Computer keyboard with dial for entering repetitive data and commands

A computer system comprising a keyboard including a plurality of keys mounted on a supporting frame, scanning and processing means for generating commands and data units in response to activations of said keys, communication means for transmitting said commands and said data units from said scanning and processing means, and

• a rotatable dial manually operable for production of sequences of repeated commands and data units, wherein said rotatable dial is rotatably mounted on said supporting frame and has a center, a rotation axis passing through said center and an exposed operating surface and said dial is rotatable by contact of at least one finger of an operator with said operating surface at a plurality of radial positions spaced from said center;
• transducer means for generating an output signal according to an angular rotation speed of said dial in predetermined incremental angular units;
• means for generating said sequences of said repeated commands and said data units from said output signal;
• at least two of said keys being positioned in the proximity of said dial so as to provide easy access of said keys;
• a plurality of auxiliary keys for switching frequently used ones of said commands and data units, said auxiliary keys being positioned alongside said dial so as to allow simultaneous operation of said dial and at least one of said auxiliary keys by a single hand of said operator;
• and means for modifying said sequences of said repeated commands and data units by activation of said keys when said dial is rotated by said operator.