WO1990002460A1

WO1990002460A1 - Keyboard

Info

Publication number: WO1990002460A1
Application number: PCT/US1988/002907
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marvin Garfinkle
Original assignee: Marvin Garfinkle
Priority date: 1988-08-24
Filing date: 1988-08-24
Publication date: 1990-03-08

Abstract

A keyborad for use in generating specific characters, preferably pictographic characters (e.g., Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and Korean characters) includes a plurality of separate keypads (1L, 1R), at least two of which are spaced apart from each other and have multiple keys (2L, 2R) thereon. Registers (e.g., 5L, 10, 5R, 20, 7L, 30, 7R, 40) are provided for generating a unique character-identifier for a specific character to be generated upon the actuation of a specific combination of keys on each of at least two keypads having multiple keys.

Description

KEYBOARD

Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to a keyboard for generating characters, and more specifically to a keyboard for generating pictographic (e.g., Chinese) characters.

Background Art

Written languages based on the evolved Chinese pictographic system, specifically modern Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Korean, have certain intrinsic difficulties not only chronically in terms of learning rate, but more recently in terms of technological utilization.. There are some fifty thousand (50,000) Chinese characters, each capable of represent¬ ing either a word, a syllable, or some combination thereof. The vast majority defy any rational classification relating charac¬ ter linestroke composition to meaning, and even the remainder tax the skills of any taxonomist attracted to this field of research.

Only some 12,000 Chinese characters have been adequately classified for lexicographical purposes. Conse¬ quently, it is not surprising that many attempts have been made to adopt the orthographic system common to the West to replace the present pictographic system. However, because of the considerable cultural content of pictographic expression, these attempts have met with considerable resistance. Accordingly, it can safely be assumed that the present system will remain in place for the foreseeable future. This being the situation, it is indeed fortunate that only some 3,000 Chinese characters are required for ordinary correspondence.

The only method of learning the 3,000 or so characters required in ordinary writing is by memorizing each individual character, character by character. Although the sheer memory work required to master reading is a prodigious task in itself, it is further complicated by the exceptional calligraphic skills required to master written Chinese. As these two tasks are taught together (recognition and reproduction)., the more difficult acquired skill tends to slow the overall rate of learning. While young children have surprisingly acute sound and symbol recognition skills, as evident from their ability to learn not only their native language but foreign languages almost from infancy, the adequate motor functions required for writing are not generally developed until later. Hence, if both skills are taught together, writing requirements tend to retard reading progress.

For the pictographic languages students must learn not only to recognize the various characters and commit to memory their assigned meaning ? but must master the calligraphic skill of manually representing the characters. Each character comprises a series of linestrokes, generally between 7 and 15, but can range up to 36. Because the differences between characters can be very subtle, students must cope with exacting linestroke type, relative size and position, and linestroke intersection.

Considering the number of linestrokes required for a single character, learning the virtually unlimited number of Chinese characters is quite slow in comparison to comparable learning rates in the West, with its limited number of ortho¬ graphic characters each rarely requiring more than two linestrokes. Understandably, it generally takes roughly six years for students to master some 3,000 characters.

As a consequence, mastering Chinese character reading and writing is slow. This is not necessarily because it depends on sheer memory power to master reading and exceptional calli¬ graphic skills to master writing, but because these two skills are combined in learning the written language.

Another problem in addition to the sheer number of Chinese characters is that they do not lend themselves to practical keyboard representation as required for technological utilization, such as for commercial correspondence and business reports, and particularly for newspapers and magazine composi¬ tion at speeds necessary for mass distribution requirements.

Cumbersome typewriters have been developed with exceptional keyboards, some with several hundred keys to represent the most frequently occurring characters. However, because of the large number of less common but still ordinarily required characters, even the largest of such mechanical devices require open keys onto which individual type from a nearby font can be manually secured. Nevertheless, because individual characters generally represent whole words rather than sylla¬ bles, practical printing speeds comparable to alphanumeric typewriters have been achieved. However, such mechanical contrivances have reached their limit and of course were never suitable to a modern business office.

With the development of electronic typewriters and typesetters with word-processing capabilities, it would appear that some electronic scheme would have alleviated this problem, but this has not been the case. The fundamental problem remains: before electronic reproduction of the correct character, whether pictographic or orthographic, the character identification must be entered into the machine.

Because of the limited number of orthographic charac¬ ters used in the West, rarely exceeding 50, the simple manual alphanumeric keyboard arrangement is practical for computer keyboards. Consequently, Westerners are not only familiar with the alphanumeric keyboard, but contend that such a keyboard arrangement, or variations on it, is suitable for all other languages and all other cultures.

Accordingly, all schemes known to applicant for entering Chinese characters on an electronic keyboard involve rearrangement of the Western alphanumeric keyboard. In this regard all such schemes are incompatible with pictographic language with its essentially unlimited number of characters because each alphanumeric key has an assigned character or combination of characters. Not surprisingly, all such keyboards have failed to some measure.

This limitation will remain as long as the Western alphanumeric keyboard is imposed upon those comfortable with pictographic expression and the sheer memory power required in mastering the Chinese characters. The objective of the present invention is an alternate keyboard arrangement compatible with pictographic expression, not with Western logic relating to proper alphanumeric keyboard arrangement.

Summary of the'Invention

A keyboard for use in generating specific characters, and in particular ideographic characters, includes a plurality of keypads, at least two keypads being spaced apart from each other and have multiple keys thereon. Means are provided for generating a unique character-identifier for a specific character to be generated, upon the actuation of a specific combination of keys on each of at least two keypads having multiple keys.

In the preferred embodiment of this invention two separate keypads are provided, each of which includes multiple keys, and the actuation of a specific combination of keys on each of the two keypads generates a unique character-identifier.

In the most preferred embodiment of the invention the actuation of a specific combination of keys on one keypad generates a first character specifier which constitutes part of the character-identifier, and the actuation of a specific combination of keys on a second keypad generates a second character-specifier constituting another part of the character- identifier.

Most preferably the keyboard includes two keypads which are laterally spaced from each other and are mirror image pairs, to thereby accommodate normal hand movement.

In the most preferred form of this invention each keypad of a mirror image pair of keypads includes three horizon¬ tal rows of keys, each row including three keys therein. Thus, nine character keys preferably are provided on each of the two keypads employed to generate specific characters. Most prefer¬ ably the keys in the middle row on each of the two keypads are dimpled to tactually locate the position of the character keys.

In a preferred form of the invention the means for generating a unique character-identifier is independent of the actuation-rate or actuation-sequence of the combination of keys actuated on each of two keypads. Most preferably a means for generating an audible tone is provided for generating such tone after a specified combina¬ tion of keys has been actuated for generating a character- identifier.

In a preferred form of this invention additional keys are provided adjacent each of a pair of keypads to increase the number of character-identifiers which can be generated, and thereby increase the number of characters which can be specified.

To increase the versatility of the keyboard a separate alphanumeric keyboard^* preferably is disposed between laterally spaced apart keypads having character keys for generating a specific character.

In the most preferred form of this invention the number of keys on each of the keypads which need to be actuated for generating a specific character is identical.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates the preferred key arrangement for the keyboard of this invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the character specifier generators.

Fig. 3A illustrates the specified keystrokes for a specified character.

Fig. 3B illustrates the specified keystrokes for another specified character.

Fig. 4A illustrates the 12-bit words held in the register of one of several accumulators.

Fig. 4B illustrates the 12-bit words held in the registers of one of several accumulators.

Fig. 4C illustrates the 12-bit words held in the registers of one of several accumulators

Fig. 4D illustrates the 12-bit words held in the registers of one of several accumulators

Fig. 4E illustrates the 12-bit words held in the registers of one of several accumulators Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment The keyboard illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises two laterally-disposed keypads IL and IR, each with ten keys. The keypads are essentially mirror-images of each other to accom¬ modate normal hand movement, given the fact that each hand is the mirror image of the other hand. The nine character-keys 2L and 2R on each keypad IL and IR are arranged in a group comprising three essentially horizontal rows of three laterally disposed keys located above the thumb-keys 3L and 3R to accom¬ modate normal finger movement. The. inner three character-keys 2i of each keypad IL .and IR are actuated by the index fingers (Digitus Secundus), the middle three character-keys 2m by the middle fingers (Digitus Medius), and the outer three character- keys 2o by the ring fingers (Digitus Annularis) of the right and left hands. The simultaneous depression of any two pairs of character-keys, two character-keys each 2L and 2R on each keypad IL and IR, generates a discrete signal comprising two 12-bit words specifying one character.

There are ostensibly 36 unique key-pair combinations on each keypad IL and IR, or with both keypads together, provision for 1,296 characters. However, because any key-pair combination with two character-keys on each keypad in the same lateral position 2i, 2m, or 2o, i.e., vertically aligned, is ergonomi- cally impractical, as fingers would interfere with each other, there are effectively only 27 allowable combinations on each keypad, for 729 combinations. Therefore, 729 characters can be uniquely specified using four character-keys alone, two character-keys 2L on keypad IL and two character-keys 2R on keypad IR.

The lower two keys 3L and 3R on keypads IL and IR are actuated by thumbs (Pollex), and depending on the four on-off combinations of thumb-key actuation possible, there are altogether 2,916 (4x729) characters that can be uniquely specified. Accordingly, with just 18 character-keys and two thumb-keys a sufficient number of characters can be specified for ordinary personal and business correspondence. The discrete signal generated for each character specified, denoted the Character Identifier (CI), is comprised of a pair of binary words denoted the Left Character Specifier (CSj- and the Right Character Specifier (CSR) . These character specifiers CSL and CSR, unique for each character, can be read by an appropriate device accessed by the keyboard.

However, the bicameral nature of the keyboard in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention ostensibly presents a problem. It is not physiologically possible to normally conduct two separate manual tasks simultaneously that involve non-continuous or non-repetitive operations. This is particularly true of finger movement. Consequently, the keyboard operator; whether a student, a secretary, a technician, or a novelist; concentrating on a thought, a manuscript text, or dictation, and although cognizant of the proper key combination for the next character, cannot actuate the four required keys simultaneously. Therefore depending on the operators propensity, the keys of both the right or left keypad will be depressed in some random order, ostensibly producing an error.

It is for this reason that the number of character-keys 2L and 2R to be actuated for each character is held to a fixed number; two on each keypad IL and IR. Only when two pairs of character-keys are depressed, regardless of actuation-sequence or actuation-rate, is a proper signal produced corresponding to the selected character, with the thumb-keys 3L and 3R, if required, being actuated prior to the character-keys. A low momentary tone sounded after any four character-keys are actuated permits the operator to move rapidly to the next character. This aids in establishing a typing cadence. To aid in maintaining this cadence, the middle transverse row of keys 2x on each keypad is denoted the index row of keys. The index keys 2x are dimpled at their centers 2y to tactually distinguish them from the other keys. Because only two fingers on each hand are moved at any one time, at least one finger is always in contact with an index key 2x on each keypad to locate the position of the other keys. Each key of the bicameral keyboard is in either one of two possible states in binary code: OFF (O) or ON (1). Upon actuation of any character-key a momentary (1) signal is produced. It is necessary that four of these binary signals be combined, either with or without actuation of a thumb-key, to produce an unambiguous CI.

There are several ways to format the key combinations to generate a unique CI. Figure 2 illustrates one of the least complex. The matrix identifiers shown on each character-key appear only for descriptive purposes. Each character-key 2L and 2R and each thumb-key 3L and 3R is assigned one binary code generator out of the 24 available. Each generator outputs a 12-bit word represented by 2^π, where 0≤n<ll.

For example, consider the character illustrated in Fig. 3A with the keystrokes assigned to it. To specify this character on the keyboard requires actuation of the right thumb-key 3R prior to character-keys 2L and 2R being actuated. This generates the 12-bit binary word 2^ in binary word generator 4a which is stored in register 43 of accumulator 8R as shown in Figs. 2 and 4D.

Actuating character-keys [22] and [33] on the left keypad IL generates binary words 2⁴ and 2& respectively, in the binary word generators 4b and 4c. The gate 5L sends the first word received to register (11) and the second word to register (12) of accumulator 6L, blocking any subsequent signals from the left keypad IL. These two 12-bit words are stored in registers (11) and (12) of accumulator 6L, as shown in Fig. 4A. Only when both registers (11) and (12) contain non-zero words does the gate 5L allow the contents of registers (11) and (12) to be added together, with the sum thereof (termed the Left-Keypad Word) shown in register (10) of accumulator 6L.

Likewise, actuating character-keys [21] and [23] on the right keypad IR generates binary wordsd 2-3 and 2⁵ respectively in the binary word generators 4d and 4e. The gate 5R sends the first word received to register (21) and the second word to register (22) of acumulator 6R, blocking any subsequent signals from the right keypad IR. These two 12-bit words are stored in registers (21) and (22) of accumulator 6R, as shown in Fig. 4B. Only when both registeres (21) and (22) contain non-zero words does the gate 5R allow the contents of registers (21) and (22) to be added together, with the sum thereof (termed the Right- Keypad Word) shown in register (20) of accumulator 6R.

The left-keypad word from register (10) is sent to register (34) of accumulator 8L, as illustrated in Fig. 4C. Only when register (34) contains a non-zero 12-bit word does gate 7L allow the contents of registers (31), (32), (33) and (34) to be added together, with the sum stored in register (30).

Likewise, the right-keypad word, from register (20) is sent to register (44) of accumulator 8R, as illustrated in Fig. 4D. Only when register (44) contains a non-zero 12-bit word does gate 7R allow the contents of registers (41), (42), (43) and (44) to be added together, with the sum stored in register (40).

Registers (30) and (40) hold the two 12-bit words CS_L and CSR respectively that comprise the CI, and can be read by any appropriate device accessed by the bicameral keyboard. Subsequently all of the registers are reset in preparation for the next character.

Using a unique combination of two binary words CSL and CSR to specify each character significantly reduces the absolute number and size of,the separate binary words required to accom¬ modate the thousands of characters to be specified. Equally important, two words permit the characters to be classified using a compact matrix arrangement, which is particularly advantageous for pictographic languages.

Beyond the basic 2,916 characters required for ordinary correspondence there are perhaps triple that number that are sufficiently well defined to occasionally appear in business, political, and social correspondence. To accommodate these additional characters several additional keys are provided. There are two shift-keys 9L and 9R on the Bicameral Keyboard. Shift-keys 9L and 9R are actuated by the little finger (Digitus Minimus) of each hand and increase the total number of charac¬ ters capable of being specified by the keyboard to 11,664 (4x2,916), which, covers essentially the full number of charac¬ ters that have been commonly classified. Accordingly, the shift-keys accommodate characters beyond those required to be committed to memory by those lite^*rate in the Chinese language.

For example, to generate the character shown in Fig. 3B requires actuation of right shift-key 9R, which generates the binary word 2¹⁰ in the binary word generator 4f shown in Fig. 2. The sequence of events is the same as in the previous example except that both the right shift-key 9R and the right thumb-key 3R are actuated prior tό actuation .of the character-keys. As a result register (42) .of accummulator 8R holds a non-zero 12-bit contribution to the CSR, as illustrated in Fig. 4E. Essenti¬ ally, this arrangement of twenty-two Bicameral Keyboard keys can accommodate the almost 12,000 characters which comprise the practical Chinese written language.

Two option-keys 10L and 10R are provided for the less common characters. These are located above the shift keys 9L and 9R, respectively, and like the shift keys 9L and 9R are actuated by the little fingers (Digitus Minimus) of each hand. These option-keys 10L and 10R increase the total number of characters capable of being specified by the keyboard to 20,412, which covers essentially the full number of characters that may have future commercial and technical usefulness.

It should be noted that the additional keys 9L, 9R, 10L, 10R are arranged in mirror-imarge pairs; each pair being adjacent one of the mirror-image pairs of keypads IL, IR. This design further accommodates normal hand movement.

Essentially, the utility of the keyboard of this invention is limited only by the size of the font library available to the devices accessed by the keyboard. In this regard, without altering the keyboard or its circuitry the total number of characters that can be specified can be doubled to 40,824, useful to scholars for language analysis, simply by including simultaneous actuation of shift and option keys, but only if an immense font library is available.

Although electronic teaching aids have found favor in the West, they would be far more advantageous in teaching the pictographic languages. For example, a teaching program that electronically displays characters with the proper keystroke combination will permit the student to emulate the combination a sufficient number of times on the keyboard for retention.

Moreover, with the keyboard of this invention electronic teaching can significantly accelerate calligraphic skills after a certain character recognition proficiency is achieved. A character can be displayed and then by using a graphic tablet the student can attempt to reproduce the charac¬ ter using a stylus. Each stroke would be displayed in proper sequence with direction arrows, and the student would super¬ impose his stroke on the displayed stroke. Although such devices have been designed for teaching pictographic calli¬ graphy, they rely on the alphanumeric keyboard. However, they would be far more compatible with the keyboard of this invention.

The bicameral keyboard arrangement illustrated in Fig. 1 shows center keypad 11. Using the four thumb-key combina¬ tions, keypad 11 provides 48 alphanumeric or special business characters that may be required in commercial correspondence. If necessary, the shift-keys and option-keys can significantly increase this number.

The great advantage of the keyboard of this invention is speed. It would be fast, at least as fast as the alphanu¬ meric keyboard, and probably significantly faster because the same number of character-keys are required for any character. This permits a typing cadence to be established with virtually no hand shifting and comparably little finger movement because only two or three fingers are used in any one instance.

The keyboard of this invention will permit rapid access to word processors, page editors, displays and printers using Chinese characters. This objective can be achieved by coupling the reading skills required in Chinese character recognition with keystroke symbol recognition while relegating to a second¬ ary level the vastly different and more exacting calligraphic skills required in manual character representation. In this manner the rate of character recognition can be significantly accelerated. Consequently, with the keyboard of this invention, subsequent mastery of calligraphy can be more readily achieved. Moreover, the keyboard of this invention will allow Chinese character recognition to be more readily mastered by Westerners.

While there have been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of a bicameral keyboard, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention, and it is aimed therefore in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully illustrate my invention that others may, by applying current or future knowledge, adopt the same for use under various conditions of service.

Claims

What is claimed as the invention is:

1. A keyboard for use in generating specific charac¬ ters, said keyboard being characterized by a plurality of separate keypads, at least two of said keypads being spaced apart from each other and having multiple keys, and means for generating a unique character identifier for a specific charac¬ ter to be generated upon the actuation of a specific combination of keys on each of at least two keypads having multiple keys.

2. The keyboard of claim 1 characterized in that the number of keys in the specific combination of keys on each of said at least two keypads having multiple keys are equal for each character to be specified, to thereby aid in establishing a typing cadence.

3. The keyboard of claim 1 characterized in that the unique-character identifier generated for each of said specified characters is independent of the actuation-rate or actuation- sequence of said combination of actuated keys.

4. The keyboard of claim 3 characterized by means for generating an audible tone upon the actuation of said specific combination of keys.

5. The keyboard of claim 1 characterized in that the means for generating a unique character identifier for a specific character to be generated generates said unique character-identifier upon the actuation of a specific combina¬ tion of keys on each of two said keypads having multiple keys.

6. The keyboard of claim 5 including an alphanumeric keypad having multiple keys, said alphanumeric keypad being disposed between said two keypads in which the specific combination of keys are actuated.

7. The keyboard of claim 5 characterized in that the specific combination of keys on one of said two keypads generates a first character-specifier constituting one part of said character identifier, and said specific combination of keys on the other of said two keypads generates a second character- specifier constituting another part of said character-identifier.

8. The keyboard of claim 5 characterized in that additional keys are provided adjacent each of the two keypads having the multiple keys that are actuated, for increasing the number of character-identifiers which can be generated, to thereby increase the number of possible characters which can be specified.

9. The keyboard of claim 5 characterized in that the two keypads having multiple keys which are actuated are spaced laterally from each other and comprise a mirror image pair to accommodate normal hand, movement.

10. The keyboard of claim 9 characterized in that the number of keys in the specific combination of keys on each of said at least two keypads having multiple keys are equal for each character to be specified, to thereby aid in establishing a typing cadence.

11. The keyboard of claim 5 characterized in that the plurality of keys on each of the two keypads are grouped in several essentially horizontal rows to accommodate normal finger movement.

12. The keyboard of claim 11 wherein said several essentially horizontal rows is three rows of three keys each.

13. The keyboard of claim 12 characterized in that the middle row of three keys of each of said two keypads having multiple keys is dimpled to tactually locate the position of said character-keys.