Key-board Arranged According To Character Location Patents (Class 400/486)
  • Patent number: 11749130
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and related methods of teaching pre-keyboarding and keyboarding on a QWERTY-style keyboard wherein a color-coded row-based metaphorical and visual cuing system is used in a curriculum to make foundational keyboarding skills easy-to-teach and easy-to-learn, including: unilateral hand/finger skills, Home Row hand/finger positions, relational position of symbol location, and the essential keystroke spectrum of Home Row positioning-based finger movements of the left and right hand. The invention provides a dynamic virtual keyboard with colored rows which hexfurcates the QWERTY layout into left- and right-handed row sections, independently toggling the visibility of each in a developmental order to teach keyboarding skills in incremental steps rather than all at once. The invention further provides a dynamic cursor that uses visual indicators that mirror the visual cuing system to reinforce instruction with the dynamic virtual keyboard and aid keyboarding accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: NO TEARS LEARNING, INC.
    Inventors: Janice Z. Olsen, Emily Knapton, Eric Olsen, Robert Walnock, Hank Isaac, Ralph Sklarew
  • Patent number: 11221756
    Abstract: A keyboard is divided into a number of large zones each large zone having a number of small zones. The large zones, together, include substantially all of the letters of a language. A word predictive system analyzes the user's interaction with the large zones relating to the small zones to predict a word.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Inventor: Benjamin Firooz Ghassabian
  • Patent number: 11003838
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a risk-reduced word price for editing. The editing can be of a document, for example, that has been translated by a human or a machine. A system and method may include providing to one or more preferred editors a first portion of editing jobs from a batch job. In some aspects, the system and method may include receiving an editing time of the one or more preferred editors editing the first portion of editing jobs. In further aspects, the system and method can include calculating a word price for editing a remaining portion of editing jobs of the batch job based on the editing time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: SDL Inc.
    Inventor: Gert Van Assche
  • Patent number: 10942582
    Abstract: There is provided herein an improved keyboard layout that has a particular alphabetical, numerical, functional and symbolic key layout that enhances keyboard layout compactness and hand specialisation. The symbolic key layout allows for the incorporation of a much larger symbol character set wherein more frequently used symbols are more readily accessible and more conveniently located. This particular layout may be overlaid with extended Latin and, in embodiments, Greek characters to facilitate typing of most Western European languages in ways which do not affect the symbol key layout, facilitates finding of extended characters and offers one-to-one key mappings between basic and extended symbols for each language.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Inventor: Victor Petersen
  • Patent number: 10338810
    Abstract: Provided is an overloaded keypad layout which is efficient, ergonomic, unambiguous, intuitive to operate, and also familiar to the average user in its letter arrangement. More particularly, the overloaded keypad layout comprises four rows, and a space-key is positioned in the third row from bottom, and is QWERTY-like its letter arrangement. Further, the multitap input method or selector (select-the-next-letter key) input method may be employed to disambiguate the overloaded keypad layout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventors: Joon Shin, Hyun Woo Shin
  • Patent number: 9983690
    Abstract: Provided is an overloaded keypad layout which is efficient, ergonomic, unambiguous, intuitive to operate, and also familiar to the average user in its letter arrangement. More particularly, the overloaded keypad layout comprises four rows, and a space-key is positioned in the third row from bottom, and is QWERTY-like its letter arrangement. Further, the multitap input method or selector (select-the-next-letter key) input method may be employed to disambiguate the overloaded keypad layout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Inventors: Joon Shin, Hyun Woo Shin
  • Patent number: 9933857
    Abstract: An apparatus for entering alphabetic data into a computer or other electronic or mechanical devices with a keyboard, wherein: the alphabet letters are placed in an ordered arrangement, the vowels are grouped together, the vowels are all placed on the left side of the keyboard, each vowel has the same color code, the consonants are arranged in groups, the consonant groups are arranged from left to right in alphabetic group order, each consonant group has a specific color code, two groups of consonants have the same color, and letters in each consonant group are arranged vertically across the three rows of the keyboard, with the exception of the JK consonant group which is arranged horizontally on a single row of the keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Paul Francis Streitz
  • Patent number: 9678954
    Abstract: Computer-implemented techniques can include capturing, by a microphone associated with a computing device having one or more processors, a speech input from a user, the speech input comprising a single word in a source language, and in response to receiving the speech input from the user, performing a plurality of actions. The plurality of actions can include identifying, by the computing device, the source language of the single word and a target language that is associated with the user, obtaining, by the computing device, one or more translated words that are each a potential translation of the single word to the target language, obtaining, by the computing device, lexicon data for the one or more translated words, the lexicon data relating to at least one semantic meaning of the one or more translated words, and displaying, by the computing device, the lexicon data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Jay Cuthbert, Barak Turovsky
  • Patent number: 9542099
    Abstract: A virtual, touch-sensitive rectangular panel and a method of use for said panel for inputting characters and punctuation, including a lookup table for words of one or two characters, including an algorithm to determine the intended word from a dictionary cross-referencing unique angular sequences for every word in the English language, plus custom words.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Inventor: William Linden
  • Patent number: 9436348
    Abstract: A portable electronic device is provided. The portable electronic device includes a memory storing instructions. The portable electronic device also includes a processor executing the instructions to perform a plurality of operations. The operations may include detecting that a first key of the portable electronic device is being touched and held. The operations may also include detecting a key tapping action associated with a second key of the portable electronic device while the first key of the portable electronic device is being touched and held. The first and second keys of the portable electronic device may be located at a first and a second location of the portable electronic device respectively. The operations may further include determining a cursor direction based on the first location and the second location, and moving a position of a cursor in the cursor direction for one or more spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Jeffrey Charles Bos
  • Patent number: 9250710
    Abstract: A device with a user interface includes a display screen, input keys, and a controller that is configured to control the display screen to display a three by three matrix of fields wherein each of the fields may contain a symbol, and wherein the controller is further interfaced with a number of the input keys, for example four selection keys or eight selection keys, in such a way that one of the symbols is selected by operation of at least one of these selection keys and some of the symbols are selected by simultaneous operation of two or more of the selection keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Inventor: John Mølgaard
  • Patent number: 9176591
    Abstract: The present invention provides a Data Entry Device for computers and other devices. An embodiment of the present invention provides a Data Entry Device combining a keyboard and pointing device for computers and other devices; The Data Entry Device of the present invention introduces a completely new ergonomic construction for all keys. In the Data Entry Device of the present invention the keyboard and pointing device can both be used without shifting the hands from its initial resting position and where the shift key has to be used only for capitals and a few rarely used punctuations and symbols. The vowels are all on one side thus making them easy to access and use. All the letters are arranged so that on maximum occasions the letters are alternating between hands. The character keys are separated into alphabets, numerals, mathematical operators, punctuations and symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Inventor: Prem Kumar Nair
  • Patent number: 9172669
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods and computer-readable storage medium are provided for security provisioning at a communication device. In some embodiments, a method can include: executing a high security application on a communication device based, at least, on detecting that high security is enabled for the communication device and detecting execution of a low security application; outputting, via a user interface (UI), information configured to detect an entry to the communication device; detecting an entry at the UI of the communication device; determining whether the entry corresponds to security access information stored in the communication device; and providing access to the communication device based, at least, on determining that the entry corresponds to the security access information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: AT&T MOBILITY II LLC
    Inventors: Cristy Swink, Jason Sikes, Benjamin Fineman, Jonathan Solis Snydal, Sara Louise Todd, Thomas L. Rohrer, Dhana Dhanasarnsombat
  • Patent number: 9164592
    Abstract: The invention provides a keypad comprising at least consonant keys and vowel keys such that the vowel keys are arranged in a column between two edge columns of consonant keys, or in a row between two edge rows of consonant keys, wherein the consonant keys other than Z follow an alphabetic progression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Ideatron Pty Ltd
    Inventor: John Lambie
  • Publication number: 20150030367
    Abstract: A keyboard is provided having 26 letters assigned to only 16 to 21 keys, and preferably 21 keys. This advantageous system of typing makes use of either one or two hands. The 26 letters of the English alphabet are all displayed. Five keys have two letters—those letters are PQ, JK, UW, VX and YZ for a total of ten letters. Sixteen keys have one letter assigned to each key—namely the letters A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, L, M, O, N, R, S and T for a total of sixteen letters assigned to a specific key—for a total of 26 letters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventor: Marvin BLUMBERG
  • Patent number: 8931969
    Abstract: The invention provides large, vertically elongated keyboard keys strategically chosen and positioned above the alphanumeric section of a standard keyboard (e.g. a laptop PC keyboard) to provide a more ergonomic keyboard arrangement. The invention provides for keys that appropriately address the needs of touch typists when striking frequently used keys located above the alphanumeric section of the keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Aaron M. Stewart, Hiroki Hirano, David W. Hill, Mitsuo Horiuchi, Tomoyuki Takahashi, Kazuo Nakada, Go Osaki
  • Patent number: 8858102
    Abstract: A small size electron equipment keyboard, comprises a character area (101), a center key-press area (200), a left key-press area (103), a right key-press area (104) and a bottom key-press area (105), the letters in the center key-press area (200) which are arranged in regular trapezoidal shape according to the alphabet order, first from left to right, then from top to bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Hangzhou Kind-Tao Technologies Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Hongming Jiang
  • Patent number: 8824669
    Abstract: A keyboard includes a plurality of keys each of which is associated with indicia corresponding to at least one of alphabetic characters, numbers, or commands. The keys of the plurality of keys associated with alphabetic characters number fewer than 26 and greater than nine. No more than two alphabetic characters are associated with each of the keys associated with alphabetic characters. At least one of the keys associated with alphabetic characters is associated with two alphabetic characters and at least one number. The numbers are arranged and displayed in the format of a phone keypad and the letters are arranged and displayed in a keyboard layout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Blackberry Limited
    Inventor: Jason T. Griffin
  • Publication number: 20140161503
    Abstract: A keyboard is provided having 26 letters assigned to only 17 to 21 keys, and preferably 21 keys. This advantageous system of typing makes use of either one or two hands. The 26 letters of the English alphabet are all displayed. Five keys have two letters—those letters are PQ, JK, UW, VX and YZ for a total of ten letters. Sixteen keys have one letter assigned to each key—namely the letters A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, L, M, O, N, R, S and T for a total of sixteen letters assigned to a specific key—for a total of 26 letters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventor: Marvin BLUMBERG
  • Patent number: 8749962
    Abstract: A mobile computing device is disclosed. The mobile computing device comprises a housing that includes a section to retain a keypad assembly. The keypad assembly includes at least a keypad façade that carries a plurality of keys. The keypad façade of the keypad assembly is contoured to adjoin and be substantially flush with the section of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Wilhelmus Crooijmans, Yoshimichi Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 8734036
    Abstract: In a preferred form, a keyboard has a single row of eight multi-position keys with the letters arranged in a standard QWERTY keyboard configuration. The eight keys correspond to the eight fingers used when touch typing; each finger operates one key, and that key contains all the letters that the finger normally accesses when touch typing on a standard QWERTY keyboard. With this design, no finger has to move to a different key while typing. When depressed at different locations on its key face, each key either moves straight down, or down while tilting slightly about one of a plurality of axes. Three-position keys have two tilt axes and six-position keys have five tilt axes. The keys utilize contacts located on the bottom of the keys which may be conductive or nonconductive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventor: Steven B. Hirsch
  • Patent number: 8648737
    Abstract: A telephone keypad for one touch text messaging the QWERTY pattern of keys in a matrix of nine keys. Using the multi position biasing keys only one touch is needed for each character, so in use to input the letter “C” you touch one key one time, decreasing the time spend text messaging from cell phones or desk tops and dialing phone numbers advertised in letters. The keypad also has a shift key to get upper case included in the nine keys, and a 2nd key to double functionality of the keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Inventor: James Harrison Bowen
  • Patent number: 8565419
    Abstract: The array of keys constituting a numeric phone keypad on a mobile communication device only partially overlaps the array of keys that make up the text input keypad creating an offset so that only subsets of the keys constituting the two keypads are common to both. With this configuration, the numeric phone keypad can be more easily distinguished from the text input keypad while still reaping the benefits of having some shared keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Krishna K. Pathiyal
  • Patent number: 8559622
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for telephony tone signal and character code generation for QWERTY keyboards includes a QWERTY style keyboard, a processor and a keyboard mode control software module. The QWERTY style keyboard has a plurality of letter keys, wherein each letter key is configured to generate a unique input signal. The processor is coupled to the keyboard and is configured to convert each unique input signal generated by the letter keys into a character code and/or a telephony tone signal. The keyboard mode control software module operates on the processor, and controls whether the processor converts the unique input signals from the letter keys into character codes or telephony tone signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Wen Zhao, Runbo Fu, Xin Jin, Pokin Yeung, Karen A. Rudnitski
  • Patent number: 8459885
    Abstract: A compact alphanumeric keyboard providing the clock face familiarity for ease of learning and ease of use, with at least twenty eight alphanumeric keys, where the keys are arranged in a first set of twelve keys, a second set of twelve keys, and a third set of four alphanumeric keys. The first set and second set of keys are arranged to correspond with positions of a set of twelve hours on a clock face and the first set, second set, and third set are concentric with respect to a center, where the ratio of the radii of the first bounding circle, second bounding circle, and third bounding circle is substantially square root of seven, two, and one so that each of the plurality of key areas have substantially of equal area. Each of the at least twenty-eight alphanumeric keys has an indicia surface for being comfortably pressed by a finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: Byung Kon Min
  • Publication number: 20130142558
    Abstract: A keyboard includes a housing, a frame surrounding the housing, and a plurality of keys arranged in a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows. The keyboard is movable between a closed configuration and an expanded configuration, and the keys are accessible in both the closed and expanded configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Jason Tyler GRIFFIN, Roman Peter RAK
  • Patent number: 8454253
    Abstract: Disclosed is an arrangement of keypads, entitled Cenky Keyboards, which are uniquely-designed keyboard layouts that utilize data entry keypads having the letters of the English language arranged in natural alphabetical order. This arrangement, or layout, is applicable to electronic hand-held or desktop computing, typing, and calculating devices, and assists users in locating letters and typing more efficiently. Letters A through Z are arranged alphabetically on the keyboard, either horizontally in rows or vertically in columns, thus facilitating quick typing. This product may be used in conjunction with any i-pad, smart phone, computer, or other devices, including those with fixed keyboards, touch screens, and slider keyboards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventor: Frank Andrew Cenky
  • Patent number: 8413904
    Abstract: A keyboard layout for a handheld electronic book device is described herein. The device includes a display screen adapted for displaying visible representations of textual or graphic content related to the electronic book. The device also includes a keyboard for controlling presentation of the content. The keyboard includes two sets of keys. A first set of keys is arranged in an arcuate configuration relative to a first point of reference on the device. A second set of keys is arranged in an arcuate configuration relative to a second point of reference on the device. The second point of reference is spaced from the first point of reference on the device. One or more of the first set of keys and one or more of the second set of keys are arranged in a horizontal row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventors: Gregg E. Zehr, John E. Johnston, Symon J. Whitehorn, Thomas J. Hobbs
  • Patent number: 8391468
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for telephony tone signal and character code generation for QWERTY keyboards includes a QWERTY style keyboard, a processor and a keyboard mode control software module. The QWERTY style keyboard has a plurality of letter keys, wherein each letter key is configured to generate a unique input signal. The processor is coupled to the keyboard and is configured to convert each unique input signal generated by the letter keys into a character code and/or a telephony tone signal. The keyboard mode control software module operates on the processor, and controls whether the processor converts the unique input signals from the letter keys into character codes or telephony tone signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Ltd
    Inventors: Wen Zhao, Runbo Fu, Xin Jin, Pokin Yeung, Karen A. Rudnitski
  • Patent number: 8325150
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a physical overlay that can be secured to a mobile device and that covers at least a portion of the mobile device's user interface. The overlay includes a front portion that has input areas, which may be openings or physical keys. The mobile device detects or is told that the overlay is installed, and the mobile device receives configuration data associated with the overly that tells the mobile device the locations of the input areas on the overlay so that the user interface can be adjusted accordingly. The overlay also includes side portions that allow the overlay to be secured to the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Raymond Emilio Reeves, Ryan Alan Wick
  • Patent number: 8284078
    Abstract: An exemplary control method includes the following steps. Judging if a hot key is pressed. Updating a data in a data field when the hot key is pressed. Judging if a first function key is pressed. When the first function key is pressed, outputting a first key code according to the data in the data field and the first function key. Executing a first service process according to the first key code. A control system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Giga-Byte Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Hao Lin
  • Patent number: 8269123
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image display device having a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), which can maintain a primary color which is desired to be expressed, and prevent an interference of other unwanted colors and a change of the primary color at the time of application of a light source of each light emitting diode. The image display device comprises: a first optical filter layer containing a violet wavelength-absorbing material having a wavelength range of from 380 nm to 450 nm such as Bi2O3 so as to prevent light having a wavelength ranging from 380 nm to 450 nm from being leaked out to an undesired region of an image display portion of the image display device; and a second optical filter layer such as a blue color filter layer so as to allow a white light to be expressed in a desired region of the image display portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyeon Jin Shin, Jae Young Choi, Dong Kee Yi, Seong Jae Choi, Seonmi Yoon
  • Patent number: 8226308
    Abstract: The keyboard of the present invention provides an ergonomic layout having a configuration divided into two halves, with half the standard keys normally associated with a user's left hand positioned on the left side of the board while the other keys normally associated with a user's right hand are positioned on the right side of the board, the centers being shoulder width apart. The spacing enables users to type comfortably with keystrokes that feel natural and correct. For example, the left parenthesis button may be positioned on the left side while the right parenthesis may be positioned on the right side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Inventor: Alfred Saviour Borg
  • Publication number: 20120114406
    Abstract: Disclosed is an arrangement of keypads, entitled Cenky Keyboards, which are uniquely-designed keyboard layouts that utilize data entry keypads having the letters of the English language arranged in natural alphabetical order. This arrangement, or layout, is applicable to electronic hand-held or desktop computing, typing, and calculating devices, and assists users in locating letters and typing more efficiently. Letters A through Z are arranged alphabetically on the keyboard, either horizontally in rows or vertically in columns, thus facilitating quick typing. This product may be used in conjunction with any i-pad, smart phone, computer, or other devices, including those with fixed keyboards, touch screens, and slider keyboards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventor: Frank Cenky
  • Patent number: 8098814
    Abstract: A keyboard includes a plurality of keys each of which is associated with indicia corresponding to at least one of alphabetic characters, numbers, or commands. The keys of the plurality of keys associated with alphabetic characters number fewer than 26 and greater than nine. No more than two alphabetic characters are associated with each of the keys associated with alphabetic characters. At least one of the keys associated with alphabetic characters is associated with two alphabetic characters and at least one number. The numbers are arranged and displayed in the format of a phone keypad and the letters are arranged and displayed in a keyboard layout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Research in Motion Limited
    Inventor: Jason T. Griffin
  • Publication number: 20110280641
    Abstract: A small size electron equipment keyboard, comprises a character area (101), a center key-press area (200), a left key-press area (103), a right key-press area (104) and a bottom key-press area (105), the letters in the center key-press area (200) which are arranged in regular trapezoidal shape according to the alphabet order, first from left to right, then from top to bottom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventor: Hongming Jiang
  • Patent number: 8033744
    Abstract: A keyboard for a hand held computer device including an array of keys representing characters of an alphabet of a language, wherein the array includes: (a) keys representing frequently used vowel characters of said alphabet arranged together in series; (b) keys representing frequently used consonant characters of said alphabet arranged adjacent to said keys representing vowel characters; and (c) keys representing infrequently used consonant characters of said alphabet arranged in positions remote from said keys representing vowel characters, wherein the keys representing frequently used consonant characters are arranged in alphabetical order around the keys representing the vowel characters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventor: Paul Lloyd Baker
  • Patent number: 8011842
    Abstract: The subject matter described herein includes an apparatus for ergonomic typing. The apparatus includes a first surface having first set of keys including a plurality of alphabetic keys, where the first set of keys is operable by a user's thumbs. The apparatus includes a second surface having a second set of keys including a plurality of alphabetic keys, where the second set of keys is operable by the user's fingers. The second surface includes first structures for home positioning of fingers of the user's left and right hands and second structures for positioning of the fingers of the user's left and right hands when moving to and from home position keys during typing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Inventor: Robert D. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20110206437
    Abstract: A one-handed keyboard for a hand held computing device is disclosed. The keyboard comprises an array of keys representing characters of an alphabet of a language. In one aspect, the array comprises keys representing frequently used vowel characters of the alphabet arranged together in series; keys representing frequently used consonant characters of the alphabet arranged adjacent to the keys representing vowel characters; and keys representing infrequently used consonant characters of the alphabet arranged in positions remote from the keys representing vowel characters. The keys may represent frequently used consonant characters are arranged in a relational order around the keys representing the vowel characters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventor: Paul Lloyd Baker
  • Patent number: 7938589
    Abstract: A handheld mobile communication device having a physical keyboard with a first set of keys having indicia associated with the letters A-Z arranged in a standard alphabetic keyboard arrangement and a second set of keys having indica for the numerals 0-9. The numerals are arranged in a numeric phone key arrangement which is at least partially overlaid on the standard alphabetic keyboard arrangement. The second set of keys is differentiated from the keys of the first set using color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventor: Jason T. Griffin
  • Patent number: 7819598
    Abstract: A physical keyboard includes a plurality of multi-functional keys with a reduced column QWERTY key arrangement overlaid with a numeric phone key arrangement for use in both text entry and telephony. Another physical keyboard includes a plurality of multi-functional keys having an array of alphabetic characters and an overlaid numeric array of numbers. A handheld mobile station has a first user interface having a standard alphabetic key arrangement and a second user interface having a numeric phone key arrangement. The space key of the keyboard may be taller than the remainder of keys in the row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Research in Motion Limited
    Inventor: Jason T. Griffin
  • Publication number: 20100239346
    Abstract: Data entry arrangements that include twenty-six letters of the Roman alphabet arranged in matrices including six rows of three to six letters per row and in five column matrices. The transposition of the letters of the Roman alphabet on a standard three-row QWERTY keyboard into six row matrices and five column matrices utilizes spacing between the letters wherein a vertical distance between adjacent letters is at least the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventor: Dana Suess
  • Patent number: 7736078
    Abstract: An electronic keyboard having an improved ergonomic design for use with computers and other alphanumeric input electronic devices is disclosed. Repetitive motion stress on a typist's hands, wrists and fingers is substantially reduced by relocating and centering the ENTER and BACKSPACE keys to a location central to the keyboard so as to be index finger activated, with the ENTER key extending up into the home row, thereby reducing wrist flexure. The alphanumeric keys are disposed in an ortholinear array, with substantially vertical columns and substantially horizontal rows and functional keys are grouped into rationally apportioned areas below the alphanumeric keys of the keyboard. Certain of the keys have up to three different functions, depending upon whether the keyboard is in QWERTY mode, Dvorak mode, or numeric keypad mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Inventor: Henry Webber
  • Patent number: 7663510
    Abstract: A physical keyboard for a handheld mobile communication device having a plurality of keys with corresponding indicia including keys simultaneously presenting associated alphabetic indicia and associated numeric indicia. The alphabetic indicia correspond to letters A-Z that are arranged in a QWERTY pattern and the numeric indicia correspond to at least numerals 1-9 that are arranged in an ITU Standard E.161 phone keypad pattern. At least some of the numerals and at least some of the letters are presented on the same keys thereby establishing an overlaid relationship. The keys that present alphabetic indicia number fewer than 26.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventor: Jason T. Griffin
  • Patent number: 7658561
    Abstract: A key arrangement includes a plurality of keys associated with alphabetic characters that include consonants and vowels. Each key within the plurality of keys is associated with a plurality of consonants and no more than one vowel. The plurality of keys is arranged in a grid pattern having at least five keys. The consonants are arranged in a standard keyboard format. Numbers may also be associated with the keys. A mobile communication device includes the key arrangement, a display, a processor, a housing, and a plurality of toggle switches associated with the keys. A method of using a key arrangement is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventor: Thanh Vinh Vuong
  • Patent number: 7658562
    Abstract: Data entry arrangements that include twenty-six letters of the Roman alphabet arranged in matrices including six rows of three to six letters per row and in five column matrices. The transposition of the letters of the Roman alphabet on a standard three-row QWERTY keyboard into six row matrices and five column matrices utilizes spacing between the letters wherein a vertical distance between adjacent letters is at least the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Inventor: Dana Suess
  • Patent number: 7634080
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for telephony tone signal and character code generation for QWERTY keyboards includes a QWERTY style keyboard, a processor and a keyboard mode control software module. The QWERTY style keyboard has a plurality of letter keys, wherein each letter key is configured to generate a unique input signal. The processor is coupled to the keyboard and is configured to convert each unique input signal generated by the letter keys into a character code and/or a telephony tone signal. The keyboard mode control software module operates on the processor, and controls whether the processor converts the unique input signals from the letter keys into character codes or telephony tone signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Wen Zhao, Runbo Fu, Xin Jin, Pokin Yeung, Karen A Rudnitski
  • Publication number: 20090269118
    Abstract: The subject matter described herein includes an apparatus for ergonomic typing. The apparatus includes a first surface having first set of keys including a plurality of alphabetic keys, where the first set of keys is operable by a user's thumbs. The apparatus includes a second surface having a second set of keys including a plurality of alphabetic keys, where the second set of keys is operable by the user's fingers. The second surface includes first structures for home positioning of fingers of the user's left and right hands and second structures for positioning of the fingers of the user's left and right hands when moving to and from home position keys during typing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventor: Robert D. Wilson
  • Patent number: 7576662
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a keypad of a portable terminal including an array of a plurality of alpha-numeric key buttons for the input of alphabetic letters of a language, for example, English. The vowel input portion includes a plurality of key buttons, which are allotted with vowels of English alphabet showing a high frequency of use, and some consonants of English alphabet. The key buttons of the vowel input portion are grouped and arranged at a selected position to achieve a high accessibility of the user's. The consonant input portion includes the remaining key buttons, allotted with the remaining consonants of English alphabet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Inventors: Young-Jae Jung, Hong-Jae Jung
  • Patent number: RE44913
    Abstract: A method and device for improved character input are described, wherein the method employs a keypad 100 comprising keys 102 able to display secondary characters 106 in addition to primary characters 104. The keypad has a default display state. A first key selection causes the keypad 100 to display secondary characters 106 associated with the first key on other keys 102, whereupon a second key selection causes the displayed character to be input, following which the keypad reverts to displaying the default state. Further secondary characters 200 may also be displayed after a first key selection. The method is particularly useful for handheld devices such as mobile radio telephones or handheld computers adapted to implement the method of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Matthew J. Bickerton