Alphanumeric character layouts for input devices
OwnerKwok Chung Wonginventor
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Abstract
An embodiment of the present invention discloses a method and apparatus for arranging alphanumeric characters on an input device according to their similarity to Arabic numerals. These similarities are visibly apparent and recognizable patterns, which makes the arrangement user-friendly and promotes ease of learning and improved retention of alphanumeric key layout. In other embodiments of the present invention, Greek and Russian characters are arranged on an input device in a layout also in accordance with similarity to Arabic numerals. Embodiments of the present invention also disclose an ergonomic input device which implements the layout of characters according to similarity to numerals.
Claims20
A method for arrangement of letter and number characters on keys of an input device comprising:
- dividing letter and number characters into a plurality of groups;
- assigning a number value to each letter and number character in said groups based on a character's structural similarity to a number or some other similarity between the character and a number;
- and
- arranging said letter and number characters to a plurality of keys on an input device based on the number value assigned to each character.
An input device having a plurality of keys arranged in rows, and having characters assigned to at least some of the plurality of keys, and having said characters assigned a numerical value, wherein
- an order of characters on a top row of keys is determined by arranging said characters in a series from according to an incremental decrease in the numerical value of a character from the numerical value of a previous character assigned to said top row;
- an order of characters on a row directly below said top row whose order of characters is determined by arranging the characters in a series according to an incremental increase in the numerical value of a character from the numerical value of a previous character assigned to said row;
- and
- an order of characters on a bottom row directly below a previous row whose order of characters is determined by arranging the characters in a series according to an incremental decrease in the numerical value of a character from the numerical value of a previous character assigned to said bottom row.
An input device having a plurality of keys arranged in rows, and having alphanumeric characters assigned to at least some of the keys, and having said alphanumeric characters assigned a numerical value, wherein:
- an order of characters on a top row of keys is determined by assigning a character to each of said top row of keys on a left half of the top row according to an incremental decrease in the numerical value of a character from left to right, and assigning a character to each of said top row of keys on a right half of the top row according to an incremental increase in the numerical value of a character from left to right;
- and
- an order of characters on a row of keys directly below said top row is determined by assigning a character to each of said row keys on a left half of the row according to an incremental increase in the numerical value of a character from left to right, and assigning a character to each of said row keys on a right half of the row according to an incremental decrease in the numerical value of a character from left to right;
- and
- an order of characters on a bottom row of keys directly below the previous row of keys is determined by assigning a character to each of said bottom row keys according to an incremental increase in the numerical value of a character from left to right.
An input device having a plurality of keys comprising
- an upper section of keys arranged essentially in a plurality of columns, and a lower section of keys;
- wherein said upper section of keys are assigned a plurality of characters and said lower section of keys are assigned a plurality of function keys.
An input device having a plurality of keys arranged in rows, and having characters assigned to at least some of the keys, and having said characters assigned a numerical value, wherein
- a plurality of Arabic letter characters are arranged on a top row of letter keys, on a second row of letter keys below the top row, and on a third row of letter keys below the second row;
- a plurality of Greek letter characters are arranged on a fourth row of letter keys below the third row, on a fifth row of letter keys below the fourth row, and on a sixth row of letter keys below the fifth row;
- wherein an order of each row of letter keys is determined by assigning one of a series of characters to each key, according to an incremental increase in the numerical value assigned to a character from left to right and beginning from said top row, and each character in each subsequent row increasing in numerical value over each character in a previous row.
An input device having a plurality of keys arranged in rows, and having characters assigned to at least some of the keys, and having said characters assigned a numerical value, wherein
- a plurality of numerical characters are arranged on a top row of keys,
- a plurality of Russian letter characters are arranged on a second row of letter keys below the top row, on a third row of letter keys below the second row, and on a fourth row of letter keys below the third row,
- wherein an order of each row of letter keys is determined by assigning one of a series of characters to each key, according to an incremental increase in the numerical value assigned to a character from left to right.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.