Active keyboard system for handheld electronic devices

• US 7,002,553 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2004
• Issued: 02/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mark Shkolnikov
• Original Assignee: Mark Shkolnikov
• Inventors: Shkolnikov, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Shankar, Vijay
• Assistant Examiner(s): Patel, Nitin
• Application Number:
  US10/895,967
• Publication Number:
  US 20040263479A1
• Time in Patent Office: 579 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/157, 345/158, 345/162, 345/168, 345/169, 345/172, 345/173, 345/159, 715/455, 715/738, 715/739, 715/823, 715/839, 715/840
• US Class Current: 345/169
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/169 the I/O peripheral being an integrated pointing device, e.g. trackball in the palm rest area, mini-joystick integrated between keyboard keys, touch pads or touch stripes G06F1/1643 takes precedence; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1694 the I/O peripheral being a single or a set of motion sensors for pointer control or gesture input obtained by sensing movements of the portable computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1637 Sensing arrangement for detection of housing movement or orientation, e.g. for controlling scrolling or cursor movement on the display of an handheld computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04806 Zoom, i.e. interaction techniques or interactors for controlling the zooming operation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0234 using switches operable in different directions
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0236 using selection techniques to select from displayed items
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 Scrolling or panning
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0202 Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. of speakers or microphones H04M1/03
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/236 including keys on side or rear faces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72445 for supporting Internet browser applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72469 for operating the device by selecting functions from two or more displayed items, e.g. menus or icons
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/70 methods for entering alphabetical characters, e.g. multi-tap or dictionary disambiguation

Abstract

An active keyboard system includes a processor, a memory, and a display communicatively connected to one another. The system includes input means for inputting data and commands into the system. The input means include at least one selector, and a plurality of keys. Active keyboard system software is stored on the memory and is configured to dynamically present available choices on the display grouped to effect unambiguous selection of the available choices through use of the input means. The active keyboard system software includes presentation code and filter code. The presentation code includes step or scroll resolution code to enable scrolling, and grid presentation code to organize available choices on a visual grid and provide the visual grid to the display. The grid presentation code configures the visual grid with one or more panes each configured as a matrix with a plurality of columns and plurality of rows.

Claims

1. An active keyboard system comprising:

a processor;

a memory communicatively connected to the processor;

a display communicatively connected to the processor;

input means for inputting data into said system, said input means including at least one selector, and a plurality of keys, one of said at least one selector being a set of at least one movement sensor configured to sense motion in different dimensions; and

active keyboard system software stored on the memory, said active keyboard system software being configured to dynamically present available choices on the display grouped to effect unambiguous selection of the available choices through use of said input means;

said active keyboard system software, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to carry out steps comprising;

creating a grid of value boxes organized into a plurality of vertical columns and horizontal rows;

enabling a user (1), by using the at least one selector, to select a group of value boxes, and (2), by using the plurality of keys, to select one value from the value boxes from the selected group of value boxes and inputting the value into the memory;

processing data from the set of at least one movement sensor caused by rotational change in position of the system; and

moving around the grid of value boxes based on processed data from the at least one selector.

2. The active keyboard system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of keys is configured to be operated by fingers without obstructing the display.

3. The active keyboard system according to claim 1, wherein one of said at least one selector is a wheel, a track ball, a joystick, a rocker pad, a touch pad, a selector switch, a toggle switch, a key button, an N-state button, or an N-state selector.

4. The active keyboard system according to claim 1, wherein said one of said at least one selector is at least two sets of movement sensors configured to filter out effects of external forces applied to said system.

5. The active keyboard system according to claim 4, wherein said at least two sets of movement sensors are configured to filter out effects of external forces applied to said system by aligning a sensitivity axis of a second set of movement sensors to a first set of movement sensors.

6. The active keyboard system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one selector is at least two selectors.

7. The active keyboard system according to claim 1, wherein said system is configured for ambidextrous use by providing partial or full duplication of said input means on said system.

8. The active keyboard system according to claim 1, wherein said system is configured for ambidextrous use by allowing a user to rotate, reattach, slide, or move parts of said system.

9. The active keyboard system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of keys are configured to inhibit unintentional engagement.

10. The active keyboard system according to claim 1, wherein said system is configured as a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant, a global positioning receiving device, a remote control, a computer mouse, a pager, a walkie-talkie, a scanner, or a multi-meter.

11. An active keyboard system according to claim 1, wherein some or all components of said system are configured as a sleeve to operatively attach to and be used in combination with a handheld electronic device.

12. The active keyboard system according to claim 11, in combination with a handheld electronic device, said device being configured as a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant, a global positioning receiving device, a remote control, computer mouse, a pager, a walkie-talkie, a scanner, or a multi-meter.

13. An active keyboard system according to claim 1, wherein said system is configured to effect browsing on the Internet, or to work with applications with a single selector.

14. An active keyboard system according to claim 1, wherein said system is configured to effect browsing on the Internet, or to work with applications utilizing two selectors.

15. The active keyboard system according to claim 1, wherein said active keyboard system software comprises presentation code and filter code.

16. The active keyboard system according to claim 15, wherein said presentation code displays a selection pointer controlled by one of said at least one selector.

17. The active keyboard system according to claim 16, wherein said filter code comprises step motion code configured to translate user intentions into precise movement of the selection pointer over a grid, and to allow readjustment of the system between steps.

18. The active keyboard system according to claim 15, wherein said presentation code comprises step or scroll resolution code to enable scrolling.

19. The active keyboard system according to claim 15, wherein said presentation code comprises application adapter code to translate transactions between application code and presentation code.

20. The active keyboard system according to claim 15, wherein said presentation code comprises sound code to provide an audio announcement for a selected choice, a confirmation for completion of an action, and an alarm for failure to complete an action.

21. The active keyboard system according to claim 15, wherein said presentation code comprises feedback code to enhance user interaction with the system.

22. The active keyboard system according to claim 15, wherein said filter code is configured to separate intentional user input from accidental user motion.

23. The active keyboard system according to claim 15, wherein said filter code comprises external forces filter code to separate user input from effects of external forces.

24. The active keyboard system according to claim 15, wherein said filter code comprises sliding zero code to allow a user to change a position while operating the system.

25. The active keyboard system according to claim 15, wherein said filter code comprises adaptive threshold code to optimize operator interaction with the system via feedback.

26. The active keyboard system according to claim 15, wherein said filter code comprises calibration code to effect user and application preferences.

27. The active keyboard system according to claim 26, wherein said single selector is configured and positioned to be operated by a thumb.

28. The active keyboard system according to claim 15, wherein said presentation code comprises grid presentation code to organize available choices on a visual grid and provide the visual grid to the display.

29. The active keyboard system according to claim 28, wherein said grid presentation code configures the visual grid with plural panes.

30. The active keyboard system according to claim 28, wherein said grid presentation code configures the visual grid with three panes.

31. The active keyboard system according to claim 28, wherein said visual grid comprises a plurality of cells and said grid presentation code comprises grid population code to populate each of said plurality of cells with an alphanumeric character, a symbol, a music note, an icon, text, an ideogram, or a logogram.

32. The active keyboard system according to claim 28, wherein said grid presentation code configures the visual grid with at least one pane as a matrix with a plurality of columns and plurality of rows.

33. The active keyboard system according to claim 32, wherein said grid presentation code configures said at least one pane as a matrix with three columns and four rows.

34. The active keyboard system according to claim 32, wherein said grid presentation code configures said at least one pane as a matrix with one column and a plurality of rows.

35. An active keyboard system comprising:

a processor;

a memory communicatively connected to the processor;

a display communicatively connected to the processor;

input means for inputting data into said system, said input means including at least two sets of movement sensors positioned to sense motion in different dimensions; and

active keyboard system software stored on the memory, said active keyboard system software, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to carry out steps comprising;

processing data from at least two movement sensors caused by rotational change in position of the system, and filtering out interference from external forces and undesirable user movements; and

comparing signals from at least two sets of movement sensors and canceling interference from external forces and undesirable user movements.

36. An active keyboard system configured for ambidextrous use, said active keyboard system comprising:

a processor;

a memory communicatively connected to the processor;

a display communicatively connected to the processor;

first input means for inputting data into said system, said first input means including at least one first selector, and a first plurality of keys, one of said at least a first selector being a set of at least one movement sensor configured to sense motion in different dimensions;

second input means for inputting data into said system, said second input means including at least one second selector, and a second plurality of keys, one of said at least a second selector being a set of at least one movement sensor configured to sense motion in different dimensions, said second input means being a partial or full duplication of said first input means to configure said active keyboard system for ambidextrous use; and

active keyboard system software stored on the memory, said active keyboard system software being configured to dynamically present available choices on the display grouped to effect unambiguous selection of the available choices through use of said input means;

said active keyboard system software, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to carry out steps comprising;

enabling a user (1), by using one of the at least one first selector and at least one second selector, to select a group of value boxes, and (2), by using the first or second plurality of keys, to select a value contained within one value box from the selected group and inputting the value into the memory.