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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to text input devices for microprocessor-based electronic equipment, and more particularly to a multiple character text input device having a limited number of input keys.
Many types of electronic equipment such as hand held computers, TVs, VCRs, cable TV and satellite TV set-top boxes, PCs, cordless telephones, and cellular telephones are configured to accept and even require information such as alphanumeric text,
numbers, and assorted symbols to be provided by a user. For instance, many types of electronic equipment are configured with electronic mail. Electronic mail which is quickly becoming ubiquitous in both the business and home environments requires the
input of at least 26 characters of the alphabet, numbers, and assorted symbols when using the English language.
Text information, letters, numbers, and symbols, is usually provided to the many types of electronic equipment by text input devices built in the electronic equipment such as keyboards built in a hand held computer or keypads on a cellular
telephone. Another conventional way of providing text information to the many types of electronic equipment is through separate hand held text input devices such as a remote control or an infrared keyboard for a VCR, TV, cable TV set-top box, satellite
TV set-top box, or PC. With input devices built in the many types of electronic equipment and hand held text input devices being continuously reduced for convenience and portability, the area on the input devices for inputting text information is also
being Internet services, electronic TV program guides, and other types of applications requiring the input of alphanumeric text and with input devices having a limited area for providing the alphanumeric text input, reconciliation of these competing
forces has become a difficult problem.
Conventionally, the primary interface for providing information to the many types of electronic equipment is a keyboard. For instance, in the home environment TV-based computers such as WebTV are configured with Internet services such as
electronic mail and browsers which require alphanumeric text input and an infrared keyboard which provides the text input to the TV-based computer. However, like most conventional keyboards, the infrared keyboard is bulky and cumbersome and presents yet
another remote control to a user who already has too many remote controls in their living room. Additionally, these keyboards are not ideal for use with electronic devices that are quite compact, such as cellular phones. Although keyboards can be
reduced in size as in the case of hand held computers, eventually a point is reached where the keyboard cannot be reduced without making the keyboard difficult and inefficient to use. Accordingly, the next input interface of choice for many types of
electronic equipment is a keypad.
Conventionally, keypads have a limited number of keys, usually 12, and require a sequential input scheme for providing alphanumeric text to the electronic equipment. For example, to enter the letter "C", a user presses a number 2 key on the
keypad three times to select the letter "C" out of the letters A, B and C associated with the number 2 key of the keypad. Hashimoto (U.S. Pat. No. 4,918,721) discloses such an input scheme. However, the input scheme is complicated and requires some
memorization by a user. Therefore, using such an input device is operationally confusing to a user and difficult to learn.
Other devices such as one disclosed by Lin et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,235) have a multi-function data processing key having a key top divided into multiple surfaces indicating different letters of the alphabet. Also, Ojima (U.S. Pat. No.
4,029,915) describes a calculator keyboard having a row of keys each adapted to be tilted in one of four directions, and Hsieh (U.S. Pat. No. 4,896,003) describes a multi-directional switch using a ball bearing and deformable supports. Each of these
devices is mechanically complicated and thereby costly to manufacture. Additionally, these devices are confusing to operate. Accordingly, methods and devices for providing alphanumeric text input that are simpler in construction and in operation are
desirable.
Furthermore, with TV and cable TV channels becoming more numerous, exceeding more than 100 channels on some cable networks, program selection is becoming more confusing. New types of electronic equipment attempt to address this problem by
providing on-screen program information. While viewing the on-screen information, a user selects a TV program from a category, such categories are grouped by program type like sports. However, partly due to the lack of a suitable text input device,
categorizing and searching for specific subjects or text strings included in the program information is difficult. With a suitable text input device, a user can search for an actress or actor's name, a movie title, or a keyword in the description of a
program. Accordingly, methods and devices providing text input for electronic equipment which traditionally did not require text input are also desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides methods and devices for inputting alphanumeric text and assorted symbols using a set of multiple input keys. According to the present invention, a device is provided for inputting characters. The device has a
printed circuit board with a plurality of electrical leads. The device also has a plurality of keys and each key is pivotable about a pivot axis. Each key has a body with a top and a bottom surface with the bottom surface being proximal to the printed
circuit board and the top surface being distal to the printed circuit board. A skirt surrounds the periphery of the body of the key and the skirt operatively supports the body of the key on the printed circuit board. A pivot extends from the bottom
surface of the body and has an electrical contact pad such that when the contact pad contacts one of the leads on the printed circuit board a circuit is closed. The pivot varies in shape such as being a rectangle, triangle, trapezoid, a single curve,
cylindrical, or y-shaped. The pivot and the skirt is made of a resilient material or rubber. The top surface of the body varies in shape such as being flat, concave, convex, flat with a protrusion or divided into sections related to the contacts. The
body of the key varies in shape such as being round, triangular or oval.
In one embodiment, a multiple input key is provided for inputting characters. The key has a body with a top and a bottom surface with the bottom surface being proximal to the printed circuit board and the top surface being distal to the printed
circuit board. A skirt surrounds the periphery of the body of the key and the skirt operatively supports the body of the key on the printed circuit board. A pivot extends from the bottom surface of the body and is movably connected with the printed
circuit board. A plurality of electrical contact pads are on the bottom surface of the body of the key such that when the one of the contact pads contacts one of the leads on the printed circuit board a circuit is closed. The pivot and the skirt is
made of a resilient material or rubber.
In another embodiment, a key is depressed and thus a choice of characters is displayed on a display. The key is manipulated to highlight a desired character on the display or the key is depressed for a period of time to display a specific
character. The key is released to input the desired character or the key is released for a predetermined period of time to input the desired character.
In another embodiment, a key is depressed and a character is displayed on a display. The key is manipulated to display another character on the display and the key is released to input a character.
Many of the attendant features of this invention will be more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a prospective view of an embodiment of the device for inputting characters of the present invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of the multiple input key;
FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of one of the embodiments of the multiple input key taken along line 30--30 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of another embodiment of the multiple input key;
FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of another embodiment of the multiple input key;
FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of one of the embodiments of the multiple input key taken along line 70--70 of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of another embodiment of the multiple input key;
FIG. 8 illustrates an exploded view of another embodiment of the multiple input key;
FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of another embodiment of the device for inputting characters of the present invention;
FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of another embodiment of the device for inputting characters of the present invention;
FIG. 11 illustrates an exploded view of another embodiment of the multiple input key;
FIG. 12 illustrates an exploded view of another embodiment of the multiple input key;
FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of one of the embodiments of the multiple input key taken along line 110--110 of FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of electrical leads in the present invention;
FIG. 15 illustrates a top view of another embodiment of electrical leads in the present invention;
FIG. 16 illustrates a flow diagram of a process of inputting multiple characters using the multiple input device of the present invention;
FIG. 17 illustrates a flow diagram of another embodiment of a process of inputting multiple characters using the multiple input device of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method and a device for inputting alphanumeric text and assorted symbols using a set of multiple input keys. FIG. 1 illustrates a prospective view of one embodiment of an input device for inputting characters.
The input device has a housing 1 with a number of openings in which alphanumeric multiple input keys 3A-3J extend through the openings. Keys labeled 0-9 are assigned alphabetic text similar to a standard telephone keypad. For example, the number 2 key
3B is assigned letters A, B, and C and letters Q and Z are assigned to the number 1 key 3C. The letter assignment for each of the keys can vary. For example, letters Q and Z could have been assigned to the number 0 key 3J instead of the number 1 key
3C.
The placement and order of the labels for the letters, numbers or symbols can also vary. For instance, in addition to being directly above the key, the letters could have been placed to the right, left or bottom of the keys. However, it is
preferable that the order and placement of the letters, symbols or numbers assigned to the keys coincide with the operation of the keys to which they are assigned.
Additionally, an enter key 7 is shown which is used to indicate the end of a text input and a symbol key 9 is shown which is used to bring up an on screen keyboard to allow a user to select additional symbols not included on the keypad. A delete
and directional key 10 allows editing of text input if so required. A quick symbol key 6 allows for commonly used symbols to be inputted quickly by the input device. A channel key 8A and volume key 8B act as specialty keys that provide specific input
information for a particular input device which is generally not required on other input devices.
A shift lock key 4 allows a user to toggle the input device between a numeric only mode and a text mode. In numeric only mode, any operation performed by the multiple input keys 3A-3J are interpreted as numbers, and in text mode, any operation
performed by the multiple input keys 3A-3J is interpreted as text or symbols. If the input device is in numeric only mode, pressing the shift lock key changes the mode of the input device to text mode. If the input device is in text mode, pressing the
shift lock key changes the mode of the input device to numeric only mode.
The shift key 5 operates similarly to the shift lock key. However, the operation of the shift key 5 requires that the shift key be depressed and held down while one of the multiple input keys 3A-3J is selected. For example, if the input device
is in numeric only mode, and the shift key is being pressed, all operation of the multiple input keys will then be interpreted as text only.
In another embodiment, the shift key 5 operates on a single character basis. For example, if the input device is in numeric only mode and the shift key 5 is pressed and then released, the mode of the input device changes to text mode. Any
operation performed by one of the multiple input keys 3A-3J is interpreted as text and then the mode of the input device changes back to numeric only mode. Therefore, pressing and then releasing the shift key 5 causes the input device to switch modes,
from text to numeric only and vice versa, for only the next operation of one of the multiple input keys 3A-3J.
The shift key 5 as illustrated in FIG. 1 is conveniently positioned on the side of the input device. This allows for activation of the shift key by a thumb of a user when a user is holding the input device in the palm of her hand and therefore
makes the shift key easier to operate. The shift key 5 and the shift lock key 4 ease the operation of inputting alphanumeric information if so desired by a user or required by the type of electronic equipment.
Although not shown in FIG. 1, the multiple input keys 3A-3J are coupled with a printed circuit board and the input device is coupled with a display and one or more microprocessors. Both the display and microprocessor are embedded into the input
device such as in the case of a hand held computer or a cellular phone. Alternatively, the display and one or more microprocessors is in separate devices. For example, the display and one microprocessor could be in a TV and another microprocessor could
be in a remote control, the input device. In another example, the display could be a TV and the TV, display, is responsive to a set-top box which has a microprocessor. In turn, the set-top box is responsive to a remote control, the input device.
In one embodiment, the processor in a TV or set-top box is configured to interpret codes or symbols produced and sent by the input device. The processor thereby causes the display, the TV, to display characters based on the codes received.
Therefore, the display, responsive to the microprocessor and the input device, provides visual feedback to the user for the input of characters.
In another embodiment, the processor, such as a processor in a TV or set-top box, coupled with the input device automatically switches between text and numeric only mode by determining the context for the inputs. For instance, if the processor
is expecting text input, then the processor in the TV or set-top box interprets the codes sent by the input device as text. Likewise, if the processor is expecting numbers, then the processor interprets the codes sent by the input device as numbers.
In another embodiment, the processor, such as a processor in a TV or set-top box, is configured with an electronic dictionary. By using the electronic dictionary, the processor attempts to complete a word being entered by the input device before
a user completes the word. For instance, if the user inputs "bu", the processor accesses the dictionary and attempts to complete the word and in this case displays "button". If "button" is the word, the user desires to input, then the user selects the
enter key to complete the word. However, if the word displayed is not the input desired by the user, the user continues to input additional letters. The processor will continue access the dictionary and attempt to complete the word until the word is
complete.
Although the input device illustrated in FIG. 1 resembles a remote control for a TV, VCR or computer, other input devices such as keypads on a cellular phone is also used with the present invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of one of the multiple input keys in FIG. 1. The multiple input key has a body 11, having a top surface 13 and a bottom surface 15. The bottom surface 15 is closest to a printed circuit board
17 and the printed circuit board has electrical leads 19A-19D. Extending from the bottom surface 15 of the body 11 is a pivot 21. Adjacent to one side of the pivot 21 is a first contact pad 23A and adjacent to the other side of the pivot is a second
contact pad 23B. The bottom of the contact pads 23A,B closest to the printed circuit board are made of an electrically conductive material. The pivot 21 extends farther from the bottom surface 15 towards the printed circuit board 17 than the contact
pads 23A-23B. The leads 19A,B are positioned on the printed circuit board to provide a unique electrically conducting lead pair to be associated with the first contact pad 23A. Likewise, leads 19C,D are positioned on the printed circuit board to
provide a second unique electrically conducting lead pair to be associated with the second contact pad 23B.
The multiple input key including the body 11 and the pivot 21, is made of rubber or another resilient material. Surrounding the periphery of the body of the key is a skirt 25 that supports the body of the key on printed circuit board. The skirt
is also made of rubber or another resilient material.
In another embodiment, the multiple input key including the body, the pivot and the skirt is a portion of a rubber mat. The rubber mat covers the same top surface area as the housing (shown in FIG. 1). However, instead of having openings like
the housing, the rubber mat contains protrusions extending through the openings in the housing. Therefore, the rubber mat acts as the body, the top surface, the bottom surface, the pivot and the skirt of the multiple input keys of the input device.
FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the multiple input key taken along the line 30--30 of FIG. 2. In FIG. 3, the skirt 25 supports the body of the key on the printed circuit board and the pivot 21 extends from the bottom surface 15 of
the body 11 of the key farther than the contact pads 23A,B. In a neutral state, i.e. no pressure is exerted on the key, the contact pads 23A,B and the pivot 21 do not make contact with the printed circuit board 17. If pressure is applied to the key,
the pivot 21 contacts the printed circuit board. The pivot contacting the printed circuit board provides a pivot point such that the key is pivoted about that point. Additionally, the pivot reduces the chance that the first contact pad 23A will contact
the leads 19A,B while the second contact pad contacts leads 19C,D and vice versa.
Pressure exerted by a user on one of the edges of the top surface of the key or one of the sides of the key, pivots the key and causes either the first contact pad 23A to contact the leads 19A,B or causes the second contact pad 23B to contact the
leads 19C,D. When the first contact pad 23A contacts the leads 19A,B on the printed circuit board, the leads 19A,B are shorted and a circuit is closed. When the second contact pad 23B contacts the leads 19C,D on the printed circuit board, the leads
19C,D are shorted and a circuit is closed.
If an additional amount of pressure is applied by the user to the middle of the key, the pivot 21 deforms such that the first contact pad 23A contacts the leads 19A,B and the second contact pad 23B contacts the leads 19C,D simultaneously.
Accordingly, the leads 19A,B are shorted and a circuit is closed and the leads 19C,D are shorted and another circuit is closed.
FIRST CONTACT OPERATION
The microprocessor coupled with the multiple input key interprets the circuits closed by the contact pads 23A,B contacting with the leads 19A-D. As previously described, the input device operates in two modes, a numerical only mode and a text
mode, which is definable by using the shift or shift lock key. In numeric only mode, the microprocessor will interpret any combination of circuits closed by the contact pads 23A,B being connected with the leads as a numerical value. For instance, when
the input device is in numeric only mode and pressure is exerted on the number 2 key 3B (shown in FIG. 1) causing a contact pad to contact leads, the microprocessor interprets the circuit closed as the number 2 being inputted.
In text mode, the microprocessor will interpret the circuits closed by the contact pads 23A,B contacting the leads 19A-D as text or symbol input. For instance, the number 2 key 3B (shown in FIG. 1), has associated labels corresponding to the
letters A, B, and C and when pressure is applied on the left edge of the top surface of the key, the first contact pad 23A contacts the leads 19A,B on the printed circuit board. The microprocessor interprets the circuit closed by the first contact pad
connecting with the leads as the letter "A" being inputted. When pressure is applied to the right edge of the top surface of the key, the second contact pad 23B contacts the leads 19C,D and the microprocessor interprets the circuit closed as the letter
"C" being inputted. When pressure is applied to the middle of the top surface of the key causing the pivot to deform and both the first and the second contact pads 23A,B contact the associated leads 19A-D on the printed circuit board, the microprocessor
interprets the circuit closed as the letter "B" being inputted.
Table 1 summarizes the possible connections of the number 2 key 3B (shown in FIG. 1) and one potential interpretation by the microprocessor of the circuits closed based on the mode the input device is in.
TABLE 1 ______________________________________ First Second Numeric Contact Contact Text Mode Mode ______________________________________ Open Open None None Open Closed C 2 Closed Open A 2 Closed Closed B 2
______________________________________
In Table 1, "Open" means that the contact pad is not connected to leads and "Closed" means that a contact pad is connected to leads. As previously described, when no pressure is exerted on the key, no contact is made between any of the contact
pads 23A,B with the leads 19A-D and the key is considered to be in a neutral position. Accordingly, the processor only responds when a connection is made by one or more of the contact pads contacting the associated leads. The connections and
interpretation of those connections shown in Table 1 is one of many possible combinations.
TIME BASED OPERATION
In another embodiment, the input device shown in FIG. 1 with the multiple input key shown in FIGS. 2-3 is configured to operate based on time. The input device configured to operate in a time based manner to a large extent operates similarly to
the previously described first contact operation. For instance, the number 2 key 3B has associated labels corresponding to the letters A, B, and C and when pressure is applied on the left edge of the top surface of the key by a user, the first contact
pad 23A contacts the leads 19A,B on the printed circuit board. The contact of the first contact pad 23A with the leads 19A,B causes the display coupled with the input device to display a character, for example, in text mode the letter "A". If the
letter "A" is the desired character to be inputted, the user removes pressure from the key, disconnecting the contact pad 23A from the leads 19A,B for a period of time greater than a predetermined expiration time. As a result, the processor interprets
the letter "A" as being entered. The expiration time for example could be half a second. Alternatively, if the letter "A" is the desired character to be inputted, the user removes pressure from the key and another key is depressed and therefore the
processor interprets the letter "A" as being entered without waiting for the expiration time.
However, if the letter "A" is not the desired character, the key is pivoted about the pivot 21 breaking the contact of the first contact pad 23A with the leads 19A,B and causing the second contact pad 23B to contact the leads 19C,D. As a result,
a new circuit is closed. Provided the amount of time elapsed from the breaking the contact of the first contact pad 23A with the leads 19A,B to closing the new circuit is less then the predetermined expiration time, the letter "C" is displayed. If the
letter "C" is the desired character to be inputted, a user removes pressure from the key, disconnecting the contact pad 23B from the leads 19C,D for a period of time greater than a predetermined expiration time. As a result, the processor interprets the
letter "C" as being entered. Alternatively, if the letter "C" is the desired character to be inputted, the user removes pressure from the key and another key is depressed and therefore the processor interprets the letter "C" as being entered without
waiting for the expiration time.
If the letters "C" or "A" are not the desired character, the key is depressed deforming the pivot 21 to cause the first and second contact pads 23A,B to contact the respective leads 19A-D simultaneously and therefore closing their respective
circuits. As a result, the letter "B" is displayed. If the letter "B" is the desired character to be inputted, a user removes pressure from the key, disconnecting the first and second contact pads 23A,B from the respective leads 19A-D for a period of
time greater than the predetermined expiration time. As a result, the processor interprets the letter "B" as being entered. Alternatively, if the letter "B" is the desired character to be inputted, the user removes pressure from the key and another key
is depressed and therefore the processor interprets the letter "B" as being entered without waiting for the expiration time. Accordingly, the multiple input key is manipulated in a time based manner until the desired character is displayed and inputted. Therefore, the input device configured to operate in a time based manner allows a user to pivot the key to different characters on the same key until the desired character is displayed. Then upon release of the key for a predetermined time, or when
another key is pressed the last character displayed is entered.
In numeric only mode, since only one number is assigned per key, only the number assigned to the key will be displayed. Accordingly, when the user removes pressure from the key disconnecting the first, second or both contact pads 23A,B from
their respective leads 19A-D, the processor interprets the number assigned as being entered without waiting for the expiration time.
MODELESS OPERATION
In another embodiment, the input device shown in FIG. 1 with the multiple input keys shown in FIGS. 2-3 is configured to operate in a modeless manner and thereby not have a text or numeric only mode. In other words, the shift key 5 and the shift
lock key 4 would not be needed. The input device configured to operate in a modeless manner to a large extent operates as the previously described input device having a text and a numeric only mode operating in a time based manner or a first contact
manner.
In a first contact or time based modeless operating input device, if pressure is applied on the left edge of the top surface of the key, the contact pad 23A contacts the leads 19A,B on the printed circuit board and if pressure is not removed
after a predetermined time period such as one second, the display responds by displaying the number 2 instead of the letter "A", In a first contact modeless operating input device, if the number 2 is the desired character to be inputted then pressure is
removed from the key causing the microprocessor to interpret the number 2 as being inputted by the input device.
In a time based modeless operating input device, if the number 2 is the desired character to be inputted, pressure is removed from the key, disconnecting the contact pad 23A from the leads 19A,B for a period of time greater than a predetermined
expiration time. As a result, the processor interprets the number 2 as being entered. Alternatively, pressure is removed from the key and another key is depressed such that the processor interprets the number 2 as being entered without waiting for the
expiration time. Therefore, without the use of a shift key or a shift lock key, a number or a letter is inputted by the input device. Similarly, the second contact pad 23B contacting the leads 19C,D or both the first and second contact pad 23A,B
contacting the respective leads 19A-D could be configured to operate in the same manner. Accordingly, the multiple input key in this time based modeless operation could provide for three more connections or states. Table 2 summarizes one possible
combination of interpretations made by the processor of the connections made by the contact pads and the leads of an input device operating in a modeless manner.
TABLE 2 ______________________________________ First Second Key Hold Key Hold Contact Contact Time (Short) Time (Long) ______________________________________ Open Open None None Open Closed C + Closed Open A 2 Closed Closed B =
______________________________________
In Table 2, "Open" means that a contact pad is not connected to any of the leads and "Closed" means that a contact pad is connected to electrical leads.
In another embodiment, the input device shown in FIG. 1 with the multiple input keys shown in FIGS. 2-3 is coupled with a processor which is configured to operate using smart punctuation. The processor configured using smart punctuation has a
set of linguistic rules to properly place or replace punctuation symbols such as placing periods at the end of a sentence. As such, by using smart punctuation, the processor attempts to automatically place or replace punctuation characters entered by
the input device. For instance, if the user wants to input the word "can't", the user inputs the letters "can" using the multiple input keys as previously described. Next the user depresses the symbol key 9 or a quick symbol key 6 to choose a
punctuation symbol and then the user continues to complete the word followed by a space. If the user incorrectly punctuated the word, such as "can!t", the processor using the linguistic rules corrects the punctuation by overwriting the display with
"can't".
In another embodiment, the input device includes a smart punctuation key similar to the quick symbol key 6. Using the previous example, if the user wants to input the word "can't", the user inputs the letters "can" using the multiple input keys. Next the user depresses the smart punctuation key inserting a placeholder for punctuation and then the user continues to complete the word followed by a space. The processor using the linguistic rules replaces the placeholder for the punctuation with
the appropriate punctuation symbol in this case an apostrophe.
In another embodiment, the input device is configured to operate in a modeless manner, such that the shift key and the shift lock key is not needed. The shift key and the shift lock key are then configured to operate as standard keyboard shift
and shift lock keys, switching the text input between lowercase and uppercase characters. Therefore, a user is able to input text such as sentences and proper names with proper capitalization. Furthermore, an input device with smart punctuation is able
to automatically place or replace punctuation characters entered by a user based on the capitalization and non-capitalization of the text inputted such as placing periods at the end of a sentence. For instance, if a user wants to input the partial
phrase "device. Multiple", the user inputs the word "device" using the multiple input keys. Next the user depresses the symbol key 9 or a quick symbol key 6 to choose a punctuation symbol and then the user continues to complete the next word followed
by a space. If the user incorrectly punctuated the partial phrase, such as "device, Multiple", the processor using the linguistic rules corrects the punctuation by overwriting the display with "device. Multiple".
In another embodiment, the input device just described could further include a smart punctuation key similar to the quick symbol key 6. Therefore, if the use | | |
