Condensed keyboard for electronic devices

• US 8,164,570 B2
• Filed: 04/08/2008
• Issued: 04/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Dietz, Timothy A., Holloway, Lane T., Tjonpiangi, David C.
• Primary Examiner(s): ABDULSELAM, ABBAS I
• Application Number:
  US12/099,263
• Publication Number:
  US 20080252603A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,477 Days
• Field of Search: 345168-169, 341/22, 200/5.A, 379/433.07, 400/485
• US Class Current: 345/168
• 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 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0234 using switches operable in different directions
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/84 characterised by ergonomic functions, e.g. for miniature keyboards; characterised by operational sensory functions, e.g. sound feedback legends H01H13/83
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/00 Facilitation of operation; Human engineering
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/032 Feedback about selected symbol, e.g. display
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/008 other then push button
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/012 Joy stick type
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/014 Slide selector
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2227/00 Dimensions; Characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/002 Calculator, computer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/022 Telephone handset

Abstract

Apparatuses and systems for generating characters for electronic devices using condensed keyboards are disclosed. One embodiment comprises a keyboard that monitors two sets of keys, one for each hand, for manipulation and desired character generation. The keyboard generally has four or more keys for each hand, and the keyboard may be located on the back and/or sides of a portable electronic device. One or several of the keys may generate multiple characters, depending on how the user manipulates the key while depressing it. A further embodiment may display cues of help information on a display screen of the system, assisting users in typing with the keys since the users may be unable to easily observe their fingers. That is to say, some embodiments may provide support for people with no touch-typing skills and accommodate key configurations on the back of devices with an embodiment keyboard.

Claims

1. An apparatus to generate signals to select characters for a portable electronic device using a condensed keyboard, the apparatus comprising:

an arrangement of a first set of keys and a second set of keys on the condensed keyboard to direct movement of the keys to selected positions in response to pressure on the keys,

wherein the arrangement can direct one or more of the keys into the selected positions of three or more actuation positions available for each of the keys located on one side of the electronic device, the one side arranged to be facing away from a user when the user is to operate the condensed keyboard,

wherein the directed movements associated with the first set of keys are adapted to substantially mimic finger movements between keys by a right hand of the user and the directed movements associated with the second set of keys are adapted to substantially mimic finger movements between keys by a left hand of the user; and

an actuation determiner to generate unique signals in response to actuation of each of the keys at the selected positions.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first set of keys is substantially parallel to the second set of keys.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one key in the first set and the second set of keys has a default position to which the at least one key returns when released.

4. An apparatus for generating characters for an electronic device, comprising:

an actuation determiner comprising a first set of at least four keys and a second set of at least four keys to sense actuations of the first set and second set of keys and generate signals responsive to the actuations, wherein the first set and the second set of at least four keys are located on a backside of the electronic device and adapted to be operated by right hand fingers and left hand fingers of a user, wherein further each key of the first set and the second set of keys has a least three different actuation positions and the actuation determiner is capable of generating at least three signals for each key, each of the at least three signals being associated with actuation of each key in one of the at least different actuation positions;

a character generator to generate characters in response the signals generated by the actuation determiner; and

a display mapper to determine positions of the characters to be displayed on a screen of the electronic device.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising an alternate character mapper to receive the characters generated in the character generator and substitute different characters to be displayed on the screen by the display mapper.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the different characters are Japanese language characters.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein a facial surface of a first key of the first set of at least four keys and the second set of at least four keys is substantially square with a side measuring between 0.5 inch and 1 inch.

8. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein at least one set of the first set of at least four keys and the second set of at least four keys is arranged in a substantially straight line, the at least one set measuring between 2 inches and 5 inches from a first outer edge of a first key in the at least one set to a second outer edge of a second key in the at least one set.

9. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first set of at least four keys and the second set of at least four keys are substantially perpendicular to a bottom side and a top side of the screen.

10. They apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first set of at least four keys is separated from the second set of at least four keys by a distance, the distance being between 0.5 inches and 16 inches.

11. A keyboard to enter data into an electronic device, comprising:

a first row of at least four keys adapted to be operated by a right hand of a user of the electronic device; and

a second row of at least four keys adapted to be operated by a left hand of the user, each of the keys from the first row and the second row having at least three different positions,

wherein each key generates a unique signal upon actuation of the key, wherein further the generated signal is based on the position of the key upon actuation,

wherein the first row and the second row of keys are located on one side of the electronic device, the one side arranged to be facing away from the user during normal operation of the keyboard.

12. The keyboard of claim 11, further comprising a ninth key adapted to be operated by a thumb of the user to generate a ninth key signal in the electronic device.

13. The keyboard of claim 12, wherein the ninth key can be operated to alter one of the signals generated in response to actuation of one of the keys in the first row and second row of keys.

14. The keyboard of claim 11, wherein the first row of at least four keys comprises:

a first key adapted to be operated by an index finger of the user and generate “

J”

, “

U”

, and “

M”

signals;

a second key adapted to be operated by a middle finger of the user and generate “

K”

, “

I”

, and “

,”

signals;

a third key adapted to be operated by a ring finger of the user and generate “

L”

, “

O”

, and “

.”

Signals; and

a fourth key adapted to be operated by a pinky finger of the user and generate “

;

” and

“

P”

signals.

15. The keyboard of claim 14, further comprising a fifth key in the first row of at least four keys, the fifth key adapted to be operated by the index finger and generate “

H”

, “

Y”

, and “

N”

signals.

16. The keyboard of claim 14, wherein the first key also generates “

H”

, “

Y”

, and “

N”

signals.

17. The keyboard of claim 11, wherein the second row of at least four keys comprises:

a first key adapted to be operated by an index finger of the user and generate “

F”

, “

R”

, and “

V”

signals;

a second key adapted to be operated by a middle finger of the user and generate “

D”

, “

E”

, and “

C”

signals;

a third key adapted to be operated by a ring finger of the user and generate “

S”

, “

W”

, and “

X”

signals; and

a fourth key adapted to be operated by a pinky finger of the user and generate “

A”

, “

Q”

, and “

Z”

signals.

18. The keyboard of claim 17, further comprising a fifth key in the second row of at least four keys, the fifth key adapted to be operated by the index finger and generate “

G”

, “

T”

, and “

B”

signals.

19. The keyboard of claim 17, wherein the first key also generates “

G”

, “

T”

, and “

B”

signals.

20. The keyboard of claim 11, wherein the one side of the electronic device is a backside of the electronic device, the first row of keys being adapted to be operated with the right hand wrapped around a right side of the electronic device, and the second row of keys being adapted to be operated with the left hand wrapped around a left side of the electronic device.

21. The keyboard of claim 11, wherein the first row and second row of keys are adapted to be operated while both thumbs are placed on a front side of the device, the thumbs pointing up.

22. The keyboard of claim 11, wherein the first row and second row of keys are adapted to be operated while both thumbs are placed on a front side of the device, the thumbs pointing in toward each other.

23. A portable electronic device, comprising:

a display screen; and

a first set of keys and a second set of keys coupled to the screen, the first set and the second set of keys being located on a backside of the portable electronic device, each key in the first set and the second set of keys having at least three actuation positions, wherein the at least three actuation positions are adapted to substantially mimic finger movements by right and left hand fingers of a user, wherein further each key of the first set of keys and the second set of keys generates unique signals in response to actuation of each key at the at least three actuation positions.

24. The portable electronic device of claim 23, further comprising a thumb key adapted to be operated by a thumb of the user to generate a thumb signal in the portable electronic device.

25. The portable electronic device of claim 24, wherein the thumb key can be operated to alter at least one signal generated by the first set and second set of keys.

26. The portable electronic device of claim 23, further comprising an alternate character mapper to alter one or more of the unique signals generated by the first set and second set of keys.

27. The portable electronic device of claim 23, wherein the display screen displays a visual aid to indicate a character to be generated when the users operates one key of the first row of at least four keys and the second row of at least four keys.

28. The portable electronic device of claim 23, wherein the portable electronic device is a portable computing device.

29. The portable electronic device of claim 23, wherein the portable electronic device is a cellular telephone.