Doubletriple Keyboard System for Visually Impaired Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices with small keyboards pose challenges for visually impaired or dexterity-challenged users to enter text effectively due to small key sizes, and existing software-based keyboards lack sufficient enhancements to support these users.
Innovation Solution
The Doubletriple Keyboard System (DKS) presents a multi-level keyboard layout with larger keys, sound association, color differentiation, and haptic feedback, allowing users to type by tapping on sequential levels, with dynamic prediction of intended words based on previous inputs, adaptable to both mobile and non-mobile devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional keyboards are used on mobile devices, then device compactness is maintained, but typing accuracy and ease of operation deteriorate for visually impaired users
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard is divided into multiple levels or layers, with each level containing a subset of keys. Users navigate through levels sequentially to reach the desired key, effectively segmenting the full keyboard layout into manageable portions that can be displayed at larger sizes on mobile devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to keyboard navigation by implementing multi-level key access. Instead of displaying all keys simultaneously in a 2D grid, keys are organized across multiple levels that users access sequentially, transforming the spatial layout problem into a temporal navigation sequence that allows larger individual key sizes
2Ease of operation
If all keys are displayed on a single level, then navigation simplicity is maintained, but the number of keys per key increases making selection difficult for visually impaired users
Solution Approach 1:
The complete set of keyboard keys is segmented across multiple levels, with each level displaying only a subset of keys. This segmentation reduces the cognitive and visual load on users by presenting fewer keys at any given time, while still providing access to the full keyboard functionality through sequential level navigation
Solution Approach 2:
The keyboard display is made dynamic by allowing users to navigate through multiple levels. The visible key set changes based on the current level, adapting the displayed quantity of keys to match user needs and visual capabilities, rather than statically displaying all keys simultaneously
3Ease of operation
If key size is increased to assist visually impaired users, then typing accuracy improves, but the overall keyboard area increases making it unsuitable for mobile devices
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the keyboard into multiple levels, each level can display fewer keys at larger sizes without requiring increased overall keyboard area. The segmentation allows the same physical space to serve multiple key sets across different levels, maintaining compact mobile device compatibility while providing larger individual key sizes for improved typing accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a level dimension to the keyboard layout, allowing keys to be distributed across multiple vertical levels rather than expanding horizontally. This dimensional change enables larger key sizes within the constrained mobile device footprint by utilizing the vertical space and temporal navigation rather than increasing overall keyboard area
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional keyboard layouts are used, then compatibility with existing systems is maintained, but usability for visually impaired or dexterity-challenged users deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard system is made dynamic and adaptable to different user needs through configurable parameters such as key distribution across levels, keys per level, and navigation preferences. This dynamic adaptability allows the keyboard to be customized for visually impaired users, dexterity-challenged users, or different language layouts, improving both accessibility and typing efficiency simultaneously
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and techniques for keyboards for improving user keyboard input for the visually impaired are provided. Example embodiments provide a Doubletriple Keyboard System (“DKS”), which enables visually impaired users to type text by providing large or extra-large keys, and enhanced feedback mechanisms to assist in reducing user input errors. For example, the DKS provides specific sound and/or specific color for each key to assist the visually impaired when selecting a key.