GB2403452A - Keyboard having keys in alphabetic order - Google Patents

Keyboard having keys in alphabetic order Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2403452A
GB2403452A GB0319141A GB0319141A GB2403452A GB 2403452 A GB2403452 A GB 2403452A GB 0319141 A GB0319141 A GB 0319141A GB 0319141 A GB0319141 A GB 0319141A GB 2403452 A GB2403452 A GB 2403452A
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United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
keys
order
keyboard
key
row
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0319141A
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GB0319141D0 (en
Inventor
Kuo Shu Cheng
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Individual
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Individual
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Publication date
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Publication of GB0319141D0 publication Critical patent/GB0319141D0/en
Publication of GB2403452A publication Critical patent/GB2403452A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
    • G06F3/0202—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
    • G06F3/0219—Special purpose keyboards
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09B—EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS
    • G09B13/00—Teaching typing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
    • H01H13/84—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard characterised by ergonomic functions, e.g. for miniature keyboards; characterised by operational sensory functions, e.g. sound feedback

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Educational Administration (AREA)
  • Educational Technology (AREA)
  • Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

A keyboard having keys arranged in the order of the English alphabet has the 26 English letter keys from A to Z arranged in three rows. The 22 keys from A to V are arranged in order from left to right. The keys in the upper 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 lower row are C, F, I, L, O, R and U. Key groups of ABC, DEF, GHI, JKL, MNO, PQR and STU from top to bottom are thus formed. The key V and the remaining 4 keys from W to Z are assembled into a key group of VWXYZ. Through this arrangement, memory can be quickly recalled to facilitate learning of typing for a beginner.

Description

KEYBOARD
Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a keyboard having keys arranged in the order of the English alphabet.
Background of the invention
In 1808, an Italian named Pellegrino Turri manufactured the first typewriter in the world. His object was to assist the blind.
In 1860s, typewriters were introduced into the USA. Because the mechanical structure of typewriter at that time was imperfect, when one typed too fast, mechanical malfunctions might happen (e.g., tangled type or jammed keys). In order not to waste time in fixing mechanical malfunctions of the typewriter, an inventor and engineer named Christopher Sholes designed the QWERTY keyboard, in which the English alphabet is broken up into a discontinuous order to slow down the typing speed. Fig. 1 shows the arrangement of a conventional QWERTY keyboard. The name QWERTY represents the upper left six keys.
Remington & Sons, US first mass produced typewriters. They bought the typewriter patent from Sholes and started to mass-produce QWERTY keyboards.
August Dvorak (1894-1975) spent 12 years researching typing efficiency during the 1920s. In 1932, he invented 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 in the English alphabet. He thus arranged these keys in the middle positions most easily touched by fingers. However, the Dvorak keyboards are not often used because the QWERTY keyboards are universally used. Vocational schools still train their students on QWERTY keyboards matched with the touch-typing technique, even though computer keyboards have no mechanical malfunctionsNowadays, along with quick development of the information industry and emergence of the Internet, computers play a very important role in our everyday life. Although the computer technology and software have advanced by leaps and bounds, the operational method of the primary input tool, the keyboard, still has much room for improvement.
For most beginners, learning the irregular positions of the 26 English letters on a keyboard is extremely difficult. Even for persons highly skilled in computers and networks, input by way of ten fingers typing on a keyboard is still labor- and time-consuming. This is not surprising given that existent English input methods weren't invented in consideration of the user.
Summary of the invention
One object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard that allows a user to find the key to be typed quickly according -to the order of the English alphabet. The user can thus effortlessly learn how to type.
Another object of the present invention is to provide another input method for those not skilled in typing so that they can type quickly and naturally.
To achieve the above objects, in the present invention, the 26 English letter keys from A to Z are arranged in three rows on a keyboard. The 22 letter keys from A to V are arranged in order from left to right. The keys in the upper 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 lower row are C, F. I, L, O. R and U. Key groups of ABC, DEF, GHI, JKL, MNO, PQR and STU from top to bottom are thus formed. The key V and the remaining 4 keys W to Z are assembled into a key group of VWXYZ.
The keys in the upper row in order are A, D, G. J. M, P. S. V, X and Z with letters Q. W. E, R. T. Y. U. I, O and P respectively displayed on keycaps thereof. The keys in the middle row in order are B. E, H. K, N. Q. T. W and Y with letters A, S. D, F. G. H. J. K and L respectively displayed on keycaps thereof. The keys in the lower row in order are C, F. I, L, O. R and U with letters Z. X, C, V, B. N and M respectively displayed on keycaps thereof. A switch key is used for selection.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the keys in the upper row in order are A, D, G. J. M, P. S. V and Y with letters Q. W. E, R. T. Y. U. I and O respectively displayed on keycaps thereof and with the key P arranged behind the key O. The keys in the middle row in order are B. E, H. K, N. Q. T. W and Z with letters A, S. D, F. G. H. J. K and L respectively displayed on keycaps thereof. The keys in the lower row in order are C, F. I, L, O. R. U and X with letters Z. X, C, V, B. N and M respectively displayed on keycaps thereof. A switch key is used for selection.
When switching between these two ways of key arrangements using the switch key, corresponding scan codes are simultaneously switched. This is accomplished by using a software driver to switch to corresponding scan codes.
Because the way of key arrangement on the keyboard of the present invention is according to the order of the well-known English alphabet, a beginner does not need to painstakingly learn how to type. Moreover, a switch key can be used to switch to the conventional QWERTY keyboard, hence greatly facilitating use of the keyboard for both professional and nonprofessional computer users.
Brief description of the drawings
The various objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily i understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the appended drawing, in which: 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 present invention; Fig. 4 is a diagram of a keyboard according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5 is a diagram of a keyboard according to a third embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a diagram of a keyboard according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 7 is a circuit block diagram of a keyboard according to the second or fourth embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed description of the preferred embodiments
Fig. 3 is a diagram of a keyboard according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The 26 English letter keys from A to Z are arranged in three rows on a keyboard. The keys in the upper 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 lower row are C, F. I, L, O. R and U. Key groups of ABC, DEF, GHI, JKL, MNO, PQR, STU, VW, XY and Z in order from top to bottom and from left to right are thus formed.
Fig. 4 is a diagram of a keyboard according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The keys in the upper row in order are A, D, G. J. M, P. S. V, X and Z with letters Q. W. E, R. T. Y. U. I, O and P respectively displayed on keycaps thereof.
The keys in the middle row in order are B. E, H. K, N. Q. T. W and Y with letters A, S. D, F. G. H. J. K and L respectively displayed on keycaps thereof. The keys in the lower row in order are C, F. I, L, O. R and U with letters Z. X, C, V, B. N and M respectively displayed on keycaps thereof. A switch key 10 is used for selection. In other words, the letters on the keycaps of Figs. 1 and 3 are simultaneously displayed on the keycaps of Fig. 4.
Fig. 5 is a diagram of a keyboard according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The 26 English letter keys from A to Z are arranged in three rows on a keyboard. 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, O. R. U and X. Key groups of ABC, DEF, GHI, JKL, MNO, PQR, STU, VWX and YZ in order from top to bottom and from left to right are thus formed.
Fig. 6 is a diagram of a keyboard according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The keys in the upper row in order are A, D, G. J. M, P. S. V and Y with letters Q. W. E, R. T. Y. U. I and O respectively displayed on keycaps thereof and with the key P arranged behind the key O. The keys in the middle row in order are B. E, H. K, N. Q. T. W and Z with letters A, S. D, F. G. H. J. K and L respectively displayed on keycaps thereof. The keys in the lower row in order are C, F. I, L, O. R. U and X with letters Z. X, C, V, B. N and M respectively displayed on keycaps thereof. A switch key 10' is used for selection. In other words, the letters on the keycaps of Figs. 1 and 5 are simultaneously displayed on the keycaps of Fig. 6.
Fig. 7 is a circuit block diagram of a keyboard according to the second or fourth embodiment of the present invention. The 26 English letter keys (A-Z) and the switch key 10 (or 10') are connected with a keyboard microprocessor alphabet scan array 20 so that a user can use the switch key 10 (or 10') to select a method of key arrangement.
The present invention can also use a specific keyboard conversion table with support of a driver.
When switching between the two ways of key arrangement, corresponding scan codes are simultaneously switched. This is accomplished by using a software driver to switch to corresponding scan codes.
Because the way of key arrangement on the keyboard of the present invention is according to the order of the well-known English alphabet, a beginner does not need to painstakingly learn how to type.
Further, for both professional and nonprofessional computer users, the present invention simultaneously two key arrangements. A switch key can be used to select between these two key arrangements.
To sum up, the present invention has the following functions: (1). A user can quickly find the key to be typed according to the order of the English alphabet. The user can thus effortlessly learn how to type.
(2). Another input method is provided for a user not skilled in typing to allow quick and natural typing.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details thereof. Various substitutions and modifications have been suggested in the foregoing description, and other will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art.
Therefore, all such substitutions and modifications are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (9)

  1. I claim: 1. A keyboard having keys arranged in an order of the English
    alphabet, 26 English letter keys from A to Z being arranged in three rows on said keyboard, 22 keys from A to V being arranged in order from left to right, keys in an upper row in an order of A, D, G. J. M, P. S and V, keys in a middle row in an order of B. E, H. K, N. Q and T. and keys in a lower row in an order of C, F. I, L, O. R and U. key groups of ABC, DEF, GHI, JKL, MNO, PQR and STU from top to bottom and from left to right being thus formed, the key V and the remaining 4 keys from W to Z being assembled into a key group of VWXYZ.
  2. 2. The keyboard having keys arranged in the order of the English alphabet as claimed in claim 1, wherein keys in the upper row in order are A, D, G. J. M, P. S. V, X and Z. keys in the middle row in order are B. E, H. K, N. Q. T. W and Y. and keys in the lower row in order are C, F. I, L, O. R and U.
  3. 3. The keyboard having keys arranged in the order of the English alphabet as claimed in claim 1, wherein keys in the upper row in order are A, D, G. J. M, P. S. V and Y. keys in the middle row in order are B. E, H. K, N. Q. T. W and Z. and keys in the lower row in order are C, F. I, L, O. R. U and X.
  4. 4. The keyboard having keys arranged in the order of the English alphabet as claimed in claim 2, wherein keys in the upper row in order are A, D, G. J. M, P. S. V, X and Z with letters Q. W. E, R. T. Y. U. I, O and P respectively displayed on keycaps thereof, keys in the middle row in order are B. E, H. K, N. Q. T. W and Y with letters A, S. D, F. G. H. J. K and L respectively displayed on keycaps thereof, keys in the lower row in order are C, F. I, L, O. R and U with letters Z. X, C, V, B. N and M respectively displayed on keycaps thereof, and a switch key is used for selection.
  5. 5. The keyboard having keys arranged in the order of the English alphabet as claimed h1 claim 3, wherein keys in the upper row in order are A, D, G. J. M, P. S. V and Y with letters Q. W. E, R. T. Y. U. I and O respectively displayed on keycaps thereof' and with the key P arranged behind the key 0, keys in the middle row in order are is, E, H. K, N. Q. T. W and Z with letters A, S. D, F. G. H. J. K and L respectively displayed on keycaps thereof, keys in the lower row in order are C, F. 1, L, O. R. IJ and X with letters Z. X, C, V, hi, N and M respectively displayed on keycaps thereof; and a switch key is used for selection.
  6. 6.'1'he keyboard having keys arranged in the order of the F,nglish alphabet as claimed I () ha claim 4 or 5, wherein corresponding seen codes are simultaneously switched when switching between said two key arrangements using said switch key.
  7. 7. The keyboard having keys arranged in the order of the English alphabet as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein a sol'tware driver is used to switch to corresponding scan codes when switching between said two key arrangements using said switch key.
  8. X. A keyboard having a key layout wherein diagonally adjacent keys are in alphabetical order.
  9. 9. A keyboard according to claim 8 having at least one group of three keys disposed con a common diagonal in alphabetical order.
    1(). A keyboard substantially as described hereinbefore with reference to any of 9() I'igures 3 to 6, 4 and 7 or 6 and 7 ofthe accompanying drawings.
GB0319141A 2003-07-02 2003-08-14 Keyboard having keys in alphabetic order Withdrawn GB2403452A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
TW92212210U TWM240635U (en) 2003-07-02 2003-07-02 Keyboard with keys arranged in the sequence of English alphabets

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0319141D0 GB0319141D0 (en) 2003-09-17
GB2403452A true GB2403452A (en) 2005-01-05

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ID=28452114

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GB0319141A Withdrawn GB2403452A (en) 2003-07-02 2003-08-14 Keyboard having keys in alphabetic order

Country Status (3)

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DE (1) DE20312713U1 (en)
GB (1) GB2403452A (en)
TW (1) TWM240635U (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007036149A1 (en) * 2005-09-28 2007-04-05 Guangxin Liu A character inputting keyboard

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4927279A (en) * 1984-03-14 1990-05-22 Morgan Ruth B Keyboards for homes
GB2341820A (en) * 2000-01-19 2000-03-29 Mary Linda Phillips Keyboard having keys arranged in alphabetic sequence in horizontal and vertical directions
GB2343414A (en) * 1998-11-23 2000-05-10 Mun San Ho Keyboard with keys arranged in alphabetic sequence

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4927279A (en) * 1984-03-14 1990-05-22 Morgan Ruth B Keyboards for homes
GB2343414A (en) * 1998-11-23 2000-05-10 Mun San Ho Keyboard with keys arranged in alphabetic sequence
GB2341820A (en) * 2000-01-19 2000-03-29 Mary Linda Phillips Keyboard having keys arranged in alphabetic sequence in horizontal and vertical directions

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007036149A1 (en) * 2005-09-28 2007-04-05 Guangxin Liu A character inputting keyboard

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
TWM240635U (en) 2004-08-11
DE20312713U1 (en) 2003-11-20
GB0319141D0 (en) 2003-09-17

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