Method and apparatus for easy input identification

• US 6,778,841 B1
• Filed: 12/17/1999
• Issued: 08/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Beghtol, Justin, Bories, Jolynn
• Primary Examiner(s): Corsaro, Nick
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gantt, Alan T.
• Application Number:
  US09/465,686
• Time in Patent Office: 1,705 Days
• Field of Search: 455/550, 455/422.1, 455/556.1, 455/464, 455/557, 455/558, 455/575.1, 455/566, 379/52, 379/433.12, 340/825.56, 341/34, 341/22, 345/810, 345/902
• US Class Current: 455/550.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/023 Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/23 Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof by improving visibility H04M1/22
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/56 Arrangements for indicating or recording the called number at the calling subscriber's set
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72481 for visually impaired users

Abstract

The present invention comprises a method and apparatus, which provides feedback for identification of a selected input on an electronic device. The method and apparatus is provided for identifying selected inputs of a device by a user of the device before the selected input is accepted as input for further processing in the device.

Claims

1. A method for identifying selected input of an electronic device, comprising the steps of:

generating a first event when the input is selected;

said first event receiving the input from a keypad having a plurality of keys, each key having a contact point and a contact surface, and generating the first event when the contact point contacts the contact surface;

providing, in response to the first event, a feedback of the selected input prior to accepting the selected input;

generating a second event if the selected input is accepted; and

processing the selected input if the second event is generated.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the step of providing a feedback comprises the step of visually displaying the selected input.

3. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the step of providing a feedback comprises the step of generating an audio display.

4. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the step of generating the second event comprises decreasing a counter started in response to the first event, and generating the second event if the counter reaches zero while the input is continuously selected.

5. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the step of generating the second event comprises incrementing a counter started in response to the first event, and generating the second event if the counter reaches a predetermined time while the input is continuously selected.

6. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the contact point comprises a first contact point and the contact surface comprises a first contact surface, wherein each of said plurality of keys further comprises a second contact point and a second contact surface;

and wherein said step of generating the second event if the second contact point contacts the second contact surface.

7. A method as set forth in claim 2, further comprises a step of removing the feedback from the display if the second event is not generated.

8. An apparatus for identifying a selected input on an electronic device, said apparatus comprising:

an input device for receiving the selected input, the input device comprises a keypad, said keypad comprising plurality of keys, each said keys comprising at least two contacts,

a controller coupled to said input device, said controller for providing a feedback of the selected input before accepting the selected input, said at least two contacts coupled to said controller, wherein a first contact of said at least two contacts provides a signal to said controller indicating that the input device has received the selected input and a second contact of said at least two contacts provides a signal to said controller indicating that the selected input is accepted; and

determining if the selected input is accepted and, in response to a positive determination, accepting the selected input.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the apparatus comprises a visual display coupled to the controller, and wherein the controller provides the feedback through the visual display.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the visual display comprises a LCD having a mode for enhanced display and the controller provides the feedback of the selected input using the mode for enhanced display.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the apparatus further comprises an audio display coupled to the controller, said audio display comprising a tone generator for generating tones based on the selected input, and wherein the controller provides the feedback through the audio display.

12. A method of entering input to an electronic device, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving an input at a keypad input device of the electronic device;

in response to receiving an input at the device providing, in the display, an indication in a normal mode, then;

providing an indication of said input, in an enhanced mode, to a user of the electronic device before processing the input in the electronic device;

determining whether the user has accepted the input; and

, in response to a positive determination in said step of determining;

processing the input in the electronic device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said step of receiving an input comprises detecting that a key has been depressed and wherein said step of determining whether the user has accepted the input comprises determining that said key has been depressed for a predetermined period of time.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said step of receiving an input comprises detecting that a key has been depressed so that a first contact has been made, and wherein said step of determining whether the user has accepted the input comprises determining that said key has been depressed so that a second contact has been made.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein said step of providing an indication comprises the step of providing an audio indication of said input to the user.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said step of receiving an input comprises detecting that a key has been depressed, and wherein said step of determining whether the user has accepted the input comprises determining that said key has been depressed for a predetermined period of time.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said step of receiving an input comprises detecting that a key has been depressed so that a first contact has been made, and wherein said step of determining whether the user has accepted the input comprises determining that said key has been depressed so that a second contact has been made.

18. A method of entering input to an electronic device, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving an input at an input device of the electronic device, wherein said step of receiving the input comprises detecting that a key has been depressed;

providing an indication of said input to a user of the electronic device before processing the input in the electronic device;

determining whether the user has accepted the input; and

wherein said step of determining whether the user has accepted the input comprises determining that said key has been depressed for a predetermined period of time, and, in response to a positive determination in said step of determining, processing the input in the electronic device.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said step of providing an indication comprising the step of providing an indication of said input to the user in an enhanced mode.

20. A method of entering input to an electronic device, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving an input at an input device of the electronic device, wherein said step of receiving an input comprises detecting that a key has been depressed so that a first contact has been made,;

providing an indication of said input to a user of the electronic device before processing the input in the electronic device;

determining whether the user has accepted the input; and

wherein said step of determining whether the user has accepted the input comprises determining that said key has been depressed so that a second contact has been made and, in response to a positive determination in said step of determining;

processing the input in the electronic device.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said step of providing an indication comprising the step of providing an indication of said input to the user in an enhanced mode.