Character Input Device with Multi-Criteria Suggestion Matrices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing touchscreen input devices display conversion suggestions based on a single evaluation criterion, failing to accommodate users who require input based on multiple criteria, leading to reduced usability.

Innovation Solution

A character input device with a suggestion list management unit that generates and displays conversion suggestions using multiple evaluation criteria, allowing users to divide and customize the suggestion display area through a divisional-suggestion display, adjusting its size based on user interaction and relevance, thereby enhancing usability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conversion suggestions are displayed in a one-dimensional list based on a single evaluation criterion, then the display structure is simple and easy to implement, but it cannot accommodate users who need to input characters based on multiple evaluation criteria

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to support multiple evaluation criteriaVSAvoiddisplay structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the conversion suggestion display into multiple two-dimensional matrices, where each matrix corresponds to a specific evaluation criterion. This allows users to view suggestions based on different criteria simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between supporting multiple criteria and maintaining display simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a one-dimensional list display to a two-dimensional matrix display for each evaluation criterion. This dimensional change enables more sophisticated organization and presentation of conversion suggestions while maintaining clarity and usability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If a single evaluation criterion is used to determine conversion suggestions, then the system is simple to operate, but it reduces usability for users who require input based on multiple criteria

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveusability for multiple criteria inputVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments conversion suggestions into multiple groups based on different evaluation criteria, with each group displayed in its own two-dimensional matrix. Users can easily navigate and select from suggestions organized by different criteria, improving usability without significantly increasing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal display framework that can accommodate multiple evaluation criteria simultaneously. Each two-dimensional matrix serves as a universal structure that can display suggestions for any given criterion, making the system adaptable to different user needs while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3709138B1Character input device, character input method, and character input program
Publication Date: 2022.08.24 OMRON CORP
  • EP3709138B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3709138B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3709138B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Conversion suggestions are output based on multiple evaluation criteria to enable highly usable character input. A character input device includes a character input unit that receives an input character, a suggestion list management unit that converts the input character, a suggestion list generator that generates a conversion suggestion list through conversion of the input character, a suggestion display including a standard-suggestion display area for displaying the conversion suggestion list, an operation detector that detects movement of a divisional suggestion included in the conversion suggestion list, and a suggestion division management unit that generates a divisional-suggestion display area different from the standard-suggestion display area in the suggestion display in response to the movement of the divisional suggestion. The suggestion division management unit associates the divisional suggestion with the divisional-suggestion display area, and outputs the divisional suggestion to the divisional-suggestion display area.