Character Input Device Using Segmented Grouping for Small Screens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing character input devices for online games, such as MMORPGs, face challenges in displaying character input information on a small screen without obstructing the view of game characters and other information, especially when multiple character types are involved, as traditional software keyboards require a large area to prevent button size issues and user confusion.
Innovation Solution
A character input device that employs a selector to group characters into categories, allowing users to input characters by selecting a character group and then choosing from prioritized options within that group using directional inputs, reducing the need to display all characters simultaneously and allowing for efficient character selection without overwhelming the screen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a software keyboard is displayed on the screen to allow character input, then character input functionality is provided, but the keyboard occupies a large area and overlaps with game characters and information
Solution Approach 1:
The character input interface is segmented into multiple pages, with each page displaying only a subset of characters (e.g., one syllabary row or selected characters). Users can navigate between pages to access different character sets, thereby reducing the display area required for the keyboard while maintaining full character input capability.
2Area of stationary object
If the software keyboard is reduced to a small area to improve screen visibility, then screen visibility improves, but button size becomes too small and difficult to discriminate
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the character set across multiple pages and displaying only a limited number of characters per page, each button can be made sufficiently large and well-spaced for easy discrimination, while the overall keyboard footprint remains small.
Solution Approach 2:
A page navigation mechanism serves as an intermediary between the user and the full character set. Instead of displaying all characters simultaneously, the system provides navigation controls (such as directional buttons or scroll controls) that mediate access to different character pages, maintaining button clarity while enabling comprehensive character input.
3Adaptability or versatility
If all character types (hiragana, katakana, English, numerals) are displayed simultaneously to provide comprehensive input options, then input versatility is improved, but the keyboard area becomes too large and screen visibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different character types are segmented into separate pages or groups. For example, hiragana characters may be divided into multiple rows across different pages, while katakana, English letters, and numerals are organized on separate pages. This allows the system to provide comprehensive character type coverage while maintaining a compact display by showing only one character type per page.
Solution Approach 2:
The character display is made dynamic through page navigation. The set of visible characters changes based on user input, allowing the keyboard to adapt between displaying different character types as needed. This dynamic reconfiguration enables comprehensive character coverage without requiring all characters to be visible simultaneously.
4Area of stationary object
If the keyboard is displayed in only one syllabary row to reduce area, then display area is reduced, but it becomes difficult to input characters from other syllabary rows
Solution Approach 1:
The syllabary is segmented into multiple rows or groups that are distributed across different pages. Navigation controls allow users to switch between pages to access different syllabary rows, thereby maintaining a compact single-row display on each page while providing access to the complete syllabary across multiple pages.
Data Source
AI summary
A character input device displays character input information on a display screen with a small area and allows a user to input a desired character by a simple operation even when it is necessary to select the desired character from plural characters to input the desired characters. In a character selection area, a circle is added to a character “NA” and characters in the “NA” series are selected. A ▾ mark is added to an upper part of the circle added to the character of “NA” and a Δ mark is added to a lower part of the circle. By pressing one of an upward and a downward directions of a cross key, the characters can be selected. If the upward direction of the cross key is pressed, the character “NI” is selected and displayed, instead of the character “NA”.