Reprinted from ... >an 9$&e iHerturij Sunday, February 23, 1992 Serving Northern California Since 1851

Computing Software Review • Calendar Striking A Chord New chordic keypads for portable give users a free hand

BYTOMSCHMITZ Mercury News Staff Writer

Fishermen love to tell stories about the one that got away. Inventors talk about the ones that almost did. The Chord Their great catches are ideas — revo- lutionary, world-beating discoveries ig- Keypad ™ nored for years until someone finally re- alized their true potential. Penicillin, for by instance, which languished in laborato- ries for more than a decade before an Infogrip, Inc. Australian pathologist demonstrated its power to treat infection. Or the fax ma- chine, invented in 1902 but not refined for general use until the 1980s. Now, some gadgeteers are pushing the industry to take a fresh look at another venerable idea whose time may finally have come — chordic keypads. Intended as an alternative to standard computer keyboards, the device uses multiple key combinations to enter data and text in much the same way as a court stenographer's machine. And while the invention itself is not new, proponents say it is the ideal input system for ever- smaller, more porta- ble computers. "A chord keyboard allows you to do "/ can teach things you couldn't do any other way," says little kids how Doug Platt, president of Select Tech in Jen- kintown, Pa., who has to do it in three been working on a portable system. or four hours" "You're really going to see them take off." Doug Engelbart, The earliest chordic SRI International keypads were devel- oped for Morse Code Infogrip Inc.'s Chord Keypads and Hip PC. operators in the late 119th century as an al- The five character keys and two shift ternative to the tele- keys can be combined to duplicate all the graph key. Their first features of a standard keyboard, includ- " an application to com- ing functions like delete and copy. And puters came in 1968, while the chord system may look diffi- / think it's a when Doug Engelbart cult to a novice, aficionados say it is of SRI International actually quite easy to learn. "I can teach built a five-finger little kids how to do it in three great idea." keyset to use with an- or four hours," says Engel- ' other of his inven- bait. David Nagel, tions — the computer Those who examine the de- "/ wrote a short Senior Vice President mouse. vices often walk away im- story while driving. for advanced technology/ Since then, chordic pressed but skeptical. "As a keypads of one sort technologist I think it's a great It's not hard Apple Computer Inc. or another have idea," says David Nagel, Ap- sprung up in isolated ple Computer Inc.'s senior to do at all." ••••••••• electronics labs all vice president for advanced over the world, often technology. "From a business Terry Kepner, created by independent tinkerers un- perspective, I'm not sure." editor of aware of the others' work. But so far Proponents say chordic key Portable 100 magazine only two companies are manufacturing a entry has several advantages chordic keyset: Microwriter Systems of over conventional keyboards. ^^^^^" Great Britain and Infogrip Inc. of Baton Because the fingers never change posi- Rouge, La., which unveiled a - tion, looking at the keys doesn't help, so compatible model in January. users need never take their eyes off the "We're from Louisiana, so I guess screen. And using only one hand to enter we're not smart enough to know it data or text leaves the other free to per- couldn't be done," says Infogrip Presi- form other tasks, such as manipulating a dent C. Ward Bond. "We just did it." mouse or paging through a book. Or even There is ample reason for doubt. While driving a car. chordic keypads are designed to replace Terry Kepner, editor of the computer standard computer keyboards, the two magazine Portable 100, has used the have almost nothing in common. Most are chordic keys on his handheld computer designed to be used with a single hand. to compose fiction on the open road. "I Infogrip's model has only seven keys wrote a short story while driving," he compared with the usual 101-key key- says. "It's not hard to do at all." board. Indeed, it is the advent of portable Rather than in single key- computers that may finally bring "chord- strokes, the user presses a combination ing" out of the laboratory closet. While it of unlabeled keys for each character. For is possible to miniaturize nearly all the example, the thumb for 'a,' little finger components of a desk-top machine, con- for 'e' and both at once for 'f.' The action ventional keyboards can shrink only so is similar to playing a piano, although the far before they become unusable. hand never changes position. According to Infogrip's Bond, the prob- San Jose Mercury News • Sunday, February 23, 1992 5F Cover Story caught on before? The biggest reason, chording enthusiasts say, is fear. "People are scared of it," Kep- ner says. "Most people look at a New keypads computer as an electric typewrit- er. They say, 'Where are the let- ters? Where are the numbers? I can't do this!' Those aren't accu- rate reactions, but they are the strike a chord one's people have. Once you show them how it works, they say, 'My God! How easy!' But you have to overcome that obstacle." with some users Even computer designers and developers can be put off. "Scien- tists and engineers like to work • CHORD doesn't make sense. A chord key- on sexy, glamorous problems," board is silent and private." says Platt. "Five buttons is not from Page IF Infogrip already markets Mi- sexy or glamorous. You can't lem is already apparent in the crowriter's British palm-top in show off your amazing brainpow- many notebook computers that the U.S. as the Mini-BAT. The er by working on a chord key- have cropped up in recent years. company has combined the device board." Despite the notebook designation, with a belt-mounted 286 proces- What's more, "engineers are "I have never seen anyone using sor, disk drive and headset dis- afraid to look stupid. So you find their computer to walk around play to create the Hip PC, which a (hesitancy) to learn the sys- and take notes." Sitting down it bills as the world's first truly tem." with a lap-top is too clumsy, wearable computer. The keyset is 20 hours training while pushing the tiny buttons of attached to the shirt with a Vel- a palm-top is too slow and diffi- cro strip. In fact, chording proponents cult. But with a one-handed key- say the system is so simple that a set, computing on the go can be- The Napoleon pose novice can enter text at a rate of come almost second nature. "I'm in a kind of Napoleon pose 30 to 35 words per minute with That's just what Gary Fried- when I use it, but it's quite com- 20 hours training. And they argue man was looking for when he de- fortable," says developer Doug that transmitting thoughts with vised the Data Egg. "My problem Platt. " I've been using this thing combinations of fingers rather is, I've got a brain that insists on full time since September, and it than single keystrokes is a far coming up with its best ideas at feels like an extra brain. I miss it more natural way to communi- the worst possible time," he says. when it's not on." cate with a computer. Plastic Easter egg All of which raises the ques- Like human sign language, tion: If chordic keysets are such a "chording is a gesture," says In- So Friedman, an engineer at great idea, why haven't they fogrip's Bond. "It is the creation NASA's Jet Propulsion Laborato- of a physical symbol." Unlike the ry in Pasadena, built a chordic mechanical act of typing, chord keyset for his palm-top by attach- sequences eventually become em- ing buttons to a plastic Easter bedded in the language centers of egg. He has since come up with the brain. And as a physical skill, several other palm-sized models, chording tends to have more stay- including one built into a Motoro- ing power. la beeper. "If you have an idea, To encourage people to experi- you can pull it off your belt, type Chording ment with chord entry, Infogrip what you want and not draw at- proponents say the is developing software that will tention to yourself." allow users to try the system on a Backers say the speed and pri- system is so simple standard keyboard first. vacy of chordic keypads make But despite all the advantages them far more practical than the that a novice can they claim for chord devices, other commonly cited interface even some of the faithful concede alternatives for portables, elec- enter text at a rate the technology may just end up tronic pens and voice recognition. back on the shelf. Pen tablets require two hands of 30 to 35 words "I'm still not sure people are to operate and demand visual at- going to accept it," says Kepner. tention. And when it comes right per minute with 20 "There are plenty of examples of down to it, "pens are slow," says things that should have been a Platt. "That's why we invented hours training. success and never made it off the the ." And even fully ground floor. You can build the perfected voice systems will be best thing in the world, and if impractical in many situations. people don't like it, they won't "If you're in a meeting or taking buy it — no matter how efficient notes on a phone call, voice it is." The Chord Keypad™ The layout of keys on today's keyboards was originally was previously designed to minimize jamming of the mechanical parts of marketed as early . The Bat. This basic format has remained unchanged since the 19th century. The Chord Keypad now brings keyboard technology out of the dark and into the 20th century. Its sensitivity to human thought/response patterns and body mechanics allows users to work more efficiently and comfortably. THE CHORD The Chord Keypad is available for Macintosh, KEYPAD TM IBM PCs, Compatibles, and other platforms, for fast, accurate including UNIX. data entry. What is the Is the Chord Keypad • You can enter numbers at easy to learn? high speed. Chord Keypad? • You can enter a word or phrase The Chord Keypad is a You can learn the basic chords with a single chord using simple revolutionary man-computer for the alphabet and numerals macros. interface. It comprises two iden- in less than an hour. Most other tical keyboards, one for the left characters and commands use Some other important features: simple mnemonics that are hand and the other for the right • The Chord Keypad is user hand. based upon your knowledge of these basic chords. A computerized programmable. You can add The Chord Keypads are separate tutorial and quick reference additional chords to suit your and independent from each guide are also provided. special needs. other, i.e., you can enter all the • The Chord Keypad is characters and commands on economically designed to the standard computer key- Why should I use the minimize strain, fatigue and board through either hand. To Chord Keypad? disorders commonly associated increase efficiency, you can The Chord Keypad has several with prolonged use of the enter data using both hands. standard computer keyboard. features and advantages that • Braille programs (one hand or will increase your productivity: How does the two hand( are available. • You do not have to look down Chord Keypad work? at the keyboard (no more The bottom line. Each Chord Keypad has seven "hunt and peck"). keys, five of which are positioned • You need only use one hand The Chord Keypad allows all directly under your fingers and (left or right). The other hand computer users, including thumb. The remaining two can be dedicated to other novices, to become highly effi- "shift" keys are positioned so useful activities, like using a cient and productive. that your thumb can easily mouse or flipping documents. reach them by moving a little to • The Chord Keypad eliminates the left or right. Data is entered the need to learn standard by pressing combinations of touch-typing skills. (The keys, much like the manner Chord Keypad is easier to Infogrip, Inc. chords are played on a piano. learn.) 5800 One Perkins Place, 5F Baton Rouge, LA 70808 Telephone: (504) 766-8082 Facsimile: (504) 763-9793