Input method and input device

Abstract

The present application discloses an input method and an input device, belonging to the field of communication technology. The method comprises: when an electronic device displays an input method interface, receiving a first input for a first area, the first area being an area other than the keyboard area of ​​the input method interface; in response to the first input, displaying N candidate input objects in a candidate area, the N candidate input objects being candidate input objects corresponding to M virtual keys in the input method interface, N and M being positive integers, N being greater than or equal to M; receiving a second input for a first candidate input object among the N candidate input objects; in response to the second input, displaying the first candidate input object in an input box.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application belongs to the field of communication technology, and specifically relates to an input method and an input device. Background Art

[0002] With the widespread use of electronic devices, input methods have also been rapidly developed. Users can input text and various symbols in electronic devices by operating the virtual keyboard of the input method.

[0003] Currently, when a user operates a virtual keyboard, he or she needs to operate at the display position of the virtual key, which results in a single input method in the electronic device. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of the embodiments of the present application is to provide an input method and an input device that can solve the problem of a single input method.

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, this application is implemented as follows:

[0006] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an input method, the method comprising: when an electronic device displays an input method interface, receiving a first input for a first area, the first area being an area excluding a keyboard area of ​​the input method interface; in response to the first input, displaying N candidate input objects in a candidate area, the N candidate input objects being candidate input objects corresponding to M virtual keys in the input method interface, N and M being positive integers, and N being greater than or equal to M; receiving a second input for a first candidate input object among the N candidate input objects; and in response to the second input, displaying the first candidate input object in an input box.

[0007] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an input device, which includes a receiving module and a display module. The receiving module is used to receive a first input for a first area when the electronic device displays an input method interface, and the first area is an area other than the keyboard area of ​​the input interface. The display module is used to display N candidate input objects in the candidate area in response to the first input, and the N candidate input objects are candidate input objects corresponding to M virtual keys in the input method interface, N and M are positive integers, and N is greater than or equal to M. The receiving module is also used to receive a second input for a first candidate input object among the N candidate input objects. The display module is also used to display the first candidate input object in the input box in response to the second input.

[0008] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an electronic device, which includes a processor, a memory, and a program or instruction stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the program or instruction, when executed by the processor, implements the steps of the method described in the first aspect.

[0009] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a readable storage medium, on which a program or instruction is stored, and when the program or instruction is executed by a processor, the steps of the method described in the first aspect are implemented.

[0010] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip, comprising a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is used to run a program or instruction to implement the method described in the first aspect.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present application, when the electronic device displays an input method interface, a first input for a first area is received; in response to the first input, N candidate input objects are displayed in the candidate area, and the N candidate input objects are candidate input objects corresponding to the M virtual keys in the input method interface; a second input for a first candidate input object among the N candidate input objects is received; in response to the second input, the first candidate input object is displayed in the input box. By receiving the first input for the first area, the electronic device displays the N candidate input objects corresponding to the M virtual keys in the candidate area, so the electronic device can display the candidate input object in the input box in response to the input of a candidate input object. In this way, when the user needs to input content in the input box, in addition to being able to operate at the display position of the virtual key, it can also be operated in areas other than the keyboard area of ​​the input method interface, thereby solving the problem of a single operation mode of the input method. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1( a ) is a schematic diagram of a display interface of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0013] FIG1( b ) is a schematic diagram of an input method interface provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0014] FIG1( c ) is a second schematic diagram of an input method interface provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0015] Figure 2 One of the flow charts of the input method provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0016] Figure 3 One of the interface schematic diagrams of the input method application provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0017] FIG4( a) is a second schematic diagram of an interface of an input method application provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0018] FIG4( b ) is a third schematic diagram of an interface of an input method application provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0019] FIG4( c ) is a fourth schematic diagram of an interface of an input method application provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0020] Figure 5 A fifth interface diagram of an input method application provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Figure 6 The second flowchart of the input method provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 7 The sixth interface diagram of the input method application provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 8 The seventh interface diagram of the input method application provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0024] FIG9( a ) is an eighth schematic diagram of an interface of an input method application provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] FIG9( b ) is a ninth interface diagram of an input method application provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] FIG10( a ) is a tenth schematic diagram of an interface of an input method application provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] FIG10( b ) is an eleventh schematic diagram of an interface of an input method application provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] FIG. 11( a ) is a twelfth schematic diagram of an interface of an input method application provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] FIG11( b ) is a thirteenth schematic diagram of an interface of an input method application provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of the structure of an input device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Fig.13 A schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Fig.14 A hardware schematic diagram of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application to clearly describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the embodiments in the present application belong to the scope of protection of this application.

[0034] The terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of the present application are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchangeable under appropriate circumstances, so that the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described here, and the objects distinguished by "first", "second", etc. are generally of one type, and the number of objects is not limited. For example, the first object can be one or more. In addition, "and / or" in the specification and claims represents at least one of the connected objects, and the character " / " generally indicates that the objects associated with each other are in an "or" relationship.

[0035] The input method provided in the embodiment of the present application is described in detail below through specific embodiments and their application scenarios in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0036] To facilitate understanding, first, combine Figure 1(a) to Figure 1(c) The input method interface of electronic devices is introduced.

[0037] FIG. 1( a) shows a display interface of an electronic device. As shown in FIG. 1( a), the display interface of the electronic device includes an input box 10. After the user inputs into the input box 10 (for example, by clicking the input box 10), the electronic device can detect the user's input operation into the input box 10, and then enter the input state. In the input state, the electronic device will display the editing interface of the input method editor, as shown in FIG. 1( b), which is the input method interface 20. As shown in FIG. 1( b), before the user inputs into the input interface 20, the input method interface 20 may include a toolbar area 20A and a keyboard area 20B. Among them, the keyboard area 20B may include various virtual keys, such as punctuation keys 201, number keys 204, letter keys 202, function keys 203, etc. The toolbar area 20A may include a number of tool keys, such as an expression key 205, an input method switching key 206, a setting key 207, a voice key 208, etc. As shown in FIG. 1( c), after the user inputs the input interface 20, the toolbar area 20A in the input method interface 20 is replaced by a candidate area, and the candidate area may include a pinyin bar area 20C and a candidate bar area 20D. Among them, the pinyin bar area 20C is used to display the character string (such as a pinyin sequence, a letter sequence, a number) input by the user. The candidate bar area 20D is used to display candidate input objects (such as Chinese characters, English words, numbers, etc.) that match the character string input by the user. The user can operate the input method interface 20 to input content in the input box 10. For example, the user can click the emoticon button 205 in the toolbar area 20A to make the electronic device display an emoticon, and then click the emoticon to enter the emoticon in the input box 10. For another example, the user can press the virtual key in the keyboard area 20B to enter the corresponding text content in the input box 10. For example, after the user presses the keys "WXYZ" and "MNO" in the keyboard area 20B, the corresponding character string "wo" will be displayed in the pinyin column area 20C, and several candidate input objects corresponding to the character string "wo", "yo", "oh", "wo", etc. will be displayed in the candidate column area 20D. After the user clicks on one of the candidate input objects (such as "wo"), the electronic device will display "wo" in the input box 10.

[0038] It should be noted that the input method interface shown in Figures 1(b) and 1(c) is merely an example provided by the embodiment of the present application and does not constitute a limitation on the embodiment of the present application. It is understandable that in actual applications, the location and function of the virtual keys in the input method interface may be slightly different from the input method interface shown in Figures 1(b) and 1(c). For example, the expression key 205 may also be located in the keyboard area 20B, and the keyboard area 20B may not include a re-enter key. In addition, the keyboard area 40 in the input method interface shown in Figures 1(b) and 1(c) is a 9-key virtual keyboard. In actual applications, the keyboard area 40 may also be a 26-key virtual keyboard.

[0039] For the sake of clarity and brevity, the present application mainly uses a 9-key virtual keyboard as an example to introduce the input method provided by the present application. For a 26-key virtual keyboard, its specific display method is similar to that of a 9-key virtual keyboard. To avoid repetition, the present application will not elaborate on this in detail.

[0040] like Figure 2 As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides an input method, which may include the following S201-S204.

[0041] It should be noted that the execution subject of the input method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be an input device, or a control module in the input device for executing the input method, or an electronic device. The input method provided in the embodiment of the present application will be exemplarily described below using an electronic device as an example.

[0042] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present application, when the execution subject of the input method provided in the embodiment of the present application is an electronic device, the electronic device may include the input device provided in the embodiment of the present application, or the input device may be externally connected. The specific method may be determined according to actual use requirements, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit it.

[0043] S201: When the electronic device displays an input method interface, the electronic device receives a first input for a first area.

[0044] The first area may be an area other than the keyboard area 20B in the input method interface, for example, the first area may be a candidate bar area in the input method interface, or another example, the first area may be a toolbar area in the input method interface. The first input may be a gesture input by the user in the first area, for example, the first input may be a sliding operation, a double-click operation, a long press operation, etc.

[0045] For example, Figure 3As shown, the first input may be a rightward sliding input in the candidate column area 20D. In the prior art, no corresponding function is defined for the rightward sliding input in the candidate column area. Therefore, using this operation gesture as the first input to trigger the control of the input method interface does not conflict with the existing operation of the input method interface. In other words, the operation mode of the input method interface in the embodiment of the present application does not conflict with the conventional operation of the electronic device. Exemplarily, the first input may also be a double-click input in 20C.

[0046] S202: In response to a first input, the electronic device displays N candidate input objects in a candidate area.

[0047] The candidate area may be a candidate bar area in an input method interface, or may be other areas in a display interface of an electronic device for displaying candidate input items, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. It should be noted that in the examples of the present application, the candidate area is taken as an example of a candidate bar area in an input method interface.

[0048] In addition, the N candidate input objects may be candidate input objects corresponding to M virtual keys in the input interface, where N and M are positive integers, and N is greater than or equal to M. In other words, one virtual key may correspond to one or more candidate input objects.

[0049] It should be noted that the above-mentioned M virtual keys may be virtual keys determined by the electronic device according to the default settings of the input method application, may be virtual keys determined by the electronic device according to the user's settings, or may be virtual keys determined by the electronic device according to the input parameters of the first input. How to determine the M virtual keys according to the input parameters of the first input will be described in detail in subsequent embodiments and will not be described here for the time being.

[0050] In addition, the M virtual keys may include virtual keys in any area of ​​the input method interface. For example, in some embodiments, referring to FIG. 1( b ), the M virtual keys may include virtual keys in the toolbar area 20A (such as the expression key 205), and may also include virtual keys in the keyboard area 20B (such as the punctuation key 201, the number key 204, etc.). In other embodiments, the M virtual keys may also include function keys (such as the delete key, the re-enter key, the enter key, etc.).

[0051] In the embodiments of the present application, the candidate input objects corresponding to a virtual button may be symbols, letters, numbers, strings, Chinese characters, words, phrases or expressions, etc. corresponding to the virtual button. For example, when the virtual button is the punctuation button 201, the corresponding candidate input objects may be the punctuation marks corresponding to the punctuation button; when the virtual button is the emoji button 205, the corresponding candidate input objects may be one or more emojis; when the virtual button is the numeric button 204, the corresponding candidate input objects may be one or more numbers; when the virtual button is a letter button in a 9-key virtual keyboard (such as the letter button "DEF" in Fig. 1(b)), the corresponding candidate input objects may be a single letter (such as the letter "D", the letter "E", and the letter "F"), a string (such as "DEF"), Chinese characters (such as "的", "得", "地", "饿", "儿", "发", etc.), phrases (such as "等等", "得到", "而已", "儿子", "发现", "法律", etc.) or expressions (such as "等一下", "饿了没", "发给我", etc.). For another example, when the virtual button is a letter button (such as the letter button "f") in a 26-key virtual keyboard and the input method is in the English input mode, the corresponding candidate input objects may be English words (such as "for", "feel", "from", "father", etc.). When the virtual button is a function button, the corresponding candidate input objects may be default characters, such as symbols, phrases, expressions, etc. set by the user. For example, when the virtual button is the delete key, the corresponding candidate input object may be "Delete"; for another example, when the virtual button is the enter key, the corresponding candidate input object may be "Confirm".

[0052] Of course, the above is only a simple example provided for the convenience of understanding in the embodiments of the present application, and does not limit the present application. In specific implementation, it can be set according to the actual situation, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this. For example, the candidate input objects corresponding to the virtual button may be candidate input objects determined by the electronic device according to the user's settings. For another example, the candidate input objects corresponding to the virtual button may also be candidate input objects determined by the electronic device according to the user's frequently used words recorded by the input method editor.

[0053] Exemplarily, referring to FIG4(a), assuming that the M virtual keys include three punctuation keys (punctuation key A1, punctuation key A2, and punctuation key A3) in the symbol area (hereinafter referred to as area A), then the N candidate input objects can be three punctuation marks corresponding to the three punctuation keys (i.e., punctuation mark "," punctuation mark ".", punctuation mark "?"). In this way, after the electronic device receives the user's first input, as shown in FIG4(b), the electronic device can display the three punctuation marks in the candidate column area of ​​the input method interface.

[0054] As another example, assuming that the M virtual keys include the expression key 205 in the toolbar area 20A, the N candidate input objects may be a number of emoticons (such as a smiling emoticon, a frustrated emoticon, and an angry emoticon) corresponding to the expression key 205. Referring to FIG. 4(a), after the user performs a first input of sliding rightward in the candidate bar area of ​​the input method interface, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown, in response to the first input, the electronic device may display a smiling emoticon 205A, a frustrated emoticon 205B, and an angry emoticon 205C in the candidate column area.

[0055] S203: The electronic device receives a second input for a first candidate input object among the N candidate input objects.

[0056] The second input may be a click operation or other feasible gesture operations. Of course, in actual implementation, it may be any other possible input, which may be determined according to actual use requirements, and the present application embodiment does not limit this.

[0057] Exemplarily, taking Figure 4(b) as an example, the N candidate input objects are punctuation mark "," punctuation mark "." and punctuation mark "?", the first candidate input object can be any one of the above three punctuation marks, for example, the punctuation mark "," then the above second input can be a click operation on the punctuation mark ",".

[0058] S204: In response to the second input, the electronic device displays a first candidate input object in the input box.

[0059] For example, the electronic device may display the first candidate input object as input content in the input box. It should be noted that the operation of the electronic device displaying the selected candidate input object in the candidate area in the input box is generally referred to as screen placement.

[0060] Exemplarily, continuing with Figure 4(b) as an example, assuming that the second input is an input of the punctuation mark "," in the candidate column area (that is, the first candidate input object is the punctuation mark ","), then as shown in Figure 4(c), after the electronic device receives the second input, the electronic device can display the punctuation mark "," in the input box.

[0061] Based on the input method provided by the embodiment of the present application, by receiving the first input for the first area, the electronic device displays the N candidate input objects corresponding to the M virtual keys in the candidate area. Therefore, the electronic device can respond to the input of a candidate input object and display the candidate input object in the input box. In this way, when the user needs to input content in the input box, in addition to being able to operate at the display position of the virtual key, it can also be operated in the area other than the keyboard area of ​​the input method interface, thereby solving the problem of a single operation mode of the input method.

[0062] Alternatively, if Figure 6 As shown, after the above S204, the input method provided in the embodiment of the present application may further include the following S205.

[0063] S205: The electronic device keeps displaying N candidate input objects in the candidate area.

[0064] That is, before the user triggers the electronic device to cancel displaying the N candidate input objects, the electronic device always displays the N candidate input objects in the candidate area.

[0065] For example, referring to FIG. 4(a), FIG. 4(b), FIG. 4(c) and Figure 7 , FIG4(a) shows an input method interface before the electronic device receives a first input, FIG4(b) shows an input method interface after the electronic device receives the first input, and FIG4(c) shows an input method interface after the electronic device receives a second input, Figure 7 The input method interface showing N candidate input objects is shown in the candidate column area. When the user clicks on a candidate input object in the candidate column area in FIG4(b), such as a punctuation mark "," the electronic device can display the punctuation mark "," in the input box, so that the content in the input box becomes "OK." At the same time, Figure 7 As shown, the electronic device does not cancel the three candidate input objects displayed in the candidate column area (ie, punctuation mark "," punctuation mark "." and punctuation mark "?"), that is, the electronic device keeps displaying the three candidate input objects in the candidate column area.

[0066] Based on the above scheme, since the electronic device can keep displaying the above N candidate input objects in the candidate area, when the user needs to frequently operate the M virtual keys in the input method interface, the user can avoid frequently triggering the electronic device to display the M candidate input objects in the candidate area, thereby avoiding the user from performing repeated operations in the electronic device and simplifying the operation process. In this way, the convenience of input in the electronic device can be further improved.

[0067] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present application, the M virtual keys may be at least part of the virtual keys on the target side of the electronic device in the input method interface.

[0068] The target side of the electronic device may be a left side or a right side of the electronic device.

[0069] In some embodiments, the electronic device may determine the target side according to the user's pre-settings. For example, the electronic device may provide the user with an input method setting interface, which may include an option for the user to set the dominant hand, and the electronic device may determine the target side according to the user's setting of the option. For example, when the user sets his dominant hand to the right hand, the electronic device may determine the target side to be the left side. Conversely, when the user sets his dominant hand to the left hand, the electronic device may determine the target side to be the right side.

[0070] In other embodiments, the electronic device may determine the target side according to the first input to the first area. For example, the electronic device may determine the target side according to the input direction of the first input. Exemplarily, when the first input is an upward slide, the electronic device may determine the target side as the right side of the electronic device; when the first input is a downward slide, the electronic device may determine the target side as the left side of the electronic device.

[0071] At present, in order to provide users with a better user experience, the screen size of electronic devices is getting larger and larger. Taking mobile phones as an example, the screen size of most mobile phones can reach 6 inches or more. Although the large screen size can improve the user experience, it also increases the difficulty of one-handed operation. When the user holds the mobile phone in one hand, due to the large screen size, it may be difficult for the user's fingers to touch the virtual keys on the virtual keyboard near the left side of the mobile phone, resulting in the one-handed operation of the electronic device is not convenient enough.

[0072] Based on the above scheme of the embodiment of the present application, since the candidate area is located at a position in the input method interface that can be reached by the user with one hand, after the electronic device displays the candidate input objects corresponding to the virtual keys close to the side in the candidate area, the user can operate these candidate input objects displayed in the candidate area with one hand, so that the electronic device displays the selected candidate input object in the input box. In this way, the user can indirectly operate the virtual keys located in the input method interface close to the side of the electronic device with one hand, thereby making the one-handed operation of the electronic device more convenient.

[0073] Optionally, the input method provided in the embodiment of the present application also includes the following S206.

[0074] S206: In response to the first input, the electronic device cancels display of the M virtual keys at the first display position.

[0075] The first display position may be the display position of the M virtual keys before the electronic device receives the first input.

[0076] For example, referring to FIG. 4( a) and Figure 8 , FIG4(a) shows an input method interface of the electronic device before receiving the first input. Figure 8 As shown, after the electronic device receives the first input, the electronic device can display the punctuation marks corresponding to the punctuation keys A1, A2 and A3 in the candidate column area, and cancel the display of the punctuation keys A1, A2 and A3 in area A.

[0077] Optionally, after the above S206, the input method provided in the embodiment of the present application further includes the following S207 and S208.

[0078] S207: The electronic device receives a third input.

[0079] Optionally, the third input may be an input to a candidate input object in the candidate area, or the third input may be an input to a virtual key in the input method interface. It is understood that, when the third input is an input to a candidate input object in the candidate area, the corresponding user action may be selecting a candidate input object in the candidate area.

[0080] In some embodiments, the third input may also be a specific gesture input, and the corresponding user action may be retyping. In this case, the corresponding user action may be to execute a preset gesture operation. Among them, the preset gesture operation may be to slide down in the input method interface, to slide up in the input method interface, or to double-click a virtual key in the input method interface, etc. The specific operation may be determined according to actual usage requirements, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0081] S208. In response to the third input, the electronic device cancels display of the N candidate input objects in the candidate area and displays M virtual keys at the first display position.

[0082] For example, as shown in FIG9(a), after the user selects the candidate input object "I" in the candidate column area, the input method display interface can be updated to the interface shown in FIG9(b). As shown in FIG9(b), the electronic device can display the input content "I" in the input box, cancel the display of the punctuation mark ",", the punctuation mark "." and the punctuation mark "?" in the candidate column area, and restore the display of the corresponding virtual key in area A.

[0083] As another example, as shown in FIG10(a), after the user inputs a virtual key in the input method interface, the input method display interface can be updated to the interface shown in FIG10(b). As shown in FIG10(b), the electronic device can display the character string (such as pinyin) corresponding to the virtual key in the pinyin column area, display the candidate input object corresponding to the character string in the candidate column area, and cancel the display of punctuation marks "," punctuation marks "." and punctuation marks "?" in the candidate column area, and restore the display of the virtual keys corresponding to punctuation marks "," punctuation marks "." and punctuation marks "?" in area A.

[0084] As another example, as shown in FIG11(a), after the user performs a preset gesture operation of sliding downward, the input method display interface can be updated to the interface shown in FIG11(b). As shown in FIG11(b), the electronic device can cancel the display of punctuation marks "," , punctuation marks "." and punctuation marks "?" in the candidate column area, and restore the display of the corresponding virtual keys in area A.

[0085] In the above scheme, since the electronic device can restore the virtual keys to their original display positions according to the user's input, that is, the user can trigger the electronic device to restore the input method interface to the original interface of the input method through input, the input method is more flexible.

[0086] Optionally, before the above S202, the input method provided in the embodiment of the present application may further include the following S209.

[0087] S209: The electronic device determines M virtual keys according to the input parameters of the first input.

[0088] That is, the electronic device can determine which virtual keys correspond to the candidate input objects to be displayed in the candidate area according to the input parameters of the first input.

[0089] Exemplarily, when the first input is a gesture operation, the input parameter of the first input may be an operation parameter of the gesture operation. For example, when the first input is a sliding operation, the input parameter of the first input may be a sliding distance of the sliding operation. For another example, when the first input is a click operation, the input parameter of the first input may be the number of clicks of the click operation. For another example, when the first input is a long press operation, the input parameter of the first input may be the pressing time of the long press operation.

[0090] The following takes the sliding operation as an example of the first input to illustrate how the electronic device determines the M virtual keys according to the input parameters of the first input.

[0091] 1. The electronic device detects the sliding distance of the sliding operation. For example, the sliding distance can be expressed in pixels.

[0092] 2. The electronic device determines the number M of candidate input objects to be displayed in the candidate column area according to the sliding distance. For example, when the sliding distance is less than 5 pixels, the number of candidate input objects is 0. The number of corresponding candidate input objects increases by 1 for every 5 pixels increase in the sliding distance.

[0093] 3. The electronic device uses the punctuation marks at the first M positions in the symbol area as the punctuation marks displayed in the candidate column area. Referring to Table 1, the punctuation marks in the symbol list in Table 1 correspond to the punctuation marks displayed in the symbol area of ​​the input method interface; the punctuation marks in the temporary list in Table 1 correspond to the punctuation marks displayed in the candidate column area. As shown in Table 1, when the sliding distance does not exceed 5 pixels, the number of candidate input objects is 0, and accordingly, the temporary list is empty; when the sliding distance is between 5 pixels and 10 pixels, the number of candidate input objects is 1, and accordingly, the temporary list includes a punctuation mark (i.e., a comma ","), which is the punctuation mark at the first position of the symbol area, and the candidate column area will display the punctuation mark. At this time, the symbol list includes four punctuation marks after the punctuation mark ",", namely, the punctuation mark ",", the punctuation mark ".", the punctuation mark "?" and the punctuation mark "!", and the symbol area will display the above four punctuation marks.

[0094] Table 1

[0095] Slide distance Bulleted List Temporary List (0,5) ["，”，"。”，"？”，"！”] [] [5,10) ["。”，"？”，"！”，"…”] ["，”] [10,15) ["？”，"！”，"…”，"：”] ["，”，"。”] [15,20) ["！”，"…”，"：”，"；”] ["，”，"。”，"？”]

[0096] The input method device executing the input method is taken as an example to illustrate the input device provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0097] like Fig.12As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides an input device 1100, which includes a receiving module 1101 and a display module 1102. The receiving module 1101 is used to receive a first input for a first area when the electronic device displays an input method interface, and the first area is an area other than the keyboard area of ​​the input method interface. The display module 1102 is used to display N candidate input objects in the candidate area in response to the first input, and the N candidate input objects are candidate input objects corresponding to M virtual keys in the input method interface, N and M are positive integers, and N is greater than or equal to M. The receiving module 1101 is also used to receive a second input for a first candidate input object among the N candidate input objects. The display module 1102 is also used to display the first candidate input object in the input box in response to the second input.

[0098] Optionally, the display module 1102 is further configured to keep displaying N candidate input objects in the candidate area after displaying the first candidate input object in the input box.

[0099] Optionally, the M virtual keys may be at least part of the virtual keys in the input method interface close to the target side of the electronic device.

[0100] Optionally, the display module 1102 is further configured to cancel display of the M virtual keys at a first display position in response to a first input, where the first display position is a display position of the M virtual keys before the first input is received.

[0101] Optionally, the receiving module 1101 is further used to receive a third input after canceling the display of M virtual keys at the first display position; the display module 1102 is further used to cancel the display of N candidate input objects in the candidate area in response to the third input, and display M virtual keys at the first display position.

[0102] Optionally, the third input is an input to a candidate input object in the candidate area, or the third input is an input to a virtual key in the input method interface.

[0103] Optionally, the input device 1100 provided in the embodiment of the present application may further include a determination module 1103. The determination module 1103 is configured to determine M virtual keys according to input parameters of the first input before displaying N candidate input objects in the candidate area.

[0104] Based on the input device provided in the embodiment of the present application, since the input device displays N candidate input objects corresponding to M virtual keys in the candidate area by receiving the first input for the first area, the input device can display the candidate input object in the input box in response to the input for a candidate input object. In this way, when the user needs to input content in the input box, in addition to being able to operate at the display position of the virtual key, it can also be operated in areas other than the keyboard area of ​​the input method interface, thereby solving the problem of a single operation mode of the input method.

[0105] The input device in the embodiment of the present application can be a device, or a component, integrated circuit, or chip in a terminal. The device can be a mobile electronic device or a non-mobile electronic device. Exemplarily, the mobile electronic device can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a PDA, an in-vehicle electronic device, a wearable device, an ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), a netbook, or a personal digital assistant (PDA), etc. The non-mobile electronic device can be a server, a network attached storage (NAS), a personal computer (PC), a television (TV), a teller machine or a self-service machine, etc., which is not specifically limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0106] The input device in the embodiment of the present application may be a device having an operating system. The operating system may be an Android operating system, an iOS operating system, or other possible operating systems, which are not specifically limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0107] The input device provided in the embodiment of the present application can implement each process implemented in the above method embodiment and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described here.

[0108] Alternatively, if Fig.13 As shown, an embodiment of the present application also provides an electronic device 1200, including a processor 1201, a memory 1202, and a program or instruction stored in the memory 1202 and executable on the processor 1201. When the program or instruction is executed by the processor 1201, each process of the above-mentioned input method embodiment is implemented, and the same technical effect can be achieved. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0109] It should be noted that the electronic devices in the embodiments of the present application include the mobile electronic devices and non-mobile electronic devices mentioned above.

[0110] Fig.14 A schematic diagram of the hardware structure of an electronic device to implement an embodiment of the present application.

[0111] The electronic device 1300 includes but is not limited to: a radio frequency unit 1301, a network module 1302, an audio output unit 1303, an input unit 1304, a sensor 1305, a display unit 1306, a user input unit 1307, an interface unit 1308, a memory 1309, and a processor 1310 and other components.

[0112] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the electronic device 1300 may also include a power source (such as a battery) for supplying power to each component, and the power source may be logically connected to the processor 1310 through a power management system, thereby implementing functions such as managing charging, discharging, and power consumption management through the power management system. Fig.14 The electronic device structure shown in the figure does not constitute a limitation on the electronic device. The electronic device may include more or fewer components than shown in the figure, or combine certain components, or arrange the components differently, which will not be described in detail here.

[0113] Among them, the input unit 1304 is used to receive a first input for a first area when the electronic device 1300 displays an input method interface, and the first area is an area other than the keyboard area of ​​the input method interface; the display unit 1306 is used to display N candidate input objects in the candidate area in response to the first input, and the N candidate input objects are candidate input objects corresponding to M virtual keys in the input method interface, N and M are positive integers, and N is greater than or equal to M; the input unit 1304 is also used to receive a second input for a first candidate input object among the N candidate input objects; the display unit 1306 is also used to display the first candidate input object in the input box in response to the second input.

[0114] Based on the electronic device provided by the embodiment of the present application, by receiving the first input for the first area, the electronic device displays the N candidate input objects corresponding to the M virtual keys in the candidate area, so the electronic device can respond to the input of a candidate input object and display the candidate input object in the input box. In this way, when the user needs to input content in the input box, in addition to being able to operate at the display position of the virtual key, it can also be operated in the area other than the keyboard area of ​​the input method interface, thereby solving the problem of a single operation mode of the input method.

[0115] Optionally, the display unit 1306 is further configured to keep displaying N candidate input objects in the candidate area after displaying the first candidate input object in the input box.

[0116] Optionally, the M virtual keys may be at least part of the virtual keys in the input method interface close to the target side of the electronic device.

[0117] Optionally, the display unit 1306 is further configured to cancel display of the M virtual keys at a first display position in response to the first input, where the first display position is a display position of the M virtual keys before the first input is received.

[0118] Optionally, the input unit 1304 is further used to receive a third input after canceling the display of M virtual keys at the first display position; the display unit 1306 is further used to cancel the display of N candidate input objects in the candidate area in response to the third input, and display M virtual keys at the first display position.

[0119] Optionally, the third input is an input to a candidate input object in the candidate area, or the third input is an input to a virtual key in the input method interface.

[0120] Alternatively, if Fig.14 As shown, the electronic device 1300 provided in the embodiment of the present application further includes a processor 1310. The processor 1310 is configured to determine M virtual keys according to input parameters of the first input before displaying N candidate input objects in the candidate area.

[0121] It should be understood that in the embodiment of the present application, the input unit 1304 may include a graphics processor (Graphics Processing Unit, GPU) 13041 and a microphone 13042, and the graphics processor 13041 processes the image data of the static picture or video obtained by the image capture device (such as a camera) in the video capture mode or the image capture mode. The display unit 1306 may include a display panel 13061, and the display panel 13061 may be configured in the form of a liquid crystal display, an organic light emitting diode, etc. The user input unit 1307 includes a touch panel 13071 and other input devices 13072. The touch panel 13071 is also called a touch screen. The touch panel 13071 may include two parts: a touch detection device and a touch controller. Other input devices 13072 may include, but are not limited to, a physical keyboard, a function key (such as a volume control button, a switch button, etc.), a trackball, a mouse, and a joystick, which will not be repeated here. The memory 1309 can be used to store software programs and various data, including but not limited to applications and operating systems. The processor 1310 may integrate an application processor and a modem processor, wherein the application processor mainly processes an operating system, a user interface, and application programs, and the modem processor mainly processes wireless communications. It is understandable that the modem processor may not be integrated into the processor 1310.

[0122] An embodiment of the present application also provides a readable storage medium, on which a program or instruction is stored. When the program or instruction is executed by a processor, each process of the above-mentioned input method embodiment is implemented, and the same technical effect can be achieved. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0123] The processor is a processor in the electronic device described in the above embodiment. The readable storage medium includes a computer readable storage medium, such as a computer read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

[0124] An embodiment of the present application further provides a chip, which includes a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the various processes of the above-mentioned input method embodiment, and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0125] It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can also be called a system-level chip, a system chip, a chip system or a system-on-chip chip, etc.

[0126] It should be noted that, in this article, the terms "comprise", "include" or any other variant thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that the process, method, article or device including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also includes other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. In the absence of further restrictions, the elements defined by the sentence "comprise one..." do not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or device including the element. In addition, it should be pointed out that the scope of the methods and devices in the embodiments of the present application is not limited to performing functions in the order shown or discussed, and may also include performing functions in a substantially simultaneous manner or in reverse order according to the functions involved, for example, the described method may be performed in an order different from that described, and various steps may also be added, omitted, or combined. In addition, the features described with reference to certain examples may be combined in other examples.

[0127] Through the description of the above implementation methods, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the above-mentioned embodiment methods can be implemented by means of software plus a necessary general hardware platform, and of course by hardware, but in many cases the former is a better implementation method. Based on such an understanding, the technical solution of the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art, can be embodied in the form of a computer software product, which is stored in a storage medium (such as ROM / RAM, a disk, or an optical disk), and includes a number of instructions for a terminal (which can be a mobile phone, a computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute the methods described in each embodiment of the present application.

[0128] The embodiments of the present application are described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, but the present application is not limited to the above-mentioned specific implementation methods. The above-mentioned specific implementation methods are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Under the guidance of the present application, ordinary technicians in this field can also make many forms without departing from the purpose of the present application and the scope of protection of the claims, all of which are within the protection of the present application.

Claims

1. An input method, characterized in that: include: When the electronic device displays an input method interface, receiving a first input for a first area, where the first area is any one of the following: a candidate column area in the input method interface, a toolbar area in the input method interface; In response to the first input, N candidate input objects are displayed in the candidate area, where the N candidate input objects are candidate input objects corresponding to M virtual keys in the input method interface, where N and M are positive integers, and N is greater than or equal to M; receiving a second input of a first candidate input object among the N candidate input objects; In response to the second input, the first candidate input object is displayed in an input box.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: After displaying the first candidate input object in the input box, the method further includes: The N candidate input objects are kept displayed in the candidate area.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The M virtual keys are: at least part of the virtual keys in the input method interface close to the target side of the electronic device.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The method further comprises: In response to the first input, the M virtual keys are undisplayed at a first display position, where the first display position is a display position of the M virtual keys before the first input is received.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that After canceling the display of the M virtual keys at the first display position, the method further includes: receiving a third input; In response to the third input, the N candidate input objects are cancelled from being displayed in the candidate area, and the M virtual keys are displayed at the first display position.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The third input is an input to a candidate input object in the candidate area; or, the third input is an input to a virtual key in the input method interface.

7. An input device, characterized in that: The device comprises: a receiving module and a display module; The receiving module is used to receive a first input for a first area when the electronic device displays an input method interface, where the first area is any one of the following: a candidate column area in the input method interface, a toolbar area in the input method interface; The display module is used to display N candidate input objects in the candidate area in response to the first input, where the N candidate input objects are candidate input objects corresponding to M virtual keys in the input method interface, where N and M are positive integers, and N is greater than or equal to M; The receiving module is further configured to receive a second input of a first candidate input object among the N candidate input objects; The display module is further configured to display the first candidate input object in an input box in response to the second input.

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that The display module is further configured to keep displaying the N candidate input objects in the candidate area after displaying the first candidate input object in the input box.

9. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that The M virtual keys are: at least part of the virtual keys in the input method interface close to the target side of the electronic device.

10. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that The display module is further configured to cancel display of the M virtual keys at a first display position in response to the first input, where the first display position is a display position of the M virtual keys before the first input is received.

11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that The receiving module is further configured to receive a third input after canceling display of the M virtual keys at the first display position; The display module is further configured to cancel display of the N candidate input objects in the candidate area and display the M virtual keys at the first display position in response to the third input.

12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that The third input is an input to a candidate input object in the candidate area; or, the third input is an input to a virtual key in the input method interface.

13. An electronic device, characterized in that: The method comprises a processor, a memory, and a program or instruction stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the program or instruction, when executed by the processor, implements the steps of the input method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

14. A readable storage medium, characterized in that: The readable storage medium stores a program or instruction, and when the program or instruction is executed by a processor, the steps of the input method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 are implemented.

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