GB2442538A - A keyboard having a set of blank keys to aid in the learning of touch typing - Google Patents

A keyboard having a set of blank keys to aid in the learning of touch typing Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2442538A
GB2442538A GB0619845A GB0619845A GB2442538A GB 2442538 A GB2442538 A GB 2442538A GB 0619845 A GB0619845 A GB 0619845A GB 0619845 A GB0619845 A GB 0619845A GB 2442538 A GB2442538 A GB 2442538A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
keys
keyboard
key section
main key
typing
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Withdrawn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
GB0619845A
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GB0619845D0 (en
Inventor
Mark William Meakings
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Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB0619845A priority Critical patent/GB2442538A/en
Publication of GB0619845D0 publication Critical patent/GB0619845D0/en
Publication of GB2442538A publication Critical patent/GB2442538A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • G09B13/04—Devices used in association with a real typewriter, teleprinter, or the like
    • 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

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

Abstract

A keyboard (2) comprises a main key section (4) having a first side (6, Fig.3) with a first set of alphanumeric keys (8, Fig.3) and a second side (10, Fig.4) with a set of blank keys (12, Fig.4). The keyboard (2) has positioning means (14) which enables the main key section (4) to be positioned in either a first position (Fig.1) in which the first set of keys (8, Fig.3) are uppermost, or in a second position (Fig.2) in which the second set of keys (12, Fig. 4) are uppermost. The keyboard (2) functions normally in either the first or second positions. The main key section (4) is positioned in the second position in order to facilitate the learning of touch typing. In the second position the blank keys (12) aid in the teaching of touch typing as the user is unable to see the key indicia and hence accelerates user memorization of the keys. The keyboard (2) may further include a CD ROM storage slot (20) for receiving a CD ROM giving instruction of touch typing.

Description

A KEYBOARD
This invention relates to a keyboard.
Keyboards for typewriters and computers are well known. Touch typing is the most efficient way of working on a keyboard. Touch typing is not easy to learn. Many persons can only learn touch typing after spending much time in practice. Other persons find touch typing too much of a strain to learn and they are therefore not able to master touch typing.
In order to learn touch typing, a person is required to practice whilst not looking at the keys. If a person tries to learn touch typing with a normal keyboard, then the person tends to cheat by looking down at the marked keys. This makes the learning of the touch typing less effective than it should be.
There are various known devices for helping a person to learn touch typing. One of these known devices comprise thin plastic skins for placing over the keys to hide the signs on the keys. The plastic skins are often misplaced or lost. In addition, the plastic skins cause a loss of direct feel on the keys that are covered by the plastic skins: Other types of the known devices are designed to cover a person's hands or keyboards in order to prevent the person looking at the keyboard. Such devices are often structurally weak and they are liable to get misplaced or lost. Anothertype of known device is a keyboard with keys that are all completely bIank. After practicing and learning on such a keyboard, it is then necessary for a person to switch to a normal keyboard for everyday typing, and this entails additional costs and the inconvenience in using alternative keyboards.
Furthermore, constantly swapping keyboards tends to weaken connections to computers, thereby reducing the life of the connections or even the computers themselves. Also, keyboards with aH the keys blanked out present problems in that many keys are infrequently used, for example function keys, number keys and special character keys. For practical use, being able to touch type has most benefit for the keys that are in a main key section and which are the standard keys that permit the typing of words.
People may spend up to 95% of typing time on these keys. Since the remainder of the keys are infrequently used, they should ideally be labelled to provide an essential reminder of their location.
It is an aim of the present invention to reduce the above mentioned problems in the learning of touch typing.
Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided a keyboard comprising a main key section that permits the typing of words, characterised in that: (I) the main key section has a first side with a first set of keys which are in standard typing layout and which are provided with standard signs for indicating what the keys will type; (ii) the main key section has a second side with a second set of keys which are in standard typing layout but which are not provided with the standard signs so that the keys in the second set of keys are blank keys; (iii) the keyboard has positioning means which enables the main key section to be positioned as desired in a first position in which the first set of keys are uppermost in the keyboard, or in a second position in which the second set of keys are uppermost in the keyboard; and (iv) the main key section is such that it functions normally in the first position and the second position whereby the main key section is able to be put in the first position or the second position when desired in order to facilitate the learning of touch typing by a person.
With the keyboard of the present invention, a person learning touch typing is able to practice with the blank keys uppermost for as long as desired. When the person wishes to type with the marked keys uppermost, then the main key section can simply be reversed. The keyboard of the present invention avoids a person trying to learn touch typing simply with a normal set of marked keys. Whilst learning, such persons tend to cheat and look at the keys, and thus the learning becomes less effective. The keyboard of the present invention also avoids the above mentioned problems occurring with the mentioned known devices for use in the learning of touch typing.
The keyboard may be one in which the main key section is an A -Z main key section. Thus the keys will be provided with standard signs in the form of the letters A -Z. If desired, instead of using the English character letters A -Z, the keyboard of the present invention may use other characters for other types of languages, for example the characters required for Chinese, Arabic, European or any other language.
The keyboard may be one in which the second set of keys has tactile identification means on at least one key in order to help the person locate by feel that key. The key or keys will normally be the most important key or keys required by the person to locate their hands in order to start typing.
The keyboard may be one in which the main key section is an A -Z main key section with the letters A -Z, and in which the second set of keys has the tactile identification means on the F and J keys in order to help the person's index fingers locate by feel the F and J keys. The tactile identification means on the F and J keys in the second set of keys is preferably in the form of two raised dots. Other formations for the tactile identification means may be employed.
Preferably, the first set of keys will have the same tactile identification means as the tactile identification means on the second set of keys. Thus, for example, the first set of keys may have the F and J keys each provided The keyboard may be one in which the keyboard includes all other keys normally found on a keyboard, in which these other keys are provided with their markings indicating what the keys do, and in which the other keys only operate one way up with their markings uppermost. Thus, for example, the other keys may be keys giving numbers, punctuation marks, shift, tab, enter, escape, function and arrow. Other keys may be included.
If desired, the other keys may be such that they are reversible in the same manner as the main key section.
The keyboard may include a CD ROM storage slot for receiving a CD ROM giving instruction on touch typing.
The keyboard may be of various differing known designs. Thus, for example, the keyboard may be a typing keyboard as found on a typewriter.
Alternatively the keyboard may be one which contains a separate numeric keypad and a cursor keypad.
The keyboard may be one in which the positioning means includes a first dual hard edge connector strip on the first side of the main key section, and a second dual hard edge connector strip on the second side of the main key section, whereby the first set of keys and the second set of keys share the same connections in the keyboard.
The keyboard may include a lock for preventing unwanted removal of the main key sections. The lock is preferably positioned on an underside of the keyboard. The lock may be positioned elsewhere if desired.
The keyboard may include a security wire connection joining the main key section to the keyboard. The secunty wire connection is preferably stored in the keyboard.
The keyboard may be such that it is able to be connected to a computer such for example as a personal computer, an Apple Mac, PC, or a laptop computer. The keyboard may also be able to connected to any other electronic device that requires the use of a keyboard. The keyboard may be connected to the computer or other device by a cable or by a wireless connection such for example as infrared, Bluetooth or any other wireless protocol.
Where the keyboard requires power, this may be provided by either batteries stored in the keyboard or by a connection to the computer or peripheral to which the keyboard may be attached.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a keyboard with a main key section in a first position; Figure 2 shows the keyboard of Figure 1 with the main key section in a second position; Figure 3 shows the main key section as in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows the main key section as in Figure 2; Figure 5 shows the bottom of the keyboard; Figure 6 shows the main key section removed from the keyboard and ready to be turned over, and re-inserted to its other position; and Figure 7 shows a complete double-sided keyboard, one side being fully labelled and the other side having blank A -Z keys.
Referring to the drawings, there is shown a keyboard 2 comprising a main key section 4 that permits the typing of words. The main key section 4 has a first side 6 with a first set of keys 8 which are in standard typing format and which are provided with standard signs for indicating what the keys wiJI do. As shown, these standard signs are the letters A -Z on the keys. The main key section has a second side 10 with a second set of keys 12 which are in standard typing format but which are not provided with the standard signs in the form of the letters A -Z. Thus the keys in the second set of keys 12 are blank keys.
The keyboard 2 has positioning means 14 which enable the main key section to be positioned as desired in a first position as shown in Figure 1 in which the first set of keys 8 are uppermost in the keyb ard 2, or in a second position as shown in Figure 2 in which the second set of keys 12 are uppermost in the keyboard 2. As shown in Figure 3, the positioning means 14 comprises a spindle.
The main key section 4 is such that it functions normally in the first position and in the second position. Thus the main key section 4 is able to be put in the first position or the second position when desired in order to facilitate the learning of touch typing by a person.
The main key section 4 is such that the F and J keys have tactile identification means in the form of a raised dot 15 on each of the F and J keys in the first and the second sets of keys 8, 12. The two raised dots 15 help the person's index fingers to locate by feel the F and J keys. This helps to give the person confidence in knowing where their fingers are placed on the keyboard 2.
The keyboard 2 is such that it includes all other keys 16 normally found on a keyboard. As shown, these other keys 16 are provided with their normal markings indicating what the keys do. The keys 16 only operate one way up, that is with their markings uppermost.
Figure 5 shows how the keyboard 2 has a removable cover 18 for allowing the main key section 4 to spin on the positioning means 14 between the positions shown in Figures 3 and 4. Also shown in Figure 5 is a CD ROM storage slot 20 for receiving a CD ROM giving information on touch typing. Figure 5 also shows how the bottom of the keyboard is provided with a connecting wire 22, a Bluetooth connection 24, and an infrared connection 26. Other types of communication connection means may be employed.
Figure 6 shows the keyboard 2 with the main key section 4 removed from the keyboard 2 and ready to be inserted in either of its positions by spinning around the positioning means 14 in the form of the spindle.
Figure 7 shows a complete double sided keyboard 34. One side of the keyboard 34 is a fully labelled keyboard. The other side of the keyboard 34 has the keys A -Z blanked out. These two surfaces of the keyboard can be as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 7 also illustrates the provision of pop-up feet 36.
If desired, the keyboard of the present invention may be such that the positioning means includes a first dual hard edge connector strip on the first side 6 of the main key section 4. The positioning means also includes a second dual hard edge connector strip on the second side 10 of the main key section 4. The first set of keys 8 and the second set of keys 12 are thus then able to share the same connections in the keyboard 2. The edge connector strips are an alternative to effecting connection through the positioning means 14 in the form of the spindle.
The keyboard 2 includes a lock for preventing unauthorised removal of the main key section 4. The lock may be located on an underside of the keyboard 2.
The keyboard 2 can replace any existing keyboard, whether it is connected by wire or in a wireless manner to any suitable and appropriate type of computer or other device that requires a typed input. The main key section 4 has the letter keys laid out in what is known as QWERTY format.
The keyboard 2 can be used in education, in companies, and in organisations in the home where persons of all ages are able to learn to touch type. In education, typically touch typing may be better taught using a range of methods from blackboard and whiteboard teaching to the use of multimedia software training products running on classroom computers.
Once learners reach a required skill level, the tutor will enable the main key section 4 in the keyboards of the students to be unlocked, removed and reversed or spin in order to permit use of the second set of keys 4 which will be blank. The keyboard 2 can also be used in the work place or at home to reinforce what has previously been learnt. In such circumstances, the keyboard can be used at the discretion of the person learning the touch typing. The keyboard may be used in the workplace or at home by experienced touch typists who wish to brush up on their typing skills by ensuring that they know just how to touch type the A -Z keys without looking attheA-Zkeys.
It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the keyboard 2 may be used with modified keys for other languages such for example as Chinese, Arabic or European languages.
The keyboard of the present invention may have different main key sections for allowing users to change colour schemes, move between black or white keys, large or small lettering for partially sighted users sharing with normal users, and different fonts for key lettering. Since about 95% of time is spent typing on A -Z keys, these keys tend to dirty more quickly than the other keys. Because the main key section is able to be removed, these used dirty keys can easily be cleaned.
The main key section may sit in a bay, and the bay may have auto-cleaning when not in use provided by brushes in the bottom of the bay. It is possible to have top keys doing something else when pressed. For example, they may automatically depress lower keys when pressed into the cleaning surface. The underneath may contain anti-bacterial material.

Claims (14)

  1. a keyboard comprising a main key section that permits the typing of (i) the main key section has a first side with a first set of keys which are in standard typing layout and which are provided with standard signs for indicating what the keys will type; (ii) the main key section has a second side with a second set of keys which are in standard typing layout but which are not provided with the standard signs so that the keys in the second set of keys are blank keys; (iii) the keyboard has positioning means which enables the main key section to be positioned as desired in a first position in which the first set of keys are uppermost in the keyboard, or in a second position in which the second set of keys are uppermost in the keyboard; and (iv) the main key section is such that it functions normally in the first position and the second position whereby the main key section is able to be put in the first position or the second position when desired in order to facilitate the learning of touch typing by a person.
  2. 2. A keyboard according to claim 1 in which the second set of keys has tactile identification means on at least one key in order to help the person locate the key by feeling that key.
  3. 3. A keyboard according to claim 2 in which the main key section is an A -Z key section with the letters A -Z, and in which the second set of keys has the tactile identification means on the F and J keys in order to help the person's index fingers locate by feel the F and J keys.
  4. 4. A keyboard according to claim 3 in which the tactile identification means on the F and J keys in the second set of keys are two raised dots.
  5. 5. A keyboard according to any one of claims 2 -4 in which the first set of keys has the same tactile identification means as the tactile identification means on the second set of keys.
  6. 6. A keyboard according to any one of the preceding claims in which the keyboard includes all other keys normally found on a keyboard, in which these other keys are provided with their markings indicating what the keys do, and in which the other keys only operate one way up with their markings uppermost.
  7. 7. A keyboard according to claim 6 in which the other keys give numbers, punctuations marks, shift, tab, enter, escape, function and arrow.
  8. 8. A keyboard according to any one of the preceding claims an including a CD ROM storage slot for receiving a CD ROM giving instruction on touch typing.
  9. 9. A keyboard according to any one of the preceding claims in which the keyboard is a typing keyboard as found on the typewriter or personal computer.
  10. 10. A keyboard according to any one of claims 1 -8 in which the keyboard contains a separate numeric keypad and a cursor keypad.
  11. 11. A keyboard according to any one of the preceding claims in which the positioning means includes a first dual hard edge connector strip on the first side spindle connection of the main key section, and a second dual hard edge connector strip on the second side of the main key section, whereby the first set of keys and the second set of keys share the same connections in the keyboard.
  12. 12. A keyboard according to any one of the preceding claims and including a lock for preventing unauthorised removal of the main key section.
  13. 13. A keyboard according to claim 12 in which the lock is on an underside of the keyboard.
  14. 14. A keyboard substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB0619845A 2006-10-06 2006-10-06 A keyboard having a set of blank keys to aid in the learning of touch typing Withdrawn GB2442538A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0619845A GB2442538A (en) 2006-10-06 2006-10-06 A keyboard having a set of blank keys to aid in the learning of touch typing

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0619845A GB2442538A (en) 2006-10-06 2006-10-06 A keyboard having a set of blank keys to aid in the learning of touch typing

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0619845D0 GB0619845D0 (en) 2006-11-15
GB2442538A true GB2442538A (en) 2008-04-09

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GB0619845A Withdrawn GB2442538A (en) 2006-10-06 2006-10-06 A keyboard having a set of blank keys to aid in the learning of touch typing

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS62216019A (en) * 1986-03-17 1987-09-22 Nec Ic Microcomput Syst Ltd Information processing system keyboard
US6052825A (en) * 1999-01-25 2000-04-25 Dodd; Karetha Watertight cap with adhesive seal
EP1306865A1 (en) * 2001-10-29 2003-05-02 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Reversible keyboard and information processor
US20040095326A1 (en) * 1999-07-27 2004-05-20 Anderson Glen J. Two-sided input device for a computer-related apparatus

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS62216019A (en) * 1986-03-17 1987-09-22 Nec Ic Microcomput Syst Ltd Information processing system keyboard
US6052825A (en) * 1999-01-25 2000-04-25 Dodd; Karetha Watertight cap with adhesive seal
US20040095326A1 (en) * 1999-07-27 2004-05-20 Anderson Glen J. Two-sided input device for a computer-related apparatus
EP1306865A1 (en) * 2001-10-29 2003-05-02 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Reversible keyboard and information processor

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0619845D0 (en) 2006-11-15

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