Multi-tap Keyboard Auditory Feedback for Visually Impaired
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication devices with compact keyboards pose challenges for users, especially visually impaired individuals, as they struggle to perform keyboard operations without direct visual confirmation of key presses, necessitating an alternative method for accessible input.
Innovation Solution
A multi-tap keyboard user interface with auditory feedback is implemented, where groups of keys are defined as input regions, and repeated inputs cycle through associated actions, with vocalized descriptions providing feedback, allowing users to perform operations like dialing and messaging without visual confirmation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If keys are compacted together to maintain a compact mobile phone form-factor, then device portability is improved, but visual confirmation of key presses becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements auditory feedback that announces the current input region and provides feedback about key presses. This feedback mechanism compensates for the reduced visual confirmation by providing audio-based information about the current state and user input, resolving the contradiction between compact form-factor and detectability of key presses.
2Volume of moving object
If key size is reduced to maintain compact form-factor, then device portability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Auditory feedback announces which input region is currently active and provides confirmation of user input, making operation easier despite reduced key size. The feedback system guides users through the interface and confirms actions without requiring visual verification of small keys.
Solution Approach 2:
The keyboard is divided into distinct input regions with different functions (e.g., number input region, letter input region, symbol input region). This segmentation allows users to operate different functional areas with simplified gestures, improving ease of operation despite compact key dimensions.
3Measurement precision
If visual display is used for keyboard operations, then measurement precision is improved, but accessibility for visually impaired users deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides auditory feedback that announces input regions and provides feedback about user input, replacing visual feedback with audio-based information. This makes the interface accessible to visually impaired users while maintaining precise control through the structured audio feedback system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the visual display-based interaction mechanism with an auditory feedback mechanism. Instead of relying on visual confirmation of key presses, the system uses audio announcements and feedback to guide users, making the device accessible to visually impaired users while maintaining operational precision.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a multi-tap keyboard user interface with auditory feedback. In one embodiment, there is provided a method for controlling operation of a mobile device having a plurality of input devices, comprising associating groups of one or more keys of the input devices to define at least one input region and in response to an input received from said input devices, performing an associated action for operating the device, responding equally to any input from a same input region. A repeated input (multi-tap) to a same input region cycles through a plurality of actions associated with the input region. Auditory feedback comprising a vocalized description of the action is provided. The multi-tap keyboard user interface with auditory feedback may adapt a mobile device (e.g. PDA or smart phone) for use by visually impaired users.