Patent ID: 7736078

Claim:
A universal keyboard of the type comprising an alphanumeric portion having keys arranged in a plurality of substantially straight vertical columns and a plurality of substantially straight horizontal rows, including a home row, so as to define an ortholinear array, the keyboard further comprising: left and right hand SHIFT keys, the SHIFT keys elongated vertically and oriented substantially parallel to the substantially straight vertical rows, the SHIFT keys including a portion disposed in-line with the keys of the home row; a centrally disposed ENTER key, the ENTER key elongated vertically and oriented substantially parallel to the substantially straight vertical rows, the ENTER key including a first portion disposed in-line with the keys of the home row and a second portion disposed in-line with the keys of the row below the home row; a centrally disposed BACK SPACE key, the BACK SPACE key elongated vertically and oriented substantially parallel to the substantially straight vertical rows, the BACK SPACE key disposed above the ENTER key and in-line with the keys of the two rows adjacent and above the home row; a horizontally elongated, thumb activated SPACE BAR, disposed adjacent and below the ENTER key; and wherein the plurality of substantially straight horizontal rows defines six contiguous horizontal rows of keys.