Method for combining deterministic and non-deterministic user interaction data input models

A structure and method for entering data into an electronic device (110). A deterministic data input element (130) coupled to the electronic device (110) is operable to accept a user-selected data input. Modulation of a motion of a non-deterministic data input element (140) coupled to the electronic device (11) is operable to select a varying precision of data input choices. A feedback element (120) coupled to one or more of the deterministic data input element (130) and the non-deterministic data input element (140) presents the data input choices to the user. The user enters data into electronic device (110) using one of the deterministic input element (130) and the non-deterministic input element (140) and the feedback element (120) displays a sequence of data choices to the user. The user then navigates a tree of possible data completions in order to select a particular data completion to be entered into the electronic device (110).

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to the field of data input devices, and more specifically to techniques and structures for entering data into electronic devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electronic devices are becoming smaller and more powerful, with more functionality packed into a smaller physical footprint. The power of these electronic devices and their capabilities imply the use of a fully featured data entry element to allow a user to access these capabilities. Providing these capabilities to a user makes the design of the data entry element challenging. Input devices of larger electronic devices can be used, at the expense of wasting the potential small footprint. Small input devices can be used, but these small input devices tend to be limited in functionality and difficult to access. One method for allowing input of a wide range of items is to list items for user selection, but this requires menu lists of unwieldy length.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now toFIG. 1a diagram of a general physical structure100for combining deterministic and non-deterministic user interaction data input models is shown, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. The general structure100illustrates an electronic device110coupled to a deterministic data input element130and a non-deterministic data input element140. Electronic device110may be, for example, one of a telephone, pager, cellular phone, computer, PDA, MP3 players, wristwatch, data entry device, data storage device, signal processing device. It is noted that the deterministic data input element130and the non-deterministic data input element140may physically overlap. A feedback element120is coupled to the electronic device110and further operable to be coupled to one or more of the deterministic data input element and non-deterministic data input element140. The diagram ofFIG. 1illustrates one potential physical organization operable to combine deterministic and non-deterministic user interaction data input models, although it is noted that other organizations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. As an illustration of exemplary embodiments, one or more of deterministic data input element130, non-deterministic data input element140, and feedback element120may be physically separate from electronic device110. This situation may occur, for example, when the electronic device110accepts wireless transmission of data. Additionally, non-deterministic data input element140and deterministic data input element130may be physically separate or non-deterministic data input element140may reside within deterministic data input element130without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The data of electronic device110may be digital data, alphanumeric character data, non-Western characters such as Chinese, audio data, video data, descriptive metadata, Internet data, for example, or any other such examples of data. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the deterministic data input element130allows a user to select and enter data into the electronic device using a fixed data input technique, such as using a keypad or keyboard. In certain embodiments of the present invention, non-deterministic data input element140allows a user to select data using techniques wherein a user action determines an amount of precision and a length of time with which data is displayed for selection. Referring now toFIG. 2a flowchart of a general method200for combining deterministic and non-deterministic user interaction data input models is shown, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. The general method200is started by a user entering data into electronic device110by one of deterministic input element130and a non-deterministic input element140(block210). Feedback element120is operable to display a sequence of data choices to the user (block220). In certain embodiments of the present invention, feedback element120is a graphical display. It is noted that feedback element120is operable to include one or more of audio elements, video elements, or haptic elements so that a user may interact with electronic device110audially, graphically or haptically. The word “display” as used in this document should be taken to include all such modalities. The user interacts with feedback element120to navigate a tree of possible data completions to select a particular data completion that is operable to be entered in electronic device110(block230). If a user decides to use non-deterministic data input techniques as in block240, then the user may select a branch of the tree of possible data completions by selecting from one or more data entry choices (block260). The user may then again navigate the tree of possible data completions as in block230.

If a user decides to use non-deterministic data input techniques, then the user may view possible data completions in more detail (yes in block250) by decreasing a rate of motion or the extent of deflection of non-deterministic data input element140wherein the decrease of the rate of motion or extent of deflection is operable to increase the precision of the possible data completions displayed to the user. The increase in the precision of the possible data completions displayed to the user corresponds to increasing a viewable depth of the tree (block280). The user may also view possible data completions more rapidly and in less detail (no in block250) by increasing a rate of motion or extent of deflection of non-deterministic data input element140wherein the increase in the rate of motion or extent of deflection is operable to decrease the precision of the possible data completions displayed to the user. The decrease in the precision of possible data completions displayed to the user corresponds to decreasing a viewable depth of the tree (block270). After increasing or decreasing the rate of motion or extent of deflection of non-deterministic data input element140, the user may then again navigate the tree of possible data completions as in block230. It is noted that the user may alternate between increasing or decreasing the rate of motion or extent of deflection of the non-deterministic data input element140. In certain embodiments of the present invention, stopping the motion of the non-deterministic data input element, or placing of such element in a neutral (less-deflected or undeflected) position,140is operable to display a full precision of the possible data completions. It is also noted that data that is more probable is operable for be displayed for a longer length of time or for a longer range of motion of non-deterministic data input element140than data that is less probable. In certain embodiments of the present invention, probabilities of the possible data elements are operable to be determined by reference to a dictionary of possible data entry choices and the probability of said possible data entry choices are determined from a statistical measurement of a usage of said possible data entry choices.

It is noted that in certain embodiments of the present invention, the deterministic data input element130and the non-deterministic data element140may be used jointly to perform special operations such as selecting one or more displayed items, transmitting the one or more displayed items to a second electronic device, or receiving the one or more displayed items from one or more remote electronic devices. As an example, if the deterministic data input element130is a keypad and the non-deterministic data element140is a wheelpad wherein the user may hold down a key of the keypad while rotating the wheelpad to produce special operations.

Referring now toFIG. 3a flowchart of a first exemplary method300for combining deterministic and non-deterministic user interaction data input models is shown, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. The first exemplary method300is started by a user entering a data entry mode of an electronic device and accessing a list of possible choices (block305). The user uses a display modulation element, such as a slider, linear slider, rotary wheel or button, dial, thumbwheel or other motion-sensing device, coupled to the electronic device to view possible choices (block310). A display element coupled to the electronic device displays possible data choices to the user (block320). If a user selects deterministic data input (block340), then a beginning prefix of possible data completions is made using the slider or rotary wheel as in block360. Completions of possible choices may then be shown to the user (block365) and the user interacts with the slider or rotary wheel to view the possible choices as in block310.

If a user decides to use non-deterministic data input techniques, then the user may view possible data completions in more detail (yes in block350) by turning the slider or rotary wheel slowly, or deflecting it to a lesser extent, to view a greater resolution of possible data choices. The user can also stop the slider or rotary wheel, or allow it to rest at its neutral position, to view completions of possible data choices (block380). The user may also view possible data completions more rapidly and in less detail (no in block350) by turning the slider or rotary wheel more rapidly or by deflecting it to a greater extent (block370). After increasing or decreasing a motion or deflection of slider or rotary wheel, the user may then use the slider or rotary wheel to select possible data completions as in block390. The user may then continue using the slider or rotary wheel to view possible choices as in block310. It is noted that data that is more probable is operable to be displayed for a longer length of time or for a greater range of motion of the slider or rotary wheel than data that is less probable. In certain embodiments of the present invention, probabilities of the possible data elements are operable to be determined by reference to a dictionary of possible data entry choices and the probability of said possible data entry choices are determined from a statistical measurement of a usage of said possible data entry choices.

Referring now toFIG. 4a first image400of a first exemplary structure for combining deterministic and non-deterministic user interaction data input models is shown, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. The first image400illustrates an electronic device410, wherein said electronic device is coupled to a display element440, coupled to a keypad420, and coupled to wheelpad430. It is noted that keypad420may be a keyboard without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In accordance with a method of the first exemplary structure, a user enters a text mode and views a list of words using display element440. The user can then use wheelpad430to scroll through the list of words.

Referring now toFIG. 5a second image500of a first exemplary structure for combining deterministic and non-deterministic user interaction data input models is shown, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. Second image500illustrates that a user can scroll quickly through the list of words so that only the first letters510of words are shown. Referring now toFIG. 6a third image600of a first exemplary structure for combining deterministic and non-deterministic user interaction data input models is shown, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. Third image600illustrates that as the user turns the wheelpad430more slowly than in second image500, prefixes610of the list of words are shown in display element440.

Referring now toFIG. 7a fourth image700of a first exemplary structure for combining deterministic and non-deterministic user interaction data input models is shown, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. If the user stops turning the wheelpad or, in the case of a wheel with a self-orienting mechanism allows the wheelpad to rest in its neutral position430, then entire words710are shown in display element440. Referring now toFIG. 8a fifth image800of a first exemplary structure for combining deterministic and non-deterministic user interaction data input models is shown, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. The fifth image illustrates that after entire words710are displayed, the user may scroll through the list one word at a time810. It is noted that in certain embodiments of the present invention, the user may scroll in a forward or a reverse direction using wheelpad430. Stopping or allowing to rest in its neutral position, the wheelpad430is operable to show a list of expanded words at a location where the wheel is stopped.

FIGS. 9,10and11illustrate that users may also use keypad420for deterministic input to the electronic device. As an example, if the user presses the ‘4’ key on keypad420, then referring now toFIG. 9with a sixth image1100of a second exemplary structure for combining deterministic and non-deterministic user interaction data input models as a starting point, the letters ‘g h i’1010are displayed to the user as in ninth image1000ofFIG. 10. Referring now toFIG. 11an eleventh image1100of a second exemplary structure for combining deterministic and non-deterministic user interaction data input models is shown, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. Eleventh image1100illustrates that after the user presses the ‘h’ key on keypad420, then a list words beginning with ‘h’1110are displayed to the user. The user can then use wheelpad430to access these words1110, their prefixes, and the starting letters of each word depending upon the speed with which wheelpad420is turned.

It is noted that although wheelpad420is used in the first exemplary structure, other non-deterministic devices could be used such as linear sliders, rotary buttons, dials, thumbwheels or other motion sensing device without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is further noted that although display element440is illustrated as a graphical display, other user feedback models could be used such as audio elements or combinations of audio and graphical feedback elements. It is also noted that although the first exemplary structure illustrates wheelpad430centered on ‘5’ key of keypad420, other configurations are possible such as locating wheelpad430to a side of electronic device410or locating wheelpad430on a different key of kepad420.

Given the limitations of known data entry structures and methods, it can be seen that the method and structure of the present invention are much improved. Input data may be quickly and easily input to electronic devices that are, for size or other reasons, unable to accommodate traditional data entry structures. The present invention additionally provides an input structure that allows eyes-free input that may be carried out without necessarily looking at a visual display; at the same time, the input process is faster or more efficient if the user is in a position to look at an input display. Furthermore, the input method should be easily usable without a steep learning curve. Finally, the input method can be integrated, without conflicting with the existing user interface, on top of traditional input methods to complement familiar input methods with new, productivity-enhancing functionality.