Alphabet qwerty mini k keyboard

Abstract

Applying a 26-key 3-row keyboard based on a mechanical typewriter controlled by the ten fingers of the hands, among Latin alphabet keyboards, to the small screen of a standard-sized smartphone controlled by just one or both thumbs makes input difficult due to there being many keys and the keys being small. The present invention is to design a small and simple keyboard, making both one-hand input and two-hand input easy, by: configuring a keyboard having 16 or 15 physical keys as shown in figure 1 by designating six keys of five vowels A, E, U, I, and O and an additional letter, or only four vowels A, E, I, and O, as single keys and the other letters in pairs of two as composite keys; then rearranging the keyboard in two or three rows according to a 3-row 26-key arrangement such as in QWERTY or Dvorak; and employing a scheme in which the second letter of a composite key is input by a double-tap of quickly tapping the key twice or by a simultaneous tap of simultaneously tapping a single key and a composite key.

Description

Alphabet QWERTY Mini Keypad

[0001] The field of keyboard systems for inputting Roman alphabet characters on mobile devices such as computers and smartphones.

[0002] The overall hardware and software technology used in the Roman alphabet conventions and standard external keyboards for computers, touchscreen keyboards for mobile devices such as smartphones, etc.

[0003] When a 26-key, 3-row keyboard based on a mechanical typewriter, consisting of approximately 26 alphabetic character keys (26 uppercase, 26 lowercase) for languages ​​such as English, Spanish, German, French, and Italian, is applied to the narrow screen of a standard-sized mobile device such as a smartphone, the number of keys is too large and the size of the keys is small to control with only one or both thumbs, making input inconvenient and causing many typos. Therefore, the number of physical keys is reduced to 16 or 15 by configuring vowel keys as individual keys and consonant keys as two each into one integrated key, and rearranging them into two or three rows, and applying input methods such as 'continuous typing' and 'simultaneous typing' to secure convenient and fast input methods. Since the main goal of the present invention is to develop a miniaturized keyboard that distinguishes between consonant keys and vowel keys like Hangul and is similar to the alphabet QWERTY layout, it is named the 'Alphabet QWERTY Mini K Keyboard'.

[0004] 1. How to configure the key

[0005] In a Roman keyboard consisting of about 26 alphabet letters, 5 basic vowels (such as A, E, I, O, U) and 1 other character are added to designate 6 individual keys, or 4 basic vowels (such as A, E, I, O) are designated as individual keys, and the remaining characters are designated as integrated keys in pairs, so that a keyboard is configured with 16 keys (16 keys for uppercase letters, 16 keys for lowercase letters) or 15 keys. However, if the number of characters is different for each country or if there are extended characters, they can be added to the individual keys or integrated keys with similar phonetic values. The present invention will be described below based on English characters.

[0006] 2. How to input text

[0007] Basically, the second character of the unified key is entered by 'consecutive typing' (see #_1. 'Consecutive typing') of the unified key. Alternatively, the first or second character of the unified key can be entered by 'consecutive typing' (see #_2. 'Consecutive typing key') separately designated for each 'simultaneous typing' and the unified key (see #_3. 'consecutive typing'), or by using a 'function key' (see #_4. 'Function key Shift key or Fn key').

[0008] 3. Key arrangement method

[0009] In the widely used 3-row 26-key layout such as QWERTY, AZERTY, and Dvorak, the positions of the 5 vowel keys are fixed based on the positions of the existing rows, and the keys around them are grouped in pairs to form an integrated key, so that the total of 16 keys or 15 keys are rearranged into 2 or 3 rows.

[0010] #_1. 'Continuous typing': Defined as 'a fast input method in which the input waiting time is set to be less than a certain standard time when hitting a single integrated key consecutively' (e.g., if WQ is configured as a single integrated key, hitting this key twice consecutively at a speed exceeding a certain speed will input Q). The third extended character assigned to a key can be set to be hit three times consecutively.

[0011] #_2. 'Simultaneous Key': A key (usually a single key) designated for 'simultaneous pressing' with an integrated key. The single keys located on the left and right edges are designated as 'simultaneous keys', and multiple 'simultaneous keys' may be required. In a combination of an integrated key and an integrated key, one of the integrated keys can be designated as a simultaneous key.

[0012] #_3. 'Simultaneous input': 'An input method in which there is a temporary simultaneous contact during the time period in which two different keys are pressed' is defined as 'simultaneous input' (e.g., if NP is composed of a single integrated key, if this integrated key and one of the specific 'simultaneous input keys' are pressed at the same time, the second character P is input, and if one of the other 'simultaneous input keys' and this integrated key are pressed at the same time, the first character N is input).

[0013] #_4. 'Function key (Shift key or Fn key)': The Shift key of the current mobile or external keyboard, or the Fn key with the same function as the Shift key or a separate function in the present invention. In addition to inputting uppercase and lowercase letters, the integrated key can be set to input characters by sequentially pressing or simultaneously pressing it.

[0014] 1. With the number of keys reduced from around 26 to 16 or 15, the layout is simplified and the keys are large enough to fit on a standard smartphone-sized screen that can be held with one hand, reducing typos and making it easier to input with both one and two hands.

[0015] A 2.26-key, three-row keyboard is ideal for controlling an external keyboard with all ten fingers of both hands, but a 16- or 15-key, two-row keyboard is more convenient for controlling a standard-sized smartphone keyboard with only one or two thumbs. The change from three to two rows is revolutionary.

[0016] 3. Vowels with high usage frequency are configured as single keys, and the remaining 20 consonants are mostly configured as integrated keys, so that the usage frequency per key is appropriately distributed, and like the Korean keyboard, the consonant keys and vowel keys are easily distinguished.

[0017] 4. Since input methods such as continuous and simultaneous typing are applied, fast and accurate input is possible after a short period of adaptation.

[0018] 5. By designing a 2-row or 3-row keyboard with a layout similar to existing 26-key 3-row keyboards such as QWERTY and Dvorak, it provides a familiar experience to users, thereby reducing resistance to new keyboards.

[0019] Fig. 1 QWERTY 16 keys, 15 keys in 2 rows

[0020] Fig. 2 QWERTY 16-key 2-row

[0021] Figure 3 Average frequency of alphabetic character usage in English sentences

[0022] Comparison of the QWERTY 26-key 3-row and 15-key 2-row keyboards

[0023] Fig. 5 QWERTY 16-key 3-row

[0024] Fig. 6 QWERTY 15-key 3-row

[0025] Fig. 7 Dvorak 16-key 2-row

[0026] As shown in 'Figure 1', 16 or 15 single keys and integrated keys are arranged in 2 rows. Since they are arranged according to the 26-key 3-row QWERTY layout, users are familiar with the key arrangement due to accumulated usage experience and the flow of their thumbs adapts naturally. The second letter of the integrated key is basically entered by 'continuous typing', and the second letter or the first letter of the integrated key is entered quickly without waiting time by 'simultaneously' pressing the integrated key and the key for 'simultaneous typing' (the keys marked with dots in the figure below).

[0027]

[0028] 'Do 1' QWERTY 16 keys, 15 keys in 2 rows

[0029]

[0030] A 16-key arrangement method in which 8 keys, such as A, SZ, DX, CV, BJ, NP, MK, L, etc., are arranged from left to right in the first column, and 8 keys, such as WQ, E, RF, TG, HY, U, I, O, etc., are arranged from left to right in the second column, so that 16 keys are arranged in 2 columns. A 15-key arrangement method in which 7 keys, such as A, SZ, DX, CV, BJ, NK, ML, etc., are arranged from left to right in the first column, and 8 keys, such as WQ, E, RF, TG, HY, UP, I, O, etc., are arranged from left to right in the second column, so that 15 keys are arranged in 2 columns.

[0031] The 16-key L key is a standalone key, making it advantageous for inputting letters like L and LL, while the 15-key key is advantageous for utilizing keyboard space. You can change the arrangement of P, K, and L.

[0032] 1. How to configure the key

[0033] The present invention is directed to a Roman alphabet keyboard composed of about 26 alphabets, including English, Spanish, French, German, and Italian.

[0034] In an English keyboard consisting of 26 keys, five basic vowels, A, E, I, O, and U, account for an average of 35-40% of the total usage frequency in the composition of a typical English sentence, and the usage frequency of the remaining 21 keys is 60-65%, so the average usage frequency (number of strokes) of the vowel keys is much higher than that of the consonant keys. In the present invention, considering the key arrangement, one more letter key (mainly the L key in the present invention) is added to these five vowel keys to designate them as six single keys, and the remaining 20 letters are configured as ten integrated keys by combining two of them, or, excluding the vowel U, which has a relatively low usage frequency, only four vowels, A, E, I, and O, are designated as single keys, and the remaining 22 letters are configured as eleven integrated keys by combining two of them, so that the keyboard is configured with a total of 16 keys (16 uppercase letters, 16 lowercase letters) or 15 keys for physical keys for inputting letters.

[0035] The basic method of configuring an integrated key, excluding single keys, is to group two keys that are close to each other in the key layout of existing keyboards such as QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY, and Dvorak into one integrated key, and designate the character with the highest frequency of use as the first character.

[0036] In addition to English, other Roman alphabet-based keyboards, such as Spanish, German, and French, if there are extended characters for each country, they can be added to single or integrated keys with similar phonetic values.

[0037] 2. How to input text

[0038] (1) Method by ‘consecutive hits’

[0039] Pressing the unified key once will input the first character, and pressing it twice in quick succession will input the second character. If there are extended characters, input them by pressing them in succession.

[0040] (2) Method by ‘simultaneous attack’

[0041] In English words, there are often cases where the same characters must be entered consecutively, such as –TT-, -RR-, PP-, -SS-, -FR-,-HY-,-MP-, -NK-, WWW, QQQ, etc., or the first and second characters within an integrated key must be entered consecutively. Since these inputs on an integrated key with ‘continuous typing’ set have long waiting times and frequently result in typos, ‘simultaneous typing’ can be used to reduce the input waiting time and prevent typos. ‘Simultaneous typing’ is a method where multiple ‘simultaneous typing keys’ are designated in advance, and the second character of the integrated key is entered by simultaneously pressing a specific ‘simultaneous typing key’ and the integrated key, and the first character of the integrated key is entered by simultaneously pressing another specific ‘simultaneous typing key’ and the integrated key.

[0042] These "simultaneous keys" are designated as one or more keys located on the left or right edges for convenient use, and are usually single keys. Simultaneous keys require settings for left-hand and right-hand control, first-character input and second-character input, etc., so a 16- or 15-key layout basically requires four simultaneous keys.

[0043] (3) How to use the ‘function keys’ (Shift key or Fn key)

[0044] In addition to the 'Shift' key, you can add the 'Fn' key and use it to input the first or second character by pressing one of these function keys sequentially or simultaneously with the integrated key.

[0045] 3. Key arrangement method

[0046] Keyboards are basically designed with 16 physical keys (16 uppercase and 16 lowercase) that make up the characters, or 2 or 3 rows of 15 keys each.

[0047] The key layout is based on the existing 26-key layouts such as QWERTY, AZERTY, and Dvorak, with the five vowel keys fixed in the same position in the same row as much as possible, and the consonant keys placed around the vowel keys.

[0048] The core of the present invention is to develop a 16-key or 15-key keyboard that follows the thumb movement as closely as possible when entering a sentence along the 3-row, 26-key QWERTY keyboard.

[0049] (1) QWERTY 16-key layout

[0050] The most important points to consider when designing a keyboard that converts the currently most widely used QWERTY 3-row 26-key keyboard into a 2-row or 3-row 16-key or 15-key keyboard are as follows:

[0051] First, the left and right division of the characters (about 13 characters) from the center of the keyboard and the right characters (about 13 characters) should be configured like a 26-key keyboard, and the order of the characters from left to right in one column and the relative positions between the characters should be maintained as much as possible.

[0052] Second, because of the nature of words in which consonants and vowels appear alternately, the vowel keys act as a crossroads for the thumb flow when entering sentences, so it is very important to fix the positions of the vowel keys in each column based on their positions on the 26 keys (the positions and order of the A, E, U, I, and O keys in 'Figure 1', 'Figure 6', and 'Figure 7', etc.).

[0053] This is an important foundation for providing a user-friendly environment, so developers design an optimized keyboard by considering the layout while keeping these two principles in mind, such as changing the arrangement of P, K, and L, and making appropriate changes to the configuration of the single key assignments and integrated keys.

[0054]

[0055] 'Do 2' QWERTY 16-key 2-row

[0056]

[0057] A 16-key arrangement method that arranges 8 keys such as A, SZ, DX, CV, BJ, NP, MK, L from left to right in the first row, and 8 keys such as WQ, E, RF, TG, HY, U, I, O from left to right in the second row, arranging 16 keys in 2 columns.

[0058] The layout of 14 characters on the left and 12 on the right is the same as a 26-key, 3-row QWERTY keyboard. Overall, the left side is used more frequently (by number of keystrokes), but this is compensated for by the fact that when typing with both hands, the space bar and other keys are mainly touched with the right hand. The E and O keys are designated as simultaneous keys for entering the first character, and the A and L keys are designated as simultaneous keys for entering the second character. The WQ keys can be designated as simultaneous keys for entering the first character.

[0059]

[0060] Average frequency of alphabetic character usage in English news (Source: naver.com)

[0061]

[0062] Applying this data to a 16-key configuration, the key usage frequency is approximately 90% for the 16 characters (the single-key characters and the first character of the combined key), and approximately 10% for the second character of the 10-key combined key. Therefore, in a typical sentence or conversation, continuous or simultaneous keystrokes are used approximately 1-2 times out of 10 keystrokes.

[0063]

[0064] Comparison of the 'Do 4' QWERTY 26-key 3-row and 15-key 2-row keyboards

[0065]

[0066] The 15 keys in the 2nd row are definitely bigger than the 26 keys in the 3rd row, so there are fewer typos, and since the strings are in two columns, the thumb can move up and down easily and the movement line is shortened. In the 15 keys in the 2nd row, the E key and the O key can be designated as simultaneous keys for entering the first letter, and the A key and the MK key can be designated as simultaneous keys for entering the second letter.

[0067]

[0068] 'Do 5' QWERTY 16-key 3-row

[0069]

[0070] A 16-key arrangement method that arranges 16 keys in 3 columns by arranging 4 keys such as SZ, DX, CV, BJ from left to right in the first column, 6 keys such as WQ, RF, TG, HY, NK, ML from left to right in the second column, and 6 keys such as A, E, U, I, O, P from left to right in the third column.

[0071] Six individual keys, including the vowel keys and P key, are arranged in three rows. One-handed input is easy, and the alternate up-and-down movement of the thumb adds a sense of rhythm to the input. Compared to the second row, the third row requires less thumb movement. The positions of A and WQ can be swapped.

[0072]

[0073] 'Do 6' QWERTY 15-key 3-row

[0074]

[0075] A 15-key arrangement method that arranges 15 keys in 3 columns by arranging 5 keys such as SZ, D—X, CV, BJ, ML from left to right in the first column, 5 keys such as WQ, RF, TG, HK, NP from left to right in the second column, and 5 keys such as A, E, UY, I, O from left to right in the third column.

[0076] The semi-vowel Y is configured as an integrated key with the vowel U. This is an advantageous arrangement when designing a narrow keyboard. The positions of A and WQ, and the arrangement of Y, P, K, L, etc. can be changed.

[0077] (2) Dvorak 16-key 2-row layout

[0078] The Dvorak keyboard is a keyboard that maintains a unique sense of rhythm because the left hand primarily controls the vowel keys.

[0079]

[0080] 'Do 7' Dvorak 16-key 2-row

[0081]

[0082] A 16-key arrangement method that arranges 8 keys (A, O, E, U, I, DV, HZ, T) from left to right in the first column, and 8 keys (PQ, YJ, FK, GX, CB, RM, LW, NS) from left to right in the second column, arranging 16 keys in 2 columns.

[0083] The order and positions of the vowel keys, such as A, O, E, U, and I, were fixed to be the same as those of the Dvorak 26-key keyboard. Most of the first-row letters of the Dvorak 26-key 3-row keyboard were placed as the second letters of the second-row integrated keys.

[0084] 1. On standard-sized smartphones, 16- or 15-key keyboards offer larger key sizes and simpler layouts than 26-key keyboards, making them more comfortable for people who primarily work with one hand or prefer larger keys due to finger or vision problems.

[0085] 2. For 16-key or 15-key 2-row keyboards, it is useful for developing small external keyboards for computers or mobile devices, and touchscreen keyboards for navigation or industrial machinery.

[0086] 3.16-key or 15-key 3-row keyboards are useful for developing keyboards for smartphones that are smaller than standard or have a narrow and long shape, or for remote-controlled TVs.

Claims

1. On a Roman alphabet keyboard of English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, etc., consisting of 26 alphabetic characters on a computer or mobile device. A keyboard composed of 16 physical keys (16 uppercase letters, 16 lowercase letters) that make up characters by adding 1 other letter to the 5 vowel letters 'A', 'E', 'U', 'I', 'O' and 6 'single keys', and integrating the remaining 20 letters into 2 each to make 10 'integrated keys', and the second letter of the integrated key is input by 'consecutive typing' by pressing the key twice in quick succession. A 16-key configuration method and input method.

2. On a Roman alphabet keyboard of English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, etc., consisting of 26 alphabetic characters on a computer or mobile device. A keyboard composed of 15 physical keys (15 uppercase letters, 15 lowercase letters) that make up characters by combining the four vowels, 'A', 'E', 'I', and 'O', into 'single keys', and the remaining 22 letters into two each, into '11' 'integrated keys', and the second letter of the integrated key is entered by 'consecutive typing' by pressing the key twice in quick succession. A 15-key configuration method and input method.

3. In claims 1 and 2 An input method in which the second character of the integrated key is input by pressing the integrated key and one or more specific 'simultaneous keys' simultaneously, and the first character of the integrated key is input by pressing the integrated key and one or more specific 'simultaneous keys' simultaneously.

4. In claim 1 A 16-key arrangement method that arranges 8 keys, A, SZ, DX, CV, BJ, NP, MK, L, etc. from left to right in the first column, and 8 keys, WQ, E, RF, TG, HY, U, I, O, etc. from left to right in the second column, arranging 16 keys in 2 columns.

5. In claim 1 A 16-key arrangement method that arranges 16 keys in 3 columns by arranging 4 keys such as SZ, DX, CV, BJ from left to right in the first column, 6 keys such as WQ (or A), RF, TG, HY, NK, ML from left to right in the second column, and 6 keys such as A (or WQ), E, ​​U, I, O, P from left to right in the third column.

6. In claim 1 Dvorak 16-key arrangement method, arranging 16 keys in 2 columns by arranging 8 keys (A, O, E, U, I, DV, HZ, T) from left to right in the first column and 8 keys (PQ, YJ, FK, GX, CB, RM, LW, NS) from left to right in the second column.

7. In claim 2 A 15-key arrangement method that arranges 7 keys (A, SZ, DX, CV, BJ, NK, ML) from left to right in the first column, and 8 keys (WQ, E, RF, TG, HY, UP, I, O) from left to right in the second column, arranging 15 keys in 2 columns.

8. In claim 2 A 15-key arrangement method that arranges 15 keys in 3 columns by arranging 5 keys such as SZ, D—X, CV, BJ, ML from left to right in the first column, 5 keys such as WQ (or A), RF, TG, HK, NP from left to right in the second column, and 5 keys such as A (or WQ), E, ​​UY, I, O from left to right in the third column.

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