Accelerometer-dependent text entry patent from HTC sounds like more trouble than it's worth

by Chris Ziegler May 14th 2009 @ 5:18AM

We're all for closing the gap between our desktop and mobile WPMs, but this might be a step in the wrong... direction (keep reading to understand why that was a miserable, unforgivable pun). HTC has filed for a patent that would have your phone determine which character you meant to type by analyzing its current tilt at the time you press a key, the idea being that a single key could be responsible for entering as many as five different letters and numbers. It seems like that'd make entering a text more like a game of Labarynth than an actually enjoyable (or efficient) process, but hey, we guess some people are really good with their wrists.

[Via pocketnow.com and wmpoweruser.com]

Filed under: Messaging, HTC

Tags: gesture, gestures, htc, input, messaging, patent, text, text input, texting, TextInput

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

NecroX @ May 14th 2009 9:11AM

I really dont get it... You have to tilt the device or it's because of the tilt that the cell will know if you pressed the wronk key?..

Neutral

slamEVIL @ May 14th 2009 1:37PM

ah the irony!

Neutral

slamEVIL @ May 14th 2009 1:45PM

oh, i'm REALLY good with my wrist ;)

Neutral

aoi tsuki @ May 15th 2009 9:18PM

i could see this easily working on current text entry systems given that the accelerometer was used to select word suggestions. Instead of tapping the screen or pressing left or right on the directional pad, you would just jerk your device ever-so-slightly to the left or right. It really wouldn't take much travel at all -- maybe half an inch. That's a simple but pretty intuitive use of the accelerometer.

i'm not so sure about using it a shift key, which is essentially what the text above is describing.

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