Shared input key method and apparatus

摘要

A method and apparatus for facilitating input of data to an electronic device using overlaid inputs is disclosed. A determination is made as to which of a plurality of terminating hand members is being used to activate a key. A first character value is assigned to an activation of the key, based at least upon the determination.

主权项

1. An apparatus, comprising:
a body; a keyboard upon said body including at least one key, the keyboard configured to cause a first function to be performed on activation of the key by physical contact with a terminating hand member of a user's right hand and to cause a second different function to be performed on activation of the key by physical contact with a terminating hand member of the user's left hand; and a detection mechanism, including one or more touch sensitive sensors and associated logic, configured to:
detect one or more changes in physical contact between the body and either the user's right hand, the user's left hand, or both, based at least in part on change sensed by the one or more touch-sensitive sensors;in response to detecting the one or more changes in physical contact, determine which one of the user's two hands will be used to activate the key; andin response to the determining, assign one of the first function or the second function to the activation of the key.