Chorded Data Entry System Finger Tap Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing chorded data entry systems require users to aim specific fingers at targets, limiting speed and ease of data entry, and fail to efficiently enter punctuation, numbers, and control commands.

Innovation Solution

A one-handed chorded data entry system that allows users to tap combinations of fingers on any surface without aiming, using a sensor apparatus and processor to decode finger combinations into characters or commands, enabling entry on arbitrary surfaces with reduced finger travel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If gesture-based systems are used to enable data entry without aiming, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to required motion trajectory

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of data entryVSAvoiddata entry speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the data entry process into discrete finger tap events rather than continuous gestures. Each finger tap is an independent, localized action that can be immediately registered, eliminating the need for trajectory-based gestures and enabling faster input while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical gesture system (requiring hand motion from start to end points) with a tap-based detection system using sensors that register finger contact events. This substitution allows immediate character recognition upon finger contact without requiring the finger to travel across the screen, thereby increasing data entry speed while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If chorded keyboards with fixed key positions are used, then character entry capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to aiming requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharacter entry capabilityVSAvoidease of data entry

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows finger taps to occur on any surface location rather than requiring precise positioning on specific keys. The sensor apparatus detects finger contact events regardless of position, and the processor interprets the combination of tapped fingers to determine the intended character. This universal tap location capability maintains full character entry capability while dramatically improving ease of operation by eliminating aiming requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional keyboards are used to provide comprehensive character sets, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharacter set coverageVSAvoidkeyboard structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the character encoding logic from the physical keyboard structure. Instead of requiring a physical key for each character, the system uses a sensor apparatus to detect finger tap combinations and a processor to decode these combinations into corresponding characters using stored mapping relationships. This extraction enables comprehensive character set coverage while maintaining a simple, minimal physical structure consisting only of the sensor surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS10955935B2Tap device with multi-tap feature for expanded character set

Publication Date: 2021.03.23 TAP SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

A method for processing user input entered via a data entry system includes the steps of receiving a signal representative of a contact of one or more fingers singly or in combination against an arbitrary surface; detecting a predetermined number of contacts within a time window; and mapping the predetermined number of contacts to a secondary character from a set of secondary characters.