GB2128384A - A compact alpha-numeric keyboard - Google Patents

Abstract

The proposed system allows a particular key to replace two, three or more keys on a keypad for inputting data into an information processing machine. An appropriate circuit counts the number of quick strokes (one or more) on a key; it also differentiates between quick multiple strokes against normal repeat strokes on the same key. This arrangement therefore provides the possibility of alternative data inputs from one physical key, and makes for very compact alpha-numeric keypads. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A compact alpha numeric keyboard 1. This invention involves a new approach to the design-both physical and electronic-of Alpha-numeric keyboards suitable for keypads of Calculators, Electronic Translation Machines, Telephone Sets with write S read memories, Data Terminals, etc.

2. A full alpha-numeric keyboard with about 40 keys in conventional layout is impractical with most portable or small table top equipment where facility for keying in letters or letters 8 figures is required. The arrangement described here provides full alpha-numeric capability in a compact keypad with just a few more keys than say the digit keys in a calculator or telephone set.

3. In the proposed keyboard, each digit key, from 1 to 9 doubles as letters/figures key. Two "mode" keys, one marked LTRS (letters), and the other marked FIGS (figures) are used to establish letter or figure operation of the digit keys (see Fig 1). The "0" digit key, the decimal point digit key, and one additional key specially provided, are also used in the LTRS mode to provide erase, punctuation and "space" functions. (A somewhat different key layout applicable to telephone type terminals is shown in Fig 2).

4. The keyboard is operated conventionally when digits are to be entered. To enter a letter, the LTRS key is pressed, making the multimode keys ready for letters (and punctuation). Pressing these (the multimode) keys once, twice (without pause) and three times (also without pause) will establish whether the first, second, or the third of the three letters (or punctuations) associated with the key is registered and displayed. For example, if following a stroke on the LTRS key, the key marked JKL

141 is stroked twice, the letter K will register and appear on display.

5. Once LTRS key is operated, the equipment shifts to letter mode; pressing any of the multimode keys will hold open a gate for a short time (about 1/3 of a second) from the end of the last stroke on this key, the number of strokes being held in a temporary register. On lapse of this predetermined short interval following the last stroke, the gate will close, and the complete letter code (key location+number of strokes) will be entered, displaying the appropriate letter of punctuation, and also making the key ready for further inputs. Pressing the FIGS key at anytime will of course revert the keyboard (and the system) to conventional digital function.

6. In case of hesitation in key stroking (when machine is in letters mode), incorrect letter could be registered and displayed (for example, JJ instead of K if key JKL

Ej in letter mode is stroked twice hesitantly); pressing now the ERASE

lol key will erase the last letter(s) from machine register and display.

7. The important aspect of the system design is that the machine will discriminate between multiple strokes on the same key (when in letters mode) with short time lapse between strokes, and with normal time lapse. The actual value of this "short" time lapse is not too critical, and would lie between 1/3 and 1/2 second; whatever value chosen will of course be hard-wired into the system.

Claims (filed on 26.8.83).

1. The new technique developed allows using a single key on an instrument keypad to input more than one specific piece of data. The inputting function of a specific key is determined not only by its physical position on the keyboard, but also by the number of quick strokes applied to it at any one time. (Thus one key, for example when stroked once would register one specific input; two quick strokes on key would register a different input and so on). This simple expedient therefore effectively multiplies the actual number of keys physically present in a keyboard. Repeat function of a key is not affected; if a key were stroked, say, twice with a normal time interval between these strokes, the key will input the same data twice as in a conventional keyboard.

2. Use of this technique allows a simple pocket calculator type of keypad (with the addition of a few extra function keys) to act as a complete (and very compact) alpha-numeric keyboard. For example, only fourteen keys (ten digit keys plus four function keys) could replace a set of forty conventional alpha-numeric keys.

3. Same principle can also be conveniently applied to a telephone keyboard where the unit is used as a data terminal. So far space requirement of a conventional alpha-numeric keyboard has made it necessary to provide physically separate keyboard unit before a telephone terminal could be used as a data terminal.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A compact alpha numeric keyboard

1. This invention involves a new approach to the design-both physical and electronic-of Alpha-numeric keyboards suitable for keypads of Calculators, Electronic Translation Machines, Telephone Sets with write S read memories, Data Terminals, etc.

2. A full alpha-numeric keyboard with about 40 keys in conventional layout is impractical with most portable or small table top equipment where facility for keying in letters or letters 8 figures is required. The arrangement described here provides full alpha-numeric capability in a compact keypad with just a few more keys than say the digit keys in a calculator or telephone set.

3. Same principle can also be conveniently applied to a telephone keyboard where the unit is used as a data terminal. So far space requirement of a conventional alpha-numeric keyboard has made it necessary to provide physically separate keyboard unit before a telephone terminal could be used as a data terminal.

3. In the proposed keyboard, each digit key, from 1 to 9 doubles as letters/figures key. Two "mode" keys, one marked LTRS (letters), and the other marked FIGS (figures) are used to establish letter or figure operation of the digit keys (see Fig 1). The "0" digit key, the decimal point digit key, and one additional key specially provided, are also used in the LTRS mode to provide erase, punctuation and "space" functions. (A somewhat different key layout applicable to telephone type terminals is shown in Fig 2).

4. The keyboard is operated conventionally when digits are to be entered. To enter a letter, the LTRS key is pressed, making the multimode keys ready for letters (and punctuation). Pressing these (the multimode) keys once, twice (without pause) and three times (also without pause) will establish whether the first, second, or the third of the three letters (or punctuations) associated with the key is registered and displayed. For example, if following a stroke on the LTRS key, the key marked JKL

141 is stroked twice, the letter K will register and appear on display.

5. Once LTRS key is operated, the equipment shifts to letter mode; pressing any of the multimode keys will hold open a gate for a short time (about 1/3 of a second) from the end of the last stroke on this key, the number of strokes being held in a temporary register. On lapse of this predetermined short interval following the last stroke, the gate will close, and the complete letter code (key location+number of strokes) will be entered, displaying the appropriate letter of punctuation, and also making the key ready for further inputs. Pressing the FIGS key at anytime will of course revert the keyboard (and the system) to conventional digital function.

6. In case of hesitation in key stroking (when machine is in letters mode), incorrect letter could be registered and displayed (for example, JJ instead of K if key JKL

Ej in letter mode is stroked twice hesitantly); pressing now the ERASE

lol key will erase the last letter(s) from machine register and display.

7. The important aspect of the system design is that the machine will discriminate between multiple strokes on the same key (when in letters mode) with short time lapse between strokes, and with normal time lapse. The actual value of this "short" time lapse is not too critical, and would lie between 1/3 and 1/2 second; whatever value chosen will of course be hard-wired into the system.

Claims (filed on 26.8.83).

1. The new technique developed allows using a single key on an instrument keypad to input more than one specific piece of data. The inputting function of a specific key is determined not only by its physical position on the keyboard, but also by the number of quick strokes applied to it at any one time. (Thus one key, for example when stroked once would register one specific input; two quick strokes on key would register a different input and so on). This simple expedient therefore effectively multiplies the actual number of keys physically present in a keyboard. Repeat function of a key is not affected; if a key were stroked, say, twice with a normal time interval between these strokes, the key will input the same data twice as in a conventional keyboard.

2. Use of this technique allows a simple pocket calculator type of keypad (with the addition of a few extra function keys) to act as a complete (and very compact) alpha-numeric keyboard. For example, only fourteen keys (ten digit keys plus four function keys) could replace a set of forty conventional alpha-numeric keys.