Patent Application
20090213078
Disclosed are electronic devices and methods of electronic devices for user input, and more particularly electronic devices and methods of electronic devices for user input, that are configured to render enlarged digits and characters that are more easily perceivable by a visually impaired user.
Mobile communication devices, such as, for example, cellular telephones, are widely used in today's world, providing a variety of communication possibilities. Mobile phones and other mobile communication devices can be used, for example, for voice calls, online banking, and other forms of e-commerce. Mobile communication devices typically include a keypad, a set of soft keys, a display, and audio capability. Their convenient user interfaces foster the development of a wide variety of applications.
The most common application or use of a mobile communication device is the placing of a phone call. A user may sequentially enter the digits that make up the phone number to be dialed. For example, in an online banking or e-commerce application, a user may enter an account number and often a numeric or alphanumeric passcode. Although many user interfaces provide selectable menu items via a display device, a user typically must enter a series of digits.
Typically mobile communication devices, and other portable electronic devices, have displays that can show several lines of text in a space of an inch or two in each direction. For users with poor eyesight, their visual impairment can present an obstacle to using mobile communication devices, since the digits and characters displayed can be quite small, and difficult for a visually impaired user to see, particularly those users with for example, cataracts, implants, macular degeneration, or other vision problems. In particular, placing a phone call can be problematic for a visually impaired user. Their visual impairment may cause a safety concern when there is a need to place an emergency call to 911 or another emergency number. Moreover, e-commerce and online banking present similar usage difficulties. Although speech recognition technology may provide for the visually impaired user a solution to the problem of placing phone calls, the privacy of the number called can be a concern. Furthermore, privacy issues render speech recognition an unacceptable option for e-commerce and online banking applications.
It would be beneficial if a display of a mobile communication device were configured to render enlarged digits that could be more easily perceived by a visually impaired user. It would further be beneficial if a user interface of a mobile communication device were capable of presenting digit values to a visually impaired user, for example, for an account number for online banking, while retaining privacy. It would also be beneficial if the arrangement of digits and characters keys on a touch screen were intuitively positioned to assist a visually impaired user in finding keys. It would in addition be beneficial if a user interface configured to render digits that could be more easily perceived by a visually impaired user, were also configured with text-to-speech capability to provide optional confirmation of an entered phone number to be dialed.
Disclosed are devices and methods for rendering, on a display of a mobile communication device, enlarged digits and/or characters that may be more easily perceived by a visually impaired user. The display shows an enlarged selected digit or character by itself, taking up a substantial part of the display. In an embodiment, the enlarged digit or character may be rendered by the display so as to subtend at least 2 degrees of arc at a predetermined viewing distance. In another embodiment, the enlarged rendered digit or character may have a size greater than 50% of the size of the display. In this manner, the digits and/or characters may be rendered by the display in a way more suitable for visually impaired users to see.
In another embodiment a touch screen may have an intuitive arrangement and activation of digit and character keys or selection areas, and selected digits and/or characters may be rendered to take up a substantial part of the display, for example, greater than 50% of the size of the display. Depending on the portion of the touch screen that receives contact input from the user, a user can select a particular digit or character for entry. In this manner, the enlarged digits that were selected could be more easily perceived by a visually impaired user. Accordingly, the enlarged digit values could be presented to a visually impaired user, for example, for an account number for online banking, while retaining privacy.
In still another embodiment, the mobile communication device or other portable electronic device includes a speaker, and the user interface of the device is configured to provide via the speaker an audio confirmation of selection of a single digit, for example, via text-to-speech capability. Moreover, the user interface may be configured to provide audio confirmation of a sequence of selected, entered, or registered digits. In this way, a user may receive an optional confirmation of an entered phone number to be dialed.
The instant disclosure is provided to explain in an enabling fashion the best modes of making and using various embodiments in accordance with the present invention. The disclosure is further offered to enhance an understanding and appreciation for the invention principles and advantages thereof, rather than to limit in any manner the invention. While the preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated and described here, it is clear that the invention is not so limited. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.
It is understood that the use of relational terms, if any, such as first and second, up and down, and the like are used solely to distinguish one from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions.
Much of the inventive functionality and many of the inventive principles are best implemented with or in software programs or instructions and integrated circuits (ICs) such as application specific ICs. In the interest of brevity and minimization of any risk of obscuring the principles and concepts according to the present invention, discussion of such software and ICs, if any, is limited to the essentials with respect to the principles and concepts within the preferred embodiments.
The mobile communication device 102 is shown with a user input device 110 coupled to a controller 112 and that includes a keypad 114. In another embodiment the user input device 110 may include a touch screen (206, see
As discussed above, selected digits and/or characters may be rendered to take up a substantial part of the display 106, for example, approximately 50% or more of the size of the display. The selected digit values may be entered by a user as part of, for example, an account number or passcode for online banking, where a user may wish to retain privacy. With tactile input rather than spoken input, and a capability to display enlarged digits, the device 102 could receive digit values while retaining privacy.
The mobile communication device 102 may also include a speaker or other audio output device 116 that is coupled to the controller 112 and that may be configured, for example, via text-to-speech capability, to provide an audio confirmation of an entered single digit and/or character. In another embodiment, the device 102 may provide via the speaker 116 audio confirmation of a plurality of single digit selections. That is, after entry of a series of digits making up a telephone number, the speaker 116 may audibly present the entire telephone number to the user for confirmation. In this way, a user may receive an optional confirmation of an entered phone number to be dialed.
While the above discussion is with reference to a mobile communication device 102, it is understood that any type of device that includes a display and is configured to receive user input may be configured to render digits that could be more easily perceived by a visually impaired user, in accordance with this discussion. The mobile communication device 102 may be implemented as a cellular telephone (also called a mobile phone). The mobile communication device 102 represents a wide variety of devices that have been developed for use within various communication networks. Such handheld communication devices include, for example, cellular telephones, messaging devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), notebook or laptop computers, mobile data terminals, application specific gaming devices, video gaming devices, and the like. Any of these portable devices may be referred to as a mobile station or user equipment. Herein, wireless communication technologies may include, for example, voice communication, the capability of transferring digital data, SMS messaging, Internet access, multi-media content access and/or voice over internet protocol (VoIP).
The mobile communication device or portable electronic device 102 may include other components such as a transceiver 118, a memory 120, and modules 122. The transceiver 118 may be coupled to the controller 112 and may provide for wireless communication with one or more additional wireless devices via, for example, a cellular telephone network. The memory 120 is coupled to the controller 112 and configured to store instruction modules 122. Moreover, it is understood that some modules 122 may be implemented in hardware, or include hardware components.
The modules 122 include a user interface module 128 coupled to the user input device 110 and to the controller, and configured to receive a single digit selection signal from the user input device. The modules 122 may include a display module 130 coupled to the display and to the controller 112 and configured to render as an enlarged digit a single digit selection output when the user interface module 128 receives a single digit selection signal from the user input device. The modules 122 may in addition include a communication module 132 coupled to the controller 112 and configured to initiate a communication by the transceiver 118 via a send functionality initiated by a send functionality input selection, and configured to terminate a communication by the transceiver via an end functionality terminated by an end functionality input selection.
The modules 122 can carry out certain processes of the methods as described herein. Steps of methods may involve modules and modules may be inferred by the methods discussed herein. The modules can be implemented in software, such as in the form of one or more sets of prestored instructions, and/or hardware, which can facilitate the operation of the mobile station or electronic device as discussed below. The modules may be installed at the factory or can be installed after distribution by, for example, a downloading operation. The methods, processes, and operations in accordance with the modules are discussed in more detail below.
As mentioned above, the user interface module 128 is coupled to the user input device 110 and to the controller 112, and configured to receive a single digit selection signal from the user input device 110. As an example, the keypad 114 may be a user input device coupled to the user interface module 128 and may provide a single digit selection signal to the user interface module. In another embodiment a touch screen (see
The keypad 114 may include a plurality of keys, with each key of the plurality of keys configured to generate a single digit selection signal. In an embodiment, the keys of the keypad may provide dual functionality for digit selection via a touch and digit registration or entry via key depression. For example, each key of the plurality of keys may be configured to receive touch contact input to select a digit corresponding to the key to generate the single digit selection signal. In certain circumstances, where for example a user is not sure that the key presses are correct, a touch to a key may visually present a digit to the user on the display 106, while the final depression may register the key entry. In an embodiment, each key may have a top surface that may receive touch contact input without requiring depression of the key. The controller 112 may receive the generated single digit selection signal for processing, to generate a single digit selection output for the display 106. Each key may be further configured to register the digit as input when the key is activated by depression. In this way a user may be more certain to input the correct key as entered.
The user interface module 128 may also be configured to provide various additional functionality. For example, the user interface module 128 may be configured to receive a send functionality input selection signal from the user input device 110 and to receive an end functionality input selection signal from the user input device. In an embodiment, for example, a send key 124 and an end key 126 may each have a top surface that may receive contact input without requiring depression of the key. When the top surface of the send key 124 receives contact input, the send key may provide a send functionality selection signal. When the top surface of the end key 126 receives contact input, the end key may provide an end functionality selection signal.
The send functionality and the end functionality coordinate activation of the transceiver 118. As mentioned previously, the transceiver 118 may be configured for communication with, for example, a cellular telephone network. A user may enter a telephone number to be called, and then activate the send functionality of the device 102. The send functionality initiates an interaction of the transceiver 118 with, for example, a server of the cellular telephone network to contact another communication device corresponding to the entered telephone number. The send functionality may be activated by a keypress of the send key 124. At the conclusion of the telephone call the user may terminate contact via the end functionality of the device 102. As with the send functionality, the end functionality may be activated by a keypress of the end key 126. The send key 124 and end key 126 form part of the user input device 110. The send key 124 may in addition be activated to register or enter a selected digit and/or character for input.
As previously discussed, a display module 130 may be coupled to the display 106 and to the controller 112, and configured to render as an enlarged digit a single digit selection output when the user interface module 128 receives a single digit selection signal from the user input device. For example, as discussed in connection with the keypad 114, when a top surface of a key of the keypad receives contact input or a touch, the key may provide a single digit selection signal associated with the digit corresponding to that key. The controller 112 may process the single digit selection signal received by the user interface module 128 so that a single digit selection output may be provided to the display module 130 for the user to view the selected digit. The display module 130 may render in a large format the single digit selection output via the display 106, so that the digit may be rendered by the display so as to subtend at least 2 degrees of arc at a predetermined viewing distance. In this manner, the digits may be rendered by the display 106 in a way more suitable for visually impaired users to see.
The display module 130 may be further configured to display a first predominant color to indicate a send functionality upon the user interface module 128 receiving from the user input device 110 a send functionality input selection signal by for example, a touch to the send key 124. The display module 130 may also be configured to display a second predominant color to indicate an end functionality upon the user interface module 128 receiving from the user input device 110 an end functionality input selection signal via a touch to the end key 126. The controller 112 may process the send functionality selection signal received by the user interface module 128 so that send functionality selection output may be provided to the display module 130, so that the display shows a first predominant color in response to the send functionality selection. Correspondingly, the controller 112 may process the end functionality selection signal received by the user interface module 128 so that end functionality selection output may be provided to the display module 130 in a second predominant color, so that the display shows a second predominant color in response to the end functionality selection. In this way a user may know which key has been pressed before registering or entering the key function. It is understood that the display may be configured to show a predominant color in connection with operation of any key of the user interface, and/or to alert a visually impaired user to selection of any functionality of the device 102.
The device 102 accordingly provides a benefit to visually impaired users by rendering on its display 106 digits and characters in a large format so that the digits and characters may be more easily perceived by the visually impaired user. Moreover, the device 102 includes a user input device 110 that may be configured in a more intuitive way to provide visual feedback to the user, whether the user input device is a keypad 114 with key touch/key depression modes or a touch screen (206, see
As discussed above, it may be beneficial for a user to see which key was activated before actually entering it. This could avoid the need to use a backspace or delete key. Thus, when the user touches the key area, the corresponding digit is displayed but when contact input ceases, the digit may be registered or entered. In this manner the touch screen may be configured to function as a user input device 110 (see
As mentioned, a variety of different touch screen key arrangements are disclosed. The touch screen 206 may in addition be configured to receive touch input in, for example, a region 236 proximal the right edge 237 of the touch screen, in order to receive communication control input, that may be provided via the controller 112 to the display module 130 and the communication module 132. The communication control input may include for example, send functionality input and end functionality input. As discussed above, receipt of the communication control input can result in rendering of a predominant color on the display 106 via the display module 130, and activation of send functionality or end functionality via the communication module 132. Combined with enlarged digit display and color coding for touch and depression, the touch screen can provide confirmation to a visually impaired user of a selection of key choices and function choices.
It is understood that the touch screen of
Tap input 542 to the touch screen 506 may be utilized differently according to another embodiment. In the embodiment, a selected digit or character may remain displayed after touch contact input proximal an edge 235 (see
As mentioned above, the device 102 (see
The controller 112 (see
In an embodiment, the selected single digit may be registered 654 as input upon the ceasing of contact input to the touch screen 206 (see
In another embodiment, the device 102 (see
The controller 112 (see
As discussed above in connection with
The device 102 (see
In an embodiment, the selected single alphabetic character may be registered 664 as input upon the ceasing of contact input to the touch screen 306 (see
In an embodiment, a user may delete 668 the last-entered or last registered digit or character. As previously discussed, a touch screen 406 (see
The above-described devices and methods may enhance the usefulness of a mobile communication device for a visually impaired user. The disclosed devices and methods provide a mobile communication device or other portable electronic device with a display configured to render enlarged digits and alphabetic characters that could be more easily perceived by a visually impaired user. The user interface of the device by the described touch/depress and touch/release embodiments is configured to present digit and alphabetic character values to a visually impaired user, for example, for an account number for online banking, while retaining privacy, and with less possibility of input error and less need for the delete or backspace key. In an embodiment, the user interface is also configured to provide, via a speech synthesizer or text-to-speech capability, optional confirmation of an entered phone number to be dialed. In this manner, the usefulness of portable devices may be enhanced, for users with visual impairment.
This disclosure is intended to explain how to fashion and use various embodiments in accordance with the technology rather than to limit the true, intended, and fair scope and spirit thereof. The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment(s) was chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principle of the described technology and its practical application, and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the technology in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims, as may be amended during the pendency of this application for patent, and all equivalents thereof, when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.
