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Patent 2871507 Summary

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Claims and Abstract availability

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(12) Patent: (11) CA 2871507
(54) English Title: PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING VIRTUAL KEYBOARD AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING SAME
(54) French Title: DISPOSITIF ELECTRONIQUE PORTATIF COMPRENANT UN CLAVIER VIRTUEL ET SON PROCEDE DE COMMANDE
Status: Granted and Issued
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • G06F 3/048 (2013.01)
  • G06F 3/041 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • ADAMS, NEIL PATRICK (Canada)
  • KRZEMINSKI, MAREK ANDRZEJ (Canada)
(73) Owners :
  • BLACKBERRY LIMITED
(71) Applicants :
  • BLACKBERRY LIMITED (Canada)
(74) Agent: BORDEN LADNER GERVAIS LLP
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued: 2020-07-28
(86) PCT Filing Date: 2012-04-27
(87) Open to Public Inspection: 2013-10-31
Examination requested: 2017-04-19
Availability of licence: N/A
Dedicated to the Public: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): Yes
(86) PCT Filing Number: PCT/CA2012/000404
(87) International Publication Number: WO 2013159170
(85) National Entry: 2014-10-24

(30) Application Priority Data: None

Abstracts

English Abstract

A method includes displaying a keyboard on a display of an electronic device, detecting a tilt of the device, and when the detected tilt is associated with a keyboard transformation function, resizing one or keys of the keyboard.


French Abstract

La présente invention concerne un procédé, qui comprend l'affichage d'un clavier sur un écran d'un dispositif électronique, la détection d'une inclinaison du dispositif et, lorsque l'inclinaison détectée est associée à une fonction de transformation de clavier, le redimensionnement de l'une des touches du clavier.

Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


What is claimed is:
Claims
1. A method comprising:
displaying a keyboard on a display of an electronic device, wherein the
keyboard comprises a plurality of virtual keys;
detecting a tilt of the device, wherein the electronic device comprises an
orientation sensor that is configured to detect tilts of the electronic
device, the
orientation sensor being an accelerometer configured to detect direction of
gravitational forces or gravity-induced reaction forces that determine the
tilt
of the electronic device; and
resizing the virtual keys of the keyboard in response to detecting the tilt is
associated with a keyboard transformation, wherein the detected tilt is
associated with the keyboard transformation function when the detected tilt
comprises a sideward tilt;
wherein resizing comprises changing a width of the virtual keys, wherein,
among the virtual keys of the keyboard, keys proximate a first, tilted up side
of the device are resized to be larger than keys proximate a second, tilted
down side of the device, and
wherein the resizing comprises enlarging the width of the one or more keys
proximate the first tilted up side of the device further by reducing the
number
of keys displayed by simulating a sliding movement such that a portion of the
keyboard appears to slide out of view.
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2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the keys gradually decrease in
size from the first, tilted up side to the second, tilted down side.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the detected tilt is associated with a
keyboard transformation function when the detected tilt meets a
predetermined threshold.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the predetermined threshold is a
predetermined tilt angle.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the resizing is animated at a
rate dependent on the tilt detected.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the keys of the keyboard are
divided into one or more groups, and resizing comprises resizing all keys
within one group.
7. The method according to claim 6, wherein all keys within one group are
resized by one factor.
8. The method according to claim 1, comprising reducing the number of keys
of the keyboard when the detected tilt is associated with a keyboard
transformation function.
9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the reduced keyboard comprises
one or more keys proximate a tilted up side of the device.
10. The method according to claim 1, wherein resizing comprises graphically
animating a change in size or movement of the keys.
11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the keyboard is resized
according to the available display width.
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12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the keyboard is in a portrait
orientation.
13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the keyboard is in a landscape
orientation.
14. A computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable code
stored thereon, the computer-readable code executable by at least one
processor of a portable electronic device to perform the method according to
claim 1.
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15. An electronic device comprising:
a touch-sensitive display;
an orientation sensor that is configured to detect tilts of the electronic
device,
wherein the orientation sensor is an accelerometer configured to detect
direction of gravitational forces or gravity-induced reaction forces that
determine the tilt of the electronic device;
at least one processor coupled to the touch-sensitive display and configured
to
display a keyboard on a display of an electronic device, wherein the keyboard
comprises a plurality of virtual keys; to detect a tilt of the device
utilizing the
orientation sensor; and, resize the virtual keys of the keyboard in response
to
detecting the tilt is associated with a keyboard transformation function,
wherein resizing comprises:
changing a width of the virtual keys, wherein, among the virtual keys of
the keyboard, keys proximate a first tilted up side of the device are
resized to be larger than keys proximate a second tilted down side of
the device, and
enlarging the width of the one or more keys proximate the first tilted
up side of the device further by reducing the number of keys displayed
by simulating a sliding movement such that a portion of the keyboard
appears to slide out of view.
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Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


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PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING VIRTUAL KEYBOARD
AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING SAME
FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY
[0001] The present disclosure relates to electronic devices including, but not
limited to, portable electronic devices having virtual keyboards and their
control.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Electronic devices, including portable electronic devices, have gained
widespread use and may provide a variety of functions including, for example,
telephonic, electronic messaging and other personal information manager
(PIM) application functions. Portable electronic devices include several types
of devices including mobile stations such as simple cellular telephones, smart
telephones (smart phones), Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), tablet
computers, and laptop computers, with wireless network communications or
near-field communications connectivity such as Bluetooth capabilities.
[0003] Portable electronic devices such as PDAs, or tablet computers are
generally intended for handheld use and ease of portability. Smaller devices
are generally desirable for portability. A touch-sensitive display, also known
as a touchscreen display, is particularly useful on handheld devices, which
are
small and may have limited space for user input and output. The information
displayed on the display may be modified depending on the functions and
operations being performed.
[0004] Improvements in electronic devices with touch-sensitive displays are
desirable.
SUMMARY
[0005] According to one example embodiment, a method includes displaying a
keyboard on a display of an electronic device, detecting a tilt of the device,
and, when the detected tilt is associated with a keyboard transformation
function, resizing one or more keys of the keyboard.
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[0006] According to another example embodiment, an electronic device
includes a touch-sensitive display and at least one processor coupled to the
touch-sensitive display and configured to display a keyboard on a display of
an electronic device, to detect a tilt of the device, and, when the detected
tilt
is associated with a keyboard transformation function, to resize one or more
keys of the keyboard.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007]
Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by
way of example only, with reference to the attached figures.
[0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a portable electronic device in accordance
with an example;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method of changing a
virtual keyboard displayed on an electronic device;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example electronic device,
illustrating
three axes of relative movement along which the device may be tilted; and
[0011] FIG. 4 through FIG. 14 are views illustrating examples of changing a
virtual keyboard displayed on an electronic device in accordance with the
method of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] The following describes an electronic device and method including
displaying a keyboard on a display of an electronic device, detecting a tilt
of
the device, and, when the detected tilt is associated with a keyboard
transformation function, resizing one or more keys of the keyboard.
[0013] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, reference numerals may be
repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.
Numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding of the examples
described herein. The examples may be practiced without these details. In
other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components are not
described in detail to avoid obscuring the examples described. The
description is not to be considered as limited to the scope of the examples
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described herein.
[0014] The disclosure generally relates to an electronic device, such as a
portable electronic device as described herein. Examples of electronic devices
include mobile, or handheld, wireless communication devices such as pagers,
cellular phones, cellular smart-phones, wireless organizers, personal digital
assistants, wirelessly enabled notebook computers, tablet computers, mobile
internet devices, electronic navigation devices, and so forth. The portable
electronic device may also be a portable electronic device without wireless
communication capabilities, such as a handheld electronic game device, digital
photograph album, digital camera, media player, e-book reader, and so forth.
[0015] A block diagram of an example of a portable electronic device 100, also
referred to as an electronic device 100 or a device 100, is shown in FIG. 1.
The electronic device 100 includes multiple components, such as a processor
102 that controls the overall operation of the portable electronic device 100.
Communication functions, including data and voice communications, are
performed through a communication subsystem 104. Data received by the
portable electronic device 100 is decompressed and decrypted by a decoder
106. The communication subsystem 104 receives messages from and sends
messages to a wireless network 150. The wireless network 150 may be any
type of wireless network, including, but not limited to, data wireless
networks,
voice wireless networks, and networks that support both voice and data
communications. A power source 142, such as one or more rechargeable
batteries or a port to an external power supply, powers the portable
electronic
device 100.
[0016] The processor 102 interacts with other components, such as a Random
Access Memory (RAM) 108, memory 110, a touch-sensitive display 118, an
auxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystem 124, a data port 126, a speaker 128, a
microphone 130, short-range communications 132 and other device
subsystems 134. The touch-sensitive display 118 includes a display 112 and
touch sensors 114 that are coupled to at least one controller 116 utilized to
interact with the processor 102. Input via a graphical user interface is
provided via the touch-sensitive display 118. Information, such as text,
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characters, symbols, images, icons, and other items that may be displayed or
rendered on a portable electronic device, is displayed on the touch-sensitive
display 118 via the processor 102. Optionally, the processor may interact
with one or more force sensors 122.
[0017] To identify a subscriber for network access, the portable electronic
device 100 may utilize a Subscriber Identity Module or a Removable User
Identity Module (SIM/RUIM) card 138 for communication with a network, such
as the wireless network 150. Alternatively, user identification information
may be programmed into memory 110.
[0018] The portable electronic device 100 includes an operating system 146
and software programs, applications, or components 148 that are executed by
the processor 102 and are typically stored in a persistent, updatable store
such as the memory 110. Additional applications or programs may be loaded
onto the portable electronic device 100 through the wireless network 150, the
auxiliary I/O subsystem 124, the data port 126, the short-range
communications subsystem 132, or any other suitable subsystem 134.
[0019] A received signal such as a text message, an e-mail message, or web
page download is processed by the communication subsystem 104 and input
to the processor 102. The processor 102 processes the received signal for
output to the display 112 and/or to the auxiliary I/O subsystem 124. A
subscriber may generate data items, for example e-mail messages, which
may be transmitted over the wireless network 150 through the
communication subsystem 104. For voice communications, the overall
operation of the portable electronic device 100 is similar. The speaker 128
outputs audible information converted from electrical signals, and the
microphone 130 converts audible information into electrical signals for
processing.
[0020] The processor 102 may also interact with an orientation sensor 136,
such as, for example, an accelerometer 137, to determine the tilt of the
portable electronic device 100. For example, an accelerometer 137 may be
utilized to detect direction of gravitational forces or gravity-induced
reaction
forces that may determine the tilt of the portable electronic device 100. More
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generally, the orientation sensor 136 is utilized to detect tilts, also known
as
tilt events, including any relative movements and changes of orientation of
the device 100.
[0021] The term "tilt" is utilized to refer to a rotation, incline, tip,
movement or
change of the device 100 into a sloping or slanted position, and the like.
[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates three example axes of relative movement about which
a device 100 may be tilted, namely axis 308 (hereinafter the X axis), axis
310 (hereinafter the Y axis), and axis 312 (hereinafter the Z axis). A tilt
may
be described by a tilt angle (or an angle of rotation or movement)
representing the tilt about the X, Y, or Z axes in a three dimensional space.
[0023] When a device 100 is held in the orientation such that a top 314 is as
depicted in FIG. 3, the user may tilt the device to the side (left or right),
frontward (up, or pulled up forward), backward (down, or pushed back
downward), or some combination of these directions. For the purpose of the
present description, a sideward tilt, shown as 304 in FIG. 3, is a tilt about
the
Y axis. A sideward tilt to the right (a right tilt) is denoted by 304A and a
left
tilt is denoted by 304B. Frontward and backward tilts, shown as 302 in FIG.
3, are tilts about the X axis. A backward tilt is denoted by 302A and a
frontward tilt is denoted by 302B. In this example, clockwise or
counterclockwise tilts of the device, shown as 306 on FIG. 3, an example of
which is a tilt from portrait to landscape orientation, are tilts about the Z
axis.
The device shown in FIG. 3 and following is in landscape orientation, meaning
that for a generally rectangular device, a long side of the device is
horizontal.
[0024] It will be appreciated that a tilt of the device 100 along one of the X
or
Y axes may result in one side of the device being "tilted up" with the
opposite
side of the device being "tilted down". Tilts about the Y axis cause a first,
tilted up side 504 and a second, tilted down side 506 to be located on
opposite sides of the device horizontally. Similarly, tilts about the X axis
cause
a first, tilted up side 504 and a second, tilted down side 506 to be located
on
opposite sides of the device vertically. Examples of tilts about the X and Y
axes are illustrated in FIG. 9 and FIG. 13, respectively, and are discussed in
greater detail below.
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[0025] The orientation sensor 136 may be configured to detect tilts regardless
of the starting position of the portable electronic device 100. For example,
the
starting position of the portable electronic device may be resting on a table
or
other flat surface, where one side of the device is generally parallel to the
ground. Alternatively, the device may be oriented in a substantially frontward
direction, with the touch-sensitive display 118 facing the user.
[0026] The orientation sensor 136 may be a three-axis accelerometer.
Alternatively, the orientation sensor 136 may be a digital accelerometer
provided in an integrated circuit (IC) having a memory such as Electrically
Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM) or flash memory,
analog-to-digital (AID) converter and a controller such as a suitably
programmed microprocessor or Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA).
[0027] One or more tilts may be detected by the orientation sensor 136. The
processor 102 may determine attributes of the tilt, including one or more tilt
angles (as described above). Tilt data may include data from one or more
orientation sensors 136. Multiple simultaneous or consecutive tilts may be
detected.
[0028] The touch-sensitive display 118 may be any suitable touch-sensitive
display, such as a capacitive, resistive, infrared, surface acoustic wave
(SAW)
touch-sensitive display, strain gauge, optical imaging, dispersive signal
technology, acoustic pulse recognition, and so forth. A capacitive touch-
sensitive display includes one or more capacitive touch sensors 114. The
capacitive touch sensors may comprise any suitable material, such as indium
tin oxide (ITO).
[0029] One or more touches, also known as touch contacts or touch events,
may be detected by the touch-sensitive display 118. The processor 102 may
determine attributes of the touch, including a location of the touch. Touch
location data may include data for an area of contact or data for a single
point
of contact, such as a point at or near a center of the area of contact. The
location of a detected touch may include x and y components, e.g., horizontal
and vertical components, respectively, with respect to one's view of the touch-
sensitive display 118. A touch may be detected from any suitable input
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member, such as a finger, thumb, appendage, or other objects, for example, a
stylus, pen, or other pointer, depending on the nature of the touch-sensitive
display 118. Multiple simultaneous touches may be detected.
[0030] One or more gestures may also be detected by the touch-sensitive
display 118. A gesture, such as a swipe, also known as a flick, is a
particular
type of touch on a touch-sensitive display 118 and may begin at an origin
point and continue to an end point, for example, a concluding end of the
gesture. A gesture may be identified by attributes of the gesture, including
the origin point, the end point, the distance travelled, the duration, the
velocity, and the direction, for example. A gesture may be long or short in
distance and/or duration. Two points of the gesture may be utilized to
determine a direction of the gesture. A gesture may also include a hover. A
hover may be a touch at generally unchanged location over a period of time or
a touch associated with the same selection item for a period of time.
[0031] Optional force sensors 122 may be disposed in conjunction with the
touch-sensitive display 118 to determine or react to forces applied to the
touch-sensitive display 118. The force sensors 122 may be force-sensitive
resistors, strain gauges, piezoelectric or piezoresistive devices, pressure
sensors, quantum tunneling composites, force-sensitive switches, or other
suitable devices. Force as utilized throughout the specification, including
the
claims, refers to force measurements, estimates, and/or calculations, such as
pressure, deformation, stress, strain, force density, force-area
relationships,
thrust, torque, and other effects that include force or related quantities.
Optionally, force information associated with a detected touch may be utilized
to select information, such as information associated with a location of a
touch. For example, a touch that does not meet a force threshold may
highlight a selection option, whereas a touch that meets a force threshold
may select or input that selection option. Selection options include, for
example, displayed or virtual keys of a keyboard; selection boxes or windows,
e.g., "cancel," "delete," or "unlock"; function buttons, such as play or stop
on
a music player; and so forth. Different magnitudes of force may be
associated with different functions or input. For example, a lesser force may
result in panning, and a higher force may result in zooming.
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[0032] A flowchart illustrating an example of a method of changing a virtual
keyboard displayed on an electronic device, such as the electronic device 100,
is shown in FIG. 2. The method may be carried out by software executed by,
for example, processor 102 and/or the controller 116. Coding of software for
carrying out such a method is within the scope of a person of ordinary skill
in
the art given the present description. The method may contain additional or
fewer processes than shown and/or described, and may be performed in a
different order. Computer-readable code executable by at least one controller
or processor of the portable electronic device to perform the method may be
stored in a computer-readable storage medium, such as a non-transitory
computer-readable medium.
[0033] A keyboard, also referred to as a keyboard layout, is displayed on the
touch-sensitive display 118 at 202. The keyboard may be any suitable
keyboard such as a QWERTY keyboard, QWERTZ keyboard, AZER'TY keyboard,
numeric keyboard or keypad, symbolic keyboard, and so forth. The keyboard
includes a plurality of virtual keys, also referred to as keys, that are
associated with characters, symbols, and the like, that may be entered
utilizing the keyboard. The keyboard may be displayed in any suitable
application. For example, the keyboard may be displayed for composition of a
message in a messaging application. The keyboard may be displayed for
entry of information in a data entry field in a Web browser application. The
keyboard may be displayed for entry of information in other applications, such
as a calendar application, a contacts or address book application, a word
processing application, or any other suitable application.
[0034] Typically, keys on virtual keyboards may be small and hard to press,
resulting in typographical errors. As well, when a device is used with one
hand, it may be difficult for the user to reach across the virtual keyboard to
press keys on the opposite side of the keyboard. The virtual keyboard may be
particularly small when a device is used in portrait orientation because the
width of the keyboard depends on the width of a short side of the device. As
such, it is desirable to provide an improved virtual keyboard that addresses
some of the above shortcomings, or to provide a useful alternative.
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[0035] When a tilt is detected on the device at 204, the attributes of the
tilt of
the device 100 are determined. The attributes of the tilt may include one or
more tilt angles. As described above with reference to FIG. 3, use of the term
"tilt angles" may refer to the x, y, and z components representing the tilt of
the device.
[0036] The tilt may be associated with a function and the function is
identified
at 206 of FIG. 2. The function associated with the tilt is dependent on the
attributes of the tilt. For example, a tilt may be associated with a keyboard
transformation function to change the keyboard by resizing the keys of the
keyboard. Alternatively, a tilt may be associated with a function to scroll
displayed information or to hide the keyboard. Slight tilts of the device,
meaning tilts that do not meet a predetermined threshold, such as a
predetermined tilt angle or angles, may not be associated with any functions.
Slight tilts or movements may occur during use of the device and may not be
associated with a keyboard transformation function to reduce the chance of
performing an undesirable keyboard transformation function, for example,
while gesturing on the device or moving with the device.
[0037] When the tilt is associated with a keyboard transformation function at
208, the process continues at 210. The keyboard transformation function is a
function to change the keyboard by resizing the keys, for example, to increase
or decrease the size of one or more keys. For example, the keyboard
transformation function may increase or decrease the width of the keys, in
response to the tilt and based on the tilt attributes. Alternatively, the
keyboard transformation function may alter or change the size of the active
areas associated with the keys. The active areas are the areas at which a
selects the key. The size of the active areas may change without changing
the displayed key size.
[0038] In one example, when the device 100 is tilted to the left (shown as
30413 in FIG. 3), the user may be trying to access the keys on the right side
of
the keyboard. When the tilt of the device to the left is identified at 206 to
be
associated with a keyboard transformation function at 208, the keyboard is
changed at 210 such that one or more keys proximate (located near) a first,
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tilted up side of the device are resized to be larger than one or more keys
proximate a second, tilted down side of the device. In this example, the
keyboard is changed at 210 to increase the size of the keys on the left side
of
the keyboard, i.e., the keys proximate a first, tilted up side of the device.
The
keyboard is also changed to reduce the size of the keys on the right side of
the keyboard, i.e., the keys proximate a second, tilted down side of the
device, to simulate an effect of gravity on the keys of the keyboard.
[0039] The resizing of the keys may be gradual, such that the key sizes
gradually decrease in size from a first, tilted up side 504 of the keyboard to
a
second, tilted down side 506 of the keyboard, as shown, for example, in FIG.
5. Alternatively, the keys of the keyboard may be grouped and the resizing of
the keys may be uniform within a group of the keyboard, such that all the
keys in one group may be sized uniformly or by one factor (e.g. in the same
proportion), as shown, for example, in FIG. 7.
[0040] Changing the keyboard by tilting the device left or right, or up or
down,
may be carried out without switching or interrupting tasks. For example, the
size of the keys may be changed by tilting when encountering difficulty with a
small keyboard. Such resizing of the keys may also facilitate easier one
handed operation.
[0041] Other keyboards may also include greater or fewer numbers of keys.
The locations of the keys may be changed by moving keys of the keyboard
relative to other keys of the keyboard to accommodate the resizing of keys.
The keys that are moved may move along their respective key paths. For
example, when increasing the size of keys within a row, adjacent keys may
move along a path within the row of keys. The keys of the keyboard may also
be resized based on the available display width and/or based on the number
of keys of the keyboard.
[0042] Other keyboard transformation functions may be utilized. For example,
a numeric keypad may displayed in response to a tilt in one direction while a
symbolic keyboard may be displayed in response to a tilt in another direction.
[0043] The resizing or movement of the keys may be animated at a rate or
speed dependent on the tilt detected at 204. Thus, a slow tilt may be utilized
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to resize and move the keys slowly to new locations. A faster tilt may be
utilized to resize and move the keys more quickly.
[0044] The change and movement of the keys along their respective key paths
may be displayed on the touch-sensitive display 118 when the keyboard is
changed. Ready identification of the new locations of keys is facilitated by
graphically animating the resizing or movement of the keys during changing
of the keyboard. For example, when a device is tilted left, the keys proximate
the right side of the device (the first, tilted up side) may appear to grow in
size and/or slide up, while the keys proximate the left side of the device
(the
second, tilted down side) may appear to shrink in size and/or slide down.
Thus, a gravity effect is simulated graphically by animating the movement and
resizing of the keys caused by the tilt.
[0045] When the tilt is not associated with a keyboard transformation function
at 208, the process continues at 212 and a function associated with the tilt
is
performed. For example, the keyboard transformation function may be
carried out or performed in response to sideward tilts. A keyboard
transformation function may not respond to, for example, frontward and
backward tilts. Thus, a function associated with the tilt at 212 may be a
function other than a keyboard transformation function such as, for example a
function to scroll displayed information, a function to hide the keyboard, or
any other suitable function that may be associated with a tilt.
[0046] Examples of changing a keyboard displayed on an electronic device 100
are illustrated in FIG. 4 through FIG. 14 and described with continued
reference to FIG. 2. In the front view of FIG. 4, a standard keyboard 402 is
displayed on the touch-sensitive display 118 at 202. In the example of FIG.
4, the standard keyboard 402 is a QWERTY keyboard and includes four rows
406, 408, 410, 412 of keys 404. The row 412 includes a spacebar 414. The
keys 404 of the keyboard are sized such that the rows 406, 408, 410, 412 of
keys 404 fit the width of the touch-sensitive display 118, either in portrait
or
landscape orientation. For the purpose of this example, a landscape
orientation is illustrated.
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[0047] A tilt of the device 100 is detected at 204 and the attributes of the
tilt,
including, for example, the tilt angle or angles of tilt of the device 100,
may
be determined. In the examples illustrated in FIG. 4 through FIG. 14, the
keyboard transformation function is a function to change the keyboard by
changing the size of one or more of the keys 404, for example, to increase the
size of keys proximate a first, tilted up side of the device 100. The keyboard
is changed at 210. The change is illustrated in FIG. 6 through FIG. 10.
[0048] In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the device 100 is tilted to the
right,
meaning that the left side of the device is the first, tilted up side 504, and
the
right side of the device is the second, tilted down side 506. Responsive to
the
tilt, a keyboard transformation function, identified at 206, changes the
keyboard from the standard keyboard 402 to a keyboard 502. The keys of
keyboard 502 are resized such that keys 404 proximate the first, tilted up
side
504, are larger than the keys 404 proximate the second, tilted down side 506.
In this example, the width of the keys 404 gradually decreases from left to
right. The size of the keys 404 near the first, tilted up side 504 enlarged
further by reducing the number of keys displayed, for example, by simulating
a sliding movement such that a portion of the keyboard appears to slide out of
view, as illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0049] In the example shown in FIG. 7, the keyboard 702 is similar to the
keyboard 502 but has been divided or segmented into two groups, in which,
for example, a line 704, which may or may not be illustrated, is located
between the "T" and "Y" keys and divides the keys into two groups.
Responsive to a sideward tilt to the right, the group of keys to the left of
the
line 704 may be resized by one factor, while the group of keys to the right of
line 704 may be resized by another factor. The keys may be divided into one
or more groups, and the keys within one or more groups may be resized.
[0050] In the example illustrated in FIG. 11, the device is tilted frontward,
meaning that the top side of the device is the first, tilted up side 504 and
the
bottom side of the device is the second, tilted down side 506. Responsive to
the tilt, the keyboard transformation function, identified at 206, changes the
keyboard from the standard keyboard 402 to a keyboard 1102. The four rows
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of keys 406, 408, 410, 412 of keys 404 are resized as shown in FIG. 11,
respectively such that keys 404 proximate the first, tilted up side 504, are
larger than the keys proximate the second, tilted down side 506. In this
example, the height of the keys gradually decreases from top to bottom.
Responsive to a frontward or backward tilt, a keyboard transformation
function may change the keyboard by adding or removing an extra row of
keys. For example, a row of numerical characters may be added or removed.
Alternatively, letters of a keyboard may be capitalized.
[0051] In the example shown in FIG. 8 through FIG. 10, the standard keyboard
402 of the device 100 changes when the device 100 is tilted to the right. FIG.
8 shows the starting position of the device 100 and the standard keyboard
402. FIG. 9 shows a slight tilt of the device 100. The tilt is less than a
predetermined tilt angle (shown as x ). The predetermined tilt angle is not
met, and therefore the standard keyboard 402 remains the same as in FIG. 8.
FIG. 10 shows that when a sideward tilt to the right meets or exceeds the
predetermined tilt angle, the keyboard transformation function changes the
from the standard keyboard 402 to a keyboard 702, described above with
reference to FIG. 7. Upon the device 100 being tilted back to the starting
position, the keyboard transformation function may then change the keyboard
by returning to the standard keyboard 402.
[0052] In the example shown in FIG. 12 through FIG. 14, the standard
keyboard 402 of the device 100 changes when the device 100 is tilted
frontward. FIG. 12 shows the starting position of the device 100 and the
standard keyboard 402. FIG. 13 shows a slight tilt of the device 100. The tilt
is less than a predetermined tilt angle (shown as x ). The predetermined tilt
angle is not met, and therefore the standard keyboard 402 remains the same
as in FIG. 12. FIG. 14 shows that when a frontward tilt meets or exceeds the
predetermined tilt angle, the keyboard transformation function changes from
the standard keyboard 402 to a keyboard 1102, described above with
reference to FIG. 11. Upon the device 100 being tilted back to the starting
position, the keyboard transformation function may then change the keyboard
by returning to the standard keyboard 402.
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[0053] In the examples described above with reference to FIG. 4 through FIG.
14, a keyboard is changed in response to a sideward tilt of the device, to
enlarge or increase the size of the keys on the left side of the keyboard and
to
reduce the size of the keys on the right side of the keyboard (with reference
to FIG. 5 through 7 and FIG. 8 through 10), and, in response to a frontward
tilt of the device, to enlarge or increase the size of the keys on the top
side of
the keyboard and to reduce the size of the keys on the bottom side of the
keyboard (with reference to FIG. 11 through 14).
[0054] A method includes displaying a keyboard on a display of an electronic
device, detecting a tilt of the device, and when the detected tilt is
associated
with a keyboard transformation function, changing the keyboard by resizing
one or more keys of the keyboard.
[0055] An electronic device includes a touch-sensitive display and at least
one
processor coupled to the touch-sensitive display and configured to display a
keyboard on a display of an electronic device, to detect a tilt of the device,
and, when the detected tilt is associated with a keyboard transformation
function, to change the keyboard by resizing one or more keys of the
keyboard.
[0056] The resizing may include changing the width of the keys. One or more
keys proximate a first, tilted up side of the device may be resized to be
larger
than one or more keys proximate a second, tilted down side of the device to
simulate an effect of gravity on the keys of the keyboard. The detected tilt
may be associated with a keyboard transformation function when the detected
title is a sideward, frontward, or backward tilt, or when the detected tilt
meets
a predetermined threshold or predetermined tilt angle. The resizing may be
animated at a rate dependent on the tilt detected. The keys may gradually
decrease in size from a first, tilted up side to a second, tilted down side.
Alternatively, the keys of the keyboard may be divided into one or more
groups, and all keys within one group may be resized. All keys within one
group may be resized by one factor. The number of keys of the keyboard may
be reduced, with the reduced keyboard including keys from a tilted up side of
the device. Changing the keyboard may include graphically animating the
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resizing or movement of the keys during changing of the keyboard. The
keyboard may be resized according to the available display width, and may be
in a portrait or landscape orientation.
[0057] The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without
departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described
embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not
restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is, therefore, indicated by
the
appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Al! changes that
come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be
embraced within their scope.
- 15-

Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

2024-08-01:As part of the Next Generation Patents (NGP) transition, the Canadian Patents Database (CPD) now contains a more detailed Event History, which replicates the Event Log of our new back-office solution.

Please note that "Inactive:" events refers to events no longer in use in our new back-office solution.

For a clearer understanding of the status of the application/patent presented on this page, the site Disclaimer , as well as the definitions for Patent , Event History , Maintenance Fee  and Payment History  should be consulted.

Event History

Description Date
Common Representative Appointed 2020-11-07
Grant by Issuance 2020-07-28
Inactive: Cover page published 2020-07-27
Inactive: COVID 19 - Deadline extended 2020-06-10
Inactive: COVID 19 - Deadline extended 2020-05-28
Inactive: Final fee received 2020-05-21
Pre-grant 2020-05-21
Change of Address or Method of Correspondence Request Received 2020-05-21
Inactive: COVID 19 - Deadline extended 2020-03-29
Notice of Allowance is Issued 2020-02-05
Letter Sent 2020-02-05
Notice of Allowance is Issued 2020-02-05
Inactive: Approved for allowance (AFA) 2020-01-13
Inactive: Q2 passed 2020-01-13
Common Representative Appointed 2019-10-30
Common Representative Appointed 2019-10-30
Amendment Received - Voluntary Amendment 2019-07-22
Inactive: S.30(2) Rules - Examiner requisition 2019-01-23
Inactive: Report - No QC 2019-01-18
Amendment Received - Voluntary Amendment 2018-08-10
Inactive: S.30(2) Rules - Examiner requisition 2018-02-19
Inactive: Report - QC failed - Minor 2018-02-15
Letter Sent 2017-05-02
Request for Examination Received 2017-04-19
Request for Examination Requirements Determined Compliant 2017-04-19
All Requirements for Examination Determined Compliant 2017-04-19
Inactive: Agents merged 2015-05-14
Inactive: Cover page published 2015-01-08
Inactive: Notice - National entry - No RFE 2014-11-27
Inactive: First IPC assigned 2014-11-24
Inactive: Notice - National entry - No RFE 2014-11-24
Inactive: IPC assigned 2014-11-24
Inactive: IPC assigned 2014-11-24
Application Received - PCT 2014-11-24
National Entry Requirements Determined Compliant 2014-10-24
Application Published (Open to Public Inspection) 2013-10-31

Abandonment History

There is no abandonment history.

Maintenance Fee

The last payment was received on 2020-04-17

Note : If the full payment has not been received on or before the date indicated, a further fee may be required which may be one of the following

  • the reinstatement fee;
  • the late payment fee; or
  • additional fee to reverse deemed expiry.

Please refer to the CIPO Patent Fees web page to see all current fee amounts.

Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
BLACKBERRY LIMITED
Past Owners on Record
MAREK ANDRZEJ KRZEMINSKI
NEIL PATRICK ADAMS
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
Documents

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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Representative drawing 2020-07-13 1 5
Description 2014-10-24 15 745
Drawings 2014-10-24 8 235
Representative drawing 2014-10-24 1 11
Claims 2014-10-24 3 75
Abstract 2014-10-24 2 60
Cover Page 2015-01-08 1 32
Claims 2018-08-10 3 87
Claims 2019-07-22 4 98
Cover Page 2020-07-13 1 30
Notice of National Entry 2014-11-27 1 193
Notice of National Entry 2014-11-24 1 193
Reminder - Request for Examination 2016-12-29 1 118
Acknowledgement of Request for Examination 2017-05-02 1 175
Commissioner's Notice - Application Found Allowable 2020-02-05 1 511
Amendment / response to report 2018-08-10 6 191
PCT 2014-10-24 11 396
Request for examination 2017-04-19 1 33
Examiner Requisition 2018-02-19 5 201
Examiner Requisition 2019-01-23 4 230
Amendment / response to report 2019-07-22 8 262
Final fee / Change to the Method of Correspondence 2020-05-21 3 81