Patent ID: 6943776

Claim:
A method of enabling an operator to generate a plurality of inputs, comprising: (a) providing a manual input means having a plurality of digit-operated switches by which a human operator can generate said plurality of inputs by entering chords, each of said switches operated by a specific digit of said operator, maid inputs comprising letters, said letters comprising the alphabet, (b) providing a plurality of modifiets, said modifiers being symbols other than said letters, said modifier, used in combination with non-modifier symbols to provide an input selected from the class consisting of a different case of the non-modifier symbol and a combination of the modifier and the non-modifier symbol, said non-modifier symbols including said letters, (c) assigning a first plurality of chords involving only fingers to said letters, said fingers being index, middle, ring, and little fingers of said operator, and (d) assigning at least one chord involving only thumbs of said operator to said respective modifiers, whereby (1) each chord composed of each chord assigned to said letters and each chord assigned to said modifiers can be assigned to a modified letter, (2) said modified letters can be readily input by said operator by entering a chord said operator composes of one chord assigned to maid letters and one chord assigned to said modifiers, (3) said combination can be a known combination of the modifier and the letter commonly used as input to known computer programs, (4) accidental input of said modified letters during input of said letters is prevented, and (5) maid chords involving only thumbs can be easily memorized by said operator as a specific type of chord assigned to said modifiers.