Input Device Dual Soft Key Regions for Character Type Input

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing input devices require users to frequently switch between different types of soft keys to input various characters, such as English letters, numerals, and symbols, which is cumbersome and reduces operability.

Innovation Solution

An input device with two regions of soft keys, where one region displays operational elements for one type of character and the other region displays operational elements for a different type, allowing simultaneous input processing without constant key type switching, using a controller to manage the display and input processing based on a key determination table.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If soft keys are switched to display different character types (English letters, numerals, symbols), then all character types can be input, but the operation becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharacter type coverageVSAvoidinput operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The soft key display area is divided into multiple independent regions, with each region dedicated to displaying a specific character type (English letters, numerals, symbols, etc.). This segmentation allows users to access different character types by selecting different regions rather than switching the entire soft key display, thereby maintaining versatility while simplifying operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of switching character types through temporal sequence (one type at a time), the invention introduces a spatial dimension by arranging different character type soft keys in parallel regions. Users can directly select the desired character type region, transforming the operation from a sequential switching process to a parallel spatial selection process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If soft keys are switched frequently to input mixed character types (e.g., '@abc1d2e3f4'), then all characters can be input, but user efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixed character input capabilityVSAvoidinput efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The soft key display is segmented into multiple regions, each dedicated to a specific character type. When inputting mixed character types, users can directly select the appropriate region for each character type without switching the entire display, significantly improving input efficiency while maintaining full character type coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different character type soft keys are prepared in advance in separate regions. Users can directly access the pre-prepared soft keys for the needed character type without performing switching operations, eliminating the time loss associated with frequent switching during mixed character input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If a single soft key display is used for all character types, then the device structure remains simple, but frequent switching is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay structure simplicityVSAvoidkey switching frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The soft key display area is divided into multiple regions that can be independently controlled. Each region displays soft keys for a specific character type, allowing the system to maintain a relatively simple overall structure while eliminating the need for frequent switching through parallel regional display.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple soft key regions are designed with universal functionality, where each region can display different character types based on user selection. This multi-functional design allows the system to provide comprehensive character type support without requiring complex hardware changes, maintaining structural simplicity while improving operability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10095407B2Input device and computer-readable recording medium containing program executed by the input device

Publication Date: 2018.10.09 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A character input device, including: a display control section to display, in a first region, an operational-element group composed of operational elements corresponding to characters and to display, in a second region, another operational-element group composed of operational elements corresponding to characters, the characters corresponding to the respective operational-element groups displayed in the first and the second regions being different in type; a first input processing section to perform, upon detection of an operation on the first region, input processing of a character specified by the operation, among the characters to which the operational elements of the operational-element group displayed in the first region correspond; and a second input processing section to perform, upon detection of an operation on the second region, input processing of a character specified by the operation, among the characters to which the operational elements of the operational-element group displayed in the second region correspond.