IE911315A1 - A configurable input device for a data processing facility - Google Patents

Abstract

A preconfigurabIe input device for a data processing ■facility as for example a computer, consisting of two arrays of keys, one or several control panels, electronic circuitry and the electronic components belonging to ■them. The input device comprises electronic preselecting means which can be .controI Ied by aid of mechanical switching means on the control panels and which allow for an optimal adaptation of the keyboard to different fields of applications and which facilitate a touch driven, rhythmic operation of the keyboard considerably to the user using ten fingers during a working session. The input device consists of a left and right part, whereby both parts comprise keys and mechanical switching means and electronic circuitry, both parts being mechanically independent from each other and therefore arbitrarily moveable relative to each other. The keys are made couplable to coding units, capable of creating code signals. First and second shift keys are coupled to switching devices. The switching devices are coupled accross control lines either directly to coding units or they are coupled to one or several preselecting means allowing for a selection of a multitude of additional coding units.

Description

A configurable n p u t device for a data processing Introduction For a long time various technical means have been in use enabling the human hand to control electrical and mechanical systems by operating suitable input devices. Such an input device is the classical mechanical typewriter.

Since the introduction of electronic data processing facilities and control systems for robots, the mechanical typewriter was replaced or complemented to a large extent by electronic input devices for personal computers, larger computer systems, control systems for machines devoted to automatic tool manufacturing, control systems for automatic mounting of electronic components and for robots and the like.

Among the input devices mentioned those distinguish themselves particularly, which allow for a fast, perfect, blind, rhythmic, operation of a limited number of keys by Dr. Sb/io 5.4.1991 375 the ten fingers o'f both hands, as it was made possible by the classical, mechanical typewriter. Unfortunately, this advantage of the classical, mechanical typewriter has been annihilated by the introduction of keyboards for personal computers. In the patent applications DE 36 29 417 and EU 0 257 490 an electronic keyboard input device has been presented, with which text and other data can be typed into the usual data processing facilities without the usual auxiliary keyboards having to be used for control functions and numerals. Because of the distinguished position of a second shift key 41 under the home position of the fifth finger of the right hand, the keyboard input device can be switched easily into one, or with the aid of the conventional first shift key into two working states, in which cursor functions and other programmable computer functions as well as many more key functions can be activated easily accessibly and comfortably within the main keyboard. Moreover it is achieved, that the keyboard input device mentioned can be operated quickly, perfectly blindly, and rhythmically, by ten fingers.without any tedious arm movements.

In the patent application EU 0 361 533 an elegant electronic circuit diagram has been presented, which distinguishes irseLf by its extraordinarily high compactness and an extra ordinarily low susceptibility to interference and can be used in support of the keyboard input device mentioned. In particular, code signals can be transmitted to a computer using this circuit diagram, which are interpretab I e by the computer for example by means of a table for 8-bit-code signals similar to the conventional 7-bit-ASC11-code.

On the other hand, is limited to four 256 different code 8-bit-code and an the keyboard input device mentioned operational states. Furthermore, on signals can be transmitted using an additional bit for a control of pari 1/ ty .

Keyboa rds for be used in a the object of device, which applications, operation of disturbed essentially the transmission of all kinds of signals plurality of different circumstances. It i the invention, to present an input can be employed in an extended range of without the fast, perfect, blind, rhythmi the keyboard by the ten fingers being can s The proposed solution of the invention is based on the fact that working activities at visual display terminals and in other areas where keyboards are of use, can be coordinated in individual working sessions. Keyboards can be used for many different purposes, namely for example for writing business letters, feeding computer programs in various programming languages, composing pieces of art of computer graphics, writing poems, bilingual texts or scientific texts (linguistics, mathematics, physics, chemistry ect.) , operating control facilities for robots, controlling machines devoted to automatic tool manufacturing and even complete industrial plants and the like.

There are only a few humans, who get involved in all these activities during their lifespan and it will never happen that they want to be involved in all these activities at the same time. Therefore, it is good practice to pool several similar tasks at keyboard input devices and to complete the tasks during a single working session. Therefore, a workday of a scientist active in business at a monitor display terminal could begin with a working session, during which he types several business letters, followed by a working session during which he enters a computer program for the control of a scientific instrument, and finally end with a working session during which he works on a scientific text for his clients Depending on the working session, the assignment of the key functions can be optimized differently. The numerals play a secondary role, when a linguistic text is worked on, whereas they get much more important in programming sessions or when certain business letters are written. Therefore, it is desirable, that various new favorable arrangements of key functions are made accessible in various ways within the two additional, new operational states of the keyboard made accessible by the second shift key 41, in part in designating repetitions for certain functions in geometrically favorable places in order to optimally support certain types of working tasks at the monitor display. a touch iters. d r i ll. few of the the On the other hand many people have been perfected in driven operation of the classical keyboard for typewr Such a perfection requires a tong training and a taff Therefore, the fact has to be taken care of, that as changes as possible are made in the operational state input device which corresponds to the classical key assignment as established by the typewriter, so that training mentioned of the many people is not annihilated.

On the other hand, an additional training for additional yet new configurations of the keyboard is possible and making sense, when the types of working sessions supported that way will be needed by an individual again and again for a long time in the future.

The input device should be transportable and couplable everywhere for its application in different working sessions being spatially far apart from each other (example: repair services of a computer specialist). Input devices should be personal belongings in order to make possible an optimally configurable keyboard for every individual. The input device is not transportable and sensibly couplable to various apparatuses, unless the signal code by itself is definite and selfidentifying, so that the computer can do without taking into account the spatial arrangement of the key assignments, in contrast to conventional systems, when the code signals are to be interpreted. Therefore, in this work, an 8-bit-bus (plus 1 bit for parity control) is insufficient and an expansion towards a greater width of the bus is necessary Description of the invention It is the object of the present invention to describe an input device for a data processing system allowing access from a keyboard in advance configurable by the user in a simple way before the begining of a working session, so that the undisturbed, fast, perfect, touch driven, rhythmic operation of the keyboard using ten fingers is made possible in an optimal way during the working session; this is to be achieved by a preselection of the assignment of key functions for each single key of both arrays of keys, in making the individual keys couplable to several different groups of coding units. A simply equipped working place suitable and supportive for an application of this invention can comprise a personal computer including a monitor unit for displaying data and graphics, a central processing unit, two arrays of keys and a control panel mountable e.g. at a wall, as is shown in Figs. 15 and 16.

By actuating levers of the control panel, the user of the working place can generate control signals causing the keyboard to be preconditioned. Yet, in a preferred version of the invention, much smaller control panels are adjoined to the left and right arrays of keys and can be built into a common housing together with the arrays of keys. Such a structure is depicted from the top for the left hand in Fig. 1 and for the right hand in Fig. 2.

The following linguistic definitions are indicated herewith for all parts of this paper: In the following, the device shown from the top in Fig. 1 is denoted the left part of the input device; the device in Fig. 2 is denoted the right part of the input device.

Together, the left and right part of the input device are the input d e v i ce according to the generic part of claim 1 . When the left and right arrays of keys are to be mentioned together, they are called the keyboard, which is a part of the input d e v i c e . The expressions signal lead and s i g n a I line will be used synonymoulsy and denote metallified leads or lines on an electronic control panel (electronic board) capable of carrying electronic components and circuits as well as metallified leads and lines not only at least on a front and a back side but also in intermediate layers (sandwich), so that bridges can be avoided, whenever possible, where bundles of several signal lines cross.

However, single bridges are possible as indicated at location B1 in Fig. 17, where two 9-bit-busses cross.

Signal lines 630 through 632 in Fig. 17 interconnect the two parts of the device, so that a signal from one of the control panels can change a configuration in both parts of the device simultaneously; however, in another version of the invention, the signal lines 630 through 632 are isolated so that a configuration can be effectuated separately for both parts of the device. In Fig. 15 the input device is receiving electric power from a central unit of a computer 46008. However, in a preferred version of the invention, the input device will have its own connection to the mains. Furthermore, for implementations of the invention using many electronic boards. Fig. 16 shows an auxiliary box 46016 of the input device capable of carrying these electronic boards. For supplying the electronic boards, the auxiliary box has a cable 46023 of its own to be connected to a wall socket 46017 of the main power line. The auxiliary box comprises conventional means for a voltage regulation, which is to provide at least +5V, +12V, +24V as a supply for the electronic boards including those in both parts o f the input device . In a d d i t i on, it is advantageous to have a power supply for the input dev i c e , which is i ndependent o f the computer to which the input device is to be connected, so that the input device is made transportable to different computer systems even though its electronic components may need unusual voltage supplies.

The array of keys shown in Fig. 1 comprises a control key 410, the function of which is either a repeat key or a second shift key complementing key 41. The electronic circuits in support of the control key and the other keys of the keyboard are shown in Figs. 11 and 12, which show in a dd i t i on to this that both parts of the i nput devi ce c o m p r i s e a first 8 3 and s e cond 84 switching device i dent i cal to the first and second switching device of Fig. 5; the electronic circuit diagram of the switching device 83 is shown in Fig. 7, the electronic circuit diagram of switching device 84 in Fig. 8.

The following can be seen in Figs. 11 and 12: 1.) Supply of electric power: Leads 20120 and 20124 to electric ground; leads 20123 and 20127 to + 5V; leads 20121 and 20125 to a conventional electronic clock generating a periodic signal similar to a rectangular wave of a selectable frequency; leads 20122 and 20126 to +12V or +24V are in support of special units as e.g. Schmitt triggers, monostable multivibrators and the like for generating a special +5v-pulse of an elevated power, with the advantage that such special units and corresponding widened signal lines for key actuation signals can be assigned exclusively to a few selected keys. 2. ) Schmitt triggers, monostable multivibrators or similar pulse shaping means of reduced or elevated output power are comprised in devices 2000, the circuitry of which is shown for a version of low power in Fig. 13; 2086 is a leakage resistance.” 3. ) Conventional keys for a single or two consecutive steps can be used in the present keyboard. Pecularities of the form of the key cap are insignificant for a blindly typing user. However, with regard to varying qualities of conventional keys, it is important to keep in mind that the mechanics of the key switch should not impair the velocity of the movement of the fingers. In particular, the restoring mechanism in support of the key cap, mostly comprising one or several mechanical springs or systems of springs, must match with the repeating velocity of the fingers of a perfected user. Each key for two consecutive steps is coupled to a double switch: when the key is depressed in a first step to a first level of increased mechanical resistibility, a first electrical contact within the double switch is closed; when the key is depressed even further down to a second level of mechanical resistibility, a second elecrical contact is closed within the double switch whereas the first contact is opened. The electronic circuit diagram for the double switches 2001 of Figs. 11 and 12 is shown in Fig. 14; 20109 and 20110 are leakage resistances with similar functions as 2086 in Fig. 13. Keys for two consecutive steps are advantageous in comparison to keys for a single step because they render a repeat key superfluous. Therefore, each double switch must be coupled to a signal line which can provide a periodic signal similar to a rectangular wave. For a few keys simplified switches 2002 and 2003 are adequate; the switch 2002 does not need a coupling to a device 2000; the switch 2003 must be coupled to a device 2000. 4.) The double switch 2001 and the device 2000 in Fig. 11 for the control key 410 in Fig. 1 are coupled to two switches 2009 and 2008, respectively, which can be preset and cause the control key to assume another function than that of a repeat key; Fig. 11 shows that the control key can assume the function of a second shift key together with key 41, so that a second shift key can be actuated from both arrays of keys.

The output signal lines of the second switching devices 84 of both arrays of keys can be coupled, so that both second shift keys are effective in both parts of the device (the first shift keys must be effective in both parts of the device); however, the effectiveness of each of the two second shift keys can be restricted to the corresponding part of the device; for this case, separate signal lines 94100 and 94101 have been drawn for the right part of the device in Figs. 21A and 21B.

. ) The leads 22102 through 22105 can be connected to the Leads 21102 through 21105, respectively, on the back side of an electronic board, as well as 22167 through 22169 and 22410 to 21167 through 21169 and 21410, respectively. 6. ) From each device 2000 of each key a single signal line leads to a contact. In the left part of the input device contacts 2101 through 2111 are assigned to keys 1 through 11, respectively; furthermore, the following assignments hold: 2113 through 2117 to 13 through 17, as well as 2119 through 2124 to 19 through 24; for the right array of keys 2125 through 2140 to 25 through 40, 2142 through 2148 to 42 through 48, 2150 to 50, 21411 and 21412 to 411 and 412, respectively. All contacts together or several groups of contacts can be combined to a single pattern of edgeconnector contacts or several patterns of edge-connector contacts, respectively, so that in each part of 4 the input device, bundles of wires for a transmission of key actuation signals, united in ribbon cables, may be lead from a first printed circuit board carrying the parts described for Figs. 11 and 12, to a second printed circuit board. The signal lines are united to a bus on the second printed circuit board as well as on a number of further printed circuit boards interconnected by cables and plugs and lined up one behind the other in both parts of the input device. In Fig. 5 this bus is symbolized by four lines starting at four key switches 60 to 63 for both arrays of keys. The bus is symbolized by four lines in Figs. 17 to 20, too. In Figs. 21 A, 21B the left version of this bus for the key actuation signals, in Figs. 22a, 220 the right version of this bus is shown in its full width; for the left part of the input device the line numbers 901 through 911, 913 through 917, 919 through 924 of the left bus are assigned to the key numbers 1 through 11, 13 through 17, 19 through24, respectively, whereas for the right part of the input device the line numbers 925 through 940, 942 through 948, 950, 9411 and 9412 of the right bus are assigned the key numbers 25 through 40, 42 through 48, 50, 411, 412, respectively. The simplest version of this invention is shown in Fig. 17, where a simplified electronic circuit diagram can be seen, which is present exactly once in both parts of the input device, so that there is only a single configuration control unit 4570 present in each part of the input device, the circuit diagram of which is shown in Fig. 28. The configuration control unit comprises at least three bistable latches or flip-flops 615 tp 617 (for each configuration of the keybaord one latch), diodes 633 to 638, and AND-gates 618 to 621, 6181, 6201, and 6211. The symbolic contacts 6110 through 6113, and 6171 indicate that the configuration control unit i's expandable there, when more latches, diodes and AND- -gates are added. The contacts 630 through 632 in both parts of the input device are interconnectab I e by means of a cable, so that the complete keyboard may be configured using either a single control panel 4601 in one part of the input device or the two control panels together of both parts of the input device. Removing the cable contacts 630 through 632 enables a separate configuration of both parts of the input device, with the implication that the alphabet halves, active in both parts, must match. The electronic circuit diagram for coding units 70 to 73 is shown in Fig. 9. Two bus control units 4710 are present which are activated from key 410 by means of switch 452, when 410 is used as a repeat key. The units 4710 comprise conventional means for an automatic and autonomous storage 6 of 9-bi‘-signals and a repeated readout of the stored signals, as long as key 410 is depressed. The presence of two data busses 74 through 82 and 74A through 82a has certain advantages for an attached computer, as code signals can be treated as decoded in part in advance due to the separation of the busses. On bus 74 through 82, code signals are transmitted essentially for an alphabet and the numerals 0-9, whereas on the second bus, more heterogeneous code signals appear, e. g. for computer control operations and rare signs as well as for a repetition of the numerals 0-9, if it is advantageous for a working session of an individual. On the other hand, the bus control units 4710 may comprise conventional 9-bit-gates, which can receive an open signal from a switch to be preset within the bus control unit (not shown), so that both busses can be coupled. Furthermore, both bus control units 4710 can have conventional means for sequencing 9-bit-code signals. In this case, a second signal source for a periodic signal simitar to a rectangular wave is necessary, the frequency of which has to be at least 10 times higher than that, which is used by the repeating means as transmitted from 7 switch 452 (an additional signal line to the bus control unit 4710 is necessary, the lead of which from the voltage supply is not shown in Fig. 17). Fig. 18 shows an electronic circuit diagram for an extended version of this invention. As discussed before, according to Fig. 17, a change of the virtual couplings of keys to coding units is always effected simultaneously for all operational states of the secondary switching device 84 in each process of reconfiguration; however, according to Fig. 18, it can also be made possible, that certain parts of the keyboard are subjected individually to a certain mechanism of reconfiguration . Therefore, three control panel s 4601, 4602, and 4603 are shown in Fig. 18, from each of which the user may at the time reconfigure assigned parts of the keyboard. These control panels ar e coupled each to a configuration control unit 457. The circuitry for the configuration control unit is shown in Fig. 26.

Only a part of all existing coding units can be made arbitrarily couplable to the keys from each control panel. Such a part, which can be made couplable to a single control panel is hereafter called the group of coding units belonging to that control panel. The number of coding units coupled within a single operational state of the configuration control unit, depends on the internal structure of the configuration control unit; control units 4570 can couple each to four coding units, whereas control units 457 can couple only to two coding units. Those coding units, which are coupled according to a selected operational state of a configuration control unit at a certain time, are named a configured set of coding units. No more than just one of the coding units of the configured set is kept open by the second switching device for signals on the bus for key actuation signals, depending on the operational state in which the second switching device is, depending on which of the shift keys 12, 18, 410, 41 or 49 have been actuated, when the configured set comprises four coding units. However, when the configured set comprises only two coding units, then a single coding unit of the set is kept open in only two operational states. A group of coding units belongs to the control panel 4602, which can create code signals mostly related to different alphabets (Latin, Cyrillic, Arabic, ect.). The configured set of the group comprises two coding units and is capable of generating code signals for a complete alphabet, with one unit creating code signals for the capital and one for the small characters (for alphabets with capital and small letters). Control panel 4602 configures a group of coding units which are couplable to keys 1 through 11, 13 through 17, 19 through 24, 25 through 29, 31 through 35, 37 through 40, 43 through 47, and 50 (according to dependent claim 4). A group of coding units belongs to control panel 4603 in Fig. 18, which can create control signals mostly related to national characters of various second languages. The configured set comprises two units. In this case, not the complete alphabet is supported as only the keys 30, 36, 42, 48, 411 and 412 are couplable to the coding units of the group. In Figs. 29-32 these keys are marked by LA (LA for language) (according to dependent claim 5). A group of coding units belongs to control panel 4601 in Fig. 18, which can create code signals mostly related to a certain quantity of signs specific for a certain session. The configured set of coding units comprises two units. Only keys 1 through 6, 7 through 11, 13 through 15, 19 through 21, 24, 25 through 30, 33 through 36, 39, 40, 42 through 48, 50, 411, and 412 are couplable to the coding units of the group. In Figs. 29-32 these keys are marked by SE (SE for session) (according to dependent claim 3).

The combination of a complete first alphabet with a few characters of a related second alphabet, and the possibility to reconfigure the combination as shown here, offer considerable advantages to the user of a keyboard in comparison to a conventional keyboard, as he can start from a complete alphabet, for which he has learned the blind, touch driven typing in his country and in his own Language using his national keyboard, with the possibility to complete his knowledge in blind typing by learning a few characters of a foreign language which are different from the familiar ones.

Of course, this works only for related English plus German including Umlaute national characters A , 0, ϋ) according but not for a combination English plus capability of the system (see Figs. 31 aid of an example of a working session international business letters in Russ Russian alphabet is so large that for Ukrainian national characters (second and fourth level of designation of the as an opportunity of evasion. It is ev which are specific for a session, can with national alphabets. alphabets e.g.

(Umlaute = German t 0 Figs. 29 and 30, R u s s i a n . The and 32) i s s h own by for e d i t i ng i a n . The s i ze o f the the coding o f the language) the third keys has to be used ident that signs, be combined sensibly Description of the drawings In Figs. 1 and 2 , a preferred embodiment of the input device is shown; Fig. 1 represents a left and Fig. 2 a right part of an input device.

Fig. 1 shows a top view of the left part of the device, in which there are three smalt control panels 46101, 46102 and 46103 next to a left array of keys comprising 25 keys 1 through 24 and 411, the control panels comprising control lamps 46108 and label holders 46109 for each of six mechanical switching devices.

Fig. 2 shows a top view of the right part of the device, in which there are three small control panels 46104, 46105 and 46106 next to a right array of keys comprising 28 keys 25 through 50, 411 and 412, the control panels comprising lamps and label holders for each of the switching devices. Furthermore, a frame 52000, a cover plate 52003, a cable 54 as well as a control lamp 51 for the second shift key can be seen All conventional means are suitable as mechanical switching devices in Figs. 1 and 2, in particular and preferentially small keys as 46107 in Fig. 1 similar to those of pocket calculators, small toggle switches 46111 in Fig. 2, switches, handles, levers, knobs and the like; because these switching devices do not need to be suitable for a blind, touch driven and rhythmic actuation; instead, they are used as^means of a preconfiguratiοn for the keyboard. Figs. 3 and 4 show a left and right array of keys, respectively, in which the keys are arranged in a geometrically shifted order in respect to the arrays of keys of Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 5 shows an electronic circuit diagram with a first 83 and second 84 switching device for the first and second shift key, respectively, together with four coding units 70 to 73, a data bus 74 to 82 as well as symbols of key switches 60 to 66.

Fig. 6 shows an electronic circuit diagram for a key switch like 60 to 66 in Fig. 5, which comprises Schmitt trigger means 87 and a leak resistance 86.

Fig. 7 shows an electronic circuit diagram for the first switching device 83 in Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 shows an electronic circuit diagram for the second switching device 84 in Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 shows an electronic circuit diagram for a coding unit 70 to 73 in Fig. 5 comprising an AND-gate and a code unit for each key of the keyboard. Each code unit comprises diodes and 9 pairs of contacts.

Fig. 10A shows a side view of the right side wall 52004 of the left part of the device; Fig. 10B shows a side view of the left side wall 52005 of the right part of the device; furthermore, screw holes 55 to 58 are shown for screwing the parts of the input device together, as well as square shaped indentations 52006 and 52007 which may serve as an opening for cables, when the two parts of the device are screwed together.

Figs. 10C and 10D show top views onto the upper edges of the outside as well as the inside walls 52008 and 52009 of the left and right part of the input device, respectively; in the inner and backside walls, there are several openings and rectangular indentations (not shown); in the lateral spaces 52010 and 52013 auxiliary devices can be built in, such as power supplies, a conventional clock, a control unit for a data bus and the like, in addition to the control panels; in the main spaces 52011 and 52012 there are several electronic boards interconnected by means of plugs and cables and screwed together preferentially by aid of spacing rings and stapled or screwed singly at the side or internal walls; the frames as well as the cover plates 52000 and 52003 are screwed onto the upper edge of the outer or inner walls.

Furthermore, conventional metal lattices or other metal or plastic carriers can be screwed at the walls as supports of the keys .

Figs. 11 and 12 show electronic circuit diagrams, in which key actuation signals are generated for each key of the left and right array of keys, respectively.

Figs. 13 and 14 show details of the units 2000 and 2001, respectively, of Figs. 11 and 12.

Figs. 15 and 16 show working places suitable for the application of the input devices as presented here.

Fig. 17 shows a n electronic circuit diagram comprising a control panel 4601, a configuration control unit 4570, two 9 —b it-busses and two bus control un its 4710. Fig. 18 shows a n electronic circuit diagram comprising configuration control units 457, control panels 4601 through 4603 for precοnfiguring the keyboard for the needed signs specific t 0 each session according to claim 3, for preconfiguring the key boa rd for a complete a Ip h a be t according to cl a i m 4, or for preconfiguring the keyboa rd for an additional part of a second alphabet according to claim 5.

Figs. 19 and 20 are descriptive according to claim 6.

Figs. 21a, 21B, 2 2A, and 22B describe areas of Figs. 17-20 in greater detail.

Fig. 23 shows an electronic circuit diagram of coding units 702 of Figs. 18, 21 A, and 22A.

Fig. 24 shows an electronic circuit diagram of coding units 704 in Fig. 21A.

Fig. 25 shows a coding control unit 4580 of Figs. 19, 20, and 2 2 A .

Figs. 26, 27, and 28 are configuration control units 457, 4573, and 4570, respectively.

Figs. 29-32 alltogether represent an example of a switchable preconfiguration of key assignments.

Fig. 33 shows a third switching device 4580X for further embodiments of the invention. The third switching device 4580X is a reduced and rebuilt variant of the coding control unit of Fig. 25 and may replace a coding control unit in certain app I ications, in which one or both coding control units 4580 are superfluous in Figs. 19 and 20. In these applications, the control panel 45734 in Figs. 19 and 20 may be superfluous too; no coding signals are produced by the third switching device 4580X. The contact 199A of Fig. 33 is connected to one of the four control lines in Fig. 19, leaving from the second switching device 84 of Fig. 18; the same contact 199A can also be connected to one of the contacts 474141 and 474142 in Fig, 20. AND-gates are 1061, 1071, 1081, 1072, 1082, 1091; XOR-gates (exclusive OR) are 1161, 1171, 1181, 1172, 1182, 1192.

Claims (8)

1. An input device for a blind and rhythmic operation by the ten fingers of both human hands for a control of a data processing facility, comprising a left and a right'part, each of both parts comprising; an array of keys comprising: a number of single- or two-step-keys, as character keys of different alphabets, numeral keys, symbol keys, keys in support of graphics, space keys, computer control keys, programmable function keys, roboter control keys, carriage return keys, repeat keys, or the like as well as first shift keys 12, 18, 49, and a second shift key 41; an electronic circuitry comprising: contacts to an attached electronic power supply including a wall socket connector and a conventional electronic clock for generating a periodic rectangular wave of adjustable frequency, electronic switching means arid gates, contact means and Schmitt trigger means adjoined to each key for an improvement of signals, a number of coding units comprising each at least 6 code units first and a second switching device responsive to the first and second shift keys, respectively, a bus comprising 26 signal lines carrying key actuation signals to the coding units, an 18-bit-bus or two separate 9-bitbus means for transferring code signals to a data processing facility, a bus control unit comprising conventional 9-bit- or 18-bit-storage means for storing the latest code signal generated and conventional means for a sequenced input of the latest code signal generated into a data processing facility; several control panels each comprising: at least six conventional mechanical switching means and electrical contact means to be actuated by them, and coupled signal lines, and lamps, and label holders; said input device characterized; in that said second switching devices of both said parts of the input device are coupled each to a first, a second, and a third configuration control unit: each of said configuration control units being coupled additionally: to said mechanical switching means of a control panel with each configuration control unit coupled in addition to said mechanical switching means of a control panel, which allow for an arbitrary selection of at least three independent operational states of the adjoined configuration control unit; and to the corresponding configuration control unit in the other part of the input device; and to a number of said coding units and coding control units adjoined in the pertaining part of the input device, which are capable to generate code signals as well as simple control signals arbitrarily; each of said coding units and said coding control units being arranged to be controlled by one of said three configuration control means and to have couplings either to all or only to a part of said signal lines belonging to said bus of 26 lines for key actuation signals; and in that actuation of one of said mechanical switching means on said control panels devoted to selecting a working session, causes the adjoined configuration control unit to attain an operational state, in which, selectively, the configuration control unit makes accessible a limited number of coding units and coding control units of all of the adjoined coding units and coding control units, to a selection by means of said first and said second shift keys by means of said first and said second switching devices, so that those of said coding units and said coding control units get accessible from said keyboard which are needed in a single working session.

2. Input device as in claim 1, characterized; in that only a single configuration control unit 4570 is adjoined to said second switching devices in each part of the input device in such a way, that all four exit signals of the second switching device are transmitted to this configuration control unit; and in that the configuration control unit- has control lines to all coding units of the pertaining part and to the configuration control unit of the other part of the input device, so that said coding units are couplable arbitrarily to the signal lines carrying the actuation signals from keys 1 through 11, 13 through 17, and 19 through 24 in said left part of the input device, and 25 through 40, 42 through 48, 50, 411, and 412 in said right part of the device by means of one of a subquantity of two of all the configuration control units of said input device.

3. Input device as in claim 1, characterized; in that a second configuration control unit 457 adjoined to said second switching device in such only a third and a fourth of alltogether four ex of said second switching device are transmitted configuration control unit; and in that in each i s a way that it signals to the operational state of said configuration control unit, one unit of two, both belonging to a group of said coding units and said coding control units adjoined to said configuration control unit, is arranged to be coupled arbitrarily to the signal lines for the actuation signals from the keys 1 through 6, 7 through 9, 13 through 15, 19 through 21, and 24 in said left part of the input device, and 25 through 30, 33 through 36, 39, 40, 42 through 48, 50, 411, 412 in said right part of the input device by means of the first shift key to a-coupling state, so that, in both said arrays of keys together, and applying both coupling states, code signals can be created belonging to a certain set of signals specific to a session.

4. Input device as in claim 1, characterized; in that a second configuration control unit 457 is adjoined to said second switching device in such a way that only a first and second of alltogether four exit signals of said second switching device is transmitted to the configuration control unit; and in that for each operational state of said configuration control unit, one unit out of two, both belonging to a group of said coding units and said coding control units adjoined to said second configuration control unit, is arranged to be coupled arbitrarily to the signal lines for the actuation signals from the keys 1 through 11, 13 through 17, and 19 through 24 in said left part of the input device, and 25 through 29, 31 through 35, 37 through 40, 43 through 47, and 50 in said right part of the device by means of said first shift key to a coupling state, so that, in both said arrays of keys together, and applying both coupling states, code signals can be created belonging to a set of a complete alphabet, and the numerals and the other usual signs of the upper most row of the keys.

5. Input devices as in claim 1, characterized; in that a third configuration control unit 457 in said right part of the input device is adjoined to said second switching device in such a way that only the first and second of alltogether four exit signals of said second switching device is transmitted to the configuration control unit; and in that for each operational state of said configuration control unit, one unit out of two, both belonging to a group of said coding units and said coding control units adjoined to said configuration control unit, is arranged to be coupled arbitrarily to the signal lines for the actuation signals of the keys 30, 36, 42, 48, 411, and 412 in said right part of the input device by means of one of said first shift keys to a coupling state, so that, in said right array of keys and both coupling states, code signals can be created belonging to a part of an alphabet. and being specific to a related language or, upon desire, any other code signals.

6. Input device as in claim 1, characterized; in that said second switching devices of both parts of the input device are coupled to at least one first configuration control unit 457, with said configuration control unit being adjoined in such a way to said second switching device that only said third and fourth of alltogether four exit signals of said second switching device are transmitted to said configuration control unit; and in that the configuration control unit is coupled to at least two auxiliary configuration control units 4573, which are coupled in their turn to a number of adjoined coding units and a coding control unit 4580, which is connected to said two auxiliary configuration control units by means of configuration lines 4582 through 4585 and a reset line 4581, which can emit both code signals to a bus and simple control signals to said configuration lines depending on a selection determined by adjusting of mechanical switching devices on a control panel 45734, so that nearly all keys of both said arrays of keys can adopt the function of additional shift keys, when they get coupled by means of signals from said bus of 26 lines for key actuation signals of apart of the input device to coding control units 4580.

7. Input device as in claim 1, characterized; in that a number of said coding control units 4580 is couplable to a reset line 45733 which can be connected by a connection 4579 and a cable to all configuration control units of the complete keyboard so that nearly all said keys of both said arrays of keys can adopt the function of a general reset key, when the signal line belonging to the key in said bus of 26 signal lines for key actuation signals of a part of the input device has been made couplable to the reset line 45733. 8. Input dev- ice as in claim 1, characterized; in that said left array of keys comprises a control key 410 which can have the function of said repeat key or of a second shift key in addition to said second shift key 41, arbitrarily, the function of said key being determined by opening or closing of two switches 2008 and 2009. - 36 9. An input device for a blind and rhythmic operation by the ten fingers of both human hands for a control of a data processing facility substantially in accordance with any of the embodiments as herein described with reference to and 5 as shown in the accompanying drawings.

8. 10. The features described in the foregoing specification, or any obvious equivalent thereof, in any novel selection.