LV14249B - Device for entering information in electronic devices - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention concerns devices for entering information in electronic devices, specifically, keyboards. This invention's objective is creation of such device for entering information, which provides for quick and convenient method of entering information in electronic devices by hardware and virtual keyboards with small number of keys. Objective is achieved by use of hardware and virtual keyboard for entering information, in which information entry is performed by pressing individual keys and/or simultaneously pressing several adjacent keys. Besides, types of input symbols in keyboard layout can be additionally structured by method of entering information. ?

Description

Description of the Invention

The invention relates to devices for entering information into electronic devices, in particular to keyboards.

Analysis of prior art

The most common device for entering information is the keyboard. Keyboards with keys are known, where one or more symbols correspond to each key on the keyboard. Keyboards can be either physical keys (hardware keyboards) or virtual keys (virtual on-screen keyboards). Two types of keyboards are most commonly used. For computers and smartphones, the keyboard with the English language layout QWERTY and its analogs to other languages, such as ΗΗ, ΥΚΕΗ for Russian, AZERTY for French, etc., are more commonly used. Keyboards are used as both a hardware keyboard and a virtual keyboard. Mobile phones use a twelve-key keypad (four horizontal rows of keys, three keys per line).

There are known key pads for mobile phones with twelve keys. The keys are arranged in four rows of three keys per row. Ten keys for entering digits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0 and two keys for entering additional symbols and commands. You use eight of the ten keys on the keypad, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 keys to enter letters. Each of these keys corresponds to three to four letters. The letters are arranged alphabetically on the keys - 2ABC, 3DEF, 4GHI, 5JKL, 6MNJ, 7PQRS, 8TUV and 9WXYZ. Use Space Bar to enter 0. One key controls additional characters (.,?! @ & $ N °, etc.) and one key controls the character input mode. Each time you press the Information Input mode control key, the information input modes are entered sequentially - numeric input, capitalization, character entry, and intelligent dictionary entry. To enter the required symbol, press the appropriate key until the required symbol is entered. For example, the capitalization mode is selected and the user needs to enter the capital letter A. To do this, press the 2ABC key once. If you need to enter the letter C, you must press the same key three times. If you need to enter 2, press the same key four times or select the number entry mode and press 2ABC once. The same applies to other information entry keys. Namely, in letter entry mode, you can enter only eight letters of ADGJMPTW by pressing the corresponding key once. To enter BEHKNQUX, press the corresponding key twice in succession. To enter the letter CFILORVY, press the corresponding key three times in succession. To enter letters in SZ, press the corresponding key four times in succession. To enter additional characters, press the additional character selection key. An additional character selection table appears on the screen. Use the cursor control keys to select the required additional character in the table and confirm the selection. Entering Information Intelligently with the Dictionary (T9) When you enter each subsequent letter of a word, the dictionary offers possible variants of that word. This speeds up the entry of information but requires training and familiarity with the user in this entry mode.

Keyboards with twelve keys for mobile electronic devices have the following disadvantages:

a) It is not possible to enter any keyboard layout symbol by pressing once. Only eight letters of the alphabet can be entered per press;

b) There is no uniform character input algorithm, the keys must be pressed several times for the same type of character input;

c) Entering text is inconvenient as you can only enter eight letters of ADGJMPTW by pressing a key once. The most common texts used are the eight letters of the English language ETAOINSH. Namely, of the eight most commonly used English letters, you can enter only two letters AT at the touch of a key once;

d) When entering two characters corresponding to one key in a row, it is necessary to take a pause after entering the first character before entering the second character with the same key. If not, the second symbol replaces the first because the device does not recognize the new symbol;

e) Entering information intelligently in a dictionary with a large number of short words (eg English) offers too many alternatives. In other languages, the same key combination may show several different words, and the text may be incorrect if you do not look at the screen. When entering information in languages with agglutinative elements (for example, German), the word may need to be written in parts, for example, in the intelligent dictionary dictionary, some phones offer the following solution: after the first part of the word, the user presses "OK" and the second part. In languages with advanced ending systems (such as Russian), there is no guarantee that the word will be in the proper fold. It is also not convenient to enter words that are not in the dictionary. When entering information in Intelligent mode, the dictionary (T9) has to delete all or part of the word and re-enter it one letter at a time. Due to these shortcomings, many users do not use the intelligent input mode.

Due to the disadvantages mentioned above, using twelve-key keyboards makes entering text information very inconvenient.

Keyboards with a QWERTY layout (and their analogs for other languages) are known. In the QWERTY keyboard, each letter of the alphabet corresponds to its own key, meaning that all letters are entered directly by pressing the corresponding key. Entering information on a device with a QWERTY keyboard is more convenient than a device with a twelve-key keyboard, but keyboards with a QWERTY layout have the following disadvantages:

a) They have a large area, since the area of each key must be large enough to be quickly and conveniently pressed. The layout contains all the letters of the layout language, digits 0 through 9, and work keys (Enter, Shift, etc.) at the same time. The laptop keyboard has a minimum of 60 keys, while the standard numeric keypad (Numpad) has 104 keys, which is unacceptable for mobile devices. The QWERTY keyboard of the printers contains at least 60 keys. The smartphone keypad does not have individual numeric keys and contains at least 40 keys and cursor control keys. The keys are small because the size of the keyboard is limited by the size of the smartphone itself. The QWERTY virtual keyboard for smartphones has 31 keys (for English), so it occupies a large screen area, but the keys are small;

b) It is ergonomically inconvenient to enter information using the QWERTY keyboard without using the hand support when holding the device with one hand (tablet, etc.) and entering information with the other hand. In small devices, such as smartphones, you can hold the device with both hands to enter information and press the keys with your thumbs, which is more convenient, but the small size of the keys increases data entry time and errors;

c) The QWERTY keyboard has a large area which makes it difficult for the user to focus on the entire keyboard and the user has to move the view to different sections of the keyboard during the information entry process.

These keyboards are monopolists in electronic devices. At present, there are no convenient devices for entering information at the level of development of electronic devices. This keypad began to be used on cell phones, but when the ability to send SMS messages, e-mails appeared, it was necessary to enter textual information. Today it is necessary to create compact and ergonomic information devices.

The object of the invention is to provide methods and devices for entering information:

(a) with a minimum area, using a minimum number of keys for entering information;

(b) which enable all the letters of the alphabet to be used to be entered at the press of a key only once;

(c) which enable rapid positioning of the fingers at the point of fingerprint, minimizing errors in information input;

(d) which allow the input of information mainly with the hand of the device holding the device, with the thumb, without moving the hand, and having a minimum range of motion;

(e) which allow the design of a keyboard both as a hardware keyboard and as a virtual keyboard;

(f) which maximize the user 's skills;

(g) do not require any specific training in the information;

(h) which may be designed as external devices for entering information or may be embedded in electronic devices of different sizes;

(i) which permit the design of electronic devices with monoblock shape factor;

(j) which allow the touchpad to not only input information but also control the graphical user interface (GUI).

Summary of the Invention

The object is achieved by using an apparatus and a virtual keyboard for entering information by pressing single keys and / or simultaneously pressing several adjacent keys, and the types of characters to be entered in the keyboard layout are structured by the method of entering information.

1) In one embodiment of the invention, the information input device is designed as a hardware keyboard, and the keyboard is a standard twelve-key block, four rows of keys, three keys per row. The edges of the keys have a marked relief (convex or concave). By touching the keyboard, the user can determine which surface the finger is on: flat surface - key; horizontal or vertical relief - the connection between two adjacent keys; Cross Embossed - A combination of four adjacent keys. When a key is pressed, the contact of the key connects, and the electronic device perceives it as a symbol input signal corresponding to that key. When two adjacent keys are pressed simultaneously in their connection, the contacts of the two keys connect simultaneously and the electronic device perceives it as a symbol input signal corresponding to the simultaneous pressing of the two keys at their connection, ie each connection of the two adjacent keys is a virtual key. Pressing four adjacent keys at the same time connects the contacts of these four keys, and the electronic device perceives it as a symbol input signal corresponding to the simultaneous pressing of the four keys at their connection, ie each connection of the four adjacent keys is a virtual key. . This technique allows you to enter up to thirty-five characters in a standard twelve-key block (four rows of keys, three keys per line), one touch of twelve keys, seventeen joints of two adjacent keys, and six joining points of four adjacent keys. The technique allows you to quickly position your finger at the point of pressing, thereby reducing errors in the information input process. The keys and the simultaneous pressing of the adjacent two keys correspond mainly to the letters. The keys 0, 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 also correspond to the keys. The control functions (Enter, f, etc.) correspond to the simultaneous pressing of the adjacent four keys. In electronic devices, the default symbols (entered by pressing once) will have different symbols in different operating modes. For example, in the phone number entry mode, the default symbols are numbers. In text entry mode, the default symbols are letters. Other symbols correspond to your own pressing method. For example, in text entry mode: by pressing a key or by pressing the two adjacent keys at the same time when you press them, you enter a default symbol - a letter; twice pressing the key enters another character, a number; press the four adjacent keys at the same time once to enter the corresponding control commands. Thus, using the twelve key keypad, you enter all letters of the English alphabet in the single-letter typing mode and double-press to enter the numbers. For a keypad with sixteen keys (four rows of keys, four keys per row), the key size is large enough to easily be pressed, and the number of characters (up to fifty characters) typed just once on sixteen keys, twenty-five joints of adjacent keys locations and the nine connection locations of the four adjacent keys.

2) In another embodiment, the device for entering information is designed as a hardware keyboard, the keyboard being a touch-sensitive surface that responds to a press as a click pad and serves to enter information. Embossed keys are located on the touch surface, or tab dividers are located in the edge areas of the keys, or the touch surface itself is appropriately embossed. The edge areas of the keys have a pronounced relief, and the user can tap on the surface of the finger when touching the keyboard: if the surface is flat, on the key; if the surface has horizontal or vertical relief, on the connection between the two adjacent zones of the key; if the surface has a cross-pattern, on the connection between the four adjacent zones of the key. To enter a symbol with your finger, press on the appropriate area on the touch-sensitive surface. The touch screen surface determines the press location and the corresponding symbol that is entered into the electronic device. This technique allows you to enter up to thirty-five symbols in a standard twelve-key block (four rows of keys, three keys per line), seventeen junctions of two adjacent zones, and six junctions of four adjacent zones. That is enough for most languages. The four adjacent zones of the keys correspond to the control functions (Enter, ΐ, etc.). In electronic devices, the default symbols that are entered by pressing the key once will have different symbols in different modes of operation. For example, in the phone number entry mode, the default symbols are numbers. In text entry mode, the default symbols are letters. Other symbols correspond to your own key press technique. For example, in text entry mode: when you press a key area, or press the two adjacent key areas at the same time when you key in a key, enter the defoluted symbol, the letter; by pressing the key area twice, another digit is entered; pressing the four adjacent zones at the same time once at the junction of one of them causes the appropriate control command to be entered. Thus, using the twelve key keypad (key areas), you enter all letters of the English alphabet in the text input mode by pressing the key once, while double-pressing enter the numbers. At the same time, the touch screen surface of the keyboard can be used as a touch pad for moving the cursor, navigation, electronic device menu, etc. If you create this keyboard with sixteen key areas (four key strokes per four keys per line), the key area sizes are large enough to easily be pressed and the number of characters (up to fifty characters) typed in just one keystroke increases considerably. ;

the twenty-five junctions of the two adjacent areas of the key and the nine junctions of the four adjacent areas of the key. For a more convenient way of detecting key-adjacent areas by pressing adjacent-zone connections, each individual area of adjacent key-space may be executed as a separate additional touch element, or the entire area of the keypad zone border borders may be executed as a single additional touch element.

3) In an alternative embodiment, the information input device is designed as a hardware keyboard, the keyboard being a multi-touch sensitive surface that responds to a press like a click (Click Pad) and controls a virtual keyboard that is displayed on an electronic device screen and serves to input information. Embossed keys are located on the touch-sensitive surface, or tab dividers are located on the edge of the keys, or the touch-sensitive surface itself is appropriately embossed. The edge areas of the keys have a pronounced relief and the user can tap the surface of the finger when touching the keyboard: if the surface is flat - the finger is on the key; if the surface is horizontally or vertically embossed, - the finger is the interface between two adjacent areas of the key; if there is a cross-pattern on the surface, - the finger is on the joint between the four adjacent areas of the key. This technique allows you to enter up to thirty-five characters in a standard twelve-key block (four rows of keys, three keys per line), by pressing once for twelve key zones, seventeen connection points for two adjacent zones, and six connection points for four adjacent zones. That is enough for most languages. At the same time, the touch screen surface of the keyboard can be used as a touch pad for moving the cursor, navigation, electronic device menu, etc. The keyboard is mainly located on the back of the electronic device screen. The user holds the electronic device by hand in a natural grip. Thus, the four fingers of your hand (index finger, middle finger, ring finger, little finger) are on the keyboard. The screen displays a virtual keyboard with a layout similar to that of a hardware keyboard. The touch-sensitive surface determines the touch point with your finger on the hardware keyboard and displays the corresponding symbols on the virtual keyboard. The user moves his or her fingers across the hardware keyboard to select the required symbol and presses the keyboard with the appropriate finger to enter it. The touch screen surface of the hardware keyboard determines the press location and enters the appropriate symbol. That way:

(a) at least four characters shall always appear, which may be entered without further movement of the fingers; (b) finger position amplitude shall be minimal; (c) the positioning of the fingers on the hardware keyboard is very accurate because the keyboard is embossed and the virtual keyboard shows which symbols have been selected at a given time, eliminating information entry errors;

d) The virtual keyboard can be located on the screen next to the input information, so the input information and the keyboard can be in the same field of view of the user; e) The virtual keyboard is for displaying only the characters you enter and may therefore be minimal in size.

Variations in the information input device (keyboard - touch screen surface) can be executed not only as a single touch surface of the entire keyboard, but also as a separate touch screen surface of each key on the keyboard.

4) In another alternative embodiment, the device for entering information is designed as a virtual touchscreen keyboard of an electronic device for entering information. The keyboard is executed as a key block. For numeric keypad, extra symbol, etc. it is possible to toggle the keys for entry. For the sake of a denser layout of the symbols and to ensure the accuracy of their selection, the symbols are linked not only to the keys but also to the key combinations (pressing the adjacent keys at the same time). Thus, the keys are a kind of grid with symbols associated with them. Symbols on the virtual keyboard are attached to the keys just like on the keyboards of the handsets, providing the speed of selection of the required symbol. Connections to adjacent keys, like the keys themselves, have precise visual engagement. Adjoining key combinations are used to associate symbols and allow more characters to be placed in the same space. That way:

(a) The exact visual association of the symbols shall ensure the accuracy of the required symbol selection and the speed at which it is entered;

b) The keys have the same area as the QWERTY keys on the standard keypad. It ensures accurate pressing of symbols corresponding to the keys;

c) To enter symbols that correspond to the adjacent key combination, it is necessary for your finger to simultaneously touch those keys, respectively. the simultaneous pressing of adjacent keys is required.

This device allows you to enter up to thirty-five characters in a standard twelve-key block (four rows of keys, three keys per line), one touch of twelve keys, seventeen joints of two adjacent keys, and six joints of four adjacent keys. That is enough for most languages. The keyboard also contains the Alt, Shift, Ctrl, Enter, Space Bar and other control keys. These control keys are arranged so that two keys (Ctrl + Alt, Shift + Alt, Shift + Ctrl) can be simultaneously pressed with one finger, which are needed to create commonly used combinations of the three keys Ctrl + Shift + Key, Ctrl + Alt + key, Shift + Alt + key. This technique allows you to create a keyboard with a small screen area, easy to enter information and cursor controls, and it has QWERTY keyboard functionality. Only the holding thumb of the device is used to enter symbols.

5) In another embodiment, the device for entering information is designed as a communication mobile electronic device with a hardware keypad, wherein the keypad is for entering a telephone number and for controlling calls (on and off). The edges of the keys are highly embossed, and the user can touch the keyboard to define the surface of the finger: if the surface is flat, the finger is on the key; if the surface has a horizontal or vertical relief, the finger is on the joint between the two adjacent keys; if the surface is cross-shaped, the finger is connected to four adjacent keys. When a key is pressed, the contact of the key connects and is perceived by the electronic device as a symbol input signal corresponding to that key. Pressing two adjacent keys at the same place connects the contacts of the two keys simultaneously and perceives the electronic device as a symbol input signal corresponding to the simultaneous pressing of the two keys at their connection, ie each connection of the two adjacent keys is a virtual key. Pressing four adjacent keys at the same time connects the contacts of the four keys simultaneously, and the electronic device perceives it as a symbol input signal corresponding to the simultaneous pressing of the four keys at their connection, ie each connection of the four adjacent keys is a virtual key. This technique allows you to enter up to fifteen characters in a six-key block (two rows of keys three on each line), seven joints of two adjacent keys, and two joints of four adjacent keys. The keys and the vertical joints of the two adjacent keys press the two adjacent keys at the same time as the numbers. Connections of the four adjacent keys by simultaneously pressing the four adjacent keys correspond to the control functions - call and end call. In addition, there are three horizontal key connections that can be used to enter additional symbols required for number entry or control commands, such as loud communication, etc. on / off. This allows you to enter all the digits and commands you need to control the call by pressing it once on a six-key keypad.

6) In another embodiment, the device for entering information is designed as a communication mobile electronic device with a hardware keypad, wherein the keypad is for entering a telephone number and for controlling calls (on and off). The keypad is a touch-sensitive surface that responds to a press as a Click Pad. Keys are located on the touch-sensitive surface, or there are dividing bumps on the boundaries of the key areas, or the touch-sensitive surface itself has adequate relief. The area around the key areas has a pronounced relief, and the user can tap the surface of the finger to touch the keyboard: if the surface is flat, it is the key; if the surface is horizontally or vertically embossed, the finger is on the junction between two adjacent keys; if there is a cross-shaped relief on the surface, the finger is on the joint of four adjacent keys. To enter a symbol, you need to press your finger on the appropriate area on the touch-sensitive surface. The touch-sensitive surface identifies the press point and the corresponding symbol for that point and enters it into the electronic device. This technique allows you to enter up to fifteen characters in a block of six zones (a key area consisting of two rows of three keys per line), one press of any one of the six keys, seven joints of two adjacent zones, and two joints of four adjacent zones. The key areas and the vertical joints of the two adjacent areas of the key represent numbers. Connections between the four adjacent zones of the keys correspond to the control functions call and end call. In addition, the horizontal connections of the three key zones remain free, which can be used to enter additional symbols needed to enter a number or to enter control commands, such as loud communication, etc. on / off. This allows you to enter all the numbers and commands you need to control the call by using the six-key area keypad and pressing it once. At the same time, the touch screen surface of the keyboard can be used as a touch pad for cursor control, electronic device menu navigation, etc.

7) In another embodiment, the keyboard is designed as an electronic device hardware or virtual keyboard with a QWERTY layout. Characters are entered by pressing the key and the adjacent key combination (by pressing the adjacent keys at the same time). In such an embodiment of the keyboard, it is sufficient to use only fifteen or eleven keys, depending on the embodiment, to place the QWERTY layout.

Advantages of the Invention

An advantage of the invention is the provision of a compact and convenient data entry technique that allows for an optimal layout of the data entry device with minimum device dimensions. The compact keypad is within the user's line of sight as you enter information, which further reduces character entry time and possible errors. It allows you to create mobile electronic devices in a new form factor, such as making your mobile phone like a wristwatch with a keyboard, convenient for entering textual information. The invention allows you to design a keyboard with a QWERTY layout using a significantly smaller number of keys and correspondingly more compact.

The invention can be used to enter information into all electronic devices, such as mobile phones, smartphones, navigators, external keyboards, notebooks, tablets, e-books, vehicle electronic devices, remote controls, etc. This invention is particularly relevant in mobile electronic devices.

The invention provides the ability to drastically reduce the size of the keyboard, while providing quick and accurate selection and input of required symbols, using not only keys for keying but also multiple key presses or adjacent key combinations. A keypad is a kind of grid that uses every possible place for entering symbols: grid cells - keys, grid lines - connections of two adjacent keys; Grid nodes - Connections of four adjacent keys. If the rows of keys are offset against one another, you can use a combination of three adjacent keys to enter symbols. The keys on the keyboard (keys and key combinations) are precisely differentiated, namely in the apparatus keyboards - visual and tactile, in virtual keyboards - visually. Keystroke techniques allow you to structure the keyboard character layout by the type of keystroke, for example, when you press a key, you enter vowels; by simultaneously pressing two adjacent keys, resp. connect two adjacent keys, enter equilibrium; by simultaneously pressing the four adjacent keys resp. the connection of the four adjacent keys is entered by the control commands. On the hardware keyboard, the user senses what type of symbol he is typing. If you feel the key with your finger, a vowel is entered; if you feel the border of the two-button connection with your finger, a consonant is entered; if the finger touches the border of the four-button connection, the control command is entered. In the virtual keyboard, the visual assignment of different character types speeds up the entering of symbols, such as vowel key assignment, consonant assignment of a two-key combination, and simultaneously pressing of two adjacent key combinations; mapping control commands to a four-key connection while simultaneously pressing the four adjacent key combination). The keys may have different shapes - square, rectangle, triangle, pentagon, etc. and even round.

Description of attached drawings

The invention is explained by the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows an electronic communication device (mobile phone) containing a hardware keypad according to an embodiment, in which information entry and operation of the device is effected by pressing the keys, simultaneously pressing two adjacent keys and simultaneously pressing four adjacent keys;

Fig. 1A shows a device for entering information with a twelve-key keypad, in which information is entered by pressing keys, simultaneously pressing two adjacent keys and simultaneously pressing four adjacent keys, showing the number of characters entered by pressing once;

- Fig. 2 shows a device for entering information executed as a tactile pad with a tactile pad showing the key areas on the touch pad, by pressing the key areas, simultaneously pressing the two adjacent zones key and simultaneously pressing the four adjacent zones key, showing the possible layout of the symbols;

Fig. 2A shows a variant of the information input device according to the invention in which the keyboard is executed as a touch pad (touch surface) with a concave relief showing the key areas on the touch pad (touch surface) and is shown as a sectional view;

Fig. 2B is a side elevational view of an information input device according to an embodiment of the invention in which the keypad is executed as a separate touch pad (touch surface) for each key area, the key areas being divided by convex relief;

- Fig. 3 shows a six-key keypad for entering information, either by pressing keys or by pressing two adjacent keys at the same time or by pressing four adjacent keys at the same time, and showing the possible arrangement of symbols on the keypad keys for entering a telephone number; call management;

Fig. 3A shows a device for entering information according to an embodiment of the invention, in which the keyboard is executed as a touch pad (touch surface) with a relief showing key areas on the touch pad and in which information is entered by pressing key areas or simultaneously pressing two adjacent keys. zones, or by pressing four adjacent zones at the same time, and displaying the possible arrangement of symbols for entering a telephone number and controlling a call;

Fig. 4 shows a keyboard for an information input device according to an embodiment of the invention in which the keyboard is executed as a virtual keyboard and in which information is entered by pressing keys or by pressing two adjacent keys simultaneously or by displaying a symbol the possible layout;

Fig. 5 shows a keypad of an information input device according to an embodiment of the invention, which is designed as a fifteen-key keypad with a QWERTY layout and in which information is entered by pressing the keys or by simultaneously pressing two adjacent keys;

Figure 5A shows a keypad of an information input device according to an embodiment of the invention, which is designed as an eleven-key keypad with a QWERTY layout and in which information is entered by pressing keys or simultaneously pressing two adjacent keys or simultaneously pressing three adjacent keys;

Fig. 5B shows a keypad of an information input device according to an embodiment, which is designed as an eleven-key keypad with a QWERTY layout and in which information is entered by pressing the keys or by simultaneously pressing two adjacent keys or by simultaneously pressing four adjacent keys;

Fig.6 shows a keypad of an information input device according to an embodiment of the invention, which is designed as a twelve key keypad and in which information is entered by pressing the keys or by pressing two adjacent keys simultaneously or by pressing the four adjacent keys simultaneously; from each other;

Fig. 7 shows an electronic device (tablet computer) according to an embodiment of the invention having a built-in hardware keypad, in which information entry and control of the device is effected by pressing keys or simultaneously pressing two adjacent keys or simultaneously pressing four adjacent keys;

- Fig.7A shows an information input device having a built-in hardware keypad according to Fig.7, in which the information entry and control of the device is effected by pressing a key or by simultaneously pressing two adjacent keys or by simultaneously pressing four adjacent keys.

Description of a device for entering information into electronic devices in connection with the accompanying drawings

Variants of the information input device according to the invention are shown in Figures 1-7A. In one embodiment of the invention (Figs. 1 to 7A), the information input device is a hardware keypad (3, 10) embedded in a communication mobile electronic device (1). The electronic device has a display (2) for displaying information. There are three ways of pressing the keys on the keyboard: by pressing one of the keys (3) separately (Figs. 1A are shown with the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12); by pressing one of the two adjacent keys (6, 7) at the same time (Fig. 1A, these options are shown with the digits 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, * 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 , 27, 28, 29); by simultaneously pressing the four adjacent keys (8, 9) (Fig. 1A shows these options with numbers 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35). Default symbols (symbols that are entered when the keypad is pressed once) are different symbols in different operating modes on an electronic device. When you enter a phone number, the defaults are numbers (5). Press the corresponding keys to enter the digits (5) corresponding to the phone number. When entering text, the defolt symbols are letters (4, 6, 7). The letters are entered by pressing the keys (4) and simultaneously pressing the two adjacent keys (6, 7). By pressing the four adjacent keys simultaneously, the control commands (8, 9) are entered: call, end call, cursor control. For example, pressing two adjacent keys (1, 4) (Fig. L) simultaneously enters the letter H and simultaneously pressing two adjacent keys (1,2) (Fig. L) enters the letter L. Pressing four adjacent keys simultaneously existing keys, enter a command corresponding to the combination of these keys, for example, by simultaneously pressing the four adjacent keys (2,3, 5,6) (Fig. 1), enter the command (9) - end the call.

In another embodiment (Fig. 2, Fig. 2A), the device for entering information is designed as a keypad, the keypad being a touch pad (touch surface) that responds to a press as a key. The key area borders are embossed (17, 19, 23). To enter a symbol with your finger, press the appropriate area on the touch pad (touch surface) and the contacts (25, 26) join. The touch pad (touch surface) determines the press point and its corresponding symbol and enters it into the electronic device. The keypad (15, 23) has three functionally different press locations: key areas (flat surfaces) (16, 18); zones of two adjacent keys pressed simultaneously, or relief areas of two adjacent keys (17, 19, 20, 21); the zones of four adjacent keys pressed simultaneously, or the contour of the four adjacent keys (22). In an electronic device, the defaults on the keypad zones are different in different operating modes. When you enter a phone number, the defaults on the keypad areas are the digits (18) that you enter by pressing the corresponding keys sequentially. When entering text, the defolt symbols are letters (16, 20, 21). By pressing the key area, the touch pad (touch surface) (15, 23) identifies and enters the letter (16) corresponding to the key area. By pressing two adjacent keys at the same time, the tactile border of the two adjacent keys (17, 19, 20, 21), the touch pad (touch surface) (15, 23) identifies and enters a letter corresponding to the simultaneous pressing of two adjacent keys. (the border of these key areas). For example, by simultaneously pressing the key (4) and the adjacent area (20), you enter the letter R. By simultaneously pressing the two adjacent Space Bar buttons and the boundary zone 0 (21), you enter the letter W. By simultaneously pressing the four adjacent zones, resp. , the tactile border (22) of the four adjacent zones, the touch pad (touch surface) (15) determines and enters a command (22) corresponding to the boundary of these key zones. For example, pressing the 1, 2, 4, and 5 keys next to four adjacent zones simultaneously enters the Enter command. In Variant (Fig.2B), the device for entering information is a keypad with separate touch pads (touch sensitive surfaces) (28, 29, 30) for each key area. The key areas are divided by convex relief (27).

In another embodiment (Fig. 3), the device for entering information is designed as a hardware keypad (31) of a mobile communication device for communication and is intended for entering a telephone number and for controlling calls. You can press the keypad in three ways: by pressing the key (32) to enter numbers 1, 3, 5, 6, 8 and 0; pressing two adjacent keys (33) simultaneously to enter digits 2, 4, 7 and 9; pressing the four adjacent keys (34, 35) simultaneously enters the control command call and control command call termination respectively. With a single key press, the key contact connects and the number 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, or 0 corresponding to the key is entered. Pressing two adjacent keys at the same time connects the contacts of the two keys and enters the number 2, 4, 7, or 9, which corresponds to pressing the keys simultaneously. For example, pressing two keys (1,3) at the same time enters the number 2, and pressing two keys (6, 8) at the same time enters the number 7. Pressing four adjacent keys simultaneously connects the contacts of all four keys and enters the command (34). , 35), which corresponds to pressing these keys simultaneously. For example, pressing four keys (1, 3, 6, 8) at the same time enters the command (34) to make a call.

In another embodiment (Fig. 3A), the information entry device is designed as a hardware keypad for a mobile communication electronic device and is intended for entering a telephone number and for controlling calls. The keypad is executed as a touchpad (touch-sensitive surface) that responds to a touch as a key. The touchpad (touch sensitive surface) has curved keys or dividing bumps on the boundaries of the key areas, or the touch sensitive surface itself has adequate relief. To enter the symbol, you need to press your finger on the touch surface at the appropriate position. The touch pad (touch surface) (36) determines the press point and the symbol corresponding to that point, and it is entered into the electronic device. There are three ways to press the keypad: by pressing the key area (37), which is a flat surface; simultaneously pressing two adjacent zones, or the relief border of the two adjacent buttons (38); by simultaneously pressing the four adjacent key zones, or the relief boundary zone of the four adjacent key zones (39, 40). The numbers corresponding to the key areas and to the relief area of the two adjacent key areas correspond mainly to the numbers (37, 38). The call control commands (39, 40) correspond mainly to the relief of the four adjacent key areas. By pressing a key area, the touch pad (touch screen) (36) identifies and enters a number 1, 3, 5, 6, 8 or 0 corresponding to the key area. By pressing two adjacent keys simultaneously, or the tactile border of two adjacent keys, the touch pad (touch surface) (36) identifies and enters a number 2, 4, 7, or 9 corresponding to the simultaneous pressing of two adjacent key areas border area). For example, by simultaneously pressing zones 1 and 3 of the two adjacent keys, respectively. Pressing the border of these keys enters 2, and simultaneously presses the zones of two adjacent keys 3 and 5, and enters the number 4. Simultaneously pressing the border of the four adjacent keys, or the tactile border of the four adjacent keys, (touch surface) ( 39, 40) determines and enters a command corresponding to the simultaneous pressing of four adjacent key areas. For example, by simultaneously pressing the four adjacent key areas (3, 5, 8, 0), you enter the command (40), or call termination.

In an alternative embodiment (Fig. 4), the device for entering information is designed as a virtual touch screen keyboard of an electronic device. There are three ways to press the keypad (41): by pressing the key (42); by simultaneously pressing two adjacent keys or the connection area (43, 44) of the two adjacent keys; by simultaneously pressing the four adjacent keys or the connection area of the four adjacent keys (45). Press a key to enter the letter corresponding to the key (42). Pressing two adjacent keys at the same time enters the letter corresponding to the simultaneous pressing of the two adjacent keys, or the area of connection of these keys (43, 44). For example, pressing the two adjacent keys E and O at the same time enters the letter R and pressing the two adjacent keys E and A at the same time enters the letter H. Pressing the four adjacent keys simultaneously, or the four adjacent key connection zones, enters the control command corresponding to simultaneously pressing the four adjacent keys. For example, pressing the four adjacent keys Ε, Ο, A, and I simultaneously enters the left cursor command.

In another embodiment (Fig. 5), the device for entering information is an electronic device keyboard having a QWERTY layout. There are two ways to press the keypad (46): by pressing the key (47); by simultaneously pressing the two adjacent keys or the connection of the two adjacent keys (48). When you press a specific key, enter the letter (47) corresponding to that key. Pressing two adjacent keys at the same time enters the letter (48) corresponding to the simultaneous pressing of the two adjacent keys. For example, pressing the two adjacent keys Q and E at the same time enters the letter W. For this type of keyboard, with a QWERTY layout, fifteen keys are sufficient to enter information.

In another embodiment (Fig. 5A), the device for entering information is an electronic device keyboard with a QWERTY layout. The keypad strings are arranged offset against each other. There are three ways to press the keypad (49): by pressing the key (50); by simultaneously pressing the two adjacent keys or the connection area (51) of the two adjacent keys; by simultaneously pressing the three adjacent keys or the connection area of the three adjacent keys (52). Press a key to enter the letter (50) corresponding to that key. Pressing two adjacent keys at the same time enters the letter (51) corresponding to pressing the two keys at the same time, respectively. Pressing three adjacent keys at the same time enters the letter (52) that corresponds to the connection of the three adjacent keys at the same time, or the area in which they are connected. For example, pressing two adjacent keys Q and E at the same time enters the letter W. Pressing three adjacent keys Q, E and Z at the same time enters the letter A. In this embodiment, the keyboard with QWERTY layout is sufficient to enter eleven keys.

In another embodiment (Fig. 5B), the device for entering information is an electronic device keyboard with a QWERTY layout. There are three ways to press the keypad (53): by pressing the key (54); by simultaneously pressing two adjacent keys, respectively, the connection area (55, 56) of the two adjacent keys; by simultaneously pressing the four adjacent keys or the connection area of the four adjacent keys (57). Press a key to enter the letter (54) corresponding to that key. Pressing two adjacent keys at the same time enters a letter (55, 56) corresponding to the simultaneous pressing of two adjacent keys. By pressing the four adjacent keys simultaneously, or the four adjacent key combinations, enter the letter (57) corresponding to the simultaneous press of the four adjacent keys. For example, pressing two adjacent keys Q and E at the same time enters the letter W. Pressing four adjacent keys Q, Ε, Z and C at the same time enters the letter S. Such a keyboard with a QWERTY layout has eleven keys.

In another embodiment (Fig. 6), the device for entering information is designed as a hardware keypad of a communication mobile electronic device in which the keys are separated from one another by the possibility of simultaneously pressing two or four keys with one finger. You can press the keypad in three ways: by pressing a single key; by pressing two adjacent keys simultaneously and simultaneously pressing four adjacent keys. Default symbols (symbols that are entered when the keypad is pressed once) are different symbols in different operating modes on an electronic device. When you enter a phone number, the defaults are numbers (58). Pressing the keys enters the numbers (58) corresponding to the keys. When entering text, the defolt symbols are letters (59, 60, 62). The letters are entered by pressing the keys (59) and simultaneously pressing the two adjacent keys (60, 62). Press the four adjacent keys simultaneously to enter the control commands (61); Enter, Clear, cursor control. For example, pressing two keys 1 and 4 at the same time enters the letter H, and pressing two keys 1 and 2 at the same time enters the letter L. Pressing four adjacent keys at the same time enters a control command corresponding to the keys being pressed simultaneously. For example, pressing the four keys 2, 3, 5 and 6 at the same time enters the control command (61) for moving the cursor one position up.

In another embodiment (Fig. 7 to Fig. 7A), the information input device is designed as an eighteen-key hardware keyboard (63) and is incorporated into a mobile electronic device, the tablet computer. The electronic device has a display (64) for displaying information. You can press the keypad in three ways: by pressing a key; pressing two adjacent keys at the same time; by simultaneously pressing four adjacent keys. The letters and numbers are entered by pressing the keys (68) and pressing the two adjacent keys (69, 72) at the same time. The control commands are entered by pressing two adjacent keys (66, 71) and simultaneously pressing the four adjacent keys (70). For example, pressing two adjacent keys 1 and 3 (Fig.7A) simultaneously enters the numeral 2. Pressing two adjacent keys E and A (Fig.7A) simultaneously enters the letter H and simultaneously pressing two keys 5 and 0 (Fig. 7A) Fig.7A), enter the Back Space command. Pressing four adjacent keys at the same time enters a command corresponding to pressing these keys at the same time. For example, pressing the four adjacent keys 3, 5, 8 and 0 (Fig.7A) simultaneously enters the control command (70). to move the cursor up one position. The additional symbols (67) are entered by pressing the corresponding key twice. The embodiment of this variant shows that using only eighteen keys and pressing them once can enter all letters, numbers, virtually all commands used in modern computers. By pressing the keys twice, additional characters can be entered. The keyboard in this variant is functionally practically analogous to a QWERTY keyboard with sixty to one hundred and four keys.

The examples described above (Figs. 1-7A) show that symbols are entered not only by pressing the keys, but also by simultaneously pressing some adjacent keys, or by pressing the adjacent key connection areas. It allows you to create information entry methods and devices:

(a) with a minimum number of keys;

(b) with a minimum area, keeping the size of each key the same as that of a standard keyboard;

(c) do not require any specific training to enter information;

(d) provide fast and reliable input of symbols with the minimum number of errors;

(e) can be used in both large and small electronic devices;

(f) which can be executed both as a hardware keyboard and as a virtual keyboard;

(g) which allow the creation of keyboards with symbols, taking into account their preferred mode of pressing the keyboard; for example, pressing a key enters a vowel or number. by pressing two adjacent keys simultaneously, or by pressing two adjacent key connection zones, enter consonant by simultaneously pressing four adjacent keys, or by pressing four adjacent key connection zones, enters the control command.

The invention enables the creation of convenient and ergonomic information input and control devices both as external devices and as integrated devices. The proposed device can be used to enter information into all electronic devices such as mobile phones, smartphones, navigators, external keyboards, notebooks, tablets, e-books, vehicle electronic devices, remote controls, etc. This invention is particularly relevant in mobile electronic devices.

Information sources used:

1. Hellman, Μ. E., An extension of the Shannon Theory Approach to Cryptography, IEEE Transactions, on Information Theory, vol. IT-23,1977, p. 289-294.

2. P Beauchemin and G Brassard. A Generalization of Hellmans Extension to Shannons Approach to Cryptography.

3. Υ. y3epejui. Gtioabi juta nporpaMMHCTOB. MocKBa, Mnp, 1982.

4. Α. A. Bap <Ļ) OJiOMeeB, Β. Μ. ΦοΜηπέΒ. ΗηΦορμ3π; ηοηημ 6e3onacHOCTB. MeTozumecKue ochobbi κρΗπτοποπ-ϊΐι. MocKBa, ΜΙ4ΦΗ, 1995r.

5. Baudouin C., Elements de cryptographie / Ed. Pedone A. - Paris, 1939.

6. Friedman W. F ,, Callimahos D., Military cryptanalysis, Parti, Vol 2, Aegean Park Press, Laguna Hills CA, 1920.

Claims (8)

Claims 1. A device for entering information into electronic devices, characterized in that the information is entered using a keyboard and the information is entered by pressing single keys and / or simultaneously pressing several adjacent keys. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that a hardware keypad is used for entering information and the information is entered by pressing individual keys and / or simultaneously pressing several adjacent keys. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that a virtual keyboard is used for entering information and the information is entered by pressing single keys and / or simultaneously pressing several adjacent keys. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that a hardware keypad, shaped like a touch pad and embossed in key areas, is used for entering information and the information is entered by pressing individual key areas and / or simultaneously pressing several adjacent key keys. zones. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that a hardware keyboard is used for entering information, the keys of which are in the form of separate touch pads and the information is entered by pressing individual keys and / or simultaneously pressing several adjacent keys. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that a hardware keypad, in the form of a touch pad and embossed in key areas, is used for entering information and the information is entered by pressing individual key areas and / or simultaneously pressing several adjacent key areas. , the electronic device displays a virtual keyboard with a layout similar to that of a hardware keyboard, and the virtual keyboard additionally displays the symbols that the fingers of the hardware keyboard touch at the time. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that a hardware keypad is used for entering information, the keys of which are in the form of separate touch pads and the information is entered by pressing individual keys and / or simultaneously pressing several adjacent keys on the electronic device screen. displays a virtual keyboard with a layout similar to that of a hardware keyboard, and the virtual keyboard additionally displays the characters that the fingers on the hardware keyboard touch at the time. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the information is typed using a keyboard and the information is entered by pressing individual keys and / or simultaneously pressing several adjacent keys, wherein: structured according to the method of entering information; for each input method, pressing individual keys, simultaneously pressing two adjacent keys, simultaneously pressing three adjacent keys, simultaneously pressing four adjacent keys, etc., mainly corresponds to their own symbol type - vowels, consonants, numbers, additional symbols, control commands, etc.