GB2412629A

GB2412629A - Keyboard having tactile formations on keys

Info

Publication number: GB2412629A
Application number: GB0407256A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Steven Shurey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-03-31
Filing date: 2004-03-31
Publication date: 2005-10-05
Also published as: GB0407256D0

Abstract

A keyboard having a plurality of keys is characterised in that at least a majority of the keys corresponding to the most commonly used letters have different tactile formations on their presented surfaces The tactile formations may be integrally moulded as part of the key or attached to the surface of the key in the form of a sticker.

Description

241 2629

KEYBOARDS

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a keyboard, particularly a keyboard for a computer

Background to the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a keyboard that is so designed as to enhance the speed and accuracy of the person doing the typing. But, before the invention can be fully appreciated, some explanation of keyboard arrangements is necessary.

There have been numerous attempts to define just what particular ergonomic aspects are the most important in respect of keyboard design. In general, the investigations that have been carried out have revealed four main areas of concern, namely: character organization, curve, key grouping, and arm/hand alignment. The inclusion, approach, or combination of these concerns made up the underlying premise for each keyboard design, and identified its weakness as well.

However, the marketplace is also an arbiter of design, especially in the area of keyboard development. In this field, virtually all keyboards in the marketplace consist of the same design, namely five parallel, horizontal rows with specific vertical key offsets, and with the characters in the familiar "QWERTY" pattern. Though the character organization may differ, as in the alternative "Dvorak" arrangement (U.S. Pat. No. 2,040,248), the geometrical relationship between keys remains the same, constituting what can be generally referred to as the "standard keyboard". Despite all ergonomic influence and resultant designs, this standard keyboard makes up well over 99% of the keyboards in the The very nature of the devices to which keyboards have been attached have usually been oriented towards serious work of one kind or another, and this fact is the foundation of the tenacious resistance people have shown towards change in keyboard design.

When people's livelihoods, or a business's profits, are directly connected with the design of a mechanism, there is usually great resistance to changing that which works, no matter how poorly it may accomplish its function. Usually a combination of factors, including at the very least significant functional improvement and a favourable cost- benefit ratio, not to mention a significant increase in the pleasure of use, are required before any change is made in a vital piece of equipment.

The more vital the equipment, the greater the resistance to change and the more prone to standardization, and the greater the benefit required before a new design can be accepted.

Keyboards have always been crucial to whatever their respective task has been. In typewriters, keyboards represented virtually the only way to get words into type, and the ability to do so in an efficient and accurate manner was the very livelihood of millions of people. In the case of computer input terminals, this position of importance (and the number of people involved) has been multiplied many times, for the universal applicability of computers has meant that professionals of many more areas of concern are now dependent for their livelihoods on the control of this new machine, control which they command solely through the use of a keyboard.

Therefore from the beginning the keyboard has filled a psychologically demanding role for those who have used it, and the sheer number of these users has made standardization virtually mandatory. Likewise, it is simply a matter of history that the standard keyboard with the "QWERTY" key arrangement was the earliest, and strongest, keyboard standard. As is explained many times in other patent specifications and ergonomic studies, the "QWERTY" pattern of keys was actually designed to slow typists down so as to provide a typing speed amenable to the mechanical functioning of early typewriters, which jammed if used too rapidly.

As is also explained in other patent specifications, the geometry of the standard keyboard leaves much to be desired in the realm of typing physiology and ergonomics. Yet the solution of these patents has unanimously been to reject outright the standard keyboard in favour of more ergonomic designs, without understanding the reason for the massive psychological dependency already in place, against which any new keyboard design would ultimately have to compete. This blindness is the essence of the failure, in the most practical sense of actual use, of all of the alternative keyboard designs to date, especially when considering how many millions of keyboards that are already being used throughout the world today.

The present invention therefore makes no attempt to change the layout, arrangement or ergonomic design of the keyboard itself but instead seeks to assist the keyboard operator by helping prevent typing errors when fingers are misplaced on the keyboard.

In prior art keyboards, all of the keys are of substantially the same shape and colour, the only discernible difference between adjacent keys being the single letter or number printed upon its upper face. The applicant has observed that there are a number of major disadvantages associated with this conventional key design that makes it difficult to type without repeatedly focusing from a monitor screen, hard copy, a tutor or another person to the keyboard.

The present invention is concerned with improving tactile contact with the keys. Prior art keyboards have assisted the typist with a small elevated line to be found on the front top surface of keys 'F' and 'J'.

These elevated lines were designed to help assist touch-typists as a locator for placing their left and right hand forefingers without having to look directly down at the keyboard. The key '5' to be found on the number keypad section on the right hand side of the standard keyboard may also have a small elevated line to be found on the front top surface of the key. These elevated lines are generally difficult to locate unless the fingers are placed on the lower portion of the key surface.

Many other devices have been developed which will enhance the tactility of a user to find certain keys more quickly. For example, such enhancements are found on Braille typewriters. Another way of enhancing keys on a keyboard has been developed by the DATACAL ENTERPRISES by colour coding certain keys. Other products are s known through the catalogues by HOOLEAN claiming increased productivity and cutting of training costs by putting required keystrokes right on the keys so that there is no need to jump between required cryptic manuals and the requisite keyboard. What is being used here are large print touchdown key top label sets which will enhance any vision problems.

Another enhancement of keys by HOOLEAN is a set of blank keys that may be placed on a keyboard by pulling the original keys off the keyboard and replacing the same with blank keys. A special key puller is provided to accomplish the above noted task. This set-up may improve the memory of a person typing but does not contribute to a tactical feel when typing.

Another system is known under the name of "Keyguard" which is distributed by "Don Johnston Development Equipment". These keyquards are metal shields with holes over the key positions to help prevent the unintentional activation of more than one key at a time. The round holes above each key provide a guide for a finger or pointer and prevent the inadvertent pressing of keys.

"Quickeys" by CE Software Inc. present Home-row Indicators that are small adhesive-backed labels that can be attached to a home row or any appropriate keys. A raised bump in the centre of the indicators serves as a tactile guide for placing the fingers.

"Loc-Dots" distributed by ARTS Computer Products Inc. provide the same principle as Quickeys above in that "Loc-Dots" are adhesive- backed with a single raised dot in the centre that can be applied to any keys on any keyboard. They may be used as tactile cues to identify home row keys or other keys as determined by the user.

Then there are "Touchdown Key Expanders" distributed by the "HOOLEAN" Corp. which are caps that fit over the tops of keys. These caps present a larger surface for the user to strike The caps are designed to fit keys which are large but have a smaller and raised area for the user to strike.

The finger tip is a sensitive region and can identify by touch these different shapes and surfaces. This information is relayed to the brain and helps identify which key is being touched before it is depressed.

Identifying the correct key without looking down at the keyboard will help speed up the typing process.

Summarv of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a keyboard having a plurality of keys characterized in that at least a majority of the keys corresponding to the most commonly used letters have different tactile formations on their presented surfaces.

When reference is made to the keys having different tactile formations on their presented surfaces is meant that the tactile formation on any one of said keys is identifiably different as compared to the tactile formations on the other keys.

All or substantially all of the keys corresponding to the most commonly used letters may have different tactile formations on their presented surfaces.

At least a majority of the keys corresponding to numerals may have different tactile formations on their presented surfaces.

The different tactile formations may be parts of the keys that may be moulded so as to afford the different tactile formations.

The different tactile formations may alternatively be parts of stickers applied to the keys.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of typing that includes the use of a keyboard as defined above.

The present arrangement of keys on a "standard" or QWERTY keyboard has keys located in no particular alphabetical order. For example, the vowels 'E', 'U', '1' and 'O' are positioned on the fourth row of keys from the typist, whereas the 'A' is placed on the third row of keys from the typist.

The keyboard of the present invention can be used by anybody, from young children upwards, to assist and improve their typing skills by helping them to identify and depress the desired keys on a keyboard without having to look directly at the keyboard.

The keyboard of the present invention is a keyboard with keys, or stickers applied to keys, that have different tactile shapes and surfaces to help identify certain keys. The keyboard may retain the single letter or number, or key identification printed upon its upper face whilst stickers applied to keys may be transparent, thereby making it possible to view the printed single letters, numbers or other key identification on the key underneath a sticker applied to its top surface.

To further assist a typist, the number of keys or stickers with different tactile shapes and surfaces applied may be restricted to the more commonly used letters and numbers. Though the present invention is not limited to any particular typestyle of writing or language, by way of example, the most commonly used typestyle used throughout the Westernised' world is the Roman alphabet, 'A' through to 'Z' and numerals 'O' through to '9' and in order to further identify which keys are most commonly used significant studies have been completed by the inventor to identify which keys are more likely to be depressed by the typist.

By providing keys (or stickers to apply to the keys) with different tactile shapes and top surfaces, the typist's fingers will be able to detect and differentiate between keys without the need to look down at the keyboard. This will increase the typist's typing proficiency by allowing the typist to use touch rather than the need to keep looking down at the keyboard. Tactile shapes and top surfaces will also assist in reducing the number of typing mistakes made by typing when the fingers of each hand depress the wrong key, over-reach or under-reach the positions on the keys where they should be.

The present invention solves the above noted problems by adding tactile means to keys to enable a typist to identify them by touch.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional keyboard; FIG. 2 shows a plan view of a conventional keyboard; FIG. 3 illustrates the small elevated line to be found on the front top surface of the key a conventional 'F' key; FIG. 4 illustrates the small elevated line to be found on the front top surface of the key a conventional 'J' key; FIG. 5 illustrates the small elevated line to be found on the front top surface of a conventional '5' key found on the number keypad section on the right hand side of a standard keyboard; FIG. 6 shows a plan view with elevated tactile shapes and surfaces on the top of certain keys found on the keyboard; FIG. 7 illustrates a keyboard with reference to location of FIG. 14 through to FIG. 123; FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a conventional key; FIG. 9 is a latitudinal cross-sectional view of a conventional key; FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the 'H' key of a keyboard in accordance with the present invention showing a tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 11 is a latitudinal crosssectional view of the 'H' key showing a tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the 'H' key showing a sticker with a tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 13 is a latitudinal cross-sectional view of the 'H' key showing a sticker with a tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 14 illustrates the '1' key positioned on the fifth row of keys from the typist showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 15 illustrates the '2' key positioned on the fifth row of keys from the typist showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 16 illustrates the '3' key positioned on the fifth row of keys from the typist showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 17 illustrates the '4' key positioned on the fifth row of keys from the typist showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 18 illustrates the '5' key positioned on the fifth row of keys from the typist showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 19 illustrates the '6' key positioned on the fifth row of keys from the typist showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 20 illustrates the '7' key positioned on the fifth row of keys from the typist showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 21 illustrates the '8' key positioned on the fifth row of keys from the typist showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 22 illustrates the '9' key positioned on the fifth row of keys from the typist showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 23 illustrates the '0' key positioned on the fifth row of keys from the typist showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 24 illustrates the '-' key positioned on the fifth row of keys from the typist showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 25 illustrates the '=' key positioned on the fifth row of keys from the typist showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 26 illustrates the back delete key positioned on the fifth row of keys from the typist showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 27 illustrates the tab key positioned on the fourth row of keys from the typist showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 28 illustrates the 'E' key positioned on the fourth row of keys from the typist showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 29 illustrates the 'R' key positioned on the fourth row of keys from the typist showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 30 illustrates the 'T' key positioned on the fourth row of keys from the typist showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 31 illustrates the 'U' key positioned on the fourth row of keys from the typist showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 32 illustrates the 'I' key positioned on the fourth row of keys from the typist showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 33 illustrates the 'O' key positioned on the fourth row of keys from the typist showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 34 illustrates the 'A' key positioned on the third row of keys from the typist showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 35 illustrates the 'S' key positioned on the third row of keys from the typist showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 36 illustrates the 'D' key positioned on the third row of keys from the typist showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 37 illustrates the 'H' key positioned on the third row of keys from the typist showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 38 illustrates the 'L' key positioned on the third row of keys from the typist showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 39 illustrates the enter key positioned on the third row of keys from the typist showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 40 illustrates the shift key positioned on the second row of keys from the typist showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 41 illustrates the 'N' key positioned on the second row of keys from the typist showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 42 illustrates the ',' key positioned on the second row of keys from the typist showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 43 illustrates the '.' key positioned on the second row of keys from the typist showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 44 illustrates the '/' key positioned on the second row of keys from the typist showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 45 illustrates the shift key positioned on the second row of keys from the typist showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 46 illustrates the 'Ctrl' key positioned on the first row of keys from the typist showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 47 illustrates the space bar positioned on the first row of keys from the typist showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 48 illustrates the 'Delete' key positioned on the second block of keys from the left hand side showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 49 illustrates the arrow up key positioned on the second block of keys from the left hand side showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 50 illustrates the left arrow key positioned on the second block of keys from the left hand side showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 51 illustrates the right arrow key positioned on the second block of keys from the left hand side showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 52 illustrates the arrow down key positioned on the second block of keys from the left hand side showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 53 illustrates the '/' key positioned on the number keypad showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 54 illustrates the '*' key positioned on the number keypad showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 55 illustrates the '-' key positioned on the number keypad showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 56 illustrates the '7' key positioned on the number keypad showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 57 illustrates the '8' key positioned on the number keypad showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 58 illustrates the '9' key positioned on the number keypad showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 59 illustrates the '4' key positioned on the number keypad showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 60 illustrates the '5' key positioned on the number keypad showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 61 illustrates the '6' key positioned on the number keypad showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 62 illustrates the '+' key positioned on the number keypad showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 63 illustrates the '1' key positioned on the number keypad showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 64 illustrates the '2' key positioned on the number keypad showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 65 illustrates the '3' key positioned on the number keypad showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 66 illustrates the 'O' key positioned on the number keypad showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 67 illustrates the '.' key positioned on the number keypad showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 68 illustrates the enter key positioned on the number keypad showing the tactile shape and surface on the top of the key; FIG. 69 illustrates the '1' key positioned on the fifth row of keys from the typist showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 70 illustrates the '2' key positioned on the fifth row of keys from the typist showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 71 illustrates the '3' key positioned on the fifth row of keys from the typist showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 72 illustrates the '4' key positioned on the fifth row of keys from the typist showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 73 illustrates the '5' key positioned on the fifth row of keys from the typist showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 74 illustrates the '6' key positioned on the fifth row of keys from the typist showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 75 illustrates the '7' key positioned on the fifth row of keys from the typist showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 76 illustrates the '8' key positioned on the fifth row of keys from the typist showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 77 illustrates the '9' key positioned on the fifth row of keys from the typist showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 78 illustrates the '0' key positioned on the fifth row of keys from the typist showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 79 illustrates the '-' key positioned on the fifth row of keys from the typist showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 80 illustrates the '=' key positioned on the fifth row of keys from the typist showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 81 illustrates the back delete key positioned on the fifth row of keys from the typist showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 82 illustrates the tab key positioned on the fourth row of keys from the typist showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 83 illustrates the 'E' key positioned on the fourth row of keys from the typist showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 84 illustrates the 'R' key positioned on the fourth row of keys from the typist showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 85 illustrates the 'T' key positioned on the fourth row of keys from the typist showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 86 illustrates the 'U' key positioned on the fourth row of keys from the typist showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 87 illustrates the '1' key positioned on the fourth row of keys from the typist showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 88 illustrates the 'O' key positioned on the fourth row of keys from the typist showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 89 illustrates the 'A' key positioned on the third row of keys from the typist showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 90 illustrates the 'S' key positioned on the third row of keys from the typist showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 91 illustrates the 'D' key positioned on the third row of keys from the typist showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 92 illustrates the 'H' key positioned on the third row of keys from the typist showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 93 illustrates the 'L' key positioned on the third row of keys from the typist showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 94 illustrates the enter key positioned on the third row of keys from the typist showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 95 illustrates the shift key positioned on the second row of keys from the typist showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 96 illustrates the 'N' key positioned on the second row of keys from the typist showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 97 illustrates the ',' key positioned on the second row of keys from the typist showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 98 illustrates the '.' key positioned on the second row of keys from the typist showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 99 illustrates the '/' key positioned on the second row of keys from the typist showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 100 illustrates the shift key positioned on the second row of keys from the typist showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 101 illustrates the 'Ctrl' key positioned on the first row of keys from the typist showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 102 illustrates the space positioned on the first row of keys from the typist showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 103 illustrates the 'Delete' key positioned on the second block of keys from the left hand side showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 104 illustrates the arrow up key positioned on the second block of keys from the left hand side showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 105 illustrates the left arrow key positioned on the second block of keys from the left hand side showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 106 illustrates the right arrow key positioned on the second block of keys from the left hand side showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key;; FIG. 107 illustrates the arrow down key positioned on the second block of keys from the left hand side showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 108 illustrates the '/' key positioned on the number keypad showing a sticker with tactile shape andsurface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 109 illustrates the '*' key positioned on the number keypad showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 110 illustrates the '-' key positioned on the number keypad showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 111 illustrates the '7' key positioned on the number keypad showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 112 illustrates the '8' key positioned on the number keypad showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key;; FIG. 113 illustrates the '9' key positioned on the number keypad showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 114 illustrates the '4' key positioned on the number keypad showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 115 illustrates the '5' key positioned on the number keypad showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 116 illustrates the '6' key positioned on the number keypad showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 117 illustrates the '+' key positioned on the number keypad showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 118 illustrates the '1' key positioned on the number keypad showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 119 illustrates the '2' key positioned on the number keypad showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 120 illustrates the '3' key positioned on the number keypad showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 121 illustrates the '0' key positioned on the number keypad showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG.122 illustrates the '.' key positioned on the number keypad showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key; FIG. 123 illustrates the enter key positioned on the number keypad showing a sticker with tactile shape and surface to be positioned on the top of the key;

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The changes made to the keys of a keyboard in accordance with the present invention can be the result of specific modifications to pre- existing keys on the keyboard.

For clarity, the generally accepted geometrical design of the standard keyboard key will first be described in order to provide a foundation for understanding the geometry of the improved keys. And while the following ergonomic modifications are most likely to be applied to a standard keyboard key, it must be noted that these ergonomic modifications may be applied to many other keyboard designs as well.

The standard keyboard generally consists of a main alphanumeric body of at least three, but usually five, parallel, horizontal rows of keys (FIG. 2). Each of the three middle rows 1, 2 & 3 normally includes a sequence of alphabetical and grammatical characters (such as the "QWERTY" or Dvorak sequence). The standard keyboard keys are generally identical in shape and size, except for the outer function and modifier keys 12 which are usually horizontally elongated in order to give the complete standard keyboard a generally rectangular appearance.

The most commonly used typestyle used throughout the Westernised' world is the Roman alphabet, 'A' through to 'Z' and numerals 'O' through to '9' and in order to further identify which keys are most commonly used significant studies have been completed to identify which keys are more likely to be depressed by the typist. Pages of text from a considerable number of books and newspapers have been analysed. By counting the quantity of each letter, number and digits found within each document, it has been established that the percentage of appearances of certain letters, number and digits within each document is substantially consistent. The twelve most commonly used letters are likely to be 'A', 'D', 'E', 'H', 'I', 'L', 'N', 'O', 'R', 'S', 'T', 'U'. The keys corresponding to these letters are referred to as "the most commonly used keys".

Further studies of use of the keyboard has also identified the following keys as being likely to be used on a regular basis: 'O', '1', '2', 3', '4', '5', '6', '7', '8', '9', '-', '=', the back delete key, '/', '*', '+', the tab key, the 'Enter' key, the 'Delete' keys, the 'Caps Lock' key, the shift keys, ',', '.', the 'Ctrl' key, the space bar key and the four directional arrow keys.

The present invention is not limited to any particular key or keys appearing on a keyboard and while reference is made to the aforementioned keys, the present invention can be applied to any combination of keys that would benefit from easier identification by touch.

Prior art keyboards have assisted the typist with a small elevated line that is found on the front top surface of keys 'F' and 'J' (as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, respectively). These elevated lines were designed to help assist touch-typists as a locator for placing their left and right hand forefingers without having to look directly down at the keyboard. The key 5' to be found on the number keypad section on the right hand side of the standard keyboard (as shown in FIG. 5), may also have a small elevated line to be found on the front top surface of key. These elevated lines are generally difficult to locate unless the fingers are stretched out and placed on the lower portion of the key surface.

With the exception of the keys 'F', 'J' and '5' on the number keypad, the keys on a standard keyboard are generally shaped with a flat top surface with a slight latitudinal curved profile. FIG. 8 illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a conventional key showing the flat top surface. FIG. 9 illustrates a latitudinal cross-sectional view of a conventional key showing the curved top surface to be found to the left and right hand side of each key.

In order to enhance the typist's performance, the present invention changes the top surface profile by adding a raised shape to the key. By way of example FIG. 10 illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the 'H' key showing a raised tactile shape and surface to the centre on the top of the key. FIG. 11 illustrates a latitudinal cross-sectional view of the 'H' key showing a raised tactile shape and surface to the centre on the top of the key.

It can now be understood that the typist will always feel where to place the fingers on a keyboard to select certain keys because of the tactile feel obtained by contact with the raised tactile shape and surface of the respective keys and the guidance thereby obtained. This fact does greatly improve the speed and accuracy of the typing being performed.

In addition to the formation of raised shapes and surfaces on the upper surfaces of the there is also another way of adding the tactile feature to any key or keys. FIG. 12 illustrates a longitudinal cross- sectional view of the 'H' key showing a sticker with a raised tactile shape and surface to the centre that can be adhesively attached to existing keys by positioning it on the top of the key as directed by the broken lines. FIG. 13 is a latitudinal cross-sectional view of the 'H' key showing a sticker with a raised tactile shape and surface to the centre that can be adhesively attached to existing keys by positioning it on the top of the key as directed by the broken lines.

The stickers are made out of a clear plastic so that the existing letters or marks on the top surface of the keys can clearly be seen. The stickers are cast in one piece so that they will have a snug fit when fitted on the top surface of the existing key or keys.

The raised tactile shape and surface of each key can be suited to each individual key. By way of example, FIG. 6 shows a modified keyboard with different raised tactile shapes and surfaces applied to different keys. The keys with raised tactile shapes and surfaces are the A', 'D', 'E', 'H', '1', 'L', 'N', 'O', 'R', 'S', 'T', 'U', 'O', '1', '2', '3', '4', '5', '6', '7', E', '9', '-', '=', the back delete key, '/', '*', '+', the tab key, the 'Enter' key, the 'Delete' keys, the 'Caps Lock' key, the shift keys, ',', '.', the 'Ctrl' key, the space bar key and the four directional arrow keys.

Figure 7 shows a keyboard in accordance with the present invention with appropriate function keys and with the most commonly used keys formed or provided with tactile shapes and surfaces.

It will be appreciated that, if the majority of the most commonly used keys are formed or provided with tactile shapes and surfaces, the accuracy and speed of typing will be enhanced as compared to the known keyboards referred to above. It will also be appreciated that if all, or substantially all, of the most commonly used keys are formed or provided with tactile shapes and surfaces, the accuracy and speed of typing will be further enhanced.

FIGS. 14 to 68 illustrate substantially all of the keys of a "QWERTY" keyboard showing different raised tactile shapes and surfaces. FIGS. 69 to FIG. 123 illustrate the aforementioned keys with clear plastic stickers that can be adhesively attached to existing keys by positioning a sticker on the top of the associated key as indicated by the broken lines.

By designing keys or stickers to apply to the keys with tactile shapes and top surfaces, the typist's fingers will be able to detect and differentiate between keys without the need to look down onto the keyboard. This will increase the typist's typing proficiency by allowing the typist to use touch rather than the need to keep looking down at the keyboard. Tactile shapes and top surfaces will also assist in reducing the number of typing mistakes made by typing when the fingers of each hand depress the wrong key, overreach or under reach the positions on the keys where they should be. v

Claims

Claims: 1. A keyboard having a plurality of keys characterized in that at

least a majority of the keys corresponding to the most commonly used letters have different tactile formations on their presented surfaces.
2. A keyboard as claimed in Claim 1, in which all or substantially all of the keys corresponding to the most commonly used letters have different tactile formations on their presented surfaces.
3. A keyboard as claimed in either of the preceding claims, in which at least a majority of the keys corresponding to numerals have different tactile formations on their presented surfaces.
4. A keyboard as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the different tactile formations are parts of the keys.
5. A keyboard as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, in which the different tactile formations are parts of stickers applied to the keys.
6. A keyboard substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 6, 7 and 10 to 123 of the accompanying drawings.

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6. A method of typing that includes the use of a keyboard as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

7. A keyboard substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 6, 7 and 10 to 123 of the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows: Claims: 1. A keyboard having a plurality of keys characterized in that at least the keys corresponding to the dozen most commonly used letters have tactile formations of different shapes on their presented surfaces.

2. A keyboard as claimed in Claim 1, in which at least a majority of the keys corresponding to numerals have tactile formations of different shapes on their presented surfaces.

3. A keyboard as claimed in either of the preceding claims, in which the tactile formations are parts of the keys.

4. A keyboard as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the tactile formations are parts of stickers applied to the keys.

5. A method of typing that includes the use of a keyboard as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.