WO2004044724A1

WO2004044724A1 - Keyboard arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO2004044724A1
Application number: PCT/SE2003/001743
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jari Heinonen
Original assignee: EUMATRIX AB
Current assignee: EUMATRIX AB
Priority date: 2002-11-11
Filing date: 2003-11-11
Publication date: 2004-05-27
Anticipated expiration: 2005-05-11
Also published as: SE0203319D0; SE0203319L; SE521757C2; AU2003283897A1

Abstract

The keyboard arrangement has a computer, screen and a first activation sensitive area (1,) separated from a second activation sensitive area (1’). Each area has activation positions that are dependent upon a selected combination of activations of the activation positions for displaying predetermined signs in a writing field of the screen and/or displaying predetermined functions of the computer so that a shifting activation of a position in the first area is arranged to display a picture of the second area so that positions in the picture include information about the sign, function, respectively, that is activated in the writing field, computer, respectively by activating a corresponding position in the second area (1’). The activation positions of the picture are given different meanings depending upon whether the last activated activation position is situated in the first area (1) or the second area (1’).

Description

KEYBOARD ARRANGEMENT

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a keyboard or data- input arrangement that is in operative engagement with a computer, a computer screen. The arrangement may have two separate pressure sensitive activation areas. The activation areas have a plurality of activation positions that, depending upon the combination of activation positions in both areas display predetermined symbols on the screen and/or predetermined functions of the computer.

Background and Summary of the Invention

US Patent No. 5,050,116 shows a keyboard arrangement that has a first area of 32 positions/keys and this area is divided into two substantially similar sized partial areas that together substantially represent a qwerty keyboard. It has a second area that includes a few keys that when used changes the meaning of the positions of the picture of the first group on the screen. On the screen is thus shown a display of the first area with the symbols with the function assigned to both partial areas of keys by a previous affect of a selected key on the second area. In practice, a substantial number of effect positions/keys are required for the keyboard of the first group. This keyboard is therefore cumbersome to use.

An object of the keyboard or data-input arrangement of the present invention is to devise a keyboard arrangement that requires relatively few effect positions both totally and in each area. The sequence of the effects of both groups results in different symbols/functions in the picture of the area that is shown on the screen and that corresponds to the first activated area. A further object of the present invention is to devise a keyboard arrangement that is designed to permit a user finger to simply and quickly move between different activation positions. A yet further object of the present invention is to devise a keyboard arrangement that permits a computer mouse function to be easily integrated into the screen display of either the effect area or be easily controlled.

A yet further object is to devise a keyboard arrangement in which the position of the display of an area on the screen is associated with the position of a mouse cursor on the screen.

One or many of these objects are completely or partially accomplished with the arrangement of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawing

The invention is described in connection with the preferred embodiment and with reference to the appended figures.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a computer associated with the keyboard arrangement and a screen associated therewith.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of a section along line II-II of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic elevation view of a portion of the keyboard arrangement.

Fig. 4 shows a further schematic elevation view of a portion of the keyboard arrangement. Fig. 5 shows an area wherein the controls of the activation positions and combinations thereof are indication as directions from a mid-point of each respective control.

Fig. 6 shows definitions of a first code table. Figs. 7A-7F show first iterations for a left activation area according to first code table.

Figs. 8A-8J show sample iterations for the direction west on the middle control in the left field. Figs. 9A-9F show sample iterations for the direction east on the middle control in the right field.

Fig. 10 shows a limited selection of definitions of the direction west on the upper control in the left field with the first code table. Fig. 11 shows a handheld computer that can be manoeuvred with a feeding method based on the first code table.

Fig. 12 shows a definition with a second code table.

Fig. 13 shows definitions for a first iteration in the right field with the first code table.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a keyboard arrangement that has a display surface 2 with a central screen 3, a first activation area 1 to the left of the screen 3 and a second activation area 1' to the right of the screen 3. It should be understood that the keyboard arrangement is only used as an illustrative example and the present invention may be used in any type of data-input device and is not limited to keyboard arrangements. For example, the arrangement may be used for handheld computers, smart-phones, wireless devices, wheel or stick- mounted computer operation, smart displays and other industrial applications.

The area 1 ' includes a first control unit 10 that has four separate activation positions 11, 12, 13, 14, that may be treated as being located in each respective corner of a rhomb. The positions 12 and 14 are separate along a height direction 4 of the surface 2 and the screen 3. The position 12 may be disposed above the position 14. The positions 11 and 13 are separated along a perpendicular direction to the plane of the screen 3 so that the positions 11, 13 are disposed between the positions 12, 14 so that the position 11 is to the left of a center point 9 and the position 13 is to the right of the center point 9 while the position 12 is above and the position 14 is below the center point 9. In this way, the center point 9 of the unit 10 is an empty position on which a fingertip may rest so that the fingertip may be used to activate the activation positions 11-13, 21-23, 31-33, as outlined below. The area 1 further has a second control unit 20 that may include three activation positions 21, 22, 23, that are separate from the positions 11, 12, 13 in a direction that may be parallel to the direction 4 and disposed upwardly from the control unit 10. In this way, the position 21 is disposed above the position 11 the position 22 above the position 12 and the position 23 is disposed above the position 13.

The activation area 1 also has a third control unit 30 disposed below the control unit 10. In a corresponding way, the third control unit 30 includes activation positions 31, 32 and 33. The activation position 31 is disposed below the position 11, the position 32 is disposed below the position 12 and the position 33 is disposed below the position 13.

The activation area 1' has a corresponding design so that the reference numbers correspond to that of the area 1 but with the added apostrophe sign so that the activation area 1' has the control units 10', 20', 30' with the corresponding activation positions 11', 12', 13', 21', 22', 23', 31', 32', 33', respectively. As described in more detail below, the screen 3 has displays 301 and 302 so that symbols and signs may be displayed in the display 301 while the display 302 is preferably used to display variations of the activation areas 1 or 1' . The display 301 may be called a preview that is continuously adapted to a given situation and always graphically shows all the possible input alternatives.

With reference to Fig. 2, the activation positions 11, 12, 13, 14 of the control unit 10 are separated a short distance from one another so that a user finger 50, with a finger surface 51 that, for example, rests on the center point 9, can be turned upwardly, downwardly or sideways to activate one of the activation positions 11, 12, 13, 14.

As best shown in Fig. 3, the finger 50 may be rolled off transversely relative to the direction 4 so that the finger surface 51 is rolled off so that it touches either the position 11 or the position 13.

Because the positions 11-14 of the control unit 10 are disposed in the corners of a rhomb, that is dimensioned to permit the user's finger to roll or slide to reach the positions, the user's finger may quickly and easily reach the positions for safe and deliberate touching and activation of the desired position or positions. It also possible to activate several positions to trigger different commands. The positions 11, 9, 13 are preferably separated along a line that is perpendicular to the direction 4 in the plane of the plate 2. Similarly, the positions 12, 9, 14 may be separated along a line that is parallel to the direction 4. It should be realized that the rhombic character of the control unit 10 is suitable as a computer mouse function, if the control unit 10 is set to provide such a function.

An important feature of the present invention is that the initial activation of an activation position in the first area 1 may produce a picture or display of the area 1 in the display 302 with the addition that the activation positions 11-14, 21-23, 31-33 are displayed as symbols that correspond to the functions and/or signs that can be written in the computer in a writing field on the screen 302 by activating corresponding positions in the second area 1' . For example, an initial activation of the position 21 of the area 1 produces an area 1'' of the display 302 that, for example, includes the position 21'' that corresponds to the position 21 of the area 1. For example, if the position 21'' displays the letter (A) this letter may be displayed in the writing display 301 by activating or touching the position 21' in the area 1' . The currently activated function or sign symbols that are displayed in the display 301 depend on the order of the activation of the positions in the areas 1, 1' . For example, the initial activation of the position 21' in the area 1' may display the letter (a) in the position 21'' of the screen 302 so that the symbol (a) may be written into the writing field 301 of the screen by activating the position 21 of the area 1. It should be realized that the first activation of a position in the area 1 and thereafter an activation of a position in the area 1' may generate 100 different combinations (that is 100 different selectable signs or functions) and that a reverse order of the activation sequence generates an additional 100 combinations. In each area 1, 1' the number of symbols that may be provided by using the shifting function can be doubled (trebled) with a double click (triple click) on positions in the first and second activation areas. A simple click therefore includes an activation of a position without a subsequent release of the position after which the desired sign/function can be selected in the symbol group that is established and shown by the shifting before the shift command position is terminated. A double shift click may include touch/release/touch of the position after which an activation command is carried out before the double click position is released.

If a selected shift function is released in the first area 1 before an activation position is activated in the second area 1' , the shifting command may be arranged to return to the initial or default setting so that a new shift selection can be initiated from the beginning in the first area 1. In connection with the shifting selection, by double clicking (multiple clicking) an activation position, the system may be arranged to ignore the release of a position between two activations of same position so that a double click (multiple click) has the effect of a further development of the shifting operation. If the shifting selection has resulted in a set of letters, a double click of the shifting position can, for example, produce a shift between capital and small letters.

Because both areas preferably have the same number of activation positions and preferably have the same design, it is simple to develop maneuvering combinations while minimizing the number of required activation position in each area. It is to be understood that the activation areas do not have to have the same design and can be different from one another.

Fig. 1 further shows that each area 1, 1' may include 10 activation positions which makes each area suitable for using the activation positions to represent the digits 0-9. Because the control unit 10 has the positions disposed at the corners of a rhomb, the control units 10, 10' can easily be arranged to function as a computer mouse to move a cursor on the screen. The cursor, when the control unit 10 is used, can be visible and shiftable on the screen or be turned off as long as the computer mouse function is not selected (by corresponding activation of the areas 1, 1' and their positions) . In a preferred embodiment, the position of the initially produced picture on the screen may be related to the position of the mouse cursor on the screen. For example, the cursor may be located in the area of the control unit 10. In this way, the position of the picture on the screen may easily be moved by activating the mouse function and the cursor may be moved by, for example, activating the positions 11, 12, 13, 14 to move the cursor in different directions. Basically, one area, such as the area 1, can be used as a shifting function by activating different positions to display corresponding pictures of the symbols and functions in the display 302 so that the symbols and functions can be activated by the corresponding activation positions in the second area. In other words, each respective position in the second area (activation area) can be used to activate the functions or symbols displayed in the display 302. One or the other area can be selected as the shifting area whereby the remaining area becomes the area that is used to produce activation such as typing a letter.

The arrangement according to the present invention can of course be used for all types of control units such as music and film reproducing arrangements, radio and TV arrangements, cameras, handheld computers, computer games, GPS positioning devices, mobile telephones and remote controls in general etc. Of course, the invention may also be used to control sunroofs, air condition apparatuses, music apparatuses, GPS navigation systems etc. in vehicles and so on.

Fig. 1 shows that both areas 1, 1' can be located on a front side of the plate 2 but it is to be understood that the areas 1, 1' can be situated on opposite sides of the plate 2 to be maneuvered with a thumb and with one of the remaining fingers on the same hand.

A variety of designs of the combinations and code tables that can be established and developed according to the requirements of the current application and the currently used language especially if the keyboard arrangement is to be used to control printing and calculation devices.

It is to be understood that the meaning/symbols of the positions of the areas can be selected and arranged so that a direct writing of the symbols in the writing field is possible and it is also possible to directly activate the corresponding functions in the computer. In other words, it is possible to activate the positions without using any shifting functions.

There are many ways to extend the number of available writing options. One possibility is to click twice or many times (double clicking, treble clicking etc.) on an activation position in the area initially activated so that the positions of the second area (action area) are shifted to correspond to different meanings (writing symbols, functions etc.) that can be written by activating the selected activation position.

Another possibility is that the shifting selection is established by activating two (or many) activation positions sequentially, after which a first activated position is not released until the subsequent shifting position has been activated. In this way, at least two activation positions are used to produce a functionality of the second area. Normally, the shifting does not include the situation when two different activation positions are separately affected one after another such as releasing the first position during a significant time period before the subsequent position is activated. However, by first shifting to a shifting position and maintaining this activation while a subsequent (shifting) activation position is activated, it is possible to accomplish an intermediary step that is important while the shifting operation is ongoing and that the resulting shift selection is based on the. combination of the current activation positions and preferably also the order of the action of these shifting positions. The shifting in an area often must for practical reasons occur within one control unit. The activation positions can thus be activated one after another. For example, a finger may roll off the support surface between adjacent activation positions of a control unit so that both positions are simultaneously activated before the first activation position is released. As mentioned above, the shifting selection could be made dependent of the sequence between the activation of the shifting positions so that the number of such shifting possibilities can in this way be at least doubled. As an alternative hereto a shifting selection may include two or many subsequent activations of positions that are carried out so that a first activation is carried out for a position in the first area while a subsequent shifting activation is carried out for a position in the second area (again before the activation of the previous shifting position has been terminated) . In this way, the area where the last activation of the shifting is performed may be treated as a shifting area and the second activation area thus serves as an action area.

As best shown in Fig. 5, the activation positions of the control units can be treated as defining a direction from the center of each respective control unit 10, 20, and 30.

For example, the positions 11, 12, 13, 14 of the control unit 10 may be equivalent to the directions west 11W, north 12N, east 13E and south 14S, as shown in Fig. 5. Similarly, the positions 21, 22, 23 of the control unit 20 may be equivalent to the directions west 21W, north 22N and east 23E and the positions 31, 32, 33 of the control unit 30 may be equivalent to the directions west 31W, north 32N and east 33E.

The number of shifting possibilities is thus increased by a factor 2, 3, etc. if the possibility of double, treble etc. clicking is fully used. The shifting possibilities can further be conveniently increased by at least a factor two by using the previous shifting selection that is based on action of a combination of two or many activation positions. The number of shifting possibilities can thus be increased further as is described below.

For example, by activating the first position 11W of the center control 10, as shown in Fig. 5, and then activate the position 12N, while the continuing the activation of the position 11W, this combination of activations may be treated as an in-between direction northwest 11NW between N and W. This direction NW can be given its own shift meaning in the same ways as the directions N, E, S and W. Further, each in- between direction NW, NE, SE, SW can be given different shifting meanings depending upon the sequence of the activation of the pair of activation positions 11, 12; 12, 11. If the activation is started with activation of the position 12N and then the position 11W is activated without releasing the position 12N, this activation may be treated as a direction 12NW because the activation started with the activation of the activation position 12N and not with the position 11W.

Such as rotating shifting can also be described with the following example that illustrates principles that apply to the control units 10, 20, and 30:

1) Press position W; and

2) Move to SW without releasing the position W.

Now W is rotated counterclockwise and may be rotated further in the counterclockwise direction alternatively in the clockwise direction. When the rotation is carried out or returned in a clockwise direction, the previous action can be activated if there is no definition for the return activation.

When this shifting technique is used, the south direction S such as the position 14S of the center control 10 may be assigned to mean Navigation (without modification) and the direction W, such as the position 11W may be given to mean Alt.

By first activating S and then W (before S is released) the shifting function Ctrl + Navigation may be established. By first activating S and then E (before S is released) the shifting function Alt. + Navigation may be established. By first activating W and then S (before W is released) the shifting function Ctrl + Function position may be established. By first activating W and then N (before W is released) then the shifting function Alt + Function position may be established.

Fig. 6 shows an initial definition of a sign code table 100 and has a left console or control unit 114 with activation positions for a mouse 102, functions 104, navigation 106, primary 108, windows 110 and system 112. The activation keys are linked to one of the replacable code tables such as code table 300. In this way the controls or activation positions may be free from text and do not have to be directly connected to an input action such as a letter key of a keyboard. The system may have a default code table that is used when no other table has been specified. When the input functionality is very limited, it may be necessary to use a code table that is adapted to this limited input functionality such as when using the system in connection with a game, media player, telephone or programs where on the mouse is required. A web page may have a special code table and the system may automatically switch to this code table when the user is visiting the web page. Downloadable programs may be used to integrate a code table. It is also possible for the user to edit the code table, as needed. The user may download code tables for a web page such as different code tables depending upon the language used by the user. The result of any activation of the activation position is therefore dependent upon which code table is in use. The system may provide the same functions as keyboards, mouse and game pads. The system may also be used to generate system commands such as changing the screen settings because the system is driven by software. The system may be used to retrieve files and start other programs and open files and web pages. The system also has its own messages such as hiding the preview display.

A right console or control unit 115 has activation positions for mathematics 116, first group of consonants 118, symbols 120, common signs 122, vowels 124, numbers 126, parenthesis 128 and second group of consonants 130. It should be understood that the table 100 is an illustrative example to show principles of the present invention and to show how functions can be assigned to the various activation positions. It is possible to assign different functionalities and change the position of each functionality assignment as desired. The left console 114 may correspond to the left area 1 of Fig. 1 while the right console 115 may correspond to the right area 1' of Fig. 1. The console 114 also has additional activation positions such as a north activation position 136, a south activation position 138, a lower west position 140 and a lower east position 142. The console 115 has a south activation position 144 and a lower east position 146.

Figs. 7A-7F show examples of first iterations for the activation positions in the left console 114, according to the initial definitions shown in Fig. 6. By activating the function position 102 shown in Fig. 7A, the right console functions as a mouse display 146 with a left button 148, a right button 150 and a middle button 152, a cursor mover 154, control command 156, a shift command 158 and an alternate command 160. The cursor mover 154 may be used to move a cursor on the screen in any desirable direction by using activation positions that are equivalent to the positions 11' , 12' , 13' and 14' . By activating the function position 104 shown in Fig.

7B, the right console 115 functions as a function display 132 with function keys FI, F2 to F10 so that the function FI is activated by activating the activation position Fl on the right console 115. By clicking twice on the function position 104, the right console may carry out shift functions 134 such as shift Fl, shift F2, etc. Preferably, the second click should occur within one second or so. If the user clicks a third time the display goes back from shift function mode to function mode. By rolling or moving the activation, such as by rolling a finger, from the position 104 to a north position 106 while maintaining the activation of the position 104 to accomplish a command in the clockwise NW direction, a control command 162 is obtained. In the alternative, it may be possible to move an activation device directly in the NW direction without having to activate both the position 104 and the position 106. This principle applies to all directions NW, NE, SW and SE. The present invention is not limited to separate activation positions or buttons. Similarly, by moving the activation from the position

104 to a south position 108 while maintaining the activation of the position 104 to accomplish a command in the counterclockwise SW direction, an alternate command 164 is obtained. Of course, it may be possible to have an activation device that permits the movement to the SW direction directly without having to activate both positions 104 and 108, as outlined above.

By activating the navigation position 106 shown in Fig. 7C, the right console 115 functions as a navigation display 166 including navigation commands such as home 168, page up 170, end 172, arrows 174, page down 176. The arrows 174 work in all four directions by using the activation positions that are equivalent to 11', 12', 13' and 14' in Fig. 1. A shift navigation command 178 is obtained by double clicking on the navigation position 106 so that the display 166 functions according to predefined shift navigation commands. An alternate navigation command 180 may be activated by moving the activation from the position 106 to a west position 104 while maintaining the activation of the position 106 to accomplish a command in the counterclockwise NW direction. A control navigation command 182 may be activated by moving the activation from the position 106 to an east position 112 while maintaining the activation of the position 106 to accomplish a command in the clockwise NE direction.

By activating the primary position 108 shown in Fig. 7D, the right console 115 functions as a primary display 184 including primary commands such as backspace 186, escape 188, enter 190, space 192, tab 194 and delete 196. A shift primary command 198 is obtained by double clicking on the primary position 108 so that the display 184 functions according to predefined shift primary commands. A control primary command 200 may be activated by moving the activation from the position 108 up to the west position 104 while maintaining the activation of the position 108 to accomplish a command in the clockwise SW direction. An alternate primary command 202 may be activated by moving the activation from the position 108 up to the east position 112 while maintaining the activation of the position 108 to accomplish a command in the clockwise SE direction.

By activating the windows position 110 shown in Fig. 7E, the right console 115 functions as a windows display 204 including windows commands such as narrow 206, high 208, wide 210, scroll 212, zoom-out 214, low 216, zoom-in 218. The scroll command 212 works in all four directions by using the activation positions that are equivalent to 11', 12', 13' and 14' in Fig. 1. By activating the system position 112 shown in Fig.

7F, the right console 115 functions as a system display 220 including system commands such as print screen 222, pause 224, system requirements 226, break 228, windowsl 230, windows2 232, scroll lock 234 and insert 236. A shift primary command 238 is obtained by double clicking on the system position 112 so that the display 220 functions according to predefined shift system commands. An alternate system command 240 may be activated by moving the activation from the position 112 up to the north position 106 while maintaining the activation of the position 112 to accomplish a command in the counterclockwise NE direction. A control system command 242 may be activated by moving the activation from the position 112 down to the south position 108 while maintaining the activation of the position 112 to accomplish a command in the clockwise SE direction.

Figs. 8A-8J show examples of details of some of the steps possible by activating a W direction such as the function position 104 in Fig. 7B in view of the code table shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8A shows an initial position that is the same as the position shown in Fig. 7B. Fig. 8B shows a control mode when the NW control direction 162 has been activated so that the display 132 is in a control function mode. It should be noted that the steps to reach the control function mode of Fig. 8C is similar to the steps required to reach alternate navigation mode of Fig. 7C except that the first movement is clockwise while the latter is counterclockwise.

As best shown in Fig. 8C, when display 132 is in control function mode, it is possible to change mode to alternate control function mode by activating an alternate position 106. By double clicking on the position 106, the display 132 goes into shift function mode, as shown in Fig. 8D. By then activating the NW control position 162, the display goes into control shift function mode, as shown in

Fig. 8E. By then activating the N position 106, the display goes into alternate control shift function mode, as shown in Fig. 8F.

As shown in Fig. 8G, when the display 132 is in shift function mode and the SW alternate position 164 is activated, the display 132 goes into alternate shift function mode. As shown in Fig. 8H, when the display 132 is in alternate shift function mode and the control position 108 is activated, the display goes into control alternate shift function mode. As shown in Fig. 81, when the display 132 is in the initial mode and the position 164 is activated, the display 132 goes into alternate function mode. As shown in Fig. 8J, when the display 132 is in alternate function mode and the control position 108 is activated the display 132 goes into control alternate function mode.

Figs. 9A-9F show examples of details of some of the steps possible by activating an E direction on the console 115 such as the consonant position 130 shown in the code table of Fig. 6.

By activating the consonant position 130 shown in Fig. 6, the left console 115 functions as a consonant display 244, as shown in Fig. 9A. As shown in Fig. 9B, when the display 244 is in the consonant mode and a NE alternate position 246 is activated, the display 244 goes into alternate consonant position. As shown in Fig. 9C, when the display 244 is in alternate consonant position and the N control position 248 is activated, the display 244 goes into control alternate consonant position. As shown in Fig. 9D, when the display 244 is in the consonant mode and the position 130 is click again, the display 244 goes into a capital lock consonant mode so that the letters are locked to display only capital letters. This is convenient when the user only wants to use capital letters. As shown in Fig. 9E, when the display 244 is in the consonant mode and a SE control position 250 is activated, the display goes into a control consonant mode. As shown in Fig. 9F, when the display 244 is in the control consonant mode and a S alternate position 252 is activated, the display 244 goes into alternate control consonant mode. Figs. 10A-10I show examples of reverse shifting operations. This is particularly useful when the display is in a mouse function because it is difficult for a user to simultaneously activate 11' and 21', as shown in Fig. 1 so that it is difficult to drag and drop information with the mouse as is common with conventional mouse devices. Similar to Fig. 7A, Fig. 10A shows the display 146 in a mouse mode since the mouse position 102 has been activated. In general, the user first activates the mouse position 102 and then moves the cursor with the cursor mover 154 to the item to be moved while the mouse position 102 is activated. The user may then activate, for example, the left position 148 and release the mouse position 102 while keeping the left position 148 activated so that the left console is displayed as a mouse display 256 with a cursor mover 258. In this way, the mouse function may be moved from the right console to the left console, as shown in Fig. 10B. The cursor mover 258 may now move the cursor on the screen in any direction to the destination while the left position 148 is activated and then activate a shift position 262, as shown in Fig. 10F. When the position 148 and then the shift position 262 are released the item is moved to the destination. Similarly, any function carried out by the middle position 264, right position 266 and alternate position 268, as shown in Figs. 10G, 10H and 101 respectively, is performed according to the same procedure that is used for using the shift position 262.

As best shown in Fig. 10C, the user may activate a control position 260 while keeping the position 148 activated to copy the item instead of moving the item so that the item, such as a file, is copied to the destination when the position 148 and thereafter the control position 260 are released.

The user may again switch back the mouse function to the right side by activating a left position 254 and then release the mouse position 148 while the left position 254 is activated. The display 146 is again shown, as illustrated in Figs. 10D and 10E. The user may in this way switch the display functionality back and forth between the left and right side, as desired. In order to move an item, the user may activate the shift position 158 and release the mouse position 102. In the alternative, the user may copy an item by activating the control position 156, as shown in Fig. 10E and described above.

Fig. 11 schematically illustrates a handheld computer 1, 1' where the center control 10' in the right area 1' is in an eastern direction that activates a consonant mode of the area 1. The upper control 20 is then activated in the western direction so that the letter (n) is written in the writing field 301 and is shown in the picture field 302. The field may also include other textural and other information useful to the user.

Fig. 12 shows definitions of a code table 270 for a conventional or standard media player. For example, the table 270 may include a left activation area 271 activation positions play 272, stop 274, pause 276, reduce volume 278, increase volume 280, equalizer 282 and record 284. A right activation area 283 may include commands for next 284, previous 286, back 288 and forward 290. The table 270 illustrates that other definitions and code tables may be used in addition to the code table shown in Fig. 6. The method may automatically be sensitive to the activation to software so that the code tables are adapted to the particular software that is loaded or active. Customized or parallel code-tables may be used that are especially adapted to certain computer games to make it easier to use the command positions.

It should be realized that the left and right areas 1, 1' could be applied on horizontally separated and diametrically opposite areas or a steering wheel of a vehicle to facilitate a convenient maneuvering of a device, such as a music device in a vehicle so that the fields 301, 302 are shown by the display in response to activation of positions of the areas 1, 1' in analogy with the above description.

Figs. 13A-13H show examples of first iterations for the activation positions in the right console 115, according to the initial definitions shown in Fig. 6. By activating the common sign position 122 shown in Fig. 13A, the left console functions as a common sign display 292 and the common signs by be displayed by using activation positions that are equivalent to the positions 11, 12, 13, 14 of control unit 10, positions 21, 22, 23 of control unit 20 and positions 31, 32, 33 of control unit 30. By activating the mathematics position 116 shown in Fig. 13B, the left console functions as a mathematics display 294. As best shown in Fig. 13C, the parenthesis position 128 may be activated so that the left console functions as a parenthesis display 296.

By activating the vowel position 124 shown in Fig. 13D, the left console functions as a vowel display 298. Additional commands such as alternate command 300, capital lock 302 and control command 304 may be used as described above.

As best shown in Fig. 13E, the left consonant position 118 may be activated so that the left console functions as a consonant display 306 that shows the first ten consonants of the alphabet. Additional commands such as alternate command 308, capital lock 310 and control command 312 may be used as described above.

By activating the right consonant position 130, as shown in Fig. 13F, the left console functions as a consonant display 314 that shows the last ten consonants of the alphabet. Additional commands such as alternate command 316, capital lock 318 and control command 320 may be used as described above.

As best shown in Fig. 13G, the number position 126 may be activated so that the left console functions as a number display 322 that shows the first ten digits. Additional commands such as alternate command 324 and control command 326 may be used as described above. Finally, by activating the symbol position 120, the left console functions as a symbol display 328 that displays some commonly used symbols.

As described in detail above, Figs. 6-10, 12 show pictures of the picture field 302 and also markings in the form of underlining for the control positions that can be changed further by the shifting selections. The marking can of course have a different form such as lighting up the current control positions. Similarly, Fig. 8 is only an example of a shifting operation that can include a double clicking and a subsequent rotation of the kind described above .

The arrangement of the present invention does not require much space. The user can conveniently keep the eyes on the screen during the whole time the arrangement is used. A general input technique is provided that can be configured or in the alternative adjusted to the current applications, such as game control, guidance of electronic apparatuses or general data input. The arrangement of the present invention can thus form a unit for guidance of any kind of equipment. The code table can be replaced during the use of the arrangement. For example, the table can be linked to a program. Changing the language from Swedish to German can change the active code table. The code table can be created alternatively configured by the user. The code table can be defined in text, such as in XML format and is thus transportable on, for example, the Internet. The areas are not limited to displaying three groups. The shifting activation of the groups does not necessarily have to be limited to the N, E, S, W directions and the diagonals thereof. A code table can identify an action in a directional area, such as 18-26 degrees from a selected reference direction and can identify an addition action in the direction 27-35 degrees such as the sensitivity of the physical control is thus the only limitation.

Regarding the present logic, both parallel input (per area) be possible when shifting is not performed. Furthermore, a reverse shifting is possible as illustrated by the mouse function example in Fig. 10. In addition to the input actions, the commands can include actions such as activating /starting a mail-program or word processing program. As indicated earlier, it is of interest to avoid displaying a preview on the screen that may block other information. Many different strategies may be used so that, for example, the preview display follows the mouse cursor on the screen. In the alternative, the preview can be continuously hidden or be displayed at different levels. In the alternative, the previous may be continuously shown. For example, the main areas, as shown in Figs. 6, 12, can be hidden while the sub-levels, Figs. 7-11, may be shown when a control is activated. The preview can be adjustable through the code table with respect to, for example, background and frame color, form, strategy or visibility.

While the present invention has been described in accordance with preferred compositions and embodiments, it is to be understood that certain substitutions and alterations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims

Claims :

1. A keyboard arrangement having a computer, screen and a first activation sensitive area (1, ) separated from a second activation sensitive area (1') each having activation positions that are dependent upon a selected combination of activations of the activation positions for displaying predetermined signs in a writing field of the screen and/or displaying predetermined functions of the computer so that a shifting activation of a position in the first area is arranged to display a picture of the second area so that positions in the picture include information about the sign, function, respectively, that is activated in the writing field, computer, respectively by activating a corresponding position in the second area (1' ) characterized therein that the activation positions of the picture is given different meanings depending upon whether the last activated activation position is situated in the first area (1) or the second area d') •

2. The keyboard arrangement according to claim 1 characterized therein that the shifting action comprises only one position activation of first area that is activated.

3. The keyboard arrangement according to claim 1 characterized therein that the shifting action include two or a plurality of actions of a selected position in the first activated area so that the action positions of the second area obtain different meaning depending upon a number of activations applied to the activation positions.

4. The keyboard arrangement according to claim 1 characterized therein that the shifting position includes at least two different activation positions are activated one after the other so that a subsequent position is activated before the previously activated position is released so that a present shifting selection is determined by a combination of activations of the activation positions and preferably also by a sequence of these activations.

5. The keyboard arrangement according to claim 4 characterized therein that different shifting activation . positions are situated in one and the same area.

6. The keyboard arrangement according to claim 5 characterized therein that the shift activation positions are situated in different areas and the activation of the last activated area forms a shift activation area so that the second area forms an action area.

7. The keyboard arrangement according to claims 1-6 characterized therein that each activation area (1, 1') has a control group (10) including four activation positions (11, 12, 13, 11', 12', 13', 14') that are arranged in each respective corner of a rhombic configuration so that two (12, 14) of these positions are separated in a first direction (4) on a surface of the area and the remaining two positions (11, 13) are separated in a second substantially perpendicular direction in the surface of the area.

8. The keyboard arrangement according to claim 7 characterized therein that starting from a central point (9) in the group (10), the positions (11, 12, 13, 14, 11', 12', 13' , 14' ) are arranged at a distance from one another that is selected to permit a user' s finger to reach the positions of the group (10) by rolling the finger on the surface of the group.

9. The keyboard arrangement according to claims 7 and 8 characterized therein that at least one of the areas (1, 1') has also an additional control unit (20) , which includes three additional positions that are separated from one another and situated at the same distance from the positions of the first group in the mentioned direction and at the same side of the first group so that the positions of a second group are in line with the first direction from each respective position of the first group.

10. The keyboard arrangement according to claim 9 characterized therein that at least one of the areas (1, 1') has a further group (30) including three positions (31, 32, 33) belonging thereto that are directed toward the positions of the first group and the second group respectively in the direction (4) so that the positions of the second and the third group are situated a distance of a finger width from the positions of the first group.

11. The keyboard arrangement according to claim 10 characterized therein that both areas (1, 1') include three groups (10, 20, 30) that together have ten activation positions .

12. The keyboard arrangement according to claims 1-11 characterized therein that the activation positions (11, 12, 13, 14; 11', 12', 13', 14') in the picture are arranged in at least one of the areas (1, 1') to have arrow markings to indicate en computer mouse guidance with corresponding activation positions in the first activation that has not been activated, for movement of a cursor on the screen.

13. The keyboard arrangement according to claims 1-12 characterized therein that a position of the displayed picture on the screen is associated with a position of a cursor on the screen related to a computer mouse function.

14. A method for using an input device having a computer, screen and a first activation area and a second activation area, comprising: activating a position (11-14, 21-23, 31-33) of the first area

(1) to display a layout (302) of the second activation area

(1' ) on the screen (3) ; the layout displaying a first layout position (21' ' ) associated with a first function and a second layout position

(22'') associated with a second function of the second activation area (1'), the first layout position corresponding to a first position (21' ) of the second activation area and the second layout position corresponding to a second position

(22') of the second activation area (1'); activating the first position (21' ) of the second activation area; and the computer carrying out the first function associated with the first position (21' ) as shown by the first layout position

(21" ) .

15. The method according to claim 14 wherein the method further comprises double clicking on the first position (21' ) to switch the displayed layout to function a shift layout display.

16. The method according to claim 14 wherein the method further comprises simultaneously activating an adjacent position (22') to switch the displayed layout to function in an alternate mode.

17. The method according to claim 14 wherein the method further comprises activating a first position (21) of the first activation area while the first position (21' ) in the second activation area is activated.

18. The method according to claim 17 wherein the method further comprises moving a functionality of the second activation area (1' ) to the first activation area (1) while moving a functionality of the first activation area (1) to the second activation area (1').

19. The method according to claim 18 wherein the method further comprises releasing the activation of the first position (21') in the second activation area (1') while the first position (21) of the first activation area (1) is activated.

20. The method according to claim 18 wherein the method further comprises moving the functionality of the first activation area (1) back to the second activation area (1') by activating the first position (21' ) of the second activation area (1' ) while releasing the activation of the first position (21) of the first activation area (1) .

21. The method according to claim 14 wherein the method further comprises simultaneously activating the first position (21') of the second activation area (1') and the first position (21) of the first activation area (1) .

22. The method according to claim 14 wherein the method further comprises releasing the activation of the first position (21') of the second activation area (1') prior to releasing the activation of the first position (21) of the first activation area (1) .