New Hardware Assignment

New Hardware Assignment

Grantham University

New Hardware Assignment

A problem that I have faced before, as well as other acquaintances of mine, is having to find the shortcut key to type out math symbols on a keyboard. I will have to take numerous math classes for my degree and anyone that has had to type out math problems or use a software version of a mathematical keyboard will know that it is tedious to repeatedly click on numbers and symbols. That is where my new hardware comes into fruition.

The new piece of hardware I would like to create would be a mathematical keyboard. There are currently a few mathematical keyboards that are in a software form, but I would like to create a physical keyboard that is similar to a standard keyboard. Each key would be set to specific mathematical symbols that are found in Algebra, Calculus, Geometry, and Statistics.

According to www.rapidtables.com, there are approximately 120 or so Algebraic, Calculus, Geometry, and Statistical symbol currently being used. This list is an approximation because many of the symbols are used in all of these types of math and some are specific to a certain field. This approximation does not include letters or numbers. A standard QWERTY keyboard has 101 keys.

The mathematical keyboard would have to be a little bigger because I would like to include a number pad on the side of the keyboard like the ones found on current keyboards and the need for letters is still present. This will eliminate having to use a second keyboard to type numbers and letters for the equations.

A standard keyboard is approximately 27” long and 11 ½ “tall. A standard keyboard has a pretty universal layout that looks like this:

Sketch taken from www.goennheimer.net

The number pad is located to the right side of the keyboard and there are approximately 51 keys that are not number or letters.

The keyboard that I am proposing will look similar to a standard keyboard, but will only have keys related to mathematical disciplines. A rough draft of the keyboard will look something like this:

The dimensions of my proposed keyboard would be approximately 36” long and 15” tall. This should be ample area to incorporate the added number of keys.

Another feature that will be added is the ability to have both a standard keyboard and the mathematical keyboard plugged into the computer at the same time without confliction. This will be done with software and drivers that will be installed before using the mathematical keyboard. The software will allow the keyboards to run as a master/slave keyboard similar to master/slave CD/DVD drives that both function at the same time, but the master drive is in control of processes. This will eliminate having to physically unplug the standard keyboard to plug in the mathematical one. The software will also allow the user to select preloaded layouts for each of the mathematical areas. The user will also be able to program and rearrange any of the keys in an order that best suits their needs.

References

KB153. (2009, 06 11). Retrieved from www.goenheimer.net: http://www.goennheimer.net/ex-PC_HMI-accessories/KB153/gen.php?vari=dimensions.htm

Mathematical Symbols. (2016, March 14). Retrieved from www.rapidtables.com: http://www.rapidtables.com/math/symbols/Basic_Math_Symbols.htm

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