Nested Keypad Input for Wearable Touchscreens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable computing devices face challenges in efficient and accurate character input due to limited screen size and varying physical forms, which complicates the display and use of character keypads.
Innovation Solution
A character input device and method that provides a first keypad with a touch screen, allowing the creation of a second virtual keypad for simultaneous character input, incorporating word recognition and suffix addition, reducing finger movement and improving input accuracy by combining character codes from both keypads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a touch screen is used for character input in wearable devices, then the device can be made smaller and more flexible, but the character input efficiency and accuracy deteriorate due to limited screen size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested keypad structure where a second keypad is displayed within the area of the first keypad on the touch screen. When a user touches a key on the first keypad, a second keypad appears overlaid on top, allowing additional character input options without requiring extra physical space. This nesting approach enables multiple input layers within a compact form factor, directly addressing the contradiction between small device size and character input efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimensional keypad layout to a multi-dimensional input system by introducing a temporal and spatial layering of keypads. The second keypad is dynamically superimposed on the first keypad, creating a layered input structure where users can access characters from both keypads sequentially. This dimensional expansion allows more characters to be input within the limited screen area, improving productivity without increasing the device volume.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a touch screen is used for character input, then the device becomes more versatile and adaptable, but the accuracy of character key touch deteriorates due to limited key size
Solution Approach 1:
The nested keypad structure allows the second keypad to be displayed within the first keypad's touch area, effectively doubling the available key coverage without increasing the physical footprint. This nesting enables users to access a larger character set while maintaining the same touch area, thereby improving accuracy by reducing the relative size of each key and minimizing the risk of missed touches or incorrect activations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the keypad structure by displaying the second keypad as a graphical representation on the touch screen. This virtual copy allows users to interact with additional keys that would otherwise be physically unavailable on the compact device. The copied keypad structure provides familiar key layouts and spacing, maintaining touch accuracy while expanding the character input capabilities.
3Productivity
If multiple keypads are provided to improve character input efficiency, then the number of characters that can be input increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic keypad system where the second keypad is not permanently displayed but is instead dynamically created and superimposed on the first keypad only when needed. When a user touches a key on the first keypad, the system dynamically generates and displays the second keypad in the same touch area. This dynamic approach allows multiple keypads to function simultaneously without permanently increasing the visual complexity or requiring additional hardware, thus improving productivity while controlling device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the character input function into two separate keypad structures that operate sequentially. The first keypad handles initial character selection, and upon touching a key, the second keypad is invoked to provide additional character options. This segmentation allows the system to manage complexity by processing input in discrete stages rather than requiring all possible characters to be available simultaneously on a single keypad, thereby improving efficiency while controlling the perceived and actual complexity of the device.
Data Source
AI summary
Character input device includes touch screen; word dictionary database; first keypad information database for storing information on first keypad; second keypad information database for storing information on second keypad; first keypad creation unit for displaying the first keypad; first key touch recognition unit for acquiring character code corresponding to value of the first key from the first keypad information database and invoking second keypad creation unit; the second keypad creation unit for creating and displaying the second keypad on the first keypad; second keypad touch recognition unit for acquiring character code corresponding to touch movement from the second keypad information database; input character string creation unit for creating one or more input character strings by combining the character code of the first key with the character codes acquired by the second keypad touch recognition unit; and word recognition processing unit for extracting and displaying character strings of a completed word.