Abstract: A mobile communication device may include logic configured to provide a first keypad layout via a programmable keypad using a first illumination source, receive a keypad selection and provide a second keypad layout via the programmable keypad using a second illumination source in response to the selection.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed which relate to improving the efficiency of text input by generating a dynamic virtual keyboard. Certain examples display a soft keyboard on a touchscreen of a text-entry device. The touchscreen works with the soft keyboard as a form of text input. Keyboard logic on the text-entry device is programmed to change the footprint of each key within the soft keyboard based on the prior entry. The keyboard logic assigns a prediction value to each key based on a statistical probability that the key will be entered next. The touchscreen displays a dynamic virtual keyboard based on these prediction values. Enhancements include resizing keys and their respective footprints relative to their prediction value. Other examples exploit the possible character sequences and their probabilities in a language and restructuring the keyboard to make text input more efficient. The devices and methods use modeling techniques to dynamically generate the size of the characters on the keyboard.

Abstract: A system for adapting a keyboard display to a definable input language is provided. The system includes an adaptable keyboard comprising keys; a software application, operatively associated with the adaptable keyboard; and a computerized system enabling to receive data from the adaptable keyboard, process and present data and operate the application. Some of the keys of the adaptable keyboard may be language adaptable, where each adaptable key includes a screen enabling to present characters associated with various languages and other data, and a touch-sensing mechanism enabling to identify a typing movement applied onto each the screen, where each screen is operatively connected to the touch sensing mechanism. The software application enables defining a language and adapting the presentation of each character in each of the screens according to the defined language, by controlling the display in the screens.

Abstract: A controlling device, such as a universal remote control, that uses visual and/or audio cues, such as sounds, color, patterns, shapes, etc., to indicate a relationship between a function key and an intended target appliance for a command transmitted in response to activation of the function key.

Abstract: An electronic device equipped with programmable key layout in provided, which includes a microprocessor, a sensor point array assembly, and a memory module. The sensor point array assembly is electrically coupled to the microprocessor through an interface circuit. A plurality of sensor points is distributed over the sensor point array assembly. The memory module stores a keymap table, and at least a sensor point grid defined by a user and a key code corresponding to the sensor point grid are written into the keymap table. The sensor point grid includes at least one of the sensor points of the sensor point array assembly. When one or more of the sensor points of the sensor point array assembly is triggered, the microprocessor differentiates the key code corresponding to the sensor point grid including the triggered sensor point according to the keymap table in the memory module.

Abstract: An improved mobile electronic device 100 with a unique thin and cost-effective form and design can have a large display 170 and a large full qwerty keypad 138. The keypad can have a camera 156 and flash 154 with a light barrier 158. A clear moldprint keypad can be used with graphics 148 on the backside of the keypad. The keypad can be positioned over a series of switches 162 or domes. The keypad 138 can further be recessed below the rim 136 of the housing 134 of the base so that the keypad will not contact a table or desk and be inadvertently activated if the keypad is placed face down. The moldprint keypad can be used to minimize wear of the graphics 148 and can have a specific textured pattern over the flash which can act as a lens to maximize light.

Abstract: A method of providing a password to a handheld electronic device having a reduced keyboard and a non-predictive keystroke interpretation system, wherein the reduced keyboard is of a particular keyboard type and the non-predictive keystroke interpretation system is of a particular system type. The method includes receiving a first character string in an electronic device, such as, without limitation, a PC, that is separate from the handheld electronic device, generating one or more second character strings in the electronic device based on the particular keyboard type, the first character string, and, possibly, the particular system type, and transmitting the one or more second character strings from the electronic device to the handheld electronic device as the password.

Abstract: A key input interface method is provided. The key input interface method includes allocating key elements belonging to either a first group or a second group to a key array; and processing a key element allocated to a selected key as input, wherein the key element belonging to either the first group or the second group is identified by distinguishing a key element selection method. Accordingly, a compact electronic device is possible to have various key inputs with a limited number of keys.

Abstract: An apparatus for inputting characters and method thereof are disclosed, by which a character can be inputted at high speed in a manner of implementing a new character set and by which a character can be inputted at high speed using a new character set and a rotatable moving key. The present invention includes an input unit comprising a plurality of roller type keys, each generating a rotation-associated keying signal or a pressing-associated keying signal and a plurality of selection keys, each generating the pressing-associated keying signal and a controller performing a character set search by a character set unit according to the rotation-associated keying signal, the controller performing a character input according to the pressing-associated keying signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for self-description of an adaptive input device to a host computing device are herein provided. One exemplary adaptive keyboard includes one or more depressible keys and one or more touch regions, where each touch region is configured to positionally recognize a touch directed to that touch region. The adaptive keyboard may also include an adaptive imager to dynamically change a visual appearance of the one or more depressible keys and the one or more touch regions. Further, the adaptive keyboard may include firmware holding an adaptive descriptor to self-describe to the host computing device a renderable location of each of the one or more depressible keys and each of the one or more touch regions. The adaptive keyboard may further include a data link for communicating the adaptive descriptor to the host computing device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mouse having a composite switch device. The composite switch device includes a push button, a multi-stage sliding switch unit and a tactile switch unit. By moving a single push button to different positions, the use modes of the mouse will be switched.

Abstract: A controlling device has a configurable key. An overlay, such as a sticker, is provided to the configurable key and includes an indicia representative of media content and machine readable data indicative of an identity of the media content represented by the indicia. A memory of the controlling device stores a correspondence between the configurable key and data indicative of a source of the media content. Upon activation of configured, configurable key, the controlling device uses select command codes from a library of command codes and the correspondence between the configurable key and the data indicative of the source of the media content to transmit one or more commands for causing one or more appliances to access the source of the media content.

Abstract: A load control system is operable to control the amount of power delivered to a plurality of electrical loads from an AC power source. The load control system includes a plurality of keypads, which each may include a different button assembly having a different button configuration. Each keypad is operable to determine the button configuration of the button assembly installed on the keypad in response to simultaneous actuations of the top button and the bottom button of the button assembly for a predetermined amount of time. Each keypad is further operable to store in a memory of the keypad data representing the button configuration. Therefore, after the keypad is installed in the field and the button assembly is replaced, the keypad can be easily configured to operate with the new button assembly.

Abstract: A dynamic projected user interface includes a light source for generating a light beam and a spatial light modulator for receiving and dynamically modulating the light beam to create a plurality of display images that are respectively projected onto a plurality of keys in a keyboard. An optical arrangement is disposed in an optical path between the light source and the spatial light modulator for conveying the light beam from the light source to the spatial light modulator.

Abstract: A mode-switching device of a control panel is operated to control the operating status of the control panel to be switched between a first operating mode and a second operating mode. The mode-switching device includes a foldable plate, a triggering element and a switch device. The foldable plate includes a rotating shaft and a rotating arm. The rotating arm has a cam adjacent to the connecting portion between the rotating shaft and the rotating arm. The cam has a first arc surface, a second arc surface and a rotating center. A first distance between the first arc surface and the rotating center is less than a second distance between the second arc surface and the rotating center. The triggering element is disposed adjacent to the cam. The switch device is disposed on a control circuit board and under the triggering element.

Abstract: We discovered that a) a single key can support a multiplicity of ordered groups, b) only a subset of each group needs to be visually represented on the face of a key, c) either multi-tap or predictive methods, or both, can be used to input members of each of the groups, and d) auxiliary keys are a convenient, effective and user-discoverable method to select ordered groups, and to perform the multi-tap function. The objects of: limiting multi-tap depth, reducing keystrokes per symbol, unifying focus, increasing discoverability, graduated discoverability, power, compact presentation, and seamless integration of multi-tap and predictive text methods, can all be achieved by exploiting these discoveries.

Abstract: A mobile communication terminal for providing a content and its method are disclosed. The mobile communication terminal for providing content includes a transceiver for receiving a content from a server; a display unit for displaying the content received from the transceiver on a pre-set region; and a controller for controlling the transceiver to receive the displayed content and controlling the display unit.

Abstract: An electronic keyboard having an improved ergonomic design for use with computers and other alphanumeric input electronic devices is disclosed. Repetitive motion stress on a typist's hands, wrists and fingers is substantially reduced by relocating and centering the ENTER and BACKSPACE keys to a location central to the keyboard so as to be index finger activated, with the ENTER key extending up into the home row, thereby reducing wrist flexure. The alphanumeric keys are disposed in an ortholinear array, with substantially vertical columns and substantially horizontal rows and functional keys are grouped into rationally apportioned areas below the alphanumeric keys of the keyboard. Certain of the keys have up to three different functions, depending upon whether the keyboard is in QWERTY mode, Dvorak mode, or numeric keypad mode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a character input device and method using a plurality of center keys and a plurality of space keys. The present invention provides a character input device and method having a center key located at its central part and a plurality of peripheral keys located at a peripheral part of the center key, comprising a basic value of a basic key generated by pressing the peripheral key one time, a double-value of the basic key generated by pressing the peripheral key two times, a basic value of a center key generated by pressing the center key one time after pressing the peripheral key, and a double-value of the center key generated by pressing the center key two times after pressing the peripheral key.

Abstract: A mobile terminal apparatus requests a character be displayed which is assigned to a first key upon being pushed, and if operated continuously for a time span that exceeds a predetermined time, requests a next character be displayed which is assigned to the first key instead of the character assigned to the first key and currently being displayed, if the time span exceeds the predetermined time and the character assigned to the first key and currently being displayed is a special character that has another variation, changes the character to a character of the another variation, and, when the time span exceeds the predetermined time and the character assigned to the first key and currently being displayed is not a special character, requests a new character be displayed right next to the character which is currently being displayed.

Abstract: An electronic device and method for securely entering textual input into the device. An electronic device has a keypad area and a plurality of keys disposed within the keypad area, each key having a character associated therewith and the characters being arranged on the keypad in a particular order. The electronic device includes a keypad security application for changing the characters associated with the keys. When activated, the keypad security application functions by changing the characters associated with the keys following the selection of a character by a user for input into the electronic device. The keypad security application associates at least two characters with different keys such that the arrangement or order of the characters on the keypad is changed.

Abstract: A system and method for entering text via a numeric keypad. The keypad is logically divided into columns, with each column having four rows. The first column includes at least the keypad number associated with a particular key, the second column includes the lowercase letters associated with the key and the third column contains the shifted versions of the characters in the second column.

Abstract: A plurality of icons are displayed on a touch-sensitive display. A respective icon in at least a subset of the plurality of icons corresponds to two or more symbols. A contact by a user with the touch-sensitive display that corresponds to the respective icon is detected. A respective symbol in the two or more symbols to which the contact further corresponds is determined. The displayed respective icon is modified to indicate that the contact corresponds to the respective symbol.

Abstract: A method is provided. The method includes receiving inputs typed by a user of a keyboard and analyzing the inputs to identify typing errors made by the user. The method also includes customizing a layout of the keyboard to reduce the identified typing errors.

Abstract: A reduced keyboard handheld electronic device and associated method that utilizes a plurality of passwords for controlling access thereto. The handheld electronic device has a non-predictive keystroke interpretation system, such as a multi-tap system. At least one of the passwords is valid and accepted when input using a keyboard of a separate electronic device, such as a PC or another handheld electronic device, and at least one of passwords is valid and accepted when input using the reduced keyboard of the handheld electronic device. In some embodiments, the keyboard of the separate electronic device is a reduced keyboard, such as a reduced QWERTY or AZERTY keyboard, and in others it is a non-reduced keyboard, such as a standard QWERTY keyboard.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an operating apparatus and an electronic device having the same. According to the operating apparatus, key values of a button can be variably changed each time a key value changing button is pushed so that the button can have several key values. Accordingly, a variety of functions of the electronic device can be achieved although the total number of the buttons is reduced.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of using nine sensors, preferably a centrally located sensor surrounded by eight adjacent sensors, to produce data. This invention also relates to methods of producing data using a multi-tap data entry method using nine sensors, a simultaneous data entry method using more than nine sensors and/or a sequential data entry method using more than nine sensors. This invention produces alphabetic data characters, data characters, a space, numbers, punctuation, symbols, control and functions using nine sensors or more than nine sensors. Activating one of nine sensors produces a number, a first data character of three or four data characters or multiple data characters.

Abstract: A codeset is described in a Public Codeset Communication Format (PCCF) as a format block. The format block includes a plurality of readily decipherable fields of ASCII character values. One field is a mark/space information field that includes a sequence of mark time indicators and space time indicators for an operational signal of the codeset. A second field is a signal characteristic information field for the operational signal. Signal characteristic information may include carrier on/off information, repeat frame information, toggle control information, and last frame information. The PCCF is a codeset interchange format of general applicability. In one method, a second entity describes a codeset in the PCCF format and then communicates the PCCF format information to a second entity. The second entity converts the information into a format usable by a rendering engine. The rendering engine is then usable to generate operational signals of the codeset.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus has an apparatus main body and an operation panel with operation buttons for the apparatus main body. The operation panel includes a panel base portion having the operation buttons provided on the outer surface thereof, a first sheet written with the function names of the operable buttons in the form of character information dependent on a specific language, and a second sheet written with the functions of the operation buttons in the form of specified visual information not dependent on the specific language. The first and second sheets are mounted on the outer surface of the panel base portion in such a manner that the second sheet is placed on the first sheet and the first sheet is exchangeable. The second sheet is formed with windows for enabling the character information related to the function names written on the first sheet to be seen.

Abstract: The application provides an electronic device. The electronic device includes a main body and a cover. The main body has a sheet and the sheet includes a first key set and a second key set. The cover, slidably disposed on the main body between a first configuration and a second configuration, includes a first portion and a second portion connected thereto. The first key set is visible through the first portion and the second portion covers the second key set when the cover is in the first configuration, and the second key set is visible through the first portion and the second portion covers the first key set when the cover is in the second configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus (625) with a first plurality of input keys (635). Some of the first input keys may be associated with both a numeric value and a first set of alphabetic values and arranged in a first alphabetic keypad layout. The apparatus (625) is further provided with a second plurality of input keys (645), positioned adjacent to the first plurality of input keys (635), and being associated with at least one alphabetic value. Some of the input keys of the second plurality of input keys (645) may be arranged in a second alphabetic keypad layout different from the first alphabetic keypad layout. Further, in various embodiments, at least some input keys of the first plurality of input keys (635) have a second set of alphabetic values that is used as part of the second alphabetic keypad layout. Additionally, in various embodiments, at least some of the alphabetic values of the second keyboard layout are arranged at least partially based on a frequency of use of such alphabetic values.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an alphabet input device and an alphabet recognition system in a small-sized keypad. The device includes: a first keypad part comprising a plurality of buttons each of which is assigned with a symbol extracted from strokes of alphabet characters so that the alphabet characters be input by one of the buttons or a combination of two or more of the buttons; and a second keypad part comprising one or more buttons each assigned with an alphabet character having a high usage frequency. With the device, alphabet characters can be inputted in a simper and more efficient manner.

Abstract: A method of mapping a traditional touchtone telephone keypad on a handheld electronic device having a disambiguation function, and an associated apparatus comprises outputting a representation of a remapped character layout and generating a disambiguated interpretation of an input.

Abstract: The present invention has to do with the method of increasing the efficiency of buttons on electric and electronic devices. To elaborate, the purpose of the invention is to enhance convenience and efficiency by improving areas of difficulty when operating buttons on computer keyboards, telephone varieties keyboards, electronic calculator keypads, etc.

Abstract: In one embodiment of this invention, a computer system performs a method for colorizing concept keywords within program identifiers in source code. A computer system decomposes each identifier in the source code into one or more concept keywords The computer system determines a numerical value for each concept keyword based on the sequence of characters included in each concept keyword. The computer system assigns a color to each concept keyword based on the numerical value determined for each concept keyword.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for interfacing with a user at a casino gaming machine are disclosed. An input control panel with a plurality dynamic buttons is provided. The dynamic buttons may be activated by a player to select games, make wagers, make gaming decisions, etc. Each dynamic button may include a display area (e.g., an LCD), a transparent tactile feedback portion (e.g., a pliable polyurethane membrane), and an input detection portion (e.g., a transparent touch screen). A dynamic button may be depressed to make an input selection and may include a display area which is visible through the button. During operation of a dynamic button, the controller may send image data for display on the button and receive input signals from the input detection portion of the button when a user depresses the button.

Abstract: A keypad structure with multi-mode display function includes: a keypad layer having a plurality of key pressing positions; and a plurality of indicating unit in installed a multilayer form and under the keypad layer, and each having a light emitting element; and a light guide element corresponding to the light emitting element. A surface of the light guide element has a symbol layer, and the symbol layer includes a plurality of symbols at the key pressing positions, such that the keypad structure can display indicating symbols of different functions at a single key pressing position.

Abstract: A handheld device includes a plurality of input members, a first set of which each have a Roman character assigned thereto, a least some of which have a first non-Roman, second non-Roman character, and third non-Roman characters assigned thereto. The device is switchable between first and second modes. In the first mode, each Roman character may be input in response to actuation of the input member to which it is assigned, and in the second mode, each first non-Roman character may be input in response to a first type of actuation of the input member to which it is assigned, each second non-Roman character may input in response to a second type of actuation of the input member to which it is assigned, and each third non-Roman character may be input in response to a third type of actuation of the input member to which it is assigned.

Abstract: An assembly may include information that includes a first plurality of stripes making up a first icon and a second plurality of stripes making up a second icon. The assembly may include an actuator configured to displace the information to a first position in response to a change in length of a first wire to displace the information to a second position in response to a change in length of a second wire. The assembly may include a lenticular lens configured to display the first icon to a user when the actuator is in the first position, and to display the second icon to the user when the actuator is in the second position.

Abstract: A user interface (200) for a portable electronic device (100) is configured to transition from a first state to a second state to present a plurality of mode-based user actuation targets to a user. The user interface (200) includes a segmented electro-optical device (407) configured to open and close shutters, thereby revealing and hiding the user actuation targets. The user interface includes a first polarizer (401) disposed above the segmented electro-optical device (407) and a colored reflective polarizer (405) disposed beneath the segmented electro-optical device. The colored reflective polarizer (405), which may include a colored dichroic polarizer (601) and a reflective polarizer (602), causes the user interface (200) to exhibit a predetermined color.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide a device for inputting text by a single actuation of a key on a numerical keypad and a method for processing input impulses for portable electronic devices comprising a display. To achieve this, sensors that measure the finger position of the operator on the key are located under each key and control electronics, which evaluate said position and assign the latter to one of the possible input options, are provided. During the actuation of a key on the keypad, a list containing the possible input options appears on the display and a single input option that corresponds with each respective actuation position is highlighted by a block. The actuation position can be modified during actuation, thus displacing the highlighting at will onto the displayed input options. When the respective key is released, the input option that was last highlighted is registered as the keyed input.

Abstract: A hot key register request is created in an extensible firmware interface application, the hot key register request has a key number and a pointer to a hot key function for the new hot key. The hot key register request is sent to a keyboard driver in the extensible firmware interface. A hot key table is created in working storage from the hot key table in the keyboard driver, and a hot key entry is inserted into the hot key table in working storage. The entry includes the key number and pointer from the hot key register request to add the new hot key as a registered hot key. A success message is sent from the keyboard driver to the extensible firmware interface application. The success message indicates the new hot key has been registered.

Abstract: A sheet or overlay has plasticity and covers a keyboard including a plurality of keys, provided with a standard key indication based on a given language environment. The sheet has regions facing the keys on the keyboard, and an optional key indication based on a language environment different from the given language environment is provided in the regions so as to be visible by an operator when the sheet covers the keyboard. If the operator's use language is different from a language of the standard key indication on the keyboard, the keyboard is covered by the sheet supporting the operator's use language. In this way, an electronic apparatus coupled to the keyboard is set to support the language environment of the operator.

Abstract: A hand held thumb touch typable ASCII/UNICODE keyboard that has an alphanumeric keypad having multiple quad keys and multiple dual keys, and a navigation keypad having multiple dual keys and single-function keys. Each corner of one of the quad keys or dual keys of the alphanumeric keypad allow a user to type a separate character. In addition, a homing key is located at the center of the alphanumeric keypad. An optional pointing device and an adjustable hand-strap can also be added to the device.

Abstract: An information handling system provides a graphical user interface for customization of a keyboard layout. Individual key sizes, shapes, icons, functions, and other characteristics can be created via the GUI. The customized layout can be stored at the information handling system in a file. The file can be accessed to create a keyboard at a touch-screen device based on the customized layout.

Abstract: This invention discloses an interactive sequential system to input letters of the English alphabet and of many world languages, numbers, punctuation marks and many other symbols on keypads with few buttons. The invention includes a device for receiving input characters from a user, having a keypad with a plurality of keys arranged in rows and columns forming a keypad array; a display screen showing a plurality of character sets arranged in rows and columns forming a character set onscreen array wherein each element in the character set array is mapped to each element in the keypad array; and a processor for receiving a selection of one of the plurality of keys on the keypad to designate a character set by its corresponding location coordinate as mapped on the keypad array. Sequential key selection drills down through nested arrays.

Abstract: An inputting method of computer and mobile telephone is disclosed. It is necessary for this method that there are 36 base codes and 5 single strokes. The base codes and the single strokes are configured on the 10 digits keys. It can input character without picking up it. The coding rule of all the words is same. It can directly input words with associative character for mobile telephone which has multiple selecting keys. The selecting keys are configured to multiple columns and multiple rows. When inputting English, it can input “space” automatically. For the high frequency word, it can display the word by only one key. That is to say a person can display text by pushing the selecting key only once. It can improve traditional inputting by associative character when a person uses computer.

Abstract: The numeric keyboard device of the present invention includes a key matrix, an audio I/O module for sending and receiving audio signals, an audio microprocessor for processing audio signals sent and received by the audio I/O module, an MCU that scans the key status of the key matrix, and a function switch that sends a first command to the key matrix to be further processed by the MCU and such that after processing said first command, the MCU sends an interrupt signal to the audio microprocessor to generate an enable signal that activates a voice interaction mode of the numeric keyboard device of the present invention.

Abstract: A data output device and associated method for reading out data to a computer user. The data output device includes a keyboard having a plurality of key stick devices configured for reading out data. Each key stick device is coupled to a key stick positioning actuator that is responsive to electronic signals corresponding to a unique conventional key. Moreover, the key stick device is actively positioned in one of a plurality of output modes by the key stick positioning actuator. Each one of the plurality of output modes indicates the unique conventional key. The unique conventional key corresponds to a change in a height, or an azimuth, or a tilt angle of the key stick device.

Abstract: A system and method are used to provide a user control interface for controlling multiple device functionality. The system comprises a support structure, control regions, depressible interaction devices, and a controller. The control regions are formed on the support structure. Each of the control regions comprises light emitting areas. The depressible interaction devices cover respective ones of the control regions. The controller is coupled to the control regions and controls which of the emitting areas is output from respective ones of the interaction devices based on one or more modes of operation of the user control interface.