User interface for an electronic device
AssigneeSony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
InventorTomas Wassingbo
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A user input interface for an electronic device, comprising a keyboard with a plurality of keys arranged in proximity to each other. Each key comprises an input detector sensitive to detect user activation, such as a pressure switch. A sensor in each key is configured to generate a signal responsive to a sensed level of user-induced influence on the key, such as a degree of coverage of or contact with the key. A control unit is then configured to compare the generated signals for a number of keys simultaneously activated by a user, in order to determine which one of the simultaneously activated is intended to be input by the user.
Claims22
A user interface for an electronic device, comprising:
- a plurality of keys arranged in proximity to each other, each key comprising an input detector sensitive to detect user activation;
- a sensor configured to generate a signal responsive to a sensed level of user-induced influence on each one of the keys;
- a control unit configured to compare the generated signals for a number of keys simultaneously activated by a user, and to determine which one of said number of keys is user-selected for input based on the comparison.
A user interface for an electronic device, comprising:
- a plurality of keys arranged in proximity to each other, each key comprising an input detector sensitive to detect user activation;
- a touch-sensitive element in each one of the keys, configured to generate a signal responsive to a sensed level of contact between each key and a user touching the key;
- a control unit configured to compare the generated signals for a number of keys simultaneously activated by a user, and to determine which one of said number of keys is user-selected for input based on the comparison.
A user interface for an electronic device, comprising:
- a plurality of keys arranged in proximity to each other, each key comprising an input detector sensitive to detect user activation;
- a light-sensitive element in each one of the keys, configured to generate a signal responsive to a sensed level of coverage by a user of each key;
- a control unit configured to compare the generated signals for a number of keys simultaneously activated by a user, and to determine which one of said number of keys is user-selected for input based on the comparison.
A user interface for an electronic device, comprising:
- a plurality of keys arranged in proximity to each other, each key comprising an input detector sensitive to detect user activation;
- a pressure-sensitive element in each key, configured to generate a signal responsive to a sensed level of pressure applied by a user on the key;
- a control unit configured to compare the generated signals for a number of keys simultaneously activated by a user, and to determine which one of said number of keys is user-selected for input based on the comparison.
A method for operating a user interface for an electronic device, comprising:
- detecting simultaneous user activation of a number of keys arranged in proximity to each other;
- generating a signal responsive to a sensed level of user-induced influence on each one of the number of keys;
- comparing the generated signals for the number of keys simultaneously activated by a user;
- and
- determining which one of said number of keys is user-selected for input based on the comparison.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.