Dynamic Keyboard Layout Adaptation for Finger Morphology

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional physical and virtual keyboards lack customization to accommodate varying hand morphologies and vision capabilities, particularly in users with different hand sizes and orientations, and fail to adequately accommodate limited display spaces and visually impaired users.

Innovation Solution

A customizable keyboard layout is generated based on detected finger positions on a display surface, dynamically adjusting key sizes and positions to accommodate individual hand morphologies and typing techniques, including those of visually impaired users, using sensing units and rendering units to render the customized layout.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional fixed-size grid keys are used, then keyboard layout is simple and standardized, but it fails to accommodate varying hand morphologies and vision capabilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of varying hand morphologiesVSAvoidkeyboard layout customization

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The keyboard layout transitions from a static fixed grid to a dynamic configuration that automatically adjusts key positions and sizes based on detected finger placement patterns. The system continuously adapts the virtual keyboard layout to match the user's hand morphology and typing technique, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity through automated dynamic reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameters of key positions, sizes, and spacing based on detected finger contact points. By varying these parameters according to user-specific hand characteristics, the keyboard achieves customization without requiring manual configuration, thus improving adaptability while managing complexity through automated parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If uniform key sizes are used, then manufacturing and rendering is simplified, but it creates difficulties for users with different hand sizes and orientations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetyping comfort for diverse usersVSAvoidkey size and position adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of uniform key sizes, the system applies local quality by customizing key dimensions and spacing according to the specific region where each user's fingers naturally rest. Each key's size and position are locally optimized based on detected finger contact points, improving typing comfort while the automation manages the complexity of individualized adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by detecting finger placement patterns and pre-configuring the optimal keyboard layout before actual typing begins. This automated preliminary configuration eliminates the need for manual setup and ensures the keyboard is already optimized for the user's hand morphology, improving ease of operation without adding user-facing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If fixed position keys are used, then keyboard layout is consistent and easy to learn, but it fails to accommodate different hand orientations and positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of hand orientationsVSAvoiddynamic layout generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The keyboard layout becomes dynamic, automatically reconfiguring key positions to match the user's hand orientation and finger placement. The system detects the spatial arrangement of fingers and generates a corresponding keyboard layout that adapts to different hand orientations, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity through automated dynamic adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Area of stationary object

If conventional virtual keyboards are used on devices with limited display space, then device portability is maintained, but key sizes become too small for comfortable typing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay space utilizationVSAvoidtyping accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by expanding key sizes in the specific regions where user fingers contact the display, while maintaining compact overall layout. Keys are locally enlarged based on detected finger contact points, improving typing accuracy on limited display space without requiring the entire keyboard to occupy excessive area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9557823B1Keyboard customization according to finger positions

Publication Date: 2017.01.31 AMAZON TECH INC

AI summary

Systems, devices, and techniques are provided for customization of a layout of keys based at least on position of a finger of an end-user of user equipment. The customization can be implemented dynamically in response to changes in actions associated with interaction between end-users and the user equipment. A customized layout of keys of a keyboard layout associated with the user equipment can be leveraged for implementation of a typing technique.