Offset Dual-Keypad Layout for Intuitive Mobile Text and Dialing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing keyboard arrangements for mobile communication devices often compromise ergonomics and user interface intuitiveness when combining text input and numeric keypads, with most proposals resulting in full overlap of keypads, which can make the devices less intuitive and harder to use while maintaining a compact size.

Innovation Solution

A physical keyboard design that includes a reduced QWERTY text input keypad and an offset numeric phone keypad, where the numeric keypad shares some keys with the text input keypad but is distinguishable through layout, size, shape, and auxiliary keys, allowing for better separation and identification of the two keypads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a combined text-entry keyboard and telephony keyboard are integrated on the same mobile communication device, then the device functionality is improved, but ergonomic and user interface intuitiveness deteriorate due to full overlap of keypads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidergonomic and user interface intuitiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The keyboard is segmented into two distinct arrays: a first array of keys for text input and a second array of keys for numeric phone keypad functions. This segmentation allows each array to be independently optimized for its specific function while maintaining visual and physical distinction, thereby preserving ergonomic and intuitive usability despite the integration of multiple functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The numeric keypad array is offset relative to the text input keypad array, creating a staggered or offset layout rather than a simple overlay. This dimensional arrangement allows both keypads to be accessible and distinguishable simultaneously, resolving the conflict between integrated functionality and user interface clarity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the numeric keypad is offset from the text input keypad, then differentiation between keypads is improved, but device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedifferentiation between keypadsVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The two keypads are merged into a single integrated keyboard structure where the first array of keys and second array of keys share the same physical space and housing. This merging allows the device to maintain a compact form factor while still providing distinct access to both text input and numeric keypad functions through the offset arrangement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8565419B2Keyboard arrangement and mobile communication device incorporating same

Publication Date: 2013.10.22 MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LTD

AI summary

The array of keys constituting a numeric phone keypad on a mobile communication device only partially overlaps the array of keys that make up the text input keypad creating an offset so that only subsets of the keys constituting the two keypads are common to both. With this configuration, the numeric phone keypad can be more easily distinguished from the text input keypad while still reaping the benefits of having some shared keys.