Carousel Character Input for Uniform Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional graphical character input methods using a basic controller are inefficient and frustrating due to multidirectional and non-uniform navigation paths, making character input tedious for users.

Innovation Solution

A graphical input display system featuring a carousel of characters that rotates or circles, allowing seamless focus on a single character using direction pad buttons, with a secondary display showing likely next characters or words, and a search box for easy input and query generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If characters are arranged in a keyboard fashion on a display screen, then character input can be performed using a basic controller, but the navigation path becomes multidirectional and non-uniform, making input tedious and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharacter input efficiencyVSAvoidnavigation path complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies spheroidality by arranging characters in a circular carousel format instead of a traditional linear or grid keyboard layout. This circular arrangement allows the cursor to navigate uniformly around the circle, creating a consistent navigation path that eliminates the multidirectional complexity of conventional keyboards while improving input efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Productivity

If a carousel of characters is implemented to simplify navigation, then character input efficiency improves, but the display layout becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharacter input speedVSAvoiddisplay layout complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the character selection interface into distinct functional zones: the carousel area for character selection, the search box for text input, and the suggested results area. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall simplicity and improving character input speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If predictive text features are added to suggest next characters or words, then input accuracy improves, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharacter input accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by implementing predictive text functionality that automatically analyzes the user's input and suggests relevant characters or words without requiring additional user effort. The system monitors the search box content in real-time and dynamically updates the suggested results, improving input accuracy while maintaining simple user interaction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2965175B1Graphical input display having a carousel of characters to facilitate character input
Publication Date: 2019.05.08 GOOGLE LLC
  • EP2965175B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2965175B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2965175B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods for facilitating character input using a graphical input display having a carousel of characters are provided. In an aspect, a system includes an interface component configured to generate a carousel graphical input display, the carousel graphical input display comprising a plurality of characters arranged in a fixed line, wherein a cursor is configured to move over the characters about the line and the cursor shifts from a first end of the line to a second end of the line in response to reaching either the first end of the line or the second end of the line. The system further includes an input component configured to receive a command to move the cursor over the characters to focus on respective ones of the characters.