Method and apparatus for data entry input
First Claim
1. A method of determining a user inputted symbol or function at a data entry device comprising:
- associating a group of symbols or a group of functions with each of a single key region from a group of key regions associated with the data entry device;
assigning to each of the single symbols from the group of symbols or each of the single functions from the group of functions associated with each of the key regions an input object from a group of input objects, each of the input objects being separate from the single key region and moveable from a position outside the single key region to a position inside the single key region to actuate the single key region;
determining which single key region of the group of key regions that has been actuated by the input object;
identifying the input object that actuated the key region; and
outputting the symbol or performing the function in response to the identifying of the input object that actuated the single key region.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method of inputting data for an electronic data entry device are provided. In one embodiment, main keys on a keyboard of a device are used in which the main keys have multiple symbols or functions associated therewith, and one or more assisting keys of the device are used to select between the symbols or functions on the main keys. In a further embodiment, identification of an input object such as the particular fingers of a user that are used to actuate a key region is performed. The symbol associated with the actuated key region and the finger (or other input object) used is determined. Various types of sensors and recognition technology are implemented in order to identify fingers (or other input objects) in various embodiments.
79 Citations
41 Claims
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1. A method of determining a user inputted symbol or function at a data entry device comprising:
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associating a group of symbols or a group of functions with each of a single key region from a group of key regions associated with the data entry device; assigning to each of the single symbols from the group of symbols or each of the single functions from the group of functions associated with each of the key regions an input object from a group of input objects, each of the input objects being separate from the single key region and moveable from a position outside the single key region to a position inside the single key region to actuate the single key region; determining which single key region of the group of key regions that has been actuated by the input object; identifying the input object that actuated the key region; and outputting the symbol or performing the function in response to the identifying of the input object that actuated the single key region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An apparatus for determining a user inputted symbol or function comprising:
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a data entry device having a memory unit to store information associating a group of symbols or a group of functions with each of a single key region from a group of key regions, the key regions being associated with the data entry device, wherein an input object from a group of input objects is assigned to each symbol of the group of symbols or each function of the group of functions, each of the input objects being separate from the single key region and moveable from a position outside the single key region to a position inside the single key region to actuate the single key region; and a processor of the data entry device adapted to;
(i) determine the single key region actuated by the input object, (ii) identify the input object that actuated the single key region, and (iii) the symbol or performing the function associated with the single key region and assigned to the input object. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification