Matrix keyboarding system

摘要

A data input system and method utilize a keyboard including a first keypad having at least five keys and a second keypad having at least five keys. With the at least ten keys of the first and second keypads, at least twenty-five two-key combinations including one key from each of the first and second keypads are established, where the two-key combinations each represent characters. Additionally, at least twenty chord combinations including multiple keys from the first keypad and multiple keys from the second keypad are established, where the chord combinations each represent special characters and commands. A matrix of characters may be selected, and one of the two-key combinations corresponding to a selected one of the characters in the selected matrix of characters is activated to effect input of the character; or one of the chord combinations corresponding to a selected special character or a selected command is activated to effect input of the selected special character or activation of the selected command, respectively. The activations are repeated until data entry is complete.

主权项

1. A method of effecting data input with a keyboard including a first keypad having at least five keys and a second keypad having at least five keys, the method comprising:
(a) with the at least ten keys of the first and second keypads, establishing at least twenty-five two-key combinations including one key from each of the first and second keypads, the two-key combinations each representing only letter characters; (b) establishing at least twenty chord combinations including multiple keys from the first keypad and multiple keys from the second keypad, the chord combinations representing only special characters and commands; (c) selecting a matrix of characters from a plurality of different matrices of characters; (d) activating one of the two-key combinations corresponding to a selected one of the characters in the selected matrix of characters to effect input of the character or activating one of the chord combinations corresponding to a selected special character or a selected command to effect input of the selected special character or activation of the selected command, respectively; and (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) until data entry is complete.