Variable Display Keyboard for Mobile Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional mobile device keypads are inadequate for new smart mobile devices due to small key sizes, leading to inefficient textual input, limited functionality, and increased time for message writing, with existing solutions like tilting devices compromising image resolution or comfort.
Innovation Solution
A variably displayable keyboard that can toggle between different modes, such as alphabetic, numeric, and game functions, using interlaced images and filters or orthogonal holograms, allowing for adjustable key surface area and comfortable viewing without increasing device size or weight, with low power consumption and stylish design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If keys are made smaller to fit more functions, then device size is reduced, but input efficiency and character visibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard display dynamically changes its configuration based on the selected mode (alphabetic, numeric, or game functions). The same physical key area can display different sets of characters or functions, allowing the keyboard to adapt its layout to provide optimal input efficiency for different purposes while maintaining a compact device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The keyboard utilizes variable display parameters to show different character sets on the same key surface. By changing the displayed parameter (alphabetic vs. numeric vs. game functions), the keyboard provides multiple functions without requiring additional physical keys, thus maintaining small device size while improving input efficiency for different tasks.
2Volume of moving object
If multiple character sets are displayed on each key, then device size is reduced, but input time increases due to multiple clicking operations
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard allows dynamic switching between different display modes (alphabetic, numeric, game functions) so that users can select the mode that matches their current input needs. This eliminates the need for multiple clicking operations to access different character sets, as the entire keyboard can be switched to the appropriate mode in one action, thereby reducing input time while maintaining compact size.
Solution Approach 2:
Each key on the keyboard is designed to be multi-functional, displaying different character sets or functions depending on the selected mode. This universality allows a single key to serve multiple purposes (alphabetic input, numeric input, or game functions) without requiring separate physical keys, thus reducing the number of clicking operations needed and improving input efficiency.
3Productivity
If keys are made larger to improve character visibility, then input efficiency improves, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard display can dynamically adjust its configuration to provide larger, more visible characters when needed. By switching to alphabetic mode, for example, the display can show larger characters that are easier to see and select, while still fitting within the same physical key area. This dynamic adaptation allows improved input efficiency and character visibility without increasing device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The keyboard utilizes the display dimension to provide larger character sizes without increasing physical key size. By using the screen's capability to render different sizes and styles of characters, the keyboard can improve character visibility and input efficiency in the visual dimension while maintaining the same physical footprint.
4Adaptability or versatility
If tilting the device is used to vary keyboard display, then different key arrangements are possible, but image resolution and viewing comfort are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical tilting system with an electronic display switching system. Instead of physically tilting the device to change keyboard arrangements, the system uses software-controlled display modes that can switch between different key arrangements (alphabetic, numeric, game functions) instantly without any mechanical movement. This eliminates the compromise between adaptability and image resolution, as the display can provide high-resolution images in all modes without requiring physical orientation changes.
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 keyboard provides efficient and comfortable input by optimizing key surface area, improving resolution and viewing comfort, and reducing input time, while maintaining low power consumption and stylish design, enhancing the functionality of mobile devices without adding size or weight.
Implementation Method 1
filter means transparent to ambient light for filtering one or more groups of basic images so that a single group of basic images will be displayed
Implementation Method 2
touch screen means transparent to ambient light for selecting a key of said displayed single group of basic images
Data Source
AI summary
A variably displayable mobile device keyboard includes a display for presenting two or more groups of basic images, such that a different keyboard display can be generated by each of these groups of basic images, a filter for filtering one or more groups of basic images so that a single group of basic images will be displayed; and a touch screen transparent to ambient light for selecting a key of the displayed single group of basic images.