Wearable Chorded Keyboard for Arbitrary Surface Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data entry systems, such as chorded keyboards and gesture-based systems, require precise aiming and significant finger travel, leading to slower and less accurate data entry.
Innovation Solution
A one-handed chorded data entry system that allows users to tap combinations of fingers on any surface without aiming, using a sensor apparatus integrated into a wearable structure to detect finger positions and generate signals representative of finger contacts, enabling fast and accurate data entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If gesture-based systems are used to enable data entry without aiming, then ease of operation is improved, but speed deteriorates due to minimum travel distance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the hand into individual finger units, each capable of independent contact detection. This allows the hand to be treated as a distributed array of input points rather than a single gesture unit, enabling simultaneous multi-point contact detection that eliminates travel requirements while maintaining ease of use
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from one-dimensional gesture trajectories to two-dimensional spatial contact patterns by detecting which fingers contact the surface and at what positions. This dimensional shift allows instantaneous input without requiring motion through space, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and speed
2Measurement precision
If chorded keyboards require specific finger positions on specific keys, then data entry accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to aiming requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system makes the input surface universal by allowing contacts at any position on any surface, eliminating the need for specific key locations. The sensor apparatus detects finger contacts regardless of position, and the processor interprets these contacts as valid input, thereby maintaining accuracy while dramatically improving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual representation of finger contact patterns that captures the essential information without requiring physical contact with specific keys. The sensor apparatus captures contact data and the processor maps this to character codes, effectively copying the information from physical contact to digital representation without requiring precise physical positioning
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 system reduces finger travel and facilitates faster and more accurate data entry by allowing users to enter characters or commands without aiming, using a combination of image and mechanical sensors to map finger positions to characters or commands.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor apparatus arranged to generate a signal representative of a contact of one or more fingers singly or in combination against an arbitrary surface
Implementation Method 2
The sensor apparatus further includes at least one mechanical sensor arranged to acquire the signal, the signal corresponding to a mechanical quantity caused by the one or more fingers contacting the arbitrary surface
Data Source
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AI summary
A one-handed, chorded data entry system enables an operator to tap a combination of fingers on any surface, thereby causing a character or command to be entered on an electronic device. The fingers can be arranged in any position and neither the fingers nor the fingertips of the user need be aimed at any particular target.