Why revolutionize keyboard input?
Some people believe that typing will soon be a thing of the past, when voice recognition is perfected. So why learn a new system now? Can you imagine dictating a private message from a cubical? Several executives loudly composing their e-mails on an airplane? Turning off the music and telling the kids to be quiet so that you can surf the net? Clearly, hand input will be with us long into the future, and the stylus is no great leap forward. People will continue to want a keyboard to type on, work with, or play games. We know that the old-style keyboard has some flaws and feel that it should be updated to embrace future technology.

What's wrong with my old keyboard?
The standard or QWERTY keyboard (as identified by the top-left six letter keys) was mapped out shortly after the Civil War (in 1868) and, unfortunately, set in stone some 20 years before the concept of touch-typing was conceived. The layout, designed by Christopher Sholes, reflects a typesetters type-box and the inventor's effort to prevent the mechanical "hammers" from colliding and jamming together while typing. By moving frequently used keys away from each other, the machinery could be operated with fewer problems. That's why one of the most popular keys, the "A" key, is placed at the end, under the left pinky. It is also the result of Remington, who purchased the patent, wanting the letters for the name of this device, the "TYPEWRITER" on the top row of keys, for sales purposes.

This arrangement has dominated the market for generations, even though generations have never suffered from jammed keyboards. QWERTY touch-typing teaches us to ignore the left thumb and use only nine fingers to type. It has been the cause of many debilitating hand injuries. The keyboard has grown to include over 100 keys and has become difficult to accommodate in our latest modern mobile devices.

Why then, is all of our newest technology based on an ill-conceived, purposely awkward design? Is it a case of "if it was good enough for your great-grandpa, it's good enough for you"?

Let's face it. The technology being developed today isn't your great-grandpa's technology. It is time to think away from the box for a new solution in a man-machine interface. We have taken all of this into consideration, and asked how input facility could be maximized in the future. With this in mind, we have developed a "chord" keyboard that uses only 10 keys -- a number much easier to accommodate on our ever smaller devices.

How can 10 keys replace the entire keyboard?
The IN10DID concept is to provide input whenever one of its 10 keys is pressed and released. However, each key acts as a sort of shift key when it is held, and changes the value of the other nine keys. When a second key is pressed, the value of that key is generated as input. This allows 100 combinations, enough for every letter, number, or character to be generated. To tackle multi-key presses such as "Alt-3", or function keys, some additional keys are also pressed to create the same effect. The difference is, with all the keys right under your fingertips, there is no chance to put the right finger on the wrong key.

Why use only 10 keys?
Because we have 10 fingers. 10 is a number with which most people are very comfortable because our whole number counting system is base-10. Ones and zeros fill our world with bit-streams of technology. We believe that 10 keys will serve our input needs well into the future.

Is this system easy to learn?
Several things make IN10DID easier to learn than most other input systems. The alphabet is produced in a consecutive fashion across the fingers so that the proper key can be calculated, and not just simply remembered by rote. Numbers are also continuous across the fingers from left to right. A "shift" is produced by each finger, and follows a logical pattern, or relates to the letters associated with that finger.

We tested how easy this system was to learn at Saint Petersburg College in Tampa Bay and found that 90% of the entire keyboard was learned and retained in under six hours. The basic concept is easy to grasp, and novices can begin to input very quickly. The students who took part in the study expressed a strong desire to use this system when devices become available.

What products can be developed from this technology?
The reason for developing this system was that we wanted to create a way to input anywhere. Everything from gloves to cell phone keypads could be used to interface. Ten buttons on the steering wheel of a car could be used to operate everything, from the windows, to the radio, to the thermostat, without the driver's hands leaving the wheel.

This is expected to assist people such as the police, who often need to access data while in their vehicles. One of the biggest complaints about the Tablet PC is the lack of keyboard input. Ten small keys placed along the bottom could correct that problem without impacting its size.

What could be more perfect on a Palm PDA than 10 input "fingers" to type with? A Pocket PC could become nearly as powerful as a laptop, and two half-circles of five keys could provide touch-typing on a thumb-board. Game controllers could provide total computer input simply by including ten input triggers. Beyond these realities, the configuration may have relevance in advancing BCI or brain/computer interfacing in the not-too-distant future. The main point is, this technology opens doors to a variety of exciting new concepts. http://www.ece.ubc.ca/~garyb/BCI.htm

Will this replace the standard keyboard?
Perhaps not for everyone. A recent survey indicated that 20 percent of all respondents had no interest in interfacing with anything other then QWERTY. Many people will continue to type with QWERTY at their home or work site. IN10DID may quickly become their choice for modern, mobile applications, but for people already trained to type quickly on QWERTY, we expect that they will take that skill to the grave. IN10DID is a system for people who have trouble accepting the problems of the QWERTY method of typing, and desire an alternative solution. We hope to give the next generation of typists a choice of systems to learn, rather than force the old system on them.

Can disabled people use this system?
In some respects, we believe that many people will benefit from this system beyond their current options. The sight-impaired will appreciate not having to align their fingers before beginning to type. Those with limited mobility may enjoy greater freedom by not having to reach for the keyboard, and those confined to bed will be better able to interface. There are several avenues that can be explored in providing greater comfort and capability to those in need through this system.

What products are available?
Until this premise is accepted by a broad base of potential consumers, we are currently developing only conceptual models for products we hope to provide through partnering. Our current goal is restricted to raising public awareness through the distribution of promotional merchandise and through the support of like-minded revolutionaries. If you are interested in promoting the development of the IN10DID solution, or just want to be on the cutting edge of social technology, we encourage you to join our e-mail list.

How can I stay informed?
To receive updates on the progress and availability of products, please provide your e-mail address so that we can contact you. Please voice your opinion at our feedback section of this website.