Patent ID: 7131780
Filing Date: 2006-11-07
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A reduced size keyboard for touch typing letters, the reduced size keyboard comprising: eight keys which collectively include letters A through Z thereon to permit all of the letters to be accessed by eight fingers of a user without having to operate more than one of the keys with any one finger; a predetermined standard QWERTY arrangement of the letters on the eight keys with the letters generally assigned to three rows across the eight keys and predetermined ones of the keys having multiple letters arranged in a generally columnar arrangement thereon; and a distinct activation position for each letter arranged consistently with the predetermined standard QWERTY arrangement so that the keys including multiple letters thereon allow the user's fingers to move or direct an actuation force on the multiple letter keys in a manner generally corresponding to finger movements used for touch typing with standard QWERTY keyboards without requiring that any one of the user's fingers operate more than one of the keys for touch typing of the letters with the eight keys, wherein at least one of the eight keys has at least six of the distinct activation positions.