DE20312713U1 - Keyboard with keys arranged in the order of the English alphabet - Google Patents

Description

Keyboard with keys arranged in the order of the English alphabet

The invention provides a keyboard with keys arranged in the order of the English alphabet.

In 1808, an Italian named Pellegrino Turri created the world's first typewriter. His goal was to help the blind.

In the 1860s, typewriters were introduced to the United States. Since the mechanical design of the typewriter was imperfect at that time, if the user typed too quickly, mechanical malfunctions could occur (such as tangling of the typebars or jammed keys). To avoid wasting time fixing mechanical malfunctions of the typewriter, an inventor and engineer named Christopher Sholes designed the QWERTY keyboard, which breaks the English alphabet into a discontinuous order to reduce typing speed. Fig. 1 shows the layout of a conventional QWERTY keyboard. The name QWERTY represents the top left six keys.

Remington & Sons were the first to mass-produce typewriters in the United States. The company bought Sholes' typewriter patent and began mass-producing QWERTY keyboards.

August Dvorak (1894 - 1975) spent 12 years in the 1920s researching typing efficiency. In 1932 he invented the eponymous Dvorak keyboard, shown in Fig. 2.

Dvorak found that the letters A, O, E, U, I, D, H, T, N and S are the most commonly used letters in the English alphabet. Therefore, he placed these keys in central positions that were easiest to reach by fingers. However, Dvorak keyboards are not

often used because QWERTY keyboards are universally used. Vocational schools still train their students on QWERTY keyboards adapted to touch-typing, even if computer keyboards do not have mechanical malfunctions. Nowadays, with the rapid development of the information industry and the advent of the Internet, computers play a very important role in our daily lives. Although computer technology _and software have developed in leaps and bounds, there is still a lot of room for improvement in the operation method of the primary input tool, the keyboard.

For most beginners, learning the non-alphabetical positions of the 26 English letters on a keyboard is extremely difficult. Even for people highly skilled in computer technology and networking, touch typing on a keyboard is still laborious and time-consuming. This is not surprising considering that existing input methods in the English language were developed without the user in mind.

The invention is based on the object of providing a keyboard that allows a user to quickly find the key to be typed according to the order of the English alphabet. The user can therefore learn to type without any effort.

The invention is also based on the object of creating another input method for those persons who are not trained in typing, so that they can type quickly and in a natural way.

In order to achieve the above objects, according to the invention, the 26 English letter keys from A to Z are arranged on a keyboard in three rows. The 22 letter keys from A to V are arranged in rows from left to right. The keys in the top row are A, D, G, J, M, P, S and V, the keys in

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The middle row is B, E, H, K, N, Q and T, and the keys in the bottom row are C, F, I, L, O, R and U. Thus, from top to bottom, the key groups ABC, DEF, GHI, JKL, MNO, PQR and STU are formed. The V key and the remaining four keys W to Z are combined to form a key group VWXYZ.

The keys in the top row are arranged in the order A, D, G, J, M, P, S, V, X and Z, with the letters Q, W, E, R, T, Y, U, I, 0 and P respectively shown on the keycaps of these keys. The keys in the middle row are arranged in the order B, E, H, K, N, Q, T, W and Y, with the letters A, S, D, F, G, H, J, K and L respectively shown on the keycaps of these keys. The keys in the bottom row are arranged in the order C, F, I, L, 0, R and U, with the letters Z, X, C, V, B, N and M respectively shown on the keycaps of these keys. A shift key is used for selection.

In another embodiment of the invention, the keys in the top row are arranged in the order A, D, G, J, M, P, S, V and Y, with the letters Q, W, E, R, T, Y, U, I and 0 being shown on the keycaps of these keys, respectively, and the P key is arranged after the 0 key. The keys in the middle row are arranged in the order B, E, H, K, N, Q, T, W and Z, with the letters A, S, D, F, G, H, J, K and L being shown on the keycaps of these keys, respectively. The keys in the bottom row are arranged in the order C, F, I, L, 0, R, U and X, with the letters Z, X, C, V, B, N, M being shown on the keycaps of these keys, respectively. A shift key is used for selection.

When switching between these two types of key layouts using the Shift key, the corresponding sample codes are switched at the same time. This is

achieved by using a software driver to switch the corresponding sampling codes.

Since the way the keys are arranged on the keyboard according to the invention is in accordance with the order of the well-known English alphabet, a beginner does not have to go through the hassle of learning to type. Furthermore, a shift key can be used to switch to the conventional QWERTY keyboard, which makes the use of the keyboard much easier for both professional and non-professional computer users.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the figures and are explained in more detail below.

Show it

Fig. 1 is a diagram of a conventional QWERTY keyboard; Fig. 2 is a diagram of a conventional Dvorak keyboard;

Fig. 3 is a diagram of a keyboard according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a diagram of a keyboard according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a diagram of a keyboard according to a third embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a diagram of a keyboard according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 7 is a circuit block diagram of a keyboard according to the second or fourth embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a diagram of a keyboard according to a first embodiment of the invention. The keys of the 26 English letters from A to Z are arranged in three rows on a

Keyboard arranged. The keys in the top row are A, D, G, J, M, P, S, V, X and Z, the keys in the middle row are B, E, H, K, N, Q, T, W and Y, and the keys in the bottom row are C, F, I, L, 0, R and U. Thus, in the order from top to bottom and from left to right, key groups ABC, DEF, GHI, JKL, MNO, PQR and STU, VW, XY and Z are formed.

Fig. 4 is a diagram of a keyboard according to a second embodiment of the invention. The keys in the upper row are arranged in the order A, D, G, J, M, P, S, V, X and Z, the keycaps of which also show the letters Q, W, E, R, T, Y, U, I, 0 and P, respectively. The keys in the middle row are arranged in the order B, E, H, K, N, Q, T, W and Y, the keycaps of which also show the letters A, S, D, F, G, H, J, K and L, respectively. The keys in the lower row are arranged in the order C, F, I, L, 0, R and U, the keycaps of which also show the letters Z, X, C, V, B, N and M, respectively. A shift key 10 is used for selection.

In other words, the letters on the keycaps of Fig. 1 and 3 are simultaneously displayed on the keycaps in Fig.

Fig. 5 is a diagram of a keyboard according to a third embodiment of the invention. The letter keys of the 26 English letters from A to Z are arranged on a keyboard in three rows. The keys in the upper row are A, D, G, J, M, P, S, V and Y. The keys in the middle row are B, E, H, K, N, Q, T, W and Z. The keys in the lower row are C, F, I, L, 0, R, U and X. Thus, in the order from top to bottom and from left to right, key groups ABC, DEF, GHI, JKL, MNO, PQR and STU, VWX and YZ are formed.

Fig. 6 is a diagram of a keyboard according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. The keys in the upper row are in the order A, D, G, J, M, P, S, V and Y

arranged, the keycaps of these keys further showing the letters Q, W, E, R, T, Y, U, I and 0, respectively, and the P key is arranged after the 0 key. The keys in the middle row are arranged in the order B, E, H, K, N, Q, T, W and Z, the keycaps of these keys further showing the letters A, S, D, F, G, H, J, K and L, respectively. The keys in the bottom row are arranged in the order C, F, I, L, 0, R, U and X, the keycaps of these keys further showing the letters Z, X, C, V, B, N and M, respectively. A shift key 10' is used for selection. In other words, the letters on the keycaps of Fig. 1 and 5 are simultaneously displayed on the keycaps in Fig. 6.

Fig. 7 is a circuit block diagram of a keyboard according to the second or fourth embodiment of the invention. The keys of the 26 English letters (A - Z) and the shift key 10 (or 10') are coupled to a keyboard microprocessor alphabet scanning array 20 so that a user can use the shift key 10 (or 10') to select a type of key layout.

According to the invention, a specific keyboard conversion table with driver support can also be used.

When switching between the two types of key layout, corresponding scan codes are switched simultaneously. This is achieved by using a software driver to switch the corresponding scan codes.

Since the key arrangement on the keyboard according to the invention follows the order of the well-known English 0 alphabet, a beginner does not have to laboriously learn to type.

Furthermore, the invention provides two key layouts simultaneously for both professional and non-professional computer users. A shift key

can be used to switch between these two key layouts.

In summary, the invention has the following functions:

(1) A user can quickly find the key to be typed according to the order of the English alphabet. Therefore, the user can learn to type without effort.

(2) A user who is not trained in typing is provided with an alternative input method to enable rapid and natural typing.

In conclusion, in a keyboard with keys arranged in the order of the English alphabet, keys for English letters from A to Z are arranged in three rows. The 22 keys from A to V are arranged in row from left to right. The keys in the top row are A, D, G, J, M, P, S and V, the keys in the middle row are B, E, H, K, N, Q and T, and the keys in the bottom row are C, F, I, L, O, R and U. Thus, from top to bottom, key groups ABC, DEF, GHI, JKL, MNO, PQR and STU are formed. The V key and the remaining 4 keys from W to Z are combined to form a key group VWXYZ. Due to this arrangement, memory can be recalled quickly, so learning typing is simplified for a beginner.

Claims (7)

1. A keyboard having keys arranged in an order of the English alphabet, wherein 26 keys for English letters from A to Z are arranged on the keyboard in three rows, wherein 22 keys from A to V are arranged in row from left to right, wherein keys in an upper row are in an order of A, D, G, J, M, P, S and V, keys in a middle row are in an order of B, E, H, K, N, Q and T, and keys in a lower row are in an order of C, F, I, L, O, R and U, thus forming from top to bottom and from left to right key groups ABC, DEF, GHI, JKL, MNO, PQR and STU, wherein the V key and the remaining four keys from W to Z are composed to form a key group VWXYZ. 2. A keyboard with keys arranged in the order of the English alphabet according to claim 1, wherein keys in the upper row are arranged in the order of A, D, G, J, M, P, S, V, X and Z, keys in the middle row are arranged in the order of B, E, H, K, N, Q, T, W and Y, and keys in the lower row are arranged in the order of C, F, I, L, O, R and U. 3. A keyboard having keys arranged in the order of the English alphabet according to claim 1, wherein keys in the upper row are arranged in the order of A, D, G, J, M, P, S, V and Y, keys in the middle row are arranged in the order of B, E, H, K, N, Q, T, W and Z, and keys in the lower row are arranged in the order of C, F, I, L, O, R, U and X. 4. A keyboard with keys arranged in the order of the English alphabet according to claim 2, wherein keys in the upper row are arranged in the order A, D, G, J, M, P, S, V, X and Z, the keycaps of these keys further showing the letters Q, W, E, R, T, Y, U, I, O and P, respectively, keys in the middle row are arranged in the order B, E, H, K, N, Q, T, W and Y, the keycaps of these keys further showing the letters A, S, D, F, G, H, J, K and L, respectively, keys in the lower row are arranged in the order C, F, I, L, O, R and U, the keycaps of these keys further showing the letters Z, X, C, V, B, N, M, respectively, and wherein a shift key ( 10 ) is used for selection. 5. A keyboard with keys arranged in the order of the English alphabet according to claim 3, wherein keys in the upper row are arranged in the order A, D, G, J, M, P, S, V and Y, the keycaps of these keys further showing the letters Q, W, E, R, T, Y, U, I and O respectively, and wherein the P key is arranged after the O key, keys in the middle row are arranged in the order B, E, H, K, N, Q, T, W and Z, the keycaps of these keys further showing the letters A, S, D, F, G, H, J, K and L respectively, keys in the lower row are arranged in the order C, F, I, L, O, R, U and X, the keycaps of these keys further showing the letters Z, X, C, V, B, N, M respectively, and wherein a shift key ( 10 ') is used for selection. 6. A keyboard with keys arranged in the order of the English alphabet according to claim 4 or 5, wherein corresponding scanning codes are switched simultaneously when switching between both key arrangements using the shift key ( 10 , 10 '). 7. A keyboard with keys arranged in the order of the English alphabet according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a software driver is used to switch the corresponding scanning codes when switching between both keyboard arrangements using the shift key ( 10 , 10 ').