Paired Keypad Layout With Single-Dome Tactile Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld electronic devices face usability challenges as their form factor decreases and functionality increases, with existing solutions either confusing tactile feedback from multiple key presses or requiring cumbersome multiple hand movements for additional functions.
Innovation Solution
Organizing keys in pairs with a primary collapsible dome conductor for tactile feedback and a secondary conductor for consistent feedback, allowing each key pair to connect electrical contacts and provide enhanced usability in a reduced size format.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple keys are pressed simultaneously to provide additional functions, then the number of functions increases, but the tactile feedback becomes confusing and undesirable
Solution Approach 1:
The keyset is segmented into multiple independently actuable keys, each with its own dome conductor. This allows individual key actuation to be clearly distinguished tactilely while still enabling multiple functions through different key combinations and press durations
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically responds to different key press patterns (single press, simultaneous press, hold duration) to provide different functions. The processor distinguishes between brief presses and extended presses, and between simultaneous and sequential key acts, enabling versatile functionality while maintaining clear tactile feedback for each input type
2Ease of operation
If the number of keys is decreased to simplify operation, then the device becomes more user-friendly, but multiple hand movements are required to access various functions
Solution Approach 1:
Each key is designed to serve multiple functions through different actuation methods. A single key can trigger different operations based on whether it is pressed alone or simultaneously with other keys, and based on the duration of the press. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated keys for each function, reducing the total key count while maintaining comprehensive functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for multiple functions by designing keys that can be actuated in various ways (single press, simultaneous press with other keys, hold for extended duration). This preliminary design of multi-mode key actuation allows users to access different functions without needing to physically move to different keys or locations on the device
3Volume of moving object
If the form factor is reduced to improve portability, then the device can be more conveniently transported, but the device becomes awkward and difficult to use
Solution Approach 1:
Adjacent keys are merged into functional groups that can be actuated simultaneously to trigger specific functions. This merging approach allows multiple functions to be accessed within a compact key layout, fitting more functionality into a smaller form factor without requiring larger spacing between keys
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds temporal and combinatorial dimensions to key actuation. Instead of requiring more physical keys in spatial dimensions, the system uses time (duration of press) and combination (simultaneous pressing of multiple keys) to expand functionality within the constrained spatial dimensions of a compact form factor
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances usability and reduces device size by providing consistent tactile feedback and enabling efficient input modes, allowing for rapid entry of linguistic elements with either key of a pair, maintaining user friendliness while minimizing hand movements.
Implementation Method 1
The primary conductor is a dome that is collapsible to electrically connect the pair of contacts and to provide a particular tactile feedback to the user
Data Source
AI summary
An improved handheld electronic device, keypad, and method in accordance with the invention meet these and other needs. An improved handheld electronic device having an improved keypad provides enhanced usability and reduced size by organizing its keys in pairs, with a pair of keys being disposed on a support. Each key of a pair of keys is individually actuatable. An actuation of a key causes a primary conductor associated with the key set to electrically to connect a pair of contacts and to cause a secondary conductor associated with the key to electrically connect another pair of contacts. The primary conductor is a dome that is collapsible to electrically connect the pair of contacts and to provide a particular tactile feedback to the user. The secondary conductor is a conductor other than a collapsible dome. An actuation of any key or of any pair of keys thus provides to the user a consistent tactile feedback from a collapse of a single dome. An improved method in accordance with the invention is also disclosed.