Key arrangement for a keyboard

Abstract

Methods and systems for key arrangements including a plurality of keys arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. At least one of the plurality of keys has a predetermined key width determined by dividing a face width of a device by a number of the plurality of columns. Each row of the plurality of rows has a first key located at a first end, a second key located at a second end, at least two interior keys located between the first and second keys. The respective widths of the first key and the second key are determined by subtracting a predetermined amount from the predetermined key width such that the respective widths of the first and second keys are smaller than interior key widths of the at least two interior keys.

1 . An electronic device having a key arrangement, the electronic device comprising:
 a face having a face width; and   the key arrangement comprising a plurality of keys arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns;   at least one of the plurality of keys having a predetermined key width determined by dividing the face width by a number of the plurality of columns; and   each row of the plurality of rows having:
 a first key located at a first end; 
 a second key located at a second end; and 
 at least two interior keys located between the first and second keys; 
 wherein respective widths of the first key and the second key are determined by subtracting a predetermined amount from the predetermined key width such that the respective widths of the first and second keys are smaller than interior key widths of the at least two interior keys. 
   
     
     
         2 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two interior keys have different interior key widths from one another. 
     
     
         3 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein each row of the plurality of rows has a row width, and the row width of each of the plurality of rows is equal. 
     
     
         4 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first key and the second key have a truncated side. 
     
     
         5 . The electronic device of  claim 4 , wherein the first key and the second key have a different shape from a remainder of the plurality of keys in a respective row. 
     
     
         6 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of columns are arranged about a centerline. 
     
     
         7 . The electronic device of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of columns are angled inwardly toward the centerline. 
     
     
         8 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rows have an arcuate shape. 
     
     
         9 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of keys are arranged in a grid pattern. 
     
     
         10 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one row comprises at least one middle key located between the at least two interior keys. 
     
     
         11 . The electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein each of the at least one middle keys has a middle key width that is greater than the interior key widths of the at least two interior keys. 
     
     
         12 . The electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein each of the at least one middle keys has a final middle key width determined by multiplying the preliminary key width by a number of middle keys in a respective row to determine a preliminary total middle key width, adding the preliminary total middle key width to the predetermined amount multiplied by two to determine a final total middle key width, and dividing the final total middle key width by the number of middle keys. 
     
     
         13 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of keys has at least three different shapes. 
     
     
         14 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the plurality of keys have indicia corresponding to alphabetic letters, and the keys of the portion have a same height. 
     
     
         15 . A key arrangement for a keyboard having a face width, the key arrangement comprising:
 a plurality of keys arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns;   at least one of the plurality of keys having a predetermined key width determined by dividing the face width by a number of the plurality of columns; and
 each row of the plurality of rows having: 
 a first key located at a first end; 
   a second key located at a second end; and
 at least two interior keys located between the first and second keys; 
 wherein respective widths of the first key and the second key are determined by subtracting a predetermined amount from the predetermined key width such that the respective widths of the first and second keys are smaller than interior key widths of the at least two interior keys. 
   
     
     
         16 . The key arrangement of  claim 15 , wherein the at least two interior keys have different interior key widths from one another. 
     
     
         17 . The key arrangement of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the first key and the second key have a truncated side. 
     
     
         18 . The key arrangement of  claim 17 , wherein the first key and the second key have a different shape from a remainder of the plurality of keys in a respective row. 
     
     
         19 . The key arrangement of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of columns are arranged about a centerline and angled inwardly toward the centerline. 
     
     
         20 . The key arrangement of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of rows have an arcuate shape.