Segmented Matrix Character Input Device Layout

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current character input devices, such as QWERTY keyboards, lack intuitive character arrangement, leading to increased typing errors and reduced input speed due to the irregular distribution of characters and the need for multiple keystrokes to input a single character.

Innovation Solution

A character input device is divided into character group regions and individual character regions, allowing characters to be input by pressing a key once without repeated pressing or shifting, using a matrix arrangement that facilitates intuitive recognition and minimizes interference between adjacent characters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If characters are arranged in a limited space on a QWERTY keyboard, then the character input device can be compact, but typing errors increase and input speed decreases due to irregular character distribution and adjacent key interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharacter input device sizeVSAvoidtyping accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The character input device is segmented into distinct character groups (e.g., vowels, consonants, special characters) arranged in separate regions. Each character group is further divided into individual character positions, creating a structured matrix layout that separates adjacent characters physically and visually, reducing key press interference and typing errors while maintaining compact form factor

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Characters are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix structure with rows and columns, transitioning from traditional linear keyboard layouts. This dimensional reorganization allows optimal spatial distribution of characters, reducing adjacent key interference while maintaining compact device size, and enabling intuitive character location through systematic positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of moving object

If multiple characters are arranged in one character button to widen area, then character area increases, but input efficiency decreases due to repeated pressing and additional key operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharacter button areaVSAvoidcharacter input efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of consolidating multiple characters into single buttons, the invention segments the input device into multiple individual character buttons arranged in groups. Each character occupies its own dedicated button position within a compact matrix, eliminating the need for repeated pressing or shift key operations while maintaining adequate button area for comfortable input

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the fundamental parameter of character-to-button mapping from many-to-one (multiple characters per button) to one-to-one (one character per button). This parameter transformation, combined with optimized spatial arrangement in character groups, increases input efficiency by eliminating additional key operations while maintaining reasonable button size through improved space utilization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Volume of moving object

If characters are arranged irregularly to fit limited space, then device compactness is achieved, but learning time increases and character location becomes non-intuitive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharacter input device sizeVSAvoidlearning time

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Characters are segmented into logical groups (vowels, consonants, special characters) arranged in distinct regions of the keyboard. Within each region, characters are positioned in intuitive sequences (alphabetical, phonetic, or frequency-based), creating a structured layout that reduces learning time while maintaining compact device size through efficient spatial organization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from irregular one-dimensional or scattered two-dimensional arrangements to a systematic two-dimensional matrix structure with defined rows and columns. This dimensional organization creates predictable character positions that are easier to learn and locate, reducing learning time while achieving compact form factor through optimized spatial distribution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11467727B2Character input device

Publication Date: 2022.10.11 DAESAN BIOTECH KR KR

AI summary

Disclosed is a character input device. The character input device includes a character input unit 10 for inputting a character or a symbol, a display unit 20 for displaying on a display the character or symbol input via the character input unit, a storage unit 40 for storing data input via the character input unit and information or data related to character input, and a control unit 30 for controlling the character input unit, the display unit, and the storage unit, in which the character input unit is divided into one or more character group region 200 to form a language input unit 11, a miscellaneous input unit 12, and an auxiliary input unit 13, the character group regions are divided into one or more individual character regions 210 in which the character or the symbol is arranged to input characters for each language displayed in the language input unit by pressing a key once as it is.