FR2837941A1 - Keyboard for entry of text to mobile telephones or personal digital assistants, displays character sets on screen with key selecting character set then character from that set - Google Patents

Abstract

The keyboard has a processor which operates in alphabetic modes despite having fewer keys (7) than characters in the alphabet. The keyboard allows access to up to N2 characters from a keyboard with N keys. A key selects a set of characters displayed on the screen, and a second press selects a character from that set. Any one of the N2 characters can be selected with only two key activations.

Description

moment on one of the other subzones.

  The invention relates to the organized and accelerated typing of text from a processing unit capable of operating in different modes, in particular in numeric and alphabetical mode, and comprising at least one alphanumeric and function keyboard comprising substantially fewer keys than the number of letters in a given alphabet, notably fitted with communication terminals (mobile phone, personal digital assistant, etc.), and / or text editing (labeling machine, text editing part of a calculator, etc.) ), portable or

offices, real or virtual.

  There are already keyboards with in general 12 keys of which most often 8 or 9 keys each carry, in addition to a number, 3 or 4 letters (or graphemes) of an alphabet classified in order

  alphabetical. But these do not bring total satisfaction.

  Faced with this prior art, the first problem that the invention aims to solve is of three types: a) maximizing the number of alpha-American characters or any other data which can be accessed by means of an alphanumeric keyboard comprising substantially fewer keys than this number of characters; b) limit the number of activation of the keys of this keyboard to enter a character and thus increase the speed of entry; c) propose a simple and effective method of memorization using the relative position of the keys to enter these

characters or data.

  In fact, it is a question of accessing a number which can go to I.N2 characters using a keyboard with N keys (with I, number of level of activation of the keys, and I integer ≥1) . Once an activation level has been selected, only 2 activations of all or part of these N keys are necessary to select a character among several, and this, whatever the desired character. -2 More precisely, the solution consists of a data processing unit comprising at least one keyboard, for entering data to be processed, characterized in that it comprises: a) a series of N keys equipping the keyboard and each of which are affected by the first data, such as digital data, with a single data item per key, and the second data which is carried either by all or part of the keys in a reserved location different from that occupied, on each key, by the first data item, or by a maximum of N zones in a sector) of the unit other than the keys on the keyboard, each reserved space or each of said N zones of the unit being divided into a maximum of N sub-zones for one or more seconds given, the arrangement of the N sub-areas, including in relative position, on each key, or on the considered sector of the unit, being the image of the arrangement on the keyboard of all or part N keys, and b) first selection means adapted to generate via at least the keyboard several activation levels for processing the entered data, two of them necessarily being selection means for selecting a determined sub-area among all of the sub-zones comprising first means of recognizing an activation of the key to which said determined sub-zone is assigned, and of an activation of the key occupying on the keyboard the same position as the sub-zone occupies determined zone within the sub-zones assigned to the key concerned; The use of a keyboard whose data organization has been optimized, a typing method consisting of a systematic press on only 2 keys (from a given activation level) to obtain a given character, whatever this character, allows a regular typing and reduces the risk of errors in character selection. Text entry is therefore faster. Gradually, this use also promotes mnemonic learning of the 2-digit -3 coding of all characters. Such a distribution of the data makes it possible to limit the choice of the operator / of the user to assign / select a character or a data from all of the characters or data of the keyboard. Optimizing the organization of data on the keyboard also has the effect of simplifying the electronic and / or computer design of

  the processing unit of which the keyboard is one of the elements.

  The second problem that the invention aims to solve is threefold: a) reduce visual control when selecting functions displayed on a screen by directly activating one of the keys on the keyboard corresponding to the desired function; b) increase the number of data which can be accessed by increasing the number of functions with which predefined data are associated; c) allow ergonomic organization and storage

  data thanks to said keyboard and the restitution of these.

  The invention provides that the processing unit is further characterized in that the first selection means comprise: a) at least one key on the keyboard for the electronic activation of a series of functions capable of to be selected individually and of which as many representation as there are functions are displayed on said areas of the unit sector, within the limits of the areas accessible on the keyboard following the activation of said key, the distribution representations of the functions on the said sector of the unit being the image of the distribution of the keys on the keyboard, the selection of a determined function whose location corresponds on the sector to that of a determined key of the keyboard being obtained by activating this key; b) the second preset data being themselves activatable and specific to each function, and being individually -4 displayed in all or part of the sub-zones, consecutively upon the selection of said determined function, these second preset data being capable of being selected and activated by the activation of 2 keys whose location corresponds, on the keyboard, to that of the sub-area concerned on the sector; c) an input and display area reserved at a location in the sector, following said selection and activation of the second data; d) a memory zone associated with the input zone and comprising third data which can be displayed in the input and display zone and which are individually functionally linked to the keys of the keyboard so that they are displayed by activating the same 2 keys that in the

paragraph b).

  The third problem that the invention aims to solve is of two kinds: a) in particular using the keyboard to activate one of several functions on a large display device making it possible to display a number of representations of function greater than number of keyboard keys; b) reducing the steps leading to the activation of functions performed in the prior art by a pointing device and / or scroll keys or even keys

  dedicated to certain functions.

  When the processing unit has a large display device making it possible to display a number of function representations greater than the number of keys on the keyboard, the invention further provides that, during step a ), the activation of at least one key on the keyboard generates on the unit sector, in particular when the number of functions is greater than the number of keys on the keyboard, a grouping of representations of the functions in a series of minus one group of functions, each comprising at most as many representations -5 as there are keys on said keyboard, the distribution of the representations being the image of the distribution of the keys on the keyboard, the selection of a determined function whose l 'location corresponds to the sector to that of a determined key on the keyboard being obtained by the activation of this key following the activation of at least one other key making it possible to select the he group to which said function belongs. This aspect of the invention allows when working in multitasking to activate, deactivate functions or switch from one function to another only with keyboard keys without

  go through scroll keys or a pointing device.

  The fourth problem that the invention aims to solve is to offer an alternative mode of selection of the second data whatever

  the activation level or the sub-area where they are located.

  The invention provides for this purpose that the processing unit comprises second selection means making it possible to pass from one sub-zone to another, including a sub-zone of one level

  activation to a sub-area of another activation level.

  An embodiment of the invention will be described below, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 illustrates as an example of data processing unit a mobile phone equipped with an alphanumeric keyboard and function with display on-screen subzones; - Figure 2 illustrates an example of activation level comprising a series of 9 functions that can be activated using keys 1 to 9; FIG. 3 illustrates a first example of division of each of the keys 1 to 9 of a keyboard into 9 sub-zones adjacent to each key carrying a first numerical datum; - Figure 4 illustrates an example of division of part of the keys of a keyboard in a location for a first numerical data and 9 sub-zones with part of these occupied by -6 letters; - Figure 5 illustrates the position relationships between the sub

  areas of each key and part of the keyboard keys.

  - Figure 6 illustrates the same sub-areas as in Figure 5 but this time containing alphanumeric characters. - Figure 7 is a magnification of the sub-areas of Figure 5

and Figure 6.

  FIG. 1 illustrates as an example of a data processing unit a mobile telephone (1) with an alphanumeric keyboard and of function t3). It comprises a means of selection (5) by means of the button "Alpha Num." For selecting an operation in digital mode or in alphabetical mode, of the first digital data (9) from 0 to 9 marked on keys (7) and second data (11) distributed over 9 zones (15) each containing 9 sub-zones (17), or in total 81 sub-zones (17) or characters, displayed on a sector (13) of the mobile telephone in particular on its screen. As shown in the figure, part of the screen is reserved for sub-areas and another is an input area (21) for example of characters. In the latter, the message "NO W WATER KEYBOARD" appears in front of a cursor. These zones can be of size adjustable by the user. This version has the advantage of having smaller keys (7), which are only affected by

digital data.

  Only 3 of the second sub-zones are arrowed in FIG. 1, this in order to facilitate its reading. The line (27) under the seconds

  sub-areas will be explained in the description below. This

  simplification of signage and marking also applies to

  keys and digital data locations, zones, sub-

  given second zones, in this figure as in others.

  FIG. 2 illustrates an example of activation level, which can be displayed on the screen of a mobile telephone, for example that of FIG. 1, comprising a series of 9 functions that can be activated using the keys 1 to 9. The distribution of representations of the functions (23) on the screen being the image of the distribution of keys 1 to 9 on the keyboard. The selection of a function determines, for example the function (25) "ABC" (capital alphanumeric characters) S framed, whose location corresponds to the screen to that of the key 8 on the keyboard is obtained by activation of that same touch. The second data displayed on the screen of figure 1 can be obtained, for example following the activation of the key 8 corresponding to the "ABC" function on a level

  l0 of initial activation like that of figure 2.

  The functions corresponding to keys 1 to 9 are detailed more

far in the description.

  Figure 5 illustrates the positional relationships between the sub-

  areas of each key and some of the keyboard keys. Thus, the relative position of each sub-zone with respect to the other sub-zones is identical to the relative position of each key of the keyboard with respect to the other keys. The line (27) in this figure and Figure 3 under the sub-areas replace the 3 keys at the bottom of the keyboard, the one containing the "0" and the other 2 voids

  from either side. So in this example there is only g sub-

  zones per key while this keyboard has 12 keys, for a total of 81 sub-zones. In this figure, the sub-areas are therefore only numbered from 1 to 9. In addition, this figure shows that the arrangement of the sub-areas on each key, or in a manner adjacent to it, is indeed the image of the arrangement on the

  keyboard of all or part of the keys.

  FIG. 6 illustrates the same 81 sub-zones as in FIG. 4 but this time containing letters (the 26 letters of the alphabet plus letters with diacritical marks), other signs and symbols among which punctuation marks, monetary, mathematical and communication symbols. A total of 81 characters accessible in alphabetical mode with a keyboard of only 9 keys. As shown in this figure, the 26 letters of the alphabet are distributed in particular by phonemes of -8

  references, other signs and symbols by function.

  - The letters: The sub-areas adjacent to the keys from l to 6 are assigned letters as follows: - the 26 letters of the alphabet: They are assigned to part

of the subfields of keys l to 6.

  - letters with diacritical marks: The remaining sub-areas of each of the keys l to 6 are also assigned letters with diacritical marks and for some

some other signs or symbols.

  - The other signs and symbols They are mainly assigned to the sub-areas of keys 7 to 9. The sub-areas of the key: - "7" contain punctuation marks; - "8" contain symbols, in particular for communication via the Internet;

  - "9" contain mathematical symbols.

  Certain currency symbols are assigned to sub-areas

adjacent to key 2.

  The assignments to the keys and sub-zones of alphanumeric characters in this figure 6 are by way of example and not limiting. FIG. 7 is a magnification of an area (15) in FIG. 5 (area which contains the numbers 1 to 9) and of the area (15) adjacent to the key "4" in FIG. 6 (area which contains the graphemes (B. C, D, GP ...), this in order to illustrate the first selection means to select a specific sub-zone among all the sub-zones. Indeed, this organization of sub-zones allows to easily locate and memorize the location of graphemes and other signs and symbols, but also to be able to enter them only in 2 steps: - 1st time: activation of the key whose sub-area is assigned the desired letter, sign or symbol ; 2nd step: activation of the key occupying the keyboard in the same position as the affected sub-area of the letter, sign or symbol desired, within the sub-areas of the key concerned, for example, to obtain the letter << V ", you must: - 1st time: activate the key" 4 "of which one of the sub-zones is displayed next to this letter; 2nd step: activate the key "7" occupying the same position on the keyboard as the letter "V" occupies within the sub-zones

of the "4" key.

  To allow the keyboard to differentiate the activation of the keys (1st and 2nd time), it will be equipped with recognition means capable, by way of nonlimiting example, of detecting: - the activation of 2 keys in a time interval determined; - the activation of 2 keys simultaneously in a determined time interval; - the activation of a 1st key and a 2nd while keeping the

first activated.

  The selection means for selecting an alphabetical mode or a numerical mode can be by way of nonlimiting example: - a mode selection button like the button (5) in FIG. 1 i - recognition means for detecting the duration of the 'activation of a key; a long activation will give

  numbers, a short activation will give letters.

  Table 1 below presents, by way of non-limiting example, 6 examples of functions, with their associated second predefined data, selectable on an activation level such as that for example of FIG. 2 which can be stored in the memory of a mobile phone, respectively lower case, upper case, other characters or combinations of characters, musical notes, pictograms 1, pictograms 2, each containing a list of accessible data, once the activation level has been selected, by activating 2 keyboard keys according to the input method explained above. We find by activation level: online: a list of a maximum of 9 data associated with each key on the keyboard from 1 to 9; - in column: these data being organized for a reading thereof from left to right and from top to bottom according to the arrangement of the keys 1 to 9 of FIG. 1 and their sub

associated areas.

  A selection means for selecting one of the activation levels can be, by way of nonlimiting example, means for recognizing the entry of a combination of keys of the

  keyboard to which the activation level is associated.

  A selection means for selecting a datum of a determined activation level can also be done by way of nonlimiting example, in 3 stages via the keyboard: - 1st time: activation of the key corresponding to the level d 'activation of which the data is part; - 2nd step: activation of the key whose subzone is assigned the desired data; 3rd step: activation of the key occupying the keyboard in the same position as the affected sub-area of the data,

  within the sub-areas of the key concerned.

  For example, to obtain the letter "V", you must: - 1st time: activate the key "8" associated with, for example, the activation level "Capital letters"; - 2nd step: activate the key "4", one of the sub-areas of which is assigned this letter; 3rd step: activate the key "1" occupying on the keyboard of figure 1 the same position as the letter "V" occupies within

of the sub-areas of the "4" key.

  Three keys must therefore be activated to obtain this mode.

  selection of a given level of activation level.

  - 11 The functions "Perso.1", "Perso.2" and "Perso.3" in Figure 2 corresponding respectively to keys 1, 2 and 3 on the keyboard are functions allowing to customize the content of the sub- zones in contrast to the other functions which already contain second preset data. In a creation mode, the user enters third data using the second data available, associates them functionally with sub-zones, stores them in the memory of the telephone and restores them, in a use mode, as seconds given by a activation of au

  minus 2 keys according to the selection mode previously described.

  During data entry and during restitution, these data are displayed in the data entry and display area of the screen. Each sub-area may contain, depending on the size of the screen, all or part of the data entered. The sub-zones in a personalization mode can contain by way of nonlimiting example the first characters of the third data, a representation

  graphic symbolizing these third data.

TABLE 1

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> _ I * <

)% {} \ I A

  _ ..,;,! o - 12 TABLE 1 (continued) 1 1st rest h 1 2nd Digital keys pressed I pressed I 0 0

J X ï î []

E E E E E $ ú

a, A H K A À & a, O 0 U Q ll U U U

(9 F L M N R S Z E E

3 B C D G T V W É

()> I.

() % {} _ \ / @ AT

  O 7 l = [s] in im ain aim ein en ym È G.) [a] an am en em aon a ,. ' 0 [_] a eun um È a ') [aj] alile ali = =: = () [_ j] euilie _il [o] Q [:] ee é ai ei et ê ë {J Le] é _ er es ez ed es] / 2] / 4 3h 2 3. 0 a #

0 1 1 (3) 1 1

  do do # re re # mi | fa | fa # | ground | sol # a, la la # si dodo # | re | d # | mi 3 do do # re re # mi | fa | fa # | ground | floor # 3 la la # si dodo # | re | d # | mid | () do do # re re # mi | fa | fa # | ground | ground# . 3) la la # si dodo # I ré I ré # I mi I do do # ré ré # mi | fa | fa # | ground | ground# ,. .. Z) la la # si do do # | re | d # | mid | do do # rr2 re # mi | fa | fa # | ground | floor # - 13 TABLE 1 (continued) Levels 1st digital activation keys 2nd numeric keys pressed I O

_ O -

u) 0 st O TO TO C *

O O

O (a) es. W l]

N 0 0 0

> garlic (a) Nan \ =. <

O. -ó

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-14

Claims (4)

  1- Data processing unit (1) comprising at least one keyboard (3), for entering data to be processed, characterized in that it comprises: a) a series of N keys (7) fitted to the keyboard and each which are assigned first data (9), such as digital data, with only one data item per key, and second data (11) which are carried either by all or part of the keys in a reserved location different from that occupied, on each key, by the first datum, either by a maximum of N zones (15) of a sector (13) of the unit other than the keys of the keyboard, each reserved space or each of said N zones of the unit being divided ( e) in a maximum of N subzones (17) for one or more given seconds, the arrangement of the N subzones, including in relative position, on each key, or on the considered sector of the unit, being the image of the layout on the keyboard of all or part of the N key s, and b) first selection means adapted to generate via at least the keyboard (3) several activation levels for processing the data entered, two of them necessarily being selection means for selecting a sub-area determines among all the sub-zones comprising first means for recognizing an activation of the key to which said determined sub-zone is assigned, and an activation of the key occupying on the keyboard the same position as occupied the sub-area determined within the sub   zones assigned to the key concerned.   2- Processing unit according to claim N 1 characterized in that the first selection means comprise: a) at least one key (19) on the keyboard for electronic activation of a series of functions (23) capable of being selected individually and of which as many representations as there are functions are displayed on said -15 zones (3S) of the sector (13) of the unit, within the limits of the zones accessible on the keyboard following the activation of said key , the distribution of the representations of the functions on said sector of the unit being the image of the distribution of the keys on the keyboard, the selection of = a determined function whose location corresponds on the sector to that of a determined key of the keyboard being obtained by pressing this key 17) ib) the second preset data (11) being themselves activatable and specific to each function (23), and being individually displayed in t out or part of the sub-areas (17) r following the selection of said determined function (25), these second preset data being capable of being selected and activated by the activation of 2 keys whose location corresponds, on the keyboard, to that of the sub-zone concerned on the sector (13); c) an input and display area (21) reserved in a sector location, following said selection and activation of the second data; d) a memory zone associated with the input zone (21) and containing third data which can be displayed in the input and display zone and which are individually functionally linked to the keys of the keyboard so as to be displayed by activating the 2 same keys as in the paragraph b).   3- Processing unit according to claim N 1 or N 2, characterized in that it comprises second selection means (19) making it possible to pass from one sub-zone to another, including from a sub-zone of one level activation to a subzone d / another level of activation.   4- Data processing method for entering data to be processed, comprising at least one keyboard (3d, characterized in that: a) using a series of N keys (7) fitted to the keyboard and -16 each of which are assigned first data (9 ′, such as digital data, with only one data per key, and second data (11) which are carried either by all or part of the keys in a reserved space S different from that occupied, on each key , by the first data, either by a maximum of N zones f 15) of a sector (13) of the unit other than the keys of the keyboard, each reserved location or each of said N zones of unit being divided) into a maximum of N subzones (17) for one or more given seconds, the arrangement of the N sub-areas, including in relative position, on each key, or on the sector concerned of the unit, being the image of the arrangement on the keyboard of all or part of the N keys, and b) first selection means are used which are adapted to generate via at least the keyboard f3 several activation levels for processing the entered data, two of them necessarily being selection means for selecting a determined sub-area from among all of the sub zones comprising first means of recognizing an activation of the key to which said determined sub-zone is assigned, and of an activation of the key occupying on the keyboard the same position occupied by the determined sub-zone within the sub -zones assigned to the key concerned i these first selection means comprising: - bl) at least one key fl9) on the keyboard for the electronic activation of a series of functions (23) capable of being individually selected and of which as many representations as there are has functions displayed on said zones (15) of the sector (13) of the unit, within the limits of the zones accessible on the consecutive keyboard When activating the other key, the distribution of the representations of the functions on said sector of the unit being the image of the distribution of the keys on the keyboard, the selection of a determined function whose location corresponds on the sector to that of a key. determined from the keyboard being obtained by activating this key (7) i -17 - b2) the given seconds (13) provided are themselves activatable and specific to each function (23), and being individually displayed in all or part of the sub ones (17), following the selection of said determined function (), these second preset data being capable of being selected and activated by the activation of 2 keys whose location corresponds, on the keyboard, to that of the sub-area concerned on the sector (13J; b3) an entry and display area (21) reserved at a location in the sector, following said selection and activation of the second data j b4) a memory area associated with the entry area (21) and comprising third data which are displayable in the entry and display area and which are individually functionally linked to the keys of the keyboard so that they are displayed by activating the same 2 keys as in paragraph b2); c) second selection means (19) make it possible to pass from one sub-zone to another, including from a sub-zone of one activation level to a sub-zone of another activation level; d) activation of at least one key (19) on the keyboard during at least step 17 a) generates on the sector of the unit, in particular when the number of functions is greater than the number of keys on the keyboard, a grouping of representations functions in a series of at least one group of functions, each comprising at most as many representations as there are keys on said keyboard, the distribution of the representations being the image of the distribution of the keys on the keyboard, the selection of a determined function, the location of which corresponds to that of a determined key on the sector being obtained by activating this key (7) following the activation of at least one other key making it possible to select the group to which said