Chordic keyboard system for generating a signal in response to a chord that is assigned using a correlation based on a composite chord-difficulty index

Claim 2

A chordic keyboard system for use by an operator having a hand including a thumb, fingers, and a palm, to communicate with a computer-based machine using a plurality of symbols, including a primary symbol set of said symbols, the chordic keyboard system comprising: a tilted chordic keyboard with at least five keys and with an integral palm rest wherein said tilted chordic keyboard is comprised of a finger group of keys and a thumb group of keys and wherein said finger group of keys consists of four keys arranged in a finger pattern and wherein said thumb group of keys consists of at least one key and wherein said thumb group of keys are located on the keyboard in relation to said finger group of keys such that said thumb group of keys can be actuated by the thumb of the operator's hand while the fingers of said operator's hand are positioned on said finger group of keys and wherein said integral palm rest is integrated with said tilted chordic keyboard such that the palm of said operator's hand can rest on and be partially supported by said integral palm rest while the fingers of said operator's hand are positioned on said finger group of keys and the thumb of said operator's hand is positioned on said thumb group of keys and wherein said tilted chordic keyboard is tilted at an angle in a range of 20° to 45°; means for detecting a plurality of chords of said finger group of keys and said thumb group of keys produced by the actuation of said finger group of keys and said thumb group of keys; means for transmitting said chords to said computer-based machine; and means for programming said computer-based machine to receive said chords from said transmitting means and to assign to each primary symbol of said primary symbol set a unique chord, said assignment to be derived using a correlation based on a frequency-of-use index of the symbol and a composite chord-difficulty index of the unique chord such that when said computer-based machine is executing said programming means, said operator can communicate with said computer-based machine by actuating chords of keys on said tilted chordic keyboard.

Claim 3

A dual chordic keyboard system for use by an operator having a right hand and a left hand, each hand having a thumb, fingers, and a palm, to communicate with a computer-based machine using a plurality of symbols, including a primary symbol set of said symbols, the dual chordic keyboard system comprising: a right-handed tilted chordic keyboard with at least five keys and with a right-handed integral palm rest wherein said right-handed tilted chordic keyboard is comprised of a right-handed finger group of keys and a right-handed thumb group of keys and wherein said right-handed finger group of keys consists of four keys arranged in a finger pattern and wherein said right-handed thumb group of keys consists of at least one key and wherein said right-handed thumb group of keys is located on the keyboard in relation to said right-handed finger group of keys such that said right-handed thumb group of keys can be actuated while the fingers of said operator's right hand are positioned on said right-handed finger group of keys and wherein said right-handed integral palm rest is integrated with said right-handed tilted chordic keyboard such that the operator's right palm can rest on and be partially supported by said right-handed integral palm rest while the fingers of said operator's right hand are positioned on said right-handed finger group of keys and the thumb of said operator's right hand is positioned on said right-handed thumb group of keys and wherein said right-handed tilted chordic keyboard is tilted at an angle in a range of 20° to 45°; a left-handed tilted chordic keyboard with at least five keys and with an left-handed integral palm rest wherein said left-handed tilted chordic keyboard is comprised of a left-handed finger group of keys and a left-handed thumb group of keys and wherein said left-handed finger group of keys consists of four keys arranged in a finger pattern and wherein said left-handed thumb group of keys consists of at least one key and wherein said left-handed thumb group of keys is located on the keyboard in relation to said left-handed finger group of keys such that said left-handed thumb group of keys can be actuated while the fingers of said operator's left hand are positioned on said left-handed finger group of keys and wherein said left-handed integral palm rest is integrated with said left-handed tilted chordic keyboard such that the palm of said operator's left hand can rest on and be partially supported by said left-handed integral palm rest while the fingers of said operator's left hand are positioned on said left-handed finger group of keys and the thumb of said operator's left hand is positioned on said left-handed thumb group of keys and wherein said left-handed tilted chordic keyboard is tilted at an angle in the range of 20° to 45°; means for detecting a plurality of right- handed chords produced by the actuation of said right-handed finger group of keys and said right-handed thumb group of keys; means for detecting a plurality of left-handed chords produced by the actuation of said left-handed finger group of keys and said left-handed thumb group of keys; means for transmitting said right-handed chords to said computer-based machine; means for transmitting said left-handed chords to said computer-based machine; and means for programming said computer-based machine to receive said chords from said transmitting means, and to assign to each primary symbol of said primary symbol set a unique chord, said assignment to be derived using a correlation between a frequency-of-use index for each primary symbol and a composite chord-difficulty index of the unique chord such that when said computer-based machine is executing said programming means, said operator can communicate with said computer-based machine by actuating chords of keys on said tilted chordic keyboard.

Claim 4

A dual chordic keyboard system for use by an operator having a right hand and a left hand, each hand having a thumb, fingers, and a palm, to communicate with a computer-based machine using a plurality of symbols, including a primary symbol set of said symbols, the dual chordic keyboard system comprising: a right-handed tilted chordic keyboard with at least five keys and with a right-handed integral palm rest wherein said right-handed tilted chordic keyboard is comprised of a right-handed finger group of keys and a right-handed thumb group of keys and wherein said right-handed finger group of keys consists of four keys arranged in a finger pattern and wherein said right-handed thumb group of keys consists of at least one key and wherein said right-handed thumb group of keys is located on the keyboard in relation to said right-handed finger group of keys such that said right-handed thumb group of keys can be actuated while the fingers of said operator's right hand are positioned on said right-handed finger group of keys and wherein said right-handed integral palm rest is integrated with said right-handed tilted chordic keyboard such that the operator's right palm can rest on and be partially supported by said right-handed integral palm rest while the fingers of said operator's right hand are positioned on said right-handed finger group of keys and the thumb of said operator's right hand is positioned on said right-handed thumb group of keys and wherein said right-handed tilted chordic keyboard is tilted at an angle in a range of 20° to 45°; a left-handed tilted chordic keyboard with at least five keys and with an left-handed integral palm rest wherein said left-handed tilted chordic keyboard is comprised of a left-handed finger group of keys and a left-handed thumb group of keys and wherein said left-handed finger group of keys consists of four keys arranged in a finger pattern and wherein said left-handed thumb group of keys consists of at least one key and wherein said left-handed thumb group of keys is located on the keyboard in relation to said left-handed finger group of keys such that said left-handed thumb group of keys can be actuated while the fingers of said operator's left hand are positioned on said left-handed finger group of keys and wherein said left-handed integral palm rest is integrated with said left-handed tilted chordic keyboard such that the palm of said operator's left hand can rest on and be partially supported by said left-handed integral palm rest while the fingers of said operator's left hand are positioned on said left-handed finger group of keys and the thumb of said operator's left hand is positioned on said left-handed thumb group of keys and wherein said left-handed tilted chordic keyboard is tilted at an angle in the range of 20° to 45°; means for detecting a plurality of right- handed chords produced by the actuation of said right-handed finger group of keys and said right-handed thumb group of keys; means for detecting a plurality of left-handed chords produced by the actuation of said left-handed finger group of keys and said left-handed thumb group of keys; means for transmitting said right-handed chords to said computer-based machine; means for transmitting said left-handed chords to said computer-based machine; and means for programming said computer-based machine to receive said chords from said transmitting means, and to assign to each primary symbol of said primary symbol set a unique chord, said assignment to be derived using a correlation between a frequency-of-use index for each primary symbol and a composite chord-difficulty index of the unique chord such that when said computer-based machine is executing said programming means, said operator can communicate with said computer-based machine by actuating chords of keys on said tilted chordic keyboard.

Claim 5

A chordic keyboard system in a data processing apparatus, wherein the chordic keyboard system is used to communicate with a chordic keyboard including a plurality of keys, the chordic keyboard system comprising: means for storing data representative of a plurality of chords, the data organized as a plurality of groups, wherein each chord corresponds to a subset of the plurality of keys of the chordic keyboard, and for storing a plurality of symbols, wherein data representative of a chord is represented by and corresponds to one of the plurality of symbols according to a correlation between a frequency-of-use index of the symbol and a composite chord-difficulty index of the chord, and wherein the plurality of groups includes an alphabetic group, a punctuation/cursor control group, an editing/control function group, a numerical/mathematical group, and a punctuation/symbolic-type group; means for receiving data from the chordic keyboard identifying a selected chord of the plurality of chords; means for identifying, using the stored data and symbols, the group corresponding to the selected chord, and for identifying a selected symbol of the plurality of symbols representative of the selected chord; and means, coupled to the identifying means, for generating a signal corresponding to the selected symbol.

Claim 6

A chordic keyboard system in a data processing apparatus, wherein the chordic keyboard system is used to communicate with a chordic keyboard including a plurality of keys, the chordic keyboard system comprising: means for storing data representative of a plurality of chords, the data organized as a plurality of groups, wherein each chord corresponds to a subset of the plurality of keys of the chordic keyboard, and for storing a plurality of symbols, wherein data representative of a chord is represented by and corresponds to one of the plurality of symbols according to a correlation between a frequency-of-use index of the symbol and a composite chord-difficulty index of the chord, and wherein the plurality of groups includes an alphabetic group, a punctuation/cursor control group, an editing/control function group, a numerical/mathematical group, and a punctuation/symbolic-type group; means for receiving data from the chordic keyboard identifying a selected chord of the plurality of chords; means for identifying, using the stored data and symbols, the group corresponding to the selected chord, and for identifying a selected symbol of the plurality of symbols representative of the selected chord; and means, coupled to the identifying means, for generating a signal corresponding to the selected symbol.

Claim 7

The chordic keyboard system of claim 3 wherein the receiving means includes a means for recognizing that the data from the chordic keyboard corresponds to a depression of at least one of the plurality of keys of the chordic keyboard, wherein the keys are divided into a plurality of, groups, including at least one of the following groups: a finger group and a thumb group, wherein the finger group includes a plurality of keys including an index-finger key, a middle-finger key, a ring-finger key, and a little-finger key, and wherein the thumb group includes a plurality of keys including a first thumb key, a second thumb key and a third thumb key.

Claim 8

The chordic keyboard system of claim 4 wherein the alphabetic group of the plurality of groups of chords corresponds to a combination of at least one of the second thumb key and a plurality of the finger group of keys.

Claim 9

The chordic keyboard system of claim 4 wherein the punctuation/cursor control group of the plurality of groups of chords corresponds to a combination of the first thumb key and at least one of the finger group of keys.

Claim 10

The chordic keyboard system of claim 4 wherein the editing/control function group of the plurality of groups of chords corresponds to a combination of the third thumb key and at least one of the finger group of keys.

Claim 11

The chordic keyboard system of claim 4 wherein the numerical/mathematical group of the plurality of groups of chords corresponds to a combination of the third thumb key followed by at least one of the second thumb key and a plurality of the finger group of keys.

Claim 12

The chordic keyboard system of claim 4 wherein the punctuation/symbolic-type group of the plurality of groups of chords corresponds to a combination of the third thumb key and the index-finger key followed by at least one of the second thumb key and a plurality of the finger group of keys.

Claim 13

The chordic keyboard system of claim 3 further comprising means for generating the data in the chordic keyboard identifying a selected chord of the plurality of chords.

Claim 14

The chordic keyboard system of claim 10 wherein the means for generating includes a right-hand generating means and a left-hand generating means, wherein the right-hand generating means and left-hand generating means independently generate data.

Claim 15

A chordic keyboard system in a data processing apparatus, wherein the chordic keyboard system communicates with a chordic keyboard in a plurality of modes, including a let-mode and a num-mode, wherein said chordic keyboard includes a plurality of keys, the chordic keyboard system comprising: means for storing data representative of a plurality of chords, the data organized as a plurality of data groups, wherein each chord corresponds to a subset of the plurality of keys of the chordic keyboard, and for storing a plurality of symbols, wherein data representative of a chord is mapped to one of the plurality of symbols based on a correlation between a plurality of symbol-groups and a plurality of chord groups in which each of the symbols is assigned to one of the symbol-groups based on a frequency-of-use index of the symbol and each chord is assigned one of the chord groups based on a composite chord-difficulty index of the chord, wherein the composite chord-difficulty index includes both a motor difficulty index and a perceptual difficulty index corresponding to the chord, and wherein the plurality of data groups includes an alphabetic group, a punctuation/cursor control group, an editing/control function group, a numerical/mathematical group, and a punctuation/symbolic-type group; means for receiving data from the chordic keyboard identifying a selected chord of the plurality of chords and for recognizing that the received data corresponds to a depression of the plurality of keys of the chordic keyboard, wherein the keys are divided into a plurality of groups, including at least one of the following groups: a finger group and a thumb group, wherein the finger group includes a plurality of keys including an index-finger key, a middle-finger key, a ring-finger key, and a little-finger key, and wherein the thumb group includes a plurality of keys including a first thumb key, a second thumb key and a third thumb key; means for identifying, using the stored data and symbols, the group corresponding to the selected chord, and for identifying a selected symbol of the plurality of symbols representative of the selected chord; and means, coupled to the identifying means, for generating a signal corresponding to the selected symbol.

Claim 16

A chordic keyboard system in a data processing apparatus, wherein the chordic keyboard system communicates with a chordic keyboard in a plurality of modes, including a let-mode and a num-mode, wherein said chordic keyboard includes a plurality of keys, the chordic keyboard system comprising: means for storing data representative of a plurality of chords, the data organized as a plurality of data groups, wherein each chord corresponds to a subset of the plurality of keys of the chordic keyboard, and for storing a plurality of symbols, wherein data representative of a chord is mapped to one of the plurality of symbols based on a correlation between a plurality of symbol-groups and a plurality of chord groups in which each of the symbols is assigned to one of the symbol-groups based on a frequency-of-use index of the symbol and each chord is assigned one of the chord groups based on a composite chord-difficulty index of the chord, wherein the composite chord-difficulty index includes both a motor difficulty index and a perceptual difficulty index corresponding to the chord, and wherein the plurality of data groups includes an alphabetic group, a punctuation/cursor control group, an editing/control function group, a numerical/mathematical group, and a punctuation/symbolic-type group; means for receiving data from the chordic keyboard identifying a selected chord of the plurality of chords and for recognizing that the received data corresponds to a depression of the plurality of keys of the chordic keyboard, wherein the keys are divided into a plurality of groups, including at least one of the following groups: a finger group and a thumb group, wherein the finger group includes a plurality of keys including an index-finger key, a middle-finger key, a ring-finger key, and a little-finger key, and wherein the thumb group includes a plurality of keys including a first thumb key, a second thumb key and a third thumb key; means for identifying, using the stored data and symbols, the group corresponding to the selected chord, and for identifying a selected symbol of the plurality of symbols representative of the selected chord; and means, coupled to the identifying means, for generating a signal corresponding to the selected symbol.

Claim 17

The chordic keyboard system of claim 12 wherein the plurality of symbols includes data representative of the following characters: a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, y, z, and a character representative of a blank space.

Claim 18

The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key, the index-finger key, the middle-finger key, and the ring-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "a" as the selected symbol.

Claim 19

The chordic keyboard system of claim 14 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "a" in the let mode as data representative of a mathematical operator "+" in the num mode and wherein the mathematical operator "+" corresponds to the mathematical function for addition.

Claim 20

The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the index-finger key and the little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "b" as the selected symbol.

Claim 21

The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key and the middle-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "c" as the selected symbol.

Claim 22

The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key, the index-finger key and the middle-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "d" as the selected symbol.

Claim 23

The chordic keyboard system of claim 18 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "d" in the let mode as data representative of a mathematical operator "/" in the num mode and wherein the mathematical operator "/" corresponds to the mathematical function for division.

Claim 24

The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the index-finger key, the middle-finger key, and the ring-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "e" as the selected symbol.

Claim 25

The chordic keyboard system of claim 20 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "e" in the let mode as data representative of a mathematical operator "=" in the num mode and wherein the mathematical operator "=" corresponds to the mathematical function for equals.

Claim 26

The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key and the little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "f" as the selected symbol.

Claim 27

The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key and the ring-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "g" as the selected symbol.

Claim 28

The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the middle-finger key and the ring-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "h" as the selected symbol.

Claim 29

The chordic keyboard system of claim 24 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "h" in the let mode as data representative of a mathematical operator ">" in the num mode and wherein the mathematical operator ">" corresponds to the mathematical function for greater than.

Claim 30

The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the index-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "i" as the selected symbol.

Claim 31

The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key, the index-finger key, and the ring-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "j" as the selected symbol.

Claim 32

The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the index-finger key and the ring-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "k" as the selected symbol.

Claim 33

The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key and the index-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "1" as the selected symbol.

Claim 34

The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key, the index-finger key, and the middle-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "m" as the selected symbol.

Claim 35

The chordic keyboard system of claim 30 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "m" in the let mode as data representative of a mathematical operator "*" in the num mode and wherein the mathematical operator "*" corresponds to the mathematical function for multiplication.

Claim 36

The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key, the middle-finger key, the ring-finger key, and the little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "n" as the selected symbol.

Claim 37

The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key, the index-finger key, the middle-finger key, the ring-finger key, and little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "o" as the selected symbol.

Claim 38

The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key, the middle-finger key, and the ring-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "p" as the selected symbol.

Claim 39

The chordic keyboard system of claim 34 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "p" in the let mode as data representative of a mathematical operator "%" in the num mode and wherein the mathematical operator "%" corresponds to the mathematical function for percentage.

Claim 40

The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key, the index-finger key, the ring-finger key, and little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "q" as the selected symbol.

Claim 41

The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the middle-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "r" as the selected symbol.

Claim 42

The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the middle-finger key, the ring-finger key, and the little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "s" as the selected symbol.

Claim 43

The chordic keyboard system of claim 38 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "s" in the let mode as data representative of a mathematical operator "-" in the num mode and wherein the mathematical operator "-" corresponds to the mathematical function for subtraction.

Claim 44

The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the index-finger key, the middle-finger key, the ring-finger key, and the little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "t" as the selected symbol.

Claim 45

The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the ring-finger key and the little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "u" as the selected symbol.

Claim 46

The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key, the ring-finger key, and the little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "v" as the selected symbol.

Claim 47

The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "w" as the selected symbol.

Claim 48

The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key, the index-finger key, and the little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "x" as the selected symbol.

Claim 49

The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the middle-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "y" as the selected symbol.

Claim 50

The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the index-finger key, the ring-finger key, and the little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character "z" as the selected symbol.

Claim 51

The chordic keyboard system of claim 46 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "z" in the let mode as data representative of a mathematical operator "<" in the num-mode and wherein the mathematical operator "<" corresponds to the mathematical function for less than.

Claim 52

The chordic keyboard system of claim 13 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the let-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key, the index-finger key, the middle-finger key, and the ring-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the blank space as the selected symbol.

Claim 53

The chordic keyboard system of claim 12 wherein the plurality of symbols includes mode symbols corresponding to the plurality of modes, and wherein the identifying means identifies a selected mode symbol representative of the selected chord, and wherein the generating means generates a mode selection signal corresponding to the selected mode symbol to change a current mode to the mode corresponding to the selected mode symbol.

Claim 54

The chordic keyboard system of claim 49 wherein a num-mode symbol corresponds to the num-mode, and an operator operates the chordic keyboard and wherein when, the receiving means receives data indicating that the operator has depressed the third thumb key to identify the selected chord, the identifying means identifies a symbol representative of the num-mode as the selected mode symbol.

Claim 55

The chordic keyboard system of claim 12 wherein the plurality of symbols includes data representative of the following numerals and mathematical/logical operators: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0, +, *, -, /, %, #, =, >, <, $, and a blank space.

Claim 56

The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the numeral "1" as the selected symbol.

Claim 57

The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the index-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the numeral "2" as the selected symbol.

Claim 58

The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the middle-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the numeral "3" as the selected symbol.

Claim 59

The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the ring-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the character representative of the numeral "4" as the selected symbol.

Claim 60

The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the numeral "5" as the selected symbol.

Claim 61

The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key and the index-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the numeral "6" as the selected symbol.

Claim 62

The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key and the middle-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the numeral "7" as the selected symbol.

Claim 63

The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key and the ring-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the numeral "8" as the selected symbol.

Claim 64

The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key and the little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the numeral "9" as the selected symbol.

Claim 65

The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key, the index-finger key, the middle-finger key, the ring-finger key, and the little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and wherein the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the numeral "0" as the selected symbol.

Claim 66

The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key, index-finger key, middle-finger key, and ring-finger key to identify the selected chord, and the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the mathematical/logical operator "+" as the selected symbol, wherein the mathematical/logical operator "+" corresponds to the mathematical function for addition.

Claim 67

The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "a" in the let-mode as data representative of the mathematical/logical operator "+" as the selected symbol in the num-mode, wherein the mathematical/logical operator "+" corresponds to the mathematical function for addition.

Claim 68

The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key, index-finger key, and middle-finger key to identify the selected chord, and the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the mathematical/logical operator "*" as the selected symbol, wherein the mathematical/logical operator "*" corresponds to the mathematical function for multiplication.

Claim 69

The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "m" in the let-mode as data representative of the mathematical/logical operator "*" as the selected symbol in the num-mode, wherein the mathematical/logical operator "*" corresponds to the mathematical function for multiplication.

Claim 70

The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the middle-finger key, ring-finger key, and little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the mathematical/logical operator "-" as the selected symbol, wherein the mathematical/logical operator "-" corresponds to the mathematical function for subtraction.

Claim 71

The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "s" in the let-mode as data representative of the mathematical/logical operator "-" as the selected symbol in the num-mode, wherein the mathematical/logical operator "-" corresponds to the mathematical function for subtraction.

Claim 72

The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the index-finger key and the middle-finger key to identify the selected chord, and the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the mathematical/logical operator "/" as the selected symbol, wherein the mathematical/logical operator "/" corresponds to the mathematical function for division signal corresponding to the selected symbol.

Claim 73

The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "d" in the let-mode as data representative of the mathematical/logical operator "/" as the selected symbol in the num-mode, wherein the mathematical/logical operator "/" corresponds to the mathematical function for division.

Claim 74

The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key, the middle-finger key, and the ring-finger key to identify the selected chord, and the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the mathematical/logical operator "%" as the selected symbol, wherein the mathematical/logical operator "%" corresponds to the mathematical function for percentage.

Claim 75

The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "p" in the let-mode as data representative of the mathematical/logical operator "%" as the selected symbol in the num-mode, wherein the mathematical/logical operator "%" corresponds to the mathematical function for percentage.

Claim 76

The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the second thumb key, the middle-finger key, the ring-finger key, and the little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the mathematical/logical operator "#" as the selected symbol.

Claim 77

The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "n" in the let-mode as data representative of the mathematical/logical operator "#" as the selected symbol in the num-mode.

Claim 78

The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the index-finger key, the middle-finger key, and the ring-finger key to identify the selected chord, and the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the mathematical/logical operator "=" as the selected symbol, wherein the mathematical/logical operator "=" corresponds to the mathematical function for equals.

Claim 79

The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "e" in the let-mode as data representative of the mathematical/logical operator "=" as the selected symbol in the num-mode, wherein the mathematical/logical operator "=" corresponds to the mathematical function for equals.

Claim 80

The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the middle-finger key and the ring-finger key to identify the selected chord, and the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the mathematical/logical operator ">" as the selected symbol, wherein the mathematical/logical operator ">" corresponds to the logical function for greater than.

Claim 81

The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "h" in the let-mode as data representative of the mathematical/logical operator ">" as the selected symbol in the num-mode, wherein the mathematical/logical operator ">" corresponds to the logical function for greater than.

Claim 82

The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the index-finger key, the ring-finger key, and the little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the mathematical/logical operator "<" as the selected symbol, wherein the mathematical/logical operator "<" corresponds to the logical function for less than.

Claim 83

The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "z" in the let-mode as data representative of the mathematical/logical operator "<" as the selected symbol in the num-mode, wherein the mathematical/logical operator "<" corresponds to the logical function for less than.

Claim 84

The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the ring-finger key and the little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the mathematical/logical operator "$° as the selected symbol.

Claim 85

The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "u" in the let-mode as data representative of the mathematical/logical operator "$" as the selected symbol in the num-mode.

Claim 86

The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein an operator operates the chordic keyboard, and wherein the receiving means includes means for receiving, in the num-mode, data indicating that the operator has depressed the index-finger key and the little-finger key to identify the selected chord, and the identifying means includes means for identifying data representative of the mathematical/logical operator for the blank space.

Claim 87

The chordic keyboard system of claim 51 wherein the identifying means further includes means for identifying data representative of the character "b" in the let-mode as data representative of the mathematical/logical operator for the blank space as the selected symbol in the num-mode.