Patent Description:
The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings.

Systems, devices, and/or methods described herein may allow for a user of a user device (e.g., laptop, smartphone, headset, remote control, etc.) to input electronic information in a manner that reduces the amount of time between different inputs of electronic information. Furthermore, the systems, devices, and/or methods described herein may reduce the physical size of various mechanical and/or electrical features. For example, there may be a laptop that, rather than having a QWERTY-style keyboard, has an alternative keyboard described in one or more examples associated with one or more of the figures described herein. A user may then use this alternative keyboard to enter electronic information into the laptop within less time than if the user were to enter the same electronic information via a standard keyboard such as a QWERTY-style keyboard (e.g., which has a row of letters that begin with Q, W, E, R, T, and Y and have another row which has a row of letter that begin with A, S, D, and F, and an additional row which may have a row of letters that begin with Z, X, C, and V). In other languages, the standard keyboard may have their own row of letters or phonetics that follows a QWERTY-style keyboard in that language and/or have their own alphabet printed onto a QWRTY-style keyboard.

In embodiments, the alternative keyboard (hereinafter referred to as the electronic input system) may be physically sized to be used on an input device that can electronically communicate (wire or wirelessly) with a user device. In embodiments, the user device can be a television, a laptop, a tablet, a headset, headphones, a smartphone, or any other device that can receive electronic input information. In embodiments, the electronic input system may have one or more surface areas. In embodiments, each surface area may be further subdivided into defined areas that are associated with inputting particular types of electronic information. For example, a portion of the electronic input system may allow for one or more different types of electronic information. In a non-limiting example, a portion of the electronic input system may be configured to receive electronic inputs for the letter "a," "x" and "v. " In another non-limiting example, a portion of the electronic input system may be configured to receive electronic inputs for the symbols "&" and "@. " In embodiments, the electronic input system may have information printed on the surface of the electronic input system that indicates which defined areas are associated with which types of information that may be inputted. In alternate embodiments, the electronic input system may have an electronic touch screen display that has information displayed that indicates which defined areas of the electronic touch screen are associated with different types of information. In embodiments, the type of information for input associated with a particular area of the display screen may be changed and associated with other types of information for input. In a non-limiting example, an area of the electronic touch screen may be configured to receive electronic inputs for "<NUM>," "<NUM>," and "<NUM>. " In this non-limiting example, a particular swipe or other touch command changes the information displayed on the electronic touch screen and is now configured to receive electronic inputs for "a," "c," and "i. " Also, in embodiments, changing the position of the electronic input position may result in how particular electronic information is inputted. In embodiments, areas of the electronic touch screen may associated with different types of information based on patterns of previous electronic inputs. In embodiments, the one or more examples described use a target touch surface that tactually rather than visually, provides for distraction free texting and command inputs. As such, the tactile feature of the device results in touch targets (e.g., buttons on a particular type of keypad) to be closer together than with keyboards and other input devices that require visual interaction. As such, a device may be reduced in size and can be further used in applications that allow for the device to be placed in a pocket, worn on a wrist, or integrated into a controller or any other hand held device.

Accordingly, the electronic input system may provide one or more electronic processes that (<NUM>) receiving multiple types of electronic information within a defined area of the electronic input system, (<NUM>) has a physical area that is less than other input systems associated with a user device, and (<NUM>) reduces the amount of time between inputs of different types of electronic information. Accordingly, an electronic input system allows for the interaction with an electronic device to be an automatized activity, thereby allowing the simultaneous performance of another task. Thus, a user of the electronic input system can conduct inputting text or issuing commands on such a device without interrupting another activity. Thus, the electronic input system allows for an automatized activity that allows the user to perform tasks without interference with conducting low level tasks (e.g., entering data onto a keypad). As such, the device is designed to be operated by touch with one hand, support both text and command input and to be small enough to be conveniently carried so as to be always available.

<FIG> show an example shows an example environment describing an electronic input system. As shown in <FIG>, a person is walking with the person wearing headset <NUM> (e.g., glasses, goggles, etc.) and also holding input device <NUM>. In embodiments, input device <NUM> may be an electronic input system. The person is hold input device <NUM> and may, while walking, enter information into input device <NUM>. <FIG> describes input device <NUM> in further detail. As shown in <FIG>, input device <NUM> has area <NUM> which is further delineated into different regions with each region allowing for input of particular information. As shown in <FIG>, one of those regions is 108A and another region is 108B. In embodiments, region 108A may allow the person to input "A, "I," or "O" at any given time and region 108B may allow the person to input "V," "M," or "P" at any given time. In this non-limiting example, the person may, while not looking at input device <NUM>, enter information that is then wirelessly communicate with headset <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the person enters a search request for "nearby golf courses" by using input device <NUM>. Accordingly, headset <NUM> electronically communicates with other computing devices and receives electronic information ("Happiness Golf Course" and "The Hole in One Resort) which are then displayed one of the lens areas of headset <NUM>. Accordingly, a person may use an electronic input system, such as input device <NUM>, to enter information without looking at the electronic input system and doing so within less time than if the person was looking at the electronic input system. dimensional image that is electronically displayed on the user device screen. As such, the electronic input system allows for a user to increase the amount of time for conducting other activities, such as other electronic communications and inputs.

<FIG> is a diagram of example environment <NUM> in which systems, devices, and/or methods described herein may be implemented. <FIG> shows network <NUM>, user device <NUM>, input device <NUM>, and analysis server <NUM>. Network <NUM> may include a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan network (MAN), a telephone network (e.g., the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)), a Wireless Local Area Networking (WLAN), a WiFi, a hotspot, a Light fidelity (LiFi), a Worldwide Interoperability for Microware Access (WiMax), an ad hoc network, an intranet, the Internet, a satellite network, a GPS network, a fiber optic-based network, and/or combination of these or other types of networks.

Additionally, or alternatively, network <NUM> may include a cellular network, a public land mobile network (PLMN), a second generation (<NUM>) network, a third generation (<NUM>) network, a fourth generation (<NUM>) network, a fifth generation (<NUM>) network, and/or another network. In embodiments, network <NUM> may allow for devices describe in any of the figures to electronically communicate (e.g., using emails, electronic signals, URL links, web links, electronic bits, fiber optic signals, wireless signals, wired signals, etc.) with each other so as to send and receive various types of electronic communications.

User device <NUM> may include any computation or communications device that is capable of communicating with a network (e.g., network <NUM>). For example, user device <NUM> may include a radiotelephone, a personal communications system (PCS) terminal (e.g., that may combine a cellular radiotelephone with data processing and data communications capabilities), a personal digital assistant (PDA) (e.g., that can include a radiotelephone, a pager, Internet/intranet access, etc.), a smart phone, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a camera, a personal gaming system, a television, a set top box, a digital video recorder (DVR), a digital audio recorder (DUR), a digital watch, a digital glass, a virtual reality (VR) headset or device, a augmented reality (AR) headset or device, or another type of computation or communications device.

User device <NUM> may receive and/or display content. The content may include objects, data, images, audio, video, text, files, and/or links to files accessible via one or more networks. Content may include a media stream, which may refer to a stream of content that includes video content (e.g., a video stream), audio content (e.g., an audio stream), and/or textual content (e.g., a textual stream). In embodiments, an electronic application may use an electronic graphical user interface to display content and/or information via user device <NUM>. User device <NUM> may have a touch screen and/or a keyboard that allows a user to electronically interact with an electronic application. In embodiments, a user may swipe, press, or touch user device <NUM> in such a manner that one or more electronic actions will be initiated by user device <NUM> via an electronic application.

User device <NUM> may include a variety of applications, such as, for example, an image generation application, an e-mail application, a telephone application, a camera application, a video application, a multi-media application, a music player application, a visual voice mail application, a contacts application, a data organizer application, a calendar application, an instant messaging application, a texting application, a web browsing application, a location-based application (e.g., a GPS-based application), a blogging application, and/or other types of applications (e.g., a word processing application, a spreadsheet application, etc.).

Input device <NUM> may interact with user device <NUM> by receiving user inputs which are then electronically sent to user device <NUM>. In embodiments, input device <NUM> may be a part of user device <NUM>. In embodiments, the information inputted into input device <NUM> may be displayed by user device <NUM>. In embodiments, information inputted into input device <NUM> may electronically communicate with user device <NUM> via wireless and/or wire communication systems. In embodiments, the information may be analyzed by user device <NUM> and used by user device <NUM> to conduct additional electronic activities (e.g., conducting searches via a search engine, conducting searches for geographic information, etc.). In embodiments, input device <NUM> may have one or more areas that receive particular types of input information. In embodiments, the one or more areas may be physically constructed of a material (e.g., plastic, metal, composite material, etc.) that permits information printed on the one or more areas. In embodiments, input device <NUM> may have one or areas that have physical borders that allow a user (by touch) to differentiate one area from another. In embodiments, input device <NUM> may have areas which are touchscreens that allow for users to input electronic information. In embodiments, the touchscreens may have physical borders that differentiate one touchscreen area from another touchscreen area. In embodiments, the type of information that can be displayed on the touchscreen may be changed by a user of input device <NUM>. In embodiments, input device <NUM> may be a separate device from user device <NUM> or may be a part of input device <NUM>. In alternate embodiments, portions of input device <NUM> may be touchscreen and other portions may be constructed of a material with information printed on the material.

Analysis server <NUM> may include one or more computational or communication devices that gather, process, store, and/or provide information relating to one or more web pages, electronic pages, and/or images associated with input device <NUM>. In embodiments, analysis server <NUM> may use information inputted into input device <NUM> to change how particular information can be inputted into input device <NUM> based on a user's interaction with input device <NUM>. In embodiments, analysis server <NUM> may determine, based on received information to input device <NUM>, that a particular area, based on its location on input device <NUM>, should include a different type of accepted input from the user that reduces the amount of interval time that input device <NUM> receives between different inputs. In embodiments, analysis server <NUM> may be a part of input device <NUM> and/or user device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram of example components of a device <NUM>. Device <NUM> may correspond to user device <NUM>, input device <NUM>, and/or analysis server <NUM>. Alternatively, or additionally, user device <NUM>, input device <NUM>, and/or analysis server <NUM> may include one or more devices <NUM> and/or one or more components of device <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, device <NUM> may include a bus <NUM>, a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, an input component <NUM>, an output component <NUM>, and a communications interface <NUM>. In other implementations, device <NUM> may contain fewer components, additional components, different components, or differently arranged components than depicted in <FIG>. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more components of device <NUM> may perform one or more tasks described as being performed by one or more other components of device <NUM>.

Bus <NUM> may include a path that permits communications among the components of device <NUM>. Processor <NUM> may include one or more processors, microprocessors, or processing logic (e.g., a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) that interprets and executes instructions. Memory <NUM> may include any type of dynamic storage device that stores information and instructions, for execution by processor <NUM>, and/or any type of non-volatile storage device that stores information for use by processor <NUM>. Input component <NUM> may include a mechanism that permits a user to input information to device <NUM>, such as a keyboard, a keypad, a button, a switch, voice command, etc. Output component <NUM> may include a mechanism that outputs information to the user, such as a display, a speaker, one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), etc..

Communications interface <NUM> may include any transceiver-like mechanism that enables device <NUM> to communicate with other devices and/or systems. For example, communications interface <NUM> may include an Ethernet interface, an optical interface, a coaxial interface, a wireless interface, or the like. In another implementation, communications interface <NUM> may include, for example, a transmitter that may convert baseband signals from processor <NUM> to radio frequency (RF) signals and/or a receiver that may convert RF signals to baseband signals. Alternatively, communications interface <NUM> may include a transceiver to perform functions of both a transmitter and a receiver of wireless communications (e.g., radio frequency, infrared, visual optics, etc.), wired communications (e.g., conductive wire, twisted pair cable, coaxial cable, transmission line, fiber optic cable, waveguide, etc.), or a combination of wireless and wired communications.

Communications interface <NUM> may connect to an antenna assembly (not shown in <FIG>) for transmission and/or reception of the RF signals. The antenna assembly may include one or more antennas to transmit and/or receive RF signals over the air. The antenna assembly may, for example, receive RF signals from communications interface <NUM> and transmit the RF signals over the air, and receive RF signals over the air and provide the RF signals to communications interface <NUM>. In one implementation, for example, communications interface <NUM> may communicate with network <NUM>.

As will be described in detail below, device <NUM> may perform certain operations. Device <NUM> may perform these operations in response to processor <NUM> executing software instructions (e.g., computer program(s)) contained in a computer-readable medium, such as memory <NUM>, a secondary storage device (e.g., hard disk, CD-ROM, etc.), or other forms of RAM or ROM. A computer-readable medium may be defined as a non-transitory memory device. A memory device may include space within a single physical memory device or spread across multiple physical memory devices. The software instructions may be read into memory <NUM> from another computer-readable medium or from another device. The software instructions contained in memory <NUM> may cause processor <NUM> to perform processes described herein. Alternatively, hardwired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement processes described herein.

<FIG> is a diagram of example components of a device <NUM>. Device <NUM> may correspond to input device <NUM> and/or user device <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, device <NUM> includes surface <NUM>, microcontroller <NUM>, and communication interface <NUM>. In embodiments, surface <NUM> may be a physical surface (e.g., constructed of plastic, metal, composite material, etc.) that when touched by a user results in information entered via surface <NUM>. In embodiments, surface <NUM> may be a surface with printed features that assist a user to determine what information can be entered when touching a particular part of the surface. In alternate embodiments, surface <NUM> may be a glass or composite material that allows surface <NUM> to be used as a touchscreen. Accordingly, with surface <NUM> being a touchscreen, a user may touch an area of the screen with information which then results in that information being inputted via surface <NUM>. Furthermore, one or more instructions or gestures that touch touchscreen in a particular pattern which may change the type of information that is associated with a particular area of surface <NUM>.

In embodiments, microcontroller <NUM> may be similar to processor <NUM> and also have additional electronic features. In embodiments, microcontroller <NUM> may include tactile switch 420A, motion sensor 420B, and haptic controller 420C. In embodiments, the analysis, communication, storage, and/or other electronic features of tactile switch 420A, motion sensor 420B, and haptic controller 420C may be combined together and performed by microcontroller <NUM>. In alternate embodiments, the analysis, communication, storage, and/or other electronic features of tactile switch 420A, motion sensor 420B, and haptic controller 420C may be conducted by another device in communication with microcontroller <NUM>. In embodiments, tactile switch 420A, motion sensor 420B, and haptic controller 420C may be separate devices that are part of device <NUM> or may be partially or completely combined together as one or more devices.

In embodiments, tactile switch 420A may be a mechanism or other device that is associated with a motion sensor device.

In embodiments, motion sensor 420B may be a motion sensor such as a Micro-ElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) gyro or accelerometer detects motion of the device and communicates the motion to the microcontroller <NUM> via an I2C, SPI or serial connection. In embodiments, haptic controller 420C may be a haptic vibrator controller connected to a vibration motor can share the bus with the gyro or use a separate connection.

<FIG> is an example diagram of a surface area <NUM> associated with an electronic input system such as input device <NUM>. In embodiments, input device <NUM> may include one or more surface areas <NUM>. While shown as rectangular and/or square features, surface area <NUM> may also have features of other shapes, regular and/or irregular. As shown in <FIG>, surface area <NUM> may include a border <NUM>. In embodiments, border <NUM> may be used to delineate one surface area <NUM> from another surface area <NUM> when input device <NUM> has multiple surface areas <NUM>. In embodiments, border <NUM> may be an area that is raised higher than the remainder of surface <NUM> to allow a person, when touching border <NUM>, to determine that border <NUM> exists. In embodiments, border <NUM> may have a texture or design that differentiates border <NUM> from surface <NUM>.

In embodiments, surface area <NUM> may further include sub-areas <NUM>. In embodiments, sub-area <NUM> may have its own border <NUM> that allows for each sub-area <NUM> to be differentiated from another sub-area <NUM>. In embodiments, border <NUM> may differentiate one sub-area <NUM> from another sub-area <NUM>. In embodiments, each border <NUM> may a pattern or design that differentiates it from other borders <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, there are nine sub-areas <NUM>; however, surface area <NUM> may have greater or fewer sub-areas <NUM>. In embodiments, each sub-area <NUM> may have an area, bumps 508A, 508B, and 508C, that are at or around the center of each sub-area <NUM> and have a particular shape. In embodiments, bumps 508A, 508B, and 508C may a particular shape (e.g., circle, oval shaped, etc.) and may be orientated in a particular direction. For example, as shown in <FIG>, bumps 508B and 508C are both shown as oval shaped. However, bump 508B is orientated in a different direction than bump 508C. In embodiments, bumps 508A and 508B may have their surface area raised above the rest of each sub-area <NUM>.

<FIG> is an example diagram of a surface area <NUM> associated with an electronic input system such as input device <NUM>. In embodiments, input device <NUM> may include one or more surface areas <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, surface area <NUM> may include a border <NUM>. In embodiments, border <NUM> may be used to delineate one surface area <NUM> from another surface area <NUM> when input device <NUM> has multiple surface areas <NUM>. In embodiments, border <NUM> may be an area that is raised higher than the remainder of surface <NUM> to allow a person, when touching border <NUM>, to determine that border <NUM> exists.

In embodiments, surface area <NUM> may further include sub-area <NUM>. In embodiments, sub-area <NUM> may have its own border <NUM> that allows for each sub-area <NUM> to be differentiated from another sub-area <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, there are nine sub-areas <NUM>; however, surface area <NUM> may have greater or fewer sub-areas <NUM>. In embodiments, each sub-area <NUM> may have an area, bumps 608A, 608B, and 608C, that are at or around the center of each sub-area <NUM> and have a particular shape. In embodiments, bumps 608A and 608B may a particular shape (e.g., circle, oval shaped, etc.) and each shape assists in determining a particular sub-area <NUM> in comparison to other sub-areas <NUM>. In embodiments, bumps 608A and 608B may have their surface area raised above the rest of each sub-area <NUM>.

<FIG> are example bumps associated with an electronic input system. In embodiments, the example bumps may be similar to bumps 508A, 508B, and 508C as described in <FIG> and/or similar to bumps 608A and 608B as described in <FIG>. As shown in each of <FIG>, a bump may when raised from the surface of a sub-area. As shown in <FIG>, bump <NUM> may be raised above sub-area <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, bump <NUM> may be raised above sub-area <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, bump <NUM> may be raised above sub-area <NUM>. In embodiments, bumps <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are example bumps and sub-areas may have different designed bumps.

<FIG> shows an example electronic input system <NUM> with capacitive touchpads. In embodiments, electronic input system <NUM> may be similar to input device <NUM>. In embodiments, electronic input system <NUM> has multiple sub-areas, such as area <NUM>. In embodiments, area <NUM> may have multiple sub-areas <NUM>, similar to sub-area <NUM> or <NUM> as described in the above figures. In embodiments, electronic input system <NUM> may also include touch areas <NUM>. In embodiments, each touch area <NUM> may be used to select a particular area <NUM> which is then used for entering information.

<FIG> shows an example electronic input system <NUM>. In embodiments, electronic input system <NUM> may be similar to input device <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, electronic input system <NUM> may include areas <NUM>. In embodiments, each area <NUM> may include sub-areas <NUM>. In embodiments, sub-areas <NUM> may be similar to sub-area <NUM> or <NUM> as described in the above figures. Furthermore, <FIG> shows area <NUM> which upon areas <NUM> are placed upon with areas <NUM> having raised surfaces in a manner similar to those bumps described in <FIG>. <FIG> also shows home bump <NUM> which may be used to select a different menus that can be displayed on a screen associated with a device, such as user device <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an example graphical user interface <NUM> with multiple menu selections. In embodiments, one or more of the multiple menu selections appear on graphical user interface <NUM> based on a user's interactions with an input device. i.e., input device <NUM>. In embodiments, the menu selections <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may appear to together or individually on graphical user interface <NUM> based on a user's interaction with an input device, i.e., input device <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, menu selection <NUM> may be generated by input device <NUM> and/or analysis server <NUM>. In embodiments, menu selection <NUM> may be generated when a particular sub-area of input device <NUM> is selected, such as sub-area <NUM>, sub-area <NUM>, or home bump <NUM> as described in the above figures. In embodiments, menu selection <NUM> and/or menu selections <NUM> and <NUM> may be selected by touching a sub-area (as described in the above figures) in a particular manner (e.g., pressing or touching the sub-area by swiping the sub-area in a particular direction, pressing or touching a sub-area for a particular amount of time, etc.). In embodiments, menu selections <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be electronically generated and displayed on a graphical user interface based on the type of electronic communication received from an input device, such as input device <NUM>. In embodiments, the electronic information displayed in menu selections <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM> may change based on analysis by analysis server <NUM>. In embodiments, analysis server <NUM> may analyze patterns of previous electronic inputs to determine which types of displayed information may result in less time being used to input electronic input. In embodiments, menu selection <NUM> may include commands for editing. In embodiments, menu selection <NUM> may include commands for style and color. In embodiments, menu selection <NUM> many include commands for position of display of electronic information.

<FIG> shows example sub-areas that are displayed on a touchscreen surface of an input device such as input device <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, touchscreen area <NUM> may be displayed as a default display when the input device is initially turned. In embodiments, touchscreen area <NUM> may include then be used by a user of the input device to enter electronic information. In embodiments, the user may decide that they want to enter other types of electronic information and decides to change the displayed information of the input device's touchscreen. Accordingly, in embodiments, a particular action by a user may be translated into a particular electronic command that changes the touchscreen display from touchscreen area <NUM> to another touchscreen area such as touchscreen area <NUM>, <NUM>, or any other touchscreen area. As shown in <FIG>, each touchscreen area displays different information. In embodiments, touchscreen area <NUM> may also change an area within touchscreen area <NUM> to display other information in a particular area based on electronic analysis by analysis server <NUM>. In embodiments, analysis server <NUM> may determine based on patterns of previous inputs that particular areas of touchscreen <NUM> should be changed to display other information. For example, as shown in <FIG>, touchscreen area has a sub-area with "q w e. " Based on analysis of patterns of previous electronic inputs, analysis server <NUM> may determine that time between electronic inputs can be reduced if the sub-area had "q e w. " Accordingly, in this non-limiting example, one sub-area of a touchscreen area may be changed while other sub-areas stay the same.

<FIG> describes a flow chart of an example process <NUM> for displaying information associated with an electronic input system. In embodiments, example process <NUM> may be performed by user device <NUM> and/or input device <NUM>. At step <NUM>, user device <NUM> and/or input device <NUM> may receive electronic information. In embodiments, user device <NUM> and/or input device <NUM> may receive the electronic information that is generated when a particular area or sub-area of input device <NUM> is selected. At step <NUM>, user device <NUM> and/or input device <NUM> may display an electronic menu, such as menu selection <NUM>. At step <NUM>, user device <NUM> and/or input device <NUM> may receive additional electronic information. In embodiments, user device and/or input device <NUM> may analyze the additional electronic information. At step <NUM>, user device <NUM> and/or input device <NUM> may determine whether to change the displayed menu. If user device <NUM> and/or input device <NUM> determine to change the displayed menu (<NUM>-YES), then at step <NUM>, the new menu is displayed. If user device <NUM> and/or input device <NUM> determine not to change the displayed menu (<NUM>-NO), then the same menu is displayed (as described in <NUM>).

<FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams of an example process for an example environment in which systems and/or methods described herein may be implemented. As shown in <FIG>, a person is watching a program on television <NUM> and holding a television remote <NUM> to control what the person can watch on television <NUM>. <FIG>, describes input device <NUM> in further detail. As shown in <FIG>, input device <NUM> has area <NUM> which is further delineated into different regions with each region allowing for input of particular information. As shown in <FIG>, one of those regions is 1308A and another region is 1308B. In embodiments, region 1308A may allow the person to input "<NUM>, "<NUM>," or "<NUM>" at any given time and region 1308B may allow the person to input "U," "S," or "C" at any given time.

<FIG> shows additional example bumps associated with electronic inputs. <FIG> shows targets (e.g. bumps) <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. In embodiments, one or more targets described in <FIG> (and in <FIG>) may translate touch gestures into computer input values. In embodiments, each target includes position feedback features (changes to the surface level or textures) that are detectable by a human body part (e.g., a finger, thumb, etc.) that is moving over the surface of an input system. In embodiments, a touch gesture may be the touching of a touch target or a movement of a finger (for example) moving across the surface from a press target to a release target. Accordingly, a target may be a press target, a release target, or a shift target, depending on the physical touch (i.e., gesture). In embodiments, a gesture may be initiated by a touch of a press target and completed by a touch of a release target. In embodiments, the location of a press target may be determined by propricoception and the feedback features may guide the finger towards a press target and then guide the finger to a release target. In embodiments, a touch gesture may be extended by adding a shift target to a beginning of a gesture which can change an input value associated with the gesture (e.g., from "a" to "A"). Thus, with a shift target, a finger may begin a gesture by touching a shift target, then a press target, and then a release target.

As shown in <FIG>, targets <NUM> and <NUM> are raised above target <NUM> to form two position feedback features (the raised surface). In embodiments, the size and spacing of the features are such that a finger centered on target <NUM> may be contact with all three described targets. In embodiments, all touches (touch A) may begin with a touch of target <NUM> but may be completed by touching a different target (touch B or touch C) before lifting the finger off the surface. In embodiments, each gesture may produce a different input value. In <FIG>, a finger may not touch target <NUM> but may touch target <NUM> or <NUM> first. Accordingly, the raised features of target <NUM> or <NUM> may guide the finger towards to target <NUM> (a press target). In embodiments, a feel of the features evenly on each side of a finger verifies a correct position of the finger on a target. Once an initial target is touched, a finger may be lifted to complete a simple target touch gesture or moved to targets <NUM> or <NUM> to complete a two-target gesture.

<FIG> shows an example character entry area in the form of a key FOB. As shown in <FIG>, there are <NUM> one-touch targets (e.g., "w," "s," "k," etc.). Also, as shown in <FIG>, there are eight raised "bumps" (e.g., targets). In embodiments, the bumps are located between other bumps so that a finger (or thumb) may in contact with one to four one-touch targets. In embodiments, capacitive contacts located under each bump may act as touch sensors that are capable of detecting finger proximity. Accordingly, these features provide tactile feedback that may allow a user to know based on touch which target is being touched.

Also, as shown in <FIG>, there are three touch sensors in the form of a raised bar which may serve as a space bar. In embodiments, additional sensors on the left and right of the space bar serve as a caps shift key and enter key respectively. In embodiments, the caps shift key may cause the following alphabetic character entered to be in upper case. In embodiments, an RGB LED positioned above the character area, may provide visual feedback indicating the keyboard mode or state such as caps lock or command mode. In command mode, each micro gesture causes a command to be issued rather than a character. Accordingly, when in command mode a graphic can be shown on the display device that marks the release locations with icon representations of the command issued for the gesture that ends at that location.

In embodiments, the twenty-one targets are arranged in a grid of three rows and seven columns. In embodiments, bumps with embedded contact sensors are positioned over every other target in the first and third rows. The triggering of a single sensor indicates that the target at that sensor is being touched. Two triggered sensors indicate that the target between the two sensors is being touched. In embodiments, four triggered sensors indicate that a finger is in contact with the area between four of the sensors. Thus, character values are selected through the execution of touch gestures guided by the position feedback features.

<FIG> shows an example entry area <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, example entry area <NUM> includes eight touch sensitive feedback surfaces features, such as feature <NUM> which are also identified by row and column values (e.g., as shown with rows <NUM> to <NUM> and columns <NUM> to <NUM>). In embodiments, feature <NUM> may be similar to <NUM> as described in <FIG> or <FIG>. In embodiments, feature <NUM> may be similar to <NUM> as described in <FIG> or <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the touch sensitive feedback surface features assist movements in directions from in both a horizontal and vertical movements. In embodiments, the circles may represent touch sensitive position feedback surface features. In embodiments, the dashed lines in <FIG> represent valid target gestures.

<FIG> shows an example entry area <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, example entry area <NUM> includes eight touch sensitive feedback surfaces features, such as feature <NUM>, which are also identified by row and column values (e.g., as shown with rows <NUM> to <NUM> and columns <NUM> to <NUM>). In embodiments, feature <NUM> may be similar to <NUM> as described in <FIG> or <FIG>. In embodiments, feature <NUM> and <NUM> may be both types of <NUM> as described in <FIG> or <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the touch sensitive feedback surface features assist in finger movements in horizontal directions that assist in movement to another feature. For example, feature <NUM> acts as a shift feature and assists in directing to either features <NUM> or <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an example entry area <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, example entry area <NUM> includes eight touch sensitive feedback surfaces features, such as feature <NUM>, which are also identified by row and column values (e.g., as shown with rows <NUM> to <NUM> and columns <NUM> to <NUM>). In embodiments, feature <NUM> may be similar to <NUM> as described in <FIG> or <FIG>. In embodiments, feature <NUM> and <NUM> may be both types of <NUM> as described in <FIG> or <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the touch sensitive feedback surface features assist in finger movements in horizontal directions that assist in movement to another feature. For example, feature <NUM> (e.g., position <NUM>,<NUM> or <NUM>,<NUM> based on column and row numbering) acts as a shift feature for gestures that may be in <NUM> (e.g., <NUM>,<NUM> or <NUM>,<NUM>).

In embodiments, for example entry area <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, momentary push button switches located adjacent to an entry area. In embodiments, a momentary push button may be used to determine whether an example entry area is used for a left-handed or right-handed person. Additionally, or alternatively, the momentary push button can also be used to alter values associated with different entry areas.

<FIG> shows example database <NUM>. In example database <NUM>, various movements and/or combinations of different positions are associated with different values, such as values associated with a QWERTY keyboard but used on an alternative keyboard as described in one or more examples. As shown in <FIG>, target <NUM> indicates movement from one target to another target such as field <NUM> (<NUM>,<NUM>-<NUM>,<NUM>) or just touching one target such as field <NUM> ("<NUM>,<NUM>") results in a value ("p" as shown in field <NUM>). In embodiments, field <NUM> indicates an example column that has different values associated with different movements shown, such as, in column <NUM>. In embodiments, database <NUM> may be associated with entry area <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>. In embodiments values shown in field <NUM> and other targets may be row by column or column by row based on entry areas described in <FIG>, <FIG>, and/or <NUM>. For example, using the features of example entry area <NUM> shown in <FIG>, moving from feature <NUM> to <NUM> may result in the electronic input of "!" Thus, field <NUM> shows "<NUM>,<NUM>-<NUM>,<NUM>" where "<NUM>,<NUM>" indicates feature <NUM> and "<NUM>,<NUM>" indicates <NUM>. A movement (e.g., finger or thumb movement) from "<NUM>,<NUM>" to "<NUM>,<NUM>" results in the electronic input of "!" as shown in field <NUM>. In embodiments, database <NUM> also shows values that occur that are related to shifted or un-shifted actions. For example, a shifted action may be using a shift button to convert "t" to "T. " In embodiments, as shown in database <NUM>, field <NUM> is an un-shifted value "a" associated with moving from position <NUM>,<NUM> to position <NUM>,<NUM> while a shifted value would be a value "<" as shown in field <NUM>.

<FIG> shows example entry area <NUM>. In embodiments, entry area <NUM> may have printed symbols displayed on the entry area (e.g., keyboard). In embodiments, the symbols associated with the column gestures are printed above and below each corresponding column. In embodiments, the character symbols for the remaining gestures are printed at the location of the a particular release target. In embodiments, symbols associated with "shifted" gestures are printed as superscripts over the symbols for the "un-shifted" gestures. In embodiments, the printed labels are for learning the gestures and are not needed once the gestures are learned.

<FIG> shows example entry area <NUM>. In embodiments, entry area <NUM> may include different shift and target areas in a different entry area makeup. In embodiments, feature <NUM> may be an up arrow symbol (e.g., used for channel or volume changes) that is selected based on the location of raised target areas.

<FIG> shows a diagram of example components of a device <NUM>. In embodiments, <FIG> shows microcontroller <NUM>, capacitive sensors <NUM>, LED <NUM>, switches <NUM>, and Bluetooth radio <NUM>. In embodiments, microcontroller <NUM> may be similar to processor <NUM> as described in <FIG>, capacitive sensors <NUM> may be similar to motion sensor 420B, LED <NUM> may be different types of LED lights utilized in the keypad area, switches <NUM> may be similar to tactile switch 420A, and Bluetooth radio <NUM> may have similar features to communication interface <NUM> as described in <FIG>.

It will be apparent that example aspects, as described above, may be implemented in many different forms of software, firmware, and hardware in the implementations illustrated in the figures. The actual software code or specialized control hardware used to implement these aspects should not be construed as limiting. Thus, the operation and behavior of the aspects were described without reference to the specific software code-it being understood that software and control hardware could be designed to implement the aspects based on the description herein.

While various actions are described as selecting, displaying, transferring, sending, receiving, generating, notifying, and storing, it will be understood that these example actions are occurring within an electronic computing and/or electronic networking environment and may require one or more computing devices, as described in <FIG>, to complete such actions. Furthermore, it will be understood that these various actions can be performed by using a touch screen on a computing device (e.g., touching an icon, swiping a bar or icon), using a keyboard, a mouse, or any other process for electronically selecting an option displayed on a display screen to electronically communicate with other computing devices as described in <FIG>. Also it will be understood that any of the various actions can result in any type of electronic information to be displayed in real-time and/or simultaneously on multiple user devices (e.g., similar to user device <NUM>). For <FIG>, the order of the blocks may be modified in other implementations. Further, non-dependent blocks may be performed in parallel.

Claim 1:
An electronic communications method, comprising:
receiving, by a device (<NUM>), electronic information;
displaying, by the device (<NUM>), a first menu (<NUM>);
receiving, by the device (<NUM>), additional electronic information,
where the device (<NUM>) receives the electronic information and the additional electronic information via a keyboard that is separate from a screen associated with the keyboard,
where the keyboard has multiple sub-areas (<NUM>),
where two of the multiple sub-areas have a singular bump (608A, 608B, 608C),
where the bumps (608A, 608B, 608C) are of different shapes, and one of the singular bumps (608A, 608B, 608C) on a first multiple sub-area (<NUM>) is a different shape than another of the singular bumps (608A, 608B, 608C) on a second multiple sub-area (<NUM>),
where a third multiple sub-area (<NUM>) has three areas (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) within the third multiple sub-area (<NUM>),
where the three areas include a first raised area (<NUM>), a second raised area (<NUM>), and a third raised area (<NUM>),
where the third raised area (<NUM>) is at a lower height than the first and second raised areas (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the third raised area (<NUM>) is between the first and second raised areas (<NUM>, <NUM>),
where the three areas (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) are configured to be touched so that the first or second raised areas (<NUM>, <NUM>) are touched and then the third area (<NUM>) is touched,
where a time period between receiving the electronic information and the additional electronic information is less than another time period between receiving the electronic information and the additional electronic information by using a standard keyboard
displaying, by the device (<NUM>), a second menu on the screen that is different from the first menu (<NUM>).