Data input device and data input method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A data entry device comprising:
- a key-top with at least a first symbol on its surface;
a first switch, activated when a first part of the key-top is pressed;
a second switch, activated when a second part of the key-top is pressed; and
conversion means having inputs coupled to said first and second switches, said conversion means producing an output having states unique to respective combinations of activation states of said first and second switches including simultaneous activation.
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Abstract
An efficient and user friendly data entry device and data entry method. At least a first symbol and a second symbol are printed on a key-top, and at least a first switch and a second switch are provided corresponding to the symbols. The first switch is activated when the first symbol is pressed, and the second switch is activated when the second symbol is pressed. When more than two switches are activated simultaneously, a predetermined output is provided.
30 Citations
54 Claims
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1. A data entry device comprising:
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a key-top with at least a first symbol on its surface;
a first switch, activated when a first part of the key-top is pressed;
a second switch, activated when a second part of the key-top is pressed; and
conversion means having inputs coupled to said first and second switches, said conversion means producing an output having states unique to respective combinations of activation states of said first and second switches including simultaneous activation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A keypad comprising a plurality of data entry devices, each of said data entry devices comprising:
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a key-top with at least a first symbol on its surface;
a first switch, activated when a first part of the key-top is pressed;
a second switch, activated when a second part of the key-top is pressed; and
a memory device having a conversion table stored therein and having inputs coupled to said first and second switches, said memory device producing an output having states unique to respective combinations of activation states of said first and second switches including simultaneous activation.
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24. An electrical device comprising:
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a keypad comprising a plurality of data entry devices, each of said data entry devices comprising;
a key-top with at least a first symbol on its surface;
a first switch, activated when a first part of the key-top is pressed;
a second switch, activated when a second part of the key-top is pressed; and
a memory device having a conversion table stored therein and having inputs coupled to said first and second switches, said memory device producing an output having states unique to respective combinations of activation states of said first and second switches including simultaneous activation; and
a control device for controlling predetermined operations of said electrical device in response to said output of said memory device. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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27. A data entry method comprising:
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activating a first switch to provide a first output when a first part of a key-top is pressed;
activating a second switch to provide a second output when a second part of the key-top is pressed; and
providing a first predetermined output according to a stored conversion table when the first and second switches are activated simultaneously. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 44)
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- 28. The data entry method of claim27, wherein the first predetermined output is neither the first output nor the second output.
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45. A method for controlling a data entry device comprising:
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providing a plurality of data entry devices, each of said data entry devices comprising a key-top with at least a first symbol on its surface, and a plurality of switches mounted adjacent said key-top, one or more of said switches being activated when corresponding parts of said key-top are pressed;
arranging said switches of said plurality of data entry devices in a matrix;
scanning said matrix to determine whether a pressing state of any of said key pads has changed;
determining which of said switches are being pressed if a pressing state has changed;
determining an output state according to the switches being pressed. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47)
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48. A sheet for manufacturing keys, comprising:
- a substrate; and
a plurality sets of switches mounted on the substrate,wherein each set of switch is arranged according to the shape of a key-top and comprises at least two switches, the first switch is activated when a first part of the key-top is pressed, the second switch is activated when a second part of the key-top is pressed, and both the first switch and the second switch are activated when a third part of the key-top is pressed.
- a substrate; and
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49. A data entry device comprising:
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a key-top with at least a first symbol on its surface;
a first switch, activated when a first part of the key-top is pressed;
a second switch, activated when a second part of the key-top is pressed;
a memory device having a conversion table stored therein and having inputs coupled to said first and second switches, said memory device producing an output having states unique to respective combinations of activation states of said first and second switches including simultaneous activation; and
a display device for displaying an indication corresponding to said output of said memory.
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50. A data entry method comprising:
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activating a first switch to provide a first output when a first part of a key-top is pressed;
activating a second switch to provide a second output when a second part of the key-top is pressed;
providing a first predetermined output according to a stored conversion table when the first and second switches are activated simultaneously;
providing a tutorial mode corresponding to a first conversion table to enable a user to learn about the input-output relationship based on the first conversion table;
providing a tutorial mode corresponding to a second conversion table to enable the user to learn about the input-output relationship based on the second conversion table; and
selecting one of the conversion tables as the conversion table to be used according to the user'"'"'s preference.
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51. A telecommunication device comprising:
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a housing member for a wireless device;
a key board including a plurality of keys representative of a set of numbers including 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, the keyboard being coupled to the housing members;
one or more of the keys being representative of at least a first character and a second character, the one or more keys including a first portion and a second portion;
a first switch activated when the first portion of the key is pressed;
a second switch activated when a second portion of the key is pressed; and
a conversion device coupled to the first switch and the second switch, the conversion device having a first input coupled to the first switch, the conversion device having a second input coupled to the second switch, the first input being capable of transferring a first output indicative of the first character, the second input being capable of transferring a second output indicative of the second character. - View Dependent Claims (52)
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53. A remote controller device comprising:
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a housing member for a wireless communications;
a key board including a plurality of keys representative of a set of numbers including 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, the keyboard being coupled to the housing member;
one or more of the keys being representative of at least a first character and a second character, the one or more keys including a first portion and a second portion;
a first switch activated when the first portion of the key is pressed;
a second switch activated when a second portion of the key is pressed; and
conversion device coupled to the first switch and the second switch, the conversion device having a first input coupled to the first switch, the conversion device having a second input coupled to the second switch, the first input being capable of transferring a first output indicative of the first character, the second input being capable of transferring a second output indicative of the second character.
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54. A telecommunication device comprising:
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a cellular phone device including a housing member;
a key board including a plurality of keys representative of a set of numbers including 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, the keyboard being coupled to the housing members;
one or more of the keys being representative of at least a first character and a second character, the one or more keys including a center portion, a first edge portion and a second edge portion;
a first switch activated when the first edge portion of the key is pressed;
a second switch activated when a second edge portion of the key is pressed; and
conversion device coupled to the first switch and the second switch, the conversion device having a first input coupled to the first switch, the conversion device having a second input coupled to the second switch, the first input being capable of transferring a first output indicative of the first character, the second input being capable of transferring a second output indicative of the second character.
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Specification