Abstract: A computer program product for use with text transcribed from audio information, the computer program product residing on a computer-readable medium, includes computer-readable instructions for causing a computer to: enable defined keystroke combinations for use in editing the text transcribed from audio, the defined keystroke combinations corresponding to formatting functions identified as frequently-used functions during editing of a transcribed text; and respond to an activated keystroke combination by replacing a first format in the text document with a second format corresponding to the chosen keystroke combination.

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.

Abstract: A character and function key input device comprises: a character button unit having character buttons, each of which is assigned to one or more characters of one or more languages or function key elements; a forward button which converts the character or function key element selected from among the characters or the function key elements into characters or function key elements assigned to the selected button or adjacent button in accordance with the dictionary order; and a backward button which converts the character or function key element selected from among the characters or the function key elements into characters or function key elements assigned to the selected button or adjacent button in accordance with the dictionary order, wherein said one or more characters or function key elements assigned to the character buttons are disposed adjacently to one other in the dictionary order, and the character or the function key element having the highest use frequency is used as a basic value.

Abstract: A printing device for printing labels having a memory for storing one or more character sets, each character set including at least a principle character and an additional character which is associated with the principle character; a user input having character selection keys for selecting a character set to define an image to be printed by the printing device; and a controller for accessing characters from the memory to be displayed and printed which correspond to characters selected at the user input means; wherein actuation of a character selection key selects the principle character in the selected character set and maintaining activation of the character selection key for a predetermined time period selects the associated additional character.

Abstract: This invention relates to any language input system using a keypad or a keyboard comprising a first group of seven keys for inputting a consonant by pressing a single key or simultaneously pressing a combination of keys thereof, and a second group of seven keys for inputting a vowel by pressing a single key or simultaneously pressing a combination of keys thereof, wherein the first group of seven keys are “”, “{dot over (?)}”, “•” and “—”, and the second group of seven keys are “”, “?”, “?”, “—”, and “•”. The advantages of the present invention are improving typing speed and efficiency by using only 14 key faces and relieving finger fatigue during manual data input operation.

Abstract: A group keypad structure in compliance with a standard keyboard installation includes group keypads corresponding to characters of a standard keyboard input method; for example, the structure includes ten group keypads installed from left to right on a base, and the ten group keypads include characters of “Q, A, Z”, “W, S, X”, “E, D, C”, “R, F, V”, “T, G, B”, “Y, H, N”, “U, J, M”, “I, K, ,”, “O, L, .” and “P, ;, /” respectively, and further includes ten numeric characters “1˜0”, so as to achieve the effects of reducing the area of a keyboard, shortening the moving distance of a user's fingers, providing an easy and convenient carry, complying with the user's using habit, and improving the input speed.

Abstract: A system for adapting a keyboard display to a definable input language is provided. The system includes an adaptable keyboard comprising keys; a software application, operatively associated with the adaptable keyboard; and a computerized system enabling to receive data from the adaptable keyboard, process and present data and operate the application. Some of the keys of the adaptable keyboard may be language adaptable, where each adaptable key includes a screen enabling to present characters associated with various languages and other data, and a touch-sensing mechanism enabling to identify a typing movement applied onto each the screen, where each screen is operatively connected to the touch sensing mechanism. The software application enables defining a language and adapting the presentation of each character in each of the screens according to the defined language, by controlling the display in the screens.

Abstract: A method for input of text symbols into an electronic device having a reduced keyboard is disclosed. The reduced keyboard has keys representing a plurality of characters. The method comprises receiving character inputs from the reduced keyboard. The method also comprises identifying symbol variants based on the received character inputs. The method further comprises displaying a list of symbol variants. The method further comprises receiving a symbol selected from the list of symbol variants. The symbol is a syllable in a first language. The method further comprises identifying syllable variants in a second language corresponding to the syllable in the first language. The method further comprises receiving an input syllable selected from the syllable variants in the second language.

Abstract: A world keyboard and its auxiliary include a keyboard and a diaphragm cover. The diaphragm cover has a plurality of protrudent diaphragm key matching to all the keys of the keyboard. The diaphragm cover can be covered upon the keyboard and the printings on the keys. Large-size symbols of an input method for a language are printed on corresponding keys of the keyboard and diaphragm keys of the diaphragm cover. Or, symbols of multiple input methods for a language are printed on corresponding keys and diaphragm keys, and symbols of one of the input methods are printed larger. Or, symbols of multiple input methods for a language are printed on corresponding keys and diaphragm keys, and symbols of at least one input method are printed larger. Through the diaphragm covers and the keyboard, different input methods for different languages can be applied to a computer system. Once the language of computer system is changed, user can easily find out corresponding key locations of symbols of the input method.

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.

Abstract: This invention relates to any language input system using a keypad or a keyboard comprising a first group of seven keys for inputting a consonant by pressing a single key or simultaneously pressing a combination of keys thereof, and a second group of seven keys for inputting a vowel by pressing a single key or simultaneously pressing a combination of keys thereof, wherein the first group of seven keys are “”, “?”, “.” and “—”, and the second group of seven keys are “”, “?”, “?”, “—”, and “.”. The advantages of the present invention are improving typing speed and efficiency by using only 14 key faces and relieving finger fatigue during manual data input operation.

Abstract: A keyboard having an arrangement of English letters and Japanese Kana (Hiragana) characters across keys of the keyboard. The keys are associated with more than two letters and/or characters. The key arrangements facilitate easier memorization. In one embodiment, an example keyboard includes a 6 key arrangement (3 keys in a top row and 3 keys in a lower row). This arrangement is useful for cellular phones and other small computing devices.

Abstract: A diacritic chording system uses a single standard keyboard layout to generate diacritical characters used, for example, by Latin-based languages or languages based on a Roman character set, providing a universal keyboard The key combination required to select a diacritic is consistent, independent of the language the user is typing. The diacritic chording system uses chording to obtain characters modified by diacritics, i.e., diacritical characters. The key combinations in the diacritic chord are chosen in such a way to aid memorization by positional association of the keys or by logic association of the keys within the diacritic chord. The use of a combination of positional association and logical association eliminates conflicts in mapping diacritics for different languages. The diacritic chording system also provides a screen overlay as a mnemonic to illustrate which diacritic chords provide the desired diacritical character.

Abstract: A numeric keypad (100) for entering ideographic characters is provided. The numeric keypad (100) comprises a first set of input keys (102) corresponding to numerals 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, and a second set of input keys (104) corresponding to numeral 6, 7, 8, 9, and 0. Each of the first set of input keys (102) has a predefined single character stroke, which complies with the GB18031 standard. The second set of input keys (104) is assigned a first particular sequence of the predefined single character strokes and a second particular sequence of the predefined single character strokes different from the first particular sequence of the predefined single character strokes.

Abstract: A key array for a keyboard is provided having an input key section including a plurality of input keys. Each input key has a left key part, a central key part, and a right key part. A left control key is positioned on a left side of the input key section so as to convert a mode of the keyboard into a right key input mode so that the right key part is operated when a user presses the key input section. A right control key is positioned on a right side of the input key section so as to convert the mode of the keyboard into a left key input mode so that the left key part is operated when the user presses the key input section. A shift key section including two shift keys is aligned on both sides of the keyboard adjacent to the left and right control keys in order to attain additional functions of the keyboard when the shift keys are pressed simultaneously with the input key section.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and program produce small print including character string information in a plurality of languages together with a logo. A language converting function converts an input character string into another language. A multi-language printing function converts the input character string into a specified number and types of languages. A layout function allows specifying one piece of information of the logo, specifying one record, specifying one type of character string information and printing the specified layout as the small print inclusive of the logo and character string.

Abstract: The invention relates to a keyboard arrangement and a method for detecting an input character. In particular the invention relates to a method and arrangement for reducing the number of keys in a QWERTY-keyboard (20) or the like. One idea of the invention is to provide keys (210) with several characters and to provide alternative ways to press the key for entering a selected one of the alternative characters. The keys are preferably triangular or have three arms, and one of three characters can be selected by pressing the corresponding corner/arm of the key. The keyboard may preferably be formed of interlaced rows of keys. Linguistic disambiguation is advantageously used in addition to said mechanical disambiguation. The invention is well suited for mobile station keyboards.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of validating a byte sequence having a plurality of states, the method comprising designating one or more noise states from among the plurality of states; generating a most probable state sequence for the byte sequence; utilizing said state sequence to identify all noise in the byte sequence; and localizing said noise in said noise states. Once localized, the noise may be deleted from the byte sequence.

Abstract: Layouts for keypads are provided that have an improved combination of a regular of intuitive arrangement of alphabetic symbols of a language defined by letter characters of the Roman alphabet and an efficient distribution of the symbols to minimize input ambiguities. More particularly, the symbols are for the Pinyin alphabet which includes two main symbol groups thereof for forming Pinyin syllables. The various layouts employ a columnar-based arrangement for the symbols of the initial group. The symbols for the final group are parsed down to basic characters and are distributed in a row-based arrangement.

Abstract: An operation unit is provided with an operation body operated by hand, a first detection unit for detecting the inclination operation of the operation body, and a second detection unit for detecting the pushing-down operation of the operation body. Any of 26 alphabetical characters “A, B, C, . . . , X, Y, and Z” is selected corresponding to the inclination direction of the operation body. The displayed character is changed successively by rotating the operation body in X-Y coordinate plane. The selected character is finalized by pushing down the operation unit in Z-direction.

Abstract: A keyboard arrangement that assigns alphanumeric and special character symbols to keys based upon the shapes of the symbols in order to facilitate learning to type. Attribute classes are defined according to the number, position, direction, or contours of the line segments that comprise the symbols. As an aid to memorization of a keyboard arrangement, symbols are assigned to keys such that a substantial number of keys in a column of keys belong to the same attribute class. To convert any prior art or other kind of electronic keyboard to a keyboard arrangement within the scope of the invention, hardware and/or software components are provided that reassign the keys so that substantially all keys within the same column will correspond to symbols within the same attribute class.

Abstract: A printing device for printing labels comprises a memory for storing one or more character sets, each character set including at least a principle character and an additional character which is associated with the principle character; user input means having character selection keys for selecting a character set to define an image to be printed by the printing device; and a controller for accessing characters from the memory to be displayed and printed which correspond to characters selected at the user input means. The first actuation of a character selection key selects the principle character in the selected character set and a subsequent activation of the character selection key in a predetermined time frame selects the associated additional character.

Abstract: The present invention provides a keyboard that comprises a plurality of touch areas that represent symbols such as letters of the Latin script, Greek script, Hebrew script, Arabic script, or Cyrillic script. The touch areas are arranged in groups that include at least two of the touch areas. Each of the groups includes touch areas that are arranged in a distinctive shape that incorporates one or more of the symbols or parts of the symbols. A user enters a symbol by touching a part of the distinctive shape that is recognized with the symbol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an Arabic-Persian Alphabet input apparatus having ten or more basic keys on which basic figures extracted from analyzed forms of the Arabic Alphabet are inscribed, respectively. The basic key input signals are combined to easily and simply input the Arabic Alphabet to miniaturized and multi-functional electronic appliances such as cell phones whose buttons (keys) are limited in number. Further, the Arabic characters are inputted in the same manner as handwriting without having to particularly remember the Persian Alphabet.

Abstract: A keyboard arrangement that assigns alphanumeric and special character symbols to keys based upon the shapes of the symbols in order to facilitate learning to type. Attribute classes are defined according to the number, position, direction, or contours of the line segments that comprise the symbols. As an aid to memorization of a keyboard arrangement, symbols are assigned to keys such that a substantial number of keys in a column of keys belong to the same attribute class. To convert any prior art or other kind of electronic keyboard to a keyboard arrangement within the scope of the invention, hardware and/or software components are provided that reassign the keys so that substantially all keys within the same column will correspond to symbols within the same attribute class.

Abstract: A keyboard and method for inputting graphical indicium representations of language characters formed from one or a combination of character units. The keyboard includes a plurality of keys, each key having at least one unit associated therewith but with selected keys, at least, having two or more units associated therewith. Included also is a key mapping for each key whereby selection of a key generates a mapped value of a unit associated with the selected key, the mapped value having a relational correlation with one or more relevant characters. The keys are so arranged on the keyboard that visually similar units are associated with the same or adjacent keys, and units which usually form left, right, top or bottom character parts are associated with keys generally located in physically similarly related positions on the left, right, top and bottom, respectively, of the keyboard.

Abstract: The present inventions relates to a keyboard, and more specifically to a Chinese character input keyboard, wherein having a plurality of keys, inputting Chinese characters by sequentially pressing the keys, and said keyboard comprising a plurality of radical keys for representing radicals except specific radicals which can be formed by combining another radicals defined in the Kang-Hee Chinese Dictionary, a plurality of Chinese character keys for representing one more Chinese characters which are frequently used and a plurality of combination keys for representing combination frame of a Chinese character.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for allowing the entry of text in any number of languages using any keyboard chosen by the user. The computer implemented method monitors a user's keystrokes detecting the entry of multiple identical consecutive keystrokes of any diacritical character in a predefined set of characters, then maps the keystrokes to replacement characters. A diacritical character is a character with diacritical variations that change the sound or accent of that character. A predefined set of characters is that set of characters defined as the characters in a predefined or selected language that have diacritical variations. Thus, once multiple identical consecutive keystrokes of any key are detected, the method determines whether the multiple keystrokes are of a diacritical character or whether they are of some other character.

Abstract: A general Chinese phonetic keyboard setting apparatus enables the user to define a phonetic keyboard in a computer system. The user can define a key to correspond with a Chinese phonetic character (one key, one sound), or one key to correspond with several Chinese phonetic characters (one key, several sounds), or a Chinese phonetic character to correspond with several keys (one sound, several keys). Based on mutual acceptance and mutual rejection among finals, initials, medials and tones of the Chinese phonetic characters, whether or not the Chinese phonetic keyboard that was defined by the user is rational can be automatically verified to aid the user in defining a logical Chinese phonetic keyboard. Not only can the Chinese character input habit of different people can be satisfied, the Chinese character input speed can also be increased.

Abstract: A character input system (and method) is actualized using an “easy-to-operate” keyboard, which is downsized by reducing a number of keys and which has a good efficiency in performance and operation without increasing key-pressing numbers so much. The keyboard contains a first group of keys for inputting five vowel characters of Japanese in roman letters and a second group of keys for inputting consonant characters (and symbols). Herein, the first group of keys are separated in positions from the second group of keys on a panel of the keyboard. Two consonant characters are assigned to each of the keys of the second group in such a way that an unvoiced consonant character is input by a single key-pressing operation while a voiced consonant character is input by a double key-pressing operation.

Abstract: A variety of methods and systems for presenting and delivering user application input choices. One-handed or vocal user input provides chords or syllables. The invention includes systems and methods for presenting user application input choices, chord or syllable based apparatus and sub-systems for generating user application input choices in response to input signals associated with chords or syllables. One embodiment of input device resembles a joystick and includes a base and a key carrier extending from the base. A single key is provided along the top of the carrier, and four keys extend widthwise along a side surface. A system presents and delivers user application input choices. An input device receives chords and syllables. A processor associated with the input device receives chords or syllables and generates input signals, a second processor for receiving and evaluating the input signals and for sending a user application signal to the user application processor of the computer.

Abstract: A computer keyboard consists of keys which are arranged in groups according to five different patterns for enhancing the key-in efficiency. The first and the second patterns are respectively composed of four sets of specific keys which are arranged in group and covered with four different colors. The third and fourth patterns consist respectively of five sets of specific keys which are grouped and covered with five different colors. The fifth pattern consists of seven sets of specific keys which are grouped and covered with seven different colors.

Abstract: A keyboard arranged for efficiency in learning and in operating. Home keys are assigned according to the frequency of use of the letters. A user can select a new format with eleven or more keys in the same location as the conventional typewriter letter format. The keyboard is suitable for typewriters, personal computer keyboards. Different keyboards can be selected according to the frequency of use of the letters. By concentrating work on the home row, finger extension, flexion, and travel is reduced, allowing increased speed, accuracy and safety. By maintaining the same locations, most of the difficulty in relearning a new keyboard layout can be eliminated.

Abstract: Ideographic typewriter and method in which a set of characters are printed on a keyboard panel in optically readable form and scanned to provide a bit map of a character which is to be printed. A printer is actuated in accordance with the bit map to form an image of the selected character on an output medium. Characters beyond those included in the set printed on the keyboard panel can be written on a calligraphy pad near the keyboard and scanned to provide bit maps for use in the printing of those characters. Information associated with the characters is prerecorded in tracks on a magnetic medium positioned beneath the keyboard panel and transduced in a manner which substantially eliminates crosstalk between the tracks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a keyboard for inputting Chinese characters, which can input both simplified Chinese characters and their original complex forms.The invention defines 25 double strokes of the kind and 25-28 auxiliary roots containing the double strokes as codes for inputting Chinese characters, further, the invention also defines 25 common use words. Three methods for inputting Chinese characters will be disclosed in the invention. In the input method of which 4 simple shape codes will be used for the coding, a word that can be leaved each other may be broken down into 2 blocks and then 2 codes respective of the first and last double strokes or roots containing the double strokes of each block will be taken into the coding. The inputting methods of the invention are simple and easy for studying.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing document information includes a keyboard, for inputting characters of a plurality of languages, symbols relating to the pronunciation of the inputted characters, a selection key, and a key for inputting a nationality code, and a display for displaying proposed symbols relating to the pronunciation of the inputted characters. A proposed symbol selected to be associated with each input character by pressing the selection key when a cursor on the display is placed on a particular proposed symbol. The apparatus also includes a memory for storing information on different proposed symbols for the plurality of languages so that the proposed symbols can be searched for in the memory by designating one of the plurality of languages, and controller for searching the proposed symbol information stored by the memory for information on proposed symbols in one of the plurality of languages designated by a nationality code previously input.

Abstract: A keyboard arranged for efficiency in learning and in operating. Home keys are assigned according to the frequency of use of the letters. A user can select a new format with eleven or more keys in the same location as the conventional typewriter letter format. The keyboard is suitable for typewriters, personal computer keyboards. Different keyboards can be selected according to the frequency of use of the letters. By concentrating work on the home row, finger extension, flexion, and travel is reduced, allowing increased speed, accuracy and safety. By maintaining the same locations, most of the difficulty in relearning a new keyboard layout can be eliminated.

Abstract: In a data inputting apparatus, marks are represented in a matrix form on a surface of a cylindrical data drum. These marks are constructed of characters/symbols, character ornamentation symbols, and character type designation symbols. The data drum is rotated by manipulating a knob to select a mark row containing a desired mark in correspondence with a data selection window, and also the marks present in this selected mark rows are selected in unit of column by operating column selecting keys, thereby selecting a single desired mark. A selection signal of the desired data corresponding to the above-described desired mark is produced by selecting these row and column of the marks. When this selection signal corresponds to the character/symbol mark, data about this character/symbol mark is read out from a font ROM employed in the data inputting apparatus.

Abstract: A multilingual keyboard system (10) including a customized keyboard unit (12) is provided to operate in conjunction with a central processing unit (14) and a logic system (16) having unique software in order to facilitate multilingual typing from a single keyboard. The keyboard (12) includes customized keys (20) which are shaped to receive label panels (70) on one of several selectable templates (18). Each template (18) corresponds to a particular character set which the user desires to utilize as an alternate character set to that appearing on the key labels (52) on the keyboard (12). The keyboard (12) also includes a keyboard mode toggle key (36) for toggling between a standard mode of operation and the selected alternate mode. The logic system (16) includes software having keymapping schemes associated with each selectable alternate mode. Changing templates (18) permits usage of multiple alternate modes with the same equipment.

Abstract: A word processor for producing Chinese characters includes a standard United states keyboard, an internal memory unit for storing a dictionary of radicals of Chinese characters from which selected Chinese characters are derived, a screen and a memory disk. Each of the Chinese characters includes at least one radical. The standard United States keyboard is coupled to said memory unit and has numeral and letter keys. The numeral keys includes co-functioning numeral keys. Each of the co-functioning numeral keys is inscribed with at least one of the radicals and a letter or numeral representative of a letter or numeral key used in combination with each co-functioning numeral key to select the corresponding radical. The letter keys includes co-functioning letter keys. Each of the co-functioning letter keys is inscribed with at least one of the radicals and a letter or numeral representative of a letter or numeral key used in combination with each co-functioning letter key to select the corresponding radical.

Abstract: A keyboard arranged for efficiency in learning and in operating. Home keys are assigned according to the frequency of use of the letters. A user can select a new format with eleven or more keys in the same location as the conventional typewriter letter format. The keyboard is suitable for typewriters, personal computer keyboards. Different keyboards can be selected according to the frequency of use of the letters. By concentrating work on the home row, finger extension, flexion, and travel is reduced, allowing increased speed, accuracy and safety. By maintaining the same locations, most of the difficulty in relearning a new keyboard layout can be eliminated.

Abstract: An input method including a novel keyboard facilitates entry of Chinese characters into a computer. Character Roots or Radicals are selected in accordance with the first pen-stroke used by Chinese in writing such Root or Radical and those that begin with the same stroke are symbolized on keys in separate selected sections of the keyboard. As a further aid, Roots or Radicals that have the same second pen-stroke are selected and symbolized on specified keys having a secondary identification design or motif. The method includes selecting, in the traditional Chinese order of writing, the first Root to be encoded and, from the keyboard, the key having such Root thereon, the location selection being facilitated as described above, and actuating the key, and continuing to select the second and third Roots in the character and actuating the corresponding keys.

Abstract: A Bicameral Keyboard is provided for generating pictographic characters wherein twenty keys are sufficient to specify the roughly 3000 characters required for ordinary personal and business correspondence. The Bicameral Keyboard is compatible with pictographic expression and pedagogy and will permit direct access to word processors, translation machines, page editors, and printers at input rates more rapid than possible using the alphanumeric keyboard with western orthographic characters.

Abstract: The invention is an alphabetic keyboard arrangement for convenient and fast typing--for instructional, research or data entry purposes--the phonetic data or phonetic transcriptions of Mandarin Chinese in the pinyin romanization. Its distinguishing features are the following: (1) the keys bearing the letters A, I, O and U are so placed that each is usually struck by a different finger; (2) the keys bearing the letters A, I, O, U, N and G, as these letters stand for the most frequently appearing syllabic final speech sounds, are placed in the row of keys on which the typist's fingers usually rest; (3) the keys bearing the letters A, E, I, U and H are so placed that each is usually struck by the index finger or middle finger of either hand; (4) the keys bearing the syllabic tone quality symbols are in the central are of the keyboard.

Abstract: A method and a system for inputting both simplified form and original complex form Chinese character, comprises two dominent and highly efficient inputting methods and a plurality of auxiliary ones wherein 187 radicals have been selected. These radicals then are defined onto 25 keys in a standard English keyboard. The rules to be remembered by the typist is simplified greatly, and therefore, the Chinese character inputting speed is improved significiently.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for encoding Chinese characters into a computer. Each character is divided into a leading part and a body part. The leading part is represented by one code element and the body part is represented by four code elements. The code elements are input to the computer using a keyboard, with the code element for the leading part being input first followed by the code elements for the body part.

Abstract: An improved method for inputting Chinese characters into computers and the keyboard arrangement therefor wherein the Chinese characters, of which the numbers are enormous and the structures are complicated, are reduced to obtain only a few rules for inputting Chinese characters and the 244 radicals are allocated on a standard keyboard.The present inputting method is based on "stroke orders". The manner in which the characters are input conforms with general writing habits such that the method is easy and convenient for an operator to learn fast.

Abstract: A character composed of basic symbols such as a Korean character is outputted by an apparatus so as to adjust to an outputted design or outputted design alteration.

Abstract: A keyboard assembly for selecting characters to be recorded includes a substrate carrying an array of characters arranged on one face thereof. A character selection device moves between advanced and retracted positions along each of two axes of the array and, by means of an optical viewfinder, registers a given character with respect to the position of the selecting device. Registration openings distributed along each of the two axes cooperate with an associated detent carried by the selecting device so as to retain the selecting device in a fixed position relative to the locus of the character which has been selected. Movement of the character selection device to the locus of a given character serves to control the recording of the character selected.

Abstract: A keyboard arrangement suitable for use in typewriters, word processors, computer terminals and the like includes a number of manually actuable key members supported in a given array. Different letter formats can be selected for those key members corresponding to letter characters, wherein each of the letter chracter key members is made to correspond to a selected one of at least two different letters. Accordingly, a user can select, for example, either the conventional typewriter letter format or a new format wherein letters are assigned to the key members according to the frequency of use of the letters in a given language and the relative ease of accessibility of each key member to the fingers of the user's hands. In one embodiment, the key members in the left-hand portion of the keyboard array are arranged in columns which slope downwardly toward the left side of the array, and the key members in the right hand portion of the array form columns which slope downwardly toward the right side of the array.