Keyboard Mode Selection by Input Field Type

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional keyboards face inefficiencies due to the limited number of physical keys, requiring users to make additional keystrokes when multiple characters are mapped to a single key, which decreases input speed and increases time consumption.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an automatic keyboard mode selection method that detects the expected input type of a field and matches it with the possible inputs from the pressed key, allowing only the correct input to be entered without needing modifier keys, thereby optimizing data entry on computing devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If multiple characters are mapped to a single key, then the keyboard size and number of keys can be reduced, but the user must make additional keystrokes using modifier keys which decreases input speed and efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekeyboard sizeVSAvoiddata input speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by automatically selecting the appropriate keyboard mode (alphabetic, numeric, or symbolic) based on the detected input field type before the user enters data. This eliminates the need for users to manually press modifier keys to switch between character sets, as the system has already prepared the correct input mode in advance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The keyboard mode selection system performs self-service by automatically detecting the input field type and selecting the appropriate mode without requiring user intervention. The system monitors the active input field and autonomously switches between alphabetic, numeric, and symbolic modes, freeing the user from manual mode switching operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple characters are mapped to a single key, then the number of keys on the keyboard can be reduced, but the character selection requires additional keystrokes with modifier keys which increases time consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharacter mapping capabilityVSAvoidtime for data entry

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-configuring the appropriate keyboard mode based on the detected input field type before data entry begins. This eliminates the time-consuming process of manual mode switching during data input, as the correct character set is already active and ready for immediate use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The keyboard mode selection system performs self-service by automatically detecting the input field type and selecting the appropriate mode without requiring user intervention. The system monitors the active input field and autonomously switches between alphabetic, numeric, and symbolic modes, freeing the user from manual mode switching operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the keyboard has a one to one mapping ratio of characters to keys, then all character forms can be directly input, but the keyboard becomes unwieldy in size and number of keys

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharacter input directnessVSAvoidkeyboard size

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-configuring the appropriate keyboard mode (alphabetic, numeric, or symbolic) based on the detected input field type before the user enters data. This eliminates the need for users to manually press modifier keys to switch between character sets, as the system has already prepared the correct input mode in advance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The keyboard mode selection system performs self-service by automatically detecting the input field type and selecting the appropriate mode without requiring user intervention. The system monitors the active input field and autonomously switches between alphabetic, numeric, and symbolic modes, freeing the user from manual mode switching operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10175776B2Keyboard mode selection based on input field type

Publication Date: 2019.01.08 RED HAT INC

AI summary

An input detection module determines whether an expected input type for an input field in a user interface matches one of a plurality of possible input types associated with a received keyboard input. If the expected input type matches one of the plurality of possible input types, the input detection module enters a character having the expected input type into the input field.