Angular sensitized keypad

Abstract

Devices and methods are disclosed which relate to improving the efficiency of text input by measuring the angle of each key press and rejecting improbable keys pressed at an off-center angle. 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 determines the angle at which the key is pressed. Keyboard logic on the text-entry device assigns a range of acceptable angles to each key. If a key is pressed within the range of acceptable angles, which is typically around the center, then the entry is permitted. If a key is pressed outside the range of acceptable angles, which is typically on the edges, then the entry is denied. Once text is entered, the keyboard logic assigns a prediction value to each key based on a statistical probability that the key will be entered next. The keyboard logic then adjusts the range of acceptable angles based on that statistical probability.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to text-entry devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to determining an acceptable key entry by the angle in which the key is pressed.[0003]2. Background of the Invention[0004]Texting and messaging have become increasingly popular among wireless users. Texting gives users a quick and easy way to send a note to someone else without necessarily interrupting. Cellular providers have created a category of Quick Messaging Devices that are consumer based, messaging centric phones that utilize a virtual or physical full QWERTY keyboard to make typing easier. Within the span of less than a year, this segment has grown at a double digit rate.[0005]The current text input methods on mobile devices are quite cumbersome. The hard keyboards on mobile devices require a careful positioning of the finger on the character to prevent mistyping. This is particularly problematic for the elderl...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The present invention includes systems and methods for improving the efficiency of text input by measuring the angle of each key press and rejecting improbable keys pressed at an off-center angle. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention 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 determines the angle at which the key is pressed. Keyboard logic on the text-entry device assigns a range of acceptable angles to each key. If a key is pressed within the range of acceptable angles, which is typically around the center, then the entry is permitted. If a key is pressed outside the range of acceptable angles, which is typically on the edges, then the entry is denied. Once text is entered, the keyboard logic assigns a prediction value to each key based on a statistical probability that the key will be entered next. The keyboard logic then adjusts the range of acceptable angles based on that statistical probability.

[0010]In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention is a method of resisting error while entering text on a text-entry device having a keyboard. The method includes assigning a prediction value to each key after a user enters a key, and adjusting an acceptable angle for at least one key relative to the assigned prediction value. The keyboard is coupled with a text-entry device.

Problems solved by technology

The current text input methods on mobile devices are quite cumbersome.

This is particularly problematic for the elderly and visually handicapped users.

These and many other users have the problem of striking multiple keys at once, often due to the relatively small size of the individual keys.