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Bat One
Handed Keyboard by Infogrip, Inc.
 We’ve
single-handedly improved the way you’ll use your computer with the BAT™ Personal
Keyboard. A one-handed, compact input device that replicates all the functions of a
full-size keyboard, but with greater efficiency and convenience.
Surf the net with blazing speed and no repetitive typing; use the BAT alongside a graphics
tablet and get twice as much done; or simply have fun with the hottest new concept in
keyboard technology.
The BAT is easy to learn and use. Letters, numbers, commands and macros are simple key
combinations, “chords,” that you can master in no time. Best of all the
BAT’s unique ergonomic design reduces hand strain and fatigue for greater comfort and
productivity.
The BAT is the ultimate typing solution for persons with physical or visual impairments
and is proven to increase productivity when used with graphic or desktop publishing
software.
The BAT Personal Keyboard is a fully functioning keyboard for one hand. It’s
innovative, compact design is ideal for individuals with physical or visual impairments.
The keyboard’s small size allows user’s to easily port the BAT from home to work
or school as well as place the keyboard in the most comfortable position to meet their
needs. To enhance speed and efficiency ChordEasyŽ software, a word expansion and macro
program, is included with the BAT turning it into a customizable keyboard.
An input system called "chording" is used to type on the BAT. Similar to
Braille combinations of keys are pressed simultaneously. The BAT has seven keys, four for
the fingers and three for the thumb. The center thumb key is used in combination with the
four finger keys to type "space" and "a" through "z". The
two outer thumb keys are used for special keys like "Alt", "Shift" and
cursor movement. "Sticky" or "latching" keys are used to enter
multiple key sequences, i.e. Alt F to open a file.
The BAT is a keyboard, it is not a mouse. However, all cursor movements can be achieved
and with Windows ’95 and System 7 for Macintosh users can turn the keypad into a
mouse. If a pointing device is desired, most users mount a portable Glidepoint touchpad
(available from Infogrip) just above the thumb keys or place a trackball or mouse on the
low side of the BAT, thereby minimizing hand movement.
Users can do anything on the BAT keyboard that they would with an extended keyboard and
more. Included with the BAT is ChordEasy software. ChordEasy enhances users productivity,
by giving them a customized short hand or Quickkeys type feature. Abbreviation expansions
and macros turn long words, phrases or key sequences of up to 250 characters into two
strokes. ChordEasy also allows the users to lock the BAT in Macro Mode, requiring only one
stroke to be entered, transforming it into a fully customizable keyboard.
TYPES OF USERS
Physical Disabilities
- Amputation of a hand or arm
- Congenital absence or malformation of a hand or arm
- Physical injury or nerve damage to a hand or arm
- Limited range of motion from a physical injury
- Congenital condition
- Head injury resulting in hemiplegia (paralysis on one side only)
- Cerebral Palsy
- Muscular Sclerosis
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Stroke
- Visually Impaired
- Total Blindness
PHYSICAL DISABILITIES
The BAT is an excellent keyboard for people who have good use of only one hand or
limited range of motion. Users need to have fairly good control of finger movements on the
functional hand; however, the BAT keyboard is forgiving and key action can easily be
adjusted to meet an individuals needs.
There is conclusive evidence that the lateral movements required to type on an extended
keyboard causes Repetitive Stress Injuries in two handed users. Typing one handed on an
extended keyboard is not only slow, it can increase the physical stress put on the hand,
wrist and arm. One handed keyboard layouts only minimally cut down the distance needed to
travel; the user still has to access 101 individual keys. The key distance the one hand
user has to travel on an extended keyboard is double or triple what a two hand user has to
cover.
The BAT is a third of the size of an extended keyboard. There is no key distance to
travel on the BAT because all of the keys are under the fingers. The physical design is
superior for one handed users; the keys are a light tension spring, the keyboard is
naturally sloped and has a built in hand rest to encourage proper hand placement and is so
small and light weight that it can be placed in the most comfortable and healthy position
for the user. Additionally, ChordEasy can be used to customize the BAT, turning long key
commands, phrases or words into two stroke entries again minimizing hand movement and
increasing speed.
VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS
Individuals with visual impairments often have difficulty learning and using an
extended keyboard. Locating the keys is frustrating and time consuming especially with a
mouse or other input device added to the equation. Physical stress on the back, neck and
eyes can also result from individuals with severe visual impairments hunching over the
keyboard and back again to the monitor to visually confirm where their fingers are and
what they are doing.
All the keys are right under the users hand with the BAT. Location is not an issue. The
user can quickly and easily locate the home row. This eliminates any need to look at the
keyboard and allows the user to stay focused on the monitor as well as easily use a mouse
with the free hand.
TOTAL BLINDNESS
Like those with visual impairment many blind individuals encounter problems with
correctly locating their fingers on an extended keyboard. Locating the home row can be
frustrating and time consuming. Incorrect positioning can result in errors.
Since the BAT keyboard only has seven keys, finger location is not a problem. The user
can easily feel the home row. This saves time usually spent to properly position the hands
on an extended keyboard and decreases the number of errors from incorrect location.
ChordEasy’s extensive macro and word expansion capabilities are also a great tool.
These functions can help cut down on errors and increase efficiency by turning frequently
used command sequences, phrases or long words into two stoke entries. In addition to the
easy location and time saving aspects, the BAT keyboard frees the other hand to access
Braille text or a keypad to navigate a screen reader.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Ability to access the entire extended keyboard with only one hand
- Very little hand and arm movement required to type
- Ergonomically designed to position the hand in the most comfortable position
- Easy to use -
IBM Compatible - Just plug and play, easily connected through
the keyboard port, no driver required
Macintosh Compatible - connects through the ADB port and requires a small
software driver (98k) be installed
Daisy chainable - Both IBM and Macintosh compatible versions allow for
an extended keyboard to be plugged directly into the BAT and used simultaneously allowing
other users to access the computer
Compact and light weight - The small size allows for easy placement in
any position; i.e. desk top, lap, or mounted on a wheel chair
Easy to learn - The learning curve has been shown to be shorter than
that of the QWERTY (extended) keyboard. The chord design was based on research which
considered a frequency of use character index, the biomechanical action required to chord,
and the cognitive process required to remember the chord combination.
Learning time - Within only a couple of hours of training users are
familiar with the idea or feeling of what it is like to chord and have the letters,
numbers and basic punctuation memorized. After only 20 to 30 hours users are up to speed,
typing anywhere from 30 to 50 words per minute.
Customizable - Extensive macro and word expansion capability with
ChordEasy software allows keyboard customization for individuals special needs.
Link to NanoPac, Inc.
Link to
Infogrip, Inc.
Content and design copyright by NanoPac, Inc. 1998 -
2002
We accept VISA, MC, AMX, Discover,
approved purchase orders and checks.
Sales - 1-800-580-6086
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