Keyboards with both individual and combination key output

• US 7,015,896 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2001
• Issued: 03/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nuance Communications, Inc. (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Digit Wireless LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Levy, David H., Butler, Paul D., Rhodes, Scott A.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHOW, DOON Y
• Application Number:
  US09/916,928
• Publication Number:
  US 20020070923A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,698 Days
• Field of Search: 345168-172, 341 22- 34, 708/142, 708/145, 708/146
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0235 using chord techniques G06F3/0234 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04895 Guidance during keyboard input operation, e.g. prompting
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/702 with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/785 characterised by the material of the contacts, e.g. conductive polymers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/036 Variable resistance
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/008 Part of substrate or membrane
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/012 Two keys simultaneous considerations
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/024 Profile on actuator
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/036 Plural multifunctional miniature keys for one symbol
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/042 Higher keytops
• CPC Class Codes: H03M 11/08 by operating selected combinations of multifunction keys

Abstract

Methods of providing input feedback in a device having a keyboard with a matrix of independent keys having associated switches arranged in rows and columns, wherein combinations of diagonally adjacent keys are associated with combination key outputs, and devices performing such methods. One method includes scanning for activated keys, providing provisional output to a user indicating that the activated key has been registered; continuing to scan the matrix; and, in response to activation of an adjacent key prior to release of the first activated key, providing final output to the user indicating that a combination of the first and adjacent keys has been registered, to the exclusion of the provisional output. Another features driving the rows in adjacent pairs while examining the columns for switch activation; and, in response to detecting switch activation in two adjacent columns while driving the rows in adjacent pairs, determining a combination key output.

Claims

1. A method of providing input feedback in a device having a keyboard with a matrix of interstitial key regions and raised independent key regions, the method comprising

scanning the matrix for activated key regions;

upon detection of a first activated key region, providing provisional output as visual feedback to a user indicating that the activated key region has been registered;

continuing to scan the matrix for activation of an adjacent key region prior to release of the first activated key region; and

,

in response to activation of the adjacent key region prior to release of the first activated key region, providing a final output to the user to the exclusion of the provisional output.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the final output is provided as visual feedback.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the provisional output is also provided as audio feedback.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein scanning the matrix includes scanning rows and columns.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein scanning the matrix includes driving two adjacent rows simultaneously, seeking for two simultaneous output columns.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein continuing to scan the matrix for activation of an adjacent key region includes determining if a diagonally adjacent key region is activated.

7. The method of claim 1 including looking up a desired combination key in an internal table in response to activation of an adjacent key region prior to release of the first activated key region.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein providing provisional output includes storing the provisional output as raw data into a register.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the provisional output is provided as feedback and wherein providing the provisional output includes

determining the provisional output upon detection of the first activated key region, and then

delaying a predetermined amount of time after the provisional output is determined before providing feedback.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the predetermined amount of time is approximately 20 milliseconds.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the amount of delay time is determined from measured time between key strokes and details of correction.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the independent key regions of the keyboard have exposed surfaces elevated above exposed surfaces of interstitial regions of the keyboard between adjacent independent key regions that together form a key combination corresponding to a stored combination key output.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the adjacent key region is one of the independent key regions.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the final output indicates that a combination of the first and adjacent key regions has been registered.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein both the first activated and adjacent key regions are elevated above an interstitial key region.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein only the raised independent keys key regions have associated switches.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein the first activated and adjacent key regions comprise two raised key regions on either side of an interstitial key region.