KEYBOARD INPUT DEVICES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS

摘要

The application described a keyboard, specifically a Chinese language keyboard, but one which can be applied to other languages. The keyboard has a plurality of keys, each key having at least one unit associated therewith, the keys being so arranged that visually similar units are found on the same or an adjacent key, the arrangement being such that an operator may select at least one key which relates to the whole or part of the visual appearance of the required character, the arrangement being that after each key is entered it provides a mapped value which can be consistent with a character or a number of characters in a database, on a number of keys being entered a character which is unique to the keys is identified and can be displayed. Also described is a method of ascertaining a character using a keyboard as described above where each key is mapped and where there is more than one mode of operation of the key, the particular mode is differently mapped; the arrangement being such that after a key is actuated the mapped value of the key is recorded, when a second key is actuated the mapped value of this key is recorded and so on, the recorded values being used to search for a valid character using the values. The keyboard and the method are described in relation to word processing and the provision of a dictionary.