Predictive force sensitive keypad

• US 8,816,965 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2009
• Issued: 08/26/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Causey, Mark Edward, Howard, Jeffrey Norbert, Smoak, Andrew Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Bibbins, Latanya
• Application Number:
  US12/571,157
• Publication Number:
  US 20110074691A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,791 Days
• Field of Search: 345/168, 345/169, 400/472, 400/480, 400/481
• US Class Current: 345/169
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/85 characterised by tactile feedback features
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2003/008 with a haptic or a tactile feedback controlled by electrical means, e.g. a motor or magnetofriction
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/028 alterable
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/05 electromechanical
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/062 Damping vibrations

Abstract

Devices and methods are described for improving the efficiency of text input by requiring more pressure to select keys on a dynamic keyboard that are improbable key presses. Examples include a text-entry device which has logic for resisting error while the user enters text on a keyboard of the text-entry device. Each key has a lever mechanism which varies the force required to press the key. Keyboard logic on the text-entry device is programmed to change the force required to enter each key within the dynamic keyboard based on the prior entry. The keyboard logic assigns a prediction value to each key based on a statistical probability that the key will be entered next.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a processor; and

a memory in communication with the processor, the memory storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising

detecting selection of a key on a keyboard, the key being associated with a character;

determining, based upon the character, prediction values for keys on the keyboard, each of the prediction values comprising a statistical probability that a corresponding key on the keyboard is to be selected;

assigning the prediction values to the keys; and

varying a force to press one of the keys by varying a viscosity of a damping fluid at the one of the keys, wherein varying the force comprises adjusting a current to the damping fluid based upon a corresponding prediction value associated with the one of the keys.

2. The device in claim 1, wherein adjusting the current comprises adjusting the current an amount that is proportional to the corresponding prediction value.

3. The device in claim 1, wherein the one of the keys is coupled to an electronically adjustable lever comprising a plunger in the damping fluid.

4. The device in claim 1, wherein determining the corresponding prediction comprises referencing a language database.

5. The device in claim 4, wherein the language database includes a dictionary and statistical data.

6. The device in claim 1, further comprising a transceiver that communicates using a cellular technology.

7. The device in claim 1, further comprising a transceiver that communicates using a wireless local area network technology.

8. A method comprising;

detecting, by a device comprising a processor and a keyboard, selection of a key on the keyboard, the key being associated with a character;

determining, by the device, prediction values for keys on the keyboard, each of the prediction values comprising a statistical probability that a corresponding key on the keyboard is to be selected based upon the character and a further character associated with the corresponding key;

assigning, by the device, the prediction values to the keys; and

varying, by the device, a force to press one of the keys by varying a viscosity of a damping fluid at the one of the keys, wherein varying the force comprises adjusting a current to the damping fluid based upon a corresponding prediction value associated with the one of the keys.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein adjusting the current comprises adjusting the current an amount that is proportional to the corresponding prediction value.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein determining the corresponding prediction value comprises referencing a language database.

11. The method in claim 10, wherein the language database includes a dictionary and statistical data.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising resetting a keyboard such that the keys require a same amount of force to be selected.

13. A non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

detecting selection of a key on a keyboard, the key being associated with a character;

determining, based upon the character, prediction values for keys on the keyboard, each of the prediction values comprising a statistical probability that a corresponding key on the keyboard is to be selected;

assigning the prediction values to the keys; and

varying a force to press one of the keys by varying a viscosity of a damping fluid at the one of the keys, wherein varying the force comprises adjusting a current to the damping fluid based upon a corresponding prediction value associated with the one of the keys.

14. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 13, wherein assigning the corresponding prediction value comprises referencing a language database.

15. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 13, further instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations further comprising resetting a keyboard such that the keys require a same amount of force to be selected.