SPEED TYPING APPARATUS AND METHOD

APPAREIL ET PROCEDE POUR DACTYLOGRAPHIE RAPIDE

English Abstract

A speed typing method and apparatus having multiple letters (Fig. 1)
associated with each key (52) of a keyboard
(50). By utilizing multiple characters on each key (52), the number of keys
(52) would be fewer than the number of letters in the
alphabet using this system (100) (e.g., fewer than 26 letter keys for the
English alphabet). Each key (52) on the keyboard (52) is
associated with a numerical code. The system (100) uses the numerical code
associated with a typed word to access a dictionary or
table of words stored in memory (12) at a memory location corresponding to the
input numerical code. The system may display all
of the words available to the user in response to the input code. The user
then selects one of the available words to be placed in the
document. Alternatively the system (100) may enable display of one or more
preferred words. The keys (52) of the keyboard (50)
may be contoured so that the user senses the position of his hand in relation
to the keys of the keyboard. The typing system (100) is
also implemented by a finger-mounted input device having switches. The finger-
mounted device may also be used in conjunction
with one or more input selection panels. The panels have keys which are
selectable by the user in conjunction with the switches.

French Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé et un appareil pour dactylographie rapide reposant sur l'utilisation de lettres multiples associées à chaque touche de clavier, ce qui permet de réduire le nombre de touches par rapport au nombre de lettres dans l'alphabet (par exemple, moins de 26 touches pour l'alphabet dans la langue anglaise). Chaque touche est associée à un code numérique, lequel est utilisé en association avec un mot dactylographié pour l'accès à un dictionnaire ou à une table de mots se trouvant en mémoire, selon le code numérique saisi. Le système peut afficher tous les mots disponibles pour l'utilisateur en réponse au code saisi, ce qui permet de choisir l'un des mots disponibles à placer dans le document. Le système peut aussi fonctionner en affichant un ou plusieurs mots préférés. Les touches peuvent présenter un contour permettant de sentir la position de la main sur le clavier. On peut également prévoir un dispositif de saisie monté sur les doigts, fonctionnant avec des commutateurs. Ce dispositif peut d'ailleurs être utilisé en combinaison avec un ou plusieurs panneaux de sélection de saisie. Les panneaux comportent des touches sélectionnables par l'utilisateur en liaison avec les commutateurs.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:


1. A method for entering letters of an alphabet using a computer having a
display
device, memory storage and operator-selectable input elements, the method
comprising:
assigning more than one letter to at least one input element such that more
than
one series of letters results from a single selection of input elements,
storing words in the memory storage, and
displaying on the display device for each entered input element, a series of
letters
that form at least one valid combination, said at least one valid combination
being
determined from said stored words in the memory storage for a same number of
the
input elements thus far selected.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying series of letters
associated
with the selected input elements that match a word or words stored in the
memory
storage and selecting one of the displayed words.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein when a match is found in the memory storage,

removing from the display, series of letters associated with the input
elements selected
by the operator for which no match was found with words in the memory storage
when
the operator subsequently selects an input element.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising defining a new word and storing
the
new word in the memory storage.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the input elements is
associated
with a single letter.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein most of the input elements are associated
with
no more than two letters.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein all of the input elements are associated
with two
letters.



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8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of assigning comprises assigning
vowels
alphabetically on input elements mostly adjacent to each other in alphabetical
order and
the consonants are so placed that the vowels and consonants are substantially
in
alphabetical order.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein if there are no words located in the memory
storage formed by the selected series of input elements, then displaying each
of the
letter or letters associated with each selected input element.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising selecting displayed letters to
form a
word not previously stored in memory storage and storing that word in memory
storage.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising appending letter or letters
associated
with subsequently selected input elements only to the previously selected
series of
letters and displaying those appended series of selected letters.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of displaying comprises displaying
in a
dynamic window.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein a match is found when letters associated
with the
input element(s) thus far selected correspond with letter(s) of a word stored
in the
memory storage in an identical order, the match starting with a letter
associated with the
first selected input element of the series of selected input elements through
a last
selected input element of the series of selected input elements.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein if an input element is associated with
more than
one letter, each letter is matched separately.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein if a match is found in the memory storage,
then
appending each letter associated with a subsequently selected input element
separately
to each series of letters displayed immediately prior to selection of the
subsequently
selected input element, and displaying on the display device the series of
letters
associated with the input elements thus far selected.



149



16. The method of claim 1, wherein if there are no words located in the memory

storage formed by the selected series of input elements, then displaying one
or more
closest series of letters.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting one of the displayed
series
of letters and removing the unselected series of letters from the display
device.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising re-displaying on the display
device
the removed unselected series of letters.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising appending letter or letters
associated
with subsequently selected input elements only to the previously selected
series of
letters and displaying those appended series of selected letters.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting one of the displayed
series
of letters, eliminating the non-selected series from the display, and
appending further
selected input elements only to the selected series of letters.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein a default series of letters is selected
upon the
operator selecting a space bar or punctuation.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein a space is automatically inserted after
the
default series of letters is displayed.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the displayed series of letters is
displayed
in a home line, and the other displayed series of letters are displayed in
successive rows
below the home line.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein a series of letters displayed below the
home line
may be scrolled into the home line.



150



25. The method of claim 23, further comprising displaying a number adjacent to
each
series of letters displayed 10 below the home line and selecting a series of
letters by
selecting the number adjacent to the series of letters.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising adding a space after the
selected
series of letters and eliminating the unselected series of letters from the
display.

27. The method of claim 25, further comprising eliminating the unselected
series of
letters from the display.

28. The method of claim 23, further comprising selecting a series of letters
displayed
in a first line below the home line by selecting a first select key.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the first select key automatically inserts
a
space after the selected series of letters.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the first select key automatically adds a
space
after the selected series of letters only when the selected series of letters
comprises
more than one letter.

31. The method of claim 23, wherein the operator may scroll a letter or series
of
letters from below the home line to the home line.

32. The method of claim 28, further comprising selecting a series of letters
displayed
in a second line below the home line by selecting a second select key.

33. The method of claim 23, further comprising the step of enabling the
operator to
select one of the displayed series of letters.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising adding a space after the
selected
series of letters.



151



35. The method of claim 23, further comprising selecting a series of letters
by using
a mouse.

36. The method of claim 23, further comprising the step of enabling the
operator to
enter a delay mode in which selection of a series of letters is delayed.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the delay mode allows the operator to edit
a
previously selected series of letters.

38. The method of claim 23, wherein the series of letters displayed in the
home line
is based upon statistical use.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the statistical use is based upon a number
of
possible words associated with a series of letters thus far selected.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein the statistical use provides that after a
consonant is selected by the operator, a vowel has higher priority than
another
consonant.

41. The method of claim 38, wherein the statistical use provides that after a
vowel
is selected by the operator, a consonant has higher priority than another
vowel.

42. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of assigning comprises assigning
indicators to the input elements, the indicators indicating which finger is to
be placed on
each input element.

43. The method of claim 23, wherein the series of letters displayed in the
home line
is selected by default upon entry of a space bar, punctuation mark or select
entry key.
44. The method of claim 43, wherein the series of letters displayed in the
home line
is selected by default upon the operator selecting a space bar or punctuation.



152



45. The method of claim 44, further comprising the step of adding a space
after the
selected series of letters by the selection of the space bar, punctuation or
input element
select key.

46. The method of claim 1, wherein if no series of letters possibly forms a
word, then
displaying each letter associated with each input element of the series of
selected input
elements, either from the beginning of the series of letters or from the last
selected input
element in the series of letters associated with a possible word in memory
storage.
47. The method of claim 1, wherein none of the displayed words are a desired
word,
then displaying each letter associated with each input element of the series
of selected
input elements, either from the beginning of the series of letters or from the
last selected
input element in the series of letters associated with a possible word in
memory storage.
48. The method of claim 1, wherein when no match is found, selecting one
displayed
letter for each of the selected input elements to form a word.

49. The method of claim 48, further comprising storing the formed word in the
memory storage.

50. The method of claim 46, wherein for each selected input element one of the

displayed letters is displayed in a home line and the remaining letters are
displayed in
successive rows beneath the home line.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the operator may move any of the displayed

letters into the home line.

52. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of assigning comprises assigning
more
than one letter to at least one input element so that more than one possible
word may
result from a single series of selected input elements.

53. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining the completion of a
word
includes actuation of an actuation mechanism.



153

Description

CA 02360461 2008-11-21

WO 00/43208 PCT/US00/01890
SPEED TYPING APPARATUS AND METHOD

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus
which makes it easier to learn to type, improves the accuracy of
typing, increases typing speed and reduces wear on the user. More

particularly, the present invention relates to a system for the
rapid entry of text into a microprocessor-controlled word
processing system making use of a keyboard having multiple alphabet
letter characters assigned to at least one to as many as all of the
keys.

2. Description of the RelatedArt

Conventional typewriters make- use of twenty-six (26)
letter keys, one for each letter of the English alphabet. One of
the initial keyboard layouts is the "QWERTY" keyboard, which today
remains the industry standard. Other formats have been devised,

such as the Dvorak keyboard, that position keys about the keyboard
in an ergonomic fashion for ease of use and accessibility. These
alternative formats primarily seek to increase speed of typing and
accuracy, as well as to reduce wear on the user.


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Generally, all of the traditional keyboards provide an
individual key for each letter of the alphabet. In addition to the
letter keys, function keys are provided, such as ALT, CTRL, SPACE
BAR, ENTER, and so forth. Consequently, the keyboards are

congested with numerous keys and require a great deal of space.
Likewise, these conventional keyboards require the user to memorize
or be able to locate a particular key for each character the user
would like to select.

Other keyboard layouts assign more than one character to
a key, usually referred to as multiple letter key or double-touch
systems. These systems, however, require the user to operate
multiple keys in order to select a single desired character.
Systems that require concurrent or simultaneous operation of
multiple keys, such as shown in United States patent no. 4,891,777,

are sometimes referred to as chord systems. The chord systems
require the user to expend twice the effort for each letter to be
selected. In addition, these chord systems require the user to be
able to remember 26 key combinations, one for each letter of the
alphabet.

Other multiple key systems require the user to operate
specific multiple keys in a successive manner. United States
patent no. 5,062,070, for instance, shows a system in which
multiple characters are provided for each key. However, in order
to select the particular character desired, the user must make at

least two successive keystrokes. Thus, the user must remember 26
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different combinations of successive keystrokes, one for each
letter of the alphabet. United States patent no. 5,007,008, on the
other hand, provides a keyboard in which the user must scroll
through each of multiple letters that are assigned to a single key
by repeatedly depressing that key.

As a result of having to enter multiple keystrokes to
select a single character, these double-actuation or multiple
letter key systems are slow, tiresome, and prone to typographical
errors. Accordingly, these systems are primarily used where a

reduced keyboard size is of utmost importance, as opposed to speed
and accuracy.

Another variation of typing, called abbreviated typing,
involves only having to type part of a word. United States patent
no. 4,459, 049, for instance, shows an abbreviated typing system in

which the user only needs to enter four or less characters. The
system will then search for the abbreviated word in memory. When
the abbreviated word is located, the full word is entered from the
memory into the document.

All of these keyboard systems are difficult to use and
even more difficult to learn. Consequently, typing is slower and
prone to mistakes. Moreover, these keyboards are all the more
difficult to operate by persons that have not learned to use that
particular type of keyboard. These "hunt and peck" typists must
search for the desired characters, which are often arranged in a
non-alphabetic order and amongst a great number of keys.

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Another type of keyboard entry is encountered on
telephones that are used to access remote systems, called automated
response systems. Generally, these automated response systems will
recognize alphabet characters associated with a key depressed on a

remotely located telephone keypad. One such system, for instance,
is employed by the U.S. Supreme Court, wherein users simply dial
the Supreme Court phone number in order to locate the docket number
or status of a pending case. The user may call into the system
from any conventional remote phone location.

Once the Supreme Court automated response system is
accessed, the user is prompted by voice message to specify the name
of the desired case by depressing keys on the remote telephone
keypad. Pursuant to current instructions, the user then proceeds
to enter up to ten alphabetic characters of the name of one of the

parties to the desired case on the keypad of the remote telephone.
The conventional telephone keypad consists of twelve keys, 0-9, *,
and #. Multiple letters are associated with each of numerical keys
2-9, so that all 26 letters are accounted for except for Q and Z,
which the system specifies as being assigned to numerical key 1.

The user then depresses ten numerical keys corresponding to the
name of one of the parties. Or, the user may enter less than ten
digits followed by the * key or a four-second delay. Once the
party name has been entered, the system then searches the clerk's
office docket and provides a voice indication of the three closest

cases that have been located by case number, parties, and status.
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If the user is not satisfied with any of those cases, the user may
then speak with a docket clerk.

The automated response system described above is designed
to accommodate conventional telephone keypads, with limited words
in memory and is not implemented in a word processing environment.

Consequently, the system is extremely slow and not readily
adaptable for use as a speed typing arrangement. Moreover, the
system is limited to use with voice or speech communication systems
and with telephone keypads. Consequently, the automated response

systems do not provide for editing memory, defining preferred
terms, or defining new word variations. In addition, the telephone
keypads are not designed for typing, much less speed typing.

As an alternative to the'conventional keyboard, input
devices have been mounted on the hand and fingers. Such devices
are shown, for instance, in U.S. patent nos. 5,581,484 to Prince,

and 4,414,537 to Grimes. Basically, these systems place switches
at various positions about the hand in order to simplify entry of
information into a computer. However, these systems are not
directed toward speed-typing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system and method for
rapid typing using a keyboard which has multiple characters
assigned to at least one to as many as all of the keys, so that
fewer than the number of letters in the alphabet using this system
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(e.g., fewer than 26 letter keys for the English alphabet or the 33
letters in the Russian alphabet). For example, all 26 letters of
the alphabet may be assigned to 4, 6, 8, or 17 keys. Each such key
on the keyboard is associated with a numerical digit whereby one or

more series of digits form a code. The system uses the numerical
code to access a dictionary or table of words stored in the
computer's memory at a memory location corresponding to the
numerical code. The system may display all of the words available
to the user in response to the input code. If more than one word

is responsive to the coded numerical sequence, the user then
selects one of the available words to be placed in the document.
The user is further given the option of selecting a

preferred word or words to be associated with any given numerical
code. When that code is typed in, the computer will display all
words, with the preferred words displayed in ranked order. The

user, however, may optionally select to display only the preferred
word or words.

In addition, the user may be given the option of having
the words associated with any given numerical code displayed in
different ways, such as (1) in accordance with an order or degree

of preference which the user defines, (2) in accordance with a
predefined preference list which gives a higher ranking to those
words that are the most commonly used, (3) in alphabetical order,
or (4) in accord with special predefined categories of usage, such

as legal or scientific terminology. The user has the option of
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having the priority list adjusted automatically based upon the
selection of words made by the user when designating the desired
word from the group of words with the same numerical code.

A further feature of the invention is that the user may
select between a range of keyboard configurations, such as 4, 6, 8,
or 12 letter keys to which are assigned the 26 letters of the
alphabet. Also, the system will complete and display lengthy words
before the user has finished typing them on the keyboard. The
invention is preferably implemented on a traditional QWERTY

keyboard, wherein multiple letters are assigned to the row of
number keys, 0-9, typically located along the top row of the
keyboard, or to the rectangular grid of numerals commonly located
to the right side of the keyboard or the horizontal rows of keys to
which letters are conventionally assigned. In addition, a

specially-designed keyboard, which plugs into a computer, is also
shown to implement the invention. The provision of fewer keys
makes the special keyboard particularly better suited for use by
persons with physical disabilities, and may be used in place of, or
in conjunction with, the traditional keyboard.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a system for faster typing using a keyboard easier to
remember and having as few or as many keys as the user desires.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a
speed typing system that may be utilized with a compact keyboard
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that is not congested with excessive keys, thereby reducing size
and space requirements of the input device.

It is another object of the invention to provide a
keyboard that has multiple letters per key, yet only requires a
single touch to select a desired letter key.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide
a keyboard for speed typing that is ergonomic, reduces wear on the
user, and easy to learn, and increases accuracy and efficiency.

It is another object of the invention to provide a typing
system that is easy to use for persons with disabilities, such as
arthritis.

It is another object of the invention to implement a
speed-typing system with a finger-mounted input device.

It is still yet another object of the invention to design
contoured keys for a keyboard that enable a user to sense the
relative position of his hand on the keyboard.

It is another object of the invention to provide a quick
and easy method for entering information for editing and typing
using a speech recognition system.

It is another object of the invention to provide a system
to compress data to reduce memory required to store data and
increase speed of transmission.

These together with other objects and advantages which
will become subsequently apparent when reference is made to the
drawings and description hereinbelow.

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows an overall preferred embodiment of the
word processing system of the invention in block-diagram format.
Figure 2(a) shows an 8-key configuration as implemented

on the top numeral row of a standard QWERTY keyboard in accordance
with the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2(b) shows a 14-key configuration as implemented
on the conventional character row of a standard QWERTY keyboard in
accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 shows a 6-key configuration of a specially
designed keyboard in an alternative embodiment of the invention for
use with the system of Figure 1.

Figure 4(a) shows a flow chart in accordance with the
preferred method of operation of the system.

Figure 4(b) shows a flow chart in accordance with an
alternative method of operation of the system.

Figure 5 shows the output of the invention for the
monitor of Figure 1 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of
the invention.

Figure 6 is a flow diagram for an alternative embodiment
of the invention.

Figure 7 shows the output of the invention for the
monitor of Fig. 1 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of
the invention.

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Figures 8(a) -8 (d) , 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 (a) -
17(d), 18, 19 and 20, show alternative keyboard configurations for
use with the keyboard of Figure 1.

Figure 21 shows an alternative keyboard configuration for
use on the touch-screen monitor of Fig. 1.

Figures 22(a)-(b) are a table showing the number of word
codes associated with more than one word when two letters of the
alphabet are combined on the same key.

Figures 22(c)-(d) are a table of five- to twenty-one- key
keyboard configurations generated based upon the table of Fig.
22(a), and showing the number of word codes associated with more
than one word, and the total number of words associated with those
word codes having more than one word, for each configuration.

Figures 22(e)-(x) are alternative keyboard
configurations, based upon the table of Fig. 22(b).

Figure 23 shows a finger-mounted input device and input
selection panels used in association with the speed-typing system
of the present invention.

Figure 24(a) is a top view showing the contoured keypad
in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 24(b) is a side view of the middle top, bottom and
side keys shown in Figure 24(a).

Figure 24(c) is a perspective view of the four corner
keys of Figure 24(a).



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Figure 25 is a block diagram of the word processing
system in combination with a Speech Recognition System.

Figures 26 (a) - (y) , 27 (a) - (z) and 28 (a) - (m) show various
alternative keyboard configurations.

Figures 29(a)-29(l) are various alternative keyboard
configurations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In describing a preferred embodiment of the invention
illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted
to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended

to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be
understood that each specific term includes all technical
equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a
similar purpose.

Turning to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows the speed typing
system 100 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the
invention. Generally, the system 100 comprises a computer 10
having a microprocessor, internal memory 12, and associated
input/output components well known in the word processing art. A

conventional expanded keyboard 14, printer 16, and display 18 is
provided in a conventional manner. In addition, a separate
specially designed keypad or keyboard 50 may be optionally utilized
in a manner to be described. The word-processing system is
controlled by programmed instructions within the computer which
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recognize operator-initiated keystrokes and subsequently display
and print the text. The software instructions will be modified
from conventional instructions to perform the functions of the
present invention. The software to perform the functions of the

present invention may be within the pre-programmed instructions of
the word processing system or stored on a disk, CD-ROM, or stored
and retrieved remotely through the Internet or local network or
other like systems, for input into the computer and may be linked
by conventional interfacing techniques to all major word processors

in a manner well known in the art, such as by Dynamic Database
Enhancing or Object Linking and Abetting or Standard Interface.
Although system 100 is shown as consisting of separate

components, the system 100 may be implemented in a variety of
manners, such as in a hand-held computer 10 with memory 12 which is
integrated with a keyboard 50 and a display 18. The hand-held

computer, or portable input device, may be remotely located with
its output either directly wired or transmitted wirelessly to the
computer. Thus, the portable input device may be used to access
the system remotely, such as through a remote telephone, over

conventional telephone lines, or wirelessly, using tone signals or
binary code signals that are generated by the input device.

The invention is designed so that the user may decide to
use some of the lettered keys of a conventional keyboard or the
numbered keys of a conventional keyboard, which are generally

located along the top row of the keyboard or along the right hand
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side of the keyboard. Likewise, the invention may be implemented
on a touch-screen monitor, by a toggle-type control lever
resembling a joystick in appearance, or by other like input
devices. The keys may be still further be mounted on a portable

keyboard in which the finger keys press inward in one direction and
a thumb-operated key is mounted on the side of the keyboard and is
pressed inward by the user's thumb. The thumb is especially useful
for function controls, spacing, backspacing, or for controlling the
direction of cursor and for highlighting.

Fig. 2(a) shows a traditional expanded QWERTY keyboard 14
used to implement the present invention in accordance with the
preferred embodiment of the invention. The examples of the present
invention are provided for the English language. Keyboard 14 has
10 numeral keys along the top row and 10 numeral keys along the

right hand side of keyboard 14, each labeled from 1-9 and 0. An
overlay 23 is shown above the top row of numeral keys, indicating
letter characters to be assigned to each of the corresponding
numeral keys. In addition, stickers (not shown) having multiple
letters may optionally be mounted to the numeral keys located on

the right portion of keyboard 14 or on keys that are conventionally
marked with a letter.

In one of the preferred embodiments, the standard
keyboard is an 8-key configuration, wherein numeral keys 1-7 are
each alphabetically assigned 3 letters, and numeral key 8 is

assigned 5 letters, as shown by the overlay 23. The number
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assigned each numeral key is used as an input element code or
numerical code that is associated with the corresponding letters.

Another embodiment, corresponding to a 14-key
configuration, is shown in Fig. 2(b), where the conventional letter
keys nan. nSn~ ndn, -r fn, nrn, nC-r, nin, nun, nnnl nln, nkn, n,n,

"1", and ";" are redefined as shown. The keys range from having a
single letter, to as many as 8 letters for a single key. This
embodiment preferably places a vowel with one or more consonants
rather than a consonant with a consonant or a vowel with a vowel.

Vowels and consonants are usually not interchangeable in a given
sequence of letters which are arranged to form a word, so that the
configuration results in a fewer incidence of words having the same
code. In addition, the most commonly used letters are sometimes
provided a separate key that is easy to reach. On the other hand,

the least-used letters are preferably grouped on a key or keys
which are generally not as conveniently positioned.

Fig. 3 shows one example of a specially designed keyboard
50 corresponding to a two-handed 6-key configuration. Keyboard 50
generally comprises alphabetic or letter character keys 52 and

function keys 54. Letter character keys 52 are provided in the
middle row of keyboard 50, while function keys 54 are provided
along the top and bottom portions 56, 58, respectively, of keyboard
50. In addition, a cursor controller 55 and select button 57 are
provided along the top portion 56 of keyboard 50. Keyboard 50 may

be arranged in any manner suitable to other keyboards, such as the
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keys being aligned in an arcuate shape. Keyboard 50 interfaces
with the word processing computer 10 in a conventional manner.

The function keys 54 may correspond to any suitable
function to be performed. Preferably, however, the bottom row of
function keys 54 comprise for instance, SPACE BAR 60, TAB key 62,

SHIFT KEY 64, and ENTER key 66. The top row 56 of function keys 54
may correspond to numbers or characters, cursor movement keys,
definable function keys, capitalization, backspace, or keys having
other like operations. In addition, keyboard 50 may be used in

conjunction with expanded keyboard 14. Expanded keyboard 14 would
supply any of the numerical or function keys 54 not provided by
keyboard 50. Accordingly, the expanded keyboard 14 is optional,
although it complements special keyboard 50 by providing the full
spectrum of traditional function and character keys.

Letter keys 52 are divided into two groups 68, 70, each
group having three keys. Three characters are assigned to each of
the keys 52 of the left group 68, which are preferably imprinted on
the key, though may be located on a template or an overlay on a row
above the keys, so that the user's fingers do not otherwise

obstruct letters placed on the keys themselves (not shown). The
left key 52 has letters A, B, C, D; the middle key 52 has E, F, G,
H; and the right key 52 has I, J, K, L. The right group 70 of keys
52 each have from four to five characters: the left key 52 has M,
N, 0, P, Q; the middle key 52 has R, S, T, U; and, the right key 52
has V-Z.



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Each letter key 52 is further assigned a numerical digit
corresponding to a numerical or element code 72, which is imprinted
on the bottom right side of the key 72. The purpose of the
numerical code, or input element code, will become more apparent

below. The left group 68 of keys 52 are designed to be used by a
user's left hand and the right group 70 is for use by the right
hand.

As depicted in each of Figs. 2 and 3, the letters are
generally arranged alphabetically along letter keys 52, from left
to right. This configuration makes it easier for a user to learn

and memorize the location of keys and for "hunt and peck" typists
to find a desired key. However, the letters may be formatted in
any suitable manner, such as based upon frequency of use, with less
frequently used letters either grouped together or inter-dispersed

with more frequently used letters. The letters may also be
arranged partially alphabetically, such as placing the vowels on
separate keys in an alphabetical order. The letters may also be
arranged to reduce the number of words associated with a single
word code. Also, the user or programmer may implement a program to

locate the letters on the keys with as few or as many keys the user
decides.

The computer may further be configured to maintain a
tally of the word usage and determine the most frequently used
letters and words for that user and the information may be further

used to automatically place terms in rank order of priority in
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memory, as will become more apparent below. For instance, if the
letters are to be arranged alphabetically, the letter "o" may be
grouped with either "n" or "p". However, due to the often prolific
use of the words "on" and "no", it would be preferable to place the

letter "o" with the letter "p" or "m", which are close in
alphabetical order. Still yet, letters may be grouped together
which have similarities in appearance in order to assist
recollection of location by the user. Also, additional keys can be
concentrated about the index finger so that the keys are easy to
reach.

In addition, the keyboard configurations may range in
number of keys, such as from 5 or less to 21 letter keys or more
(see, for instance, Figs. 22(c), (d) and (e)), and the number of
letters on each key may range from 1 to 8 or more letters per key.

There are many other possibilities in addition to those shown in
Figs. 22(c)-(e) that are equally practical and may be designed by
the user and integrated in_the computer program. As will become
more apparent below, the greater the number of keys, and with
careful assignment of letters to the keys, the less editing or

other interaction that will be required by the user. However,
typing will be slower and more difficult to learn since there are
more key locations. Likewise, the fewer the number of keys, the
easier the system will be to learn and type, but the more editing
that will be required of the user.

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Now turning to Fig. 4(a), a functional flowchart of the
invention as implemented by programmed instructions stored in the
computer memory 12 or from a floppy diskette will now be described.
The system 100 starts at block 102, where the system formats

itself. In formatting, each key is preassigned a particular set of
letters and a numerical digit or code 72 according to the
designated keyboard configuration. For instance, the preferred
default keyboard configuration is the 8-key configuration of Fig.
2(a), or a 10- or 12-key configuration. Accordingly, eight input

elements, here keys 52, are assigned the digits 1-8, from left to
right, respectively. In addition, each of letters A, B, C are
assigned to numerical digit or input element code 1; letters D, E,
F are assigned numerical code 2; and so forth. Thus, when a letter
key 52 is depressed on keyboard 14, the equivalent numerical code
72 is recognized by the computer 10 at step 104.

The standard eight key format may be changed by the
operator in accordance with the system design. That is, the system
may display alternate format choices to the operator, such as using
4, 6, or 13 keys, which the operator may select and the operator

may select the letters to be assigned each key. Each format may be
accompanied by a corresponding template or overlay 23.

After format selection, typing may begin. The operator
types out a word and the key depressions are read, step 104. A
numeral associated with each key is read and stored as it is

depressed until the operator strikes a key that indicates the user
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has reached the end of the word to be typed, step 106. For
instance, if the character is a punctuation mark, space, or
carriage return, the system will determine that the word is
complete and proceed to step 108. Otherwise, the system returns to

step 104, where the system awaits the next character to be entered.
As the word is typed, the display unit preferably
displays each of the letters associated with each key that is
depressed. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, if the key "1" is
depressed a linear column or row.displaying "ABC" is displayed.

Alternatively, nothing may be displayed, or the numeral "1" may be
displayed. Still further, only an asterisk or other symbol may be
displayed. These display symbols will automatically be erased when

- the system determines that the typed word is accepted or when the
user erases it so that he can enter another word.

Once the entire word has been received, step 106, the
system will search the memory 12 by comparing the numerical value
of the input code with a table of word codes stored in memory 12,
step 108. An example of several numerical or word codes are shown,
for instance, in Table 1 for the standard 8-key configuration of

Fig. 2(a). As shown in Table 1, each word code is stored in a
specific memory location, with each memory location having a list
of one or more words. The word codes are formed from one or more
numerical input element codes. Accordingly, every word in the
dictionary is stored in the table memory as associated with a
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particular code. The memory may be configured from any standard
word-processing dictionary or like.system.

TABLE 1

Code Preferred Words Words
5-5 no
on
5-5-8 now now
mow
5-5-8-7 mows
In addition, fewer than every word in the dictionary may

be stored in the table memory. For instance, the user may select
a limited category of information corresponding to a more finite
vocabulary, such as for composing business letters or scientific
papers, or addressing medicine, biology, physics, proper nouns,
philosophy, and the like. The reduced dictionary diminishes the

memory requirements, as well as the time needed for the computer to
search the memory. Likewise, less interaction would be required by
the user since there are fewer codes in memory, so that each code
is further likely to be associated with fewer words, thereby
increasing the speed of typing.

The user is able to select which dictionary is to be
used, and any dictionary could be combined with any other
dictionary, or used alone or with a basic dictionary of common
words. Thus, if a word is not found in one dictionary, the user


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could expand the search to another dictionary. Such search could
also be made automatic. The user may also define a dictionary of
frequently used words, and may add or remove words from any of the
dictionaries.

If the input numerical code is located or found in the
memory table, step 108, the system proceeds to step 118. At step
118, the system will check the memory location to determine if more
than one word, i.e. multiple words, are associated with the
particular input code. If, however, no words are found in memory

at step 108, the user will have the opportunity to correct any
misspelling of the word, step 109. If the user determines that the
code was entered incorrectly, step 109, the user may go back and
re-enter the code, step 104. Correction of a misspelling is
performed in accordance with the standard word processing

operation, such as by erasing the typed code where necessary and
entering the new text code. After making the correction, the
system determines if a code has been found in memory for the
corrected word, step 108.

Assuming, on the other hand, that there was not a typing
error, the user may add words in memory, step 110, by adding a
particular word to the dictionary memory corresponding to the
numerical digits selected. The user selects the new word by
highlighting the proper letters among the group of letters
displayed above and/or below the home row being typed. Or, the

letters may be displayed in a window elsewhere on the screen. As
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the letters are highlighted and selected from the window, they are
then entered into the home row.

Once all the letters of the word are highlighted, the
user hits ENTER, and the computer stores the new word in the memory
location corresponding to the associated numerical code. If the

user elects to add the word in memory, the memory is updated, step
112. The selected word is then displayed in the text of the
document, step 114, and the system then returns to step 104, where
it awaits the next key to be input, step 117.

If, on the other hand, the user does not add any word in
memory, step 110, instructions are displayed, step 116, and the
system returns to wait for the next key, steps 117, 104. The
instructions may indicate, for instance, that no word has been
located and the user should determine whether there was a

typographical error or that the user should reconsider whether to
define a new word. Thus, the message may read "check spelling" or
"code not recognized". Or, the system may display words
corresponding to the closest code that is located in memory and
indicate that no exact match has been found.

If there is at least one word stored in memory that is
associated with the input code at step 108, the system will proceed
to step 118. At step 118, if only a single word is stored in the
memory location associated with the input code, the word will be
displayed, step 120. The user will have the opportunity to change

(i.e. add or delete) the word stored in memory, step 122, if, for
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example, the word in memory is not the word desired to be
displayed. As in step 110 above, the memory is updated to include,
or omit, the changed word, step 124, the new word is displayed,
step 126, in place of the originally displayed word, and the

system, at step 127, returns to step 104. If no words are modified
at step 122, indicating that the displayed word is correct, the
system, at step 127, will return to step 104.

The process of changing the words in memory, steps 110,
122, 152 (as will be discussed below), allows the user to update
the memory for specially defined words that are not normally

included in a standard dictionary. For example, a proper noun
might not be in a dictionary memory and thus the operator may want
to change or add the proper noun to the memory for that particular
code. Thus, the user may incorporate proper nouns, technical

terms, abbreviations, and so forth, into the computer memory. This
is done in any suitable programming manner, such as by simply
appending the new word into the memory location associated with the
given code. In addition, the user may modify the memory so as to
later omit terms that were previously incorporated into the memory.

Assuming that there is more than one word in memory, step
118, all the words are displayed, step 142, with any preferred
words being displayed at the top of the list of words. The user
then has the option of selecting a word, step 144, creating
preferred words, step 148, or including a new word in memory that
corresponds to the code, step 152.

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If the user selects a word among the words displayed,
step 144, the selected word is displayed, step 146, and the system
returns to await the next input character, steps 147, 104.
However, if no word is selected, step 144, the user may wish to

create preferred words, step 148. At step 148, the user may define
a displayed word or words as being a preferred word to be,listed at
the top of the list, step 148, or in a certain rank order. If the
preferred words are modified, step 148, the memory is updated, step
150, the word is displayed, step 146, and the system again returns
to step 104, step 147.

The preferred words are those words that have previously
been selected or designated by the user as terms that are most
frequently used. The system may also be configured with the words
pre-designated as being preferred words. Still yet, the system may

be configured so that the preferred word is the word that was
selected the last time the same code was entered by the user. As
shown in Table 1, for instance, the term "now" is defined as the
preferred term for code 5-5-8. Though the preferred terms are
shown as a separate list in memory Table 1, they may simply be

flagged as a preferred term and stored with the other words for
that memory location.

Finally, if the user does not select a word, step 144,
and does not change the list of preferred words, step 148, the user
may change, i.e. add to or modify, the words in memory, step 152.

For example, as discussed above, the desired word may be missing
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among the displayed words, or the user otherwise wants to include
a new word to be associated with the input numerical code. If so,
the memory is updated at step 150 to reflect the new information,
and the new word is displayed, step 146. The system then returns

to step 104, where the system awaits a new character to be input,
step 147.

If the user does not select a word, step 144, create a
preferred word, step 148, or change a word, step 152, an
instruction message will be displayed, step 154. The system will

then return to step 104, where it will wait for the next key to be
typed, step 147. The message may indicate, for instance, for the
user to "check spelling" or that the "word was skipped."

Now turning to Fig. 4(b), an alternative embodiment of
the flow chart of Fig. 4(a) will be discussed. As a standard
practice, the system will display all the words in the manner shown

in Fig. 4(a), with the preferred words displayed at the top of the
list of words. However, Fig. 4(b) now allows the user to first
display a list of only the preferred words. If the desired word is
not found among the preferred terms, the user may then decide to
see a list of all the words.

Accordingly, steps 302-327 of Fig. 4(b) are similar to
steps 102-127 of Fig. 4(a). Picking up at step 318, however, the
user now has the election to first display a list of only the
preferred words. Thus, if there is more than one word stored in

the memory location associated with the input code, as verified at


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step 318, the system will next check for a list of preferred words,
step 328. If preferred words are stored in memory, the system will
display any preferred words associated with that input code, step
330. An asterisk or message will be displayed along with the

preferred words so that the user knows that additional words are
available aside from only the preferred terms displayed.

The user may, after reviewing the list of preferred
terms, step 330, decide to see the entire list of words, step 332,
after which all the words are displayed, block 342, offering the

operator various choices as will be discussed below. If all the
words are not to be displayed, the system then determines if there
are multiple preferred words stored in memory, step 334, and, if
so, the user may pick among the preferred words, step 338. If a
word is selected, the selected word is displayed, step 336, and the

system returns to await a new keystroke, steps 337 and 304. If no
word is selected, a message is displayed, step 340, and the system
returns to receive the next key, steps 337, 304.

Returning to step 332, if the user selects to display all
the words stored in memory, step 332, or if there were no preferred
words to begin with, step 328, all the words will be displayed,

step 342. Accordingly, all words in the appropriate memory
location are displayed on monitor 18, step 342. Once the words are
displayed, step 342, the user then has the option of selecting a
word, step 344, creating a list of preferred words, step 348, or
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including a new word in memory that corresponds to the code, step
352.

Steps 342 to 354 are essentially similar to steps 142 to
154 of Fig. 4(a). At step 348, however, the user may define a
displayed word or words as being preferred words or otherwise view

and modify the list of preferred words or create a new list of
preferred words, step 348.

Referring now to Fig. 5, an example of the operation of
the invention will now be described with reference to Fig. 4(a)
The monitor 18 is generally shown as having a main screen 22 on

which the output is displayed. Suppose, for instance, that the
user desires to type the phrase "Dear Tom, Now is the time for all
good men to come to the aid of their country.". After the computer
formats, step 102, the user would begin typing the word "Dear" by

striking the key sequence 2-2-1-5, which is recognized by the
system at step 104. As each keystroke is made, the letters
associated with each key are displayed on the screen 22.

The letters are preferably displayed vertically upward,
above the home row 25, which is shown as the center row. The home
row is the line that is being typed. It is the row in which the

highest preferred word is displayed. If there are no preferred
words, the word displayed in the home row may be the first
alphabetically listed word, or the word that was selected the last
time that code was entered. Below the home row is displayed the

list of words with lesser priority, which may be listed
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alphabetically. When a word from below the home row is selected,
it is moved into the home row. It may be preferable to display the
letters and words horizontally, especially when there are fewer
words to edit, such that most editing will only involve selecting
between one of two words.

For a large number of letters assigned to a particular
key, the user can elect that the system limit the letters displayed
to the first three or four. An asterisk is then provided to
indicate to the user that other letters are available to be

scrolled. Referring to Fig. 5, for instance, when the user
depresses key 8 for the letter "w", the letters "v", "w", and "x"
are displayed. An asterisk is also displayed, indicating that
additional letters, "y" and "z", have not been displayed. Of
course, the user may elect not to display the letters, and have the

option to display letters if a desired word is not displayed.
Thus, for instance, the letters may only be displayed when no word
code is found in memory. If a word code is found in memory, only
the words will be displayed, and not the letters for the individual
keys that are depressed.

Suppose now that the user has finished typing the word
"Now", by striking codes 5-5-8. Once 5-5-8 is entered, the user
would then depress space bar 60, indicating to the system that the
word has come to an end, step 106. At that point, the system 100
would search the memory and recognize the input code 5-5-8 as
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corresponding to one of the codes in memory 12, as depicted in
Table 1, step 108.

In an alternative preferred embodiment, the numerical
code may be searched as the user strikes each key. Thus, when the
user strikes 5 for "N", the memory will scroll past all numerical

codes starting with a value less than S. When the user next
strikes 5 for "o", the memory will scroll to numerical code 5-5.
(At this point, though the user hasn't completed typing that
particular word, the currently available words "no" and "on" may be

displayed on screen 22.) When the user next strikes 8 for "w", the
system need only scroll down a short distance to locate the proper
code, 5-5-8.

Continuing with our example at step 118, the system will
recognize that there are two words, "now" and "mow", associated
with code 5-5-8. At this point, the system may sound an audible
beep to alert the user to edit the document.

In addition, the system will then determine that the word
"now" has been marked as a preferred word. Thus, the word "Now" is
displayed on screen 22 in the home row 25 and highlighted. In

addition, the word "Mow" is displayed below "Now", as shown in Fig.
5. The user may display all words in any suitable manner, such as
by selecting the function from a pull-down menu. The words
associated with the input code are preferably displayed downward
starting at the home row 25. The user may then scroll down to

highlight one of the words displayed, such as "Mow" by using
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scrollingkeys on keyboard 14 or 50, mouse 20, or cursor controller
55, step 144. Once the appropriate term is highlighted and the
user depresses the ENTER key, the selected term is displayed on
screen 22, step 146, and the system returns to wait for the next
key, steps 147, 104.

An example of scrolling downward is shown in Fig. 5 for
the code 3-5-5-2. After the full code is entered, the words
"gone", "home", and "good" are displayed downward, with the term
"gone" being positioned in the home row 25. At the point shown in

Fig. 5, however, the user has scrolled downward to highlight the
term "good". Once "good" is highlighted, and the ENTER key
depressed, the words "gone" and "home", as well as the letters, are
removed from the display. In addition, the term "good" would be
displayed in home row 25, without being highlighted, as shown for
the words "for all".

Of course, instead of highlighting the desired word, the
system may underline the desired word, provide the displayed and/or
selected words in brackets, or use any suited method or combination
to distinguish selected words from the list of displayed words.

Also, the word may be displayed side-by-side, as opposed to being
vertically aligned, and the letters may be displayed in a window
and may remain in the window until editing and placement of the
desired word in the home row.

Still yet, the words may be selected by being scrolled
into the home row 25 and hitting ENTER. Or, the user may select a


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number located next to the listed words that would put that word
into the home row. Of course, the words may be displayed both
above and below the home row. Where there are three words, such
that one word is above the home row and one word below the home

row, the user would have the option to hit the "+" and "-" keys to
select the word above or below the home row, respectively. In
addition, the user may hit a scroll key (which is preferably
positioned between the "+" and "-" keys) to view a next group of
three words that would then be displayed in the same fashion. In

addition, the words may be displayed in a window elsewhere on the
screen.

The user may further decide to add a new word (or, if no
word code is located in memory due to a misspelling) to memory,
step 152. Referring to Fig. 5, suppose the user inputs code 7-5-5

for his name, "Tom". A standard dictionary memory may not have the
proper noun word Tom, but does have other words for that codes,
including "Ton" and "Son". As described above, all letters for
code 7-5-5 are displayed on screen 22 as the respective keys are
depressed. In addition, in the absence of any preferred terms, the

words "Ton" and "Son" are also displayed on screen 22. In order to
define the new word, the user may then exercises the option to
display all the letters by depressing a function key and then the
user highlights the letters used to form the new word, "Tom",
either by vertically scrolling the letters into the home row 25, or
by moving the cursor and clicking, as shown in Fig. S.

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Once all of the letters are highlighted, the user hits
the ENTER key and the word is displayed in the home row 25, step
114,. and all the letters and remaining words are removed from the
display. Of course, the user may, instead of highlighting each

individual letter, change to a standard 26-key keyboard
configuration (as will be described below), in order to directly
type a word. Still yet, instead of highlighting, the system may
underline a letter, provide letters in brackets, or use any suited
method, including the combination of underlining and highlighting,

to distinguish a selected letter. The letters may also be
displayed side-by-side, as opposed to being vertically aligned.
Nevertheless, once the letters are selected, and a word

is formed, the system then updates the memory, step 150, so that
the new word "Tom" is stored in the memory location corresponding
to numerical code 7-5-5 (or a message may be displayed indicating

that the word was not in memory). The system then returns to step
104, where it waits for the next key to be depressed. Once the
operator has completed typing, the operator may print the document
on printer 16, save to document to disk, or perform any other
function common to word processing systems.

Now turning to Fig. 6, a flow chart is shown in
accordance with yet another alternative embodiment of the
invention. Fig. 6 differs from Fig. 4(a) by allowing the user to
finish typing an entire sentence, paragraph, page, or document,

prior to having to select the words to be finally displayed. In
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addition, the preferred words are now displayed in conjunction with
the entire set of words, as in Fig. 4 (b) . Thus, instead of
displaying the list of preferred words alone, the system now
displays all the words, with the preferred words at the top of the
list. Long lists may be scrolled in any suitable manner.

As in Figs. 4(a) and 4(b), the system starts out by first
formatting itself, step 202, and reading keys, step 204. After an
entire word is input, step 206, the system will check for the code
in memory, step 208. If the input code is not located in memory,

step 208, a message will be displayed, or the code will be
displayed, step 210, and highlighted, to indicate no word has been
found. If the code is found, step 208, and there is only one word,
step 212, that word is displayed, step 214. Assuming that there is
more than one word in memory, the system will display all the

words, step 216, with the highest ordered preferred word always
displayed at the home row and other words above and/or below.
Here, however, since there is only one word, the step of checking
for more than one word, step 212, may be removed since the single
word would necessarily be displayed at step 216.

After the code, word, or words have been displayed at
steps 210, 214, or 216, the system will determine whether to edit
or verify the document, step 218. Here, the user may select that
the document is to be edited following the entry of a line of text,
a paragraph, or a page and the system will remind the user at the

appropriate intervals. Accordingly, after each line, sentence or
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paragraph of text is entered, the system will automatically prompt
the user to go back and edit that line, though the user may
continue typing and edit the document at a later time. Upon
subsequently editing the document, the system may automatically

proceed from one word to be edited to the next, skipping all word
codes that only had one word in memory. Or, the system may allow
the user to skip between words to be edited, by using a TAB key, a
function key, or the like.

The user may also have the option of using "+", "-" and
"0" keys to select amongst a plurality of displayed letters and/or
words. For instance, assume that the user must select from amongst
9 words that are displayed on the screen for the typed word code.
The words are displayed both above and below the home row, so as to
be centered about the home row (with any preferred word in the home

row, and the remaining words listed alphabetically or in rank of
priority). The user may then hit the "+" key in order to narrow
the displayed words to those above the home row (here, the top five
words) and the remaining words would be removed from the display.
The five displayed words are then centered about the home row and

the user may then hit the "-" key to select the words displayed
below the home row, if that is the location of the desired word.
Once the field is narrowed to only three words, the "+" and "-"
keys would select the word above or below the home row,
respectively. Of course, the word in the home row may always be
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selected by hitting an enter key, or by the user continuing to
type.

In addition, the system may be configured so that only
three of the nine words may be displayed at a time and the "+" and
"-" keys would select the words above and below the home row,

respectively, and the "0" may be used to scroll to the next set of
three words. Also, the user may hit a number displayed next to the
word to immediately enter that word or the user may use a cursor to
select the desired word.

Still yet, the user may select to edit the document at
any time during the entry of text. Unless the document is to be
edited, the system will return to step 204, where it awaits entry
of the next key. Accordingly, the system will display alternative
words and letters up until the point the document is verified.

Once the document is to be edited, the system will
advance to step 220. Here, the system will proceed through each
input code for which there is more than o.ne word in memory. Where
there is only one word, that word is accepted and displayed in the
text of the document. Where there is more than one word, the

system will display the list of words with the preferred words
being listed first. The system will then prompt the user to select
a word, enter a new word into the dictionary, or select a word as
being preferred. This process is similar to steps 118 to 147 of
Fig. 4(a) as discussed above.



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The highest preferred word is displayed at the home row
and any remaining preferred words are displayed in the order of
their priority. The order of priority may be defined by the user
or pre-designated in the system. This is done by the user

assigning a preferred order to the list of words. Or, a rank order
may be predefined by the system. Any words that have not been
ranked are also displayed in alphabetical order beneath words
having a greater priority.

The term with the greatest priority is displayed in the
home row 25. The user may then scroll down (or up, if the words
are displayed above the home row) and highlight any term to be
selected. If, however, the user does not select a word (such as by
continuing to type), the word in the home line 25, here the
preferred word, is displayed in the text of the document. The

system may further be configured to permit the user to select all
of the highlighted words at once. As discussed above, the first
preferred word is highlighted.by default, at the user's option, and
the user may select a different word by scrolling downward or
upward to highlight the desired word, without having to press ENTER

for each individual word. If there is no preferred word, the first
listed word, which is in the home row 25, is highlighted by
default.

All the operational steps of the invention are
implemented in accordance with well-known programming techniques.
For instance, the steps of indicating a word is missing, steps 110,
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122, 152, selecting a preferred word, step 148, or changing the
keyboard configuration, are implemented by methods that are well-
known in the programming art, such as by using a pop-up menu or
display window.

In this manner, all the functions available to the user,
such as to select a keyboard configuration, add a new word to
memory, and so forth, may be implemented by a pull-down menu or in
a display window that can be accessed at any time during operation
of the invention or only at selected times. Other operations, such

as updating the memory, steps 124 and 150, are also implemented by
well-known programming methods, examples of which will be discussed
below.

An example of implementing the invention by the use of
windows is shown, for instance, in Fig. 7, in accordance with the
operation of Fig. 6. A function display window is provided for the

user to select among available functions, such as to enter a new
word not in memory, select a new keyboard configuration, create a
preferred word, edit the document, create a preferred word, and so
forth. In addition, the letters and words are also displayed in

scrollable windows, with the most preferred term listed first and
highlighted. The non-preferred or lesser prioritized words are
then displayed below the most preferred word. The preferred term,
however, need not necessarily be highlighted at the user's option.

Once a word is selected, the window disappears and the
word is displayed in the text of the document, such as shown for
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"time" in Fig. 7. Still as an alternative method of selecting
words, each word or letter (in the case of defining a new word) may
be displayed adjacent a number (not shown). The user may then
select the word or letter by depressing the number displayed

adjacent the desired word. The user may then use one hand for
typing and one hand for editing or selecting words and letters, or
otherwise controlling operation of the system.

Now turning to Figs. 8-20, various alternative
embodiments of keyboard configurations are shown. These
configurations may be pre-programmed into the system, or may be

designated by the user. Figs. 8-10 are examples of two-handed
keyboard configurations and Figs. 11-20 generally show examples of
one-handed keyboard configurations. These embodiments have the
user position his fingers over most of the respective keys, thereby
reducing finger and hand movement and fatigue.

The configuration shown in Fig. 10, corresponding to a
14-key keyboard (since key 12 is repetitive), was tested with the
phrase "Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of
their country." It was found that only the word "aid" required any

editing by the user since all the remaining terms were the only
words for the typed code. Thus, the number of keys is
significantly reduced from the standard 26 keys, to 14 keys, with
the amount of required editing being minimal.

Where there are four or fewer keys for one or both hands,
the user may always keep four fingers positioned over the
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respective keys, such as for Fig. 12. Or, as with Fig. 11, the
user may use two fingers, each finger assigned two keys. For five
to nine keys, the user may choose to use 3 fingers of one hand by
using two to three keys for each finger, such as for the

configuration of Fig. 13. For twelve keys, such as with Fig. 13,
the user may use four fingers of one hand. The keyboard is thus
preferably configured to minimize fatigue on the user by reducing
finger movement.

Fig. 21 shows still yet another alternative embodiment of
the invention, as implemented on a touch screen 22, such as found
on a conventional computer monitor 18. Key representations 80 are
displayed on the monitor 18 about a general octagonal pattern,
though any suited shape may be used, including a circle or hexagon.
Letters and numerical codes are assigned to each key representation
as with the manual keyboards, such as shown.

The user positions a pointer (not shown) in the center of
the octagon and slides the pointer outward along the screen 22 into
one of the key representations 80. This movement is generally
shown to correspond to arrows 82. As the pointer enters the key

representation, the key is activated. The letters corresponding to
the key are thereby selected and the user returns the pointer to
the center position of the octagon. This touch-screen system is
particularly suited for persons with disabilities, and may also be
configured to recognize input from suitable input devices, such as
being responsive to light emitted from a pointer.

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With these "key" arrangements a "WRITING" technique can
be used. There are well known techniques using a special writing
instrument and/or tablet which can recognize the direction, the
change in direction, and if desired the length of the stroke. The

successive use of the same letter can be indicated by a circular
movement, the length of the movement or depression of a key. With
the 6 key keyboard the following methods can be used:

(a) The pen caused by the user to move in one of six
direction and then lifted at the end of the stroke.
These directions include:

(1) diagonally up to the left;
(2) diagonally up to the right;
(3) diagonally down to the left;
(4) diagonally down to the right;

(5) straight up; or
(6) straight down.

At the end of the word a space bar may be hit.

(b) The pen stays in contact until the end of the word.when
it is lifted from the table which causes the space bar to
be activated. The directions of the strokes are as
indicated in (a) above.

It is necessary for the computer to realize whether the
same key is "hit" two times or more in a row. There are several
different methods'of achieving this: (i) the user can hit a key

located on the pen with his index finger to indicate a separated


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activation of that key; (ii) a button could be hit by a finger of
the hand not holding the "pen". This key may be located on the
tablet or elsewhere. If the next letter is in the same key the
user could either stroke the pen as in (a) above or push the key

(button) again. Or, (iii) the user could move the pen in a
direction other than those listed in (a) above, e.g., it could
always move horizontally to the left - for the first repeat of the
key - if the next letter is also located in the same key the user
could move the pen as in (a) above.

The input code may be optically-read handwritten symbols,
each symbol representing a keystroke, or the input from such
handwritten symbols may come from a stylus and/or tablet which
conveys to the computer the shape of the symbols; that is, it can
recognize the direction, change in direction, and length of the

stroke. The grouping of the letters is preferably based upon a
feature that the form of the letters have in common.

As shown in Table 2, the letters shown in the first
column have a feature in common that is shown by the shape of the
symbol in the second column, and therefore easy to remember. Table

2 is only for illustrative purposes, and other variations may be
used.

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TABLE 2a

Column 1 Column 2 Column 3
a , c , g, q nC-- nCn, n]--
b, d, h, I, k, t directions: "i" and "1"
e, p, r, s directions: and
m, n "n" "n" , "u"
u,.v, w, X, y directions: and
0, z, f, j, 1 "-" directions: and "--"
TABLE 2b

Symbols Set 1 Set 2 Set 3
--C", '-D-- a,c,g,q a,c,g,q,d a,c,g,d
, "i" or "1" b,d,h,i,k,t b,h,i,k,t i,k,t
"/", "r" or e, r, s, p e, r, s, p e, r, s, p
"n", "u" m,n m,n,u m,n,u,h
'! 1. " or u V W X Z V W, X V, W, X,
, , , , ,Y, , ,Y y
-- _ -- -- --- -- -- b
, or o, z, f, j, l o, z, f o, z,
-~~--~ ..1..,'-1", "-J" f, j, l j, l f, j, l

In each case shown in Tables 2a and 2b, the symbols shown
in columns 2 and 1 are simpler, shorter, and faster to write on the
tablet then the symbols in column 1, and sets 1, 2, 3,
respectively. Thus, the 26 letters of the alphabet can be

represented by 6 to 16 symbols. Of course, there are many other
possible choices for the symbols such as using the "-" for the
letter "t", or the symbol "n" for the letter "h" or the letter "d"
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may be represented by the symbol "c", or "r" for the letters f, j
and 1.

Also, other symbols may be chosen to represent the
letters and fewer or more symbols may be used. The writer may
either (1) raise the stylus from the tablet at the end of each

letter, so that the end of a word is indicated by using a special
symbol or depressing a key, or (2) the writer may keep the stylus
in contact with the tablet until the end of the word and by raising
the stylus a space is signaled to be made between the words. Also,

if the stylus stays in contact with the tablet, in order to discern
where one symbol ends and the next one begins, it is necessary to
reverse the direction of the stroke for certain symbols that are
used successively. Thus, the word "bit" is written by a stroke "I"
downward, then it is retraced upward and then retraced downward.

On the other hand, if the stylus is raised after each symbol, the
word "bit" would be written "III".

Also, a mirror image or an upside down position may be
used for certain symbols, as in a word such as "fina". Thus, after
an upward stroke, the "n" would be made by a downward movement

which results in a "u" to represent the same set of letters. The
same may be done for the "r" symbol which would become "L". Thus,
the input from such handwritten symbols may come from a stylus
and/or tablet which conveys to the computer the shape of the
symbol. Symbols may be chosen that conform to general shapes of

the associated letters, such as "c" for "abcd"; "\" for "efvwx";
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"-" for "ghijkl"; "n" for "mno"; "=" for "pqr"; "u" for "tu"; and,
"/" for "yzs". The grouping of these letters is based upon their
alphabetical order and/or a feature that the form of the letters
have in common. Column 3 shows that, when using different

directions (shown in Table 2 by the arrows), and mirror images, at
least 16 "symbols" are made available. For the symbol "f", other
similar symbols are and

The placement of more than one letter on the same key
reduces the number of keys on the keyboard. This makes it easier
to remember the location of the letters. Also, because there are

fewer keys, they are all closer to each other. Therefore, the
movement required by the hands and fingers to reach the keys is
reduced, which makes typing faster and less fatiguing.

However, placing more than one letter on the same key may
result in word codes that are associated with more than one word.
For instance, if the letters B and M are assigned to the same key,
the words "berry" and "merry" would have the same word code. The
system would display both words, and the user must then "edit" the
typed document by selecting the desired word. This editing step,

which slows typing, can be minimized by a knowledgeable selection
of the letters to be combined on the keyboard.

The number of word codes that are associated with more
than one word when a combination of two letters are placed on one
key and the remaining 24 keys each have one letter is referred to

here as frequency #1, or F#1, for that combination of letters. The
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value of F#1 for each combination of letters provides the basic
information that is needed to select which letters should be
combined on the keyboard in order to minimize the amount of editing
required. To obtain this information, the following procedure was

used. Two letters were first assigned to a single key on a
keyboard, and the remaining 24 keys were each assigned on of the
24 remaining letters. Each key was then assigned an input element
code, so that 24 input element codes were associated with one
letter each, and one input element code was associated with 2

letters. These input element codes were then assigned to the
letters of each word in a 21,110 word dictionary and thereby word
codes were formed which were associated with each word.

The word codes with two or more words assigned to it were
then sorted in a numerical order with the words assigned that word
code listed adjacent to their word code. A count of the number of

word codes with two or more words assigned to it was then made, and
the value is shown in the table of Figs. 22(a) and (b) as F#1.
This procedure was repeated for each combination of two letters in
the alphabet, as represented by Figs. 22(a), (b). Each letter of

the alphabet is listed across the top horizontal row and down the
left vertical column.

For example, the number of word codes with more than one
word assigned to it is found for the combination of E and F on a
single key by following the top row across until either the letter

E is located, then scanning down that column until the


CA 02360461 2001-06-28
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corresponding letter F is found. As indicated, the study found
that for the E-F combination, there are 11 word codes, each
associated with two words, for a total of 22 words. These 22 words
are: (1) ear, far, (2) east, fact, (3) eat, fat, (4) eight, fight,

(5) fief, fife, (6) chafe, chaff, (7) hale, half, (8) lief, life,
(9) sere, serf, (10) scare, scarf, (11) sure, surf.

It was also found that, of the word codes that have more
than one word assigned to it, over 99% have two words, and only
approximately 1% are associated with three or more words. Certain

combinations of letters, such as "EJ" "OV", "BI", "AZ", and "FI"
are associated with very few word codes that are associated with
more than one word, that is, they have a low F#1 value. The
selection of the combination of letters to the keys is preferably
made from among those combinations of letters with the lowest F#1

value. The letter combinations with low F#1 values, between 0-32,
may be organized in a single chart, according to F#1 value, to
assist in the selection and arrangement of letters on keys.

It was also found that many combinations of letters with
a low F#1 value were alphabetical or approximately in alphabetical
order. Thus, an alphabetical arrangement of the letters on the

keys is possible with a low F#1 value, so that an alphabetical
order may be used without a significant increase in the amount of
editing required. Such letter combinations include "AB", "EF",
nHln, nIJn, nIJKn, nJKn, -'MOn, nNOn, nOPn, -tPQn, nQRn, nSUn, nTUni

"W", "UW", "UX", "VW", "WX", and "YZ". It is noted that most of
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these combinations comprise a vowel and a consonant. This result
follows from the fact that vowels and consonants are usually not
interchangeable in a given sequence of letters that are arranged to
form a word. In addition, as indicated by the high F#1 values,

certain combinations should be avoided, such as "NR", "RT", "RP",
"LR", "TN", "NL", "DT", "TL", "PT", "TS", "RD", and "RL", which are
each combinations of a consonant with a consonant.

From the information in Figs. 22(a)-(b), various keyboard
configurations, from 2 to 21 keys were generated. Those having
between five and twenty-one keys are shown, for instance, in Figs.

22 (c) -(d) . Each section of Figs. 22 (c) -(d) represents a key on a
keyboard. Each key has from between one and six letters assigned
to it. For instance, the eight-key keyboard has six keys with
three letters each and two keys with four letters each. Each

letter is assigned the input element code of the key to which it is
assigned. The input element code of each letter was then assigned
to the letters of each word in the dictionary. For instance, if
the key with the letters ABC assigned to it has the code 1, then
whenever A, B, or C appears in the dictionary, the code 1 is

assigned to that letter. As a result, each word of the 21,110-word
dictionary is assigned a word code. The word codes with two or
more words assigned to it were then sorted in a numerical order
with the words assigned to that word code adjacent to it.

A count of the number of word codes with two or more
words assigned to it was then made, and shown in Figs. 22(c)-(d) as
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frequency #2, or F#2. A count was also made of the number of words
associated with each word code associated with more than one word
for each keyboard configuration, as represented by frequency #3, or
F#3. The number of keys to which letters are assigned in Figs.

22(c)-(d) range from five to twenty-one keys. The keyboard with
twenty keys has four keys with two letters each, one key with three
letters, and sixteen keys with one letter each. F#2 is larger than
F#1 since the value of F#l is based on only two letters being
combined on a single key and the remaining 24 letters each having

one letter assigned to them. F#2, in contrast, is broader than F#1
in that F#2 includes any configuration having more than two letters
assigned to the same key.

The increase in the number of words assigned the same
word code, from F#1 to F#2, is demonstrated by the following
example. Assume the following letter and code combinations: G-1,

E-2, N-3, R-4, 0-5, 1-6. Then, the word code for "goner" is 15324
and the word code for "inner" is 63324. If the letter "I" is then
assigned to the same key as the letter "G" (so that both letters
have the code 1), then the word code for "inner" becomes 13324.

Thus, both codes are still different for these two words. But, if
the letter "N" is then also assigned to the same key as letter "0"
(so that both letters have the code 3), then the word code for
"goner" becomes 13324. Thus, both words now have the same word
code, and F#2 is larger than M. F#1 give the minimum value of

F#2 and is for that reason a good first indicator of the probable
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value of F#2. Fig. 22(d) shows the values of F#1 and F#2 for
various keyboards.

For fourteen keys or more F#3 is approximately twice as
large as F#2 since any editing will mostly be only two words for a
given word code. As the number of keys is reduced, more keys will

have two or more letters and the number of word codes with three or
more words assigned to it increases. Thus, with the eight-key
keyboard, there are on average of about 2.33 words per word code.

As shown in Figs. 22(c)-(d), multiple keys were assigned
two or more letters. Sixteen different keyboards were derived,
having from 8 to 21 keys. As the number of keys having two or more
letters increases, so does the number of word codes associated with
two or more words. For instance, if C and D are combined on the
same key, and all the other keys have one letter assigned to them,

then the words "calf" and "dale" would not have the same word code.
Assuming, that A has input element code 1; C, D is 2, L is 3, E is
4 and F is 5, "calf" would then have the word code 2135, and "dale"
would have the word code 2134. However, if the letters F and E
were then both assigned the same input element code of 5, then both
words would have the same word code, namely 2135.

The keyboard configurations of Figs. 22(c)-(d) are the
preferred embodiments where it is important to substantially retain
an alphabetical ordering of the letters. To have a keyboard with
an arrangement that is substantially alphabetically ordered, each

letter must be grouped on the same key or an adjacent key with
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letters that are near it alphabetically. Thus, for instance, the
letter "J" is preferably on the same key, or on adjacent key, as
the letters "K" and/or "L". By using an alphabetical order, or a
partially alphabetical order, it is easier to remember the location

of the letters. Other criteria in arranging letters on the
keyboard is the number of word codes having more than one word, and
the frequency of commonly used words or phrases with the same word
code (such as "-tion", "-ing", and "the") . As less emphasis is
placed on having an alphabetical order, various other keyboard
configurations will readily become apparent.

For instance, consider the eleven-key configuration,
which has a total F#1 of 412 word codes associated with more than
one word. The first key contains the letters "A" and "B", which
was determined to have 12 instances of word codes associated with

more than one word. Likewise down the table, the second key, "CD"
has 70 word codes, "EF" has 11, "GHI" has 42, "JKL" has 87, "MNO"
has 109, "PQR" has zero, "SYZ" has 38, "TU" has 8, and "VWX" has
35, for the total of 412 word codes associated with more than one
word.

The F#1 value for each key is based upon the values
derived in Figs. 22(a)-(b), when there are two or more letters on
a key. For instance, for the three-letter key "GHI", the combined
values are taken from the two-letter combinations (that is,
"GH"=36; "GI"=3; "HI"=3; for a total of 42). Of course, as more

than one key is assigned more than one letter, the number of word


CA 02360461 2001-06-28
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codes associated with more than one word may become larger than the
number indicated in Fig. 22(a).

The totals indicated in Fig. 22(a) provide a good
indication of the letter combinations that have the fewest number
of word codes associated with more than one word. The number of

words with the same word code is larger for the configurations with
fewer keys since the fewer number of keys result in more keys
having more than two letters. Of course, as the dictionary is
reduced in size, such as a dictionary only having medical terms and

the like, fewer word codes will be associated with more than one
word.

Figs. 22(c)-(d) (in the bottom row) further show the
approximate average number of lines that are typed before a word
needs to be edited when the system is implemented with a 21,110

word dictionary. The amount of editing is directly related to the
number of keys on the keyboard and the placement of th'e letters on
the keys. The small keyboard with eight keys, about ten percent of
the words, or about 1.1 words per line, require editing. However,
for a larger keyboard there is very little editing to be done, and

in fact the twenty-one key keyboard only requires approximately one
word to be edited for every thousand lines of typing. The editing
is further reduced by the use of preferred words. In addition,
where word codes are only associated with two or three words (which
accounts for the majority of keyboard configurations), the desired

word will be positioned in the home row 50% or 33 1/3% of the time,
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respectively. In such cases, editing is not required and the
desired word is selected by continued typing.

The keyboard configurations shown in Figs. 22(c)-(d) were
also implemented with a 230,000-word dictionary. It was determined
that, for a ten-key keyboard, a user encounters roughly about one

word code per line that is associated with more than one word. The
amount of editing, however, drops significantly as the number of
keys increase. For an eighteen-key keyboard, only about one word
code per page is associated with more than one word. Of course,

the amount of editing required is dependent upon the material being
typed.

A new typist may start typing with a keyboard having
fewer keys, and move toward a keyboard with more keys as typing
skills progress. This graduated length method of learning to type

makes it possible to progress from an eight-key keyboard or less to
a'twenty-key keyboard in a simplified manner, as desired. The
assignment of letters to the keyboards in Figs. 22(c)-(d) is such
that someone learning to type starts with the five-key keyboard.
After becoming proficient on that keyboard, the user may then

proceed to use a larger keyboard. Each keyboard is substantially
similar to the next larger keyboard so as to facilitate the
learning process by making it easier to memorize the location of
letters on the keys and the motion of the fingers to the keys.

Figs. 22 (e) - (x) , 26 (a) - (y) , 27 (a) - (z) and 28 (a) - (m) show
the arrangement of letters for several keyboard configurations,
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though not necessarily corresponding to the arrangements of Figs.
22 (c) - (d) . Figs. 22 (e) - (q) and 26 (a) - (r) are two-handed
configurations, and Figs. 22 (r) - (x) , 26 (s) - (y) , 27 (a) - (z) and
28(a)-(m) are for single-handed operation. These configurations

are exemplary only, and other suitable configurations may be used.
For the two-handed configurations, the right and left sides may be
interchanged, and the individual keys may also be moved around or
otherwise exchanged. For the one-handed configurations, the
position and location of the keys may also be moved around. In
addition, the rows may be interchanged.

For the two-handed configurations, the left- and right-
hand keys are shown as preferably being placed on a single
keyboard. However, the left-hand keys may be arranged on a
separate keyboard from the keys accessed by the user's right hand.

These configurations generally maintain an alphabetical order,
while also combining letters that minimize the amount of required
editing.

Though other configurations are suitable, the vowels on
the one-hand configurations preferably have the following general
arrangement with respect to each other:

A E A E I A A E I
I 0 or 0 or E 0 or 0 U

U U I U

For the two-handed configurations, all of the vowels are preferably
accessed by one hand. In some keyboard arrangements, several
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letters may be placed in more than one location (i.e., placed on
more than one key) in order to make them more accessible and,
therefore, make for faster typing. The vowels are preferably
positioned convenient to the middle and index fingers in order to

make for faster typing since vowels are most frequently used. At
the same time, the order of vowels is substantially alphabetical.
As an additional feature of the invention, when long

words are being entered, the system would recognize before the
typist has typed all the letters, that there is only one word that
begins with the code that has thus far been entered. At this

point, the word would be printed on screen 22 and a beep would
sound. The user would then start typing the next word. The user
would also be able to modify the word in the manners described
above.

For instance, referring to Table 3, suppose the user
enters the code 1-3-2. At that point, there are several possible
words that the user may choose from, specifically "aid", "age", and
"bid". More importantly, however, the user may continue typing to
further limit the word to numerous words that cannot be determined

yet, such as "aged", "ages", "ageless", "bids", "bidding", and so
forth. However, if the user then strikes letter key 4, the only
option left available is the word ageless. At that point, the word
"ageless" may be displayed on screen 22. Accordingly, the user
will not have to go to the trouble of having to entirely type the
more lengthy words, such as "ageless".

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TABLE 3

Code Words
...

1 a
1-3-2 age
aid
bid
1-3-2-2 chef
aged
bide
1-3-2-4-2-7-7 ageless

As shown in Table 3, to determine whether there are any
other words beginning with the code 1-3-2, the computer 10 will
have to search through codes having at least that numerical order.

However, as shown in Table 4, each memory location of memory 12 may
be configured so that all available options are stored at the base
code, 1-3-2. Thus, once the user types 1-3-2, the limited number
of options may all be displayed at that time. That is, the words
"age", "aid", "bid", "chef", "aged", "bide", "ageless", and other

variations such as "bidding", "chefs" and so forth, are displayed
on screen 22. This embodiment is quicker and reduces memory space
requirements, but is only practical where there are a limited
number of subsequent variations to the input code.



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TABLE 4

Code Words
...
1 a
1-3-2 age
aid
bid
chef
aged
bide
ageless
1-3-2-2 chef
aged
bide
1-3-2-4-2-7-7 ageless

As yet another feature of the invention, the user may at
any time return to a word, such as by placing the cursor at any
position within the word. When the user returns to the word, the
numerical code associated with that word will be recalled. The

user may then elect to display the preferred words, or all the
words associated with that code. The user may also change the code
to enter a new word.

Another feature of the invention, as mentioned above, is
that the user may be provided with the option to switch between the
different keyboard configurations, including the standard 26-key

QWERTY format. Though not indicated in the flow chart, the user
may select to change keyboard configuration at any point during
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operation of the system. Essentially, the user may select any
suited number of keyboard configurations, such as a 4-key, 6-key,
or 8-key configuration.

The memory 12 stores individual tables for each of the
selectable keyboard configurations. One manner in which the proper
memory location is accessed is by automatically and internally
including a keyboard code as the first digit to the numerical code.
For example, in order to identify the code as coming from the 6-
keyboard configuration, the code "6" is automatically appended to

the beginning of each word as each new word is begun, as shown in
Table 5. The system would then be able to switch between keyboard
configurations in the middle of a document, while still recognizing
the input code as matching the particular keyboard configuration.
Accordingly, the next time the system is operated, the system will

default to the last-saved configuration when formatting, step 102.
TABLE 5

Code Words
...
6-1 a
6-1-3-2 age
aid
bid
6-1-3-2-2 chef
aged
bide
6-1-3-2-4-2-7-7 ageless

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In addition, the user may also choose to define his/her
own keyboard arrangement of keys in addition to the standard
arrangements that have been predefined. As described above, each
numeral key is used as an input numerical code that is associated

with the corresponding letters. The user selects the numerical
code that is to be assigned to particular letters and keys. This
information is then stored in memory, and the memory is further
updated to reflect the new codes to be associated with the words in
memory. The computer then sorts and stores all the words

associated with the same numerical code in a single memory location
associated with that particular numerical code.

However, the memory 12 shown by Table 5 would result in
each word being stored several times, once for each keyboard
configuration. In an alternative embodiment, the numerical code

for each keyboard configuration is stored for each word, as shown
in Table 6. The computer 10 would then search for the numerical
code in accordance with the specified keyboard configuration.

TABLE 6

Code Words
6-Keys 8-Keys

2-5-5-5 2-5-5-6 door
2-5-5-5 2-6-5-6 drop

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As an additional feature of the invention, the user may
at any time elect to display words in memory. At that time, the
user may add, delete, or otherwise modify the words stored in
memory or verify the correct spelling of a word. The user may also

list all words in the database or memory that start with the first
letters of a typed word. In other words, a typist could type the
first 4, 5 or 6 letters of a word and then select for the system to
generate a list of all of the words that start with those letters.
The typist can select this option while typing or editing the word.

In this manner, the system may be used to determine the correct
spelling of a word.

Accordingly, the user need not finish typing long words,
which may be displayed automatically after the user enters, for
instance, the first 4, 5 or 6 letters of a word. The user then

selects the desired word by highlighting the word and hitting
ENTER. The word is then moved into the text of the document. As
a further option, the system may be configured only to display the
words corresponding to the number of letters the user depressed.
That is, if the user pressed 7 letters, only 7 letter words having
the first 4 keys will be displayed.

The speed typing method of the present invention is
compatible with conventional word processing programs, such as
"WORD PERFECT" and "WORD", and can be used for either DOS, WINDOWS
or Macintosh environments. Furthermore, the database of words and
numerical codes may be searched in any suited manner.

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By providing multiple characters on a single key, the
present invention simplifies learning how to type. Furthermore,
less motion is required to type, thereby reducing wear on the user
while increasing speed. In addition, the keyboard is not

congested, making it easier to use for persons that have not
learned to type. Also, there is more room on the keyboard so that
the size of the keys may be made larger, thereby assisting persons
with arthritis or other physical disabilities.

Since the keyboard 50 is significantly reduced in size,
yet retains the full spectrum of characters, the invention has
particular utility with lap-top computers and hand-held electronic
devices, such as electronic diaries. Since there are fewer keys,
the location of each key is easier to remember and all of the keys
can be reached more easily and quickly and with greater certainty
of accuracy.

Likewise, since the present invention reduces the number
of keys required for typing, the conventional chord systems become
more practical. Accordingly, the system may be configured so that
the user depresses more than one key simultaneously or sequentially

to select a particular code to which letters have been assigned.
In a sequential system, a nine-key keyboard could be reduced to
three keys, since there are nine combinations of keys that could be
sequentially accessed (that is, 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 3-1,
3-2, and 3-3). Likewise, there are 16 combinations for a four-key

keyboard using sequentially-operated keys. For a four-key keyboard


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using simultaneous selection of keys, there are ten possible
combinations (namely, 1, 2, 3, 4, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 2-3, 2-4 and 3-4).

For purposes of illustration, a particular key may be
associated with the letters "v", "w", "x". If the user then
presses the key one time, the system may recognize "v" and "w".

Upon a second sequential actuation of the same key within a set
period of time (or upon actuation of a different key), the system
may detect the same code "1" twice, which may be associated with a
different set of letters, for instance, with letters "x", "y" and

"z". Alternately, it may be that the first actuation of a key may
be associated with code "1" for "v" and "w", and the second
actuation associated with code "2" for "x", "y", and "z".

There is a variety of ways in which a single code or
plural codes may be assigned to a single key, such as by sequential
actuation of that key. Likewise, a single or plural codes may be

assigned to plural keys, such as by a chord-type simultaneous
actuation of the plural keys.

The invention may be configured in a variety of shapes
and sizes and is not limited by the dimensions of the preferred
embodiment. Likewise, the terms "key" and "keyboard" as used

herein need not be limited to a group of mechanical components that
are physically depressed by the operator. The input code may be
optically-read handwritten symbols, each symbol representing a key-
stroke.

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The input could also be telekinetic, wherein the user
focuses his eyes in a group of letters to activate that key. Still
yet, the input code could be voice-initiated whereby a voice
identifying system may translate a verbal "keystroke" into the

coded input. Thus, the operator may verbally state "5", "5", "8"
(or the desired letter), which symbols are detected converted into
the 5-5-8 code and displayed as "now" or "mow" as discussed above.
Or, the user may state the letter or word to be displayed. In
addition, the memory tables of the invention may be integrated with

dictionary information and other editing techniques currently
existing in a word processing system. The dictionary need only be
updated with the proper numerical codes.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, function keys
may be provided (or the SHIFT keys may be used) to implement
various functions. For instance, a function key can be provided to

control a numeric keypad, such as the numeric keypad shown on the
right hand side of the conventional keyboard of Figs. 2(a) and (b).
The function key would allow the user to toggle operation of the
keypad to function either as a number pad, or as a letter pad. If

the user designates the keypad to operate as a number pad, the
function key could then also be used to display a selection of
punctuation marks, such as when the function key and the number
seven (from the keypad) are depressed. Likewise, the function key
could be used to directionally operate a cursor. A mode indicator
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light or message may also be provided to indicate whether the
keypad is being used as a number pad, or as a letter pad.

For purposes of further illustration, function keys can
be used on a keypad similar to conventional telephone keypads. The
telephone keypads typically have three rows of three keys each, all

of which are numerical keys, and a bottom row having one numerical
key, an asterisk key, and a pound sign key. The three rows of
numerical keys may be assigned the letters of the alphabet, and the
bottom row of keys may be associated with functions.

In the bottom row of the telephone keypad, the numerical
key (which is usually zero) would be used to designate that a
capital letter is to be typed. The asterisk key may be a space
bar, and the pound key would be a backspace. The sequential
actuation of the function keys may be associated with various
additional functions.

For instance, depressing the asterisk key followed by the
pound key might toggle the remaining keyboard between letters,
numbers, and symbols (including punctuation). And, the sequential
actuation of the number key twice, within a preset period of time

(and/or prior to actuation of any other key), may operate as a
cursor control.

In an alternative embodiment, the telephone keypad may be
configured so that the keys 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 8 are assigned
letters; the pound key and asterisk key are assigned the "-" and

characters, respectively (which are used for scrolling words
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during editing, as discussed above); and the zero key is used to
shift to other keyboard configurations.

It is further noted that simultaneous actuation of two
keys may further be used to implement various functions.
Accordingly, there are numerous manners in which function keys may

be used that are within the spirit and scope of the invention.

As indicated above, the system may be configured in a
hand-held computer, or portable input device, that is remotely
located with its output either directly wired or transmitted
wirelessly to the computer.

A 3 bit binary code has 8 permutations, 001, 010, 011,
100, 101, 110, 111, 000. Six of these are assigned to the six keys
on a 6 key keyboard configuration to which groups of letters are
assigned. Such assignments may be as follows:

Key # Binary Code Assigned
1 ABCD 001
2 EFGH 010
3 IJKL 011
4 MNOPQ 100

5 RSTU 101
6 VWXYZ 110
For the input of additional data (e.g., punctuation,

numerical data, control of cursor and other functions) the system
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is configured to "shift" to another binary code which would make
additional code available would occur upon the input of a specific
3 bit binary code (assume "000" for this purpose). For instance,
the "shift" could be from a 3 bit binary code to an 8 bit binary
code, which would make 256 eight bit binary codes available.

For word codes that are associated with more than one
word (e.g., ACT, BAT and CAT have the binary codes 001, 001, 101,
for each word) a select or identification code is necessary to
distinguish the desired word. One method (discussed above) of

selecting a desired word (e.g., ACT, BAT or CAT) is for the user to
enter a number that appears next to the desired word above the
"home row."

Thus, unless the user enters the number 1 for "BAT" or
the number 2 to select "CAT" the word in the home row, here "ACT",
is automatically entered. If the user enters the number 1, the

word BAT is moved to the home line and is displayed and can be
printed. In order to store in memory or transmit or apply
additional compression techniques to the word codes made up of 3
binary codes, it is necessary that every word has a unique code.

To accomplish this, an appendage, such as a identification code, is
added to those words that do not have a unique word code.

The word code including the appendage must be checked
against the other word codes listed in the dictionary to confirm
that no other word has that code. For instance, if the 3 bit

binary code 010 was appended to the word code for "BAT," the word


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code for the word "BATH" would also result. However, another 3 bit
binary code, such as 110 (VWXYZ) might not cause any duplication.
Wherever possible, one 3 bit binary code would be used to
distinguish words having the same basic word code; however, the use

of more than one 3 bit binary code could also be used. Such
multiple 3 bit appendages would make possible a unique word code
for every word. Another solution to creating a unique word code is
to add a 3 bit binary code such as "000" to indicate a shift from
the 3 bit binary code to the 8 bit binary code and then an 8 bit

binary code is appended to distinguish that word code from other
word codes. The 8 bit binary codes selected for this purpose would
also indicate that it is the end of a word. Therefore, the space
after that word would occur and that a shift back.to the 3 bit code
would occur next automatically.

The end of a word can be indicated by a specific 3 bit
binary code designated for this purpose, e.g., "111" (or the binary
code of more than 3 bits used as an appendage at the end of a word
code, as discussed above). The indication of the end of a word
minimizes the transmission error to one word being adversely
affected.

With a 3 bit binary code for each letter, approximately
12.712 bits are required for a 4 letter word. An 8 bit binary code
requires 32 bits for a 4 letter word.

The 12.712 bits is arrived at as follows: using a 21,100
word dictionary, a 6 key keyboard has 17,008 words assigned a
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unique word code and therefore do not rpquire any appendage. The
remaining words, 4,092 words, which have not been assigned a unique
word code are assigned to a total of 1,588 word codes. One word on
each of these word codes would not be assigned an appendage since

they would be different from the other word codes which were
assigned appendages. The remainder, 2,504 words, would be assigned
an appendage. If an average of 6 bits are required for such
appendages on the 2,504 words, then the appendages require an
average of 0.712 bits per word in a 21,100 word dictionary (6 x

2504 = 21,100). If the average word is a 4 letter word then 12.712
bits are required per word [(4 x 3) + 0.712]. An 8 bit binary code
would require 32 bits.

The 3 bit binary code has 8 binary codes available. The
4 bit binary code has 16 codes available. Of these, 14 codes can
be assigned to keys to which letters are assigned, one code (e.g.,

111) would be used to designate the space at the end of a word and
one code (e.g., 0000) for a change to another binary code for
coding numbers, punctuation, function keys, cursor control, etc.
If a 4 bit binary code is used for each letter approximately 16

bits are required for a 4 letter word. An 8 bit binary code
requires 32 bits for a 4 letter word.

The 14 bits is explained as follows: a 14 key keyboard
has approximately 590 words assigned to 251 word codes. Therefore,
an appendage is only needed on 259 to have a unique word code for

each word (590 - 251 = 259) . A 4 bit binary code would add an
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average of 1/20 of a 4 bit binary code to each word in a dictionary
of 21,101 words (4 X 259 = 21,100 = 1/20). If the average word is
a 4 letter word, approximately 16.05 bits are required per word.
An 8 bit binary code, in contrast, would require 32 bits. Thus,

it is clear that the use of a 3 bit code, with a 6 key keyboard,
and a 4 bit code, for keyboards with 7 keys to those with as many
as 14 keys, require less code than an 8 bit binary code used to
code letters.

As would be expected, the 3 and 4 bit binary codes for
the word codes result in a significant reduction of required code.
The word code made up of the 3 character binary code plus the
appendages is transmitted to a receiver where the computer will
compare the numerical value of the input code with a table of word
codes in memory. The word stored in memory that is associated with
the input code is then displayed.

The shift of codes can be accomplished by a special code
sequence such as 000, 111, 000 to shift out of a 3 bit binary code
(or 0000, 1111, 0000 to shift out a 4 bit binary code) and then to
move out the 4 bit binary code back to a 3 bit binary code a shift

code sequence of "0000" would be used. A shift code sequence of
"00000" could be used to shift back to a 4 bit binary code. There
are some other economies of input, such as when a punctuation is
used (which comes at the end of a sen-tence, such as a period or
question mark), a space between the words and capitalization of the
next word would be automatic.

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Each word in the dictionary would also be assigned a
binary code made up of more than 3 binary characters so that each
letter has a unique binary code (such as an 8 bit binary code) .
These two sets of binary codes (one with 3 and one with more than

3 binary characters for each input element) are placed adjacent to
each other in the data base.

When data is received, the data is decoded so that the 3
bit binary code can be used to locate the 3 bit binary code on file
in the memory of the computer which receives the data. Stored

adjacent to that code is the binary code which has a unique binary
code assigned to each letter. The text can then be displayed
and/or printed at the receiver location.

When this word is received, the specific word which is
desired is found next to the word code which is received in the
transmission. Error in transmission is minimized by using the

string of 3 ones, 111, which as discussed above, represents the
space between the word and can at the same time be used as a re-
sequencing key when the receiver sees the 3 ones. The use of the
3 character bit (111) minimizes the transmission error to one word
being adversely affected.

Data may further be compressed by having the system
automatically translate text into a format for using a 3 bit binary
code. Three codes would be stored in memory for each word: (1) a
3 bit code (the most compressed code), (2) a binary code having a

unique code for each letter (such as an 8 bit binary code), and (3)
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the word code for the keyboard format being used to input the text.
The 3 bit binary code may be further compressed by using well known
compression techniques.

In another embodiment of the invention, to further reduce
the dictionary of words stored in memory, prefixes and suffixes may
be stored separately. For instance, instead of saving "necessary",
"unnecessary", "published" and "unpublished", only the words
"necessary" and "published" need be saved. In addition, a common
list of prefixes and suffixed would be separately stored in memory.

When the user types "un", the system would recognize that a prefix
was entered. When the remaining word is entered, the word would be
located in memory and the prefix or suffix would then be appended
to the located word. Similarly, plural, past, present and future
tense of words may be stored in memory as common to a group of
words.

The system 100 may further be configured as a translation
device, by including a translated word with each word listed in
memory 12. The memory 12 may be organized, for instance, as shown
in Table 7, which is based upon the 8-key configuration of Fig.

2(a). Here, the user may display the translated word along with,
or instead of, the English word.



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TABLE 7

Preferred Translated
Code Words Words Words
3-5-7-7-2 house casa
Alternatively, a foreign dictionary may be stored in

memory separate from the English words. The user may then instruct
the system to use the foreign dictionary in order to type in a
selected language. For instance, in order to type the word "casa",
which is Spanish for house, the user would simply type 1-1-7-1
(from the keyboard configuration of Fig. 2 (a)). The user then has

the option of printing the typed document in one or all of the
various languages.

In addition to storing foreign words in memory, a
digitized or pre-recorded voice-signal may also be stored in
association with each word in memory. Accordingly, the English

word and/or the translated word, may be audibly played at the
user's command. The word would be made audible through the use of
a speaker or like device (not shown) in accordance with well-known
techniques.

The system may further be combined with a speech-
recognition system, whereby the system displays words on a screen
that are spoken. This combined system has particular uses for
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persons that have impaired hearing or otherwise disabled. The
words that are spoken by a third party can be displayed on a
portable device that is carried by the disabled person.

In combination with the audible reproduction, the
disabled person would then be able to respond to the displayed
message by typing a message that is then audibly pronounced by the
device to the third party. By using a reduced-size keyboard of the
present invention, the typing would be significantly simplified,
making the device easier to use, faster and more portable. The

system could also be integrated into, or used in conjunction with,
a conventional telephone. The speech-recognition system may
include a microphone and may be implemented by conventional systems
that are able to receive a voice signal and convert it into a
recognized word for word-processing.

As shown in Fig. 25, the speed typing method of the
present invention may include an automatic speech recognition
system (ASR) 400, including a microphone 410, so that the editing
required for the word code typing system (i.e. the requirement to
choose the desired word when more than one word is associated with

the same word code) could be done completely or partially by the
speech recognition component. Though the ASR system 400 is shown
separate from system 100, it may be configured integral with
computer 10. Likewise, microphone 410 may be configured integral
to the ASR system 400, or to one of the keyboards 14, or directly
connected to computer 10.

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When, during typing, the user is alerted by a distinctive
beep that editing is required for the word code just entered
(because there is more than one word associated with the typed word
code) the user would speak the desired word into microphone 410.

Alternatively, a user may return to a word to be edited, and place
the cursor on the word to be edited, then speak the desired word.
The system need only compare the spoken word to the words
associated with the typed word code, and not to the entire
dictionary of words.

In this regard, only a portion of the word need be typed
in order to further increase speed of typing, even though the
spoken word would have to be compared to more words in the
dictionary. In relation to Figs. 4(a) and (b), ASR comes into
effect after steps 144 and 338, 344, respectively. That is, once

the user desires to select a word, 144, 338, 344, the word may be
selected by speaking the word. The system would then search those
words in memory that correspond to the typed word for a word also
having the information corresponding to the spoken word. Thus, by
reducing the number of words that correspond to the spoken word,
the ASR is made significantly faster and more accurate.

For some keyboard configurations, especially those with
2 or 3 keys, the user would vocalize every word as the word code is
entered because 45% to 85% of those word codes would require
editing. The 2 key keyboard would have, for instance, the letters

on Key 1 - A thru L and on Key 2 - M thru Z. The 3 key keyboard
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would have, for instance, Key 1 - A to H, Key 2 - I to Q and Key 3
- R to Z.

The average number of words on the word codes is:
2.8 words per word code on a 5 key keyboard

3.39 words per word code on a 4 key keyboard
4.52 words per word code on a 3 key keyboard
11.25 words per word code on a 2 key keyboard

The amount of editing required and the time involved in
editing increases as the number of words per word code increases.
The number of words which would be needed in the ASR vocabulary if

every word which does not have a unique word code is included in
that vocabulary the value shown for F#3 shown in Figures 22(c) and
(d), range from 5918 words for the 5 key keyboard, to 13 words for
the 20 key keyboard.

With the 5 key keyboard the user may decide to use the
ASR system only when there are more than 3 words per word code,
which would result in the need to use the ASR system for one word
per line. Of course, the user could decide to use the ASR system
100% of the time for editing. The user would be alerted by a

distinctive beep wherever editing is required and the user would
then vocalize the desired word.

The word code, the words assigned to that word code, and
the speech patterns for those words are stored in the database, or
a plurality of databases that may be connected to, or integrated

with, the system. Access to the databases is by entry of the word
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code and/or by entry of the spoken word through the microphone 410.
The word is selected by comparison of the word spoken into the
microphone to the voice patterns in the database which are
associated with the typed word code in accordance with well-known

techniques. The selected word is then transmitted to the
appropriate place in the underlying document.

If the system is not able to choose a word, a message is
displayed which indicates this and the user then reverts to
selecting the desired word in a manner previously described for the

speed typing method. Also, if the user determines that a new word
should be entered, the user would proceed to do this in a manner
previously discussed for the speed typing method. In addition, if
the new word has a word code which is not unique i.e. there are
other words with the same word code the user would also enter this

new word into the ASR vocabulary already associated with that word
code.

The speech recognition component may be used with the
speed typing device to do punctuation, capitalization, backspacing
and other types of functions. The voice command would be
recognized and the desired command would be executed.

The process of analyzing the word spoken into the
microphone is reduced in complexity by linking the ASR system with
the speed typing-word code method of the present invention because
the number of words in the ASR system which require analysis at any

one time is limited to the number of words associated with the word


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code entered by the typist, when the typist spoke the word into the
microphone. It is not necessary to try to identify the spoken word
out of the entire vocabulary of the ASR system, and it is only
necessary to distinguish the word from the other words which are
assigned the same word code.

In addition, the input of the word code gives information
as to the length of the word, information as to the beginning and
ending of the word (by the user hitting the space bar or
punctuation) and since each key stroke has only certain letters

associated with it certain information as to the possible letters
at each place on the word. The combination of the two systems can
reduce the total amount of time needed for editing and with very
few keys the speed of typing can be very fast. The speed typing-
word code method can be used as an adjunct to the ASR system for

the purpose of assisting the ASR system when the word spoken into
the microphone could not be identified or to type in words that
could not be identified, to type in new words to be entered in the
ASR program, and to type text with a vocabulary not included in the
ASR system.

In another embodiment of the invention, a keyboard may be
configured having a set of 2 to 4 or more keys at a top row, and an
identical set of keys on a bottom row, which is located immediately
beneath the top row. Thus, each key on the top row is identical to
each respective key on the bottom row, with each key being
associated with the same letter or letters.

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The user then switch between the rows to indicate that a
new word is being started, and a space should be entered. That is,
the user types a first word on the top row of keys, the second word
on the bottom row of keys, and the third word on the top row of

keys. Each time the user switches rows, the system would recognize
that a new word is being entered and a space should precede the
first typed letter. Clearly then, this type of keyboard may be
designed to any suited configuration, and need not be limited in
size, shape, or number of keys.

In another embodiment of the invention, the user may type
without having to place a space between words. This eliminates the
need to hit a space bar or key, which on the average accounts for
approximately 25% of all typing. For most words and sentences, it
is easy to decipher typed text in which the words are not separated

by a space. For example, consider the phrase "the time for all".
The system is designed to add a space as each complete word is
typed. Thus, as the words "the time for" are entered, the system
would recognize that each was a word, and would add a space.

However, it may often be the case that there the shortest
word is not the desired word. For instance, in typing the phrase
"now is the time", the shortest first word is "no". The "w" is
then tested by adding one letter at a time to determine if there is
a word code that fits such a sequence (i.e., the memory is searched
for a matching word code).

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Here, the word "wist" would be found in memory, so that
the phrase might be entered as "no wist he time". However, the
user need only enter a space after "w" for the entire phrase to
correct itself. In addition, if the word "wist" was not located in

memory, the "w" would be tested with the prior word "no", so that
they system would recognize that the word "now" was to be entered.
Thus, the user may have to perform some editing as typing proceeds.

The elimination of the "space bar" can be tested in the
computer program and if there are no other decoding possibilities
some "space bars" can be eliminated and the text stored or

transmitted without those "space bars". For example, the words,
"IN THE" followed by many words, such as the word "compaction",
have no other possibilities. That is, the "space bar" can be
eliminated between the words "IN" and "THE" but it could not be

eliminated again until the end of the word compaction or the words
would read "compact ion" which, of course, has a different meaning.
Also, when in the mode of typing text the user may elect to

eliminate the space bar between words which the user could elect to
be either a specific number of words or at random. This would
require more editing. For that group of letters the computer would

display all the possibilities and the user would make his selection
accordingly. For example, if the words "IN THE COMPACTION MODE"
did not have a space until after the word MODE, the following
possibilities would be given the user:

"IN THE COMP ACT ION MODE"

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"IN THE COMPACT ION MODE"

"IN THE COMP ACTION MODE"
"IN THE COMPACTION MODE".

The user would choose one of these 4 phrases or the program
could be designed only to show the shortest words so long as all
the letters are used and the user would then edit by moving the
words together.

A 6 key keyboard would result in approximately 2,500 words
which require editing (i.e., they would have to be moved to the
home row). By the use of rules of syntax and statistical

information regarding the frequency of the use of certain words
with other words the amount of editing required would be reduced.
Certain characters, such as an apostrophe, colon, semi-

colon, and hyphen, are recognized as being associated with a
neighboring letter. For instance, the apostrophe indicates that
the previous and following letters are to be grouped together, with
certain exceptions (such as when indicating possession of a
pluralized word), whereas a colon or semi-colon are to be appended
to the prior letter and followed by a space. The space bar is most

easily eliminated when implemented in a larger keyboards, such as
15-18 key configurations, since there are few word codes that are
associated with more than one word.

Turning to Fig. 23, the system 200 also has particular
advantages for use with conventional hand- or finger-mounted
computer input devices 220. The finger-mounted input device 220 is
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shown generally by block 220, which represents any suited finger-
mounted device 220, such as those described in the Description of
the Related Art section above. The input device 220 generally has
switches 222 that are placed about the user's fingers or hand. The

system 100 may also be provided with a keyboard 210, one or more
input selection panels 202, and any other suitable components (such
as a display device shown in Fig. 1). The input selection panel
202, as well as the finger-mounted input device 220 are connected
to computer 10 in accordance with well known methods.

Preferably, two finger-mounted input devices 220 are
provided, one for each of the user's hands. Of course, the system
200 may have a single finger-mounted input device 220, as shown, so
that the user has one hand free to operate keyboard 210 and/or
input selection panel 202. The system 200 may be operated with any

suitable number of switches 222, such as only providing three or
four switches 222 for each hand, or providing more than one switch
222 per finger.

One or more letters, characters, symbols, or commands are
assigned to selected switches 222, keys 206, 212, combination of
switches 222 or combination of switches 222 and keys 206, 212. In

addition, one or more codes are associated with each switch 222 and
each defined combination of switches 222 and keys 206.

The user, fitted with the finger-mounted input device
220, then strikes a switch 222 against one or more of the keys 206
of a selection panel 202, keys 212 of keyboard 210, and/or from a


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flat surface (not shown), such as a table or desk. Preferably,
however, the finger-mounted input device 220 is used in association
with one or more input selection devices or panels 202. The input
selection panel 202 has a flexible pad 204 that covers several
input keys 206 (shown generally in dashed lines).

For purposes of illustration, the user may depress a
switch 222 of the finger-mounted input device 220 that is mounted
on the user's right index finger, and preferably the user's
fingertip, by pressing the switch 222 against a.table. The sole

actuation of that switch 222 may be assigned the input code eight.
The code eight, in turn, may be associated with the letters "m",
"n", and "o". However, if the user strikes that same switch
against a first key 206 from a first input selection panel 202,
that combination may, for instance, be associated with an input

code nine. Input code nine, in turn, may be associated with the
letter "m" (which is a subset of the letters associated with code
eight), or the letter "q". On the other hand, the user may,
instead, strike that same switch 222 against a first key 206 of a
second input selection panel 202. That combination may be

associated with an input code ten, which may be associated with an
instruction command to move a displayed cursor up.

Of course, any suitable number of keys 206.and pads 202
may be utilized, and there are a vast combination of keys, and
related characters or commands associated with any of the input

codes, that may also be selected. The system may be configured to
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permit the user to select from a variety of finger-mounted switch
222 and key 206 configurations, or to permit the user to define a
configuration. In addition, as mentioned above, the finger-mounted
device 220 may be used in conjunction with keys 212 of a

conventional keyboard 210. Here, for example, the actuation of a
switch 222 of the input device 220 is associated with a different
code in memory than if that same switch is depressed in conjunction
with a key 212 of a conventional keyboard 210.

- In the preferred embodiment, the input selection panel
202 has four input keys 206 that are positioned beneath pad 202.
Two input panels 202 are provided, which the user may place side-
by-side, one above the other, or in any suited arrangement. The
input keys 206 may be any conventional pressure-actuated mechanical
key, such as found on standard keyboards, a capacitance-actuated

key, or any other well known key. Each pad 204 may also be fitted
with an overlay (not shown) that identifies the characters or
commands associated with the particular location on the input
selection device 202.

Turning to Fig. 24(a), another invention is shown, in
which keys 302 are contoured to assist the user in the location of
his hand amongst keys 302 of keypad 300. The keys 302 may be used
as part of the speed-typing system described above, or with any
device having keys. The contoured keys 302 are particularly useful
with keyboards having a small number of keys, such as calculators,
telephones (and especially car phones) and the like.

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Fig. 24(a) shows the contoured keys 302 used with a
specially-designed 9-key keyboard or keypad 300. The keypad 300
has a top row 304, middle row 306 and bottom row 308. The contour
of the keys 302 is represented generally by the contour lines. As

shown, the middle keys 310, 312 of top and bottom rows 304, 308,
respectively, generally slope downward toward the center row 306 of
keypad 300, as shown in Fig. 24(b). Likewise, the center side keys
314, 316 slope downward toward the middle column of keys. The
middle keys 310, 312, 314, 316 preferably have a curved or
parabolic slope, but may instead be linear.

Each of the corner keys 318, 320, 322, 324 also have a
sloping face. The corner keys 318-324 generally slope inward and
face toward the center of keypad 300. As shown in Figure 24(c),
the corner keys 318-324 preferably form a curved surface that is

configured to the shape of a user's finger. However, the corner
keys may instead be fashioned with a linear face. The center key
326 is flat.

The shape of the contoured keys 302 indicate the position
of the user's hand on the keypad 300 by sense of touch. Each key
302 generally faces toward the center key 326, so that the user

will be able to sense the relative position of his hand by touching
any one key 302. The user will become familiar with the characters
assigned each key 302, and will not have to look down at the keypad
300 in order to know which key has been depressed, or which

characters selected. The contoured keys 302 have particular
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advantages when used with the present system 100, which provides a
reduced keyboard.

Accordingly, there are numerous manners in which the keys
may be contoured in order for the user to sense the relative
position of the respective keys. The contours are preferably a

function of the general shape, size and arrangement of the keys.
The contoured keys may be implemented in any sized and shaped
keyboard. For instance, in a keyboard that has four rows and
columns, for a total. of sixteen keys, the top row would be

configured as in Fig. 24(a), with a center key 310 added between
corner keys 318, 320. The bottom row, and left and right columns
would be configured in a similar manner, and the four middle keys
may be flat, as with center key 326.

The keys of pre-existing keyboards are typically
fashioned with a downwardly extending tube that engages with a
shaft extending upward from the keyboard. Thus, the pre-existing
conventional (i.e., non-contoured) key may be easily removed by
prying up on the key. Accordingly, the original keys of a keyboard
may be removed and replaced with contoured keys. Alternatively,

contoured inserts or pieces may be affixed to keys of a pre-
existing keyboard in order to give shape to the keys. The inserts
may be affixed by any suitable adhesive, or the like. In addition,
the keys, or inserts, may be made of any material, such as rigid
plastic, rubber, and other materials conventionally used to fashion
keys. In addition, not every key need be contoured.

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Other configurations for the keyboard are shown, in the
attached Figures and Tables. These configurations have letters
assigned, from 9 to 14 keys on those keyboards designed for an
input using one hand, and 12 to 18 keys on the keyboards designed

for an input using two hands. The other keys on the keyboard are
used for punctuation direction, enter, control, shift bar,
backspace, numbers, delete and selection of individual letters
and sequences of letters and other purposes found on the standard
keyboard. The system disclosed, herein, can be implemented on the

standard keyboard. Also, a shift key may be designated to shift a
set of keys from one group of uses to another and thereby reduce
the number of keys required on a keyboard; for instance, such a
keyboard with 50 keys, is shown in Fig. 50.

Many of the keyboards shown in the attached figures place

the most frequently used letters in the middle row (also referred
to as the home row or home line) above which the fingers are
typically placed when starting to type. This results in the
least amount of movement and contributes to faster and less
fatiguing typing. For example, the middle row of the keyboard

shown in Fig. 31a, is assigned the letters that are used 67% of
the time. The selection of letters placed on the same key have
been selected based on the information in Fig. 22a and 22b, in
order, to achieve a low frequency of unintended words associated
with the input for an intended word and a review of the words

which result from the same input so that the number of commonly


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used words which result from the same keyboard input is
minimized.

The arrangement of the letters on the keyboard and the
number of keys to which the letters are assigned is such that
their location is easy to remember. A test of an easy to

remember keyboard is one that can easily be recalled by the user
without looking at the letters placed on the keyboard. An
alphabetical order for the vowels.which fits into the overall
alphabetical order of the entire alphabet can make the keyboard

assignments easier to remember. (See Figure 31a.) In the
attached configurations, one or more consonants are assigned to
the key to which a vowel is assigned and those consonants are
generally in alphabetical order to the vowel. In most cases the
assignments are "ab","ef","ijk","opq"and "tu". When this set,

from "ab" to "tu", are in the order shown above they are referred
to, herein, as the "alphabetical vowel/consonant set".

The attached figures are divided into three groups based on
a) the vertical or-horizontal orientation of the alphabetical
order of the "vowel/consonant set" and the location of that set

(eg. top row or middle row) and b) the vertical or horizontal
orientation of the alphabetical order of the entire alphabet of
letters.

Pattern #1: In Fig. 31a to e, and Fig. 34a to d, the
"alphabetical vowel/consonant set" is placed horizontally in the
middle row of keys and above and/or below each of those keys are

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consonants in alphabetical order to the key in the middle row.
The overall alphabetical arrangement is in a vertical pattern.
Pattern #2: In Fig. 32a to e and Fig. 35a to e, the

alphabetical vowel/consonant set" moves horizontally across the
top row of keys on the left side of the keyboard and then across
the middle row on the right side of the keyboard. Overall, the
alphabetical pattern of the entire alphabet is in a vertical
pattern.

Pattern 3: In Fig. 33a, and 33b, the alphabetical,

"vowel/consonant set" has a vertical pattern. Overall the entire
alphabet is in a horizontal pattern.

With respect to being in a vertical or horizontal
alphabetical placement on the keys, the alphabetical pattern of
the "vowel/consonant set" and the overall alphabetical pattern of

all the letters in the alphabet are in opposite directions in
Patterns 1, 2 and 3, that is, when one is vertical the other is
horizontal. This intertwining has an advantage in memorizing the
keyboard. By recalling the location of the vowels the user can
locate the consonants in alphabetical order to the vowel and vice
versa.

All the attached figures do not have the relationship of the
vowel/consonant set and the entire alphabet described above.
However, they all have an overall alphabetical order. The
letters chosen to be on the same key have been carefully chosen

to maintain an alphabetical order and to minimize the number of
unintended words.

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The person using this system can select his preferred
keyboard based on the following considerations:

1) The arrangement of the keys on the keyboard - a
staggered pattern or a rectangular grid

2) The preference regarding typing with both hands or only
the right hand or only the left hand

3) The arrangement of the letters on the keys, that is,
the user's preference with respect to configurations 1,
2, or 3 preferred.

4) The number of keys to which the letters are assigned.
See Figure 59 for a summary of the keyboard designs with
respect to the above considerations.

The chart below describes the keyboard designs attached.
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Table 9

Fig # Staggered Rectangular Configuration Pattern # # Keys
31a X Both 1 17
31b X Both 1 16
31c X Both 1 15
31d X Both 1 14
31e X Both 1 12
32a X Both 2 17
32b X Both 2 16
32c X Both 2 15
32d X Both 2 14
32e X Both 2 12
33a X Both 3 17
33b X Both 3 16
33c X Both Overall horizontal 15
33d X Both Overall horizontal 14
33e X Both Overall horizontal 12
34a X Left or right 1 14
34b X Left or right 1 13
34c X Left or right 1 12
34d X Left or right 1 11
34e X Left or right 1 10
35a X Left or right Overall horizontal 12
35b X Left or right Overall horizontal 11
35c X Left or right Overall horizontal 10
35d X Left or right Overall horizontal 10
35e X - Left or right Overall horizontal 11
35f X Left or right Overall horizontal 9
36a X Left or right Overall horizontal 14
36b X Left or right Overall horizontal 13
36c X Left or right Overall horizontal 12
36d X Left or right Overall horizontal 11
36e X Left or right Overall horizontal 10
37a X Left only 1 13
37b X Left only 1 12
37c X Left only 1 10
51a X Left only Overall vertical 13
51b X Left only Overall vertical 12
51c X Left only Overall vertical 11
51d X Left only Overall vertical 10
51e X Left only Overall vertical 9
52a X Left only Overall horizontal 14
52b X Left only Overall horizontal 13
52c X Left only Overall horizontal 12
52d X Left only Overall horizontal 11
52e X Left only Overall horizontal 10
53a X Both 2 12
54a X Both 1 15
54b X Both 1 17 ,(rtO
s t e _ Lth aV t t 3 jhq(t:
s" ' X ~P?~{aY v 1 1, ~.. - 15 ~a d.
5B_ k4 X L4+ 4r Y1
3/y{~
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54c X Both 1 12
55a X Both 3 16
55b X Both 3 17
55c X Both 3 12
56a X Both 2 12
57a X Left or right _ 1,S lv~
57b X Left or right 2 15 4 (i 6-1
57c .. X Left or right 2 12 V,Y~
58G X Left or right Overall vertical 16 w 58a X Left or right Overall
horizontal 9 A(b
58b X Left or right Overall horizontal 15
58c X Left or right Overall horizontal 12
58d X Left or right Overall t,orizon al 10
58f X Left or right Overall ver+t c-a t 10 "96
58e X Left or right Overall vertical 9
The user will decide which design he prefers. The user may
desire to start with a small keyboard and gradually advance to
one with more keys.

For illustrative purposes, we provide the following example
regarding the typing of a word and the display observed by the
user. When the word "FRIEND" is entered using the keyboard shown
in Fig. 31a, the keys with the letters shown in the middle of the
key are depressed. The display would then read EF, R, IJK, EF,

N,D. If the user saw on the display this sequence of letters he
would have difficulty recognizing the word, FRIEND. Furthermore,
if the display of the desired word appeared on the screen after
all the letters were entered, the user would not know until after
the word was typed if a spelling mistake was made.

However, if the user saw the series of displays shown in
Fig. 40, Case 5, for the word "friend," the operator could focus
on the line beginning with the letter, "f," and could see the
word being formed as each letter was entered and then would have
a better chance to catch an error. In addition, many typists may



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find it helpful to see the word being typed while it is being
typed and not just when the word is completed.

Method I

The first of four methods is discussed below for the user to
see the word being formed as each letter is entered even though
more than one letter is assigned to some of the keys. The term
sequence is used in this disclosure to describe a series of

letters which may or may not be a.word. The term sequence is
used to emphasize that the user can enter any sequence of

letters. In these explanations, it is assumed that the QWERTY
keyboard is being used for the input of the letters. However, it
could be a keyboard where the keys are not staggered but in a
rectangular grid. Also, some code other than the ASCII code
could be used.

In addition, the switches which are closed when the key on
the QWERTY keyboard key is depressed could be closed by some
other means, such as the focus of the eye; the principle features
of this disclosure still apply. The QWERTY keyboard shown in
Fig. 31a, is the standard layout for the letters of most

typewriters and computer keyboards. The QWERTY keyboard letter
assignments, referred to as the "QWERTY letters", are shown in
the upper right corner of the keys on the keyboard in Fig. 31a.

Other letters may be assigned to the keys, for example, the
letters printed in the middle of the keys in Fig. 31a. The

letters shown in Col. I and Col. II of Fig. 38, are based on the
letter assignments shown in Fig. 31a. The letters shown in the
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middle of the keys (as shown in Fig. 31a) are the letters
assigned to implement the typing method in accordance with this
disclosure and are referred to, herein, as the "redefined
letters". When a key on the QWERTY keyboard is depressed, the

SCAN code for that key, which is determined by its position on
the keyboard, is transmitted to the computer, where a program
would normally translate the SCAN code into the ASCII Code for
the QWERTY letter.

In order for the "redefined letter" to be displayed, instead
of the QWERTY letter, it is necessary to translate the SCAN code
(or the ASCII code for the QWERTY letter) to the ASCII code for
the "redefined letters".

In order for the word "friend" to appear on the screen, as
each key is depressed, the program will (1) cause each redefined
letter to be displayed as it is entered, (2) determine where each

redefined letter should be displayed and (3) to determine which
of certain letters or sequences previously entered should be
eliminated so that there is space for the next line of text to be
displayed.

Figure 39 shows how the letters are displayed when a word is
entered. This is shown in the sentence, "He is very frail." The
letter assignments shown in Fig. 31a, are used in the examples
used for explanation. The first key depressed to display the
word FRAIL, is the key to which the letters "E" and ""F" are

assigned. The first letter ("E") is placed in the home line
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after the last word previously entered, (the word, "very"), and
the letter "F" is displayed below the "E".

Every word in the dictionary is placed in memory using the
ASCII code for each letter of the alphabet. When a key is

depressed a program (such as a keyboard enhancer or keyboard
driver or a macro program) monitors the SCAN code as it is
received and translates it to the ASCII code for the "redefined
letter" assigned to that key. Whenever such terms as keyboard
enhancer or keyboard driver are used, these terms include similar

software programs that can be used for such purpose.

The ASCII code is then used to search the dictionary to
determine if there is a word in the dictionary with the same
sequence of letters. However, the redefined letter(s) for the
first letter(s) entered may be displayed without such a search

because each letter of the alphabet is the first letter of some
word. The ASCII code for the redefined letters matches the ASCII
code used for the letters in the dictionary file.

As each key is depressed after the first entry, the ASCII
code for the redefined letter(s) is used to determine if there is
a word in the dictionary file with the same sequence of letters

previously entered plus the current input.

The ASCII code which has been entered for the redefined
letters, is matched to the ASCII code for the letters of the
words in the dictionary. When a key with one or more redefined

letters assigned to it is depressed, each redefined letter
assigned to that key is tested separately to determine if there
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is a word in the dictionary which matches the sequences
previously entered and the letter being tested. If a match is
found, the letter being tested is displayed.

For example, if the word "friend" is being entered, the

first letter "f" is entered without searching the dictionary for
a match because every letter is the first letter of some word. A
match for the second letter may be found in the word "fracas",
and a match for the third letter,."I", may be found in the word,
"friable". Thereafter, the matches for the remaining letters are

found in the word "friend". Since, in this example, a match is
found for each input, the sequence would be put on display as it
was entered.

However, if a letter was entered and a match was not
found, a message would be displayed on the screen, such as, "No
MATCH Found". When this occurs the user should realize that

either (1) a misspelling has occurred or (2) he is entering a
sequence of letters not listed in the dictionary. The user may
decide, in either case to continue typing. If the user then
depressed a key to which one or more than one letter was assigned

then each of those letters would be added to the sequence entered
prior to the display, "NO MATCH FOUND". The user could at any
time select a sequence, which is correct to that point and
thereby eliminate any other sequences and continue to add letters
to the sequence until it was complete. Methods for doing this

are discussed more fully later in this disclosure.
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After the user has completed the input for a "desired
sequence",(Call this "sequence A"), there may be more than one
sequence displayed.(Refer to these as "sequence A,Al,A2,---An".)
The user would then select the desired sequence which would

either be in (a) the home line or the "equivalent of being in the
home line" or in (b) a row below the home line as shown in FIG.
40, case #3, if the desired word was "relax" and not the word
"relay". The "equivalent of being.in the home line" means that
there is no other word in the home line and the sequence desired

by the user is at the top of the list of any sequences below the
home line. An example of the above is found in FIG. 40 case 8,
5th col. The term, in the "home line", or "home row",
hereafter, includes the sequences which are in the "equivalent"
of being in the "home line."

If "sequence A" is in the "home line," the user would then
depress the space bar. As a result, (1) the sequence(s) below
the home line would then be eliminated and (2) the space (call
this "Space X") required between "sequence A" and the first
letter of the next sequence to be entered will be made. If

"sequence A" is below the home line, "Input X," an input which
results from depressing a key or other means describes below,
causes: (1) "sequence A" to move to the home line and (2) the
other sequences (above and below "sequence A") to be eliminated
and (3) "space X" to be made. "Input X" may be initiated by any

of the six methods listed below.



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(1) By depressing "selection key #1": If "sequence A" is
one row below the home line, and "selection key #1" is
depressed one time. Each additional row that "sequence
A" is below the home line would require and additionai

press on selection key #1.

(2) By depressing "selection Key #2": (a) If "sequence A"
is two rows below the home line and "selection key #2"
is depressed one time. (b) If "sequence A" is three
rows below the home line, and selection key #2 is

depressed two times. (c) Each additional row that
"sequence A" is below the home line would require an
additional press on "selection Key #2".

(3) By depressing a scroll key.

(4) By highlighting "sequence A" or by using a pointing
device.

(5) By depressing a number listed next to each sequence or
by speaking that number into a microphone.

(6) By voice recognition: the program would provide that
when there is more than one sequence listed, an audible
signal would be given so that the user is informed that
a choice must be made. These words may be made

audible. The user could select the word or letters by
vocalizing it. The voice recognition system would
identify the word or letters with the help of the

confirmation provided by the letters that had been
entered.

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"INPUT X" causes a space to be made between "sequence A"
and the first letter of the next sequence (space X). When a
letter or a sequence is moved from below the home line to the
home line, the user may desire to have it moved to the home line

without "space X" being made, in order to do the following (1)
form a"New Word", (2) Complete a word after the message on the
display read "No Match Found" or (3) in order to focus better on
the entry being made prior to completing it. The letter or

sequence can be moved from below the home line to the home line
without "space X" being made. The two methods to do this are
referred to as "Input Y":

1) The user could first depress a designated function key,
for purpose of explanation, call this "F(X)", and then
use "selection keys #1 and #2".

or

2) The user could use a different set of selection keys,
"selection key #3" and "selection key #4." "Selection
Keys #3 and #4" would function like "selection Keys #1,
and #2" respectively, except they would not cause

"Space X" to be made.

In addition, without first depressing F(X), the program
may provide that "selection key #1 and #2" may be used to move
the first letter of a sequence from below the home line to the
home line without "space X" being made. For instance, "selection

key #1", if depressed, could cause the letter "F", in the line
below the home line in display #1, case 5, in fig. 40, to move to
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the home line without space X being made. Selecting the first
letter, significantly reduces the number of unintended sequences
displayed.

If the user depressed "selection key #1 or #2", to move

"sequence A", not yet completed, to the home line without first
depressing Fl, "space X" would be made. To correct this, the
user could backspace, either before or immediately after the next
letter was entered. The program would then recognize that
"sequence A" was continuing.

If the user caused the letters or sequences below the home
line to be eliminated and it was a mistake to do so, the user
could place the insertion pointer so that it is located after the
sequence entered into the home line by mistake, and then by
depressing a designated function key, the sequence(s) eliminated

would be displayed. The user would then select the desired
sequence.

After the user has completed a desired sequence of letters,
it is the preferred method to enter any desired punctuation mark
before depressing the space bar, or INPUT X. However, if the

user depressed the space bar and then entered the desired
punctuation mark, the program would recognize this series of
inputs and the program would provide that the desired spaces
would be made between "sequence A", the punctuation mark and the

first letter of the next sequence, without any additional input
required by the user.

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When the word "FRIEND" is entered Fig. 40, CASE #5, the
following occurs. (Assume the keyboard shown in FIG 31a is
used). The user enters the first letter of the word "FRIEND" by

depressing the key assigned the redefined letter "F". The

redefined letter "E" is also assigned to that key (see Fig.31a).
The SCAN code for the key assigned the redefined letters "E" and
"F" is sent to the keyboard enhancer. This code is redefined by
the keyboard enhancer to the ASCI.I code for the letter "E" and
the ASCII code for the letter "F". Since, the first letter of

the word being entered might be either letter, they are both
displayed. The program is so designed that the first letters
entered are displayed as shown in Figure 40 Case #5, and in Fig.
39. That is, the letter "e" is displayed in the "home" row and
the letter "F" is displayed below the letter "E".

The user next depresses the key assigned the redefined
letter "R". The SCAN code for that key is sent to the computer
and is redefined by the keyboard enchancer to the ASCII code for
the letter "R". The ASCII code in the dictionary is then

searched for a match to the sequences "ER" and "FR". They are
both found so the letter "R" is then displayed as shown in Fig.
39 and Fig. 40. The user next depresses the key assigned the
redefined letters "I","J",and "K". The SCAN code for that key is
sent to the keyboard enhancer. This code is redefined to the
ASCII code for the letter "I", the letter "J" and the letter "K".

The ASCII code in the dictionary file is then searched for the
sequences "ERI", "ERJ", "ERK", "FRI", "FRJ" and "FRK"; and only
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the sequences "ERI" and "FRI" are found. The letter "I" is
displayed as shown in the third column in Fig. 40. The sequences
not found ("ERJ", "ERK", "FR", and "FRK") are not displayed.

The next entries, the redefined letter E and the redefined
letter F, cause the sequence ERI to be eliminated because the
sequences "ERIE" and "ERIF" are not found in the dictionary.
However, the sequence "FRIE" is found to have a matching sequence
in the dictionary.- Also, when the subsequent keys are depressed,
the entries are processed as described above and the matching

sequences for these subsequent entries, the letters "N" and "D"
are found in the dictionary and displayed.

Since the sequence, "FRIEND", is the only sequence
displayed, the user can depress the space bar, and the system is
ready for the next word. At any time, during the process

described above, the user may select the first letter or a
sequence below the home row and cause it to be moved to the home
row and thereby cause the other letters or sequences to be
eliminated. For instance, in case #5, Fig. 40, the user could
have selected the letter "f" after the first letters "E" and "F"
were displayed (see Col I).

Some words such as "revile" (Fig. 40, Case 4), are entered
without displaying-an unintended sequence, i.e., only one word is
displayed after all the letters are entered. The entry of the
word "revile" is described below.

The first input in the word "revile" - the redefined letter
"r" can be entered without verification in the dictionary file
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that there is a "match", because each letter of the alphabet is
the first letter of some word. Therefore, when the SCAN code is
translated to the ASCII code for the first redefined letter, of a
word, that letter is automatically displayed.

The second letter, the redefined letter, "e," is on the same
key as the redefined letter "f". Therefore, the sequences, "re,"
and "rf," must be searched to verify that there are words in the
dictionary with one or both of those sequences. In this case,
only a sequence with "re" is found. The letters are then

displayed (see Fig. 40, Case #4, 2nd column). The next letter
entered is the redefined letter "V". The sequence "REV" is
searched in the dictionary and a match is found. Therefore, the
third column in Fig. 40, Case #4, shows the letters "REV". The
fourth input in entering the word "revile" is the redefined

letter "I". The redefined letters I,J and K are on the same key.
The sequence "REVI" is found in the dictionary, but "REVJ" and
REVK are not found.

The fourth column, of Fig. 40, Case #4, then shows revi".
The redefined letter "L", the fifth input, has no other letter on
the same key. So only the sequence "revil" is checked to verify

the that there is a matching sequence in the dictionary. The
sixth input, the redefined letter "e", has the redefined letter
"f" on the same key. A matching sequence is found for the letter
"e" but not for the letter "f". The display for the word

"revile" is now completed. The user can visually verify that the
entries made are correct.

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Next, the user enters a punctuation mark, if one is desired,
and depresses a space bar, and the system is ready for the first
letter of the next sequence.

In Fig. 40, Cases 8 and 9, show the same sequences treated
in two ways. In Case 8, each sequence remains in the same line
until selected or eliminated. In Case 9, each sequence is moved
up into the closest space to the home line and into the home
line, if that space is available. The program can be written so
that the user has the opportunity to select one of these two

methods as the preferred method. The preferred method would
always be used, unless, the user elects to change that choice.
As noted in Fig. 40, a keyboard entry which has more than

one letter associated with it results in the requirement that
each of the sequences of letters then displayed must be tested
with each additional letter (separately) to determine which of

those sequences results in a sequence for which a match is found
in the dictionary. (If parallel processing is used, more than
one letter may be tested at a time). If a match is found, the
sequence with the letter tested is displayed. A match is found to

a sequence if the dictionary word has the same letters in an
identical order. The dictionary word may be longer but not
shorter. The sequences to be displayed or eliminated are
explained by the following example: If the letter "t" and the
letter "u" are each tested (as in Fig. 40, Case #1) and a match

is found for the sequence "grea" but not for the sequence "greb"
then the sequence "great" is displayed and the sequence "greb" is
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eliminated. If no match were found for either sequence, then all
possible sequences would be displayed as discussed later in this
disclosure. Fig. 40, Case #10, the word in the home line, ARID,
is selected, by depressing the space bar. The beginning of the

word "bride" has been entered, but the sequence "BRID" is
eliminated because the word "ARID" is selected by the user. If
the user decided to enter the sequence "BRID", he could do so.
In Fig. 40, Case #2, the sequence "babe" is eliminated because
there was no match in the dictionary for "babe" plus the letter
"t" or the letter "u".

The user may prefer not to make an immediate choice between
sequences displayed (call this editing) but to do such editing
later. When in this "delayed selection mode," each sequence
listed below the home line is moved next to the sequence in the

home line each time the end of a sequence is indicated by a
"delay selection key input." These sequences ("a, al, a2 ---An")
are placed in brackets or underlined or both and/or appear on the
screen in color. The "delay selection key input" may be either:

1) a key dedicated to this use, i.e. it is not assigned any
other function,

and/or
2) a key that is not dedicated to this use, such as the
space bar or "selection key #2", provided a designated
function key, is first depressed. (For explanation

purpose call this key F-3)
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After F-3 is depressed all entries would be in the "delayed
selection mode." If F3 has been depressed and the space bar is
designated the "delay selection key," then "selection key #1 and
#2" may continue to be used to make selections. If instead,

"selection key #2" is designated the "delay selection key," then
the space bar and "selection key #1" may continue to be used to
make selections. The depression of a delay selection key

indicates that "space X" should be made and the sequences in the
home line and below the home line should be held in memory and
displayed as required for the "delayed selection program."

When in the "delayed selection mode," it is required (as in
the immediate selection program) that the sequence must match a
word in the dictionary. This requirement may be changed to
provide that the number of the letters in the sequence must match

the number of letters in the dictionary word when the end of the
sequence is indicated. For instance, in Figure 40, Case 10, the
word "arid" would be displayed and the sequence "brid" would be
eliminated. If there was no matching word found for "arid" or
"brid", then the display would show a symbol or display the

message "word not found," and a beeper would sound. All
possibilities for the sequence would be listed either in the text
being typed or in a window at the bottom of the display.

When the operator desires to make a selection between such
words listed in the home line, the insertion pointer would then
be placed immediately after the word in the home line where

editing was to begin. If the sequences which require selection
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are listed side by side, the user could select the desired
sequence by using the "selection keys #1 and #2." The program
would provide that the user could select the desired word by
depressing "selection keys #1 or #2" or by the input of a number

or highlighting or clicking on the desired word or any other
method described above. At anytime, the user could come back to
a place which requires editing, by placing the insertion pointer
after (or before, if the program.is so written) the word for

which a choice of words is desired and then select

the desired word. If a section of text is being edited for such
selections, the insertion pointer would move automatically to the
next group of letters or words, which require that a selection be
made. By depressing a designated function key, the user can

return to the preferred program which provides that the selection
be made before entering the next sequence. This method of
editing applies to all the programs described in this disclosure.

The letters assigned to the QWERTY keyboard (the standard
keyboard), listed in Col I of Fig. 38, are referred to as the
QWERTY letters. These letters are found in the upper right

corner of each key in Fig. 31. In the methods described in this
disclosure there ate other letter assignments to the QWERTY keys
which are shown in Col II of Fig. 38 and are shown in the middle
of each key in Fig. 31a.

Methods II and III are the same as Method I, except as
explained below.

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Method II

Col II of Fig. 41 is a section of the list of words in the
dictionary. That list is stored in the dictionary file in ASCII
code. Col I of Fig. 41 is a list of the same words found in Col

II. However, the binary code found in Col I is made up of code
which would be received if the code for the QWERTY letter shown
in the upper right corner of the key shown in Fig. 38a was sent
to the computer as the code for the letter shown in the middle of
the key in Fig 38a. Thus, the word "cat" in Col I is stored in

the ASCII code for'the letters "wsk" because the letter "C"
(shown in the middle of the key) was assigned to the key on the
QWERTY keyboard which when depressed transmits a code to the
computer which is translated as the letter "w." The letter "A"
was assigned to a key (as shown in the middle of the key in Fig

38a)on the QWERTY keyboard which when depressed transmits a code
tot he computer which is translated as the letter "s." The
letter "t" in the word "cat" is explained in a similar manner.
Thus, Col I and II of Fig. 41 are formed.

The ASCII code is used to locate in Col I, of the dictionary
file, Fig. 41, the matching letter. When the letter is found in
Col I of the dictionary file (Fig. 41), the ASCII code for the
letter on the same line, in the contiguous column of the
dictionary file, Col II, is read and that letter is displayed.
The position ( i. e.; i9t, 2nd, 3rd ... Nth letter) of the letter

in the word in Col I is in the same position ( i. e., 19t , 2nd , 3rd
... Nth letter) as the letter in the word in Col II.

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If the user enters the word "CAT" the following occurs: the
letter "c" would be entered and displayed as discussed above.
However, since every letter is the first letter of some word, the
first letter of a word may be determined by redefining it rather

than searching the dictionary as described below for the
subsequent letters. The information in Fig. 38, Col I and Col
II, would be put into a memory. By searching Col I of Fig. 38
for the ASCII code which is received after a key is depressed,
and then displaying the letter found in Col II of Fig. 38, the

dictionary search is made unnecessary for the first letter.
The user then depresses the key assigned the letter "A".
(as shown in the middle of the key in Fig. 31a). The letter "A"
and the letter "B" are assigned to the same key as the QWERTY
letter "S" (See Col I and Col II, Fig. 38). This results in the

SCAN code for that key being transmitted to the computer and that
code being translated to letter "S". Col I of the dictionary
file is then searched for the ASCII code for the letter "S". The
search is made in the dictionary file for a word with the second
letter, "S", provided that such word starts with the ASCII code

for the letter "W". This sequence is found for two cases (1) The
sequence "CA" in Col I and the sequence "CB" in Col II (Assume
that abbreviations are included in the dictionary). The user
then depresses the key assigned the letter "T". (as shown in the

middle of the key in Fig. 31a) The letter "T" and the letter "U"
are assigned to the QWERTY letter "K". (See Col I and II, Fig.
38.)

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In a manner similar to that described for the letters "A"
and "B" a search is then made in Col I of the dictionary for the
QWERTY sequence "WSK". (See Fig. 41.) The sequence "CB" is
eliminated because neither "CBT" or "CBU" is found. However, the

sequence is found for two cases (1) where the sequence in Col II
(next to the WSK sequence in Col I) is "CAT" and (2) where the
letter sequence is CAU (next to the WSK sequence in Col I). They
are both displayed since "CAU" are the first letters of longer
words, such as "CAUSE". The user selects "CAT" and "CAU" is

eliminated.
Method III

The selection of the letters and the data sent from the
keyboard to the computer is the same as that of Method II.
However, as an additional method to implement the invention, the

dictionary file in Col I (Fig. 42) has asterisks placed after the
ASCII code for those letters assigned the same ASCII code. Thus,
each letter has a unique code. The letter "A" and the letter "B"
are assigned to the "S" key on the QWERTY keyboard. The letter
"A" in the dictionary file is assigned the ASCII code for the

letter "S" plus one asterisk, the letter "B" in the dictionary
file is assigned the ASCII code for the letter "S" plus two
asterisks. The assignments of the code and asterisks assigned to
the format used in the examples below are shown in Col I and Col
II of Fig. 43. A section of the dictionary file is shown in Fig.
42.

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Method III is now described using the example of entering
the word "CAT". The operator depresses the key assigned the
letter "C" (as shown in the middle of the key in Fig. 31a) and
the SCAN code for that key would be sent to the computer where it

is translated to the ASCII code for the letter "W". The ASCII
code for the letter "W" is found in Col I of the dictionary file.
However, since, this is the first letter of a word, the ASCII

Code for the letter "W", would be searched in Col I of Fig. 42
where it is found. The ASCII code in Col II, on the same line as
the ASCII code for the "W" in Col I, is the ASCII code for the

letter "C". The letter "C" would then be displayed.

Next, the key with the letter "A" in the middle of the key
is depressed. The SCAN code for that key wold be sent to the
computer where it is translated to the ASCII code for the letter

"S", which would then be searched in Col I of the dictionary
(Table 11). "S*" and "S**" would both be found in sequences that
began with the letter "W". Those sequences are "WS*" and "WS**".
The "S*" and "S**" would then be redefined by using Col I and II
of Fig. 43, in a manner similar to that used for the letter "W"

and the letters "CA" and "CB" would be displayed. The key
assigned the letter "T" would then be depressed and the ASCII
code for the letter "K" would be sent to the computer and
searched in Col I of the dictionary file for sequences that begin
with the ASCII code for "WS*" and "WS**". The sequences WS*K*

and WS*K** would be found. The K* and K** would be redefined as
described above for the letter "A" and the letters "CAT" and

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"CAU" would be displayed. The operator would then depress the
space bar and the word "CAT" would be selected and the sequence
"CAU" would be eliminated. The program is ready for the next
word.

This same program would enable the user to substitute a
different keyboard format, including any of the formats shown in
the Figures attached and the variations in these formats
described in this disclosure. This would result in Col I and Col
II of Fig. 42, being changed accordingly.

Method III includes a program to process the dictionary
words in order to create a word code list for Col I of the
dictionary. To do this, each letter of the words in Col II of
the dictionary, Fig.42, is redefined in accordance with the
assignments made for each letter such as those shown, for

example, in Fig. 43. If a new format is defined the dictionary
list must be adjusted to that format.

Method II includes a program to process the dictionary words
in order to create a word list for Col I of the dictionary. To
do this, each letter of the words in Col II of the dictionary,

Fig. 42, is redefined in accordance with the letter assignments
such as those shown, for example, in Fig. 43.

It is to be noted that sequences of letters are entered
whether or not a matching sequence is found for a word in the
dictionary. If the user depressed a key to add a letter to a

sequence, for example, to add the letter "R" to the sequence
"REL", and no match in the dictionary for that additional entry
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is found, an audible warning (a beep) would be given and/or a
message on the screen would read "No Match Found". The cause of
this would either be (a) a misspelling or (b) a word not listed
in the dictionary (a "new" word) was being entered.

To determine the cause, the user may find it useful to
access the dictionary to check the spelling and to examine the
words listed. The user would then depress a designated function
key and highlight the sequence of letters, "relr", on the
display. The list of words in the dictionary, starting with the

last matching sequence found in the dictionary for the sequence
entered, in this case "REL", would be displayed in the rows below
and directly beneath the sequence of letters "relr" (or in a
window at the bottom of the display). The dictionary words may
be scrolled. The user can select the desired word from that list

so that it would moved to the home line.

If one of the words on the display is highlighted and the
specified designated function key is depressed, a list of
synonyms or antonyms of the word highlighted would be displayed.

The user can correct spelling mistakes in the usual
manner. If there are sequences of letters displayed, then a
correction of the letter would be made at the top of the list of
such sequences. Then all sequences below that line would also be
corrected.

The user can depress a designated function key FX, which
changes the program from the format being used to the 26 letter
keyboard format, that is, one letter per key. The word can then

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be entered without any ambiguity. The user can move in and out of
this format at any time.

When using Method I, II or III, if a match for an entry is
not found in the dictionary, all the possible combinations of the
inputs subsequent to not finding a match are appended to the

sequence then displayed and a message to the user is displayed,
such as, "Word Not Found". Figure 44 shows the display that would
appear if the sequence "FRIEND" was not found and all possible
sequences of the letters entered are displayed. (Note: The

display shows 12 sequences after the input of the last letter.)
After the last letter is entered in the sequence, the user can
enter a punctuation mark, if one is desired, and then if the
desired sequence is in the home line, depress the space bar, or
if the desired sequence is below the home line, the user would

then depress a selection key, or use some other selection method,
to move the desired sequence to the home line. The sequences
below the home line would be eliminated, the space required
between "sequence A" and the first letter of the next sequence
would be made and the user can enter the first letter of the next
sequence.

If the user depressed "selection key #3 or #4" or if the
user depressed the designated function key, Fl, and the
"selection key #1 or #2", the user could select a sequence before
it is complete and cause it to move to the home line. The other

sequences would be eliminated and the user could continue to type
and the subsequent entries would be added to the sequence moved
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to the home line. -The process described above could continue
until the desired sequence was selected.

An example of selecting a sequence before completion, is
shown using the example shown in Fig. 44, where all possible
combinations of the sequence "FRIEND" was displayed. Table 8

shows the display if after the third display, in Fig. 44, the
sequence "FRI", was moved to the home line by depressing a
selection key. The displays after that input would be as shown
below in Table 8. (By the input of the last letter there are two
sequences displayed.)

Table 8

Display # IV V VI VII VIII
FRI FRIE FRIEN FRIEND FRIEND
FRIF FRIFN FRIFND

The word "FRIEND" is displayed in the home line in display
VII. If the user then depressed the space bar, the sequences

below the home line would be eliminated and the program would be
ready for the first letter of the next sequence. In this
example, all the remaining desired inputs, were displayed
immediately in the home line. If this had not been the case, and

the sequence desired by the user was displayed below the home

line, the desired sequence would then have been moved to the home
line by depressing the appropriate selection key and the other
sequences above and below the home line, if any, would have been

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eliminated. The program is then ready for the first letter of
the next sequence.

Method IV

The following rules are followed to enter a desired sequence
of letters in accordance with this Method referred to as Method
IV. This Method may be used independently or in conjunction with
Methods I, II or III. If Method IV is used, for instance, with
Method I, then the process of searching for a matching sequence
in the dictionary is, also, used. See Fig. 45, for example of

words being displayed using Method IV by itself, Method I by
itself and a combination of Methods I and IV.

Method IV, is particularly useful when entering a"New"
Word. The number of times that the selection key must be used
with this method depends on (1) the number of keys to which

letters are assigned (2) the selection of letters assigned to
those keys and (3) the use of statistical information, discussed
below, regarding which sequence should be placed in the home
line. A selection key must be used approximately one time every
two words with the letters assigned to the keyboard as shown in

Fig. 48. (Based on Figures 46, 47 and 48a and b.)

The following explanation refers to using Method IV
without using Method I,II, or III (that is, without searching for
a matching sequence) Method IV is explained in the six "Rules"
below and with reference to Fig. 45.

(1) A designated function key, F-2 is depressed, to
implement the program for this method. If the user
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then depresses a key with one letter assigned to it,
that letter will be displayed in the home line. If the
user depresses a key with two or more letters assigned
to it, those letters would be displayed vertically, one

in the home line and the other(s) in Row(s) beneath it.
See Fig. 45, Col 3, Method IV, for the word "Fourth".
If the desired letter is displayed in a row below the
home line, a selection key or one of the other methods
described previously, herein, would be used to move it

to the home line. Since function key F2 was depressed,
"Selection keys, 1 and 2" are available for this
purpose. However, F2 would not be depressed if a key
dedicated to this program, selection key #5 was used
instead of "selection keys 1 and 2".

(2) If the desired letter is displayed in the home line, as
in display # 1 thru 6, Fig. 45, in the sequence
"desire", and in display 2,4,5 and 6 for the sequence
"fourth", no input by a selection key is necessary.

(3) In this program, Method IV, if the desired letter is

displayed below the home line, it is required to select
that letter (such selection is shown by an asterisk in
Fig. 45) before entering the next letter. If it is not
selected, it will be eliminated when the next key is
depressed. For example, if the user is entering the

word "FOURTH", the letter "f", which is below the home
line in the first display must be selected, otherwise,
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the program will assume that the letter "E" (which is
displayed above the letter "F") in the home line is
correct and when the next input is made, the letter,
"f", below the home line would be eliminated. If the

letter, "f", has not been selected the input of the
next letter(s), confirms that the selection of a line
below the home line will not be made and any sequences
displayed below the home line should be eliminated.

(4) If a single letter is entered, it is displayed only in
the home line because before that letter is entered the
sequences below the home line have been eliminated or
moved to the home line. For instance, for the word
"fourth," after the input of the letters "t" and "u" in
the 3rd display, the selection key is depressed and

"FOU" is selected. Therefore, before the single letter
"R" was entered in the fifth display, the home line was
already determined to be "fou". If the desired
sequence, when completed, is in the home line, the user
may enter any desired punctuation mark, and then

depress the space bar and the system is then rady for
the first letter of the next sequence. If the desired
sequence is below the home line, it is moved to the
home line by use of the selection key assigned that
line or one of the other methods previously described.

After a sequence has been entered the program would
automatically move the user back one level in the menu structure
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to Method I, II, or III. However, if the user desired to stay in
the program for Method IV, the user could do so by depressing
another designated function key.

The above method can also be used for entering text. This

selection method can apply to one handed or two-handed keyboards.
An asterisk has been used in the attached figures, which show the
keyboard designs, to designate the location of the selection keys
and/or the designated function keys, F1 and F2.

The location of these selection keys is important if method
IV is to be efficient in entering text. If method IV is used for
entering text, no more than two selection keys would be needed if
no more than two letters are assigned to each key. Certain keys
which can be easily reached can be designated as the selection
keys. For example, the keyboard shown in Fig. 31a, the keys

assigned the QWERTY letters "G" and "H" may be designated as
"Selection Keys #1 and #2", respectively, and the keys assigned
the QWERTY letter "Y" and "B" may be the designated function
keys, Fl and F2, respectively. If a letter is assigned to a key
which is depressed with the right hand, the QWERTY lettered "G"

key could be depressed with the left hand, either simultaneously
or sequentially with the input of the lettered key.

The letters assigned to certain keys, may have an
alphabetical order. However, the order which the letters are
displayed on the screen may be placed in a non-alphabetical order

to improve the likelihood that the desired word will be placed in
the home line in Methods I thru IV. For instance, even though
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the letters K and L are on the same key, when that key is
depressed, the letter "L" may be displayed above the letter "K"
because of its higher frequency of use and, therefore, it is more
likely that the desired word would occur in the home line. Also,

the letter "S" is the first letter of words approximately twice
as often as the letter "R" and the letter "S" is used about
twenty-five per cent more than the letter "R." Therefore, the
sequences with the letter "S" should be displayed in the home
line rather than the sequences with the letter "R" when they are

on the same key. (See Figures 47 and 48a). The sequence with the
highest frequency of use may be determined as each key is
depressed.

As noted, the decision as to which sequence should be placed
in the home line or closest to it may be based on certain

statistical information regarding the letters that have been
entered. The goal is to get the most likely sequence in the home
line and the next most likely sequence on the line below the home
line. Each letter and each sequence can be given a rank as to
the likelihood of being used based upon the number of words which

have that sequence. (Call this the "rank.") When a key is
depressed with two or more letters assigned to it and a search is
made in the dictionary for a matching sequence, and there is more
than one matching sequence, the search may include not only

verifying that a match is found, but the "rank" of both

sequences. The user may play a role in determining the rank thru
a program that would permit the user to give a "weight" to

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competing words which would result from the same input, e.g, sucn
words as "aid and bid", "care and dare" and "might and "night".

The "rank" would determine the order of the words displayed.
However, if the user prefers an alphabetical order of the

display, he can set the program to do so.

Figure 48 shows the frequency of use of each letter of the
alphabet for the first letter of words in a dictionary. The
letters I, J,, and K are placed on the same key in most of the
keyboard designs attached. The letters "I" is the first letter

of 983 words, the letter "J" is the first letter of 179 words,
the "K" is the first letter of 147 words. Also, based on a
dictionary of 21,110 words, out of 106,000 letters, the letter I
is used 8,000 times, the letter "J" is used 400 times, the letter
"K" is used 800 times. It is clear that the letter "I" should be

given priority over the letter j and K for the first letter of a
sequence and elsewhere in the sequence.

The letters "0" and "P" may be located on the same key. The
letter "P" is used as the first letter on 1772 words while the
"0" is the first letter on 509 words, out of 21,110 words.

Therefore, if the first key depressed of a sequence is assigned
the letters "0" and "P" the letter "P" should be placed in the
home line because it is more likely that the desired word begins
with a"P". However, for letters, other than the first letter
the more likely letter would be the letter "0". Out of 106,400

letters the letter "0" is expected to occur 8000 times and the
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letter "P," 2000 times. (see Fig. 47) This generality will not
apply if the proceeding letter is a vowel.

The statistical evidence regarding the use of letters and
sequences must also be weighed by the frequency of use of the

words with which they are associated; such as for the sequences
"ste", "sue" and "suf." There are approximately 70 words
beginning with the letters "ste" and 3 words beginning with the
letters "sue" and 13 words beginning with the letters "suf." A
word beginning with the letters "ste" has a better likelihood of

being the desired word tkian the words beginning with "sue" or
"suf."

At the beginning of words or syllables, vowels usually
follow consonants and vice versa. This factor would also be

a determining factor in choosing which sequence should be placed
in the home line. For instance, if the first and second inputs
are "aa," or "ab," the "ab" sequence would be placed in the home
line. There is one word which begins "aa", but there are many
words which begin "ab."

The use of statistical information regarding the frequency
that letters and sequences are used, combined with using the
select key for the beginning entries of the words; can reduce the
number of unintended words and thereby make keyboards with only
eight to ten keys more acceptable.

A keyboard could be hard wired to send the SCAN code to the
computer for the letters referred to as the redefined letters
assigned to those keys (that is, the letters in Col II, Table 8)

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instead of the QWERTY letters. Also, the keyboard need not be
separate from the computer but can be integrated with it such as
with laptop, notebook or hand held computers.

In the attached figures, the letter on the top right hand
corner on each key is the letter assigned to that key by the
QWERTY keyboard format. In the middle of each key is the letter
of the alphabet assigned to that key (i.e., the redefined
letter). Fig. 31a also indicates which finger is to be used and
the starting position for the index finger.

. One dot -- index finger
Two-dots -- middle finger
... Three dots -- ring finger
.... Four dots -- little finger

The symbol O,indicates the starting position of the index
finger. The single dot in the middle of the circle indicates
that the key is assigned to the index finger and that this is the
"starting position" of the index finger.

The Keyboard Letter Assignments can be displayed for Review and
Selection by the User

The user indicates, by depressing a designated function
key, that the user wishes to see the display showing the keyboard
assignments that are available. The current keyboard assignment

is also displayed.- Next to each assignment is a Keyboard number.
The user can click on that number (or enter that number) and the
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letter assignments of the designated keyboard are then entered
into the typing program.

Assigning Letters to the Keys of the QWERTY Keyboard

A function key may be defined to cause the following message
to be displayed as-follows: "This program enables the user to
assign letters to each key of the QWERTY keyboard." This may be
implemented in a variety of ways. For instance, the letters of
the alphabet are listed in alphabetical order. When the cursor
is placed next to a letter the user then depresses a key he

wishes to assign to that that letter..
Dynamic Window

The letters being entered to form a word can be displayed in
a dynamic window. The top row of this window is on line with the
line being typed (i.e., the home row). The left side begins at

the point where the next letter in the text would be entered.
The bottom and right side of the window expands as needed. The
window starts at a size and shape sufficient to accommodate at
least four letters wide and two lines vertically and expands as
needed. The dynamic window can be moved to any location on the
screen by movement of the insertion pointer. If the user

depresses a designated function key, the letters can also be
displayed one space after the last letter entered without being
in a window.

Use of blank space

While typing a word, the user can insert "blank" spaces
either to increase his typing speed or because the user is not
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certain of the spelling. The word(s) in the dictionary which are
candidates for that input are displayed. The input for the blank
spaces is either 1) a key designated for that purpose or 2) a

space bar. If the space bar is used the sequences are displayed
at the bottom of the display. Example - the word "kaleidoscope"
is desired. The user enters KAL SCOPE or KAL

__ PE and KALEIDOSCOPE is displayed. If the user entered KAL_ _
______(the number of spaces over four spaces does not need
to be exact) then the words "KALASHNIKOV" and "'KALEIDOSCOPE"

would appear. The user would select the desired word,
KALEIDOSCOPE, and KALASHNIKOV would be erased.

Adding a word to the dictionary

After a new word is selected by one of the methods described
herein the user can elect to add it to the dictionary. The code
letters are held in memory and the selection of each letter

associated with that code is also held in memory. The word is
entered into the dictionary unless the user elects otherwise by
selecting the option "do not add to memory" which appears on
the screen after completion of the selection of each letter

associated with the word code.

In another embodiment of the invention, the keyboard can be
integrated with a mouse. Since the keyboard can be small, e.g.
12 to 15 keys, there would be space on a mouse for all the keys.

Thus, a user can type and control the mouse with one hand. The
shift keys may be used to bring on punctuations and other
functions. That is , if the shift key is used the keys assigned

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letters may instead input numbers or punctuation marks, or
direction, or enter or cap lock, or other functions found on the
keyboard.

In this disclosure, designated functions keys are used of

calling up various programs. The escape key or another function
key would be used to exit such programs.

When the user is entering a sequence of letters the program
may detect that there is only one word base that satisfies the
sequence thus far entered. The program could then cause the

words that have that base to be listed automatically in rows
directly below the sequence being entered in the home line. The
user can then select the desired word. An example of his are the
words; prefer, preferable, preferably, preference, preferential.

Fig. 38 is an assignment of letters to the keyboard as shown
in Fig. 31a for Method I and II.

Fig. 39 is examples of the method of displaying words as
letter entry is made.

Fig. 40 shows displays when sequences are entered for
Methods I, II and III.

Fig. 41 is a sample of the dictionary file for Method II.
Fig. 42 is a sample of the dictionary file for Method III.
Fig. 43 is an-assignment of the letters to the keyboard for
Method III.

Fig. 44 displays showing all possibilities for input of a
"New" word.

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Fig. 45 Examples of Method IV, Method I and Method I and
Method IV combined,

Fig. 46 frequency of requirement for selection keys for
Method IV.

Fig. 47 Frequency of use of letters in words.

Fig. 48A Frequency of use of letters for the first letter of
words.

Fig. 48B Keyboard assignment for calculations.

Fig. 49 Letter assignments to keyboard with 9 to 17 keys.

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This invention applies to the method of typing with a keyboard, which has more
than one
Letter assigned to some or all of the keys yet the user to requires only one
keystroke to

select the desired letter. In addition, the user is able to see the word(s)
being formed as each letter is
entered and if an error in typing is made he can correct it immediately in a
similar manner as in

conventional typing, i.e. by backspacing and typing the correct letter(s) as
well as some other methods.
With the preferred assignment of letters to fourteen keys, when the input of
the letters is complete and only
using the space bar to enter the word, the desired word will be displayed on
the top line of the window in
over 98% of the words when using a dictionary of 84,532 words and only the
input of the space bar is
required to enter those words into the word document. Eighty percent of the
remaining two percent will be

displayed on the second line of the window and they can also be entered into
the word document with a
total of one keystroke. Using one of the preferred keyboards with 13 or 14
keys the user can select the
letters for words not in the dictionary with an average of less than one and
one-quarter keystrokes per
letter. In other systems when more than one letter is assigned to the keys the
user presses a delimit key to
indicate that the word is complete. The word or words, which match the input
are then displayed and those

below the top line would require an additional input. There is no opportunity
to see the word while it is
being entered and for that reason, correction of errors must await the
completion of the word code or a
careful evaluation of each series of letters to determine if an error was
made. If the groups of letters
associated with each input are displayed side by side or vertically it is very
difficult to pick out the letters
entered to verify that it is correct. With that system it is more likely that
a typo error would be realized

after the entry was complete and the intended word was not displayed. The
system described in this
disclosure has the advantage of the user having the opportunity to see the
actual word being formed as each
letter(s) is entered. Therefore, when he presses the space bar he can move on
to the first letter of the next
word without hesitating. On the other hand the person who is typing and cannot
see the words entered
until after the space bar is pressed, may tend to hesitate after pressing the
spacebar to verify that the word

entered is correct before proceeding with the next word and this would slow
down the input.

With the system described in this disclosure the user can in one display,
because of the way the
letters and sequences are displayed, relate the letters to the sequences which
facilitates the input required
for corrections. Also, selections can be made by scrolling a desired letter or
sequence into the top line

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This invention applies to the method of typing with a keyboard, which has more
than one
Letter assigned to some or all of the keys yet the user to requires only one
keystroke to

select the desired letter. In addition, the user is able to see the word(s)
being formed as each letter is
entered and if an error in typing is made he can correct it immediately in a
similar manner as in

conventional typing, i.e. by backspacing and typing the correct letter(s) as
well as some other methods.
With the preferred assignment of letters to fourteen keys, when the input of
the letters is complete and only
using the space bar to enter the word, the desired word will be displayed on
the top line of the window in
over 98% of the words when using a dictionary of 84,532 words and only the
input of the space bar is
required to enter those words into the word document. Eighty percent of the
remaining two percent will be

displayed on the second line of the window and they can also be entered into
the word document with a
total of one keystroke. Using one of the preferred keyboards with 13 or 14
keys the user can select the
letters for words not in the dictionary with an average of less than one and
one-quarter keystrokes per
letter. In other systems when more than one letter is assigned to the keys the
user presses a delimit key to
indicate that the word is complete. The word or words, which match the input
are then displayed and those

below the top line would require an additional input. There is no opportunity
to see the word while it is
being entered and for that reason, correction of errors must await the
completion of the word code or a
careful evaluation of each series of letters to determine if an error was
made. If the groups of letters
associated with each input are displayed side by side or vertically it is very
difficult to pick out the letters
entered to verify that it is correct. With that system it is more likely that
a typo error would be realized

after the entry was complete and the intended word was not displayed. The
system described in this
disclosure has the advantage of the user having the opportunity to see the
actual word being formed as each
letter(s) is entered. Therefore, when he presses the space bar he can move on
to the first letter of the next
word without hesitating. On the other hand the person who is typing and cannot
see the words entered
until after the space bar is pressed, may tend to hesitate after pressing the
spacebar to verify that the word

entered is correct before proceeding with the next word and this word would
slow down the input.

With the system described in this disclosure the user can in one display,
because of the way the
letters and sequences are displayed, relate the letters to the sequences which
facilitates the input required
for corrections. Also, selections can be made by scrolling a desired letter or
sequence into the top line

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before it is completed, which eliminates sequences not desired and puts the
desired sequence at or near the
top line while the typing continues. The system described herein is very
similar to conventional typing
because the user has the opportunity to see the letters forming the desired
word. When the user presses the
space bar in this system, it indicates the acceptance of the letters that are
displayed as well as the

completion of the word. To further facilitate the typing process, a section of
the dictionary is displayed
starting with words that are in alphabetical order to the desired word.
(displayed on the top line of the letter
lines). These words can be displayed, in the bottom section of the dynamic
window. This enables the user
to verify the spelling or enter long words by typing the beginning of a word
and then selecting the word
from the dictionary list and causing it to be entered directly from that list
into the word document. These

advantages along with typing with fewer keys make the typing process faster
and easier.

In this invention, a dynamic window is used to display the sequences for which
matching
words in the dictionary are found. When the user starts the process of
entering text he
uses the cursor controls to move the cursor to the location on the screen
where he wants
the next letter(s) or words to be displayed on the screen. The user next
clicks onto an

icon or depresses a function key which causes the window shown in Fig 59a, to
be
displayed. Fig 59a shows the dynamic window before any letters have been
entered. In
this figure, arrows in lines 1, 6, & 11 are each pointing to a rectangular
space, 101, 102,
& 103 in Fig. 59a, referred to as the "grid area" (the area for the sequence
lines, the letter
lines and the dictionary lines, respectively). When the first letter of a word
is entered by

pressing a key, the letter(s) assigned to that key will be displayed in two
sections of the
grid area, the sequence lines and the letter lines described below. As letters
are entered
in the grid area, the window becomes larger by expanding to the right a
sufficient space
for the letters associated with that input to be displayed in the grid area.
Each letter that
is entered will be displayed in a small square. This helps the user to see the
alignment of
the sequence lines, the letter lines and the dictionary lines.

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Fig 60a, b, c, d & e show the changes in the grid as each letter is entered.
(The dictionary
lines are not shown in Fig 60.) It may be noted that the words "The man is"
stays in their
same position as each letter is added to the word, "able", being entered.
Also, the left
side of the window remains in the same position until the complete word has
been

entered in the window. As each letter is added, the grid area in the window
becomes
wider. After the word has been completed the user clicks on the desired word
or presses
a key which causes the desired word to move from the window to the word
document.
Fig 60E, shows the word "able" has moved to the word document to a position to
the left
of the cursor, (104 in Fig 60E). The cursor continues to be adjacent to the
outside left

edge of the window, and the window has moved to the right the required space
for the
letters and symbols to be entered into the word document. The grid area is
then reduced
to the width required for the first letter of the next word to be entered,
(See Fig 59a).
The top four lines (Lines 1 thru 4 Fig 59F) of the window to the left of the
horizontal
Arrow, 105 in Fig. 1F in line 1 are use to display sequences and are referred
to as the "Sequence Lines" or

the "S" lines. When the control keys are focused on these lines, it is
referred to as the

"Sequence Mode". Lines 6,7,8, & 9, to the left of the horizontal arrow in line
6, are used
to display the letters associated with each input and are referred to as the
"Letter Lines"
or "L" lines. When the control keys are focused on these lines, it is referred
to as the
"Letter Mode". Lines 11,12,13, & 14, to the left of the horizontal arrow in
line 11 are

used to display the dictionary words in alphabetical order to the sequence
displayed in
line one. These lines are referred to as the "Dictionary Lines" or "D" Lines
and when the
control keys are focused on these lines, it is referred to as the "Dictionary
Mode".

After the word has been typed into the window, there may be words displayed on
lines
1,2,3, & 4. When in the sequence mode, the letters entered in the sequence
lines are letters that form
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sequence(s) for which matching sequences of letters were found in the
dictionary (which is in memory)
beginning with the initial letters entered (See Fig60A to 60E Lines 1 through
4). The letters associated
with this input are shown on Lines 6 & 7 of Fig 60A-60E. As each input element
is entered the series of
letters for which a matching sequence was found in the dictionary are
displayed on the sequence lines. The

letters displayed in Fig 60B in Line 1, 2, 3, & 4 could be for such words as,
aardvark or able, bale, or BBC
and in Fig 60C for such words as bay, able, abyss, bale. As each letter(s) is
entered the number of words
found in the dictionary that match the input is reduced.

For example, when the fourth input element is entered with the letters, E and
F, assigned to it, all the words
except "able" and "bale" are deleted as possible candidates for the word being
entered. By pressing the

space bar, "able" is entered into the word document ("Bale" would have
required the input of select key #1
or that the user scrolls the word to the top line and press the space bar). In
Fig 60C it is noted that the
shortest word (in this case the word "bay") is placed at the top of the
Sequence Lines. The program will
provide that the sequences which are completed are given top priority, those
sequences which show the
highest statistical likelihood of being the desired sequence are given the
next highest order of priority to be

in or near the top line. Among words of the same length the most often used
words are given the highest
priority. This requirement increases the opportunity to enter more words with
only one input.

If more than one match in the dictionary is found for a sequence they are
displayed in the sequence lines.
If a letter(s) is entered, and at least one matching sequence is found, those
sequences for which a match is
found after a letter associated with that input is appended to it, will remain
displayed and the sequence(s)

for which no match was found will be eliminated. If no match is found for any
of the sequences for which
a match was found prior to the last input, then such sequences will remain
displayed and will continue to
be displayed in black type up to but not including the last input. The last
input and any additional letters
will appear in red. If the user presses the space bar, the sequence then in
the top line of the sequence lines
will move from the window to the word document and will be displayed in black
if a matching sequence

was found in the dictionary and in red if a matching sequence was not found.
If the user presses select key
#1, the sequence one line below the top line will move from the window to the
word document. If the
desired sequence is more than one row below the top line, the user can scroll
it to the top line and then
press the space bar. Sequences moved to the word document from lines below the
top line will also be
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displayed in red or black in the word document depending upon whether a
matching sequence was found.
Also, it is noted that the letters associated with each input are displayed in
the letter lines and these letters
and the other sequences are removed from the window display when the space bar
or select key #1 is
pressed.

Thus, the user could enter a "new word", such as "balf', when it does not
appear in the sequence lines.
(See Fig 60D) by either (1) clicking on the letter "F", in the letter line #7
which causes it to scroll in the
letter lines and appear in the sequence lines or (2 by causing the letters "E"
and "F" to scroll by pressing
the Scroll Key #2. Also, it is noted that the letters entered in the Sequence
Lines when in the Sequence
Mode, cause the order of the top line of the letter lines to change so that
the top lines of the sequence lines

and letter lines match. Similarly, the letters entered in the letter lines
will cause the letter displayed in the
top line of the sequence lines to change so that the top lines of each will
match. For example, Fig 60 shows
the displays when the word "able" is entered. By the third input of that word,
Fig 60C, the word "Bay" is
found to be a matching word for the input thus far entered.

As a result, the letter in Line 6, column #3, Fig. 60C is a "Y." The "L" is
normally placed above the letter
"Y" because the "L" is used more often. By keeping the top line of the
Sequence Lines and the Letter
Lines the same, the user can look at the top line of either mode and have
confidence that if he presses the
space bar he will enter the correct word regardless of whether the controls
are focused on the Letter Lines
or Sequence Lines. If one matching sequence is found, it is displayed in the
top line of the sequence lines.
If more than one matching sequence is found, they are displayed in an order
based on certain statistical

information (this will be explained below). In Fig 59A, four lines are shown
in area 101, the Sequence
Line area. More lines can be allocated to the sequences on a fixed basis, or
the window could be made to
be dynamic vertically as well as horizontally so that lines and columns can be
added or deleted.

The user can select the desired word and move it to the word document by
clicking on it.
This enables the user to move the word from lines 1,2,3, or 4 to the word
document with
one input.

The number of lines required for the letters depends upon the most number of
letters
assigned to any one key.

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If no more than two letters are assigned to a key then only two lines would be
required
for the "letter lines", and not 4 lines as shown in Fig.59a to 59f.

By pressing select key #1, the word one line below the top line on the
sequence lines will
move to the word document and desired sequences below that line can be
scrolled to the
top lines and moved to the word document by pressing the space bar.

If sequences are scrolled to the top line of the Sequence Lines before it is
complete, the entry of the next
letter, after such scrolling will confirm that, the correct sequence was now
in the top line and the sequences
below the top line would be eliminated from the display. If the user realized
a mistake was made and
desired to again show the previous display the user could press the backspace
key and delete the last letter

entered. The previous display would then be displayed on the screen. The
ability to recapture previous
displays by backspacing is always available to the user. This capability makes
it possible to correct an
entry by backspacing and thereby erasing letters from the display starting at
the end of a word. The user
could then enter the correct letters. Also, the balance of the word previously
typed could be entered
automatically by pressing a function key.

The space bar, scroll key #1 and select key #1 can have their focus shifted to
the
dictionary lines by pressing the sequence/dictionary mode key (S/D Key), which
functions as a toggle switch. After pressing the S/D Mode Key, the space bar
(which
may be a key) if pressed, will cause.the word in the top line of the
dictionary lines to
move to the word document. Pressing scroll Key #1 will cause the words in the

dictionary lines to scroll downward in a circular scroll and select key#1 will
cause those
words to circular scroll in the opposite direction.

The fifth line of the grid area, Fig 59F, to the left of Section 108, shows a
Vertical
Arrow, Fig 59C, 109, when this arrow is placed over a column, the letters in
that column
will scroll if scroll key #2 is pressed. The Vertical Arrow Key, if pressed,
will cause the

Vertical Arrow to move above the column selected by the user. The Vertical
Arrow will
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remain over whatever grid is adjacent to Section 108 on Fig. 59F until the
Vertical Arrow
Key is pressed. As letters are entered a column of grids is added to the left
of section 108
(Call this location #1) If the Vertical Arrow was moved during the input of a
word, it will
move back to location #1 when that word is entered or deleted.

When a series of letters are entered, the arrow will remain in Line 5,
adjacent to Section
108 Fig. 59F. It is then above the column of grids in which letter(s) are
being entered.
Thus, it moves form left to right as each letter is pressed. The user may
select a letter
displayed immediately after it is entered, at location #1, by pressing scroll
key #2 which
causes the desired letter to move to the top letter line. When entering a
sequence, if a

letter is ever selected to be in the top line of the letter lines by
scrolling, or insertion of a
letter or by default in the selection process, it remains the selected letter
for the letter
lines and the sequence lines, unless it is changed by the user selecting
another letter to be
in the top line of the letter lines or elminated. This can be done by using
Scroll key #2 or
inserting another letter. Such selected letter(s) will be displayed in a
distinctive color

until the word is completed and moved to the word document or the sequence is
erased.
The Vertical Arrow will remain in Location #1, see Fig 59F, 109, unless the
user presses
the Vertical Arrow Key. The first press on that key will cause the Vertical
Arrow to
move on Line 5, so that it is above the grid of the first letter entered of
that sequence. It is
the grid column farthest to the left and identified as Column 1 on Fig 59F.
Starting from

that position, each press on the Vertical Arrow Key will cause the arrow to
move one
column to the right. The arrow is then moving from left to right, which is the
natural
direction for reviewing and correcting spelling. If the desired letter is not
on the top line
of a column of letters the user would press the Vertical Arrow key so that the
Vertical
Arrow moves to the top of the next column which requires editing and then he
would

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scroll the desired letter to the top line. When all the letters are in the top
line the user
would press the space bar and the word would move to the Word Document.

The following program will enable the user to enter a word not in the
dictionary by using
scroll key #2 while it is in location #1. If the user is entering a word not
in the

dictionary, the letters would be displayed in either the top line or below the
top line of the
letter lines. Whenever, the desired letter is in the top line the user would
enter the next
input element. Since the user did not press scroll key #2 it is confirmed, by
default, that
the desired letter is in the top line.

As described above, the vertical arrow would be in Location #1, above the
letters
associated with the second input element. If the desired letter associated
with the second
input element was below the top line the user would scroll the letter to the
top line and
then enter the next input element and again the Vertical Arrow would move so
that it
would be above the letter(s)as the letter(s) were displayed. The only input
required to

select the correct letters is (1) the selection of the key associated with the
letter and (2) if
the desired letter is below the top line, the scrolling of scroll key #2 to
move the letter to
the top line.

With the preferred keyboard assignment, using fourteen keys, the desired
letter will be on
the top line approximately eighty percent of time.(see discussion below) Also,
with this
keyboard format no more than two letters are assigned to each key. Thus, only
one press

would be required on the scroll key approximately twenty percent of the time.
If the user
used the mouse to cause the letters to scroll, only one click would be
required on the
mouse. The input of the next letter or pressing the space bar confirms that
the scrolling is
complete, thus, this method can be used when there are more than two letters
assigned to

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a key.

The letter that appears in the top line of the letter lines also appears in
the top line of the sequence lines.
When the desired word is in the top line and the space bar is pressed the word
would move from the
window to the word document.

If letter(s) have been deleted from a column of letters the user can place the
Arrow Key over that grid
column and press a key to which letters are assigned and there by cause those
letters to be entered in the
column where letters have been deleted. The letter(s) may have been deleted by
right clicking on that grid
or by pressing a function key when the vertical arrow was above that column.

The horizontal arrows in lines 1& 11 are used as icons to cause the control
keys to focus
on the "S" line or "D" lines, respectively, if the user clicks on one of these
arrows the
mode changes as described below and the color of the arrow changes to bring
attention to
the mode in use. (The Horizontal Arrow in line 6 would be used if a S/L mode
key were
used as described on page 13)

When the Vertical Arrow Key is above a column the user can manipulate the
letters in
that column as follows: (1) the user can cause the letters to scroll to the
top line by
pressing the scroll key. (2) the user can cause the letters in a column to be
deleted by
pressing a designated function key.

The program can provide a procedure for inserting letters within a sequence.
For
example, the word "Glazer" could be corrected to "Glazier" by inserting the
letter "I"
after the letter "Z." To do this, the vertical arrow is placed above the
column of letters,

immediately after the last correct letter (in this case, after the letter "Z")
the user next
presses a designated function key and then presses the key assigned the letter
to be
inserted.

If a sequence has been entered and the user determines that the letters
displayed
in the top line of the window require changes, in some or all of the letters,
he can do this
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by the method described on the bottom of page 8 and top of page 9, or he can
use the
following alternate method which he begins by pressing a designated function
key. This
input causes the sequences and letters to be eliminated from the display. The
computer
program would then cause the letters associated with the first input element
to be

displayed. The user then proceeds to scroll the desired letter to the top line
of the letter
lines or insert another letter. When that change is completed the user then
presses the
same function key and the second letter is displayed. This process continues
until the
user either moves the word into the word document or eliminates the sequence
from the
display.

When the user desires to scroll the letters by left clicking on a column it is
not
necessary for the vertical arrow to be above that column. When the user
deletes letters
by right clicking on a column of letters the vertical arrow is moved above
that column of
letters by the computer program and letters are then inserted in that column
by pressing
an input element assigned the desired letter(s).

The program for the dynamic window can be implemented using only the
sequence lines, (lines 1, 2, 3 & 4) that is, the letter lines can be
eliminated and their
function can be substantially achieved by using only the sequence lines. In
that case, the
vertical arrow key, in line 5, would point up toward the sequence lines. If
the user used
scroll key #2, the letters in the sequence lines would scroll and any such
letters would

include letters that were eliminated from the display because no match was
found. For
instance, when the fourth input in the word, "able", was entered (see Fig 60)
the letter
"Y" was deleted. If the fourth column containing the letter "L" was scrolled,
the letter
"Y" (assigned to the key with the letter "L") would appear.

If a letter is scrolled to the top line of the sequence lines it shows that
the letter
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was selected. It would then be displayed in a distinctive color. Also, any
letters that
preceded it would also be considered "firmly selected". The user can change a
letter
previously considered firmly selected by scrolling it with scroll key # 2, or
eliminating it
and/or replacing it with another letter. The Vertical Arrow key would control
the vertical

arrow location in the same manner as described for its use in the letter
lines. The
function if scroll key #1, select key #1 and the space bar would remain the
same.
When in the Dictionary Mode there are three Control Keys: 1) the space bar, if

pressed causes the sequence displayed in the top line of the Dictionary Lines
to the word
document, 2) scroll key #1, if pressed, will cause the words stored in the
dictionary to be
scrolled in the downward direction so they can be so displayed in the
Dictionary Lines, 3)
the key used as Select Key #1 in the Sequence Mode, if pressed, will cause the
dictionary
in Memory to be scrolled in an upward direction. The Dictionary Lines may be

programmed to display all words of more than "x" letters without the
requirement that
the user first press the S/D Mode Key.

Any control which the user can access in this invention can also be controlled
or
activated by the use of the mouse pointer and mouse buttons ("clicking on
it"). Clicking
on the Up and Down Arrow keys on lines 10 & I 1 Fig. 59f will cause scrolling
of the
Dictionary lines.

Dictionary words may be programmed to be displayed in the dictionary lines
without the
user pressing the change in mode key, provided there has been a delay of "x"
amount
from the time the last letter was entered. The program may provide that the
user can
adjust this time interval.

If the user changed to the "D" mode, the program would automatically switch
back to the
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"S" Mode upon the entry of the word then being selected if the user had not
already
shifted back by pressing the appropriate Mode Control Key or by use of the
mouse. The
words displayed in the dictionary lines may be displayed in strictly
alphabetical order or
in alphabetical order but at the same time based on the number of letters in
each word,

i.e. all words of the same length would be in separate alphabetical groups. By
pressing a
designated function key, synonyms on antonyms, related to the word in the top
line of the
dictionary lines will be displayed in the dictionary lines. The user may cause
(by
pressing f(x)) the definition of the word in the top line of the dictionary
lines to be
displayed in a "pop up" window in the word document.

The dictionary list may be organized in sections such as, 1) the words which
are
commonly used (call this Dictionary #1), and 2) all the other words (call this
Dictionary
#2). The search for matching words in the dictionary may be made in different
ways and
the method used may be at the user's option. Such methods are: 1) the words in

dictionary #1 are searched and if a matching sequence is found the matching
sequences
are displayed but if a matching sequence is not found the words in Dictionary
#2 are
searched and if a matching sequence(s) are found, they are displayed, or 2) if
the
matching word(s) are not found in Dictionary #1 the user would press a
function key to
cause the words in Dictionary #2 to be searched or 3) The search is made in
Dictionary
#1 & #2 simultaneously, i.e. they are treated as one dictionary.

The display of words in the dictionary lines, (lines 11, 12, 13 and 14 Fig.
59F) may be
either 1) part of the standard program, or 2) available at user's option or 3)
eliminated.
In the method of control of the sequence lines and the letter lines described
above, no
change in mode was used to change the focus of orie set of controls from the
sequence
lines to the letter lines. Instead, Scroll Key #1 and Select Key #1 were used
for the

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sequence lines and scroll key #2 and the Vertical Arrow Key were used for the
letter
lines. If a mode key was used, two keys could be assigned to the controls
assigned to
the four keys listed above. More keys may be required if the required input is
accomplished without the mode key. However, by having separate keys assigned
to the

sequence lines and the letter lines the user can cause the change he wants
with less input.
For instance, if no mode key is used a letter can be scrolled in the letter
lines by pressing
scroll key #2 but if a change in mode was required then the user would have to
press the
S/L Mode key and then the scroll key.

The change in mode may be designed with either: 1) one mode key which would
circular
scroll between the sequence mode, the letter mode and the dictionary mode or
2) two
mode keys could be used: one key to toggle between the sequence mode and the
letter
mode and the other to toggle between the sequence mode and the dictionary
mode.

If the user desires to enter a punctuation mark, he can cause the word
displayed in line
one to be entered by entering the punctuation mark or if the desired word is
one line

below the top line, the user could, either (a) scroll the desired word from
below the top
line into the top line and then enter it by entering the punctuation mark or
(b) he could
move the word from the window to the word document by pressing Select Key #1,
and
then enter the punctuation mark directly into the word document; i.e. without
being
entered through the window and without the necessity of switching out of the
dynamic
window program.

In Fig 59F in section 108 are icons which the user can click on to enter
punctuation and
various functions. In addition if the user clicks on the shift icon additional
punctuation
and functions are made available. The user then can enter text by using only
the keys
assigned the letters, and only those control keys that he desires.

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Typing with one hand and using the mouse with the other hand is made possible
with this
typing system.

The user may elect to edit the document as entries are made or edit the
document later.
"Edit" here refers to (1) making certain that the desired word was selected
when more

than one word was listed in the window for the same input, (2) correcting
spelling and (3)
making other changes in the text, such as inserting additional words.

If a sequence is entered and "no match" is found in the dictionary, the
letters that were
entered for which a match was not found will appear in red or another color in
the
window. If that word is entered in the word document it would appear in red or
have a

squiggly red line under it, or some other distinctive color to indicate that
no match was
found. Also, the user may see some words not in red, that require editing.

The user would proceed to edit by placing the insertion pointer after the word
which
requires editing. The user would then click the mouse button and then enter
the "Edit
Mode", by clicking on a designated function key.

This input causes the word selected for editing (call this "word x") to be
highlighted and
the word which was highlighted to appear in the dynamic window on the top line
of the
sequence lines, the other sequences which were displayed in the window when
"word x"
was entered into the word document, would be displayed below the top line of
the

sequence lines and the letters associated with the input elements which were
typed when
the word was entered would appear in the letter lines.

The user would proceed to edit the word using the methods available and
described in
this disclosure e.g. the user can scroll the letters or add letters or select
sequence in the
sequence lines. The user can then cause the desired entry to move from the
dynamic
window to the word document.

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The user may, when copying text, or at other times prefer to do all the
editing after
entering a section of text. To do this he would first press a function key so
that he is in
the "Delay Edit Mode." While in this mode the user may either (1) choose the
sequence
in the top line of the sequence lines by pressing the space bar or (2) he may
elect to delay

the choice of the sequences displayed and press the select key #1 after the
last letter is
entered for any sequence. This would cause all words which the user entered by
pressing
the select key #1 to appear in a designated color e.g. green. Also, if any
letters were in
red in the top line of the sequence lines or letter lines (which would occur
because of
misspelling or the word did not find a match in the dictionary) they would
appear in red

in the word document. When the user was ready to edit the text he would press
the "Text
Edit" key.

He would then move the insertion pointer to the first word he desired to edit
and after
editing that word, the program would provide that the insertion pointer would
move to
the next word which required editing, cause it to be highlighted and that word
and the

other words and letters associated with that entry would appear in the window.
After
editing that word, this automatic process of moving to the next word to be
edited would
continue until that section of text was completed, unless the user decided to
interrupt that
editing process.

If more than one sequence was in the sequence lines when the user pressed
select key #1,
the program may provide that only the top sequence line would be displayed in
the word
document. However, the user could have the option that the top two sequences
in the
window when "sequence x" was entered into the word document would be displayed
in
color in the word document. The user could then edit such words either in the
window or
in the word document. The user could use the QWERTY keyboard, the mouse, the
delete

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key and the backspace key in the usual manner to edit in the word document.
While in
the "Delay Edit Mode" the user could place the insertion pointer after any
word and edit
it. After such editing the automatic movement to the next word requiring
editing would
resume.

The concept of displaying the possible sequences as they are being entered and
displayed
using a keyboard with more than one letter assigned to some or all of the keys
can be
implemented without the dynamic window. Instead, the display of a certain
number
(perhaps, not to exceed four at any one time) of the sequences which were
entered for
which matching sequence(s) were found in the dictionary would be displayed
directly in

the word document either one above the other or horizontally. If the sequences
are
displayed horizontally, the insertion pointer must move in such a way that
more than one
possible sequence can be displayed as each input element is selected. For
example, if the
letters "a" & "b" are on the same key and "r" and "u" are on the same key and
the letter
"t" is the only letter assigned to a key, then the words "art" & "but" would
result from the

same input. The display would show "a","b" after the first input with a coma
between
the "a" and "b". The display would show au, ak, bu, br, after the 2" input and
after the
3`d input the display would show art, but, aut. The sequences which are
complete words,
such as "art" & "but" are placed ahead of sequences such as "aut" which are
the first
letters of a longer word (e.g. author). The order of sequences presented is
based on the

statistical approach discussed in the disclosure. The user could choose the
desired
sequence by pressing the space bar for the sequence farthest to the left;
pressing select
key #1 for the second sequence and by pressing the scroll key one time, if
there are only
three sequences displayed. If more than three sequences are displayed then the
scroll key
would be pressed that number of times for it to move to the position of the
first sequence

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presented. The number of sequences displayed at any time would be limited,
with the
preference being not more than four. Pressing the scroll key would cause the
other
sequences to be displayed. After a sequence is selected the others are
eliminated and the
space is closed, automatically. If the sequences are displayed vertically or
horizontally

the letters could be the same size as the other letters displayed in the word
document or
they could be displayed in larger size and when the space bar or select key #1
or
punctuation mark is entered, the letters could be reduced in size. The
insertion pointer
would be programmed to move as required to enter the letter in the top line
associated
with the input element just entered and then the letter in the next row down.

This would continue till each letter associated with that input element is
displayed. After
the letter is entered in the bottom row the next letters associated with the
next input
element would be entered, starting in the top line. The user could select one
of these
rows by using the space bar, select key #1 or by scrolling the desired row to
the top line
and then pressing the space bar or punctuation mark. Sequences for which a
match was

found would be displayed in black and the balance in some other color (or in
the
alternative, the entire word would be displayed in color). Letters can be
deleted or other
letters added by placing the insertion pointer at the place where such a
change should
occur in one of the sequences displayed and then pressing either the delete
key, the
backspace key or a key assigned letter(s). The user would select the sequence
in which

to make such changes and the other sequences would be removed from the
display. If
more then one letter was assigned to the input element when letters were
inserted then the
other possibilities resulting from that input would also be displayed;
provided a matching
word was found in the dictionary for that sequence. If the user knew that he
was entering
a word not in the dictionary he could select the desired letter from each
group of letters

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associated with the same input element by the same method described for such
selection
when using the dynamic window,

That is after the letters are displayed, if the desired letter is in the top
line, it is selected
by the user entering the next letter. If it is below the top line it is then
scrolled to the top
line and the next letter is then entered. When the space bar is pressed the
letters below
the top line are eliminated.

If the user desired to edit the words later he could press a function key,
then only the top
sequence associated with each sequence entered and that sequence would be
displayed in
a designated color.

If the user returned to that word letter for editing, the user could place the
insertion
pointer after the sequence, click on it and then press a function key. The
display would
show the choice that would have been presented if the user had not selected
the Delay
Edit Mode. The user would the select the desired letters. The same program for
the
delay in editing mode would apply to the sequences displayed horizontally.
Other

aspects discussed for the method using the dynamic window would apply to the
method
without the window.

The determination of which matching sequence should be displayed on the top
line can be explained by the following example. Assume the user is entering
the Word
"FACE" and that the combination of letters assigned to the keys is the
following: ab, ef,
ck, dj, gx, hz, im, ly, n, ot, pq, ru, s, vw.

The first letters entered for the word "face" are "e" &"f", Fig 48a shows that
the "F" is
the first letter for the words 46 percent of the time while the "E" is used
for the first letter
40 percent of the time . For that reason, the first display would show the "F"
on the top
line and the "E" on the second line.

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The second group of letters entered are the letters "a" & "b". The
possibilities for the
letters entered are "FA", "EA", "EB", "FB". The number of words in the
dictionary for
each of these is approximately: for "FA" 300 words; "EA" 70 words; "EB" 7
words;
"FB" 2 words (abbreviated). Based on this, the order of the words listed
should be "FA",

5"EA", "EB", and "FB". The third input has the letters "C","K". The number of
words in
the dictionary for each possible combination ( after that input) is
approximately as
follows :- "FAC" 37; "FAK" 3; "EAC" 1; "EA" 0; "K"; " EBC" 0; "EBK"0; "FBC" 0;
"FBK" 0.

The sequence "FAC" has a much greater chance of being the desired sequence
then

"FAK" or "EAC" because, there are more words beginning with "FAC" and they
include
such words as face, facing, fact, facility, factor, factory, factual, faculty,
(the only word(s)
beginning with the letters "fak" are the words "Fake", "Fakery" and "Fakir";
and the only
word with the letters "EAC" is the word "EACH".) "EAC" would be given priority
over
"FAK" because "EACH" has a higher frequency of use than "FAKE" and

"FAKERY"combined

. The order of the sequences displayed would then be: "FAC", "EAC" and "FAK".
A
program would be available to the user to change the order of priority. This
type of
analysis would be done for all combination of letters and that analysis would
determine
the order that the sequences are displayed.

Several preferred keyboards disclosed here are designed for one hand typing
with the left hand, one hand with the right hand and for typing with two
hands. The keys
which have more than one letter assigned to them have substantially the same
set of
letters. Also, the assignment of the letters to the keys are substantially in
alphabetical
order for vowels consonants (except for one keyboard described below). The
vowels are

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mostly assigned to the middle row of keys and are, also, to a large extent in
alphabetical
order.

The selection of letters which are assigned to the same key is so chosen that
the
frequency of unintended words which will be displayed when the user selects
intended
words is low in number. The letter assignments were largely based on keeping
this

number low. No more than two letters are assigned to the same key which
reduces the
number of unintended words and reduces scrolling when selecting letters.
Frequently
used letters are located on the same key with infrequently used letters.
Frequently used
letters are placed above the infrequently used letters in the letter lines.
This reduces the

amount of scrolling required in the letter lines.

This system applies to keyboards of any length. A person with limited use of
his
fingers might find this method useful with only 6 keys or a person might only
want to eliminate 6 if the most difficult to reach keys on the qwerty
keyboard.
Also, this system could be used for some purpose with a very limited
dictionary

list. There may then be very few unintended words even with only six keys on
the keyboard.

A keyboard is attached, Fig 61A, which shows an assignment of the
letters to 17 keys. The nine keys which were eliminated were some of the
difficult to reach keys on the QWERTY keyboard. Seventeen assignments of

letters to keys on the QWERTY keyboard remained unchanged. The nine letters
were each reassigned to one of the seventeen QWERTY keys that remained
unchanged. In most cases, they were adjacent to the key to which they were
reassigned. Such a keyboard could also, be used in the process of learning the
full QWERTY keyboard.

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Figure 61B is a two hand keyboard with 15 keys.

Figure 61C is a right hand keyboard with 14 keys.
Figure 61DC is a left hand keyboard with 14 keys.

Figure 61E is a right or left hand keyboard with 14 keys if used with right
and left
hand, 14 keys if used with left hand.

* denotes location of function keys:-
Vertical arrow key

scroll key #1
Scroll key #2
select key #1

s/d mode key
space bar


147

Representative Drawing