FR2506675A1 - Accordion-type keyboard for coded data input - has eight keys generating codes directly from input to processor based system - Google Patents

Abstract

The rationalised keyboard for alpha numeric data input has an accordion type layout, based upon 8 keys. The keyboard has five keys (B0 to B4) that are used to enter a five bit ASCII coding of the alphabetic characters. Three other keys (B5,B6,B7) are used for functional inputs e.g. control operations such as line feed, cancel, etc., or symbols, or numbers. The eight bit coding generated by the keyboard is supplied to the data bus of a central processing unit. The processor generates addresses to access locations in read only memory to identify the specific character or operation called for.

Description

Keypad for data entry.

The invention relates to keyboards and more particularly keyboards having a small number of keys, including keyboards operating on a harmonic principle.

Common keyboards, having a multiplicity of keys, usually more than 50 keys in total, are used universally for typing and data entry. These keyboards have a large number of significant drawbacks, including the need for a long time to learn their operation, continuous practice to maintain competence, as well as their large dimensions, their weight and their bulk. Typing by touch, or blind typing, is necessary to achieve speeds above 150 characters per minute.

The revolutionary development of calculator technology has greatly expanded the application of data processing and has brought data entry terminals to places, such as the home and offices of managers, where they were not known. before. This expansion has made these data entry terminals accessible to people who have neither the time nor the inclination to undergo extensive training in their use. In order not to limit the possibility of using data processing to people who are specially and intensely trained in the use of data entry terminals, and to extend the availability of data entry terminals to places where their net size is only rs ite, it is necessary to provide data entry terminals that can be used effectively By people before minimal training and shout out the terminals only intermittently. The data entry terminals must be small enough for others placed on a manager's desk, without setting it up.

The Applicant has identified eight characteristics which are desirable for a keypad so that it meets the expectations of a large population of untrained users. These characteristics or criteria are compactness and reduced weight, portable nature, short duration required for operator training, convenience of use, limited demand for effort and concentration on the part of the operator. , the short time required to re-store after an interruption in use, the speed of data entry, and the low price.

Harmonic keyboards have been developed to try to meet the above criteria. In the context of the present invention, a hannic keyboard (Chordic) is defined as oxwe being a keyboard in which a multiplicity of data entry points must be engaged to produce a single letter or another symbol. Harmonic keyboards thus defined are distinguished from common keyboards in which each key defines one or more letters or symbols, as well as keyboards in which the engagement of a multiplicity of data entry points defines a word.

Such keyboards are described in an article by N. Rochester, F. Bequaert and EM Sharp entitled "The Chord Keyboard"("Le Clavier Harmonique") in the magazine COMPUTER of December 1978, pages 57 to 63. This type of keyboard named there keyboard with harmonic words, is not included in the scope of the invention. I1 employs entry points with fosset letters
your arranged at the junction and in the center of ten keys and
it allows you to enter words by pressing simultaneously on
a multiplicity of entry points for dimple letters.

The keyboard of Rochester et al has the advantage that the layout
of dimples frees the operator from the need to remember
set codes for various letters, symbols and function
tions. Certain special characters are indicated on the keyboard to provide a spatial association between the alphabet and the characters. Notwithstanding this, not all symbols are associated with the letters of the alphabet in this way and no number is. The keyboard has the disadvantage that memorizing the positions of the keys is necessary for high speed input.

An improved harmonic keyboard is described in an article by
RC Sidorsky, entitled "Alpha-Dot: A New Approach to Direct
Computer Entry of Battlefield Datal '2'Alpha-Point: A New Approach to Direct Entry into Battlefield Data Calculator "), Technical Report 249, US

Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences, 1974 (United States Army Research Institute for Social and Behavioral Sciences).

This keyboard is characterized in that a mnemonic device is used to facilitate the memorization of the code of letters.

No mnemonic device is provided to facilitate recall and learning of an even greater number of symbols and functions. The training time required, the need to practice and the relearning time are therefore still substantial.

Another type of harmonic keyboard is known as a "Writehander", and can be purchased from its manufacturer, the NewO Company of Palo Alto, California; it has four legal keys and four pairs of thumb-operated keys. This keyboard provides inputs and outputs in ASCII code for interfacing with suitable operating devices, and can only be used by persons familiar with the ASCII code. Given that the ASCII code encompasses a large set of symbol location associations without benefiting from mnemonic device, the device does not provide the learning advantages and quick recall ability for people unfamiliar with the ASCII code.

In UK Patent NO 1,496,522, and in published UK Patent Application NO 2,015,220 is described a keyboard device employing six keys, two of which function as alternating function keys. Letters and certain symbols are associated with predetermined combinations of keys by means of a mnemonic code. Control instructions, but not symbols, are associated with a mnemonic code to the letters of the alphabet using an alternative function key in the same combination of fingers, but with a different arrangement of locations.

The keyboards described above, although they all offer certain advantages in terms of convenience of use, do not provide any particular advantage with regard to learning time, training time or speed of entry. of data. The harmonic keyboards described above are all characterized in that they have a relatively large set of codes which must be learned by the user and mastered in order to allow data entry at high speed.

To the knowledge of the Applicants, none of the keyboards described above has met with commercial success, for the following reasons: 1) the large set of codes makes learning long and difficult, and means that the training time does not is not negligible, 2) the cades game which associates the letters and the symbols with combinations of keys is not chosen for reasons of motor convenience, particularly in the transitions between the letters often appearing together, 3) the symbols and numbers have their own codes which must be learned in addition to letter codes, 4) even when a mnemonic link exists between functions and letters of the alphabet, the key location combinations are different, even if the finger combinations remain the same, 5) the total number of symbols and control instructions is drastically limited, particularly in the embodiment described in the British Patents mentioned more high.

The object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard having revolutionary qualities with regard to the learning time required to reach a high speed of data entry, the speed of data entry, as well as the other criteria described. upper.

The invention provides, in one embodiment, a harmonic keyboard including a multiplicity of data entry points, a first correlation apparatus for correlating a set of attack combinations of data entry positions with a first set of symbols according to a first code, and a second correlation apparatus comprising function input means for correlating a second set of symbols with the set of combinations of attacking data entry positions, according to a second code.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first code is designed for motor efficiency and the second code employs mnemonic devices.

The terms "combination of data entry position attacks" or "data entry point engagement arrangement" refer to a particular spatial relationship between positions or data entry points of a combination particular. They thus refer to a relative relationship between points or positions, but not necessarily to a particular set of these points. The same arrangement for engaging data entry points (or combination of attacking data entry positions) can therefore refer to one or more groups of keys, provided that the spatial relationship between the keys remains identical.

Furthermore, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a harmonic keyboard comprising a multiplicity of data entry points or positions and correlation means for correlating a set of combinations of point engagement arrangements. data entry with a set of symbols following a code, the code being distinguished by its motor efficiency. The code can thus provide relatively easy motor transitions between engagement arrangements for data entry points corresponding to letters which appear adjacent to each other with relatively high frequency. Alternatively, or in addition, data entry point engaging arrangements employing different fingers are associated with symbols appearing side by side with relatively high frequency.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which FIGS. 1A and 1B are respectively top and side views of a keyboard constructed and operating in accordance with a preferred form of the invention; Figure 2 is a representation of the arrangement of locations or data entry points, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention; FIG. 3 represents the location of the data entry points according to another alternative embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a coding diagram usable for the embodiment shown in Figures 1A and 1B; Figure 5 is a coding diagram usable for the embodiment shown in Figure 3; Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the interface between a keyboard according to the invention, a central unit and various peripheral equipment; Figure 7 is a schematic representation of the keyboard circuit shown in Figures 1A and 1B; and FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of the circuit of the keyboard represented in FIG. 3.

FIGS. 1A and 1B represent a keyboard of the autonomous type designed and suitable for operating according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The keyboard includes a case 10 which forms a raised hand rest 12 above the level of the rest of the keyboard for ease of use. A total of eight keys, marked B O to B 7 are provided in the keyboard. The keys can be ordinary, mobile or immobile keys.

The keys B O to B 7 can be placed at different heights to increase the ease of use.

For example, the button B O which is actuated by the little finger can be relatively high.

The B 4 key is normally operated by the thumb and, with the B O to B 3 keys, the keys are used to provide a five-item code that defines letters or other symbols. The definition of the term "symbol" includes ordering instructions such as "return from the carriage".

The five keys B O to B 4 can be considered generally as data entry points or positions. The placing of a user's finger on an overlay or data entry point is called a data entry point (or attack of a position). A combination of data center point locations, in which each data entry point occupies a particular position relative to the other engaged points, is called a data entry point engagement arrangement (or combination of It will be understood that in the embodiment shown in Figures 1A, 1B and 2, each data entry point engagement arrangement refers to a discrete set of data points. data input. According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, such as that represented in FIG. 3 and described below, the same arrangement of engagements of data entry points can effect the engagement or the attack of two or more sets of data entry points.

The keys B 5, B 6 and B 7 are function input keys and they are used to code a given arrangement of commitments of data entry points on the keys BO to B 4 according to one or more modes of alternative outputs, such as, for example, letters, numbers, other symbols, and control instructions. Reference is made in this regard to FIG. 4 which is a coding table for the keyboard of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

Column I of the table shown in Figure 4 indicates the commitment arrangements for data entry points, Column II indicates the corresponding letters and their ASCII codes. The output of Za column II is provided when none of the function keys are engaged. Column III indicates corresponding control instructions which are coded for commitment arrangements of data entry points by a mnemonic device which establishes a link between the consonance of the name of the instruction and a letter of the corresponding alphabet .

The outputs of column III are provided by engaging the function keys B 5 and B 6 before entering or striking the corresponding correspondence array of data entry points.

The outputs of column IV are provided by engaging the function key B 5 before entering the corresponding provision of data entry point commitments. The outputs of column IV are symbols which can include punctuation marks and other symbols which are coded according to corresponding provisions of commitments of data entry points thanks to a mnemonic device which associates the consonance of the name of the symbol to a corresponding letter of the alphabet.

The outputs in column V are numbers. The outputs in column V can be provided in two alternative ways: engaging a function key B 6 before entering the commitment of data entry points , which causes the corresponding number to exit.

Engaging the function key B 7 causes all of the following data entry point engagement arrangements to output numbers until the function key B 7 is engaged again. It will therefore be appreciated that the function key B 7 is a two-state switch which maintains its state until a subsequent engagement or attack. The other function keys B 5 and B 6 are in contrast only active for the only arrangement of data entry point commitments which immediately follows the engagement of the respective function key. Another characteristic of the invention is that the function key B 6 is operative to take precedence over the state of the function key B 7 for the only arrangement for engaging data entry points which immediately follows its engagement. Thus, if the engagement of the B 7 key is such that it normally provides numbers, the engagement of the B 6 key causes the next unit output to consist of letters, and vice versa.

2 shows a keyboard according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the engagement or attack points 22 including four points for the fingers, indicated by 0, 1, 2 and 3, suitable for being engaged by four fingers, and a fifth point for the thumb indicated by 4 and suitable for being engaged by the thumb. Three function keys 5, 6 and 7 are provided. Keys 5 and 6 have a common dimple to facilitate their combined use. The keyboard shown in Figure 2 is suitable for use with the code table described above and shown in Figure 4.

Referring now to Figure 3 which shows another alternative embodiment of the keyboard constructed and operating according to the invention. The keyboard has two rows, each with three data entry points.

The data entry points can be defined by current push-button contacts biased by springs or, alternatively, by any other suitable mobile or stationary contact.

Reference is also made to FIG. 5 which represents a coding diagram for the embodiment represented in FIG. 3. Column I represents the diagram of the arrangements of commitments of data entry points, the upper row representing a first engagement and the second row representing a second engagement. Column II indicates letters and their corresponding ASCII codes which are produced by the data entry point commitment provisions in column I when the two commitments are made on points C 0, C 1 and C 2.

Column III indicates the control instructions and their corresponding ASCII codes which are produced by the commitment arrangements of data entry points in column I when the first engagement is made at points C 3, C 4 and C 5 and when the second engagement is made on the second engagement C 0, C 1 and C 2.

Column IV indicates symbols such as punctuation marks and their corresponding ASCII codes that are produced by the commitment provisions of data entry points in column I when the first commitment is made at points C 0, C 1 and C 2, and the second entry is made on points C 3, C 4 and C 5.

Column V indicates numbers and their ASCII codes that are produced by the data entry point commitment provisions in column I when the two commitments are made on points C 3, C 4 and C 5.

It is a particular feature of the invention that the control instructions, the symbols and the numbers are coded in relation to arrangements for committing particular data entry points, according to mnemonic codes which link the respective name of the instruction or number symbol with a letter of the alphabet associated with their consonance.

Referring now to Figure 6 which is a block diagram showing an interface arrangement incorporating a keyboard 50 having a key arrangement similar to that which has been described for the embodiments of the invention mentioned here. An address and data bus establishes communication between the keyboard and a central unit 52 such as a Z-80 unit. An additional computer and a printer (not shown) can be connected to the address and data bus thanks to a serial interface 54 such as a Z-80 S10. RNg RAM and read only memories ROg 56 and 58, and a DMA 60 are also connected to the data and address bus. A command 62 of flexible disk and an associated disk 64, a command 65 of display on screen such as an SM: 5027, CRr 66 cathode ray devices and an associated RAM 68 oer are also connected to the address and data bus. The assembly represented in FIG. 6 is suitable for being used for any current data storage application, processing and communication.

Referring now to Figure 7 which is a schematic representation of the keyboard circuit shown in Figures 1A and 1B. The eight keys BO to B 7 of the keyboard are coupled to respective inputs of an input door 70, typically an LS circuit 244, the output of which is connected to the data bus of a central unit or CPU 74, typically a Z-80. The CPU 74 is operated under the control of a program stored in an RCM 72 read-only memory such as a memory 828 181. The CPU 74 supplies its data to an output gate 76, typically an LS 374 output gate, which provides a ASCII coded parallel output and a cue signal. An alarm 87 is coupled to the CPU 74 to produce an output indication when a data entry point engagement arrangement that does not match a coded letter or other symbol, is engaged. This alarm, which can be of any desired type, auditory or visual, indicates an operator error and helps learning and error reduction.

An additional circuit comprising a 555 chip and a 2 MHz XrAL crystal, indicated by the references 78 and 80, is also associated with the CPU for the desired operation of the latter.

We now refer to FIG. 8 which is a schematic representation of the keyboard circuit shown in FIG. 3. A central unit or BU 90, such as a CPU 8748, anneals six inputs from the keys CO to C 5 of the keyboard and provides an output parallel to a series to the parallel converter 92; like a circuit
USART 8251 which provides serial output. The parallel serial converter receives a clock signal from a band rate generator 94 such as a circuit fl A 2240.

A particular advantage of the invention is that revolutionary reductions in the learning time required and an increase in operating speed are obtained using the keyboards described above. In controlled experiments conducted by the Applicant, average and diants were able to enter 80 to 90 characters per minute (about 17 words) after three hours of training and, after 10 hours of training, approximately 150 characters per minute (approximately 30 words). This is approximately one tenth of the time required to train an operator on a conventional harmonic keyboard.

The following table shows the specifications and performance of the keyboards shown in Figures 1A, 1B and 3
Criteria mnemonic realizations - ergonomic realizations
techniques (figure 3) - ques (figures 1A and lB)
Size and six keys eight keys character weight: 150 g weight: 250 g portable dimensions: dimensions
60 x 80 mm 150 x 180 mm
Time from ap- 10 minutes to learn 30 minutes to learn from code to code (Results 80 symbols per minute 150 symbols per minute of experiences after 10 hours of learning after 10 hours of learning) learning learning
120 symbols per minute 250 symbols per minute
after 30 hours ap- after 30 hours ap
prentissage prentissage
Ease Activation by an Activation by one of use only hand, weak single hand, weak
fatigue fatigue
Speed Faster than typing Equivalent to typing input by hand, less blind on a data keyboard, faster than typing at standard final speed touch or blind
Reminder Insignificant loss Insignificant loss after interruption of practice
One tenth to one cin prize - One tenth to one cin
quième of the price of quième
current keyboard. current keyboard.

A particular feature of the invention, particularly of the embodiment of Figures 1A, 1B and 2, is that the correspondence between the provisions of data entry commitments and the particular letters and symbols is chosen for the purpose of ergonomic and learning efficiency. It will be appreciated by examining the code tables of Figure 4 that the letters which occur relatively frequently, for example the "i", the "e" and the "a", are associated with commitment provisions which are relatively easy to be carried out ergonomically. In addition, letters which occur relatively frequently in particular combinations such as "the" and "ion" are associated with relatively simple transition commitment arrangements and normally use different fingers.

According to one embodiment of the invention, symbols which occur with great frequency, such as "e", are associated with commitment arrangements which are relatively easy to remember in order to increase the speed of learning. . Certain symbols, which appear with a high frequency, can also be associated with provisions of engagements which it is relatively difficult to remember, to reinforce the combinations difficult to remember.

The embodiment of Figure 3 is characterized in that the same arrangement of data entry point commitments is used to enter two different types of symbols, by applying the arrangement of two different groups of data entry points. data. Thus, the data entry points define the means for entering functions.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the keyboard is operative to record only a maximum number of data entry points engaged during a predetermined engagement interval. This interval can be defined by clearing the data entry points, or, alternatively, by a fixed time following the initial engagement of one or more data entry points.

It will be noted that ergonomic efficiency implies an optimal combination of components with low error rate and speed of entry.

Claims (33)

Claims 1. Harmonic keyboard with keys, characterized in that it comprises a multiplicity of data entry points (BO to B7), a first correlation device for correlating a set (I) of engagement point arrangement data entry with a first set (11) of symbols according to a first code, and a second correlation apparatus comprising function input means for correlating a second set (III, IV or V) of symbols with this set of arrangements commitments of data entry points according to a second code. 2. Keyboard, characterized in that it comprises a multiplicity of data entry points (BO to B7), a first correlation device for correlating a set (3) of commitment arrangements for data entry points with a first set (II) of symbols according to a first code, and a second correlation apparatus comprising function input means for correlating a second set (III) of symbols with this set (I) of commitment commitment provisions data entry points according to a second code employing mnemonic devices. 3. Keyboard according to claim 1, characterized in that the second code employs mnemonic devices. 4. Keyboard according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mnemonic device connects the first and the second set of symbols. 5. Harmonic keyboard comprising a multiplicity of data entry points and correlation means for correlating a set (I) of combinations of data entry point commitments to a set of symbols (II) following a code, said code being characterized in that the combinations (I) of commitments of data entry points having relatively easy ergonomic or motor transitions between them are associated with symbols appearing one beside the other relatively very frequently. 6. Harmonic keyboard comprising a multiplicity of data entry points and correlation means for correlating a set of combinations of commitments of data entry points to a set of symbols (II) according to a code, said code being characterized in that the combinations (I) of data entry point commitments employing different fingers are associated with symbols appearing side by side relatively very frequently. 7. Keyboard comprising a multiplicity of data entry points and correlation means for correlating a set (I) of combinations of data entry point commitments to a set of symbols (II) according to a code, said code code is characterized in that relatively frequently occurring symbols are associated with a group of combinations of data entry point commitments that has a predetermined level of difficulty. 8. Keyboard according to claim 7, characterized in that the groups of combinations are relatively difficult to memorize. 9. Keyboard according to claim 7, characterized in that the groups of combinations are relatively easy to memorize. 10. Keyboard according to any one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that it is a harmonic keyboard.  he. Keyboard according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the correlation apparatus is operative to record only a maximum number of data entry points engaged during a predetermined engagement interval.  12. Keyboard according to claim 12, characterized in that the engagement interval is defined by two successive complete releases of all the data entry points simultaneously.  13. Keyboard according to claim 12, characterized in that the engagement interval is defined by a predetermined time following the initial engagement of at least one data entry point.  14. Keyboard according to claim 7, characterized in that the combination groups are relatively easy to execute from an ergonomic or motor point of view.  15. Keyboard according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first set (I) of symbols comprises letters.  16. Keyboard according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first set (v) of symbols comprises numbers.  17. Keyboard according to any one of claims 16 and 17, characterized in that the second set (III) of -synitles includes functions.  18. Keyboard according to any one of claims 16 and 17, characterized in that the second set (v) of symbols comprises numbers.  19. Keyboard according to any one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in crack the second set (IV) of svniDo] es cnq) makes symbols different from letters and different from numbers.  20. Keyboard according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the correlation means are operative to correlate the successive engagements of data entry points. 21. Keyboard according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises function keys (B4j actuated by the stern and operating as means for entering functions. 22. Keyboard according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data entry points comprise keys which can be engaged by the fingers (30 to B7). 23. Keyboard according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data entry points are arranged in two rows (Rl and R2) each containing at least three entry points. 24. Keyboard according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data entry points (80 to B7) are arranged in positions dictated by the optimum operation of the human hand. 25. Keyboard according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second code associates a symbol of the second game with a symbol of the first game while being representative of the consonance of the name of the symbol in the second game. 26. Keyboard according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises keys  functions (B4 to B7) which can be operated by the fingers pt: oper: ionnoij as means of entering functions. 27. Keyboard according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arrangements of commitments of given entry points which are coded with symbols by the first correlation device have a number substantially lower than the total possible number of data entry point commitment provisions defined by data points. 28. Keyboard according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arrangements for committing data entry points which are coded in symbols by the second correlation device have a number substantially lower than the total number possible. data entry point commitments defined by data points. 29. Keyboard according to claim 28 or claim 29, characterized in that the number of possible arrangements of commitments of data entry points is approximately equal to twice the number of such commitments which are coded in symbols. 30. Keyboard according to any one of claims 28 to 30, characterized in that it further comprises means for providing a recognizable indication of error following the engagement of a dots engagement arrangement. data entry that does not match the code of a symbol. 31. Keyboard according to claim 30, characterized in that the error indication is audible. 32. Keyboard according to claim 27, characterized in that the function keys canprcnnnt a (? Two-state key (n7) and a key (B6) to temporarily override the key  two states. 33. Keyboard according to claim 27, characterized in that the function keys are arranged for harmonic operation. 34. Keyboard according to claim 27, characterized in that the actuation of the function keys is coded according to a mnemonic code. 35. Keyboard according to claim 23, characterized in that the keys are at different heights (Fig. LB)