WO2002039244A1

WO2002039244A1 - Device interface

Info

Publication number: WO2002039244A1
Application number: PCT/AU2001/001467
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kevin Dinn
Original assignee: Besdi Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2000-11-10
Filing date: 2001-11-12
Publication date: 2002-05-16
Also published as: AU2002214813A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an interface for a small device (1) such as a mobile telephone, remote control or palm-type computer. Interfaces to input alpha-numerics, to these devices are generally quite clumsy, because of the small size available for keypads. In the present invention, keys (2-7) in an interface are arranged to operate in a plurality of modes, in one mode each key being associated with a category of a plurality of message items such as alpha-numerics and operation of the keys in that mode causing selection of the associated category, and also causing the keys to switch to a further mode of operation. In the further mode of operation, each key is associated with one of the items in the selected category, and subsequent operation of the key resulting in selection of that item e.g. alpha-numeric.

Description

DEVICE INTERFACE

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to an interface for a device, particularly, but not exclusively, to an interface for small electronic devices such as remote controls, mobile telephones and palm-type computing devices.

Background of Invention Small devices, such as remote controls for household devices (e.g. TV control, VCR controls) and small computing devices (e.g. palm-type computing devices and mobile telephones) are ubiquitous. One of the problems with such devices, however, is that because of their small size (which is desirable to facilitate convenience and transportability) the interface which enables the human being to communicate messages (including input data and control instructions) to the device is not optimum. All such small devices have small and limited keypads, for example, which allow entry of complex messages only very slowly and clumsily. None of the interfaces for small devices which have been designed so far are able to compete with the speed of entry of messages which is enabled by a large device interface, such as a personal computer keyboard. This is generally because there is just not enough room on a small device to enable positioning of a full sized qwerty keypad, enabling single actuation of a button for each item (e.g. alphanumeric) of a message to be entered. Attempts have been made to provide interfaces to enable complex messages to be entered into small computing devices. These attempts generally result in slow, clumsy and inconvenient interfaces. For example, in palm-type computers it is known to use a touch-sensitive screen and stylus. The stylus can be used, for example, to enter alphanumerics into the device via a representation of an alphanumeric keyboard on the touch-screen. Use of a stylus is generally slow and inaccurate (at times, particularly where there is a small touch-sensitive screen, an incorrect item may mistakenly be selected by the stylus) . Another attempt has been to increase the number of (small) keys on a keypad. This defeats the object of having small devices as the devices tend to become larger. Further, the keypads produced generally have very small keys and are difficult to operate. Mobile telephones are known to use interfaces where a single key on a relatively limited keypad is used for selection of more than one item. For example, for alphanumerics, each key may be associated with two or three letters of the alphabet. To select the particular letter, a key needs to be actuated a particular number of times in sequence, e.g. for the third letter the key must be operated three times. Again, operation of such an interface is slow.

There is a need for an improved interface for a small device which can be operated relatively accurately and quickly, to enable complex messages to be communicated to the small device.

Summary of Invention The present invention provides an interface for a device, comprising a plurality of keys, each key being arranged to operate in a plurality of modes, in one mode each key being associated with a category of a plurality of message items and operation of the keys in the one mode causing selection of the associated category, and also causing the keys to switch to a further mode of operation, wherein in the further mode of operation each key is associated with one of the items of the selected category, and operation of a key in the further mode causing selection of the associated message item for input to the device .

There may be one or more preceding modes of operation of the keys, wherein in a preceding mode of operation the key or keys are associated with a larger category of message items, the larger category containing a plurality of categories of message items . On selection of the associated larger category of message items, keys are caused to switch to the one mode of operation where they are associated with the category of items.

Preferably, however, the number of modes of operation of the keys is kept to a minimum in order to facilitate operation of the interface.

Preferably, the interface includes a display. Preferably, the display is arranged to indicate the message items that each key is associated with in each mode. When the mode of each key changes, the associated display changes to show the items which are associated with that key in that mode.

A message item includes any symbol which may be used by a human to enter a message into a computing device and includes alphanumeric symbols and icons. Preferably, a message item includes any item which can be used with other items to create a message. Alpha numerics are an example of message items which can be used to create messages in the form of text. Message items are not limited to this, however, and may include other types of messages, such as menus.

In the preferred embodiment, only six keys are required to enable relatively quick entry of alphanumeric symbols into a device. In the one mode of operation, for example, each key may be associated with six or less letters of the Arabic alphabet. On selection of one category, each of the six keys then becomes associated with a single letter of the alphabet. Subsequent operation of a key in the further mode selects the particular letter associated with that particular key. Preferably, two-step operation is required in order to select a letter, and only a relatively small number of keys are required. Note that in the second mode of operation some keys may not be associated with a letter, where in the first mode of operation the key has been selected which is associated with a category of less than six letters. Preferably, on selection of a message item, the mode of the keys switches back to the first mode automatically.

The keys are preferably conveniently positioned on the small device so the keypad can conveniently be operated by two hands. Using two hands makes selection of the modes more rapid. For example, in one preferred embodiment, the keys are positioned in two parallel rows, and each row of keys can be operated by the thumb of each hand.

The device may be any type of small device which requires an interface for communication with a human being. It may be a remote control for an external device, for example, or a small computing device, such as a mobile telephone or palm-top device.

The interface of the present invention is also useable with devices other than small devices. Where convenient, the interface could be used with large devices such as PCs. It could also be used in particular for devices such as automated teller machines (ATMs) , for convenience of entry of complex messages to the ATM. The interface of the present invention is particularly useful where there is a limited amount of space available on a device for the provision of an interface such as a keypad.

The keys are preferably physical keys mounted on a keypad on the device. Preferably, the physical keys are mounted either side of the associated display, or close to the associated display.

The keys may, as an alternative to being physical keys, be "virtual" keys, e.g. keys appearing on a touch- sensitive screen. Note that by "physical keys" this includes a touch pad, as well as more conventional keys and other types of keypads . From a further aspect, the present invention provides a device including an interface as discussed above.

The device is preferably a small device or a device such as an ATM which has a limited amount of room for an interface .

From yet a further aspect, the present invention provides a computer-readable medium for providing instructions for controlling a device to operate by providing an interface as discussed above. The device preferably includes a physical keypad, but, alternatively, the instructions may cause the device to generate a virtual keypad.

From yet a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of controlling a device having a plurality of keys, comprising the steps of operating each key in a plurality of modes, in one mode each key being associated with a category of a plurality of message items, operation of keys in the one mode causing selection of the associated category, and also causing the keys to switch to a further mode of operation, wherein in the further mode of operation each key is associated with one of the items of the selected category, and operation of the key in further mode causing selection of the associated message item for input into the device.

Brief Description of Drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a small device including an interface in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention illustrating a display in a mode of operation;

Figure 2 is a further representation of the device of Figure 1 with the display shown in another mode of operation;

Figure 3 is a further representation of the device of Figure 1 showing the display in yet another mode of operation;

Figure 4 is a further representation of the device of Figure 1 displaying yet a further mode of operation;

Figure 5 is a schematic front view of a mobile telephone interface in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, showing the display in a first mode of operation;

Figure 6 is a further view of the mobile phone interface of figure 5 illustrating a further mode of operation;

Figure 7 is a further view of the mobile phone interface of figure 5 illustrating yet a further mode of operation; and

Figure 8 is a further view of the mobile phone interface of figure 5 illustrating yet a further mode of operation. Description of Preferred Embodiment

The figures show a schematic representation of a "conceptual" small device. Referring to Figure 1, the small device includes a housing 1 (which may mount electrical circuitry), and a keypad 2A (which may include any type of keypad layout which is required by the small device - the keypad is not shown in detail in the figures) . In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, this device also comprises an interface which includes a plurality of keys 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, a display 8 and a pair of further keys, 9 and 10.

The small device may be any type of small device. For example, it may be a remote control for a TV, video or CD, it may be a palm-type computer, a mobile telephone or any other type of small device that requires a human interface.

In the figures, the display 8 is illustrated operating in a mode where it operates as part of the interface of the present invention. It will be appreciated that, as with any type of small device, the display may switch modes so that it is providing information that isn't to do with the interface, e.g. information relating to the small device function. For the purposes of this example, the small device shown in the figures can be considered operationally to be a remote control for a audio system. The audio system in this example, in order to enable selection of tracks, requires the user to input, via the remote control, a track title.

The track title is input in alphanumerics and conventionally in order to do this efficiently a relatively sizeable keypad for enabling alphanumeric input would be required. Alternatively, one of the relatively clumsy keypads generally utilised for small devices would be used.

With the present invention, however, the interface is both small (taking up a relatively small space on the small device) and efficient.

Operation of the interface in accordance with this embodiment of the invention will now be described in relation to the figures for a process of entering Arabic letters. As shown in Figure 1, in the first mode of operation, each one of the keys 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 is associated with a category of six message items, which in this case, for the most part, are Arabic letters. The message items in the category are illustrated on the display in this first mode of operation adjacent each key.

Table 1.

Table 1 lists the items in each category which are associated with each key.

Operation of any of the keys results in selection of the associated category. For example, operation of key 2 results in the selection of the category which includes message items "a", "b", "c", "d", "e" and "f".

On operation of key 2, keys 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 switch to a further mode of operation, wherein each of the keys becomes associated with a single message item of the category of message items associated with key 2 in the one mode of operation. The second mode of operation, following activation of key 2, is illustrated in figure 2. Subsequently, operation in the further mode of any one of keys 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 results in selection of the associated letter to be entered into the message to be entered into the small device. As an example, a message being entered into the small device is shown at the top of the display 8 in the figures. Selection (figure 2) of one of the message items will result in that message item being entered where indicated by a cursor 10A.

A particular advantage of the arrangement of the embodiment shown in the figures is that the parallel rows of keys 2, 3, 4 and 5, 6, 7 can be operated by the thumbs of each hand, i.e. the left hand thumb operates the keys

2 , 3 and 4 and the right hand thumb operates the keys 5 , 6 and 7. Operation of the keys in this manner enables entry of message items very rapidly, with practice, compared to other small device interfaces.

Referring again to figure 1, key 7 is shown associated with a larger category of items (i.e. larger than they number of keys-6- in this case) and operates in a preceding mode of operation. In this preceding mode of operation the key 7 is associated with a larger category of items, being in this example 10 numeric symbols (1, 2,

3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 0) . On selection by a user of this larger category by actuating key 7, keys 2 and 3 switch to a mode of operation where each of the keys 2 and 3 is associated with a category of items, the number of items being less than the number of interface keys. As shown in figure 3, key 2 is associated with the numerals "1", "2", "3", "4", "5" and "6". Key 3 is associated with the numerals "7", "8", "9" and "0".

Subsequently, operation of keys 2 and 3 in the one mode causes keys 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 to switch to a further mode of operation. For example, operation of key 2, as shown in figure 4, results in selection of the category associated with key 2 and switching of the keys 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 to a mode where each one of them is associated with one of the numerals 1 through 6 (figure 4) . Subsequent selection of one of the keys 2 through 7 results in selection of the associated numeral to go into the message to be entered into the small device.

The keys 9 and 10 shown in the figures are cursor keys enabling movement of the cursor and movement of the message display.

Referring to figures 5 through 8, an embodiment of the present invention providing an interface for a mobile telephone will now be described. The mobile telephone 20 has a housing 21 which contains mobile telephone circuitry (not shown) and electronic circuitry for control of the telephone 20. Telephone 20 includes an interface 22 comprising a visual display 23 and a keypad 24. The keypad 24 is arranged in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention and comprises 14 keys, 6 each of which are arranged at either side of the display 23 so that they can be easily actuated by, for example, the thumbs of a user, two keys 25 and 26 positioned underneath the display which operate as "command" keys. The keys on either side of the display have been allocated reference numerals 27 through 38 for convenience.

In the mode illustrated by figure 5, the keys 27, 28, 37 and 38 are operating as "menu" keys. The menu may include any function which are required for the operation of the device, and in this case include the standard functions which may be associated with a mobile phone, such as "call", "phone book", "send SMS" (for short message service) and "settings". Operation of one of the associated keys in this mode of operation may lead to further menu choices . For example operating the "settings" key 37 may lead to a choice of different settings being accessed, the choice being accessible by selection by any of the keys 27 through 38 and command keys 35 (for acceptance of a command) and 26 (for denial of command and returning to previous mode) .

If the "call" instruction is instigated via actuation of key 27, then the display illustrated in figure 6 appears. Each of the keys 27 through 38 in this display is associated with either a numeral, 0 to 9 or "*" or a hash "#". These are the usual instructions associated with a conventional keypad of a conventional mobile telephone. Actuation of the keys 27 through 38 allows a user to subsequently enter a telephone number, which appears on the display in area 39. Actuation of command key 25 causes a call to be placed.

Figure 7 illustrates operation of the device 20 to send a SMS message (after the "send SMS" key 38 in figure 5 has been actuated) . The display of figure 7 shows that keys 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 operate in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, in a first mode, the associated display indicating a category of message items, in this case alpha numerics and some mathematical symbols. Note that in the embodiment illustrated in figure 7, eight keys are used for operation of the interface, not six keys as with the embodiment of figures 1 to 4. The display illustrated in figure 7 shows that the user has already entered an incomplete message, displayed in 39 as "please call me when you get horn". To complete this message the user needs to select a category of alpha numerics via actuation of keys 29 through 36. In this case the user needs to select an "e" from the category of alpha numerics indicated adjacent key 29. Operation of key 29 results in the display illustrated in figure 8, where keys 29 through

36 have switched to a second mode of operation where each one is associated a single message item from the category indicated by key 29 in figure 7. Subsequently, the user will actuate key 36 to select the "e" to complete the message "please call me when you get home" . Actuation of the command key 25 then results in the message being sent by the device.

Note that in both the embodiments of figure 1 to 4 and 5 through 8, once a message item has been selected by operation of a key in the second mode, then the keys automatically switch back to the first mode, and the display displays the category of items they are associated with, so that a user can make a further selection.

The embodiments of the interface described above includes physical standard keys as the interface keys and a LCD display. It will be appreciated that any type of keypad could be provided, including a touch-pad, including virtual keys on a screen. It will also be appreciated that the display may be any type of display and need not be an LCD display.

In the embodiments described above, the keys are positioned so they can conveniently be actuated by the thumbs of each hand. It will be appreciated that the keys need not be placed in this way and could be physically positioned anywhere e.g. for convenience of operation by one hand. Further, the keys on a conventional keypad could be used for the interface of the present invention, and separate keys are not necessary. For example in the embodiment of figures 1 to 4 , instead of having the keys 2 through 7 positioned adjacent the display, keys on the keypad 2 could operate in a mode where they operate as the interface in accordance with this invention.

Further, the above embodiment shows an interface which enables selection of alpha-numerics. It will be appreciated that input of any message item could be implemented utilising an interface in accordance with the present invention and the invention is not limited to the input of alpha-numerics. For example, Greek letters, mathematical symbols and others could be input. Further, in the above embodiment, the Arabic numerals are shown in lower case. A switch could be utilised to put the items in upper case.

Further, in the above embodiment, categories are illustrated on the screen adjacent the keys. This is not necessary. The categories could appear elsewhere and do not need to be adjacent the keys, as long as the user is made aware of which category is associated with each key.

The above embodiments disclose the use of 6 keys and 8 keys within the interface used to select message items. It will be appreciated that the number could be different from 6 and could be e.g. 10, 12, etc.

The above embodiments relate to the use of this interface on a small device. It will be appreciated, however, that it could be used, in some occasions, on larger devices, such as ATMs, in particular large devices which have limited room for keys for input of message items .

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. An interface for a device, comprising a plurality of keys, each key being arranged to operate in a plurality of modes, in one mode each key being associated with a category of a plurality of message items and operation of the keys in the one mode causing selection of the associated category, and also causing the keys to switch to a further mode of operation, wherein in the further mode of operation each key is associated with one of the items of the selected category, and operation of the key in the further mode causing selection of the associated message item for input to the device.

2. An interface in accordance with claim 1, wherein each key may be arranged to operate in one or more preceding modes of operation, wherein in the preceding mode of operation the key or keys are associated with a larger category of message items, the larger category containing a plurality of categories of message items.

3. An interface in accordance with claim 2, wherein on selection of the associated larger category of message items, the keys are arranged to switch to the one mode of operation where they are associated with the category of items .

4. An interface in accordance with claim 1, 2 or 3 , further including a display arranged to indicate the message items that each key is associated with in each mode.

5. An interface in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein in the one mode each key is arranged to be associated with a category of a plurality of message items including a number of message items which is less than or equal to the number of interface keys .

6. An interface in accordance with claim 5, wherein there are 6 keys and the message items include alphanumerics .

7. An interface in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the keys are positioned as a pair of sets of keys, the sets being operable respectively by the thumb of each respective hand.

8. A small device, including an interface in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.

9. A small device in accordance with claim 8, wherein the small device is a remote control.

10. A small device in accordance with claim 8, wherein the small device is a mobile telephone.

11. A small device in accordance with claim 8, wherein the small device is a palm-type computer.

12. A device in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 7 , the device being an ATM.

13. A method of controlling a device for the input of message items to the small device, the device including a plurality of keys, the method comprising the steps of operating the keys in a plurality of modes, in one mode each key being associated with a category of a plurality of message items and operation of the keys in the one mode causing selection of the associated category, and also causing the keys to switch to a further mode of operation, wherein in the further mode of operation each key is associated with one of the items of the selected category, and operation of a key in the further mode causing selection of the associated message item for input into the device .

14. A method in accordance with claim 13, including the further step of operating the keys in one or more preceding modes of operation, wherein in the preceding mode of operation the key or keys are associated with a larger category of message items, the larger category containing a plurality of categories of message items.

15. A computer program for providing instructions for controlling a device to operate by providing an interface in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 7.

16. A computer readable medium providing a computer program in accordance with claim 15. AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on 21 march 2002 (21.03.02); new claims 17 to 32 added to original claims 1 to 16 (2 pages)]

17. An interface for controlling a small computing device, the interface including a display screen, a first plurality of keys positioned sequentially along one side of the screen and a second plurality of keys positioned sequentially along the opposite side of the screen.

18. An interface in accordance with claim 17, wherein the first plurality of keys comprises two or more keys and the second plurality of keys comprises two or more keys.

19. An interface in accordance with claim 18, wherein the first plurality of keys comprises between four and twelve keys and the second plurality of keys comprises between four and twelve keys .

20. An interface in accordance with claim 18, wherein the first plurality of keys comprises six keys and wherein the second plurality of keys comprises six keys.

21. An interface in accordance with any one of claims 17 to 20 _r wherein the keys are multi-function keys, and wherein the particular function of a key at any time is indicated by indicia appearing on the display screen.

22. An interface in accordance with claim 21, arranged to operate in a mode wherein ten of the keys are associated respectively with each of the ten digits of the decimal numeral system appearing as indicia on the display screen.

23. A small computing device including an interface in accordance with any one of claims 17 to 22.

24. A small computing device in accordance with claim 23, wherein the first and second plurality of keys are positioned on the face of the device either side of the display screen.

25. A small computing device in accordance with claim 23 or claim 24, when the small computing device does not include a conventional small computing device keypad.

26. A small computing device in accordance with any one of claims 23 to 25, further including two command keys.

27. A small computing device in accordance with any one of claims 23 to 26, wherein the device includes a housing and the screen extends substantially along the length of the housing for the majority of the length of the housing, the keys being placed along opposites sides of the screen in rows along the length of the housing.

28. A small computing device in accordance with any one of claims 23 to 27, being a mobile telephone.

29. A small computing device in accordance with any one of claims 23 to 27, being a personal digital assistant.

30. A small computing device in accordance with any one of claims 23 to 27, being a remote control.

31. A computer program arranged, when loaded onto a small computing device, to control the device to operate by providing an interface in accordance with any one of claims 18 to 22.

32. A computer readable medium providing a computer program in accordance with claim 31.