specific type of chord assigned to said modifiers.

64. The device of claim 63 wherein said chords of said first plurality of chords assigned to said letters correspond to two of said fingers of said operator, whereby said letters can readily be input, and whereby said chords involving two fingers can be easily memorized by said operator as a specific type of chord assigned to said letters.

65. The device of claim 64 wherein those of said letters which occur more frequently in American English are assigned chords which are easier to enter, whereby American English is easier to input.

66. The device of claim 64 wherein frequently occurring vowels are assigned said chords assigned to said letters corresponding to corresponding fingers of the left hand and the right band of said operator, whereby said chords corresponding to corresponding fingers of the left band and the right hand can be easily memorized by said operator as a specific type of chord assigned to frequently occurring vowels.

67. The device of claim 63 wherein a second plurality of chords involving only fingers is assigned to respective characters other than letters, whereby each chord composed of each chord assigned to said characters and each chord assigned to said modifiers can be assigned to a modified character, said modified character being a combination of the modifier and the character, and whereby said modified characters can be readily input by said operator by entering a chord said operator composes of one chord assigned to said characters and one chord assigned to said modifiers.

68. The device of claim 67 wherein said second plurality of chords involving three of said fingers of said operator are assigned to punctuation marks and miscellaneous characters and brackets for operating a computer, whereby said punctuation marks and said miscellaneous characters and said brackets can readily be input, and whereby said first plurality of chords involving three of said fingers can be easily memorized by said operator as a specific type of chord assigned to said punctuation marks and said miscellaneous characters and said brackets.

69. The device of claim 63 wherein a second plurality of chords involving one of said fingers and one of said thumbs of said operator is assigned to commands for operating a computer, whereby said commands can readily be input, whereby said chords involving one of said finger and one of said thumbs can be easily memorized by said operator as a specific type of chord assigned to said commands, and whereby accidental input of said commands during input of said letters is prevented.

70. The device of claim 63 wherein a second plurality of chords involving one of said digits of said operator is assigned to numerals, whereby said numerals can readily be input, and whereby said chords involving one of said digits can he easily memorized by said operator as a specific type of chord assigned to said numerals.

71. The device of claim 70 wherein said numerals correspond in their natural order to said digits of said operator, whereby chords assigned to said numerals can be easily memorized.

72. The device of claim 63 wherein a plurality of first pairs of said inputs are assigned a plurality of second pairs of chords, said plurality of first pairs being pairwise related inputs, maid plurality of second pairs being each other'"'"'s mirror image by pairwise exchanging switches assigned to corresponding digits of the left hand and the right hand of said operator, whereby said operator is assisted in memorizing said second pairs assigned to said first pairs.

73. The device of claim 63 wherein said chords of said first plurality of chords assigned to said letters correspond to two of said fingers of said operator,

said letters more frequently occurring in American English generally being assigned chords easier to enter,

frequently occurring vowels being assigned said chords assigned to said letters corresponding to corresponding fingers of the left hand and the right hand of said operator,

a second plurality of chords involving only fingers is assigned to characters other than letters,

said second plurality of chords involving three of said fingers of said operator being assigned to punctuation marks and miscellaneous characters and brackets for operating a computer,

a third plurality of chords involving one of said fingers and one of said thumbs of said operator being assigned to commands for operating a computer,

a fourth plurality of chords involving one of said digits of said operator being assigned to numerals,

said numerals correspond in their natural order to said digits of said operator, and

a plurality of first pairs of said inputs being assigned a plurality of second pairs of said chords, said plurality of first pairs being pairwise related inputs, said plurality of second pairs being each other'"'"'s mirror image by pairwise exchanging switches assigned to corresponding digits of the left hand and the right hand of said operator.