Dynamic Calibration of Virtual Braille Keyboard on Touch Screen

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Solution Overview

Problem

Virtual Braille keyboards on touch screens face challenges in calibration and reinitialization, particularly for blind and visually impaired users who lack tactile references and may inadvertently drift off key locations during typing, and often require full recalibration even for minor adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and device for dynamically calibrating and reinitializing virtual Braille keyboards, which detects typing events and updates key locations in real-time based on touch screen contact points, allowing for continuous adjustment and reinitialization of key positions without requiring a full recalibration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a static calibration mode is used for virtual Braille keyboard, then the keyboard layout remains stable and predictable, but users cannot adapt to finger drift during typing without performing a full recalibration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetyping continuityVSAvoidrecalibration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic calibration by continuously adjusting virtual key positions based on detected touch locations during typing. The system transitions from a static calibration model to a dynamic one where key locations are updated in real-time according to user finger movements, eliminating the need for frequent full recalibrations and maintaining typing flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms by detecting touch locations during typing events and using this information to adjust key positions. The calibration process provides continuous feedback to the system about actual finger placement, which is then used to refine the virtual keyboard layout, creating a closed-loop adaptation system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If full recalibration is performed for any key position adjustment, then calibration accuracy is restored, but typing efficiency is disrupted and time is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvekey location accuracyVSAvoidtyping efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of performing complete recalibration for every adjustment need, the system applies partial calibration actions by updating only the specific key positions that require adjustment based on detected touch deviations. This partial action approach maintains sufficient accuracy while minimizing disruption to typing flow and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically determines the appropriate calibration intervention level, performing adjustments only when and where needed rather than applying uniform full recalibration across all keys. This dynamic approach preserves typing efficiency while maintaining necessary accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If virtual key positions are fixed, then the keyboard provides stable reference points, but users cannot voluntarily change finger positions without full recalibration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefinger position flexibilityVSAvoidcalibration system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the virtual keyboard layout dynamic by allowing key positions to adjust automatically during typing based on detected touch locations. This dynamic capability enables users to voluntarily change finger positions and have the system adapt accordingly, providing flexibility without requiring complex manual recalibration procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The calibration system performs self-adjustment by automatically detecting touch locations and updating key positions without requiring user intervention or complex calibration routines. The system serves itself by autonomously adapting to user needs, simplifying the interaction while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3175345B1Dynamic calibrating of a touch-screen-implemented virtual braille keyboard
Publication Date: 2021.06.23 ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL(COMPAGNIE GENERALE D OPTIQUE)
  • EP3175345B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3175345B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3175345B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A computer-implemented method for dynamically calibrating a virtual Braille keyboard implemented on a touch screen is provided. The virtual Braille keyboard includes a plurality of virtual keys each associated with a corresponding finger of a user and with a variable key location on the touch screen. The method includes detecting typing events, each involving one or more of the fingers of the user contacting the touch screen at corresponding touch locations and defining one or more active fingers for the typing event. The method also includes updating, in real-time, the variable key location of the virtual key associated with each active finger in view of the corresponding touch location detected during a current one of the typing events. A computer-implemented method for reinitializing a calibration of a virtual Braille keyboard for a single one of the two hands of a user is also provided.