Dynamic Keypad Character Mapping for Compact Mobile Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile telephonic devices face a challenge in providing access to a full set of keys due to their compact form factor, which limits the available real estate for keypads, necessitating a dynamic mapping solution to accommodate a larger set of keys.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that dynamically map a full keypad layout onto a set of programmable keys on a keypad, allowing for the association of multiple characters with a single key and switching between character sets based on navigation inputs, utilizing a navigation system and a mapping module to manage the keyboard layout segments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a full QWERTY keyboard layout is provided, then character input capability is improved, but device form factor and available real estate increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic remapping of the keypad layout. The mapping between physical keys and keyboard characters is not fixed but can be changed based on navigation inputs. The system divides the keyboard into segments and can switch between different segment mappings, allowing a compact keypad to access a full QWERTY layout dynamically.
Solution Approach 2:
The keyboard layout is divided into multiple segments that can be independently mapped to the keypad. The system can select different segments for different input modes or navigation states, allowing efficient use of limited keypad keys while providing access to the full character set.
2Volume of moving object
If a compact keypad is used, then device form factor is improved, but key availability and input capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Each key on the compact keypad is designed to be multi-functional through dynamic remapping. A single physical key can represent different keyboard characters depending on the current mapping configuration, which is changed by navigation inputs. This allows the limited number of physical keys to provide access to a larger set of characters.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic mapping is implemented, then key availability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mapping module as an intermediary component that manages the relationship between physical keys and keyboard characters. This module handles the complexity of dynamic remapping by maintaining mapping tables and processing navigation inputs to update the character-to-key association, shielding the user from the underlying system complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple characters are associated with a key, then key availability is improved, but input accuracy and disambiguation difficulty worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes which characters are associated with which keys based on navigation inputs. At any given time, a key maps to a specific character or set of characters, but this mapping can be changed by pressing navigation keys. This dynamic reconfiguration allows multiple characters to be accessible while maintaining input accuracy through context-aware mapping.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a system and method of mapping a layout of a keyboard onto a keypad in an electronic device. The method comprising steps of: providing a definition of a map of a keyboard layout as a collection of segments of the keyboard layout; associating a set of characters in one segment of the segments to programmable keys in the keypad; and selectively associating the programmable keys with another set of characters in another segment of the segments based on a signal received from a navigation system. The system is embodied in an electronic device, including a wireless device.