Abstract: A method for translating stenographic strokes includes the steps of receiving a series of stenographic strokes, creating a table of translations of one or more strokes within the series of strokes, sequentially assigning a score to each of the one or more strokes, determining at least one alternate translation to at least one of the translations in the table of translations, ranking the translations and alternate translations based on an accumulation of the score of the strokes within, and selecting one of the ranked translations or one of the ranked alternate translations based on a best score.

Abstract: A keyboard assembly for a stenographic machine includes character keys with a first set of vowel keys that, at a first rest position, together define a first upper touch surface plane, a second set of keys that, at a second rest position, together define a second upper touch surface plane that is higher than the first plane, with each of the second set of keys having a fully depressed position lower than the second plane by a given distance and a key actuator to be operationally connected to a respective key sensor for registering movement of the respective key. A third key assembly has a third assembly key with an upper touch surface that, at a third rest position, is further from the second upper touch surface plane than the given distance, and a third key actuator to be operationally connected to a respective third-key-assembly key sensor for registering movement of the at least one key.

Abstract: A keyboard assembly for a stenographic machine includes character keys with a first set of vowel keys that, at a first rest position, together define a first upper touch surface plane, a second set of keys that, at a second rest position, together define a second upper touch surface plane that is higher than the first plane, with each of the second set of keys having a fully depressed position lower than the second plane by a given distance and a key actuator to be operationally connected to a respective key sensor for registering movement of the respective key. A third key assembly has a third assembly key with an upper touch surface that, at a third rest position, is further from the second upper touch surface plane than the given distance, and a third key actuator to be operationally connected to a respective third-key-assembly key sensor for registering movement of the at least one key.

Abstract: A stenographic device includes a display, a memory, keys of a stenographic keyboard, each key having a resting position where the key is un-actuated, a depressed position where the key is actuated to register a key stroke, and a range of depression positions therebetween, and a processor communicatively coupled to the display, memory, and the keys. The processor causes the display to graphically show a respective depression indicator of a current one of the depression positions for each of the keys, stores in the memory a respective key-press registration point for each of the keys, the registration point being a depression position located within the range of depression positions and indicating when the respective key is in the actuated state, and causes the display to graphically show a respective registration indicator corresponding to the stored registration point for each of the keys.

Abstract: A stenotype keyboard utilizes pressure sensitive tactile sensors to register key presses and output interpreted keystrokes. The pressure sensitive tactile sensors are illuminated internally and create detectible changes to the electromagnetic radiation when compressed. The detectible changes are picked up by sensors and analyzed to determine which keys are pressed and the appropriate keystrokes are generated. Keystrokes are then either output or stored in memory for later retrieval. The pressure sensitive tactile sensors facilitate creating keyboard configurations such as combination hybrid keyboards that have both computer style layouts and stenotype keyboard layouts.

Abstract: A word transcription keyboard utilizing at least one keypad which is available for access by a finger of the user. A second keypad accessible to the finger of the user is extended and terminated in a press pad for allowing contact of the palm region of the hand simultaneously with the pressing of the at least one finger accessible keypad.

Abstract: A collapsible keyboard includes a middle subframe, and right and left subframes respectively disposed at and connected to two sides of the middle subframe by two levers, each of which is pivotally mounted on each pair of the adjacent subframes. Thus, the right and left subframes are swingable relative to the middle subframe between a deployed position, where the subframes are aligned with each other in a row, and a collapsed position, where the left and right subframes are superimposed upon and abut against the middle subframe.

Abstract: A keyboard device, in which the rotation of a cover to a closed position is transferred to racks via pawls attached to the shaft of the cover. The force applied by the pawls forces the racks to slide in the direction E and causes cam gears to rotate in the counterclockwise direction. Cam grooves in the cam gears also move in the rotated direction of the cam gears, forcing operating pins engaged in the cam grooves to slide from a first engaging position to a second engaging position. While the operating pins slide relative to the cam grooves, sliding of a circuit board orthogonal to the direction C is corrected by the engaged condition of guide slots and guide pins. Therefore, the operating pins are pressed against the supporting shaft sides of the cam grooves and slid in the C direction, relative to the cam grooves, to the second engaging position. Accordingly, a reinforcer on which the operating pin is fixed and the circuit board are slid in the direction C.

Abstract: A stenotype machine has a casing with a rear panel and a front panel. The casing is substantially symmetrical with respect to a plane bisecting and perpendicular to the rear and front panels. The casing further has a top panel intersecting the front panel at an upper edge thereof and of maximum width at its intersection with the front panel. The machine further includes a keyboard with keys on first, second, third and fourth additional panels which have keys to be operated by the user's right thumb, right fingers, left thumb and left fingers. The second and fourth additional panels intersect vertical side edges of the front panel and make an angle of 60.degree.-70.degree. with each other. The first and third additional panels intersect the second and fourth additional panels, respectively. The second additional panel intersects the first additional panel at right angles thereto and the fourth additional panel intersects the third additional panel at right angles thereto.

Abstract: A stenographic machine includes a keyboard having a first area containing keys designated for at least some of numerals "1", "2", "3", "4", "5", "6", "7", "8" and "9", a second area containing keys designated for consonant letters, a third area containing, in order from left to right, keys designated for vowel letters "A", "O", "E" and "U", a first additional key designated for numeral "5" and a second additional key designated for numeral "0". The additional keys are located elsewhere than in the first area and are preferably directly below the keys designated for the letters "A" and "O".

Abstract: A stenographic machine of the type having a platen means for supporting a paper tape and a memory means for electronically storing stenographic notes as well as a plurality of keys and associated electromechanical elements for recording testimony and proceedings on the paper tape or electronic memory. More particularly, the stenographic machine and the present invention includes a note marker assembly including at least one input key which is electromechanically connected to initiate the translation of an ink pad into contact with the paper tape, and for simultaneously inserting an electronic mark into a memory means.

Abstract: An ergometrically improved computer of typewriter keyboard having the keys arranged and designated so that they are operated using finger movements which substantially mimic those currently employed by a typist using a standard "QWERTY" keyboard. The keyboard is divided into two separate sections, one of which is intended to be used by the right hand of the operator and the other of which is intended to be used by the left hand to permit independent positioning of the two sections relative to one another. Each keyboard section includes a housing having a raised central portion designed to ergometrically support and steady the hands of the operator, in a natural relaxed position from which all of the keys may be operated without significant hand movement. The fingers and thumb are positioned in respective cavities each having a plurality of push button key switches arranged therein for engagement by the thumb and fingers, with a minimal and unique finger movement required to actuate any key.

Abstract: A chordic keyboard including chordic data entry locations corresponding to the five fingers of the human hand and correlation apparatus for correlating a set of chordic data entry location engagement combinations to a set of letters in accordance with a code which is characterized in that available data entry location engagement combinations are arranged in a plurality of groups, the engagement combinations in each group having a predetermined relationship among their fingering patterns, each group being matched with letters forming a recognizable combination of letters, whereby the fingering patterns are readily memorizable.

Abstract: A word typewriter is disclosed. An entire syllable is typed by simultaneously pressing a chord of keys on a keyboard. The chord of keys is decoded according to certain decoding rules and priority rules. The invention produces an output of written text in standard format. The invention produces an output in standard format like a conventional typewriter, but at a speed which is faster than a conventional shorthand machine. A butterfly-shaped keyboard is used which has a center group of vowel keys. Eleven of the most frequently used consonants are placed on either side of the vowel keys, which are arranged in mirror images of each other. Less frequently used letters which are missing from the keyboard are formed by simultaneously pressing two keys.

Abstract: A quasi-steno keyboard permits text entry into a computer either by standard letter-by-letter typing or by stenotyping. The keys of the keyboard are arranged in three parallel rows with the tops of the keys in the first and second rows being substantially coplanar and the tops of at least four keys in the third row being coplanar and lower than those in the first and second rows. The four keys in the third row are laterally centered in the keyboard and are positioned, with respect to the keys of the first and second rows, such that a thumb can rest comfortably on each of these keys when an index or other finger of the same hand rests on a crack between adjacent keys in the first and second rows.

Abstract: A keyboard for use with a stenographic transcription and translating assembly possessing word processing capabilities having horizontal and vertical groupings of keys indicating the generation of signals characterizing consonant and vowel letters or non-phonetic language construction command instructions such as transcribing translation or word processing instructions.

Abstract: U.S. Pat. No. 4,067,431 discloses a combinational keyboard in which keys are operated in combinations much as a piano is played. A combination being those keys which are depressed between two periods in which no keys are depressed. Each combination generates a coded character. The present invention covers a modification of this keyboard system in which the character keyed depends upon the sequence in which the keys of the combination are operated as well as upon the combination itself. The preferred system permits the character set of a six-key one-handed keyboard to be expanded to 198 characters. Cost of the keyboard--about sixty grams of silver.

Abstract: A shorthand typewriting machine includes a standard keyboard having two rows of upper keys respectively corresponding to consonant characters and an asterisk character all positioned for operation by the fingers, and a lower row of keys respectively corresponding to vowel characters and disposed for operation by the thumbs. An extension key is attachable to the asterisk key for ganged operation therewith, the extension key being disposed in use in the lower row of keys for operation by the thumbs in conjunction with any one or more of the vowel keys for readily printing an asterisk character in conjunction with a vowel character to indicate the long sound thereof. A retractable extension key is shown which can be retracted when not in use and a detachable extension key is shown which can be removed completely from the asterisk key when not in use.