ISO/IEC 15412:1999
(Main)Information technology - Portable computer keyboard layouts
Information technology - Portable computer keyboard layouts
For the purposes of this International Standard, a portable computer is defined as a computer with a screen and an attached keyboard that is capable of running on battery power for extended periods of time and is relatively easy to transport from one location to another by a single individual. This International Standard gives design guidance for product designers; this International Standard indicates those requirements and recommendations contained in ISO/IEC 9995 and ISO 9241-4:1998 that are to be considered in designing portable computers keyboards. This International Standard strives to maintain consistency, as far as practical, between keyboards for portable computers and desktop computers. To accomplish this goal, this International Standard has reviewed ISO/IEC 9995 and ISO 9241-4:1998 to identify those design features of these two base standards which are to be followed, which are exempted from this International Standard and which are permitted variations. This International Standard is intended primarily to apply to full size portable keyboards (e.g. A4). It may also apply to other keyboards outside this scope. ISO 9241-4 contains a proposed alternative method for conformance by a test based on user performance and subjective rating scales. This International Standard consists of two major categories of guidelines for portable computers: 1. Layout characteristics 2. Physical (ergonomic) characteristics
Technologies de l'information — Dispositions de clavier pour ordinateur portable
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 08-Sep-1999
- Technical Committee
- ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 35 - User interfaces
- Current Stage
- 9093 - International Standard confirmed
- Start Date
- 16-Dec-2024
- Completion Date
- 30-Oct-2025
Overview
ISO/IEC 15412:1999 - "Information technology - Portable computer keyboard layouts" provides design guidance for keyboards used on portable computers (laptops and similar devices). The standard targets full‑size portable keyboards (e.g., A4) but may also be applied to other portable keyboard formats. Its goal is to promote consistency between portable and desktop keyboards and to give product designers clear layout and physical (ergonomic) requirements to maintain usability, accessibility and user performance across environments.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and conformance
- Applies to portable computers defined as battery‑operable, easily transportable single‑user systems.
- Conformance is achieved by fulfilling all requirements in Clause 5 (Layout) and Clause 6 (Physical).
- Layout characteristics
- Alphanumeric section must follow ISO/IEC 9995‑2 conventions; qualifier keys should look distinct from graphic keys.
- Numeric section, if present, should follow ISO 9995‑4; embedded numeric pads must provide a lock function.
- Cursor control and editing keys should be logically arranged per ISO/IEC 9995‑5 despite space constraints.
- Function keys follow ISO/IEC 9995‑6 with space‑driven exceptions (e.g., Escape key may be leftmost in certain rows).
- Physical and ergonomic characteristics
- References and applies specific clauses of ISO 9241‑4 for palm rests, keytop design, key travel/force, key feedback, bounce, rollover, repeat function, legend durability and positioning.
- Some ISO 9241‑4 subclauses are exempted for portable cases (keyboard sections, home‑row height, slope adjustment, numeric keypad geometry).
- Key legend size: function/editing keys ≥ 1.2 mm; all other keys ≥ 2.6 mm.
- Informative design guidance (Annex A)
- Built‑in pointing device in addition to cursor keys; compatibility with external desktop devices.
- Escape key should be visually distinct.
- Support for external desktop keyboard connection.
- Minimize keying noise; provide non‑programmable keys for audio/screen controls.
Applications and who uses it
- Product designers and hardware engineers developing laptop and portable keyboard layouts.
- HCI and ergonomics specialists validating keyboard usability and conformance.
- QA and compliance teams testing portable systems against international ergonomic and layout norms.
- OEMs and accessory manufacturers (external keyboards, docking solutions) seeking layout compatibility.
Related standards
- ISO/IEC 9995 (Keyboard layouts for text and office systems)
- ISO 9241‑4:1998 (Ergonomic requirements for VDT keyboards)
- ISO 7000 (Graphical symbols for equipment)
Keywords: ISO/IEC 15412:1999, portable computer keyboard layouts, laptop keyboard design, keyboard ergonomics, key legend size, numeric keypad, cursor control, ISO 9241‑4, ISO/IEC 9995.
Frequently Asked Questions
ISO/IEC 15412:1999 is a standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Its full title is "Information technology - Portable computer keyboard layouts". This standard covers: For the purposes of this International Standard, a portable computer is defined as a computer with a screen and an attached keyboard that is capable of running on battery power for extended periods of time and is relatively easy to transport from one location to another by a single individual. This International Standard gives design guidance for product designers; this International Standard indicates those requirements and recommendations contained in ISO/IEC 9995 and ISO 9241-4:1998 that are to be considered in designing portable computers keyboards. This International Standard strives to maintain consistency, as far as practical, between keyboards for portable computers and desktop computers. To accomplish this goal, this International Standard has reviewed ISO/IEC 9995 and ISO 9241-4:1998 to identify those design features of these two base standards which are to be followed, which are exempted from this International Standard and which are permitted variations. This International Standard is intended primarily to apply to full size portable keyboards (e.g. A4). It may also apply to other keyboards outside this scope. ISO 9241-4 contains a proposed alternative method for conformance by a test based on user performance and subjective rating scales. This International Standard consists of two major categories of guidelines for portable computers: 1. Layout characteristics 2. Physical (ergonomic) characteristics
For the purposes of this International Standard, a portable computer is defined as a computer with a screen and an attached keyboard that is capable of running on battery power for extended periods of time and is relatively easy to transport from one location to another by a single individual. This International Standard gives design guidance for product designers; this International Standard indicates those requirements and recommendations contained in ISO/IEC 9995 and ISO 9241-4:1998 that are to be considered in designing portable computers keyboards. This International Standard strives to maintain consistency, as far as practical, between keyboards for portable computers and desktop computers. To accomplish this goal, this International Standard has reviewed ISO/IEC 9995 and ISO 9241-4:1998 to identify those design features of these two base standards which are to be followed, which are exempted from this International Standard and which are permitted variations. This International Standard is intended primarily to apply to full size portable keyboards (e.g. A4). It may also apply to other keyboards outside this scope. ISO 9241-4 contains a proposed alternative method for conformance by a test based on user performance and subjective rating scales. This International Standard consists of two major categories of guidelines for portable computers: 1. Layout characteristics 2. Physical (ergonomic) characteristics
ISO/IEC 15412:1999 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 35.180 - IT Terminal and other peripheral equipment. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
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Standards Content (Sample)
INTERNATIONAL ISO/IEC
STANDARD 15412
First edition
1999-09-15
Corrected and reprinted
2000-09-15
Information technology — Portable
computer keyboard layouts
Technologies de l'information — Dispositions de clavier pour
ordinateur portable
Reference number
bc
PDF disclaimer
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© ISO/IEC 1999
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic
or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either ISO at the address below or ISO's member body
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© ISO/IEC
Contents
1 Scope . 1
2 Conformance. 1
3 Normative references . 1
4 Definitions . 2
5 Layout requirements . 2
5.1 Alphanumeric section . 2
5.2 Numeric section. 2
5.3 Editing section. 2
5.3.1 Editing keys. 2
5.3.2 Cursor control. 3
5.4 Function section. 3
5.4.1 Escape key . 3
6 Physical requirements . 3
6.1 Key legend size. 3
Annex A (informative) Design guidelines related to keyboards for portable computers . 4
A.1 Cursor control and pointing device . 4
A.2 Escape keys. 4
A.3 Flexibility. 4
A.4 Keying noise. 4
A.5 Portable controls. 4
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© ISO/IEC
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) and IEC (the International Electrotechnical Commission)
form the specialized system for worldwide standardization. National bodies that are members of ISO or IEC
participate in the development of International Standards through technical committees established by the
respective organization to deal with particular fields of technical activity. ISO and IEC technical committees
collaborate in fields of mutual interest. Other international organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in
liaison with ISO and IEC, also take part in the work.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 3.
In the field of information technology, ISO and IEC have established a joint technical committee, ISO/IEC JTC 1.
Draft International Standards adopted by the joint technical committee are circulated to national bodies for voting.
Publication as an International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the national bodies casting a vote.
International Standard ISO/IEC 15412 was prepared by Joint Technical Committee ISO/IEC JTC 1, Information
technology, Subcommittee SC 35, User interfaces.
Annex A of this International Standard is for information only.
iv
© ISO/IEC
Introduction
The portable computer is used in a wide range of business environments. A significant number of users use a
portable computer either as their primary working computer or in association with an office desktop computer; many
users alternate between a portable and a desktop computer. For these reasons, the overall appearance and
functional layout of a portable computer keyboard (together with its ergonomic characteristics) should be such as to
allow the user to make a smooth transition between desktop and portable work environments to maintain adequate
levels of productivity and satisfaction.
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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD © ISO/IEC ISO/IEC 15412:1999(E)
Information technology — Portable computer keyboard layouts
1 Scope
For the purposes of this International Standard, a portable computer is defined as a computer with a screen and an
attached keyboard that is capable of running on battery power for extended periods of time and is relatively easy to
transport from one location to another by a single individual.
This International Standard gives design guidance for product designers; this International Standard indicates those
requirements and recommendations contained in ISO/IEC 9995 and ISO 9241-4:1998 that are to be considered in
designing porta
...
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