Hybrid Keyboard with Grouped Keys and Haptic Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices face challenges with user interfaces, as physical keyboards occupy space and virtual keyboards are cumbersome, leading to typing difficulties due to small or fewer keys, which are not ergonomic.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid keyboard with smaller, grouped physical keys that use capacitive touch sensors and haptic feedback to display corresponding characters onscreen, allowing for visual and tactile feedback to improve typing ergonomics and reduce device size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a physical keyboard is provided, then typing ergonomics are improved, but device frontal space is occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard is divided into multiple groups of keys, where each group corresponds to a specific character or function. This segmentation allows the keyboard to provide tactile feedback for ergonomic typing while occupying less frontal space by organizing keys in a more compact, grouped layout rather than a traditional full-size arrangement.
2Area of stationary object
If a virtual keyboard is displayed, then device space is saved, but typing ergonomics deteriorate due to small keys
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the advantages of both physical and virtual keyboards by combining tactile physical keys with visual onscreen character display. The physical keys provide ergonomic tactile feedback, while the onscreen display shows the corresponding characters, creating a hybrid interface that improves typing ergonomics without sacrificing device space.
3Volume of moving object
If smaller keys are provided, then device size is reduced, but typing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard incorporates tactile feedback mechanisms that provide physical sensation to the user when keys are pressed. This feedback compensates for the smaller key size by giving users clear tactile confirmation of key presses, thereby reducing typing difficulty despite the reduced device size achieved through smaller keys.
4Device complexity
If fewer keys are provided, then device complexity is reduced, but ergonomic typing is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Each key in the grouped keyboard is designed to serve multiple functions or correspond to multiple characters, reducing the total number of keys needed. This multi-functionality maintains ergonomic typing capabilities by ensuring that essential characters and functions are accessible while reducing overall keyboard complexity and device size.
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
The hybrid keyboard enhances typing ergonomics and user experience by providing visual feedback and tactile confirmation, allowing for more compact device design without compromising typing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The keys may have capacitive touch sensors to detect contact or proximity of a finger or thumb for the purposes of identifying which group of characters to display onscreen.
Implementation Method 2
Haptic force feedback may also be employed to provide tactile user feedback to thus improve typing ergonomics and the overall user experience.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile device has a user interface comprising a plurality of keys arranged in a plurality of groups. A processor is operatively coupled to the user input device to receive user input from the user input device and to identify which group of keys has received the user input. A display is operatively coupled to the processor for displaying characters corresponding to the keys of the group in response to the user input. The keys may have capacitive touch sensors with haptic feedback.