Keyboard with variable-sized keys

• US 7,372,454 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2002
• Issued: 05/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: OQO Incorporated (Audiotone Incorporated)
• Inventors: Betts-LaCroix, Jonathan
• Primary Examiner(s): Dinh, Duc Q
• Application Number:
  US10/282,527
• Publication Number:
  US 20030080945A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,023 Days
• Field of Search: 345168-172
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/84 characterised by ergonomic functions, e.g. for miniature keyboards; characterised by operational sensory functions, e.g. sound feedback legends H01H13/83

Abstract

A computer keyboard is provided having keys that vary in size based on the keys'"'"' frequency of use. The keyboard may, for example, be modeled after the standard QWERTY keyboard, but modified such that keys for letters of the most-commonly used letters in the alphabet (such as ETOANIRSH) are larger, and keys corresponding to seldom-used letters (such as YWGBVKXJQZ) are smaller. Such a keyboard may advantageously increase overall ease-of-use and accuracy compared to a keyboard of similar size with constant-sized keys.

Claims

1. A physical keyboard comprising a first plurality of N alphabetic keys designated K(n) having a plurality of M sizes designated S(m), wherein M≧

3, wherein the first plurality of keys K(n) are characterized by a plurality of I frequencies of use designated F(i), wherein S(m) is a monotonic function of F(i), and wherein the first plurality of n keys is arranged in a QWERTY layout.

2. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein I is equal to N.

3. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein I is less than N.

4. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein for each value of i, F(i) corresponds to an average frequency of use of a distinct subset of the first plurality of keys K(n).

5. The keyboard of claim 4, wherein the distinct subset of the plurality of keys K(n) comprises a plurality of keys in a single row of keys on the keyboard.

6. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the keyboard comprises a second plurality of L keys K(l), wherein N<

L, and wherein K(n) comprises a subset of K(l).

7. A physical keyboard comprising a first plurality of N alphabetic keys designated K(n) corresponding to a plurality of J characters, wherein the first plurality of keys K(n) has a plurality of M sizes designated S(m), wherein M≧

3, wherein the plurality of J characters are characterized by a plurality of I frequencies of use designated F(i), wherein S(m) is a monotonic function of F(i), and wherein the first plurality of N keyes is arranged in a QWERTY layout.

8. The keyboard of claim 7, wherein I is equal to N.

9. The keyboard of claim 7, wherein I is less than N.

10. The keyboard of claim 7, wherein for each value of i, F(i) corresponds to an average frequency of use of a distinct subset of the plurality of characters.

11. The keyboard of claim 10, wherein the distinct subset of the plurality of characters comprises a plurality of characters corresponding to a plurality of keys in a single row of keys on the keyboard.

12. The keyboard of claim 7, wherein the keyboard comprises a second plurality of L keys K(l), wherein N<

L, and wherein K(n) comprises a subset of K(l).

13. A physical keyboard comprising a plurality of N alphabetic keys designated K(n) corresponding to a plurality of J characters, wherein the plurality of keys K(n) has a plurality of M sizes designated S(m), wherein M≧

3, wherein the plurality of J characters are characterized by a plurality of N frequencies of use designated F(n), and wherein S(m) is a monotonic function of F(n), and wherein the plurality of keys K(n) are arranged in a QWERTY layout.