Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Including keyboard
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-03
2001-08-07
Hjerpe, Richard (Department: 2774)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Including keyboard
C345S169000, C345S171000, C345S179000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06271835
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to touch-screen devices for the input of alphanumeric data generally, and specifically to touch-screen devices with limited input space. In particular, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for inputting said data.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known to input alphanumeric data using a single stroke keyboard, for example, to a personal computer. A “QWERTY” keyboard is a well known keyboard wherein each key represents a particular character, the first six being labelled QWERTY from left to right. Disadvantages of such an input device include the amount of space required for the keyboard and the non-intuitive arrangement of the keys therein. The required space for a keyboard is typically limited by the number of keys necessary for the characters to be made available and the key space necessary to maintain reliable data input, i.e. to avoid multiple keys being depressed.
It is possible, however, to reduce the size of an input device, i.e. a keyboard, without reducing the number of characters which can be selected. This can be accomplished either by (i) reducing the size of the keys themselves or (ii) decreasing the number of keys and increasing the number of keystrokes. Reducing the size of the keys, however, is not a practical solution due to the aforementioned problem of multiple key depression. A “QWERTY” keyboard employed in a wireless handset, for example, would require the user to exhibit considerable accuracy in selecting the desired character. Therefore, in order to meet both requirements, one must use an input device that requires multiple keystrokes.
Prior art devices take advantage of the fact that the same number of characters on a single stroke keyboard can be made available on a keyboard with fewer keys by incorporating multiple keystrokes.
As an example of such a prior art device, the reader is directed to U.S. Pat. No. 5,003,503, issued Mar. 26, 1991, naming Lapeyre as inventor, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. The Lapeyre patent provides for a 7 and 12 key input device that works on the general premise that a first key stroke identifies a group of characters from which a character is selected by a second key stroke. The drawbacks of such an arrangement are twofold.
First, the location of a character within its respective group of characters does not determine the second keystroke key which must be pressed to select the character. This arrangement, similar to the “QWERTY” keyboard, results in a non-intuitive method of data input in which the user must search for the appropriate selection key. Such a device therefore requires extensive use in order for a user to become familiar with its input arrangement, thus making the device cumbersome for a first time or periodic user.
Second, as a result of all available characters and their corresponding secondary keystroke number being labelled on the keys, the Lapeyre device is very cluttered and difficult to read. Again, this increases the input difficulty for a first time or periodic user.
There exists, therefore, a need for providing a clear and intuitive method of data input in an area of limited space.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a touch-screen device for the input of alphanumeric data in a manner which is intuitive to a first time or periodic user without requiring a separate key for every character. According to one aspect of the invention this objective is met by mapping sub-arrays or groups of characters to input keys wherein successive keystrokes can uniquely identify every character therein. Said input keys are not mechanical as are those on a traditional keyboard but are rather input surfaces selectable by pressing a pre-defined area of the touch-screen with one's finger. The characters mapped to said keys include alphanumeric characters, symbols and function characters; a function character being a character which represents a function such as backspace, tab or done for example.
One application of said touch-screen input device is for use in a wireless handset where there exists an obvious space limitation given the recent trend towards smaller handsets. In said application the keys necessary for the input of alphanumeric data must be large enough to be reliably selected by a user's finger. A touch-screen device utilizing a multi-stroke input sequence with a minimal number of keys is thus required—a typical 92 key keyboard being impractical in said application.
According to one embodiment, the input keys displayed on said touch-screen input device are divided into a plurality of elements, wherein the number of elements per key is less than or equal to the total number of input keys. Said elements are positioned within their respective input key to correspond to the relative position of the input keys within the input area of the touch screen. Individual characters are mapped to each individual element. Said characters include alphanumeric data, symbols and characters representing a function. To select a character a user would first select an input key displaying a group of characters, one of which is the desired character. Such a selection occurs when the user touches a plurality of elements on the same input key. Responsive to selecting a desired key, each input key is subsequently re-mapped with the characters contained within said selected key. The re-mapping process occurs such that each character is re-mapped to the key whose relative position within the input area corresponds to the relative position of said characters within the selected input key. The user then selects, with a subsequent keystroke, the desired character from the input keys re-mapped with the individual characters. This re-mapping provides a user friendly interface to first time and periodic users as the appropriate key is always labelled with the desired characters from each keystroke.
Preferably a second method of data input can be offered to the user. In addition to the two keystroke method previously discussed a single stroke method can also be employed. With respect to said single keystroke method a user can input a single character directly by touching only the individual element to which the desired character has been mapped without touching any other elements on the key. Given the size of the elements within the keys, such a single keystroke would typically require fine control by the user. This can be facilitated by means of a finely tipped instrument, for example a stylus.
First time and periodic users are further benefited by the present invention given that the character layout and the input sequence are intuitive i.e. user friendly.
One aspect of the invention provides for a touch-screen device comprising: a touch screen; means for displaying on said touch-screen a plurality of input keys; means for mapping a plurality of characters to each input key; means for determining whether an input designates a single character or a re-map command; means for re-mapping said input keys responsive to a re-map command input; means for selecting a character responsive to an input designating a particular character.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4333097 (1982-06-01), Buric et al.
patent: 4680728 (1987-07-01), Davis, II et al.
patent: 4725694 (1988-02-01), Auer et al.
patent: 5003503 (1991-03-01), Lapeyre
patent: 5006001 (1991-04-01), Vulcano
patent: 5258748 (1993-11-01), Jones
patent: 5288158 (1994-02-01), Matias
patent: 5379057 (1995-01-01), Clough et al.
patent: 5574482 (1996-11-01), Niemeier
patent: 5583497 (1996-12-01), Hankes
patent: 5956021 (1999-09-01), Kubota et al.
Dinh Duc
Hjerpe Richard
Measures Jeff
Nortel Networks Limited
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