Alpha-numeric keypad/control stick

Abstract From the Canadian patent

Generation of alpha-numeric characters is performed using a one-handed keyboard device having four fingeroperated entry key units and a plurality of thumb operated cue keys. Each of the cue keys is operable to assign a preselected, sequential group of characters to the entry keys which are operable one at a time to generate one alpha-numeric character each. In a preferable embodiment of the device, the finger-operated key units form two arrays similar to a piano keyboard. In alphabet mode consonants and vowels are assigned, in alphabetical order to different arrays of the entry keys to enable the user to memorize the positions of the characters more easily.