The modular keyboard 410 shown in
Preferably, the virtual portion 430 is implemented on touch screen 416, and the mechanical portion 420 is physically provided on a casing of the electronic device 400. As shown in
In any event, a subset of keys on the alphanumeric keypad can be further assigned with navigational functions. For example, in the exemplary embodiment shown in
Preferably, an indicating lamp 440 is provided below each key of the alphanumeric keypad, in this case, the mechanical portion 420. The indicating lamps 440 can be implemented, e.g., by using LED's (Light-Emitting Diodes). This implementation of the invention is different from any prior art keyboard that has only one or several indicating lamps for the whole keyboard. The provision of at least one LED for each key facilitates selecting the required key in the input method of the present invention and for identifying the certain keys used in navigation function. In another embodiment in which the alphanumeric keypad is implemented as the virtual keypad 430, modification can be made to highlight the subset of keys by using different means, including, for example, different colors on the keypad or different light intensities.
Moreover, the navigation keypad can be configured with fewer keys. For example, the navigation keypad 430 of
In step 605, the electronic device (such as a smart phone) implemented with the input method of the invention enters into one of three modes according to the input requirement. For example, in the first mode 610, in which only number and/or letter input operation is required for input interface; steps 612 through 618 are executed. In the second mode 620, in which only navigation operation is required to achieve direction control for input interface, steps 622 through 628 are executed. In the third mode 630, in which both navigation and number and/or letter input operation are required at the same time, steps 632 through 638 are executed.
In the first mode 610, the requirement for the input interface of the electronic product includes only alphanumeric input function in step 612. In step 614, the application software of the electronic product sends commands to the driver software. In step 616, the driver software selects the entire driving module of the alphanumeric keypad (e.g., alphanumeric keypad 420). In step 618, the electronic device illuminates all the indicating lamps on the alphanumeric keypad. Then, a user of the electronic device can accomplish the input operation of number or letter by pressing down one or more of the keys on the alphanumeric keypad.
In the second mode 620, the current requirement for the input interface includes only direction control, e.g., direction control in game application, in step 622. In step 624, the application software of the electronic device sends commands to the driver software. In step 626, the driver software selects the navigation driving module of the alphanumeric keypad. In step 628, the electronic device illuminates the indicating lamps of associated with specified keys that correspond with the navigation driving module. In the embodiment shown in
In the third mode 630, the current requirement for the input interface needs both alphanumeric input and direction control, such as the tasks of editing messages and inputting telephone number etc., in step 632. In step 634, the application software of the electronic device sends the command to the driver software. In step 636, the driver software selects the entire driving module of the alphanumeric keypad and the driving module of the virtual keypad. In step 638, the electronic device not only illuminates all the keys of the alphanumeric keypad, but also shows the virtual keypad. In the preferred embodiment shown in
For example, when dialing a telephone number, user requires all ten of the numbered keys (0, 1, 2, etc.) in the alphanumeric keypad. In this operation mode, the electronic device activates and illuminates 10 keys on the alphanumeric keypad. When selecting music and videos, however, the user requires only navigation function, then the electronic device can activate only five keys (e.g., keys 2, 4, 5, 7 and 8) in the alphanumeric keypad. When editing message, user needs both alphanumeric keypad and the navigation keypad, the electronic device activates both mechanical and virtual keypads at the same time.
When the user selects and enters one input mode, the electronic device sets the input interface accordingly. In other words, the input interface provided by the electronic device corresponds with a specific input mode. For example, when the user requires both the navigation and alphanumeric input at the same time, the virtual keypad 430 shows up in the touch screen 416. When the user requires only navigation, the electronic device illuminates only the certain keys selected in the alphanumeric keypad. Preferably, the key layout of the navigation keypad is the same as the subset of keys associated with navigational function of the alphanumeric keypad.
Preferably, the mechanical portion is located at a lower portion of the body of the electronic device, while the virtual portion, when displayed, is located at a lower portion of the touch screen near the mechanical portion. In the exemplary embodiment shown in
After one of steps 618, 628, and 638, the process goes to step 640, in which a determination is made regarding whether the input requirement has changed. If so, the process returns to step 605 and re-selects an appropriate input mode, which is one of first mode 610, second mode 620, and third mode 630. Otherwise, the process keeps the current mode.
In preferred embodiments of the invention, icons or legends for indicating the input mode can be displayed on the touch screen of the electronic device. In this manner, the operation mode of the keyboard can be more easily identified by a user of the electronic device.
Although the present invention has been described with referenced to a preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications, alternations, variations, and substitutions of parts and components may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the present application is intended to cover such modifications, alternations, variations, and substitutions of parts and components.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2006/10026873.5 | May 2006 | CN | national |