TH19164B - Keyboard layout - Google Patents

Abstract

DC60 (03/12/46) A keyboard for entering numeric and alphanumeric sequences, for example, a personal computer keyboard, is revealed where the alphanumeric characters are arranged character by character to facilitate the identification of their locations. A keyboard for entering numeric and alphanumeric sequences, for example, a personal computer keyboard, is revealed where the alphanumeric characters are arranged character by character to facilitate the identification of their locations.

Claims (5)

1. A keyboard is an input device used with a computer to enter numeric and alphabetical sequences. The keys corresponding to letters are arranged in alphabetical order. The first row contains the letters A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J; the second row contains K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S; and the third row contains T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z. The keyboard also includes additional function keys and a space key. The first row of letters is positioned as far away from the space key as possible, and there are mechanisms for switching between character layouts, typically in the character-by-character or QWERTY layout. 2. A keyboard based on claim 1, where each row contains characters arranged in sequential order, read from left to right. 3. A keyboard based on claim 1, where each row contains characters arranged alphabetically, read from right to left. 4. A keyboard under claim 1 where the characters in the middle row of the three rows are read in the opposite direction to the other two rows. 5. The keyboard, as entitled by any of the claims made herein, whereby the means for such switching consist of an application program that is software in the computer's processor.