CA1291959C - Keyboard assembly and typing method - Google Patents
Keyboard assembly and typing methodInfo
- Publication number
- CA1291959C CA1291959C CA000547299A CA547299A CA1291959C CA 1291959 C CA1291959 C CA 1291959C CA 000547299 A CA000547299 A CA 000547299A CA 547299 A CA547299 A CA 547299A CA 1291959 C CA1291959 C CA 1291959C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- keys
- keyboard
- key
- visual
- operator
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
- G06F3/0202—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
- G06F3/0219—Special purpose keyboards
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J5/00—Devices or arrangements for controlling character selection
- B41J5/08—Character or syllable selected by means of keys or keyboards of the typewriter type
- B41J5/10—Arrangements of keyboards, e.g. key button disposition
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
- H01H9/18—Distinguishing marks on switches, e.g. for indicating switch location in the dark; Adaptation of switches to receive distinguishing marks
- H01H2009/189—Distinguishing marks on switches, e.g. for indicating switch location in the dark; Adaptation of switches to receive distinguishing marks with a tactile symbol or indication, e.g. for blind people
Abstract
ABSTRACT
An improved keyboard assembly and method for typing for use with a device for processing symbolic information, such as a word processor, is disclosed herein. Generally, the improved keyboard assembly comprises a plurality of mutually adjacent keys, each of which is substantially covered by a visual pattern formed from a combination of shape and coloring. The visual pattern on each key is manifestly different from the visual pattern on each adjacent key in order to facilitate visual discrimination between keys.
However, the visual patterns on keys in the same rows or columns share at least one distinctive design feature in order to assist the operator in properly orienting his or her hands over the keyboard. To further enhance both key discrimination and proper manual orientation over the keyboard, keys on every other row have different surface textures to provide distinctive tactile signals to the keyboard operator whenever the different-textured keys are touched.
Finally, the keyboard assembly may include a document positioner located just above the keyboard so that the keyboard operator may peripherally see the visual patterns on the keys when looking at a document being copied. In the typing method of the invention, the visual pattern associated with each symbol typed is simultaneously displayed in order to reinforce the association of the symbol and the pattern in the mind of the operator. The improved keyboard assembly greatly expedites the learning of typing skills and reading skills by associating a distinct visual pattern with each letter of the alphabet in the mind of the operator.
An improved keyboard assembly and method for typing for use with a device for processing symbolic information, such as a word processor, is disclosed herein. Generally, the improved keyboard assembly comprises a plurality of mutually adjacent keys, each of which is substantially covered by a visual pattern formed from a combination of shape and coloring. The visual pattern on each key is manifestly different from the visual pattern on each adjacent key in order to facilitate visual discrimination between keys.
However, the visual patterns on keys in the same rows or columns share at least one distinctive design feature in order to assist the operator in properly orienting his or her hands over the keyboard. To further enhance both key discrimination and proper manual orientation over the keyboard, keys on every other row have different surface textures to provide distinctive tactile signals to the keyboard operator whenever the different-textured keys are touched.
Finally, the keyboard assembly may include a document positioner located just above the keyboard so that the keyboard operator may peripherally see the visual patterns on the keys when looking at a document being copied. In the typing method of the invention, the visual pattern associated with each symbol typed is simultaneously displayed in order to reinforce the association of the symbol and the pattern in the mind of the operator. The improved keyboard assembly greatly expedites the learning of typing skills and reading skills by associating a distinct visual pattern with each letter of the alphabet in the mind of the operator.
Description
IMPRWED ~EYBOARD ASSE~LY
AND TYPING ~ETHOD
Thi~ invention relates to an improved keyboard assembly and typing method that is particularly u~eful in connection with a computer terminal, word processor, or typewriter.
In prior art keyboards, all of the keys are substantially the same shape and color, the only discernible difference between adjacent keys being the sinqle letter or number printed upon its upper face.
The applicant has observed that there are a number of major disadvantages associated with this conventional key design. For example, it is difficult, if not impossible, for a person learning touch-typing to utilize either peripheral vision or near-focus vision to guide his fingers toward the desired key as he looks at the hard copy or the CRT representation of the document being typed. The only way by which a person learning to type can visually discriminate such prior art keys is by looking directly at them with his focused vision which, of course, is completely incompatible with gaining any touch-typing skill.
However, if the novice keyboara operator attempts to use his peripheral or near-focus vision to guide his fingers, the keyboard appears substantially monollthic with no guiding contrasts between either the individual keys or even large groups of keys. Thu~ the lack of any significant contrast between the keys not only makes it impossible to visually guide one's fingers toward a desired key with the peripheral or near-focuc vision, it also makes it extremely difficult for a novice keyboard operator to keep his hands and finger~
properly oriented over the home-row during the typing operation. If the person learning to type has dyslexic ~.
1~9~959 tendencies which make it difficult for him to quickly and easily visually discriminate between different letters or numbers, the discrimination problem is compounded. Finally, the design of such keys makes it difficult to use the same set of keys in an alternative keyboard arrangement. But before this problem may be fully appreciated, some explanation of keyboard arrangements is necessary.
The most common type of keyboard arrangement in use today is the so-called standard~ keyboard, sometimes called the ~QWERTY~ keyboard due to the fact that the letters Q-W-E-R-T-Y are located along the upper left-hand end of the third row o~ keys. This particular keyboard has been criticized on two grounds.
First, the keys are not arranged in an easily recognizable pattern, which in turn makes it a difficult keyboard to learn to use. Secondly, the positions of the keys that correspond to the most fre~uently used letters of the alphabet (which are the vowels) do not correspond to the strongest f inger positions of the operator, which are the finger posltions over ~home row~ that includes the letters A-S-D-F-G-H-J-K-L. This shortcoming adversely affects both the maximum typing speed and the accuracy that can be attained by a keyboard operator because of the limited number of words that can be typed without moving the fingers from the home row of keys.
To overcome the shortcomings of the QW~RTY-type keyboard, alternative keyboard arrangements have been proposed. One of the best known alternative key arrangements is the so-called Dvorak keyboard. This keyboard arrangement places five vowels on the home row under the left hand and the five consonants used most frequently under the right hand. Tests substantiate an increase of speed and accuracy of about twenty percent because about twenty times as many ~nglish words can be typed on the home row as compared to the home row of ',9 key~ with the Q-W-E-R-T-Y layout.
While no ~perfect~ keyboard arrangement has yet been developed, alternative arrangements like the Dvorak keyboard offer enough of an improvement over the standard keyboard to ju~tify increased usage by keyboard operators. But increased use of these improved keyboard arrangements has been hampered by the widespread acceptance of the QW~RTY keyboard, and the fact that it is difficult to quickly and economically change the key arrangement from QWERTY in most keyboards. ~ven when the individual keys are manufactured so that they may be pulled off of their respective switching posts, and even if appropriate ~witching circuitry were added to the typewriter, computer or word processor, the removal, rearrangement and re-installation of the keys from a QWERTY to a Dvorak arrangement would be a tedious, time-consuming and expensive task.
Still another problem associated with prior art keyboard systems is the position at which the copyholder holds the document being copied relative to the keyboard and the platen or CRT screen which is displaying the final typed product. Typically, such copyholders are placed beside and apart from both the keyboard and the display of the finished document, which requires the keyboard operator to constantly shift his vision from the document being copied to the document being displayed on the platen or screen. Such constant eye movement impedes the typing rhythm of the keyboard operator, thereby significantly slowing down the speed at which the final document is produced.
~ learly, there is a need for an improved keyboard system which utilizes keys that are easily visually discriminated so that the keyboard operator may use his peripheral or near-focus ~ision to direct his fingers toward the desired keys while the focused vision examines the document being produced. lt would be - 4 ~ 9' ~
examines the document being produced. It would be desirable if 6uch a keyboard had some sort of provision to help persons with dyslexic tendencies to easily vi~ually di6tinguish different alphanumeric character6, which would not only expedite the acquisition of typing skill6, but would enhance reading Akills as well.
Ideally, such a keyboard system should be versatile, and easily convertible into a Dvorak or other alternative key arrangement from a QWERTY arrangement.
Finally, such a keyboard system should incorporate a copyholder that eliminates the need for side-to-side glancing during the typing operation.
~2E T~l E ~QI~
Basically, the invention is an improved keyboard assembly and typing method for use with a device for processing alphanumeric symbols (such as a computer, word processor, typewriter or adding machine) that overcomes the aforementioned deficiencies of prior art keyboards. The keyboard assembly comprises a plurality of mutually adjacent keys, each of which corresponds to a selected alphanumeric symbol, and each of which is ~ubstantially covered by a visual pattern formed from a combination of ~hape and coloring. To facilitate visual discrimination between the keys, the visual pattern on each key is manifestly different from the visual pattern on each adjacent key. The key6 may be arranged in mutually adjacent row6 and columns. To assi6t the proper orientation of the hands of the operator over the keyboard, all of the keys in the same rows or the same column may have one design element in common. In the preferred embodiment, each of the visual patterns is formed from a combination of a di~tinctive shape and a distinctive coloring. The pattern~ on each of the keys in the same rows have the same shape, while each of the keys on the same columns _ 5_ 12~i~53 have the same coloring. The use of visual patterns with distinctive shapes and colorings provides visual guidepo~t~ that are readily perceptible by the peripheral and near-focus vi~ion of the kéyboard operator during the typing operation.
To further assist the keyboard operator in either discriminating between different keys or in properly orienting his hands over the keyboard, at least some of the keys may include different surface textures, each of which provides a distinctive tactile signal tO the keyboard operator whenever they are touched. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the surface texture of the keys of every other row have a relatively roughened texture. In still another embodiment of the invention, the ~home row~ of keys may include a surface texture which is manifestly rougher than any of the other keys on the keyboard in order to make it easy for the operator to maintain his fingers in proper orientation with respect to the home row.
Each of the keys may include a finger engageable portion that is integrally formed with and raised above a ba6e portion. The distinctive visual pattern on the key may completely cover the finger engageable portion, thereby providing a dominant visual clue on the key, while the specific symbol to which the key corresponds may be printed or otherwise indicated in one of the corner6 of the base portion. In the preferred embodiment of the keyboard a~sembly, each of the keys may correspond to at least two different alphanumeric 6ymbols, each of which is printed onto a separate corner of the base portion so that the same keyboard may be used as either a QW~RTY, Dvorak or other alternative keyboard by merely ~witching the output of the keyboard through appropriate de-coder circuitry.
The switching circuitry may either be built into the word processor, computer or typewriter, or may be retrofitted thereon. The different alphanumeric - 6 - 1~9~ g59 symbols that each key may correspond to may further be indicated in different colors and styles in opposing corners of the base portion in order to enhance visual di~crimination between alternative symbols on each key.
The keyboard assembly may further include a copyholder for positioning a document to be copied adjacent to the front end of the keyboard 80 that the keyboard operator may see the key6 of the keyboard with hi~ peripheral or near-focus vision when looking directly at the copy. In the preferred embodiment, the coFyholder is formed from a platen journalled within a cylindrical housing. The housing may include a window slot for displaying a selected portion of a document to be copied. A manually operated knob may be connected to one side of the platen to allow the keyboard operator to wind the document to be copied around the platen, while a foot-operated electric motor and drive train may be connected to the other end of the platen for selectively unwinding the document across the window slot in the housing.
Finally, the invention also encompasses a method for learning typing skills which utilizes the keyboard assembly of the invention. In this method, the particular visual patterns associated with the alphanumeric character~ being typed are displayed just beneath these characters on the CRT screen in order to reinforce the relationship between these characters and the visual patterns in the mind of novice operator. If the typing students are old enough to be familiar with the alphabet, the sequential arrangement greatly eYpedites the speed at which they learn to touch-type as it positions the keys in an easily recognized pattern. Additionally, the sequential arrangements provides from two-thirds to three-fourths of the speed and accuracy advantages of the Dvorak keyboard arrangement~ If the typing students are very young children, the sequential arrangement advantageously l~gi~59 reinforces the child's need to know the alphabet for telephone directory use, dictionary use, etc.
The improved keyboard as~embly and method greatly decreases the amount of time necessary for a novice operator to learn to operate an alphanumeric keyboard, and facilitates the acquisition of reading ~kills by associating a distinctive visual pattern with the individual letters of the alphabet. It is particularly useful in imparting reading and writing skills to persons with dyslexic tendencies.
Figure 1 is a plan view of the improved keyboard used in the keyboard assembly of the invention, illustrating the different visual patterns appl led to each of the key s;
Figure 2 is a side view of the keyboard illustrated in Fiqure 1 along the line 2-2;
Figure 3 is a side view of the keyboard illustrated in Figure 1 along the line 3-3;
Figure 4 is an enlarged, perspective view of one of the keys in row Sd and column 7b;
Figure S ifi a plan view of the keyboard used in the keyboard assembly of the invention with the visual patterns on the individual keys removed in order to illustrate the use of different surface textures on dif f erent rows of key s;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the keyboard of the invention being used in conjunction with the document positioner of the invention;
Figure 7 is a side view of the keyboard and document positioner illustrated in Figure 6 showing the interconnection between the electric motor drive of the document positioner and a footswitch, and the interconnection between the keyboard console and a key switching circuit, and - B - 1~1959 Figure 8 illustrate6 a preferred method of u6ing the vi~ual patterns of the keyboard to facilitate the learning of touch typng and the strengthening of reading skills.
2e5~Q~ ; PREFERRED ~11 ~
With reference to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, the keyboard assembly 1 of the invention generally comprise6 a keyboard 2 ha~ring an arrangement of key6 3 mounted on a console 4. The arrangement of keys 3 include6 four rows 5a-d and ten columns 7a-j. In the preferred embodiment, the keys 3 forming the rows 7a-j are slightly staggered with respect to one another, while the rows 5 are parallel to one another as 6hown.
With specific reference to Figures 1 and 4, each of the keys 3 includes a finger engaging platform 10 mounted over a generally square base 12. The top surface 13 of the finger engaging platform 10 i6 preferably slightly concave to conform in shape with the f ingertips of the user. A visual pattern 14 having a distinctive shape 16 and color ~cheme 18 covers the top surface of the finger engaging platform 10. To assist the operator in properly orienting his or her hands with respect to the key arrangement 3, the shape 16 of key6 in the ~ame rows 5a-d are all the 6ame (i.e., partially circular, ~quare, circular and elliptical), while the color ~cheme 18 of keys in the same columns 7a-j are likewise all the same. ~owever, in order to assist the keyboard operator in visually discriminating between key6 that are directly adjacent to one another (and thereby to avoid one of the mo t common type of typographical errors committed by novices) the 6pecif ic combination of 6hape 16 and color ~cheme 18 that form6 the vi~ual pattern 14 on each of the key6 3 i6 distinctly different from the shape 16 and coloring 18 used in the vi~ual pattern 14 on all l~t31959 adjacent keys. Specifically, the 6hapes of the key patterns 14 in adjacent rows 5a-5d are clearly different (i.e, partially circular, square, circular and elliptical), while the color schemes 18 of the key patterns 14 in adjacent columns 7a-j are chosen to afford maximum visual contrast. The color scheme 18 of all of the key patterns 14 in columns 7a, 7c, 7e, 79 and 7i is predominantly a uniform coloring of black, yellow, red, blue and tan, respectively, while the color scheme of all of the key patterns 14 in columns 7b, 7d, 7f, 7h and 7j is a spoke-like arrangement of alternating sectors of black and yellow, red and yellow, red and blue, blue and black, cnd tan and light gray, respectively. In all color scheme6, the red used is equivalent to P~S (or Pantone Matching Sy~tem) 185 rubine and warm red, the blue used is equivalent to PMS
306 light blue, the grey used is equivalent to PM~ 421, and the '~an used is equival ent to PMS 46 5.
Additionally, the particular yellow used is eyuivalent to ~process~ yellow, while the black ic a glossy black.
In all cases, the coloring is preferably impregnated directly in the key material, but may also be imbedded or dyed onto the surface 13. The monochrome color scheme 18 in columns 7c, 7e, 79 and 7i may include a centrally disposed flower, pinwheel, star and leaf cluster to enhance the contrast between the keys 3 in these columns and the keys 3 of the rest of the keyboard 2. To further enhance such visual contrast, the number of sectors used in the sectored color scheme 18 in columns 7b, 7d, 7f, 7gh and 7j increases f rom six to ten to twenty to forty-eight and then decreases to a cross-like pattern of eight. The color green is avoided in all the color schemes 18 due to the fact that green is the most ~ifficult color for color-blind persons to acquire any perception of. In all cases, the application of the visual pattern 14 over the top surface 13 of the finger engaging platform 10 results - lo - 1291~9 by a visual pattern formed from a distinctive shape 16 and color scheme 18 that can be easily visually discriminated from all adjacent keys with either the peripheral or the near-focus vision of the operator.
As best ~een with respect to Figure 6, the base 12 of each of the key~ 3 includes a ~quare top ~urface or apron 20. To further assist the keyboard operator in discriminating between different rows, the aprons 20 of keys 3 in the same rows 5a-d may be uniformly colored with the same pastel tints. For example, all of the key aprons of row Sa, 5b, 5c,-and Sd may be colored cream, pink, pastel blue and pastel yellow. In the preferred embodiment, the cream is equivalent to a 10%
screen of proces~ yellow mixed with a 10~ screen of PMS
465 tan, the pink used is equivalent to a 10% screen of PMS 185 rubine and warm red mixed with a 10% screen of PMS 421 grey, the pastel blue is equivalent to a 10~
screen of PMS 306 blue mixed with a 10% screen of PMS
465 tan, and the pastel yellow is equivalent to a 30%
screen of process yellow mixed with a 10% screen of PMS
421 grey. The use of such uniform pastel tints on the key aprons 20 of different rows complements the function of the different shapes 16 given to the visual pattern 14 in different rows in helping the operator to discriminate between the rows without blurring the contrast that the individual color schemes 18 give to adjacent keys 3. As is discussed in more detail hereinafter, the keyboard 2 may be electronically switched from a standard to either a sequential or Dvorak-type keyboard, and each of the alphanumeric symbols that the key 3 may correspond to is printed in a different corner 22 of the square top surface 20.
The use of the base 12 instead of the top surface of the finger engaging platform 10 to display a particular alphanumeric symbol that the key 3 corresponds to advantageously allows the ~imultaneous and unambiguous display of more than one ~uch symbol in the opposing 19~;9 displ ay of more than one such ~ymbol in the opposing corner 22 of the base 12, thereby making it practical for the same arrangement of keys 3 to be used as a standard, sequential or Dvorak-type keyboard.
With reference again to Figures 1 and 5, the keyboard 2 arrangement 3 has two other features which help the keyboard operator in properly orienting his hands over the keys, including vertically oriented, bar-like markings 27a-d along columns 7a, 7d, 7g and 7j of the keys, and a roughened texturing 29 on rows 5a and 5c. The bar-like markinys bars 27a-d are printed in black ink over the aprons 20 of the keys in columns 7a, 7d, 79 and 7j. These bar-like markings 27a-d provide a visual guide or index that is easily perceptible in either the peripheral or the near-focus vision of the key operator during the typing operation.
The key operator can effectively monitor and adjust the position of his hands w ith respect to the key arrangement 3 ~ simultaneously observing the relative position of the hands with respect to the bar-like markings 27a-d during the typing operation. This is particularly useful for novice operators, who tend to move their hands in different positions over the keyboard 2 in order to compensate for their lack of finger "reach~ and finger strength when typing letters such Q-Z-P and M on a standard keyboard. The tactile signals provided t~ the roughened texturing 29 of rows 5a and the ~home row~ 5c co-acts with the visual index provided by the bar-like markings 27a-d in helping an operator to maintain proper band orientation over the keyboard 2. The roughened texturing 29 on row 5c is of particular importance, as the proper orientation of the fingertips over the ~home row~ is vital in either learning or performing standard touch typing. In the preferred embodiment, the texturing 29 in rows 5a and 5c is actually molded onto the upper surface of the finger engaging platform 10 of the keys in these rows.
- 12 - ~1959 Alternatively, Yelcro- 6heet material bearing the visual patterns 14 may be detachably mounted over the upper surfaces of the finger engaging platforms 10.
The advantage of using ~uch detachable Velcro- sheet material is that it allows the texturing 29 to be easily replaced when it becomes worn down to the extent to where there is relatively little tactile contrast between the finger engaging platforms 10 of the rows 5a and 5c and the finger engaging platforms 10 of rows 5b and 5d.
With referenc-e to Figures 6 and 7, the keyboard assembly 1 of the invention further includes a copyholder 32 for positioning a document to be copied (known in the art as a ~copy~) between the console 4, and a CRT screen 31 or other mechanism that displays the document being produced. The copyholder 32 i6 formed from a tubular housing 34into which a platen 36 is rotatably mounted. A slot 40 is provided at the top end of the copyholaer 33 receiving the edge of the document 33 to be copied. Just below the copy receiving slot 40 is a framing window 42 for displaying the particular information on the document 33 that the keyboard operator is copying. A knob 44 for manually turning the platen 36 is connected to the right-hand end of the platen 36 by way of a stub shaft 46. The other end of the platen 36 is connected to a motor drive 48 that generally comprises an electric motor 50 connected to a wall plug 51 by way of a cord 52. To selectively connect the electric motor 50 to electric power from a conventional wall outlet (not shown) the cord 52 further includes a footswitch 54 having a pedal 56 which, when depressed, actuates the motor drive 48.
In operation, the keyboard operator inserts the document to be copied 33 through the copy slot 40, and winds it around the platen 36 by twisting the knob 44 in the direction indicated by arrow 59. ~ence, the mechanical action of the platen 36 and knob 44 in - 13 - ~ 9~9 reeling in 3 sheet of paper i8 much the same as the platen of a conventional typewriter. When the keyboard operator wishes to use the keyboard 2 to copy the information on the document 33, he merely depresses the foot pedal 56 of the footswitch 54, which causes the motor drive 48 to turn the platen 36 in the direction indicated by arrow 60, thereby unwinding the document 33 from the platen 36. The primary advantage of the copyholder 32 is that it displays the document 33 being copied at a po~ition between the keyboard 2, and the screen 31 of the word processor or computer in such a manner that the keyboard operator can simultaneously see with his peripheral or near-focus vision both the keyboard, the position of hi~ hands over the keyboara 2, the document being typed on the screen 31, and the document being displayed on the copyholder 32. Bence, the speed-impeding lateral glancing associated with prior art copyholders which display the document beside the keyboard 2 and display screen 31 is completely elL~inated.
Figure 7 also illustrates the keyboard ~witching circuit 61 used in conjunction with the improved keyboard 2 of the invention. In the preferred embodiment, the keyboard switching circuit 61 include~
a three-way 8W itch 62, and two separate code converter circuit~ ~not shown) which are capable of converting the alphanumeric signals transmitted through the console output cable 64 into different alphanumeric signals before these signals are received by the central processing unit 65 of the word processor, computer or typewriter. Specifically, one of the code converter circuits converts the alphanumeric signals it receive~ from a standard keyboard to that of a sequential keyboard, while the other code converter circuit converts such signals to that of a Dvorak keyboard. The code converter circuits may be made from printed circuits or TTL logic chips, and the preci~e - 14 ~ gr;g structure and operation that such code circuits may assume i~ not within the scope of the instant invention. ~owever, applicant would point OUt that such conversion circuitry pe~ ~ is well known in the prior art of photocomposition machinery in such references as U.S. Patent 3,067,660, and in multi-lingual typewriters such as shown in U.S. Patents 4,124,843 and 4,531,119. The '119 patent discloses the use of a switch to selectively route the signals generated ~ a keyboard through different circuits that determine-the ~pecific type of Asian character ultimately printed, and is expressly incorporated into the specification of thi~ application by reference.
Similarly, the three-way switch 62 would either pass the signals generated by the keyboard 2 completely through unaltered when the keyboara 2 is used as a standard keyboard, or through one or the other of the code converter circuits when the keyboard 2 is used as either a se~uential or a Dvorak-type keyboard.
In the method of the invention, the three-way switch 62 is set to select an alphabetical keyboara arrangement. Such an arrangement is illustrated in Figure 1. Starting with the capital A in the QWERTY
keyboard, the home row 5c continues to the right in ~lphabetica order through J. On the row 5b just above the home row 5c, the keys 3 progressfrom left to right R through T. On the row 5djust below the home row 5c, the alphabetical sequence is concluded left to right J
through Z. There are at least two advantages associated with the use of such a sequential or alphabetical key arrangement. First, if the typing students are old enough to be completely familiar with the alphabet, the sequential arrangement greatly expedites the 6peed at wbich a novice learn~ to touch type, since it positions the keys in an easily recognized pattern. Even when the typing students are very young children that are not as familiar with 1~91~r 9 alphabetical order, the sequential keyboard advantageou~ly reinforces the child's need to know the alphabet for telephone directory use, dictionary use, etc. Secondly, the sequential keyboar~ arrangement captures many of tbe same advantages discussed with respect to the Dvorak keyboard arrangement.
Specifically, in the sequential arrangement, the three val~es A, ~ and I are on the home row 5c, while the otber three valves 0, U and Y are ~truck wit~ the same two finger~ that strike the letters A and E. Moreover, two of the most frequently u~ed consonants, G and ~, are located on the home row 5c.
To f urther reinforce the association of the vi6ual patterns 14 of the keys 3 with the alphanumeric characters on the keys, the CRT screen 31 of the keyboard assembly 1 i8 programmed to display the associated visual patterns 14 directly under the characters being typed. The specific software necessary to display the visual pattern 14 associated with each number or letter could assume any one of a number of easily developed forms, and forms no part of the instant invention. Such a simultaneous display of visual patterns 14 and alphanumeric character~ greatly expedites the learning of touch-typing, and helps those persons afflicted with dyslexia or other reading impairments to learn both typing, reading and writing.
While the ~tructure and operation of the inventive keyboard assembly of the invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment, numerous alternative embodiments, substitutions and modifications will occur to those of ordinary skill ln the art. For example, different visual patterns can be used to achieve the ~ame results of the invention, as could any number of foot-operated copyholder configurations, 80 long as they display the document 33 being copied between the keyboard 2 and the display screen 31. Additionally, while the method of the s9 invention has been described with respect to the acquisition of typing skills, it is certainly appl icable to other operations, such as the programming of a computer or the aoquisition of reading skills. As used herein the word ~typing~ is to be construed in it~
broade6t sense, and i~ meant to encompass any activity wherein keys or switche~ corresponding to symbolic information are actuated in order to transmit information, ~uch as the operation of a mathematical calculator, the dialing of a telephone, or the use of an instrument panel of any sort. Similarly, the word ~keyboard~ is to be construed in the broad sense of encompassing such items a~ an array of calcular buttons or an instrument panel~ All such alternative embodiments, modif ication6 and substitutions are intended to f all w ithin the scope of the invention claimed in this patent.
AND TYPING ~ETHOD
Thi~ invention relates to an improved keyboard assembly and typing method that is particularly u~eful in connection with a computer terminal, word processor, or typewriter.
In prior art keyboards, all of the keys are substantially the same shape and color, the only discernible difference between adjacent keys being the sinqle letter or number printed upon its upper face.
The applicant has observed that there are a number of major disadvantages associated with this conventional key design. For example, it is difficult, if not impossible, for a person learning touch-typing to utilize either peripheral vision or near-focus vision to guide his fingers toward the desired key as he looks at the hard copy or the CRT representation of the document being typed. The only way by which a person learning to type can visually discriminate such prior art keys is by looking directly at them with his focused vision which, of course, is completely incompatible with gaining any touch-typing skill.
However, if the novice keyboara operator attempts to use his peripheral or near-focus vision to guide his fingers, the keyboard appears substantially monollthic with no guiding contrasts between either the individual keys or even large groups of keys. Thu~ the lack of any significant contrast between the keys not only makes it impossible to visually guide one's fingers toward a desired key with the peripheral or near-focuc vision, it also makes it extremely difficult for a novice keyboard operator to keep his hands and finger~
properly oriented over the home-row during the typing operation. If the person learning to type has dyslexic ~.
1~9~959 tendencies which make it difficult for him to quickly and easily visually discriminate between different letters or numbers, the discrimination problem is compounded. Finally, the design of such keys makes it difficult to use the same set of keys in an alternative keyboard arrangement. But before this problem may be fully appreciated, some explanation of keyboard arrangements is necessary.
The most common type of keyboard arrangement in use today is the so-called standard~ keyboard, sometimes called the ~QWERTY~ keyboard due to the fact that the letters Q-W-E-R-T-Y are located along the upper left-hand end of the third row o~ keys. This particular keyboard has been criticized on two grounds.
First, the keys are not arranged in an easily recognizable pattern, which in turn makes it a difficult keyboard to learn to use. Secondly, the positions of the keys that correspond to the most fre~uently used letters of the alphabet (which are the vowels) do not correspond to the strongest f inger positions of the operator, which are the finger posltions over ~home row~ that includes the letters A-S-D-F-G-H-J-K-L. This shortcoming adversely affects both the maximum typing speed and the accuracy that can be attained by a keyboard operator because of the limited number of words that can be typed without moving the fingers from the home row of keys.
To overcome the shortcomings of the QW~RTY-type keyboard, alternative keyboard arrangements have been proposed. One of the best known alternative key arrangements is the so-called Dvorak keyboard. This keyboard arrangement places five vowels on the home row under the left hand and the five consonants used most frequently under the right hand. Tests substantiate an increase of speed and accuracy of about twenty percent because about twenty times as many ~nglish words can be typed on the home row as compared to the home row of ',9 key~ with the Q-W-E-R-T-Y layout.
While no ~perfect~ keyboard arrangement has yet been developed, alternative arrangements like the Dvorak keyboard offer enough of an improvement over the standard keyboard to ju~tify increased usage by keyboard operators. But increased use of these improved keyboard arrangements has been hampered by the widespread acceptance of the QW~RTY keyboard, and the fact that it is difficult to quickly and economically change the key arrangement from QWERTY in most keyboards. ~ven when the individual keys are manufactured so that they may be pulled off of their respective switching posts, and even if appropriate ~witching circuitry were added to the typewriter, computer or word processor, the removal, rearrangement and re-installation of the keys from a QWERTY to a Dvorak arrangement would be a tedious, time-consuming and expensive task.
Still another problem associated with prior art keyboard systems is the position at which the copyholder holds the document being copied relative to the keyboard and the platen or CRT screen which is displaying the final typed product. Typically, such copyholders are placed beside and apart from both the keyboard and the display of the finished document, which requires the keyboard operator to constantly shift his vision from the document being copied to the document being displayed on the platen or screen. Such constant eye movement impedes the typing rhythm of the keyboard operator, thereby significantly slowing down the speed at which the final document is produced.
~ learly, there is a need for an improved keyboard system which utilizes keys that are easily visually discriminated so that the keyboard operator may use his peripheral or near-focus ~ision to direct his fingers toward the desired keys while the focused vision examines the document being produced. lt would be - 4 ~ 9' ~
examines the document being produced. It would be desirable if 6uch a keyboard had some sort of provision to help persons with dyslexic tendencies to easily vi~ually di6tinguish different alphanumeric character6, which would not only expedite the acquisition of typing skill6, but would enhance reading Akills as well.
Ideally, such a keyboard system should be versatile, and easily convertible into a Dvorak or other alternative key arrangement from a QWERTY arrangement.
Finally, such a keyboard system should incorporate a copyholder that eliminates the need for side-to-side glancing during the typing operation.
~2E T~l E ~QI~
Basically, the invention is an improved keyboard assembly and typing method for use with a device for processing alphanumeric symbols (such as a computer, word processor, typewriter or adding machine) that overcomes the aforementioned deficiencies of prior art keyboards. The keyboard assembly comprises a plurality of mutually adjacent keys, each of which corresponds to a selected alphanumeric symbol, and each of which is ~ubstantially covered by a visual pattern formed from a combination of ~hape and coloring. To facilitate visual discrimination between the keys, the visual pattern on each key is manifestly different from the visual pattern on each adjacent key. The key6 may be arranged in mutually adjacent row6 and columns. To assi6t the proper orientation of the hands of the operator over the keyboard, all of the keys in the same rows or the same column may have one design element in common. In the preferred embodiment, each of the visual patterns is formed from a combination of a di~tinctive shape and a distinctive coloring. The pattern~ on each of the keys in the same rows have the same shape, while each of the keys on the same columns _ 5_ 12~i~53 have the same coloring. The use of visual patterns with distinctive shapes and colorings provides visual guidepo~t~ that are readily perceptible by the peripheral and near-focus vi~ion of the kéyboard operator during the typing operation.
To further assist the keyboard operator in either discriminating between different keys or in properly orienting his hands over the keyboard, at least some of the keys may include different surface textures, each of which provides a distinctive tactile signal tO the keyboard operator whenever they are touched. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the surface texture of the keys of every other row have a relatively roughened texture. In still another embodiment of the invention, the ~home row~ of keys may include a surface texture which is manifestly rougher than any of the other keys on the keyboard in order to make it easy for the operator to maintain his fingers in proper orientation with respect to the home row.
Each of the keys may include a finger engageable portion that is integrally formed with and raised above a ba6e portion. The distinctive visual pattern on the key may completely cover the finger engageable portion, thereby providing a dominant visual clue on the key, while the specific symbol to which the key corresponds may be printed or otherwise indicated in one of the corner6 of the base portion. In the preferred embodiment of the keyboard a~sembly, each of the keys may correspond to at least two different alphanumeric 6ymbols, each of which is printed onto a separate corner of the base portion so that the same keyboard may be used as either a QW~RTY, Dvorak or other alternative keyboard by merely ~witching the output of the keyboard through appropriate de-coder circuitry.
The switching circuitry may either be built into the word processor, computer or typewriter, or may be retrofitted thereon. The different alphanumeric - 6 - 1~9~ g59 symbols that each key may correspond to may further be indicated in different colors and styles in opposing corners of the base portion in order to enhance visual di~crimination between alternative symbols on each key.
The keyboard assembly may further include a copyholder for positioning a document to be copied adjacent to the front end of the keyboard 80 that the keyboard operator may see the key6 of the keyboard with hi~ peripheral or near-focus vision when looking directly at the copy. In the preferred embodiment, the coFyholder is formed from a platen journalled within a cylindrical housing. The housing may include a window slot for displaying a selected portion of a document to be copied. A manually operated knob may be connected to one side of the platen to allow the keyboard operator to wind the document to be copied around the platen, while a foot-operated electric motor and drive train may be connected to the other end of the platen for selectively unwinding the document across the window slot in the housing.
Finally, the invention also encompasses a method for learning typing skills which utilizes the keyboard assembly of the invention. In this method, the particular visual patterns associated with the alphanumeric character~ being typed are displayed just beneath these characters on the CRT screen in order to reinforce the relationship between these characters and the visual patterns in the mind of novice operator. If the typing students are old enough to be familiar with the alphabet, the sequential arrangement greatly eYpedites the speed at which they learn to touch-type as it positions the keys in an easily recognized pattern. Additionally, the sequential arrangements provides from two-thirds to three-fourths of the speed and accuracy advantages of the Dvorak keyboard arrangement~ If the typing students are very young children, the sequential arrangement advantageously l~gi~59 reinforces the child's need to know the alphabet for telephone directory use, dictionary use, etc.
The improved keyboard as~embly and method greatly decreases the amount of time necessary for a novice operator to learn to operate an alphanumeric keyboard, and facilitates the acquisition of reading ~kills by associating a distinctive visual pattern with the individual letters of the alphabet. It is particularly useful in imparting reading and writing skills to persons with dyslexic tendencies.
Figure 1 is a plan view of the improved keyboard used in the keyboard assembly of the invention, illustrating the different visual patterns appl led to each of the key s;
Figure 2 is a side view of the keyboard illustrated in Fiqure 1 along the line 2-2;
Figure 3 is a side view of the keyboard illustrated in Figure 1 along the line 3-3;
Figure 4 is an enlarged, perspective view of one of the keys in row Sd and column 7b;
Figure S ifi a plan view of the keyboard used in the keyboard assembly of the invention with the visual patterns on the individual keys removed in order to illustrate the use of different surface textures on dif f erent rows of key s;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the keyboard of the invention being used in conjunction with the document positioner of the invention;
Figure 7 is a side view of the keyboard and document positioner illustrated in Figure 6 showing the interconnection between the electric motor drive of the document positioner and a footswitch, and the interconnection between the keyboard console and a key switching circuit, and - B - 1~1959 Figure 8 illustrate6 a preferred method of u6ing the vi~ual patterns of the keyboard to facilitate the learning of touch typng and the strengthening of reading skills.
2e5~Q~ ; PREFERRED ~11 ~
With reference to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, the keyboard assembly 1 of the invention generally comprise6 a keyboard 2 ha~ring an arrangement of key6 3 mounted on a console 4. The arrangement of keys 3 include6 four rows 5a-d and ten columns 7a-j. In the preferred embodiment, the keys 3 forming the rows 7a-j are slightly staggered with respect to one another, while the rows 5 are parallel to one another as 6hown.
With specific reference to Figures 1 and 4, each of the keys 3 includes a finger engaging platform 10 mounted over a generally square base 12. The top surface 13 of the finger engaging platform 10 i6 preferably slightly concave to conform in shape with the f ingertips of the user. A visual pattern 14 having a distinctive shape 16 and color ~cheme 18 covers the top surface of the finger engaging platform 10. To assist the operator in properly orienting his or her hands with respect to the key arrangement 3, the shape 16 of key6 in the ~ame rows 5a-d are all the 6ame (i.e., partially circular, ~quare, circular and elliptical), while the color ~cheme 18 of keys in the same columns 7a-j are likewise all the same. ~owever, in order to assist the keyboard operator in visually discriminating between key6 that are directly adjacent to one another (and thereby to avoid one of the mo t common type of typographical errors committed by novices) the 6pecif ic combination of 6hape 16 and color ~cheme 18 that form6 the vi~ual pattern 14 on each of the key6 3 i6 distinctly different from the shape 16 and coloring 18 used in the vi~ual pattern 14 on all l~t31959 adjacent keys. Specifically, the 6hapes of the key patterns 14 in adjacent rows 5a-5d are clearly different (i.e, partially circular, square, circular and elliptical), while the color schemes 18 of the key patterns 14 in adjacent columns 7a-j are chosen to afford maximum visual contrast. The color scheme 18 of all of the key patterns 14 in columns 7a, 7c, 7e, 79 and 7i is predominantly a uniform coloring of black, yellow, red, blue and tan, respectively, while the color scheme of all of the key patterns 14 in columns 7b, 7d, 7f, 7h and 7j is a spoke-like arrangement of alternating sectors of black and yellow, red and yellow, red and blue, blue and black, cnd tan and light gray, respectively. In all color scheme6, the red used is equivalent to P~S (or Pantone Matching Sy~tem) 185 rubine and warm red, the blue used is equivalent to PMS
306 light blue, the grey used is equivalent to PM~ 421, and the '~an used is equival ent to PMS 46 5.
Additionally, the particular yellow used is eyuivalent to ~process~ yellow, while the black ic a glossy black.
In all cases, the coloring is preferably impregnated directly in the key material, but may also be imbedded or dyed onto the surface 13. The monochrome color scheme 18 in columns 7c, 7e, 79 and 7i may include a centrally disposed flower, pinwheel, star and leaf cluster to enhance the contrast between the keys 3 in these columns and the keys 3 of the rest of the keyboard 2. To further enhance such visual contrast, the number of sectors used in the sectored color scheme 18 in columns 7b, 7d, 7f, 7gh and 7j increases f rom six to ten to twenty to forty-eight and then decreases to a cross-like pattern of eight. The color green is avoided in all the color schemes 18 due to the fact that green is the most ~ifficult color for color-blind persons to acquire any perception of. In all cases, the application of the visual pattern 14 over the top surface 13 of the finger engaging platform 10 results - lo - 1291~9 by a visual pattern formed from a distinctive shape 16 and color scheme 18 that can be easily visually discriminated from all adjacent keys with either the peripheral or the near-focus vision of the operator.
As best ~een with respect to Figure 6, the base 12 of each of the key~ 3 includes a ~quare top ~urface or apron 20. To further assist the keyboard operator in discriminating between different rows, the aprons 20 of keys 3 in the same rows 5a-d may be uniformly colored with the same pastel tints. For example, all of the key aprons of row Sa, 5b, 5c,-and Sd may be colored cream, pink, pastel blue and pastel yellow. In the preferred embodiment, the cream is equivalent to a 10%
screen of proces~ yellow mixed with a 10~ screen of PMS
465 tan, the pink used is equivalent to a 10% screen of PMS 185 rubine and warm red mixed with a 10% screen of PMS 421 grey, the pastel blue is equivalent to a 10~
screen of PMS 306 blue mixed with a 10% screen of PMS
465 tan, and the pastel yellow is equivalent to a 30%
screen of process yellow mixed with a 10% screen of PMS
421 grey. The use of such uniform pastel tints on the key aprons 20 of different rows complements the function of the different shapes 16 given to the visual pattern 14 in different rows in helping the operator to discriminate between the rows without blurring the contrast that the individual color schemes 18 give to adjacent keys 3. As is discussed in more detail hereinafter, the keyboard 2 may be electronically switched from a standard to either a sequential or Dvorak-type keyboard, and each of the alphanumeric symbols that the key 3 may correspond to is printed in a different corner 22 of the square top surface 20.
The use of the base 12 instead of the top surface of the finger engaging platform 10 to display a particular alphanumeric symbol that the key 3 corresponds to advantageously allows the ~imultaneous and unambiguous display of more than one ~uch symbol in the opposing 19~;9 displ ay of more than one such ~ymbol in the opposing corner 22 of the base 12, thereby making it practical for the same arrangement of keys 3 to be used as a standard, sequential or Dvorak-type keyboard.
With reference again to Figures 1 and 5, the keyboard 2 arrangement 3 has two other features which help the keyboard operator in properly orienting his hands over the keys, including vertically oriented, bar-like markings 27a-d along columns 7a, 7d, 7g and 7j of the keys, and a roughened texturing 29 on rows 5a and 5c. The bar-like markinys bars 27a-d are printed in black ink over the aprons 20 of the keys in columns 7a, 7d, 79 and 7j. These bar-like markings 27a-d provide a visual guide or index that is easily perceptible in either the peripheral or the near-focus vision of the key operator during the typing operation.
The key operator can effectively monitor and adjust the position of his hands w ith respect to the key arrangement 3 ~ simultaneously observing the relative position of the hands with respect to the bar-like markings 27a-d during the typing operation. This is particularly useful for novice operators, who tend to move their hands in different positions over the keyboard 2 in order to compensate for their lack of finger "reach~ and finger strength when typing letters such Q-Z-P and M on a standard keyboard. The tactile signals provided t~ the roughened texturing 29 of rows 5a and the ~home row~ 5c co-acts with the visual index provided by the bar-like markings 27a-d in helping an operator to maintain proper band orientation over the keyboard 2. The roughened texturing 29 on row 5c is of particular importance, as the proper orientation of the fingertips over the ~home row~ is vital in either learning or performing standard touch typing. In the preferred embodiment, the texturing 29 in rows 5a and 5c is actually molded onto the upper surface of the finger engaging platform 10 of the keys in these rows.
- 12 - ~1959 Alternatively, Yelcro- 6heet material bearing the visual patterns 14 may be detachably mounted over the upper surfaces of the finger engaging platforms 10.
The advantage of using ~uch detachable Velcro- sheet material is that it allows the texturing 29 to be easily replaced when it becomes worn down to the extent to where there is relatively little tactile contrast between the finger engaging platforms 10 of the rows 5a and 5c and the finger engaging platforms 10 of rows 5b and 5d.
With referenc-e to Figures 6 and 7, the keyboard assembly 1 of the invention further includes a copyholder 32 for positioning a document to be copied (known in the art as a ~copy~) between the console 4, and a CRT screen 31 or other mechanism that displays the document being produced. The copyholder 32 i6 formed from a tubular housing 34into which a platen 36 is rotatably mounted. A slot 40 is provided at the top end of the copyholaer 33 receiving the edge of the document 33 to be copied. Just below the copy receiving slot 40 is a framing window 42 for displaying the particular information on the document 33 that the keyboard operator is copying. A knob 44 for manually turning the platen 36 is connected to the right-hand end of the platen 36 by way of a stub shaft 46. The other end of the platen 36 is connected to a motor drive 48 that generally comprises an electric motor 50 connected to a wall plug 51 by way of a cord 52. To selectively connect the electric motor 50 to electric power from a conventional wall outlet (not shown) the cord 52 further includes a footswitch 54 having a pedal 56 which, when depressed, actuates the motor drive 48.
In operation, the keyboard operator inserts the document to be copied 33 through the copy slot 40, and winds it around the platen 36 by twisting the knob 44 in the direction indicated by arrow 59. ~ence, the mechanical action of the platen 36 and knob 44 in - 13 - ~ 9~9 reeling in 3 sheet of paper i8 much the same as the platen of a conventional typewriter. When the keyboard operator wishes to use the keyboard 2 to copy the information on the document 33, he merely depresses the foot pedal 56 of the footswitch 54, which causes the motor drive 48 to turn the platen 36 in the direction indicated by arrow 60, thereby unwinding the document 33 from the platen 36. The primary advantage of the copyholder 32 is that it displays the document 33 being copied at a po~ition between the keyboard 2, and the screen 31 of the word processor or computer in such a manner that the keyboard operator can simultaneously see with his peripheral or near-focus vision both the keyboard, the position of hi~ hands over the keyboara 2, the document being typed on the screen 31, and the document being displayed on the copyholder 32. Bence, the speed-impeding lateral glancing associated with prior art copyholders which display the document beside the keyboard 2 and display screen 31 is completely elL~inated.
Figure 7 also illustrates the keyboard ~witching circuit 61 used in conjunction with the improved keyboard 2 of the invention. In the preferred embodiment, the keyboard switching circuit 61 include~
a three-way 8W itch 62, and two separate code converter circuit~ ~not shown) which are capable of converting the alphanumeric signals transmitted through the console output cable 64 into different alphanumeric signals before these signals are received by the central processing unit 65 of the word processor, computer or typewriter. Specifically, one of the code converter circuits converts the alphanumeric signals it receive~ from a standard keyboard to that of a sequential keyboard, while the other code converter circuit converts such signals to that of a Dvorak keyboard. The code converter circuits may be made from printed circuits or TTL logic chips, and the preci~e - 14 ~ gr;g structure and operation that such code circuits may assume i~ not within the scope of the instant invention. ~owever, applicant would point OUt that such conversion circuitry pe~ ~ is well known in the prior art of photocomposition machinery in such references as U.S. Patent 3,067,660, and in multi-lingual typewriters such as shown in U.S. Patents 4,124,843 and 4,531,119. The '119 patent discloses the use of a switch to selectively route the signals generated ~ a keyboard through different circuits that determine-the ~pecific type of Asian character ultimately printed, and is expressly incorporated into the specification of thi~ application by reference.
Similarly, the three-way switch 62 would either pass the signals generated by the keyboard 2 completely through unaltered when the keyboara 2 is used as a standard keyboard, or through one or the other of the code converter circuits when the keyboard 2 is used as either a se~uential or a Dvorak-type keyboard.
In the method of the invention, the three-way switch 62 is set to select an alphabetical keyboara arrangement. Such an arrangement is illustrated in Figure 1. Starting with the capital A in the QWERTY
keyboard, the home row 5c continues to the right in ~lphabetica order through J. On the row 5b just above the home row 5c, the keys 3 progressfrom left to right R through T. On the row 5djust below the home row 5c, the alphabetical sequence is concluded left to right J
through Z. There are at least two advantages associated with the use of such a sequential or alphabetical key arrangement. First, if the typing students are old enough to be completely familiar with the alphabet, the sequential arrangement greatly expedites the 6peed at wbich a novice learn~ to touch type, since it positions the keys in an easily recognized pattern. Even when the typing students are very young children that are not as familiar with 1~91~r 9 alphabetical order, the sequential keyboard advantageou~ly reinforces the child's need to know the alphabet for telephone directory use, dictionary use, etc. Secondly, the sequential keyboar~ arrangement captures many of tbe same advantages discussed with respect to the Dvorak keyboard arrangement.
Specifically, in the sequential arrangement, the three val~es A, ~ and I are on the home row 5c, while the otber three valves 0, U and Y are ~truck wit~ the same two finger~ that strike the letters A and E. Moreover, two of the most frequently u~ed consonants, G and ~, are located on the home row 5c.
To f urther reinforce the association of the vi6ual patterns 14 of the keys 3 with the alphanumeric characters on the keys, the CRT screen 31 of the keyboard assembly 1 i8 programmed to display the associated visual patterns 14 directly under the characters being typed. The specific software necessary to display the visual pattern 14 associated with each number or letter could assume any one of a number of easily developed forms, and forms no part of the instant invention. Such a simultaneous display of visual patterns 14 and alphanumeric character~ greatly expedites the learning of touch-typing, and helps those persons afflicted with dyslexia or other reading impairments to learn both typing, reading and writing.
While the ~tructure and operation of the inventive keyboard assembly of the invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment, numerous alternative embodiments, substitutions and modifications will occur to those of ordinary skill ln the art. For example, different visual patterns can be used to achieve the ~ame results of the invention, as could any number of foot-operated copyholder configurations, 80 long as they display the document 33 being copied between the keyboard 2 and the display screen 31. Additionally, while the method of the s9 invention has been described with respect to the acquisition of typing skills, it is certainly appl icable to other operations, such as the programming of a computer or the aoquisition of reading skills. As used herein the word ~typing~ is to be construed in it~
broade6t sense, and i~ meant to encompass any activity wherein keys or switche~ corresponding to symbolic information are actuated in order to transmit information, ~uch as the operation of a mathematical calculator, the dialing of a telephone, or the use of an instrument panel of any sort. Similarly, the word ~keyboard~ is to be construed in the broad sense of encompassing such items a~ an array of calcular buttons or an instrument panel~ All such alternative embodiments, modif ication6 and substitutions are intended to f all w ithin the scope of the invention claimed in this patent.
Claims (37)
1. An improved keyboard assembly for entering symbols into a device for processing information, comprising:
a plurality of mutually adjacent keys, each of which corresponds to a selected symbol, and each of which is substantially covered by a visual pattern formed from the combination of one of a plurality of color schemes and one of several different shapes, wherein the combination of color scheme and shape forming the visual pattern on each key is different from the combination of color scheme and shape forming the visual pattern on each adjacent key in order to render each key perceptively different in the peripheral and near-focus vision of a keyboard operator.
a plurality of mutually adjacent keys, each of which corresponds to a selected symbol, and each of which is substantially covered by a visual pattern formed from the combination of one of a plurality of color schemes and one of several different shapes, wherein the combination of color scheme and shape forming the visual pattern on each key is different from the combination of color scheme and shape forming the visual pattern on each adjacent key in order to render each key perceptively different in the peripheral and near-focus vision of a keyboard operator.
2. The keyboard assembly of Claim 1, further including a copyholder means for positioning a document to be copied adjacent to said keyboard so that the keyboard operator may see said keys when looking at said document.
3. The keyboard assembly of Claim 1, further including a display means for displaying the symbols typed, wherein said display means also displays the visual patterns associated with the symbols typed in order to reinforce the association of said symbols with said patterns in the mind of a keyboard operator.
4. The keyboard assembly of Claim 2, further including a display means for displaying the symbols typed, wherein said display means also displays the visual patterns associated with the symbols typed in order to reinforce the association of said symbols with said patterns in the mind of a keyboard operator.
5. The keyboard assembly of claim 1, wherein at least some of said keys further include different surface textures to provide a tactile signal to the keyboard operator whenever the different-textured keys are touched.
6. The keyboard assembly of Claim 5, wherein each key includes a finger engageable portion that is adjacent to a base portion, and said different surface textures are present on the finger engageable portion of at least some of said keys.
7. The keyboard assembly of Claim 1, wherein each key includes a finger engageable portion that is flanked by a base portion, and said visual pattern covers said finger-engageable portion.
8. The keyboard assembly of Claim 3, wherein each key includes a finger engageable portion that is flanked by a base portion, and said visual pattern covers said finger-engageable portion.
9. The keyboard assembly of Claim 4, wherein each key includes a finger engageable portion that is flanked by a base portion, and said visual pattern covers said finger-engageable portion.
10. The keyboard assembly of Claims 7, 8 or 9, wherein the finger engageable portion is raised relative to the base portion.
11. The keyboard assembly of Claims 7, 8 or 9, wherein each key may correspond to more than one symbol, each symbol of which is indicated on a separate part of the base portion.
12. The keyboard assembly of Claims 7, 8 or 9, wherein the shape of the finger engageable portion of each key is different from the shape of the finger engageable portion of at least some of the adjacent keys.
13. The keyboard assembly of Claims 7, 8 or 9, wherein the coloring of the finger engageable portion of each key is different from the coloring of the finger engageable portion of at least some of the adjacent keys.
14. The keyboard assembly of Claims 7, 8 or 9, wherein the base portion is rectangular, and wherein the alphanumeric symbol that each key corresponds to is indicated on one of the corners of the base portion.
15. An improved keyboard assembly for use with a device for processing alphabetical or numerical information, comprising a plurality of keys arranged in a plurality of mutually adjacent rows and columns, wherein each key corresponds to a selected alphanumeric symbol, and is substantially covered by a visual pattern formed from a combination of one of a plurality of color schemes and one of a plurality of shapes wherein the combination of the color scheme and shape forming the visual pattern of each key is different from the combination of color scheme and shape forming the visual pattern on each adjacent key in order to facilitate visual discrimination between said keys, and wherein the shapes of the color schemes of the visual patterns are the same for keys in the same rows, but different between keys in adjacent rows in order to assist the keyboard operator with proper manual orientation with respect to the keyboard while at the same time rendering adjacent keys different in the peripheral and near-focus vision of said keyboard operator.
16. An improved keyboard assembly for use with a device for processing alphabetical or numerical information, comprising a plurality of keys arranged in a plurality of mutually adjacent rows and columns, wherein each key corresponds to a selected alphanumeric symbol, and is substantially covered by a visual pattern formed from a combination of one of a plurality of color schemes and one of a plurality of shapes, wherein the combination of the color scheme and shape forming the visual pattern on each key is different from the combination of color scheme and shape forming the visual pattern on each adjacent key, and wherein the shape of the visual patterns is the same for keys in the same columns, but different between keys in different columns in order to assist the keyboard operator with proper manual orientation with respect to the keyboard while at the same time rendering adjacent keys perceptively different in the peripheral and near-focus vision of the keyboard operator.
17. The improved keyboard assembly of Claims 15 or 16, wherein at least some of said keys further include different surface textures to provide a tactile signal to the keyboard operator whenever the different-textured keys are touched.
18. The improved keyboard assembly of Claims 15 or 16, wherein each key includes a finger engageable portion that is at least flanked by a base portion, and said visual portion covers said finger engageable portion.
19. The keyboard assembly of Claims 15 or 16, wherein each key may correspond to more than one alphanumeric symbol, each symbol of which is indicated on the key on a portion thereof that is separate from the visual pattern that substantially covers the key.
20. The keyboard assembly of Claim 15, wherein the keys in at least two columns include bar-shaped markings in order to assist the keyboard operator with proper manual orientation with respect to the keyboard by facilitating perception of the individual columns of keys in the keyboard.
21. An improved keyboard assembly for use with a device for processing alphabetical or numerical information, comprising a plurality of keys arranged in a plurality of mutually adjacent rows and columns, each key corresponding to a selected alphanumeric symbol and being substantially covered by a visual pattern formed from a combination of at least two readily perceptible design elements, the specific combination forming each pattern on each key being manifestly different from the combination of design elements used in the visual patterns on all keys adjacent thereto in order to facilitate visual discrimination between different keys, but each row and each column of keys having one design element in common in order to assist the keyboard operator in perceiving individual rows and columns of keys, thereby facilitating the proper ..........
orientation of the hands of the operator over the keyboard.
orientation of the hands of the operator over the keyboard.
22. The improved keyboard assembly of claim 21, wherein said design elements include shape and coloring.
23. The improved keyboard assembly of claim 22, wherein the shape of the patterns is the same for keys in the same row, and the coloring of the keys is the same for keys in the same column.
24. The improved keyboard assembly of claim 21, wherein at least some of the keys include different surface textures to facilitate tactile discrimination between said keys.
25. The improved keyboard assembly of claim 21, wherein each key includes a finger engageable portion that is at least flanked by a base portion, and said visual portion covers said finger engageable portion.
26. The improved keyboard assembly of claim 25, wherein each key may correspond to more than one symbol, each symbol of which is indicated on a separate part of the base portion.
27. The improved keyboard assembly of claim 26, wherein the finger engageable portion is raised relative to the base portion of the key.
28. The improved keyboard assembly of claim 27, wherein the base portion is rectangular, and said finger engageable portion is disposed substantially over the middle of the base portion, and each symbol that the key may correspond to is indicated in a separate corner of the base portion.
29. The improved keyboard assembly of claim 28, wherein each key may correspond to one of two different alphanumerical symbols which are separately printed in mutually opposing corners of the base portion of the key.
30. The keyboard assembly of claim 21, further including a copyholder means and a display means for displaying what the keyboard operator types wherein said copyholder means is disposed between said plurality of keys and said display means so that the operator may see the keys with his near-focus vision while looking at the copyholder means or display means with his focused vision.
31. An improved keyboard assembly for use with a device for processing information in symbolic form, comprising a plurality of keys arranged in mutually adjacent rows and columns, each key having a finger engageable portion surrounded by a base portion, the finger engageable portion being substantially covered by a visual pattern formed from a combination of at least two readily perceptible design elements including shape and coloring, the specific combination of which on any one key resulting in a manifestly different visual pattern from the patterns substantially covering all keys adjacent thereto in order to facilitate visual discrimination between different keys, but the visual pattern on keys in the same row and column having one design element in common in order to assist the keyboard operator in perceiving individual rows and columns of keys, thereby facilitating proper orientation of the hands of the operator over the keyboard, wherein each key may correspond to more than one symbol, each symbol of which is indicated on a separate part of the base portion.
32. An improved keyboard assembly for use with a device for processing information in symbolic form, comprising a plurality of keys arranged in mutually adjacent rows and columns, each key having a finger engageable portion surrounded by a base portion, the finger engageable portion being substantially covered by a visual pattern formed from a combination of at least two readily perceptible design elements including shape and coloring, the specific combination of which on any one key resulting in a manifestly different visual pattern from the patterns substantially covering all keys adjacent thereto in order to facilitate visual discrimination between different keys, but the visual pattern on keys in the same row and column having one design element in common in order to assist the keyboard operator in perceiving individual rows and columns of keys, thereby facilitating proper orientation of the hands of the operator over the keyboard, wherein different surface textures are provided on the finger engageable portions of keys in adjacent rows to further assist the keyboard operator in perceiving individual rows of keys.
33. An improved keyboard assembly for use with a device for processing symbolic information, comprising (a) a plurality of mutually adjacent keys, each of which corresponds to a selected symbol, and each of which is substantially covered by a visual pattern formed from a combination of shape and coloring, wherein the visual pattern on each key is manifestly different from the visual pattern on each adjacent key in order to facilitate visual discrimination between said keys, and (b) a document positioning means for positioning a document to be copied adjacent to said keyboard so that the keyboard operator may peripherally see said keys when looking at said document.
34. The improved keyboard assembly of claim 33, wherein at least some of said keys further include different surface textures to provide a tactile signal to the keyboard operator whenever the different-textured keys are touched.
35. The improved keyboard assembly of claim 33, wherein each key includes a finger engageable portion that is at least flanked by a base portion, and said visual portion covers said finger engageable portion.
36. An improved method of typing with a keyboard assembly that includes a means for displaying the symbols typed, and a plurality of mutually adjacent keys, each of which corresponds to a selected symbol, and each of which is substantially covered by a visual pattern formed from a combination of shape and coloring, wherein the visual pattern on each key is manifestly different from the visual pattern on each adjacent key in order to facilitate visual discrimination therebetween, comprising the step of displaying on said display means the visual pattern associated with each symbol typed adjacent to said symbol in order to reinforce the association of said symbol with said pattern in the mind of the keyboard operator.
37. An improved keyboard assembly for use with a device for processing information, comprising:
a plurality of mutually adjacent keys, each of which corresponds to a selected symbol, and each of which is substantially covered by a visual pattern formed from the combination of one of a plurality of color schemes and one of several different shapes, wherein the combination of color scheme and shape forming the visual pattern on each key is different from the combination of color scheme and shape forming the visual pattern on each adjacent key in order to facilitate visual discrimination between said keys in the peripheral and near-focus vision of a keyboard operator.
wherein each of the shapes and color schemes used to form each pattern is symmetrical so that the entire visual pattern may be easily inferred when only a portion of said pattern is visible.
a plurality of mutually adjacent keys, each of which corresponds to a selected symbol, and each of which is substantially covered by a visual pattern formed from the combination of one of a plurality of color schemes and one of several different shapes, wherein the combination of color scheme and shape forming the visual pattern on each key is different from the combination of color scheme and shape forming the visual pattern on each adjacent key in order to facilitate visual discrimination between said keys in the peripheral and near-focus vision of a keyboard operator.
wherein each of the shapes and color schemes used to form each pattern is symmetrical so that the entire visual pattern may be easily inferred when only a portion of said pattern is visible.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US07/032,622 US4940346A (en) | 1987-04-01 | 1987-04-01 | Keyboard assembly and typing method |
| US032,622 | 1987-04-01 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1291959C true CA1291959C (en) | 1991-11-12 |
Family
ID=21865917
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000547299A Expired - Fee Related CA1291959C (en) | 1987-04-01 | 1987-09-18 | Keyboard assembly and typing method |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4940346A (en) |
| KR (1) | KR920007421Y1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1291959C (en) |
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| US5059048A (en) * | 1989-10-17 | 1991-10-22 | Sirkin Mark J | Keyboard for use with one hand having curvilinear and linear rows of keys |
| US5408621A (en) * | 1993-06-10 | 1995-04-18 | Ben-Arie; Jezekiel | Combinatorial data entry system having multi-position switches, each switch having tiltable control knob |
| UA27075C2 (en) * | 1993-09-07 | 2000-02-28 | Денніс У. Нассер | Apparatus for data input |
| US7101101B2 (en) * | 1993-09-07 | 2006-09-05 | Dennis W Nusser | Input apparatus for people having small hands |
| US5452960A (en) * | 1994-10-27 | 1995-09-26 | Kuhlenschmidt; Richard E. | Children's computer keyboard |
| US5626429A (en) * | 1995-04-03 | 1997-05-06 | Choate; John I. M. | Keyboard arrangement to maximize one-handed typing speed and training for engineering and architectural computer assisted drawing and design or disabled typists |
| US5700097A (en) * | 1995-07-10 | 1997-12-23 | Kuhlenschmidt; Richard E. | Children's computer keyboard |
| US5790103A (en) * | 1995-10-04 | 1998-08-04 | Willner; Michael A. | Ergonomic keyboard entry system |
| US5735619A (en) * | 1996-04-01 | 1998-04-07 | Myint; Soe | Adjustable, curved keyboard |
| US5833378A (en) * | 1996-05-29 | 1998-11-10 | Gibson; Marc E. | Collapsible typing keyboard tray |
| US7182533B1 (en) * | 1997-10-21 | 2007-02-27 | Prosper Street Technologies, Llc | Keyboard contoured to the natural shape of the hand |
| US6382854B2 (en) * | 1999-12-17 | 2002-05-07 | Rossana Uy Morelos | Computer keyboard enhancement kit |
| US6560559B2 (en) * | 2001-08-17 | 2003-05-06 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | System and method for detecting and correcting incorrect hand position of a computer user |
| US6632038B2 (en) * | 2001-12-19 | 2003-10-14 | Douglas Trotman | Keyboard arrangement for easy acquisition of typing skills |
| US6883985B2 (en) * | 2002-02-26 | 2005-04-26 | Robin Catherine Roberson | Printable, reusable key masks |
| US20030218599A1 (en) * | 2002-03-06 | 2003-11-27 | Kim Burke | Computer keyboard arrangement |
| GB0205164D0 (en) * | 2002-03-06 | 2002-04-17 | Bennett Nicholas R | Improvements to key pad keys (2) |
| US6629793B1 (en) | 2002-04-26 | 2003-10-07 | Westie Intellectual Properties Limited Partnership | Emoticon keyboard |
| US20030206761A1 (en) * | 2002-05-02 | 2003-11-06 | Emerson Harry E. | Computer keyboard having surface textured home keys and other important keys to be tactilely identifiable |
| JP4085766B2 (en) * | 2002-10-04 | 2008-05-14 | ヤマハ株式会社 | Mixing console |
| GB2405831A (en) * | 2003-09-11 | 2005-03-16 | Daniel Meenaghan | Key covers having graphical representation of function of key during the playing of a computer game |
| JP2005187190A (en) * | 2003-12-26 | 2005-07-14 | Kyocera Mita Corp | Image forming device |
| US7779354B2 (en) | 2004-05-13 | 2010-08-17 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and data processing system for recognizing and correcting dyslexia-related spelling errors |
| JP2006005608A (en) * | 2004-06-17 | 2006-01-05 | Hitachi Ltd | Imaging device |
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| US7978181B2 (en) * | 2006-04-25 | 2011-07-12 | Apple Inc. | Keystroke tactility arrangement on a smooth touch surface |
| EP1857914B1 (en) * | 2006-05-16 | 2013-01-16 | Research In Motion Limited | Haptic keypad and electronic device |
| EP2095267A4 (en) * | 2006-12-18 | 2013-01-23 | Semantic Compaction Sys | An apparatus, method and computer readable medium for chinese character selection and output |
| US8963842B2 (en) * | 2007-01-05 | 2015-02-24 | Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. | Integrated hardware and software user interface |
| US8115745B2 (en) | 2008-06-19 | 2012-02-14 | Tactile Displays, Llc | Apparatus and method for interactive display with tactile feedback |
| US8665228B2 (en) | 2008-06-19 | 2014-03-04 | Tactile Displays, Llc | Energy efficient interactive display with energy regenerative keyboard |
| US8217908B2 (en) * | 2008-06-19 | 2012-07-10 | Tactile Displays, Llc | Apparatus and method for interactive display with tactile feedback |
| US9513705B2 (en) | 2008-06-19 | 2016-12-06 | Tactile Displays, Llc | Interactive display with tactile feedback |
| US10719131B2 (en) | 2010-04-05 | 2020-07-21 | Tactile Displays, Llc | Interactive display with tactile feedback |
| US20200393907A1 (en) | 2010-04-13 | 2020-12-17 | Tactile Displays, Llc | Interactive display with tactile feedback |
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| US2848088A (en) * | 1955-11-10 | 1958-08-19 | Underwood Corp | Machine for printing and checking mutually similar records |
| US3235055A (en) * | 1964-04-30 | 1966-02-15 | Teletype Corp | Keyboard for generating braille copy |
| IT1117609B (en) * | 1979-02-09 | 1986-02-17 | Olivetti & Co Spa | ELECTRONIC WRITING MACHINE WITH VIEWER |
| DE3042579A1 (en) * | 1980-11-12 | 1982-05-19 | Börre Börresen Industrieschilder GmbH, 7633 Seelbach | Key-pad switch control unit - has definite shaped switch top mouldings for precise tactile identification, and incorporates colour film and insulating background |
| JPS5812779A (en) * | 1981-07-16 | 1983-01-24 | Miroku Enterp:Kk | Indicating method and indicating plate for keyboard |
| US4484305A (en) * | 1981-12-14 | 1984-11-20 | Paul Ho | Phonetic multilingual word processor |
| US4558527A (en) * | 1982-04-27 | 1985-12-17 | Helmut Schroedel | Reading aid apparatus, especially a copyholder for typewriters |
| US4555193A (en) * | 1983-10-31 | 1985-11-26 | Stone Philip J | Keyboards including color coding and one handed operation |
-
1987
- 1987-04-01 US US07/032,622 patent/US4940346A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1987-09-18 CA CA000547299A patent/CA1291959C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1987-09-24 KR KR2019870016201U patent/KR920007421Y1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US4940346A (en) | 1990-07-10 |
| KR920007421Y1 (en) | 1992-10-12 |
| KR880003065U (en) | 1988-04-11 |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| MKLA | Lapsed |