Word output device and matrix keyboard for use therein

• US 7,318,019 B1
• Filed: 11/17/2000
• Issued: 01/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Semantic Compaction Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Semantic Compaction Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Stump, Robert T., Cross, Russell T., Navrotski, Darlette S., Baker, Bruce R., Conti, Robert V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Edouard; Patrick N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Spooner; Lamont
• Application Number:
  US09/714,442
• Time in Patent Office: 2,608 Days
• Field of Search: 704/3, 704/9, 704/1, 715/536, 715/773, 508/142, 708/146, 345/172
• US Class Current: 704/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 Character input methods

Abstract

A keyboard utilizing a matrix arrangement of word, character, numerical (print medium) keys to enhance a standard print medium keyboard. Instead of utilizing keys with letters and numbers, and instead of utilizing iconic symbols (or for use in combination with iconic symbols), the keyboard includes a plurality of keys arranged in at least two matrices. The keys of the first matrix are associated with each other in some manner, as are keys in at least one additional matrix. The matrices can include keys grouped together and grammatically associated with one another, by part of speech for example; and/or can include keys associated with a common color and a common number of selections necessary to access an associated word or word phrase. By use of such a keyboard, preferably in conjunction with a word output device, both manual and scanning input can be enhanced in a print medium environment, without the need to invest substantial time in memorizing complex iconic structures.

Claims

1. A keyboard comprising:

a plurality of keys of a first common color and arranged in a first matrix, wherein keys of the first matrix are similarly grammatically associated and at least a portion thereof are grouped together, the first common color indicating a common number of actuations necessary to access an associated word, word phrase or character; and

a plurality of keys of a second common color, different from the first common color, and arranged in at least one additional matrix, wherein keys of the at least one additional matrix are similarly grammatically associated and at least a portion thereof are grouped together, the second common color indicating a second common number of actuations necessary to access an associated word, word phrase or character, the second common number of actuations being different from the first common number of actuations.

2. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein a majority of the keys on the keyboard are associated with a word.

3. A speech synthesizer, including the keyboard of claim 2, wherein selection of keys enables access and output of associated words.

4. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein at least one of the matrices includes keys associated with words.

5. The keyboard of claim 4, wherein the words associated with keys of at least one of the matrices are of a common part of speech.

6. The keyboard of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of keys of a third common color, different from the first and second common color, arranged in at least one further matrix, wherein keys of the further matrix are similarly grammatically associated and at least a portion thereof are grouped together, the third common color indicating a third common number of actuations necessary to access an associated word, word phrase or character, the third common number of actuations being different from at least one of the first and second common number of actuations.

7. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the keyboard includes keys associated with core language words.

8. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein one matrix includes keys associated with pronouns.

9. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein one matrix includes keys associated with lexical verbs.

10. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein lexical verbs and modal/auxiliary verbs are associated with keys of different matrices.

11. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the keyboard further comprises:

a plurality of indicators, each associated with one of the plurality of keys.

12. The keyboard of claim 11, wherein selection of a key in one matrix enables activation of indicators associated with keys of at least one additional matrix.

13. The keyboard of claim 12, wherein at least one of the matrices includes keys associated with words.

14. The keyboard of claim 13, wherein the words associated with keys of at least one of the matrices are of a common part of speech.

15. The keyboard of claim 12, wherein one matrix is grammatically linked to another matrix such that selection of a key in one matrix enables indicators of keys in at least one grammatically linked matrix.

16. A speech synthesizer, including the keyboard of claim 12, wherein selection of keys enables access and output of associated words.

17. The keyboard of claim 11, wherein the indicators include lights.

18. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the keyboard is displayed as a virtual keyboard.

19. The keyboard of claim 18, wherein the keyboard is embodied in an integrated input and display device.

20. The keyboard of claim 18, wherein, upon selection of a key in one matrix, at least one key is differentiated from other keys of the keyboard.

21. The keyboard of claim 20, wherein the differentiation includes highlighting.

22. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein one matrix is grammatically linked to another matrix.

23. A speech synthesizer, including the keyboard of claim 22, wherein selection of keys enables access and output of associated words.

24. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein selection of a key of the first color permits access of an associated word upon being selected one time.

25. The keyboard of claim 24, wherein selection of a key of the second color, different from the first color, permits access of an associated word upon being selected two times in succession or upon two different keys of the second color being selected.

26. A speech synthesizer, including the keyboard of claim 1, wherein selection of keys enables access and output of associated words.

27. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein keys of at least one of the first and second matrices are grouped together based upon location on the keyboard, in proximate relation to one another.

28. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein keys of at least one of the first and second matrices are grouped together based upon at least one of common concept, common morphology, and common cognitive relationship.

29. The keyboard of claim 28, wherein keys of at least one of the first and second matrices are not located proximate to one another.

30. A virtual keyboard comprising:

a plurality of keys of a first common color arranged in a first matrix, wherein keys of the first matrix are similarly grammatically associated and at least a portion thereof are grouped together, the first common color indicating a common number of actuations necessary to access an associated word, word phrase or character; and

a plurality of keys of a second common color arranged in at least one additional matrix, wherein keys of the at least one additional matrix are similarly grammatically associated and at least a portion thereof are grouped together, wherein upon selection of a key in one matrix, keys of another matrix are differentiated from other keys of the keyboard, the second common color indicating a second common number of actuations necessary to access an associated word, word phrase or character, the second common number of actuations being different from the first common number of actuations.

31. The keyboard of claim 30, wherein the differentiation includes highlighting.

32. The keyboard of claim 30, wherein upon selection of a key in one matrix, keys of another grammatically linked matrix are differentiated from other keys of the keyboard.

33. A keyboard, comprising:

a plurality of keys arranged in a first matrix, keys of the first matrix being similarly grammatically associated and associated with a common first color, the first common color indicating a common number of selections necessary to access an associated word, word phrase or character; and

a plurality of keys arranged in a second matrix, keys of the second matrix being similarly grammatically associated and associated with a common second color, different from the first color, the second common color indicating a common second number of selections, different from the first number, necessary to access an associated word, word phrase or character.

34. The keyboard of claim 33, further comprising:

a plurality of keys arranged in a third matrix, keys of the third matrix being associated with a third color, different from the first and second color, the third common color indicating a third common number of actuations necessary to access an associated word, word phrase or character, the third common number of actuations being different from at least one of the first and second common number of actuations.

35. The keyboard of claim 34, wherein keys of the third color are associated with a character including at least one of a letter, number and a bigram.

36. The keyboard of claim 33, wherein at least one of the matrices includes a plurality of sub-matrices.

37. The keyboard of claim 36, wherein keys of at least one sub-matrix are similarly grammatically associated.

38. The keyboard of claim 37, wherein keys of multiple sub-matrices are grammatically linked.

39. A speech synthesizer, including the keyboard of claim 33, wherein selection of keys enables access and output of associated words.

40. A word output device, comprising:

a keyboard including,

a plurality of keys of a first common color and arranged in a first matrix, wherein keys of the first matrix are similarly grammatically associated and at least a portion thereof are grouped together, the first common color indicating a common number of actuations necessary to access an associated word, word phrase or character, and

a plurality of keys of a second common color, different from the first common color, and arranged in at least one additional matrix, wherein keys of the at least one additional matrix are similarly grammatically associated and at least a portion thereof are grouped together, the second common color indicating a second common number of actuations necessary to access an associated word, word phrase or character, the second common number of actuations being different from the first common number of actuations;

a memory, adapted to store words, word phrases or characters in association with one or more of the plurality of keys;

a controller, adapted to access a stored word, word phrase or character in response to selection of one or more of the plurality of keys; and

an output unit, adapted to output the accessed word, word phrase or character.

41. The output device of claim 40, wherein a majority of the keys on the keyboard are associated with a word.

42. The word output device of claim 41, wherein the output device includes a speech synthesizer.

43. The word output device of claim 40, wherein the words associated with keys of at least one of the matrices are of a common part of speech.

44. The word output device of claim 40, wherein the keyboard includes keys associated with core language words.

45. The word output device of claim 40, wherein one matrix includes keys associated with pronouns.

46. The word output device of claim 40, wherein one matrix includes keys associated with lexical verbs.

47. The word output device of claim 40, wherein lexical verbs and modal/auxiliary verbs are associated with keys of different matrices.

48. The word output device of claim 40, wherein the output device further comprises:

a plurality of indicators, each associated with one of the plurality of keys.

49. The word output device of claim 48, wherein the indicators include lights.

50. The word output device of claim 40, wherein, upon selection of a first key in a first matrix, the controller activates indicators corresponding to keys in another matrix.

51. The word output device of claim 40, wherein the memory is adapted to store a plurality of words and word phrases, stored in association with at least one of a single key and a sequence of keys.

52. The word output device of claim 51, wherein upon selection of first key, the controller activates indicators corresponding to keys that correspond to a stored next key in a stored key sequence in the memory.

53. The word output of claim 52, wherein at least one stored word is associated with a sequence including a single key listed twice, and wherein, upon selection of a first key, the controller activates the indicator corresponding to the selected key.

54. The word output device of claim 52, wherein the output device includes a speech synthesizer.

55. The word output device of claim 51, wherein the memory is further adapted to store a command for switching the device into a spelling mode, in association with a sequence of at least two keys corresponding to alphabetic characters.

56. The word output device of claim 55, wherein upon selection of a first key, the controller activates indicators corresponding to keys that correspond to a stored next key in a stored key sequence in the memory, including sequences of at least two alphabetic characters.

57. The word output device of claim 56, wherein upon selection of a last key in a stored sequence of at least two keys corresponding to alphabetic characters, stored in association with a command for switching the device into a spelling mode, the device automatically switches into a spelling mode, wherein indicators corresponding to all keys are activated.

58. The word output device of claim 56, wherein upon selection of a last key in a stored sequence of at least two keys corresponding to alphabetic characters, stored in association with a command for switching the device into a spelling mode, the device automatically switches into a spelling mode, wherein indicators corresponding to alphabetic characters are activated.

59. The output device of claim 40, wherein the output device further comprises:

a plurality of indicators, each associated with one of the plurality of keys.

60. The word output device of claim 59, wherein upon selection of a key in one matrix, the controller activates indicators associated with keys of at least one additional matrix.

61. The output device of claim 60, wherein a majority of the keys on the keyboard are associated with a word.

62. The word output device of claim 40, wherein keys of one matrix are grammatically linked to keys of another matrix.

63. The word output device of claim 40, wherein the output device includes a speech synthesizer.

64. The word output device of claim 40, further comprising:

a row-column scanner, adapted to successively access keys of rows and columns of the keyboard for selection.

65. The word output device of claim 64, wherein the memory is adapted to store a plurality of word, word phrase or character, stored in association with at least one of a single key and a sequence of keys.

66. The word output device of claim 65, wherein, upon the controller selection of a first key, the controller essentially restricts the row-column scanner to access of keys that correspond to a stored next key in a key sequence stored in the memory.

67. The word output device of claim 64, wherein, upon selection of a first key, the controller essentially restricts the row-column scanner to access of keys that correspond to a stored next key sequence stored in the memory.

68. The word output device of claim 64, wherein the memory is adapted to store a plurality of word phrases, stored in association with a sequence of at least two keys including one key of one matrix and at least one key of a different grammatically linked matrix.

69. The word output device of claim 68, wherein, upon the selection of a first key in a first matrix, the controller essentially restricts the row-column scanner to access of keys in at least one other different grammatically linked matrix.

70. The word output device of claim 68, wherein the memory is further adapted to store a command for switching the device into a spelling mode, in association with a sequence of at least two keys corresponding to alphabetic characters.

71. The word output device of claim 70, wherein, upon the selection of a first key in a first matrix, the controller essentially restricts the row-column scanner to access of keys in at least one different grammatically linked matrix, wherein upon the selected key also being part of a stored sequence of alphabetic characters, the controller permits the row-column scanner to access a next key of the stored alphabetic character sequence.

72. The word output device of claim 71, wherein upon the selection of a last key in a stored sequence of at least two keys corresponding to characters, stored in association with a command for switching the device into a spelling mode, the device automatically switches into a spelling mode wherein the row-column scanner is no longer restricted.

73. The word output device of claim 71, wherein upon the selection of a last key in a stored sequence of at least two keys corresponding to characters, stored in association with a command for switching the device into a spelling mode, the device automatically switches into a spelling mode, wherein the row-column scanner is restricted to access of keys corresponding to alphabetic characters.

74. The word output device of claim 71, wherein, upon the selection of a first key, the controller essentially restricts selection to next keys of a stored sequence, including stored sequences of at least two alphabetic characters.

75. The word output device of claim 74, wherein upon selection of a last key in a stored sequence of at least two keys corresponding to alphabetic characters, stored in association with a command for switching the device into a spelling mode, the device automatically switches into a spelling mode, wherein selection of next keys is no longer restricted.

76. The word output device of claim 74, wherein upon selection of a last key in a stored sequence of at least two keys corresponding to alphabetic characters, stored in association with a command for switching the device into a spelling mode, the device automatically switches into a spelling mode, wherein the row-column scanner is restricted to access of keys corresponding to alphabetic characters.

77. The word output device of claim 71, wherein upon the selected key also being part of a stored sequence of alphabetic characters, the controller permits the row-column scanner to access a next key of stored alphabetic character sequence.

78. The word output device of claim 77, wherein upon the selection of a last key in a stored sequence of at least two keys corresponding to characters, stored in association with a command for switching the device into a spelling mode, the device automatically switches into a spelling mode wherein the row-column scanner is no longer restricted.

79. The word output device of claim 64, wherein keys of one matrix are grammatically linked to keys of another matrix.

80. The word output device of claim 79, wherein, upon the selection of a first key in a first matrix, the controller essentially restricts the row-column scanner to access of keys in at least one other different grammatically linked matrix.

81. The output device of claim 64, wherein the keyboard further includes:

a plurality of indicators, each associated with one of the plurality of keys.

82. The word output device of claim 81, wherein upon the selection of a key in one matrix, the controller activates indicators associated with keys of at least one additional matrix.

83. The output device of claim 81, wherein the indicators include lights.

84. The output device of claim 64, wherein selection of a key of a first color permits access of an associated word upon being selected one time.

85. The output device of claim 84, wherein selection of a key of a second color, different from the first color, permits access of an associated word, word phrase or character upon being selected two times in succession.

86. The word output device of claim 64, wherein the output device includes a speech synthesizer.

87. The word output device of claim 64, wherein the row-column scanner is a quadrant row-column scanner, adapted to successively access quadrants of rows and columns of keys for selection.

88. The word output device of claim 87, wherein, upon selection of a first key, the controller essentially restricts the quadrant row-column scanner to access of keys that correspond to a stored next key in a key sequence stored in the memory.

89. The word output device of claim 87, wherein, upon the selection of a first key in a first matrix, the controller essentially restricts the quadrant row-column scanner to access of keys in at least one other different grammatically linked matrix.

90. The word output device of claim 64, wherein the memory is further adapted to store a command for switching the device into a spelling mode, in association with a sequence of at least two keys corresponding to alphabetic characters.

91. The word output device of claim 90, wherein, upon the selection of a first key in a first matrix, the controller essentially restricts the row-column scanner to access of keys in at least one different grammatically linked matrix, wherein upon the selected key also being part of a stored sequence of alphabetic characters, the controller permits the row-column scanner to access a next key of the stored alphabetic character sequence.

92. The word output device of claim 91, wherein upon the selection of a last key in a stored sequence of at least two keys corresponding to characters, stored in association with a command for switching the device into a spelling mode, the device automatically switches into a spelling mode wherein the row-column scanner is no longer restricted.

93. The word output device of claim 91, wherein upon the selection of a last key in a stored sequence of at least two keys corresponding to characters, stored in association with a command for switching the device into a spelling mode, the device automatically switches into a spelling mode, wherein the row-column scanner is restricted to access of keys corresponding to alphabetic characters.

94. The word output device of claim 40, wherein keys of at least one of the first and second matrices are grouped together based upon location of the keyboard, in proximate relation to one another.

95. The keyboard of claim 40, wherein keys of at least one of the first and second matrices are grouped together based upon at least one of common concept, common morphology, and common cognitive relationship.

96. The keyboard of claim 95, wherein keys of at least one of the first and second matrices are not located proximate to one another.

97. A word output device, comprising:

a virtual keyboard including,

a plurality of keys of a first common color arranged in a first matrix, wherein keys of the first matrix are similarly grammatically associated and at least a portion thereof are grouped together, the first common color indicating a common number of actuations necessary to access an associated word, word phrase or character, and

a plurality of keys of a second common color arranged in at least one additional matrix, wherein keys of the at least one additional matrix are similarly grammatically associated and at least a portion thereof are grouped together, the second common color being different from the first common color and indicating a second common number of actuations necessary to access an associated word, word phrase or character, the second common number of actuations being different from the first common number of actuations;

a memory, adapted to store words, word phrases or characters in association with one or more of the plurality of keys;

a controller, adapted to access a stored word, word phrase or character in response to selection of one or more of the plurality of keys; and

an output unit, adapted to output the accessed word, word phrase or character, wherein, upon selection of a first key, the controller differentiates display of at least one key from other keys on the keyboard.

98. The word output device of claim 97, wherein the keyboard and output unit are integrated as an input and display device.

99. The word output device of claim 97, wherein, upon selection of a key in one matrix, the controller differentiates display of keys in another matrix from other keys on the keyboard.

100. The output device of claim 99, wherein the differentiation includes highlighting.

101. The word output device of claim 99, wherein keys of the differentiated matrix are grammatically linked to keys of the matrix including the selected key.

102. The word output device of claim 97, wherein the memory is adapted to store a plurality of word phrases, stored in association with a sequence of at least two keys including one key of one matrix and at least one key of a different grammatically linked matrix, wherein the memory is further adapted to store a command for switching the device into a spelling modes, in association with a sequence of at least two keys corresponding to alphabetic characters.

103. The word output device of claim 97, wherein upon selection of a first key, the controller differentiates display of keys that correspond to a stored next key in a stored sequence in memory, including stored sequences of at least two alphabetic characters, from other keys.

104. The word output device of claim 103, wherein upon selection of a last key in a stored sequence of at least two keys corresponding to alphabetic characters, stored in association with a command for switching the device into a spelling mode, the device automatically switches into a spelling mode, wherein keys are no longer differentiated from other keys.

105. The word output device of claim 104, wherein the differentiation includes highlighting.

106. The word output device of claim 103, wherein upon selection of a last key in a stored sequence of at least two keys corresponding to alphabetic characters, stored in association with a command for switching the device into a spelling mode, the device automatically switches into a spelling mode, wherein keys corresponding to alphabetic characters are differentiated from other keys.

107. The word output device of claim 106, wherein the differentiation includes highlighting.

108. The word output device of claim 103, wherein the differentiation includes highlighting.

109. A word output device, comprising:

a keyboard including,

a plurality of keys of a first color arranged in a first matrix, wherein keys of the first matrix are similarly grammatically associated and at least a portion thereof are grouped together, the first color indicating a common number of actuations necessary to access an associated word, word phrase or character, and

a plurality of keys of a second color arranged in at least one additional matrix, wherein keys of the at least one additional matrix are similarly grammatically associated and at least a portion thereof are grouped together, the second color being different from the first color and indicating a second common number of actuations necessary to access an associated word, word phrase or character, the second common number of actuations being different from the first common number of actuations;

a memory, adapted to store words, word phrases or characters in association with one or more of the plurality of keys;

a controller, adapted to access a stored word, word phrase or character in response to selection of one or more of the plurality of keys; and

an output unit, adapted to output the accessed word, word phrase or character, wherein the memory is adapted to store a plurality of word phrases, stored in association with a sequence of at least two keys including one key of one matrix and at least one key of a different matrix.

110. The word output device of claim 109, wherein, upon selection of a first key in a first matrix, the controller activates indicators corresponding to keys in another matrix.

111. The word output device of claim 109, wherein selection of a key of a first color permits access of an associated word, word phrase or character upon being selected one time.

112. The word output device of claim 111, wherein selection of a key of a second color, different from the first color, permits access of an associated word, word phrase or character upon being selected two times in succession.

113. A word output device, comprising:

a keyboard including,

a plurality of keys arranged in a first matrix, keys of the first matrix being similarly grammatically associated and associated with a common first color, the first common color indicating common number of selections necessary to access an associated word, word phrase or character, and

a plurality of keys arranged in a second matrix, keys of the second matrix being similarly grammatically associated and associated with a second color, different from the first color, the second common color indicating a second number of selections, different from the first number, necessary to access an associated word, word phrase or character;

a memory, adapted to store words, word phrases or characters in association with one or more of the plurality of keys;

a controller, adapted to access a stored word, word phrase or character in response to selection of one or more of the plurality of keys; and

an output unit, adapted to output the accessed word, word phrase or character.

114. The output device of claim 113, wherein the keyboard further includes:

a plurality of keys arranged in a third matrix, keys of the third matrix being associated with a third color, different from the first and second color, the third common color indicating a third common number of actuations necessary to access an associated word or character, the third common number of actuations being different from at least one of the first and second common number of actuations.

115. The output device of claim 114, wherein keys of the third color are associated with a character including at least one of a letter, a number and a bigram.

116. The output device of claim 113, wherein at least one of the matrices includes a plurality of sub-matrices.

117. The output device of claim 116, wherein keys of at least one sub-matrix are similarly grammatically associated.

118. The output device of claim 117, wherein keys of multiple sub-matrices are grammatically linked.

119. The word output device of claim 113, wherein the output device includes a speech synthesizer.

120. The word output device of claim 113, further comprising:

a row-column scanner, adapted to successively access keys of rows and column of the keyboard for selection.

121. The word output device of claim 120, wherein the memory is adapted to store a plurality of words, word phrases or characters, stored in association with at least one of a single key and a sequence of keys.

122. The word output device of claim 120, wherein, upon the selection of a first key, the controller essentially restricts the row-column scanner to access of keys that correspond to a stored next key in a stored key sequence in the memory.

123. The word output device of claim 121, wherein, upon the selection of a first key, the controller essentially restricts the row-column scanner to access of keys that correspond to a stored next key in a key sequence stored in the memory.

124. The word output device of claim 123, wherein the memory is further adapted to store a command for switching the device into a spelling mode, in association with a sequence of at least two keys corresponding to alphabetic characters.

125. The word output device if claim 120, wherein the memory is adapted to store a plurality of word phrases, stored in association with a sequence of at least two keys including one key of one matrix and at least one key of a different grammatically linked matrix.

126. The word output device of claim 125, wherein, upon the selection of a first key in a first matrix, the controller essentially restricts the row-column scanner to access of keys in at least one other different grammatically liked matrix.

127. The word output device of claim 120, wherein the row-column scanner is a quadrant row-column scanner, adapted to successively access quadrants of rows and columns of keys for selection.

128. The word output device of claim 127, wherein, upon selection of a first key, the controller essentially restricts the quadrant row-column scanner to access of keys that correspond to a stored next key in a key sequence stored in the memory.

129. The word output device of claim 127, wherein, upon the selection of a first key in a first matrix, the controller essentially restricts the quadrant row-column scanner to access of keys in at least one other different grammatically linked matrix.

130. The word output device of claim 120, wherein the memory is further adapted to store a command for switching the device into a spelling mode, in association with a sequence of at least two keys corresponding to alphabetic characters.