Computer Keyboard Telephone Keypad Layout for One-Hand T9 Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computer keyboards lack a telephone keypad arrangement that conforms to user habits, making it difficult to implement the one-hand T9 input method and affecting human-computer interaction efficiency and user experience, especially when making Internet calls or controlling smart televisions.
Innovation Solution
Integrating a telephone keypad into the computer keyboard by creating an inner nine-grid numeric key area and mapping the telephone keypad keys (123 456 789 *0 #) to this area, allowing for a vertical arrangement that mimics the telephone keypad layout and is switchable via the 'Tel' key.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the computer keyboard uses a traditional 3*3 numeric keypad with calculator arrangement (789 456 123), then the numeric keypad can perform mathematical operations, but it cannot conform to telephone keypad usage habits and implement one-hand T9 input method
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the telephone keypad layout (123 456 789 *0 #) with the computer keyboard's numeric key area by creating an inner nine-grid numeric key area that is superimposed on the main keyboard. This combination allows the keyboard to simultaneously support both traditional numeric input and telephone keypad functions including T9 input method
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by placing an inner nine-grid numeric key area within the main keyboard area. The inner numeric key area is positioned such that it overlaps with existing letter keys, allowing the same physical space to serve dual purposes - letter input and telephone keypad input - thereby integrating telephone functionality without adding extra keys
2Ease of operation
If the computer keyboard integrates an inner nine-grid numeric key area for telephone keypad functionality, then one-hand T9 input method becomes possible, but the keyboard layout complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the inner nine-grid numeric key area with the main keyboard's letter keys, allowing the same key area to serve both alphabetic and numeric/telephone functions. This merging approach enables one-hand T9 input without requiring separate dedicated keys for each function, thus avoiding excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The inner numeric key area keys are designed to serve multiple functions: they can be used for letter input when NumLock is off, numeric input when NumLock is on, and telephone keypad input when the Tel key is activated. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional keys while providing diverse input capabilities
3Area of stationary object
If the numeric keypad uses oblique arrangement superimposed on letter keys U I O J K L, then space is saved, but usability and user experience deteriorate due to non-conformance with usage habits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the inner nine-grid numeric key area within the main keyboard by positioning it to overlap with the obliquely arranged letter keys U I O J K L. This nesting saves physical space while the software layer provides telephone keypad mapping that conforms to standard telephone layout habits, resolving the conflict between space utilization and usability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the standard telephone keypad layout (123 456 789 *0 #) that is mapped to the inner nine-grid numeric key area. This virtual mapping allows users to access the familiar telephone keypad arrangement through the obliquely positioned physical keys, maintaining standard usage habits while utilizing compact keyboard space
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a computer keyboard with a telephone keypad, and an electronic equipment, which relate to the technical field of computer peripherals and human-computer interaction. A main keyboard of the computer keyboard includes a nine-grid numeric key area; the telephone keypad is mapped to the nine-grid numeric key area, and is switched by a key Tel; a numeric keypad is also superposed and multiplexed in the inner nine-grid numeric key area, adopts an arrangement of 123 456 789, and is switched by a key NumLock; and further a scientific calculator is integrated with the computer keyboard. The computer keyboard is not only convenient for making a call, but also can achieve one-hand operation of a T9 input method, and can be used as a scientific calculator of windows 10.