WO1999030222A1 - Organe d'entree de caracteres - Google Patents

Organe d'entree de caracteres Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1999030222A1
WO1999030222A1 PCT/GB1998/003502 GB9803502W WO9930222A1 WO 1999030222 A1 WO1999030222 A1 WO 1999030222A1 GB 9803502 W GB9803502 W GB 9803502W WO 9930222 A1 WO9930222 A1 WO 9930222A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
key
input
array
functions
display
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1998/003502
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Nigel Cliffe
Mary Linda Ruth Jones
Original Assignee
British Telecommunications Public Limited Company
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by British Telecommunications Public Limited Company filed Critical British Telecommunications Public Limited Company
Priority to CA002312332A priority Critical patent/CA2312332A1/fr
Priority to EP98955765A priority patent/EP1038214A1/fr
Publication of WO1999030222A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999030222A1/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
    • G06F3/023—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
    • G06F3/0233—Character input methods
    • G06F3/0237—Character input methods using prediction or retrieval techniques

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to an input device for inputting instructions or data sequentially into an apparatus such as an information processing apparatus, which can include a display unit.
  • An instruction is an input which causes the apparatus to carry out some function, such as to perform a calculation, justify text, make a telephone call, or print a document.
  • a data item is an item (generally a single character such as a letter, numeral, or punctuation mark) which the apparatus is to use in such processing.
  • the device combines the data items to form text, numerical data, etc.
  • the functions of inputting data items and instructions may be combined, for example by displaying the data items as they are input to the device.
  • keyboard operated in the conventional manner by touching or depressing keys each associated with a specified function.
  • instructions and data items will be collectively referred to as "key functions”.
  • the physical size of a keyboard is dictated by the number of individual keys required, (about 50 on a typewriter, over 100 on a typical computer) and also by the physical size of the individual keys, which is in turn dictated by ergonomic considerations, in particular the size of human fingers. Not all devices can allow for the provision of a keyboard of this size. For example, in personal digital assistants (PDAs), pagers, mobile phones, and remote control devices, the physical size of the device limits the number of keys that can be accommodated on its surface. It is therefore necessary to arrange that the required functions can be activated using a smaller number of keys. This generally requires any given key to have several functions - most functions then require a sequence of several keystrokes, instead of a single keystroke, to activate them.
  • an input device for inputting key functions sequentially into an apparatus, the key functions being instructions or data items
  • the input device comprising: display means for displaying the key functions; the display means comprising means for displaying a first array arranged to display one or more key functions selected from a plurality of key functions; key means for inputting key functions selected from the functions displayed in the array; processing means for interpreting the operation of the key means; prediction means responsive to the processing means for predicting at least one most likely key function to be input next; control means responsive to the prediction means for controlling the display means to select the key function or functions to be displayed in the first array, and to control the functioning of the key means in accordance with the displayed functions; characterised in that the display means comprises means for displaying a second array arranged to display all of the plurality of key functions, the key means being arranged to input key functions selected from either array.
  • the invention comprises a method of inputting key functions sequentially into an apparatus, the key functions being instructions or data items, the method comprising: displaying a first array of one or more key functions selected from a plurality of key functions; selecting key functions from the functions displayed in the array, by operation of key means; interpreting the operation of the key means to input the selected key function; predicting at least one most likely key function to be input following the selected key function; modifying the first array to display the key function or functions so predicted, and modifying the functioning of the key means in accordance with the newly displayed functions; characterised in that the second array is arranged to display all of the plurality of key functions, and that key functions can be selected from either array.
  • the arrangement of keys presented to a user can be such that the first array of keys provides for input of any of a predetermined number of most likely next key functions, such as the three most likely.
  • the array may consist of a single key, to offer only the most likely such key function.
  • the second, fixed, array of keys allows for conventional input. The user is thus presented with easily identifiable keys to input the most likely key function or functions. Users familiar with the standard keyboard layout of the second array may use the second array for such input, if they prefer. If the prediction is not correct, the user will have to use the second, conventional, array of keys. However, so long as the prediction is reasonably accurate, the number of times a user has to resort to using the conventional array of keys should be significantly reduced.
  • the first array of keys is preferably arranged in a group thus making them more easily identifiable to a user.
  • the group can be arranged at any point separate from the conventionally arrayed keys e.g. to one side, or in the middle.
  • the key means can comprise conventional keys the labelling of which can be changed e.g. by incorporating an LCD within the keycap. Alternatively a screen displaying key labels representing the two arrays may be used. This allows more flexibility in the layout of the key labels, and the number and arrangement of the predictive key labels can be changed during use, for example in response to each input.
  • the two arrays may be displayed separately, the first array being displayed first, with means to switch to the second array if required, for example if the required key function is not one of those predicted, and therefore not present in the first array.
  • the display may be of the touch-sensitive type, in which the presence of a stylus, fingertip, or other object, on a region of the display device is detected and the function corresponding to the key label currently represented in that region is activated.
  • the first and second arrays are displayed in conjunction with a cursor or other marker which can be moved in relation to the arrays.
  • the key means comprises a pointing means, such as direction keys arranged to move the cursor either up, down, left or right.
  • the pointing means may be a position transducer such as a tracker ball, mouse or joystick to allow the selection of one of the key labels, for example by moving a cursor across the display. This arrangement avoids the need to touch the display itself, thereby avoiding the ergonomic constraints on the physical size of the unit.
  • the cursor after each input, the cursor returns to a default position and the predicted key labels of the first array are arranged adjacent to the default position allowing the predicted key labels to be selected easily. Since the predictive key labels are closest to the cursor default position, fewer key operations are required in order to select them and it is rarely necessary for the cursor to traverse the complete conventional key layout in order to select a key label.
  • the prediction of the most likely key functions to be input next may be carried out based on the sequence of previously input key functions or based on any previously input key functions. This will depend on the nature of the data or instructions being input. Further, an initial input key function, or set of such functions, can be predicted based on predetermined knowledge of the most likely first key functions. Also, the prediction can be adaptively modified based on the degree of past success in predicting the actual input key functions.
  • the keys or key labels in the second array currently having the same functions as those in the first array may be identified by highlighting or the like.
  • the highlighting may be different for each such key, corresponding to the position or some other characteristic of the corresponding key or key label in the first array.
  • the input device in accordance with the present invention can be incorporated within an apparatus e.g. a PDA, a mobile phone, a pager, a calculator or a public information kiosk, or it can be provided separately e.g. as a remote control, games console, or a keyboard for a computer.
  • an apparatus e.g. a PDA, a mobile phone, a pager, a calculator or a public information kiosk, or it can be provided separately e.g. as a remote control, games console, or a keyboard for a computer.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic drawing of apparatus incorporating the input device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of the input device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 3 illustrates a user interface of an input device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 4 illustrates a user interface of an input device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 5 illustrates a user interface of a public information kiosk in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 6 illustrates an input device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention incorporated in a pager
  • Figure 7 illustrates an input device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention incorporated in a public information kiosk
  • the input device 5 comprises a key input detection module 1 for detecting the selection of a key and thus for generating an input key function, a prediction module 3 for receiving the input key function and for predicting the most likely next key functions, a control module 4 for receiving the predicted key functions and for outputting instructions to a key labelling module 2 to modify the labelling of the keys to reflect the prediction, and to control the functionality of the key input detection module 1 to correspond to the modified labelling of the keys.
  • Key functions input by the key input detection module 3 are also passed to a display 6 for displaying information as a result of the input instructions, or for displaying the input data.
  • the input key functions are passed to a processing module 7 for the implementation of the input instructions or for the processing of the input data.
  • the input device 5 is illustrated as being separate from the display 6 and the processing module 7, the functions of the input device 5 can also be carried out by the display 6 and the processing module 7.
  • the display can comprise a common display for displaying both the input data and the keys for inputting the data.
  • the display can comprise a touch sensitive display, or a portion of the display can be reserved for displaying virtual keys, selectable by a cursor.
  • the prediction carried out within the input device and the control of the labelling of the displayed keys can be carried out by a suitably programmed common processor.
  • Figure 2 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of the input device of an embodiment of the present invention wherein in step S1 an initial input is predicted based on a knowledge of the most likely initial input. For example, if text is being entered and thus the data comprise characters, the prediction can be carried out based on a knowledge of the most likely characters which start a sentence taking into account the application to which the input device is applied.
  • step S2 the labelling of the keys is updated based on the prediction in step S1 and the input device will await the selection of a key in step S3.
  • a key function is input corresponding to the selection in step S4.
  • step S5 the display output is updated based on the input key function and in step S6 a prediction of the next input is made based on previous inputs.
  • the prediction can be based on the sequence of previous inputs e.g. for text input, or based on any previous inputs e.g. the input devices of Figure 5 to be described hereinafter.
  • Figure 3 illustrates a user interface of a first embodiment of the present invention comprising a display 10, cursor movement keys 1 1 for moving the cursor up, down, left and right, and a select key 1 2 for inputting the character once highlighted.
  • a display region 1 3 is reserved for displaying the input text.
  • a region 14 is reserved for displaying selectable characters, which in this embodiment are arranged in the conventional "QWERTY" keyboard layout.
  • To one side of the conventional key layout area 14 there is provided a predicted key area 1 5 adjacent to a cursor default position in which the cursor 1 6 is illustrated as being positioned.
  • the display device can be of any suitable type.
  • it may be comprise an array of liquid crystal devices (LCDs) or a pixel-addressable array. These may be arranged as a number of sub-arrays, each arranged to display an individual character, as is common in small electronic devices.
  • LCDs liquid crystal devices
  • pixel-addressable array a pixel-addressable array.
  • These may be arranged as a number of sub-arrays, each arranged to display an individual character, as is common in small electronic devices.
  • an array 10 of such sub-arrays is shown, wherein there are four rows of such sub-arrays, the top row 13 being used to display the text being generated, whilst the other three rows 14 display the key labels.
  • Other display types may be used, for example cathode ray tubes, which can generate any desired display at the cost of greater complexity.
  • the predicted key area 1 5 is illustrated as being on one side of the conventional key area 14, there is no limitation on the position.
  • Figure 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment to Figure 3 wherein the conventional key arrangement is divided into two parts 14a and 14b either side of the predicted key area 1 5.
  • the user interfaces of the input device of Figures 3 and 4 have been illustrated as having a conventional QWERTY keyboard layout for the fixed keys, the present invention is not limited to any particular fixed key arrangement.
  • an alphabetical keyboard layout could be used or any other alphanumeric keyboard layout.
  • Figure 4 also illustrates an additional feature, which facilitates use of the device.
  • the fixed key layout area 14 is controlled to highlight the keys (currently T, A and M) within the second array 14 corresponding to the predicted inputs displayed in the first array 1 5. This allows a user having some familiarity with the standard keyboard layout to more readily identify the correct keys on the standard layout.
  • the keys highlighted in this way are each highlighted in a distinctive way.
  • the key “A” currently corresponding to the "left” key of the first array, may be highlighted in a distinctive colour, or with a distinctive mark such as a left chevron (" ⁇ ").
  • ⁇ left chevron
  • Figure 5 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention suitable for use in an information kiosk for use by the public, which in this embodiment allows a user to select and view a particular model of a car from amongst a plurality of possible options.
  • a user interface comprises a fixed array of keys 20, an adjacent set of predicted keys 21 and a display region 22.
  • the keys 20 and 21 can either comprise keys within a touch sensitive screen of which the display region 22 can be a part, or they can comprise conventional mechanical keys the labelling of which can be changed e.g. by incorporation of a small LCD in each key.
  • each row of the keys represents different options, only one of which can be selected from each row.
  • Selection of one key from each row comprises a group or set of inputs defining the desired image to be viewed on the display region 22.
  • the predicted keys 21 can display the most commonly predicted selection, which in this example comprises a "GL" model with blue paint and a grey seat trim.
  • the predicted keys will change to reflect the selected key and the predicted combination of keys. For example, if a "sport" model is selected, based on known customer preferences, the predicted keys could change to predict red paint and leather trim since these are the most likely combination. If a user agrees to the prediction, in order to view the car the user can select the predicted red paint and leather trim keys in order for the selection to be displayed in the display region 22.
  • the predicted keys display not only the past selection but also the predicted future selections and these will change as each selection is made. Thus the prediction is carried out based on any of the previous selections.
  • Figure 6 illustrates the incorporation of the user interface of an input device of Figures 3 or 4 in a pager.
  • Figure 7 illustrates the incorporation of the user interface of Figures 3, 4 or 5 in a public information kiosk.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un organe d'entrée permettant d'entrer séquentiellement des fonctions de touche dans un appareil, lequel organe d'entrée comprend un module de prédiction capable de prédire au moins une fonction de touche offrant la plus grande probabilité d'être entrée juste après, au moins une première touche permettant d'entrer les fonctions de touche, un module de commande permettant de commander la fonction et l'étiquetage des premières touches en réponse au module de prédiction afin de permettre à un utilisateur d'utiliser les premières touches pour entrer ensuite la ou les fonctions de touche les plus probables prévues, et des secondes touches présentées sous forme de rangée séparée et indépendante des premières touches et permettant d'entrer n'importe quelle fonction de touche.
PCT/GB1998/003502 1997-12-11 1998-11-24 Organe d'entree de caracteres WO1999030222A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002312332A CA2312332A1 (fr) 1997-12-11 1998-11-24 Organe d'entree de caracteres
EP98955765A EP1038214A1 (fr) 1997-12-11 1998-11-24 Organe d'entree de caracteres

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9726380.0 1997-12-11
GBGB9726380.0A GB9726380D0 (en) 1997-12-11 1997-12-11 An input device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1999030222A1 true WO1999030222A1 (fr) 1999-06-17

Family

ID=10823575

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1998/003502 WO1999030222A1 (fr) 1997-12-11 1998-11-24 Organe d'entree de caracteres

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1038214A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2312332A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB9726380D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO1999030222A1 (fr)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2000058816A2 (fr) * 1999-03-29 2000-10-05 Now See Hear Interactive Inc. Procede d'entree de texte mobile
WO2001086404A2 (fr) * 2000-05-11 2001-11-15 Robert Bosch Gmbh Procede et dispositif pour entrer une suite de caracteres
WO2003058420A2 (fr) * 2002-01-14 2003-07-17 Voelckers Oliver Procede permettant d'entrer un texte par selection de caracteres au moyen d'un curseur et dispositif permettant d'executer ce procede
EP1422598A3 (fr) * 2002-11-19 2007-01-24 Microsoft Corporation Procédé et système de saisie de caractères à l'aide d'une tablette directionnelle
US7761175B2 (en) 2001-09-27 2010-07-20 Eatoni Ergonomics, Inc. Method and apparatus for discoverable input of symbols on a reduced keypad
USRE43082E1 (en) 1998-12-10 2012-01-10 Eatoni Ergonomics, Inc. Touch-typable devices based on ambiguous codes and methods to design such devices
US8200865B2 (en) 2003-09-11 2012-06-12 Eatoni Ergonomics, Inc. Efficient method and apparatus for text entry based on trigger sequences

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5128672A (en) * 1990-10-30 1992-07-07 Apple Computer, Inc. Dynamic predictive keyboard
JPH08221169A (ja) * 1995-02-14 1996-08-30 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd ソフトウェアキーボード表示方法とその装置
WO1997004580A1 (fr) * 1995-07-19 1997-02-06 Pacific Communication Sciences, Inc. Interface utilisateur pour telephone cellulaire
WO1997035413A1 (fr) * 1996-03-20 1997-09-25 Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd. Procede de formation d'une chaine de caracteres et dispositif de communication electronique

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5128672A (en) * 1990-10-30 1992-07-07 Apple Computer, Inc. Dynamic predictive keyboard
JPH08221169A (ja) * 1995-02-14 1996-08-30 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd ソフトウェアキーボード表示方法とその装置
WO1997004580A1 (fr) * 1995-07-19 1997-02-06 Pacific Communication Sciences, Inc. Interface utilisateur pour telephone cellulaire
WO1997035413A1 (fr) * 1996-03-20 1997-09-25 Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd. Procede de formation d'une chaine de caracteres et dispositif de communication electronique

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 096, no. 012 26 December 1996 (1996-12-26) *

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USRE43082E1 (en) 1998-12-10 2012-01-10 Eatoni Ergonomics, Inc. Touch-typable devices based on ambiguous codes and methods to design such devices
WO2000058816A3 (fr) * 1999-03-29 2001-02-01 Now See Hear Interactive Inc Procede d'entree de texte mobile
WO2000058816A2 (fr) * 1999-03-29 2000-10-05 Now See Hear Interactive Inc. Procede d'entree de texte mobile
WO2001086404A2 (fr) * 2000-05-11 2001-11-15 Robert Bosch Gmbh Procede et dispositif pour entrer une suite de caracteres
WO2001086404A3 (fr) * 2000-05-11 2002-05-23 Bosch Gmbh Robert Procede et dispositif pour entrer une suite de caracteres
US7240293B2 (en) 2000-05-11 2007-07-03 Robert Bosch Gmbh Method and device for inputting a sequence of characters
US7761175B2 (en) 2001-09-27 2010-07-20 Eatoni Ergonomics, Inc. Method and apparatus for discoverable input of symbols on a reduced keypad
WO2003058420A2 (fr) * 2002-01-14 2003-07-17 Voelckers Oliver Procede permettant d'entrer un texte par selection de caracteres au moyen d'un curseur et dispositif permettant d'executer ce procede
WO2003058420A3 (fr) * 2002-01-14 2004-08-26 Oliver Voelckers Procede permettant d'entrer un texte par selection de caracteres au moyen d'un curseur et dispositif permettant d'executer ce procede
US7336257B2 (en) 2002-01-14 2008-02-26 Oliver Voelckers Method for input of text by selection of letters using a cursor and device for carrying out said method
EP1422598A3 (fr) * 2002-11-19 2007-01-24 Microsoft Corporation Procédé et système de saisie de caractères à l'aide d'une tablette directionnelle
US7592998B2 (en) 2002-11-19 2009-09-22 Microsoft Corporation System and method for inputting characters using a directional pad
US7414615B2 (en) 2002-11-19 2008-08-19 Microsoft Corporation System and method for inputting characters using a directional pad
US8200865B2 (en) 2003-09-11 2012-06-12 Eatoni Ergonomics, Inc. Efficient method and apparatus for text entry based on trigger sequences

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9726380D0 (en) 1998-02-11
EP1038214A1 (fr) 2000-09-27
CA2312332A1 (fr) 1999-06-17

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