Text entry device with radial keypad layout

• US 8,319,669 B2
• Filed: 10/13/2009
• Issued: 11/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey C. Weller
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey C. Weller
• Inventors: Weller, Jeffrey C
• Primary Examiner(s): YOUNG, BRIAN K
• Application Number:
  US12/587,723
• Publication Number:
  US 20100271241A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,141 Days
• Field of Search: 341/20, 341/22, 345/168, 400/486
• US Class Current: 341/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: H03M 11/22 Static coding H03M11/26 takes precedence

Abstract

A text entry device is provided. The device includes a concentric and at least four groupings of letters located around the concentric. The groupings may include at least three keys that are each located at a different radial distance from the concentric. The first grouping may include the letters A, B, C and D; the second grouping may include the letters E, F, G and H; the third grouping may include the letters I, J, K and L; and the fourth grouping may include the letters O, M, N and P.

Claims

1. A text entry device, comprising:

a concentric;

a first grouping of letters including the letters A, B, C and D, wherein the first grouping has at least three keys that are each located at a different radial distance from the concentric;

a second grouping of letters including the letters E, F, G and H, wherein the second grouping has at least three keys that are each located at a different radial distance from the concentric;

a third grouping of letters including the letters I, J, K and L, wherein the third grouping has at least three keys that are each located at a different radial distance from the concentric; and

a fourth grouping of letters including the letters O, M, N and P, wherein the fourth grouping has at least three keys that are each located at a different radial distance from the concentric.

2. The text entry device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first grouping, the second grouping, the third grouping, and the fourth grouping extend linearly from the concentric, and wherein the first grouping, the second grouping, the third grouping and the fourth grouping are all oriented at different angular positions about the concentric.

3. The text entry device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a fifth grouping of letters including the letters U, Q, R and S, wherein the fifth grouping has at least three keys that are each located at a different radial distance from the concentric; and

a sixth grouping of letters including the letters T and V, wherein the sixth grouping has at least two keys that are each located at a different radial distance from the concentric;

wherein the letter A of the first grouping is on the key of the first grouping that is closest to the concentric;

wherein the letter E of the second grouping is on the key of the second grouping that is closest to the concentric;

wherein the letter I of the third grouping is on the key of the third grouping that is closest to the concentric;

wherein the letter O of the fourth grouping is on the key of the fourth grouping that is closest to the concentric;

wherein the letter U of the fifth grouping is on the key of the fifth grouping that is closest to the concentric;

wherein the letter T of the sixth grouping is on the key of the sixth grouping that is closest to the concentric.

4. The text entry device as set forth in claim 1, wherein

the second closest key of the first grouping to the concentric and the second closest key of the second grouping to concentric each include a single letter that are consonants and that are not next in sequence to one another in the alphabet;

wherein the second closest key of the second grouping to the concentric and the second closest key of the third grouping to the concentric each include a single letter that are consonants and that are not next in sequence to one another in the alphabet;

wherein the second closest key of the third grouping to the concentric and the second closest key of the fourth grouping to the concentric each include a single letter that are consonants and that are not next in sequence to one another in the alphabet.

5. The text entry device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the text entry device is a soft keypad.

6. The text entry device as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least some of the keys are shaped and sized differently than other ones of the keys, and wherein the keys are sized and shaped to match the thumb print of the user upon using the concentric as an initial starting point of the thumb of the user.

7. The text entry device as set forth in claim 1, wherein color is used to distinguish the first grouping from the second grouping, wherein color is used to distinguish the second grouping from the third grouping, and wherein color is used to distinguish the third grouping from the fourth grouping.

8. The text entry device as set forth in claim 7, wherein primary colors and secondary colors are used to distinguish the groupings such that groupings immediately adjacent one another at different angular positions alternate between groupings that have primary colors and groupings that have secondary colors such that a grouping that has a primary color has groupings that have secondary colors on opposite sides at immediate angular positions.

9. The text entry device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a color weave that is used to distinguish keys having the letters A, E, I, O, D, H, L, and N from keys having the letters B, C, F, G, J, K, and M.

10. A text entry device, comprising:

a concentric about which all of the letters of the alphabet are disposed, wherein the letters are located on keys capable of being actuated by a user;

a first grouping of letters including the letters A, B, C and D;

a second grouping of letters including the letters E, F, G and H;

a third grouping of letters including the letters I, J, K and L; and

a fourth grouping of letters including the letters O, M, N and P;

wherein the letters are disposed about the concentric such that a first row of keys are present that are immediately adjacent the concentric, wherein one of the letters of the first row of keys is a consonant.

11. The text entry device as set forth in claim 10, wherein

a single key is present with the first grouping such that the letters A, B, C and D are included on a single key;

wherein a single key is present with the second grouping such that the letters E, F, G and H are included on a single key;

wherein a single key is present with the third grouping such that the letters I, J, K and L are included on a single key;

wherein a single key is present with the fourth grouping such that the letters O, M, N and P are included on a single key;

wherein the first grouping, the second grouping, the third grouping and the fourth grouping include only the first row of keys and not an additional row of keys.

12. The text entry device as set forth in claim 10, wherein at least two letters of the first grouping are included on a single key such that the single key is a multi-tap key.

13. The text entry device as set forth in claim 10, wherein the letters are disposed about the concentric such that a plurality of rows of keys are present that are each located a different radial distance from one another, wherein the row of keys that is the farthest distance from the concentric includes the letters A, E, I and O.

14. The text entry device as set forth in claim 10, further comprising:

a fifth grouping of letters including the letters U, Q, R and S;

a sixth grouping of letters including the letters T, V, W and X, wherein the letter T is on a key that is in the first row of keys.

15. A text entry device, comprising:

a concentric about which all of the letters of the alphabet are disposed, wherein the letters are located on keys capable of being actuated by a user;

a first row of keys that are immediately adjacent the concentric, wherein the first row of keys extend along an arc length about the concentric, wherein the first row of keys includes a key that is a double tap assignment key with the letters A and B; and

a second row of keys that are immediately adjacent the first row of keys and are located at a farther radial distance from the concentric than the first row of keys, wherein the second row of keys extend along an arc length about the concentric;

wherein the upper surfaces of the second row of keys are located at a higher elevation than the upper surfaces of the first row of keys.

16. A text entry device, comprising:

a concentric about which all of the letters of the alphabet are disposed, wherein the letters are located on keys capable of being actuated by a user;

a first row of keys that are immediately adjacent the concentric, wherein the first row of keys extend along an arc length about the concentric;

a second row of keys that are immediately adjacent the first row of keys and are located at a farther radial distance from the concentric than the first row of keys, wherein the second row of keys extend along an arc length about the concentric;

wherein the upper surfaces of the second row of keys are located at a higher elevation than the upper surfaces of the first row of keys; and

a third row of keys that are immediately adjacent the second row of keys and are located at a farther radial distance from the concentric than the second row of keys, wherein the third row of keys extend along an arc length about the concentric, wherein the upper surfaces of the third row of keys are located at a higher elevation than the upper surfaces of the second row of keys.

17. The text entry device as set forth in claim 16, further comprising a fourth row of keys that are immediately adjacent the third row of keys and are located at a farther radial distance from the concentric than the third row of keys, wherein the fourth row of keys extend along an arc length about the concentric, wherein the upper surfaces of the fourth row of keys are located at a higher elevation than the upper surfaces of the third row of keys;

and

wherein the concentric includes a key that has an upper surface that is located at a lower elevation than the upper surfaces of the first row of keys;

wherein the upper surfaces of the first row of keys, second row of keys, third row of keys, fourth row of keys, and the upper surface of the key of the concentric are arranged in a concave bowl shape.

18. A text entry device, comprising:

a concentric about which all of the letters of the alphabet are disposed, wherein the letters are located on keys capable of being actuated by a user;

a first row of keys that are immediately adjacent the concentric, wherein the first row of keys extend along an arc length about the concentric; and

a second row of keys that are immediately adjacent the first row of keys and are located at a farther radial distance from the concentric than the first row of keys, wherein the second row of keys extend along an arc length about the concentric;

wherein the upper surfaces of the second row of keys are located at a higher elevation than the upper surfaces of the first row of keys;

wherein at least some of the upper surfaces of the first row of keys and wherein at least some of the upper surfaces of the second row of keys have tips that aid in the striking of the keys by the user.

19. A text entry device, comprising:

a concentric about which all of the letters of the alphabet are disposed, wherein the letters are located on keys capable of being actuated by a user;

a first row of keys that are immediately adjacent the concentric, wherein the first row of keys extend along an arc length about the concentric; and

a second row of keys that are immediately adjacent the first row of keys and are located at a farther radial distance from the concentric than the first row of keys, wherein the second row of keys extend along an arc length about the concentric;

wherein the upper surfaces of the second row of keys are located at a higher elevation than the upper surfaces of the first row of keys;

wherein the upper surfaces of the first row of keys and the upper surfaces of the second row of keys are parallel to one another and have surface normals that extend vertically upwards without a horizontal component.

20. A text entry device, comprising:

a concentric about which all of the letters of the alphabet are disposed, wherein the letters are located on keys capable of being actuated by a user;

a first row of keys that are immediately adjacent the concentric, wherein the first row of keys extend along an arc length about the concentric; and

a second row of keys that are immediately adjacent the first row of keys and are located at a farther radial distance from the concentric than the first row of keys, wherein the second row of keys extend along an arc length about the concentric;

wherein the upper surfaces of the second row of keys are located at a higher elevation than the upper surfaces of the first row of keys;

wherein the upper surfaces of the first row of keys and the upper surfaces of the second row of keys are inclined such that they have surface normals that extend vertically upwards and have a horizontal component.