Abstract:
A method and apparatus for entry of alphabetical characters and numeric characters using a touch pad or display screen on an electronic device (e.g., cell phone, GPS navigation system). The touch pad or display has numbers and letters displayed in an optimal arrangement to allow rapid entry of characters by depressing, touching or sliding of a finger. Electronic circuitry beneath the pad or display can detect whether the user is fully depressing, slightly touching, or sliding a finger across the pad or display. Recognition of the specific finger action indicates the specific letters, numbers, or special symbols to be entered into the device application (e.g., SMS text, email, navigation, etc.)

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Application Serial No. 61/041,350 filed Apr. 1, 2008, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    [Not Applicable] 
       MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE 
       [0003]    [Not Applicable] 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention relates generally to electronic devices such as cell phones, GPS navigation systems, personal digital assistants (PDA), media players, and portable computers. More particularly, the present invention relates to the keypads and display screens that are used to enter text and numbers into said devices. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Current apparatus and methods for entering text or numeric information into portable electronic devices are difficult to use and learn. These devices, for example, cell phones, email devices, hand-held calculators, navigation systems, and the like, comprise keypads which are very small and cumbersome in use, allowing for inaccurate entry of data. 
         [0006]    Heretofore, alphabetic and numeric characters are entered by pressing one of a plurality of keys, each key being associated with a particular alphanumeric character to be entered. The key may be pressed once, or else multiple times, to indicate a specific character. The key arrangement may be a “Qwerty” type or in alphabetic order. Where there are small keying areas, a stylus may be used to activate or press the key area. 
         [0007]    Alternatively, a stylus may be used to write or draw an individual character, typically on a glass surface of a display, to enter the character corresponding to the drawn character. However, such displays which are formed of glass are slippery, and provide no tactile feedback to the user. In addition, direct viewing of the surface by the user is important. 
         [0008]    It is therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a keying apparatus and method which is easy to learn, can be performed quickly, and does not require the user to view the keypad. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    These and other objects of the invention are achieved in a system and method for key entry of individual alphabetic or numeric characters. A specified finger movement identifies an individual character in an easy to perform and easy to remember fashion. In one embodiment, twelve separate physical or electronically displayed keys are pressed, touched or moved across in a specified manner to identify one of twenty-six alphabetical characters, the numbers zero through nine, punctuation marks and various commands. 
         [0010]    The selection of a specific letter, number or command is performed by one of three types of finger movements: 1) pressing, (2) lightly touching, or 3) sliding of the finger. 
         [0011]    Capacitance Resistance electronics may be located behind the keypad to detect touching and sliding movements of the finger (angle, distance, and speed, for example). Such capacitance resistance circuitry may dynamically determine the x and y coordinates of the finger as it touches or slides across the touchpad or display. A microprocessor controlled by software maps the dynamic x and y coordinates to a specific number, letter, punctuation, symbol (e.g., #) or control function (e.g., enter). Such capacitance resistance circuitry can distinguish between touching and sliding by determining whether the finger has moved after it is first touched and before it is removed from the keypad surface. 
         [0012]    The keypad may detect pressing on the keypad in one of two ways: 1) emulated buttons (e.g., raised surface) with supporting capacitance resistance electronics or 2) contact switches in designated places on the pad. 
         [0013]    The pad may be specifically designed to provide optimal resistance and tactile feedback. 
         [0014]    The letters are specifically arranged according to the frequency of word and letter usage, thus facilitating rapid entry of text. 
         [0015]    Some of the specific advantages of this innovative design are: 
         [0016]    1. The invention requires less buttons (physical or emulated) compared to the current art which requires 35 or more (e.g., a Blackberry device)—thus reducing the size and cost of the keypad. 
         [0017]    2. The invention allows both rapid number dialing and rapid texting compared to the current art which is optimized for only one function (i.e., either dialing or texting. For example, with a Blackberry device it is difficult to dial numbers since the keys are small relative to the finger. 
         [0018]    3. The invention facilitates rapid learning since the letters and words are spatially oriented which aids in the cognitive memorization process. 
         [0019]    4. The invention facilitates fast selection of the most common letters since they are more easily and quickly selected than less common letters. 
         [0020]    5. The invention facilitates the rapid creation of words since letters are adjacent to the most common preceding and/or following letters in common letter sequences. 
         [0021]    6. The invention allows dialing numbers and entering text without looking at the keypad, since there are significantly less physical or emulated buttons (e.g., 12 vs. 35). 
         [0022]    7. The invention is extremely flexible to use since one thumb, two thumbs, one finger, or multiple fingers can be used to enter numbers and text based on the user&#39;s preference and/or the specific keypad design. 
         [0023]    8. Even though the main embodiment described here is a small physical keypad for use on devices such as a cell phone, the invention is equally applicable to a large variety of embodiments such as touch-sensitive display screens on devices such as an Apple iPhone or a laptop computer. 
         [0024]    9. The invention will allow young children, elderly, and physically handicapped (e.g., visually impaired, paraplegics) to learn and use text input devices. 
         [0025]    These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the present invention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is a top view of the touch pad or display in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is a diagram showing how the letters S, A, N, T, E, I, H, O, R, the “space” key, the “backspace key,” and the “number lock” key are activated by pressing or touching of the physical or emulated key which activates the associated contact switch or capacitance electronics. 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a diagram showing how the numbers 0 to 9, *, and # are activated by pressing or touching of the physical or emulated key which activates the associated contact switch or capacitance electronics. 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a diagram showing how the letters V, W, B, C, D, X, P, Q, L, M, J, K, F, G, Y, U, Z, “caps lock,” “symbol shift,” and “return” are activated by sliding of the finger in the designated location and direction. 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a diagram showing the complete layout of the keypad with all numbers, letters, punctuation, and control shown.  FIG. 5  also shows how letters are positioned on the keypad according to common sequencing of common words or partial words to speed the entry of text into the keypad. 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  shows suggested layouts for different types of cell phones. 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  shows other example embodiments of the invention. 
       
    
    
       [0033]    Table 1 provides statistical information on the frequency of letter usage which may be used to optimize the layout of alphabetic characters and numbers on the touch pad or display to facilitate rapid text entry. 
         [0034]    Table 2 shows the frequency of letter sequencing and the frequency of word use that may be used to optimize the layout of the keypad or display screen layout. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a keypad  11  includes nine separate keys  13 ,  15 ,  17 ,  19 ,  21 ,  23 ,  25 ,  27 ,  29 . The keys are diamond in shape and occupy most of the area of keypad  11  except the far right and bottom of the keypad. Keys  13 - 29  are colored with a particular color, e.g., orange, and may carry a physical attribute such as a raised surface to distinguish these nine keys when they are touched by the user. Thus, the user can easily find one of the nine keys by moving the finger to the appropriate location of the key. 
         [0036]    In addition, there are three rectangular shaped keys  31 ,  33 , and  35  located respectively at the bottom and right side of keypad  11  as shown. Keys  31 - 35  are colored with a particular color, e.g., green in order to provide a visual distinction between keys  31 - 35  and keys  13 - 29 . Keys  31 - 35  may also include a physical attribute to provide a touch distinction if desired. 
         [0037]    Behind keypad  11  and beneath each one of the twelve keys  13 - 35 , capacitance resistance electronics (not shown) is used to detect depression touches of these keys and sliding motions on the area adjacent to the keys. As understood, such capacitive resistance electronics have electrical properties which change in accordance with the touch on the key to which the electronics are associated. Optionally, traditional contact switches, which open and close to indicate pressure at a certain point on a key, may be located behind each of the twelve keys to support traditional tactile selection. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the nine letters S, A, N, T, E, I, H, O, R, are assigned to keys  13 - 29 , respectively, and each key carries its own respective letter for visual recognition. In addition, keys  31 ,  33 , and  35  are respectively assigned “space,” “backspace” (indicated by a left pointing arrow), and the “number shift” (indicated by “ 123 ”). Keys  31 - 35  carry visual indicia for recognition accordingly. 
         [0039]    To enter these characters, the user will depress or touch one of keys  13 - 29  which will actuate the capacitance electronics (or contact switch) beneath the selected key. Depression or touch of the “space” key enters a space. The “number shift” key is depressed to change the assigned characters on keys  13 - 29  from letters to numbers which will be actuated, as described below. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the numerals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, are assigned to keys  13 - 29 ; the numeral 0 is assigned to key  31 ; the symbol * is assigned to key  33 ; and the symbol # is assigned to key  35 . To enter these numerals/symbols, the user will depress or touch the assigned key which will actuate the capacitance electronics (or contact switch) beneath the selected key. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , two designated areas  41 ,  43  are located adjacent key  13 . Area  41  includes the visual indicia “V” and area  43  includes the visual indicia “W”. Areas  41 ,  43  are colored with a particular color, e.g., grey or brown, which is different and distinct visually from the color of key  13 . Both of the letters “V” and “W” are considered to be letters less frequently used. 
         [0042]    In addition, areas  41 ,  43  may include a physical attribute to distinguish areas  41 ,  43  from key  13 . For example, areas  41 ,  43  may be an indentation or depression in the surface of keypad  11  and wherein the top diamond surface  45  of key  13  is raised above areas  41 ,  43 . Areas  41 ,  43  may be shaped to gradually lower or move away from the flat surface  45 . Thus, the user feels the finger action of moving from key surface  45  into key surface  41  or  43 . That is, the user begins with his/her finger on surface  45  and then moves the finger into areas  41  or  43 . 
         [0043]    Electronics or switches beneath key  13  monitor this finger movement from surface  45  into area  41  or  43 . For example, capacitance resistance electronics may be located under the areas  41 - 45 . Optionally, area  45  can have a contact switch in addition to or instead of the capacitance resistance electronics. 
         [0044]    As also shown in  FIG. 4 , the letters (which may also be considered less frequently used) B, C, D, X, P, Q, L, M, J, K, F, G, Y, U, Z, “caps lock,” “symbol shift,” and “return” are entered by sliding of the finger into respective designated areas  51 ,  53 ,  55 ,  57 ,  59 ,  61 ,  63 ,  65 ,  67 ,  69 ,  71 ,  73 ,  75 ,  77 ,  79 ,  81 ,  85 ,  87 , and  89  located adjacent to the twelve primary keys. Each designated area  41 ,  43 ,  51 - 91  are all colored the same (e.g., grey or brown) and may all have a unique physical attributes (e.g., indented groove). As will suggest itself, other finger actions may be detected, such as the angle of finger movement, the distance of movement, and the speed of movement. 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , the complete layout of a keypad  101  with all numbers, letters, punctuation, and control is shown. Both letter indicia and numeral indicia may be placed on keys  13 - 29 , and letter indicia may be of one color and numeral indicia of another color. 
         [0046]    Electrical signals that are generated by contact switches and capacitance resistance beneath the keys are sent to a microprocessor or other processing circuitry. Such a microprocessor includes software which responds to the electrical signals from the contact switches to identify alphanumeric characters or commands. Once identified, the software appropriately handles the data, as for example, dialing of an eleven digit telephone number or creation of a specific word or sentence. 
         [0047]    Separate from the keypad, a display may be connected to the system and controlled by the microprocessor to visually present the characters that are typed into the system by the user. This facilitates learning of finger movements to achieve data entry. Also, audio feedback can be provided to validate that a character has been entered or to identify the character. 
         [0048]    While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited thereto since modifications can be made by persons skilled in the art. 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , Table 1, and Table 2, letters are specifically assigned to increase the ease and speed of entering text. Referring to Table 1, the nine most frequently used letters are assigned to the nine primary alphanumeric keys. Note that these nine letters make up approximately 70% of the letters that are used in commonly written text. Referring to Table 2, many common words can be entered by touching or depressing or sliding adjacent keys or areas. For example notice that “an,” “or,” and “you” can all be selected by depressing directly adjacent keys or key areas. 
         [0000]                                                  TABLE 1               LETTER FREQUENCY (% OF USE       AND MOST COMMON LETTERS)                                    E   13%    L   4%   Y   2%           T   9%   D   4%   B   2%           A   8%   C   3%   V   1%           O   8%   U   3%   K   1%           I   7%   M   3%   X   0%           N   7%   F   2%   J   0%           S   7%   P   2%   Q   0%           R   6%   G   2%   Z   1%           H   5%   W   2%                        
The most common first letter in a word in order of frequency
 
         [0050]    T, O, A, W, B, C, D, S, F, M, R, H, I, Y, E, G, L, N, O, U, J, K 
         [0000]    The most common second letter in a word in order of frequency 
         [0051]    H, O, E, I, A, U, N, R, T 
         [0000]    The most common third letter in a word in order of frequency 
         [0052]    E, S, A, R, N, I 
         [0000]    The most common last letter in a word in order of frequency 
         [0053]    E, S, T, D, N, R, Y, F, L, O, G, H, A, K, M, P, U, W 
         [0000]    More than half of all words end with 
         [0054]    E, T, D, S 
         [0000]    Letters most likely to follow E in order of frequency 
         [0055]    R,S,N,D 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 FULL AND PARTIAL WORD FREQUENCY 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1 
                 the 
               
               
                 2 
                 of 
               
               
                 3 
                 and 
               
               
                 4 
                 a 
               
               
                 5 
                 to 
               
               
                 6 
                 in 
               
               
                 7 
                 is 
               
               
                 8 
                 you 
               
               
                 9 
                 that 
               
               
                 10 
                 it 
               
               
                 11 
                 he 
               
               
                 12 
                 was 
               
               
                 13 
                 for 
               
               
                 14 
                 on 
               
               
                 15 
                 are 
               
               
                 16 
                 as 
               
               
                 17 
                 with 
               
               
                 18 
                 his 
               
               
                 19 
                 they 
               
               
                 20 
                 I 
               
               
                 21 
                 at 
               
               
                 22 
                 be 
               
               
                 23 
                 this 
               
               
                 24 
                 have 
               
               
                 25 
                 from 
               
               
                 26 
                 or 
               
               
                 27 
                 one 
               
               
                 28 
                 had 
               
               
                 29 
                 by 
               
               
                 30 
                 word 
               
               
                 31 
                 but 
               
               
                 32 
                 not 
               
               
                 33 
                 what 
               
               
                 34 
                 all 
               
               
                 35 
                 were 
               
               
                 36 
                 we 
               
               
                 37 
                 when 
               
               
                 38 
                 your 
               
               
                 39 
                 can 
               
               
                 40 
                 said 
               
               
                 41 
                 there 
               
               
                 42 
                 use 
               
               
                 43 
                 an 
               
               
                 44 
                 each 
               
               
                 45 
                 which 
               
               
                 46 
                 she 
               
               
                 47 
                 do 
               
               
                 48 
                 how 
               
               
                 49 
                 their 
               
               
                 50 
                 if 
               
               
                 51 
                 will 
               
               
                 52 
                 up 
               
               
                 53 
                 other 
               
               
                 54 
                 about 
               
               
                 55 
                 out 
               
               
                 56 
                 many 
               
               
                 57 
                 then 
               
               
                 58 
                 them 
               
               
                 59 
                 these 
               
               
                 60 
                 so 
               
               
                 61 
                 some 
               
               
                 62 
                 her 
               
               
                 63 
                 would 
               
               
                 64 
                 make 
               
               
                 65 
                 like 
               
               
                 66 
                 him 
               
               
                 67 
                 into 
               
               
                 68 
                 time 
               
               
                 69 
                 has 
               
               
                 70 
                 look 
               
               
                 71 
                 two 
               
               
                 72 
                 more 
               
               
                 73 
                 write 
               
               
                 74 
                 go 
               
               
                 75 
                 see 
               
               
                 76 
                 number 
               
               
                 77 
                 no 
               
               
                 78 
                 way 
               
               
                 79 
                 could 
               
               
                 80 
                 people 
               
               
                 81 
                 my 
               
               
                 82 
                 than 
               
               
                 83 
                 first 
               
               
                 84 
                 water 
               
               
                 85 
                 been 
               
               
                 86 
                 call 
               
               
                 87 
                 who 
               
               
                 88 
                 oil 
               
               
                 89 
                 its 
               
               
                 90 
                 now 
               
               
                 91 
                 find 
               
               
                 92 
                 long 
               
               
                 93 
                 down 
               
               
                 94 
                 day 
               
               
                 95 
                 did 
               
               
                 96 
                 get 
               
               
                 97 
                 come 
               
               
                 98 
                 made 
               
               
                 99 
                 may 
               
               
                 100 
                 part 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       Digraph Frequency 
       [0056]    th he an in er on re ed nd ha at en es of nt ea ti to io le is ou ar as de rt ve 
       Trigraph Frequency 
       [0057]    the and tha ent ion tio for nde has nce tis oft men 
       Double Letter Frequency 
       [0058]    ss ee tt ff ll mm oo 
       Top Twenty Most Used Words in Written English 
       [0059]    the of to in and a for was is that on at he with by be it an as his 
       Top Twenty Most Used Words in Spoken English 
       [0060]    the and I to of a you that in it is yes was this but on well he have for 
       Two Letter Word Frequency 
       [0061]    of to in it is be as at so we he by or on do if me my up an go no us am 
       Three Letter Word Frequency 
       [0062]    the and for are but not you all any can had her was one our out day get has him his how man new now old see two way who boy did its let put say she too use 
       Four Letter Word Frequency 
       [0063]    that with have this will your from they know want been good much some time very when come here just like long make many more only over such take than them well were