Apparatus for inputting special character and method for the same

1. A method for inputting a special character to a computing device through a keyboard, said special character being one of β, ±, μ, ※, °, ⊕ and , the method comprising the following steps:

providing the keyboard with at least one hot key, actuation of which causes an operation specific to at least one application operable on the computing device to be executed without actuating any other key of the keyboard;

assigning the special character to the hot key;

actuating an ALT key; and

pressing the hot key to generate a scan code corresponding to an ASCII code, the scan code being provided to the computing device subsequent to the ALT key is being released.

2. The method for inputting a special character through a keyboard as recited in claim 1 , wherein a mark associated with the special character is printed on the hot key or proximate thereto.

3. The method for inputting a special character through a keyboard as recited in claim 1 , wherein the hot key is assigned a first code being an extended keycode defined by the computing device and a second code being the scan code corresponding to the ASCII code used with the ALT key for inputting the special character.

4. A keyboard with a special character inputting function comprising:

an array of standard keys, said array of standard keys including an ALT key; and

at least one special character key, whereby actuation of the ALT key and simultaneous actuation of the special character key generate a scan code associated with the special character key, wherein said special character key is displaced from the array of standard keys on said keyboard and is assigned no other character other than one of the group consisting of β, ±, μ, ※, °, ⊕ and .

5. The keyboard with a special character inputting function as recited in claim 4 , wherein a mark associated with the special character is printed on the special character key or in the proximity thereof.

6. A method for inputting a special character through a keyboard, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an array of standard keys, said array of standard keys including an ALT key;

providing the keyboard with at least one special character key assigned to no other character than one of the special characters from the group consisting of β, ±, μ, ※, °, ⊕ and ;

actuating the ALT key; and

pressing the special character key to generate a scan code corresponding to an ASCII code, the scan code being provided to the computing device subsequent to the ALT key being released.

7. The method for inputting a special character through a keyboard as recited in claim 6 , where said special character key is provided at a location adjacent said array of standard keys.

8. The method for inputting a special character through a keyboard as recited in claim 6 , wherein a mark associated with the special character is printed on the special character key or proximate thereto.