Daniel G Power

US Patent:

46156291, Oct 7, 1986

Filed:

Apr 24, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/603315

Inventors:

Daniel J. Power - College Park MD

International Classification:

B41J 510

US Classification:

400486

Abstract:

An input keyboard arrangement is provided for microcomputers, computer terminals, and other devices for processing alphanumeric information. The keyboard arrangement facilitates entry of information by non-typists, increases keying accuracy, enables use of the three strongest fingers for depressing keys, and minimizes the time needed to master the keyboard. The keyboard is arranged in a vertical layout with a pair of enter keys, and elongate shift and space bars located around the perimeter of the key arrangement. Each letter of the alphabet is represented by an individidual key and the alphabetic keys are arranged in alphabetical order in nine rows with three keys per row so as to facilitate human information processing. Specifically, the keys of the first row are arranged, sinistrally, as c-b-a or, dextrally, as a-b-c, the second row f-e-d or d-e-f, and so on, with the pattern continuing to the ninth row which contains the keys "z-y" or "y-z. " A number pad, function keys, cursor control keys, and punctuation keys are also placed so as to facilitate use by non-typists.