WO2006008287A2

WO2006008287A2 - Method for inputting a character string

Info

Publication number: WO2006008287A2
Application number: PCT/EP2005/053457
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mirko Naumann
Original assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2004-07-20
Filing date: 2005-07-18
Publication date: 2006-01-26
Also published as: WO2006008287A3; DE102004035021A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for inputting a character string consisting of at least one symbol by means of at least one key into a mobile communication device (CD), especially a mobile telephone, whereby the character string is displayed on a display unit (AE). The inventive method comprises the following steps: a) representing the character string on the display unit, whereby the symbols are represented in a first size; b) touching the key (T, T1) which is associated with at least one information content; c) representing the information content in a second size on the display unit (AE), said size being larger than the first size; d) selecting the information content by pushing the key (T, T1); e) adding the information content to the character string.

Description

description

The invention relates to an electrical device with keys and. Presentation means for displaying information.

For information or command input in electrical Gerä¬ th buttons or other controls are provided, which can operate a user for information input or control of the e- lektrischen device. In order to make it possible to comfortably input a large number of symbols or control commands, a plurality of keys or a keyboard is usually made available.

In portable or mobile electrical devices such as mobile phones, for example, there is a need to make these devices small in order to facilitate the entrainment and use of these devices on the move. Therefore, together with the entire electrical device, the plurality of

Keys or keyboard miniaturized. This miniaturization takes place in particular in communication devices.

This miniaturization of the keys often leads to problems in their operation. One reason for this is that the labeling of the keys, which indicates which information or which control command the key is assigned to, or which information content is assigned to a key, is too small to be easily legible. Thus, even with very good light, it is difficult for the elderly and partially sighted persons to recognize how a key is assigned.

Based on this prior art, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a way that To read the labeling of buttons especially for mobile electrical devices.

This task is solved by the independent claim. Advantageous developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to the invention, an information content which is assigned to a key is displayed on a display unit when the key is touched. This representation is made gegen¬ over a representation of the information content as a symbol in a string enlarged. This facilitates the readability of the information content, so that the information content can be ascertained without doubt before an input.

In particular, the display also increases in comparison with a lettering of the key, which in turn facilitates the determination of the information content assigned to the key.

The enlarged representation can in turn fill in particular the entire display unit.

The information content associated with a key can be, in particular, a symbol, such as a letter or, in general, an ASCII character, or an action, such as "Enter", "Turn on device", "Turn off device" or the like.

The invention further relates to a communication device, in particular a mobile phone with at least one key, which is associated with at least one information content. The information content assigned to the key is opened to the user via the use of presentation means. For this purpose points the button on a touch sensor, which emits a signal when touching the button. This signal is transmitted to display means, so that the information associated with the key is displayed by means of the display means in response to a signal from the touch sensor.

As a result, the representation can take place by means of output units suitable for the respective user.

In an advantageous embodiment, the presentation means is formed by a display unit, for example in the form of a liquid-crystal display, a TFT display or a laser projection device. This has the advantage that the information content associated with the key can be displayed larger on the display unit than in the form of an inscription of the key. This allows a simpler operation of the mobile phone for users who have problems with the operation, for example because of their visual impairment.

In another embodiment, it is alternatively or zu¬ additionally provided that the presentation means are formed by a speaker. Thus, in the event that one

CLL

Operation under poor visibility or by persons with severe visual impairments, also here a safe and easy operation are guaranteed.

Further advantages of the invention will be apparent from the selected

Embodiments set forth. Show it:

FIG. 1 shows an electrical device in the form of a communication device with a display unit, a loudspeaker and keys; 2 shows a communication device according to FIG. 1, in which a plurality of key assignments or a key-related information item is shown in the display unit, and FIG

FIG. 3 shows a display unit in which a key assignment or an information content assigned to a key is shown.

FIG. 1 shows an electrical device CD in the form of a communication device. The communication device is, for example, a mobile telephone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or a radio designed as a clock.

The electrical device CD has a display unit AE for the visual representation of information. Furthermore, a loudspeaker unit LS is provided for the acoustic representation of information. For operating the electrical device CD, at least one key T or a plurality of keys T is provided.

At least one of the keys T is provided with a touch sensor. As soon as the button is touched, it generates a signal. This generation of the signal takes place even before the key has been pressed, ie before the information assigned to the key or the key assignment has been entered. An auxiliary system or display means is now implemented on the electrical device CD which uses this signal to display the key assignment on the display unit AE. This representation can be used for better visibility. compared to the lettering of the keys T in particular made enlarged.

An improvement in visibility is achieved by appropriate colors and / or contrast choice and / or the use of animations. These agents are used alternatively, optionally or additionally in the presentation.

Alternatively, a loudspeaker unit LS is provided for output, via the use of which as a means of presentation the user can be informed of the key assignment of the key T. This allows a representation of the key assignment also for users with vision problems or in an environment with unfavorable lighting conditions.

Additionally or alternatively, a connection A is provided, via which a so-called "Headsef", ie a headphone can be connected, so that the user can only be announced or explained to the user audibly the currently selected symbol or key assignment or the information content assigned to the key Thus, an output which is easily perceivable by the user even in a noisy environment can take place.

Especially with miniaturized electrical devices CD keys T are occupied several times, as shown in Figure 1. For example, the key Tl is assigned to the key assignment or the information associated with the key 2, a, b, c. Repeated pressing selects the corresponding key assignment 2, a, b or c. Preferably, this successive selection takes place only if a predetermined period of time is not exceeded between the repeated pressing. Otherwise, repeated entry of the selected key pad occurs. supply. In connection with the embodiment described below, a representation option for keys with multiple assignments is described.

As already stated, one or more keys T is associated with a touch sensor.

Thus, a touch of the same can be detected via the touch sensor assigned to the key T1. In the display unit AE, as shown in FIG. 2, all the key assignments assigned to the key T1 are displayed simultaneously, ie 2, a, b, c,.... By leaving the finger on the key, the keys Button assignments from this series are shown enlarged again in succession compared to the first representation. If the desired symbol or the desired key assignment now appears, the desired key assignment is selected by pressing the Tl key.

In the following, various embodiments of the touch sensor will be described in more detail. In particular, the following realizations of the touch sensor are provided. The touch sensor is to be seen here in connection with the key T1 and the respective possible key positions.

In a first embodiment, the following key positions are provided:

The key is in a first position if no force is applied to it. This is referred to below as the rest position. Another position is occupied by the button when pressed by the user. This will be referred to below as the depressed position. In the pressed position, the button assigned to the button Information content selected, ie the symbol in question displayed or triggered the button associated action. In this case, the touch sensor detects a touch of the button already if no pressure is exerted on the button. For example, the touch sensor operates on an infrared basis. When touching the button, a signal for display is generated via the touch sensor. This is transmitted to the presentation means, that is to say, for example, the display unit. The signal causes the key assignment to be displayed on the display unit.

Alternatively, the following touch sensor is provided: A key in this case, in addition to the rest position and the depressed position, a "tapped" position in which the key is already applied pressure, the key is not depressed. This touched position is detected by the touch sensor and a signal is triggered.

The transmission to the presentation means, that is to say the display unit AE or / and the loudspeaker unit LS, is preferably wired. Alternatively, a wireless transmission is provided, which is used in particular for modularly constructed electrical appliances CD, that is, for example, those in which the display unit is separated from the key T or the keyboard.

It is provided in a further embodiment that both a display unit AE and a loudspeaker unit LS are present as display means. The user can select whether the output is to be parallel, or via one of the presentation means. Alternatively, an automatic selection of the presentation means takes place in dependence environmental conditions, such as light incidence or ambient volume.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

CD electrical device

AE display unit

LS speaker unit

A connection

T button

Tl key

Claims

claims

1. A method for entering a string consisting of at least one symbol, by means of at least one key in a mobile communication device (CD), in particular a mobile phone, wherein a representation of the string on a display unit (AE), with the following steps:

a) displaying the character string on the display unit, ^■ whereby the icons displayed in a first size; b) touching the key (T, Tl), which is assigned at least one information content; c) presenting the information content in a second size on the display unit (AE) which is larger than the first size; d) selecting the information content by pressing the key (T, Tl); e) attach the information content to the string.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the representation of the In¬ formationsinhalts in the second size in a respect to the representation in step a) changed contrast and / or color adjustment takes place.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the touching in step b) takes place together with a tap of the button (T, Tl).

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the selection in step d) by pressing the button (T, Tl) takes place up to a stop.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second size is selected automatically or manually.

A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second quantity is determined by the duration of the touch on the key

(T, Tl) is set.

7. Electrical device (CD) with a) at least one key (T) to which at least one first information content is assigned and which has a touch sensor, which generates a signal when the key is touched and

b) means of representation (AE, LS), by means of which the signal of the touch sensor of the key (T) associated In¬ formation content can be displayed.

8. Electrical device (CD) according to claim 7, wherein the key (T, Tl) has a rest position, which represents the rest position of the key in the un-touched state, a second position, which assumes the key in the tapped state and a third Position, which assumes the key in the depressed Zu¬, at which the onsinhalt the button associated information is triggered, and the touch sensor is configured such that the signal is generated upon receipt of the second position of the touch sensor.

9. Electrical device (CD) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein it is the display means to a display unit (AE).

10. Electrical device (CD) according to one of the preceding An¬ claims, wherein it is in the means of representation to a speaker (LS).

11. Electrical device (CD) according to one of the preceding An¬ claims, wherein the touch sensor on infrared basis ar¬ processed.

12. Electrical device (CD) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one key (T) is associated with at least a second information content and the Darstel¬ means (AE, LS) is designed such that the signal of the touch sensor the first and second information contents are simultaneously displayed one after the other by means of the presentation means.