Virtual Keyboard Reference Key Allocation for Eyes-Free Typing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of invisible virtual keyboards face challenges in accurately typing due to the lack of visual key representation, leading to mistakes and difficulty in maintaining the keyboard's position on the screen, especially when typing without looking.
Innovation Solution
A data processing device with a touch-sensitive member that allocates reference keys based on detected zones, using touch and pressure sensors to recognize key strokes and allow users to define the keyboard layout and position according to their preference, enabling typing without visual feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the keyboard representation is turned off to allow users to type without visual distraction, then typing efficiency is improved, but users cannot find desired keys or make mistakes by pressing wrong invisible keys
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides tactile feedback through a haptic engine that generates vibrations when keys are pressed. The haptic feedback pattern varies based on whether the pressed key is visible or invisible, providing users with sensory information about key presses without visual distraction. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining typing efficiency through invisible keyboard mode while improving reliability through differentiated haptic feedback that helps users distinguish correct from incorrect key presses.
2Measurement precision
If the keyboard representation is provided to help users locate keys, then key location accuracy is improved, but users must keep looking at the screen which reduces typing speed
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the visibility of keyboard representations based on user interaction state. The keyboard can switch between visible and invisible modes, and the haptic feedback characteristics change dynamically based on the current mode and key press patterns. This resolves the contradiction by providing visual guidance when needed (improving key location accuracy) while allowing invisible mode for faster typing, with haptic feedback ensuring accuracy in both modes.
3Ease of operation
If the keyboard is made invisible to reduce visual distraction, then visual attention is freed for content, but users forget the position of the keyboard after taking hands away
Solution Approach 1:
The haptic engine provides continuous tactile feedback that reinforces keyboard layout and position information. Different vibration patterns indicate different key zones or provide confirmation of correct key presses. This resolves the contradiction by freeing visual attention for content while preventing loss of keyboard position information through tactile reinforcement, allowing users to maintain spatial awareness of the keyboard without visual display.
4Adaptability or versatility
If reference keys are allocated to detected touch zones to allow user-defined keyboard position, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to touch zone detection and allocation logic
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects touch zones and allocates reference keys without requiring manual configuration by the user. The touch-sensitive member and processing logic automatically identify finger positions and map them to appropriate keyboard keys based on detected touch patterns. This resolves the contradiction by providing high adaptability through automatic keyboard positioning while minimizing perceived complexity, as the system performs the complex detection and allocation tasks autonomously without user intervention.
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
Enables users to input characters more accurately and efficiently by allowing the allocation of reference keys and recognition of key strokes without visual assistance, accommodating different typing methods and layouts, reducing errors and improving user experience.
Implementation Method 1
said member including at least one touch sensor for detecting touched zones on said member
Implementation Method 2
at least one pressure sensor for sensing a force of at least one finger on the touch-sensitive member
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a data processing device (100) enabling a user to input characters, the device comprising a touch-sensitive member (200) arranged to function as a virtual keyboard, said member including at least one touch sensor (160) for detecting touched zones on said member. The device further comprises key allocation means (110) for allocating at least two reference keys (220) of the virtual keyboard in response to said detection of the touched zones. The device comprises at least one pressure sensor (170) for sensing a finger (250) causing a force on the touch-sensitive member higher than other fingers when more than one finger touches said member. A recognition of a key stroke may be realized. The reference keys may be reallocated upon a user's request or detection of a predetermined condition. The invention also relates to a method of enabling a user to input characters.