Virtual Keypad Ring Layout for Fast Text Input in Tight Spaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input devices for telephones and mobile devices face challenges in being space-efficient, intuitive, and convenient due to limitations in size, often resulting in bulkiness, miniaturization, or inconvenience, especially in applications where limited space is a constraint.
Innovation Solution
A compact input device utilizing a pressure-sensitive touch pad with defined spatial regions that interpret user motions to represent different attributes, allowing for efficient text input and symbol creation, incorporating dual-tone-multi-frequency and pulse dialing subsystems, and a heads-up display for visual aid, without the need for miniaturized components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an extra alphanumeric keyboard with QWERTY layout is added to the standard 12-key telephone keypad, then text input capability is improved, but device bulkiness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the standard 12-key telephone keypad with an alphanumeric keyboard into a single integrated unit. The alphanumeric keys are arranged in a compact layout that shares space with the numeric keys, allowing both dialing and text input functions to be performed on one device without requiring separate keyboards or external units.
Solution Approach 2:
The input device is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a standard 12-key telephone keypad for dialing and a full alphanumeric keyboard for text input. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate devices or external units, reducing overall bulk while maintaining versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cluster key arrangement with secondary buttons is used, then character input capability is improved, but button size is reduced requiring miniaturization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the alphanumeric characters into groups associated with each numeric key. Each numeric key is divided into multiple selectable portions or states, where each portion corresponds to a specific character or set of characters. This segmentation allows multiple characters to be accessed from a single key without requiring additional physical buttons.
Solution Approach 2:
The keys incorporate dynamic selection mechanisms where the character associated with a key can change based on selection state. Users can cycle through multiple characters assigned to a single key by pressing the key multiple times or using combination presses, allowing the key's function to dynamically adapt rather than being fixed to a single character.
3Adaptability or versatility
If miniature keyboard with full-sized layout is used, then character input capability is improved, but key size is reduced making it impractical to use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different characteristics to different regions of the keyboard. Each numeric key is designed with specific local properties including assigned character groups, selection mechanisms, and press patterns that differentiate it from other keys. This local differentiation maintains clear tactile and functional distinction between keys even in the compact layout, preserving ease of operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If three additional characters are assigned to numeric keys, then character input capability is improved, but input time increases due to repeated key pressing
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-assigns groups of characters to each numeric key, and users can cycle through these pre-assigned characters by pressing the key multiple times or using combination presses. This preliminary organization of characters on each key allows for faster access compared to traditional methods where each character required separate key presses, as the structure anticipates common character sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a virtual representation of multiple characters on each physical key through software mapping. Instead of requiring physical duplication of keys for each character, the system creates a virtual layer where multiple character options are mapped to single physical key presses, reducing the physical actions required while maintaining full character access.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables faster, more intuitive text input and symbol creation within the limited space of a standard 12-key telephone keypad, functioning in various modes while maintaining a compact design, free from the drawbacks of bulkiness and miniaturization.
Implementation Method 1
A pressure sensitive touch pad, and a layout of center and perimeter regions
Data Source
AI summary
A compact input device for fast text input. Ten perimeter regions are defined in a decagon shaped ring on a touch pad, and nine more center regions arranged in a 3 by 3 matrix are defined at the center of the perimeter regions. In alphanumeric mode, each of the ten perimeter regions represents a numeral or a character of the same order, found on a corresponding key of the ten numeric keys, 0 to 9, found on a standard 12-key telephone keypad. All perimeter regions synchronously switch to another group of characters of the same order, in accordance with the direction of a swipe on any of the perimeter regions. A tap on a perimeter region selects the character represented by the region at the moment. In addition, it is capable of operating in a standard 12-key telephone keypad mode, pointing device mode, and symbol mode.