Data input interface and method for inputting data

• US 8,274,410 B2
• Filed: 03/19/2008
• Issued: 09/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Lassesson, Kristian, Holmberg, Per
• Primary Examiner(s): Barnie, Rexford
• Assistant Examiner(s): VU, TOAN T
• Application Number:
  US12/051,145
• Publication Number:
  US 20090102685A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,651 Days
• Field of Search: 341/23, 341/22
• US Class Current: 341/23
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1664 Arrangements for ergonomically adjusting the disposition of keys of the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0237 using prediction or retrieval techniques

Abstract

The invention relates to a data input interface arranged to input data comprising a first set of keys, wherein all or a majority of the keys is adapted to indicate an input of a first set of symbols, arranged in a first structure, and a second set of keys, wherein all or a majority of the keys is adapted to indicate an input of a second set of symbols, arranged in a second structure, wherein the first set of keys and the second set of keys are integrated with each other.

Claims

1. A data input interface for enabling user data input comprising

a first set of keys, wherein all or a majority of the keys are adapted to indicate an input of a first set of symbols, the keys being arranged in a first structure, and

a second set of keys, wherein all or a majority of the keys are adapted to indicate an input of a second set of symbols, the keys being arranged in a second structure, wherein the first and second set of keys are integrated with each other,

wherein keys of the second set are configured in a shape, such that the second set of keys presents a saw tooth like profile in order to distinguish the second set of keys from the first set of keys, and

wherein the first set of keys is made of a hard material and the second set of keys is made of a soft plastic material.

2. A data input interface according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the keys of each set of keys are at least in one direction separated, such that a space is formed between the keys and wherein at least one key of the second set of keys is arranged in the space between the keys of the first set of keys or vice versa.

3. A data input interface according to claim 2, wherein the first structure is configured as a number of columns/rows of keys that are spaced laterally/vertically from one another and the second structure is configured as a number of columns/rows of keys that are spaced laterally/vertically from one another, and wherein at least parts of the first structure are provided in the arranged space between keys of the second structure and at least parts of the second structure are provided in the arranged space between keys of the first structure.

4. A data input interface according to claim 1, wherein the first set of symbols is numerical digits, *-symbol and #-symbol and the second set of symbols is letters and other text related symbols.

5. A data input interface according to claim 4, wherein at least part of the first set of keys is further arranged to indicate an input of a letter when depressed repeatedly within a time interval.

6. A data input interface according claim 4, wherein the at least part of the second set keys is arranged to indicate an input of an additional letter or a number when the key is depressed repeatedly within a time interval.

7. A data input interface according to claim 1, wherein the second set of keys is adapted to indicate input of alphanumerical letters and the keys are alphabetically arranged laterally or vertically.

8. A data input interface according to claim 1, comprising a third set of keys comprising a key arranged to function as a space bar.

9. An electronic device comprising a data input interface according to claim 1 and a processor arranged to register input from the data input interface.

10. An electronic device according to claim 9, wherein the device further is arranged with a program memory comprising a word prediction function program.

11. A method for inputting a desired word on an electronic device, wherein the electronic device comprises a data input interface comprising a first set of keys, wherein all or a majority of the keys are adapted to indicate an input of a first set of symbols, arranged in a first structure wherein at least some of the keys are at least in one direction separated, such that a space is formed between the keys, and a second set of keys, wherein all or a majority of the keys is adapted to indicate an input of a second set of symbols, arranged in a second structure wherein at least some of the keys are at least in one direction separated such that a space is formed between the keys, wherein at least one key of the second set of keys is arranged in the space between the keys of the first set of keys, wherein keys of the second set are configured in a shape, such that the second set of keys presents a saw tooth like profile in order to distinguish the second set of keys from the first set of keys, wherein the first set of keys is made of a hard material and the second set of keys is made of a soft plastic material, and the method comprises the steps of:

inputting data by a user pressing a key indicating a symbol of the second set of symbols,

said inputting data comprising using the saw tooth like profile of keys of the second set of keys to distinguish the second set of keys from the first set of keys, and using the hard and soft material of the respective first and second sets of keys to help differentiate the respective sets of keys, and

registering the input at a processor that outputs the input to a display of the electronic device.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

displaying a number of words related to the input on the display using a predictive function program running on the processor, and

selecting a desired word of the words displayed either by the user scrolling a list of words or by pressing a key indicating a symbol of the first set of symbols.

13. A method according to claim 11, wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

displaying a number of words related to the input on the display using a correcting function program running on the processor, and

selecting a desired word of the words displayed either by the user scrolling a list of words or by pressing a key indicating a symbol of the first set of symbols.