GB2388075A

GB2388075A - Keyboard having additional keys for input of internet domain names, web-site or e-mail addresses

Info

Publication number: GB2388075A
Application number: GB0309255A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shah Amir Mobeen Ali
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-04-25
Filing date: 2003-04-24
Publication date: 2003-11-05
Also published as: GB0209455D0; GB0309255D0

Abstract

A keyboard 10 for a computer or key pad for an input terminal is provided with one or more keys in a zone 15 which are adapted to input selected character strings forming frequently used standard format elements of internet domain names, web-site or e-mail addresses to enable such elements to be input at a single key stroke. Selected keys may be user definable to enable inputting of frequently used domain names. The keys may be provided on a separate keypad which can be plugged into a main keyboard or directly into a monitor or microprocessor. Further, the keys could be provided as input buttons on a modified mouse.

Description

KEYBOARI) ARRANGEMENTS

This invention relates to improvements in keyboard arrangements, and has particular reference to arrangements for keying-in or typing information such as elements of web-site and e-mail addresses and domain names.

5 e-mail address and internet domain names for example are built up in a standard format. For example in a web-site address, the protocol (www. or http.//), the unique domain naTne itself, and then the category and country codes (e.g..com.uk for a British based commercial organization). Entering domain names can be a repetitive task when each character has to be entered by a separate keystroke on a standard terminal keyboard, 10 and it is possible to make mistakes in keying in the standard format elements such as the protocol or the category so that the whole entry is invalidated, or produces a wrong connection. It is therefore an object of the invention to improve the convenience and accuracy of inputting elements of for example intemet domain names to a terminal using a 15 keyboard, and the invention provides input means on or in association with a keyboard of a computer or other terminal device having a plurality of keys each adapted to input a character string corresponding to a standard format element of an internet web site, domain name or e-mail address.

Preferably, separate keys are provided for each of the commonly used character 20 strings forming standard format elements of internet or email addresses. For example two keys may be provided for the protocol strings "http.l/" and "www.", whilst a plurality of further keys provide terminating strings such as ".com", ".org.uk", ".gov.uk"

( 2 or".ac.uk" and also a number of the most frequently used country codes, such as ".us", may also be included.

The provision of these keys may be effected by incorporating additional keys in an otherwise standard keyboard in addition to the usual characters, shift, function, and 5 space/lock keys, or a separate keypad which can be plugged into a main keyboard, monitor, or processor may be provided, or a modified form of mouse provided with input buttons for the required character strings.

Using these additional keys, and with any necessary modification to the keyboard operating software, it is possible to input data such as internet addresses by singe key 10 strokes for the protocol and terminating strings. This ensures that the required character strings will be input correctly, and not rendered invalid by typographical mistakes such as omission, transposition, or repetition of characters. This will leave only elements such as less used country codes and the unique domain name to be input by separate key strokes for each character.

15. A small number of user definable keys could however be provided for entry of frequently used addresses at a single key stroke.

In the accompanying drawings, a standard keyboard modified in accordance with the invention is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1, whilst Fig. 3 shows an alternative arrangement. The keyboards each include a nonexhaustive sample of keys on a key pad 20 array for use on a modified keyboard according to the invention, or in a separate pad which can be plugged into a standard keyboard processor unit or monitor of a computer or internet terminal. The keys shown in Figs. I and 3 are examples only of the character strings which can be selected for inputting using the keys, and this sample is by no means

( exhaustive. Fig. 2 shows a sample web site address as input to a terminal, each element "www", the domain name, and ".com" each being input by a single key stroke.

In Fig. I a keyboard 10 has an array of input keys, comprising character input keys in an area 11, shift keys in an area 12, function keys in an area 13, and spacer/lock 5 keys in area 14. The addition according to the invention takes the form of a further area 15 or sub-pad containing an array of keys which enable elements of intemet addresses for example to be input as complete character strings at a single stroke.

Fig. 3 is an example of a possible alternative arrangement of the keys in such an area 15. However a sub-pad, or in a separate key pad which can be plugged into a 10 standard keyboard, monitor or processor may be used. The area of keys 15 falls into three main groups - address temminators, such as ".com", ".co.uk", ".gov.uk",.ac.uk", ".net", and ".org" as a nonexhaustive example of possible strings in an upper zone 16.

In the middle zone 17 are two keys setting out protocol strings for the beginning of intemet addresses, i.e. "http.//" and 'Nwvw.". In the third zone I are sundry other keys 15 such as "(a" and commonly used international codes such as ".us" etc..

In an alternative embodiment, instead of a key pad, the keys may be arranged on a mouse, or on a special screen page where required strings can be clicked upon using a standard mouse.

A number of keys may be provided which re user definable, so as to enter a full 20 web site or other address at a single key stroke, which may be used to enter frequently used addresses.

It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to tile details of the above embodiments which are described by way of example only.

Claims

( 4 CLAIMS

A keyboard for a computer or other terminal device having input means on or 5 associated with said keyboard comprising one or more keys each adapted to input a character string corresponding to a standard format element of an internet domain name, web-site address or e-mail address.
2. A keyboard according to claim I having a plurality of such keys each being adapted to input a character string corresponding to a different format 1 0 element.
3. A keyboard according to claim 1 or 2 wherein such keys are incorporated as extra keys on an otherwise standard keyboard in addition to the usual character, shift function and formatting keys.
4. A keyboard according to claim 1 or 2 wherein such keys are provided on a 15 separate keypad which can be plugged into a main keyboard or directly into a monitor or microprocessor.
5. A keyboard according to claim 1 or 2 wherein such keys are provided as input buttons on a modified mouse.
6. A keyboard according to any preceding claim wherein one or more of such 20 keys is user-definable to input a character string defined by the user.
7. A keyboard for a computer or other terminal device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.