Character Input Device Guide Image Timing Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing character input methods using remote controllers for audio-visual equipment are unclear about the timing of character confirmation, leading to unintended selections, especially for users unaccustomed to the automatic confirmation process.
Innovation Solution
A character input device and method that employs a guide image or sound whose mode varies with the remaining time until input confirmation, providing visual or auditory cues to the user about the confirmation status, thereby preventing unintended key presses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automatic confirmation is implemented without visual or auditory cues, then key manipulation for confirmation is unnecessary and input efficiency is improved, but users unaccustomed to the method cannot predict confirmation timing and may select wrong characters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes to the display to indicate confirmation status. The display shows different colors or color intensities to represent different states (e.g., candidate character selection vs. confirmed character), providing intuitive visual feedback to users about the current input state and predicted confirmation timing without requiring additional keys or complex interactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by providing visual and auditory cues that inform users about the current input state and predicted confirmation timing. The system continuously updates the display and may provide sound signals to keep users informed about the automatic confirmation process, allowing them to understand when a character will be confirmed and adjust their input accordingly.
2Device complexity
If multiple characters are assigned to each numeric key, then the number of keys is reduced and device simplicity is improved, but the complexity of character selection increases and users may press the wrong key
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by displaying multiple candidate characters in advance on the screen when a numeric key is pressed. Instead of requiring users to remember which character corresponds to which key press sequence, the system proactively presents all available character options visually, allowing users to see the full set of candidates before making their selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses color changes to differentiate between candidate characters and confirmed characters, and to indicate the current selection state. Different colors or color intensities help users quickly understand which character is currently selected versus which are available alternatives, reducing the cognitive load of character selection.
Data Source
AI summary
A character input device includes: a terminal control unit that accepts information on a character candidate being a candidate of an input confirmed character, and performs a displaying process of the character candidate, and generates a guide image whose image varies in accordance with a remaining time until an input confirmation of the character candidate; and a display unit that displays the character candidate and the guide image. By displaying the guide image that varies in accordance with the remaining time before the input character is confirmed, how long it takes until the character is confirmed, or whether the character has already been confirmed is reported to the user, so as to avoid an unintended manipulation of the user.