IP Library Granted Patent US 7,186,041
Granted Patent B2
US 7,186,041 · App. 11/101,936 · Granted Mar 6, 2007

Keyboard layout for mouse or rocker switch text entry

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,186,041
App. No.
11/101,936
Granted
Mar 6, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A soft keyboard includes at least three rows of keys wherein a middle row is located near the center of the keyboard. The middle row includes vowel keys, and an upper row and a lower row include consonant keys. The consonant keys and the vowels keys are arranged in alphabetical order. At least one of the three rows of keys further includes at least one of the space key, the enter key, and the delete key. Another soft keyboard includes a first ring of keys around a central key, and a second ring of keys around the first ring of keys. The central key may be the enter key. The first ring of keys includes vowel keys arranged in alphabetical order. The first ring of keys may include the space key and the delete key. The second ring of keys includes consonant keys arranged in alphabetical order.

Claims (24)

1. A soft keyboard, comprising:

an upper row of keys,

a middle row of keys comprising vowel keys arranged in alphabetical order, the middle row being located approximately at the center of the soft keyboard; and

a lower row of keys, the upper and the lower rows comprising consonant keys arranged in alphabetical order;

wherein the vowel keys comprise multiple sizes depending on their usage frequencies, and the consonant keys comprise multiple sizes depending on their usage frequencies.

2. The keyboard of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the upper, the middle, and the lower rows further comprises at least one special key.

3. The keyboard of claim 2 , wherein the special key is selected from the group consisting of a delete key, a space bar key, and an enter key.

4. A method for generating a soft keyboard, comprising:

displaying an upper row of keys;

displaying a middle row of keys comprising vowel keys arranged in alphabetical order, the middle row being located approximately at the center of the soft keyboard; and

displaying a lower row at keys, the upper and the lower rows comprising consonant keys arranged in alphabetical order;

wherein the vowel keys comprise multiple sizes depending on their usage frequencies, and the consonant keys comprise multiple sizes depending on their usage frequencies.

5. The merited of claim 4 , wherein at least one of the upper, the middle, and the lower rows further comprises at least one special key.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the special key is selected from the group consisting of a delete key, a space bar key, and an enter key.

7. A soft keyboard, comprising:

a first ring of keys comprising vowel keys, wherein all the vowel keys are arranged consecutively in alphabetical order; and

a second ring of keys arranged around the first ring, the second ring of keys comprising consonant keys arranged in alphabetical order, the consonant keys comprising all consonants in an alphabet; wherein the keys in the first ring comprise multiple sizes depending on their usage frequencies, and the keys in the second ring comprise multiple sizes depending on their usage frequencies.

8. The keyboard of claim 7 , further comprising at least one key located within the first ring.

9. The keyboard of claim 8 , wherein the key within the first ring and at least one additional key in the first ring comprise special keys, the special keys are selected from the group consisting of a delete key, a space bar key, and an enter key.

10. A method for generating a soft keyboard, comprising:

displaying a first ring of keys comprising vowel keys, wherein all the vowel keys are arranged consecutively in alphabetical order; and

displaying a second ring of keys arranged around the first ring, the second ring of keys comprising consonant keys arranged in alphabetical order, the consonant keys comprising all consonants in an alphabet; wherein the keys in the first ring comprise multiple sizes depending on their usage frequencies, and the keys in the second ring comprise multiple sizes depending on their usage frequencies.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising displaying at least one key located within the first ring.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the key within the first ring and at least one additional key in the first ring comprise special keys, the special keys are selected from the group consisting of a delete key, a space bar key, and an enter key.

Assignments (11)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE EXECUTION DATE OF THE MERGER PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 047642 FRAME 0417. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT, Recorded Mar 6, 2019
From: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES GENERAL IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
To: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL SALES PTE. LIMITED
Reel/Frame 048521/0395 →
MERGER Recorded Oct 5, 2018
From: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES GENERAL IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
To: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL SALES PTE. LIMITED
Reel/Frame 047642/0417 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Feb 3, 2017
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES GENERAL IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
Reel/Frame 041710/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 017206 FRAME: 0666. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded May 6, 2016
From: AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES GENERAL IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
Reel/Frame 038632/0662 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 11, 2016
From: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES GENERAL IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 037808/0001 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS (RELEASES RF 032851-0001) Recorded Feb 2, 2016
From: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES GENERAL IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
Reel/Frame 037689/0001 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 8, 2014
From: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES GENERAL IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 032851/0001 →
MERGER Recorded May 7, 2013
From: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES ECBU IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
To: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES GENERAL IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
Reel/Frame 030369/0528 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 25, 2006
From: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES GENERAL IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
To: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES ECBU IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
Reel/Frame 017675/0518 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 22, 2006
From: AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES GENERAL IP PTE. LTD.
Reel/Frame 017206/0666 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 5, 2005
From: HARLEY, JONAH A
To: AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 015976/0403 →