KEYBOARD FOR SIMULTANEOUS INSERTION AND HANDLING OF DATA

Abstract: The device for simultaneous insertion and handling of a multiplicity of data comprises a digital writing and/or programming keyboard (9f). In case it is applied to a data processing system (computer), the digital keyboard consists of at least two operative sections (f, g, ... l), each of which comprises a number of selection keys (F1, ... F50) to be pressed simultaneously by at least two fingers of both the right and left hands. It is preferable for said keyboards to consist of ten operative sections, one for each finger. The keyboard can be used to advantage with a telephone for dialing numbers, with a typewriter, a word processing system or a computer.

Description: KEYBOARD FOR SIMULTANEOUS INSERTION AND HANDLING OF DATA The subject of this present invention is a new device for simultaneous insertion and handling of a multiplicity of data, 5. comprising an improved keyboard. In particular, said keyboard is suitable for typing in characters, numbers, letters, special alphanumeric signs and computer language instructions which can be composed simultaneously on the keyboard and typed in fractions of a second. 10. Seme basic explanations will now be given. The standard layout of digital keyboards on typewriters or computers permits the operator to compose, program or write by pressing only one key - one key selected for each depression. Consequently, the kinetwnechanical action of the finger is clearly unable to exceed the maxiπtum standard depression speed of 450-500 depressions a minute (60 seconds). 5 « The object of the present invention is to provide a device for introduction and simultaneous handling of data by using a keyboard which allows a multiplicity of keys to be operated at the same time, thereby increasing selection speed and relating said speed to the degree of processing and mental control of the 1° « operator over the optical reflexes of the articular metabolism for finger movement, rather than to the fingers' muscular k±ne-metabolism. A further object is to provide a unit for application to the keyboard according to the invention, which allows the data 15. introduced in this way to be handled rapidly, exploiting the time saved through simultaneous typing in of the data. A further object is to reduce the possibility of errors due to simultaneous introduction of several data, especially where the position of the data item is of primary importance for further 20. processing. Taking into consideration the fact that, using all ten fingers, LTD to ten selection keys can be operated simultaneously by each depression, the advantage gained is the possibility to easily exceed the speed of 2000 selections per minute. However, arrangements must be made to link the position of the key pressed to the position of the letter or group of letters selected by the particular key. ' According to the invention, provision is made for said device 5- for the simultaneous insertion of data to have a keyboard which comprises at least two operative sections, each of which comprising a number of selection keys which can be operated simultaneously by the operator. Said keyboard can be used to advantage with a ■ telephone, typewriter, word processing system 10 - or computer. According to an improvement, provision is made for a further section which comprises pushbuttons for changing frcm alphabetic language to computer programming languages, such as FORTRAN, PL1 , BASIC, ALGOL, COBOL, PASCAL; and a second section having ' '--' • selection pushbuttons for carrying out complex functions and analysing complex structured programs. A device is achieved for typing in selected groups with instantaneous composition, providing thought-action and action- thought operational capacity. 0- The invention will be described further with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows globally a word processing terminal or ccπputer terminal, to which an improved keyboard according to the invention can be applied; Fig. 2 shows a part of a keyboard relative to one hand oily, in particular the right hand, according to a preferred eπibodiment of the invention; , Fig. 3 shows an example of a video for displaying the group of 5. letters typed in on the keyboard; Fig. 4 shows a part of a section with the special function pushbuttons; Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 show an example of a keyboard, in which the pushbuttons demonstrate visually how their function can 10. be modified; Fig. 9 shows globally a keyboard according to a preferred βiibodiment. Referring to Fig. 1 , a word processing system 10 or computer is shown, provided with a zone 12 for a keyboard element, a digital . change-over section 13, an element for viewing the writing of the current line 14 and a video element 15. ' Fig. 2 shows a part of the keyboard 9f according to a preferred -αiibodiment, referring to a section for only one hand (right). In this figure the sections indicated by f, g,. h, i and 1 20. correspond to the thumb, forefinger, middle finger, ring finger and little finger respectively. The five sections indicated by a, b, c, d, and e respectively (Fig. 9), corresponding to the fingers of the left hand, have a similar symmetrical arrangement. Each section for both hands has a space key R, 25. while the references in Fig. 2, VT, VII, VIII, IX and X respectively, indicate the capital/small letter keys in each section of the keyboard for each finger. The single selection keys F1 , F2 ... F50 (a group of 50 Keys for each section) have special signs and letters with standard typewriter lenghtwise positioning rather than the known horizontal positioning, 5- normally provided. The area of independent action for each finger of the right and left hands is represented schematically by S. The keys N and P indicate a double pushbutton which can be operated by the palm of the hand: in particular, "N" is for setting a simultaneous five selection-key depression, whereas 10 "P" is for operating one select key at a time. Fig. 3 shows a example of a cathode video screen 15 with segmented alphanumeric sections SX comprising up to ten elements for one single depression with the right or left hand. The position of the current word 15a on video XI corresponds to the 1 5. 7th column, Y1 to the twenty-ninth line on the frame, seen vertically frαrt top to bottom. The video may be a non-cathode video. Fig. 4 shows an exemplary arrangement of a section 13 of the auxiliary pushbutton panel, which can be used on a computer 20. keyboard to modify the prograπraing language. It is basically in two parts. Part _k is for the alphabetic and alphanumeric language to select a group of keyboard sections or a single keyboard section as well as for the analysis of complex structured languages. The keys of part c_s are associated, where 25. required, with each operative section of the keyboard for making corrections, whenever an incorrect data item is introduced. Part o allows the language to be chosen and modified, once the systan has been setup for understanding and handling different programming languages. Referring to Figs. 2 and 4, the digital writing and programming 5- keyboard and the digital pushbutton panel have lighted keys and buttons, which are able to modify (change-over) the sign shown as required (as described below). A keyboard with more than two operative sections - at most ten, one for each finger - can also be used to advantage with a '10 - telephone, for example, for typing in a number using all the fingers of both hands at the same time. It will be clear from that stated above that the same sequence of letters or numbers can be typed in directly on the keyboard, using several fingers simultaneously and achieving a consequent saving in time, 1 5* whether the systan is being used for word processing or a sequence of programming instructions, or as a complex programm¬ ing computer, or just to type in a telephone number. According to the. diagram shown in detail below, the various expressions or letter sequences are simultaneously transferred 20• from the keyboard to the processing system and displayed on the video, and printed or stored if and as required. The diagram provides for a direct correspondence between the operative section of the keyboard and the position of the typed-in data item to be displayed, stored, processed or printed, so as to guarantee reliable typing in of the data item, easy correction and rapid handling. I The word processing and computing system can also be used by non-experts. By means of the pushbutton of part cJ.1 and the 5- pushbuttons in Fig. 2 the writing or programming mode is selected, the character-select button or buttons in part being pressed one at a time for each individual selection or two at a time, up to ten selections at one go. This depends on the operator's mental reflexes. Therefore, there is available to 10 ' each finger an entire digital keyboard of 50 characters (capital and small) providing about 300 selections with visual and/or lighted change of special signs to characters specific to very specialised cσπputer languages. According to the keyboard in Fig. 2, the layout of the 50 keys '■ -*' • is structurally arranged as a function of each finger of both hands. This allows the select keys to be used for typing in over a range corresponding to the agility of each finger independently of the position of its neighbour; that is, the right thumb is " able to move over a part of the keyboard section 20. independently of the position of the right forefinger and the middle finger in keyboard section g and section h respectively. A printer can be connected to the device for simultaneously printing the number of characters corresponding to the number typed in. The keys and keyboard will now be described in further detail which have the function of changing the visual form and colour of any character, number or special sign. As can be seen in Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8, the keys shown can change 5- the visual form of their characters, numbers and special signs into a vast range of other characters, numbers and special signs, adapting to the requirements of computer languages or alphanumeric characters by means of the pushbutton panel shown in Fig. 4. 10. By pressing a pushbutton in the section O which indicates the language required, the corresponding keys in one part change their symbolism according to the language selected. The change is obtained in terms of computer processing by inserting the manory interface card modules, according to the requirements of "■ 5- the language selected. Then, by pressing one of the pushbuttons in part λ2 and ^3 of Fig. 4 (also shown in part 9b of Fig. 9), the name correspondign to the language introduced lights up, while at the same time the lighted keys on the keyboard change their alphanumeric symbols to those corresponding to the 20• language introduced into the terminal. As represented in Fig. 6, 7 and 8, consent is given as soon as the keys are connected electrically or electronically to the operational center of part 9c (Fig. 9) in the ccπputer. These keys or pushbuttons are made up of cubes or blocks containing crystals under an outer 2 5- transparent surface, which lights up on electrical contact. These crystals are of the type formed by a number of points, as in Fig. 6, by segments, as in Fig. 7, or by non-luminous two-colour liquid crystal, as shown in Fig. 8. Each block has numerous terminal microconnections cchnected to irdni-terrrdnal boards with printed rr crocircuits, electrically connected to the 5- operational or processing center of part 9b in Fig. 9. Evidently, the greater is the number of microterminal contacts in each block, the more microterminals there are in the alphanumeric cube or polysign,_ and the greater the range of symbols, characters and special signs may be represented by the * O- two-colour lighted change-over pushbutton keys. Application of the keyboard to a word processor will now be considered. When the machine is required to function with alphanumeric writing on video through simultaneous typing in of several 1 - characters, this is done by engaging part c>\ 3 of section ^ . The number of pushbuttons depressed on part 9f of the keyboard (Fig. 9) corresponds to the number of fingers of both hands which are required for simultaneous writing. In the case shown ten keys have been engaged simultaneously to write the word 20. PROVIDENCE. Each keyboard or keyboard section is correlated to a position displayed on the video. Therefore, if during writing a finger mistakenly depresses several keys, of the same section only one letter is displayed in one section of the video; if this is not the letter required, it can be changed by pressing 2 - 5* another key in the same keyboard section. If, on the other hand, this letter is to be cancelled, the key corresponding to letter-space is depressed after having selected through a pushbutton of part 9a the keyboard section. This is done, because there is a close correlation between the operative section and the display for a more reliable and exact typing in 5. of the data. If the machine is required to function in the selective writing mode, that is one character, number, symbol or sign per single depression, then by pressing one pushbutton on the panel shown in Fig. 4, section ζk 3 (the pushbutton lights up) it is 10. possible to write selectively as with a normal typewriter. In this case all the keys light up in one section corresponding to the pushbutton previously depressed on the section <^v . When the last letter has been typed in at the end of a line (up to the hundredth one), as is known, the processor sends to the video 1 . the signal for continuing writing at a new line below the former. Provision can be made for printing or storing the data in a manory unit. If the machine is functioning in the high-capacity computer mode, the terminal of the keyboard and pushbutton panel unit may 20. have incorporated a memory of different languages, (up to six) compatible with the complex processing center (Fig. 9) by means of auxiliary store elements, such as card modules which are interchangeable. By depressing one of the pushbuttons indicating the language required in the appropriate keyboard section £ * , 25. the latter lights up showing the name of the corresponding language (see Fig. 5). At the same time all the keys on the keyboard change their alphanumeric symbols to those correspond¬ ing to the language of the depressed pushbutton on the panel, and all the keys light up and are Operating in the sectors corresponding to the pushbuttons which are depressed and lighted 5* on the pushbutton panel shown in Fig. 4. The machine is then able to function either as a word processor, with printing, if required, with simultaneous type-in from two to ten selected keys, or in the writing- printing mode with selective type in. In this case it is possible to write and program in any language "• °" due to the change-over capacity of the keys and the introduction of memory card modules containing new computing languages which can be inserted only when required. As has already been mentioned above, the keyboard can be used as a personal telephone for immediate dialing of selected 1 5- subscribers' numbers. If there is a memory unit, the telephone can be made to function like an electronic subscriber recall. In this case all the card module or memory unit contains the subscribers' names by town or profession up to an entire telephone district area. The card modules are interchangeable so 20• that an enormous number of data can be handled. Using a normal standard telephone handset, with the cable inserted into the keyboard terminal, a subscriber can be called by dialing the corresponding number either selectively, one digit at a time, or simultaneously up to a maximum of ten digits at one go. Where 25. there is a video, the number dialed on the keyboard is displayed and, if the subscriber is in the computer's manory, also his surname, name and town are displayed. Then a consent button is depressed and the number is sent to the telephone exchange which calls the subscriber- Also in this case the position of the number dialed corresponds to the operative section of the 5. engaged keyboard, so that it is easy any correction in case a wrong number is typed in. it is evident that this keyboard may be used with any telephone which provides for selective recall of a subscriber by just simply typing in his name. In this case the keyboard must be 10. alphanumeric. Referring to Fig. 9, an exemplary βπbodiment of the apparatus will now be described in detail. The keyboard 9f in Fig. 9 has a key with the prograitning symbol ME, which stands for "manual execution". The contact signals of 15. the keyboard keys are connected to the ten pushbuttons inserted in section «^ 3 (part 9a) so as to determine the maximum preset number of keys which can be selected simultaneously. Said signals in the computing center 9c pass through a consent ON, are inputted into the first operative decision means D01 , the 20. output is inputted into the central processer PC; then they go to the data processing unit EL, leave the latter and enter into the memory module MI, from which a video signal is sent to the operative decision means D02 and is inputted into the video programming symbol IV, leaves the latter and enters into the 25. video section 9d in Fig. 3, composing on the video the letters or numbers or signs corresponding to the keys depressed on keyboard 9 . The data itans ccπposed on the video in Fig. 3 are located in the line position shown in the figure. At the same time as the first signal, another signal leaves the memory 5. module MI of part 9c in Fig. 9 and goes to the PC through the RP, the relay for positioning the characters on the video and/or a printer, if there is a printing device. Said signal is then outputted from PC, is inputted into D03, leaves the latter and enters into the printer, where it places the ten letters 10. corresponding to those displayed on the video in the printing position. Ey pressing one of the consent pushbuttons, for example N-P for introducing data, the ON signal to any existing printer or peripheral device is activated. The signal goes into ON through part 9c and then enters into D01 , leaves the latter 15. and enters into PC, leaves the latter and enters into EL, leaves the latter and enters into MI, leaves the latter and goes to the printed symbol ST and to the printing relay RS which starts the printing operation. At the same time as the third signal, a fourth signal leaves the manory module MI, enters into D02, 20. leaves the latter and enters into D04, enters and leaves the video data symbol EX, leaves the latter and goes to a telephone line, for example to a central data bank, where this exists. If the machine is required for use in the instant video pπ-gramming or selective printing mode, it is sufficient to 25. depress the pushbutton on the panel shown in Fig. 4 corre¬ sponding to the required language. Moreover, the video and printing signals, as well as going into the manory module Ml in Fig. 9, also are inputted into the memory interface module of the different languages recorded through the central data processor PC and the pushbutton panel d \ in Fig. 4, connected to the operative center 9c of the machine shown in Fig. 9. Thus, all of the objectives set beforehand have been attained.

Claims: C L A I M S 1. A device for simultaneous insertion and handling of a multiplicity of data, comprising a digital keyboard, character¬ ized in that said digital keyboard (9f) consists of at least two operative sections (a, b ... 1), each of which cαiprises a 5. number of selection keys (F1 , ... F50) which can be operated simultaneously preferably one for each section, in order to program and write simultaneously with at least two fingers of both the left and right hands. 2. A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that it 10. comprises ten operative sections (a, b ... 1), one for each finger of the right and left hands. 3. A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the keyboard comprises at least one pushbutton panel with a first section ( o ), having pushbuttons for changing the alphabetic language to computer programming languages such as FORTRAN, PL1 , BASIC, ALGOL, COBOL and PASCAL. * 4. A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that said keyboard comprises a second section ( ) with pushbuttons for alphabetic and alphanumeric language and for selecting the preset sections for writing by single depression or several simultaneous depressions. " 5. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that each operative section is connected to selection key (EM) in such a way that it is connected to the processing device, only if the corresponding selection key is engaged. 6. A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that 5-- said operative sections (a, ... 1) are arranged lengthwise along the top surface of the keyboard. 7. A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that said number of selection keys (F1, ... F50) included in each of said sections has letters and special signs, included in normal 0• typewriters, arranged lengthwise. 8. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that said operative sections have lighted pushbuttons. 9. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that each pushbutton has internal icrocircuits for changing the sign displayed according to the function inquired; for example, in order to change the alphanumeric sign to a special sign of the 5. preselected computer language. 10. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that said keyboard comprises for both the right and the left hands pushbuttons (N, P) for programming up to five selections for each hand. 10- 11. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a video (15) for displaying the selections with segmented alphanumeric sections for each programmed selection, by means of a single depression with the right or left hand. 12. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that it "■ 5. can be applied to a telephone, and in which each operative section has only number keys. 13. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that each key is connected to a display element (14) for immediate showing of the digit typed in on the corresponding section of 20. the keyboard. 14. A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises card modules as store elements, which interact with the keyboard and are interchangeable. 15. A device according to claim 14, characterized in that these card modules store the instructions of any programming languages. ■

Inventors: DONATI LODOVICO, DONATI, LODOVICO
Applicants: DONATI LODOVICO, DONATI, LODOVICO
Application year: 1985
Main classification: G06F3
IPC codes: B41J5, G06F3