Abstract: A method of generating symbols from a chording keyboard is described. A unique feature of this method is accepting a sequence of chords from the keyboard without either an intervening chord or a requirement that all keys be released between chords. Another unique feature is that that the chord map is independent of chords before or after a particular chord, for a particular symbol. That is, a user need only memorize one chord for each symbol, and then may transition directly from exactly that chord to any other chord. There are no special transition requirements. The number of keys on a keyboard for this method may be 4 to 10, inclusive. Such a keyboard may be operated with one hand. Specific attributes of embodiments or chord tables are described.

Abstract: A method of creating a chording keyboard mapping table is described. An exercise is created that is performed by users of a keyboard for which a mapping table is desired. The psychomotor performance of the users' transitions between chords is recorded—as distinct from performance relating to chords. A first trial keyboard mapping table (from chords to symbols) is created, and the effectiveness of that table is measured by applying it to a text corpus and measuring the total psychomotor cost to enter that corpus with that table. The table is then permuted, and the cost recomputed. Trial tables are repeatedly permuted, with one or more preferred tables being used as the basis for the next iteration of permutations. This continues until a terminating event, such as minimal improvement, is reached. Variations as embodiments are described. Software to implement the method is claimed.

Abstract: A method of generating symbols from a chording keyboard is described. A unique feature of this method is accepting a sequence of chords from the keyboard without either an intervening chord or a requirement that all keys be released between chords. Another unique feature is that the chord map is independent of chords before or after a particular chord, for a particular symbol. That is, a user need only memorize one chord for each symbol, and then may transition directly from exactly that chord to any other chord. There are no special transition requirements. The number of keys on a keyboard for this method may be 4 to 10, inclusive. Such a keyboard may be operated with one hand. Specific attributes of embodiments or chord tables are described.

Abstract: A method of creating a chording keyboard mapping table is described. An exercise is created that is performed by users of a keyboard for which a mapping table is desired. The psychomotor performance of the users' transitions between chords is recorded—as distinct from performance relating to chords. A first trial keyboard mapping table (from chords to symbols) is created, and the effectiveness of that table is measured by applying it to a text corpus and measuring the total psychomotor cost to enter that corpus with that table. The table is then permuted, and the cost recomputed. Trial tables are repeatedly permuted, with one or more preferred tables being used as the basis for the next iteration of permutations. This continues until a terminating event, such as minimal improvement, is reached. Variations as embodiments are described. Software to implement the method is claimed.

Abstract: A method of generating symbols from a chording keyboard is described. A unique feature of this method is accepting a sequence of chords from the keyboard without either an intervening chord or a requirement that all keys be released between chords. Another unique feature is that the chord map is independent of chords before or after a particular chord, for a particular symbol. That is, a user need only memorize one chord for each symbol, and then may transition directly from exactly that chord to any other chord. There are no special transition requirements. The number of keys on a keyboard for this method may be 4 to 10, inclusive. Such a keyboard may be operated with one hand. Specific attributes of embodiments or chord tables are described.