Abstract:
A mobile computing device includes a processor and a touch-sensitive display cooperable with the processor. The processor executes instructions to display a character set on the touch-sensitive display for receiving input from a user of the mobile computing device. The character set includes a plurality of keys that are arranged in an arc. The processor receives the input from the user of the mobile computing device by way of the touch-sensitive display.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/537,282 filed Nov. 10, 2014, pending, which is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/040,083 filed Mar. 3, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,884,790, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/310,110, filed Mar. 3, 2010, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in this application. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    (NOT APPLICABLE) 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    This invention pertains generally to electronic data entry devices and, more specifically to keyboard data entry devices. The invention pertains to a new kind of alphanumeric keyboard and a novel system for manually inputting alphanumeric information into data processing equipment such as computers, PDA&#39;s, cell phones, and other devices, which, in some embodiments, may send and receive text messages. 
         [0004]    As computers continue to evolve into ever-smaller devices such as PDA&#39;s, advanced mobile phones, and tablet computers, users still find themselves bound to unwieldy keyboards for data entry. Users generally either have to choose between full-sized keyboards, which negate the main purpose for having a small computer, or they must settle for tiny, hard to use, inefficient keyboards. Until now, there have been several attempts at making smaller sized, efficient data entry devices, but each have had their own limitations. 
         [0005]    For decades, the holy grail of data input was considered to be speech recognition, but even with speech recognition technology maturing, there still remain a host of issues that render it less than ideal for most applications. Many attempts have been made to develop effective alternative input devices. These approaches have included gloves that incorporate touch sensors, keyboards that split apart, touch screens, and even virtual keyboards, projected by laser. Attempts at producing one and two-handed combinational keyboards have also been made. Until now, none of these approaches has proven effective or practical. 
         [0006]    The advent of portable, touch screen tablet computers and other mobile computer devices makes possible a new class of ergonomic keyboard designs that can exploit a new system of data entry called MATS (Matrix Typing System). 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    This invention allows data entry keys to be placed in an ergonomic manner so that when the computer device is being held like a book, the user&#39;s fingertips will naturally rest on the appropriate keys. The user is thus able to “type” or efficiently input keyboard data without moving their hands from a natural, comfortable position. Because the fingers continually rest upon the keys, it is also possible, with the help of an actuator, to provide key data back to the fingers. 
         [0008]    This invention provides a novel and efficient method of manual data input (also referred to as typing), by exploiting the attributes of modern handheld computer devices, including those devices that are tablet styled. This invention further provides a number of unique products that take advantage of this new method of data input. 
         [0009]    In an exemplary embodiment, a mobile computing device includes a processor and a touch-sensitive display cooperable with the processor. The processor executes instructions to perform acts including displaying a character set on the touch-sensitive display for receiving input from a user of the mobile computing device, the character set including a plurality of keys that are arranged in an arc; and receiving the input from the user of the mobile computing device by way of the touch-sensitive display. The step of displaying the character set may be practiced by displaying plural rows of keys arranged concentrically in the arc. 
         [0010]    In another exemplary embodiment, a method includes the steps of detecting a touch by a user on a touch-sensitive display of a mobile device; and responsive to the detecting, displaying a character set on the touch-sensitive display for receiving input from the user, the character set including a set of keys arranged in a plurality of rows, wherein respective ones of the plurality of rows are arranged radially from a corner area of the touch-sensitive display. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    These and other aspects and advantages of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  shows the basic matrix typing system (MATS) layout; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  shows the basic character matrix with a possible keypad embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  shows an alternative character matrix including a shift key; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  shows an enhanced character matrix with multiple shift keys; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  shows key mappings for a number mode; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 6-9  show exemplary single hand chords; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 10-13  show exemplary mode change command chords; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 14 and 15  show an application of how the alphabet may be input utilizing a 5-position joystick or other 5-position keysets; 
           [0020]      FIG. 16  illustrates MATS typing on a touch-screen; 
           [0021]      FIG. 17  shows an embodiment with keypads separated from the character matrix; 
           [0022]      FIG. 18  shows the front of a touch-screen computer with built-in thumb keys; 
           [0023]      FIG. 19  is a rear view of a MATS-enabled tablet style computer; 
           [0024]      FIG. 20  shows an arc styled punctuation character set; 
           [0025]      FIG. 21  shows a calculator character set; 
           [0026]      FIG. 22  shows an embodiment of a clamp-on wireless MATS keypad; 
           [0027]      FIGS. 23-25  show an embodiment of handheld MATS; 
           [0028]      FIG. 26  shows an embodiment with an accessory device attachable to a hand-held device; 
           [0029]      FIG. 27  shows an exemplary keyboard layout of a MATS-enabled device; 
           [0030]      FIG. 28  shows usage of a MATS-enabled handheld device; 
           [0031]      FIG. 29  shows an embodiment of MATS using finger tip sensors; 
           [0032]      FIG. 30  shows an embodiment of MATS integrated into a vehicle steering wheel; 
           [0033]      FIG. 31  shows a safe text communications system; 
           [0034]      FIG. 32  shows an application to weapon embedded texting; 
           [0035]      FIG. 33  shows a two-way communication scheme for visually or hearing impaired; 
           [0036]      FIG. 34  illustrates a data key with bi-directional capability; and 
           [0037]      FIG. 35  shows one of the keyboards including a navigation joystick. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0038]    With reference to the drawings, the system uniquely exploits the correlation between first twenty-five letters of the alphabet placed sequentially within a 5×5 matrix  10 , and the five fingers of the left and right hands. In this system, five keys correspond and are aligned with each of the five rows of the character matrix  10 , and five keys correspond and are aligned with each of the five columns. See  FIG. 1 . With reference to  FIG. 2 , the data input system preferably includes two keypads  12  with ten primary keys  14 . The keys  14  can be hardware keys, virtual keys, touch-screen emulations of keys, etc. In a preferred arrangement for learning, the keys  14  are configured such that five keys are positioned on one side of the matrix  10  in a manner that each key is associated and aligned with a specific row of the matrix  10 , and a corresponding keypad including the other five keys  14  is placed below the matrix  10  so that each key is associated and aligned with a specific column in the matrix  10 . The five fingers of both the operator&#39;s hands are placed on the keys  14  of each of the respective keypads  12 . The operator can select characters from the character matrix  10  by simultaneously pressing the appropriate column key with a finger of one hand and the appropriate row key with a finger of the other hand. 
         [0039]    In a computer implementation, input of the character matrix is effected via keypads  12  including individual buttons/switches  14  for each finger of each hand. The communication and cooperable operation between the keypads  12  and the computer system may be any suitable construction similar to known user interface configurations for existing systems. The details thereof will thus not be further described. 
         [0040]    With reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , in addition to the buttons  14  on each keypad  12 , the keypads may additionally include one or more shift keys  16  to effect entry of alternative characters including, for example, lower case letters, numbers, symbols, etc. 
         [0041]    Of course, the character matrix  10  may be expanded by adding additional rows and columns. In this context, each keypad  12  may include corresponding additional keys  14  for each of the additional rows and columns. The additional keys  14  are preferably positioned within reach of a hand “resting” position in which the user&#39;s five fingers of each hand are positioned on five corresponding “home” keys  14 . Additionally or alternatively, each cell within the matrix may contain more than one character. Alternate characters may be selected via alternate keys or shift keys  16  located in the vicinity of each of the primary column and row keys  14 . The shift keys  16  may be used to access a full alternate character set via a shift option or the like, activated by a single key or by other means such as a combination of keys. When an alternate matrix of characters is selected via the shift key  16  or the like, a corresponding change will occur on the display. Additionally, an audible alert may be issued to note the change. 
         [0042]    As an alternative to the shift key  16  for accessing alternative characters, other means for accessing alternative characters may include the force or speed of a key strike. For example, a harder/faster key strike may cause a normally lower-case character to become capitalized. Alternatively, a harder/faster key strike could cause some other predetermined action to take place. 
         [0043]    The keyboard data input system may be further configured to be responsive to “gestures” or chords, where the simultaneous touching of two or more keys on the same keypad (as opposed to simultaneous touching of keys on opposing keypads) can create a new action, a new mode, a new character matrix, etc. For example, the simultaneous key strike by the index and middle finger on one keypad may select a period, whereas the simultaneous key strike by those same fingers on the opposite keypad may act as a “space bar” command. Gestures may also include simultaneous touching of multiple keys on both keypads. Likewise, special preset characters may be assigned to individual keys so that simply “typing” that key will yield the desired character. 
         [0044]    In a preferred arrangement, the system is capable of utilizing various chords or gestures to effect predefined output. It has been discovered that utilizing two-finger chords are most effective. It is easier for a new user to understand and implement two-finger chords than more complex chords. From a technical standpoint, working with anything beyond two-finger chords may be problematic, because the processor interpreting keystrokes has no way of knowing whether the user intends to do a two-finger chord, or if it should wait around for an additional keystroke to occur for a more complex chord. Two simultaneous keystrokes, however, are easy to interpret. When a single key is depressed, the processor simply waits for the next key to be struck. 
         [0045]    Multi-finger gestures (i.e., beyond two-finger chords) may also be viable in limited combinations. For example, in certain cases, multi-finger gestures (e.g., simultaneously holding down the three middle fingers on both hands) may place the keyboard into a new mode, such as the “number mode.” 
         [0046]    The chords may also enable texting without the use of the auxiliary thumb keys. Apart from the twenty-five characters available on a simple 5×5 matrix, there are ten additional characters available with two-finger combinations within each hand, for a total of 45 characters possible with two-finger gestures on 10 keys. This of course is expandable if a new matrix or mode is called up, via gestures or the like designed to go into such a mode. For instance, simultaneous selection of four fingers on the left hand may hypothetically be used to call up a whole new character matrix. For example, with reference to  FIG. 5 , a number mode may be entered for single finger entry. In the tablet embodiment (discussed with reference to  FIGS. 18 and 19  below), the mode may be activated by the simultaneous selection of the two bottom auxiliary thumb keys  22 , or by some other prescribed gesture. A similar chord may be used for a PDA or smartphone version. When in the number mode, each finger will represent a specific number as shown. Depressing a shift key will allow indicated mathematical symbols to be accessed. Alternatively, while in the number mode, mathematical symbols may also be selected by prescribed two-finger chords. 
         [0047]      FIGS. 6-9  show exemplary chord mappings for two- and multi-finger chords. These key mappings (including the matrix) can work regardless of the device. The device may be in the form of a single plane (flat) keyboard, or on a tablet where the fingers are under the tablet and the thumbs are on top, or on a steering wheel as it is normally held while driving, or even on a weapon with one hand near the trigger, and the hand other on the forestock. It should be easily understood that the ability to place keys on any hand-held device so that the keys are easily accessible to the fingers creates a host of potential applications including gaming controllers, vending machines, ATMs, etc. Other applications may be contemplated, and the invention is not meant to be limited to the described exemplary applications. 
         [0048]    The mappings essentially provide full keyboard functionality for devices with only ten keys (many smaller devices may not necessarily have the real estate to offer room beyond that number). Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that these mappings are given merely as examples. Other mappings may generate alternative outputs, such as emoticons, complete phrases, and the like, or computer actions, such as “sending” a text message (for example, sending a text message may require the simultaneous holding down the ring finger and index finger of both hands for one second, which would help to prevent accidental sending) or mode changes (see  FIGS. 10-13 ). Just as there could be alternate matrices, there could be multiple mappings of the same hand chords. 
         [0049]    Table 1 below is a summary of the exemplary mappings: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Left Hand Characters 
                 Finger Formula 
                 Right Hand Characters 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 CAPS 
                 Thumb + Index 
                 Period 
               
               
                 Back Space 
                 Index + Middle 
                 Space 
               
               
                 Quotation mark 
                 Middle + Ring 
                 Apostrophe 
               
               
                 Colon 
                 Ring + Pinkie 
                 “Z” 
               
               
                 Comma 
                 Thumb + Middle 
                 Question mark 
               
               
                 Semi-colon 
                 Thumb + Ring 
                 Exclamation point 
               
               
                 Open parenthesis ( 
                 Thumb + Pinkie 
                 Close parenthesis ) 
               
               
                 Dash (minus sign) − 
                 Index + Ring 
                 Plus sign + 
               
               
                 Slash (division sign) / 
                 Index + Pinkie 
                 Asterisk (multiplication 
               
               
                   
                   
                 sign) * 
               
               
                 Ampersand “&amp;” 
                 Middle + Pinkie 
                 @ 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0050]    With reference to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , if the user is working with a screen, then a small 5-position thumb controlled joystick  17  could be utilized for one of the thumb keys. Cursor control is via the four buttons on the periphery: left, right, up, down. The middle section could operate as a normal or enter button. Fingers are positioned over keys so typing can occur with just one hand. Alternately, a single five-position left hand key could be used in combination with a single five-position right hand key, so that the left hand key selects one of five character maps, and the right hand key selects the position on the character map to be input. Just two thumbs (or fingers) would provide convenient access to twenty-five letters of the alphabet, with applications in gaming and texting. An accessory key of the same type can greatly expand the utility (fill in the missing links: punctuation, etc.). A related joystick  117  may comprise an added input key, in addition to the standard ten keys. See  FIG. 35 . The joystick  117  may be used for navigation. 
         [0051]    In the context of the matrix application using separate keypads  12  and keys  14  for each finger, the interface can come in any form or construction, including, for example, traditional hardware style data entry keys, the touch-screen for data entry, a projected keyboard or other virtual keyboard for receiving keystroke data, a motion sensor that can detect the finger motion as a “virtual” key press, etc. and/or combinations thereof. 
         [0052]    As shown in  FIG. 16 , in an exemplary application for a touch screen, the character matrix  10  may be displayed with the corresponding keypad to facilitate learning of the matrix data entry system. In one embodiment, when used with a display  15 , the selection of the key corresponding to the desired row or column causes the full column or row to be visually highlighted. The particular “cell” defined by the inner section of the selected row and column is also caused to be specially illuminated or visually differentiated from the remainder of the characters. In a tablet computer or the like, the touch-screen system can become a “touch typing” training tool for learning the character matrix. The user is able to type directly onto the display screen, and once having learned the matrix, the user is instinctively able to operate more efficient hardware versions of the keypad, including those that may be built directly into the host device, attached to the host device or may operate independent of the host device. In some arrangements, the character matrix  10  can be removed from the keypads to effect a more compact keyboard system. See  FIG. 17 . 
         [0053]      FIGS. 18 and 19  show an exemplary tablet style computer  18  with the matrix keypads  12  integrated into the hardware. In this context, the keypads and components are physically attached to the host system components, such as the CPU and the display, so the system is able to receive power from the host system and communicate directly with the host system. Alternatively, the keypads and components may be located remotely from the other system components, where power and data communications with the host device may be provided via wired or wireless connections. In still another alternative, the keypad system is built as a separate unit that may clip on, slip on as a case, or otherwise attach to and communicate with a device such as an advanced phone, tablet computer, PDA, ebook or other communication device or computer (discussed in more detail below with reference to  FIG. 22 ). The keypads  12  may take the form of an egg, a sphere, a bar or any other object that would be comfortable to hold by hand and be a suitable platform for mounting of appropriate keys. 
         [0054]    The front of the tablet computer  18  is shown in  FIG. 18 , and the back of the computer  18  is shown in  FIG. 19 . The keyboard input system includes a plurality of keys  14  for the user&#39;s fingers on the backside of the computer  18 . A touch pad  20  may also be provided for cursor control. On the front side of the computer  18 , one or more thumb keys  22  are provided. As shown, three thumb keys  22  may be provided for each of a user&#39;s thumbs in order to add increased functionality. With the tablet computer  18  held in the hands as a book or a pad would be held, the data input keys  14 ,  22  and touch pad  20  are located in a position convenient to the normal placement of the fingers, typically with thumbs on the top side and the remainder of fingers underneath. The keys  14  may be recessed ergonomically into the body of the device  18 , positioned convenient to the normal placement of the fingertips. The touch pad  20  can be easily accessed by one or more of the user&#39;s fingers while holding the device  18  in a normal manner. 
         [0055]    As an alternative to the use of keys  14 ,  22 , a sensor sensing capacitance or the like may sense the location and movement of the user&#39;s fingers so that the device can immediately receive input data from the fingers regardless of their position. Motion-type sensors may also be used. In a similar context, 3M, a company located in St. Paul, Minn., has developed a new, hi-res touch screen film that is flexible and is multi-touch capable. This film could potentially wrap around to the back side of a hand held or tablet-style computer. The material can sense up to twenty simultaneous finger inputs. In theory, a user could simply hold such a device in their hands, and the finger positions could be determined by the device, so that the user could just type using the MATS input methodology without requiring specific positions for the user&#39;s fingers. 
         [0056]    The keypads  12  may contain an inertial or other internal reference system so that movement of the keypad results in a corresponding “mouse” movement on a display device. The keypads may integrate a mouse or joystick controller for control of the display and may include provisions for “selecting” or “clicking” items in the display. In certain embodiments, individual keys may also function as a mouse pad or joystick so that they may control a variety of actions, including, for example, cursor control. 
         [0057]    With reference to  FIGS. 20 and 21 , the data input system can enable special character sets  30  to appear on a hand-held touch-screen display, such as on a tablet computer  18 . As shown, the character set  30  is preferably oriented in a manner to make it easily accessible by the user&#39;s thumb and may be selected by the touch of a thumb or other finger. In  FIG. 20 , the character set  30  is for punctuation and is displayed in an arc orientation. Another example is shown in  FIG. 21 , showing a calculator that is displayed graphically consistent with traditional calculators and where numbers and functions are selected by touching the characters with a single thumb or other finger. In a similar context, the user may be able to customize the selectable characters within a matrix, and in the case of a touch-screen system, the user can customize the matrix by dragging and dropping characters, etc. into the matrix. Consistent with the operation of tablet computers and other touch-screen devices, the user can reposition the location of the customized character set on the display by dragging or the like. 
         [0058]    With reference to  FIG. 22 , in an alternative embodiment, the keyboard data input system may take the form of a U-shaped configuration  24 , or other suitable shape that can attach to an electronic device such as a tablet computer  18 . In one construction, each keypad  24  includes at least five keys  14 , with at least one thumb key  26  positioned on one side of the device (preferably the display side) and four finger keys  28  positioned on the opposite side of the device (preferably the back side). The unit  24  can be connected via a USB port or other hardware connection or may communicate with the device  18  wirelessly. As an alternative to the thumb keys  26 , the thumb keys may be replaced by graphical or virtual buttons on the touch-screen. 
         [0059]    With reference to  FIGS. 23-25 , the keypads  12  may come in the form of separate and independent units easily gripped in the user&#39;s hands. Each unit similarly includes keys  14  that are placed for one-handed operation based on where the user&#39;s fingers will fall depending on the shape of the units. As shown in  FIG. 25 , there is a close relationship between the horizontal (flat) matrix and other platforms. Once the matrix data input concept is mastered, the user may easily transition to devices with other form factors and configurations. 
         [0060]      FIGS. 26-28  show an application of the keyboard input system to a smartphone, PDA or the like. In the configuration shown, the keyboard input system takes the form of an accessory  44  attachable to the device  46 . The accessory include keypads  12  for a user&#39;s left and right hands including finger buttons  14  and separated thumb buttons  48 . With the device held in a “landscape” orientation (see  FIG. 28 ), the user&#39;s fingers and thumbs naturally rest on the respective keys of the keyboards. The accessory  44  communicates with the device  46  by any suitable means including, for example, a direct wired connection or by a wireless connection. 
         [0061]    For hardware attachable to existing structure, power for the hardware can be provided in any suitable manner. For example, the device may be powered by rechargeable battery or via a direct connection to the host device with a USB connection or other port. The device can alternatively or additionally be powered by the electricity generated by the physical activity of pressing the keypad, whether by piezoelectric means or any other means. As still another alternative, power may be provided by induction from the host device or from an electromagnetic field created by the host device. Power may also be provided in the form of an RF transmission. 
         [0062]    The device may include an accessory finger guide for small touch-screens that provides cutouts or indentations that allow the user to easily locate the proper finger positions. This same guide may function as a restraining device for the fingertips so that they are unable to come into contact with the touch-screen until a prescribed amount of pressure is exerted by the fingers, thus preventing premature data input. 
         [0063]    With reference to  FIG. 29 , the key pads may take the form of gloves  38  including sensors  40  that enable data input by pressing the sensors  40  onto any hard surface. As an alternative to the gloves  38 , the data input device may merely include small sensors that are placed as caps on the fingertips to effect data input by pressing the sensors  40  onto a hard surface. 
         [0064]      FIG. 30  shows an embodiment utilizing a keyboard data input system integrated into the steering wheel  42  of a vehicle. The keys or sensors can be mounted or embedded in the steering wheel  42  for safe texting. With the above-noted 3M material incorporated into a steering wheel, the user could potentially have his finger positions recognized and would be able to use the steering wheel itself as a keyboard entry device. 
         [0065]    The safe texting system may additionally be viable by enabling safe transmission of data without looking down at a device. With reference to  FIG. 31 , upon data entry via the steering wheel  42 , the data is converted by a component  422  of the system processor into data that is compatible with a cellular phone or other communications device. The data may be converted to speech, and in some variations, may be heard in the sender&#39;s own voice. Incoming text will come into the device, and then be converted into to speech via a processor component  424 , which is then played audibly, preferably through the automobile&#39;s audio system  426 . The text may be recalled in the user&#39;s own voice. This can be done via software, where a user speaks certain prescribed words, from which a portable voice file (pvf) is then created for each user. That way, texting friends can forward their voice file to each other so that when a text message is received, the smartphone or other device will read it out loud and in their own voice. Other applications of this concept are shown in  FIGS. 32 and 33 .  FIG. 32  shows a weapon embedded texting system  500 . The weapon is provided keyboard units that can send and receive data via a processor or the like.  FIG. 33  shows a similar text to speech module, which also may be configured for hearing impaired via the use of an actuator key (described below with reference to  FIG. 34 ). Other applications may include surveying instrumentation, medical office record keeping devices, delivery service provider tablets, vending machines, etc. 
         [0066]      FIG. 34  shows an exemplary data key with bi-directional capability. The key includes a key cap  34  and an actuator  36 . The key  32  is capable of both sending data information (as a normal keyboard key) and also by the actuator  36  to produce movement in the key cap  34 , which the user can discern and interpret as character information. The key cap allows the user to “feel” incoming data through the user&#39;s fingers. This system makes possible two-way texting, which would be especially useful for the visually impaired. 
         [0067]    The corresponding relationship of the fingers with the alphabetical matrix is the basis for the MATS keyboard system, and makes possible a variety of new products that can take advantage of the MATS system. 
         [0068]    The advantages of the MATS system are many:
       Keyboards can be infinitely portable   Keyboards can offer traditional keyboard tactile feel   Keyboards can be easily mastered, even by children   Rapid “typing” is possible due to fact that fingers remain over home keys   Inexpensive to implement   Works with real or virtual keys   Wired or wireless embodiments   Makes possible “safe” texting devices that can be used while driving   Built-in key actuators, make possible 2-way communication through the fingers.       
 
         [0078]    The advent of portable touch-screen computers creates a perfect platform for the MATS system. The touch screen makes possible on-screen learning and training programs where the user can create customized character matrices and virtual keyboards. The ability of the row and column to be graphically highlighted with each keystroke helps make learning the matrix fun and easy. The touch-screen also provides a great platform for the creation of learning games, which can help improve MATS proficiency. 
         [0079]    Once the touch-screen character matrix is learned, the user can then quickly transition to more advanced, “real key” MATS keypads that can be built into the user&#39;s device or may be mounted as an accessory. The MATS keypads can be built ergonomically, so that it conforms to the natural contours of the user&#39;s hands, positioning the user&#39;s fingers directly over their respective keys. Optional wireless functionality allows the keypad to seamlessly communicate with the host device. 
         [0080]    One of the major benefits from the MATS system is its ability to provide full keyboard functionality in a very compact size. In fact, MATS systems can even be built into gloves, steering wheels, or small devices that may be held in the palm of one&#39;s hands. 
         [0081]    One application for MATS is as an accessory that may attach, or be built into a touch screen phone, or other small communications device. Also, because the MATS system allows the user&#39;s fingers to remain over the “home” keys, it is possible, with appropriate actuators, to send data back to the user, by moving or vibrating their fingers, so that the user can “hear” text or other information through their fingers. 
         [0082]    While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.