Keyboard
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A data entry system operated by a user with two hands, comprising:
- a plurality of value keys operated by one hand of the user;
a plurality of level keys operated by the user'"'"'s other hand;
each of the keys capable of being depressed and released;
each of the value keys generating a distinct value code upon depression;
each of the indexing level keys generating a distinct indexing code upon depression;
wherein the sum of each of the value codes and each of the indexing codes is distinct from each such other sum and from each of the value codes and each of the indexing codes;
a controller in electrical communication with the keys;
wherein the controller generates output codes depending upon which value codes and indexing codes are generated by the depression of the keys within a first predetermined time interval having a range between upper and lower limits; and
wherein each output code generated by the controller corresponds to a set of predetermined control, alphabetic or numeric characters.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved keyboard system and apparatus using keys spaced and sized to correspond to human hands provides rapid data entry applicable to all electronic devices. Each key combination provides a binary sequence, and each sequence is associated with an alphabetic, numeric or control character using standard ASCII coding. The preferred eight key embodiment is adapted to the back of a hand-held electronic device whereby data is readily input by a user holding the device with both hands.
31 Citations
16 Claims
-
1. A data entry system operated by a user with two hands, comprising:
-
a plurality of value keys operated by one hand of the user; a plurality of level keys operated by the user'"'"'s other hand; each of the keys capable of being depressed and released; each of the value keys generating a distinct value code upon depression; each of the indexing level keys generating a distinct indexing code upon depression; wherein the sum of each of the value codes and each of the indexing codes is distinct from each such other sum and from each of the value codes and each of the indexing codes; a controller in electrical communication with the keys; wherein the controller generates output codes depending upon which value codes and indexing codes are generated by the depression of the keys within a first predetermined time interval having a range between upper and lower limits; and wherein each output code generated by the controller corresponds to a set of predetermined control, alphabetic or numeric characters. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A keyboard sized to be adapted to the back of a hand-held electronic device, the keyboard comprising:
-
eight keys within binary sequence coding; wherein four value keys are operated by one hand of a user and four indexing level keys operated by the user'"'"'s other hand; each of the keys capable of being depressed and released; each of the value keys generating a distinct value code upon depression; each of the indexing level keys generating a distinct indexing code upon depression; wherein the sum of each of the value codes and each of the indexing codes is distinct from each such other sum and from each of the value codes and each of the indexing codes; a microprocessor in electrical communication with the keys; wherein the microprocessor generates output codes depending upon which value codes and indexing codes are generated by the depression of the keys within a first predetermined time interval having a range between upper and lower limits; wherein each key is associated with a switch and each switch is associated with a register of the microprocessor; wherein any switch closed within a second predetermined time interval sets the associated register to a 1 state and any switch left open within the predetermined time interval leaves its associated register at a 0 state; and wherein each output code generated by the microprocessor corresponds to a set of predetermined control, alphabetic or numeric characters which are provided as input data to the hand-held device.
-
-
16. A separate keyboard adapted to communicate with an electronic device, the keyboard comprising:
-
at least eight keys within binary sequence coding; wherein at least four value keys are operated by one hand of a user and at least four indexing level keys operated by the user'"'"'s other hand; each of the keys capable of being depressed and released; each of the value keys generating a distinct value code upon depression; each of the indexing level keys generating a distinct indexing code upon depression; wherein the sum of each of the value codes and each of the indexing codes is distinct from each such other sum and from each of the value codes and each of the indexing codes; a microprocessor in electrical communication with the keys; wherein the microprocessor generates output codes depending upon which value codes and indexing codes are generated by the depression of the keys within a first predetermined time interval having a range between upper and lower limits; wherein each key is associated with a switch and each switch is associated with a register of the microprocessor; wherein any switch closed within a second predetermined time interval sets the associated register to a 1 state and any switch left open within the predetermined time interval leaves its associated register at a 0 state; and wherein each output code generated by the microprocessor corresponds to a set of predetermined control, alphabetic or numeric characters which are provided as input data to the hand-held device.
-
Specification