Improved Keyboard
First Claim
1. A user interface device comprising:
- a plurality of geometrically-shaped keys slidably retained within a housing, each key being associated with a plurality of characters or functions, the plurality of keys further joined together to slide substantially in unison;
a force detector configured to detect force applied to one or more of the plurality of keys;
a lateral movement sensor configured to sense direction of motion of the plurality of keys; and
a selection component for selecting at least one of a character or function based on the detected force and the sensed direction of motion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A user interface device for inputting and outputting information. The user interface device includes a plurality of keys slidably retained within a housing, each key being associated with a plurality of alphanumeric characters or functions. The keys are joined together to slide substantially in unison. The user interface device also includes a pressure sensor configured to detect pressure applied to one or more of the plurality of keys, a direction sensor configured to detect direction of motion of the plurality of keys, a selection component for selecting at least one of an alphanumeric character or function based on the sensed pressure and sensed direction of motion, and an output device for presenting the selected at least one alphanumeric character or function based on the sensed pressure and sensed direction of motion. The selected alphanumeric character or function is associated with the key where the pressure was sensed and with an associated direction closest to the sensed direction of motion. Each alphanumeric character and function associated with each key is further associated with a direction of motion of the plurality of keys.
30 Citations
64 Claims
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1. A user interface device comprising:
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a plurality of geometrically-shaped keys slidably retained within a housing, each key being associated with a plurality of characters or functions, the plurality of keys further joined together to slide substantially in unison;
a force detector configured to detect force applied to one or more of the plurality of keys;
a lateral movement sensor configured to sense direction of motion of the plurality of keys; and
a selection component for selecting at least one of a character or function based on the detected force and the sensed direction of motion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A user interface method using a plurality of geometrically-shaped keys each key being associated with a plurality of characters or functions, comprising:
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detecting force applied to one or more of the plurality of keys;
detecting direction of motion of one or more of the plurality of keys; and
selecting at least one of a character or function based on the detected force and sensed direction of motion. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A user interface device comprising:
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a plurality of geometrically-shaped keys slidably retained within a housing, each key being associated with a plurality of characters or functions, the plurality of keys further joined together to slide substantially in unison;
a force detector means for detecting force applied to one or more of the plurality of keys;
a lateral movement sensor means for sensing direction of motion of the plurality of keys; and
a selection component means for selecting at least one of a character or function based on the detected force and the sensed direction of motion. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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52. A user interface device comprising:
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a plurality of buttons displayed on a touch sensitive screen, each button being associated with a plurality of characters or functions;
a force detector for detecting force applied to one or more of the plurality of buttons;
a lateral movement sensor for sensing direction of motion of a stroke performed on the touch sensitive screen; and
a selection component for selecting at least one of a character or function based on the detected force and the sensed direction of motion. - View Dependent Claims (53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63)
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64. A user interface device comprising:
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a plurality of geometrically-shaped keys slidably retained within a housing, each key being associated with a plurality of characters or functions, the plurality of keys being separately slidable;
a force detector configured to detect force applied to one or more of the plurality of keys;
a lateral movement sensor configured to sense direction of motion of the plurality of keys; and
a selection component for selecting at least one of a character or function based on the detected force and the sensed direction of motion.
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Specification