D-pad Character Input Device with Predicted Candidate Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional character input methods using a directional pad (D-pad) are inefficient, requiring multiple cursor movements to input characters, leading to wasteful operations and poor operability.
Innovation Solution
A character input device with an input character string management unit, predicted candidate management unit, character candidate detection unit, and keyboard management unit that narrows down cursor movement destinations based on predicted character string candidates, allowing refined input and automatic cursor movement to improve operability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional D-pad character input method is used, then character input can be achieved without QWERTY keyboard, but the number of input operations increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by predicting character string candidates based on the input character string before the user completes the input. This allows the system to prepare potential next characters in advance, reducing the number of cursor movement operations needed. The predicted candidate management unit estimates candidates and manages them ready for selection, embodying the preliminary action principle.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously comparing the input character string with predicted character string candidates and detecting character candidates for next selection. The keyboard management unit receives feedback from the operation receiving unit about cursor movement directions and adjusts cursor positioning based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop control system that improves input efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If cursor is moved sequentially through all characters to reach desired character, then accurate character selection is achieved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by predicting character string candidates and detecting character candidates for next selection before the user completes cursor movement. This allows the system to prepare potential target characters in advance, reducing the time needed for cursor movement while maintaining selection accuracy through the predicted candidate filtering.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies skipping by allowing the cursor to move directly to detected character candidates without sequentially visiting all intermediate characters. The keyboard management unit moves the cursor only to character candidates present in the input direction, skipping unnecessary characters and significantly reducing the time required to reach the desired character while maintaining accurate selection.
3Device complexity
If D-pad is used for both cursor movement and character selection, then single device operation is achieved, but operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies universality by making the D-pad serve multiple functions: it is used for both cursor movement and character selection. The operation receiving unit receives input directions from the D-pad, and the keyboard management unit interprets these directions to move the cursor to detected character candidates, allowing a single device to perform multiple operations and simplifying the overall input process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary by adding the predicted candidate management unit and character candidate detection unit between the D-pad input and the cursor movement execution. These intermediary components process the D-pad input directions, filter and detect appropriate character candidates, and then guide cursor movement, mediating between the simple D-pad input and the complex character selection task.
4Ease of operation
If all character movements are required to be manual, then full user control is achieved, but operational wastefulness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies self-service by enabling automatic cursor movement to detected character candidates based on predicted character string candidates. The keyboard management unit automatically moves the cursor to the next character candidate in the input direction without requiring manual D-pad operations for each step, allowing the system to serve itself and reduce wasteful operations while maintaining user control through the overall input direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies skipping by allowing the cursor to jump directly to detected character candidates without manually visiting all intermediate characters. This eliminates wasteful cursor movement operations while preserving user control, as the user still provides the input direction and the system automatically skips to the appropriate target character based on predicted candidates.
Data Source
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AI summary
In character input using a D-pad (22), the operability for inputting a desired character string is improved. A character input device (10) includes an operation receiving unit (11), a keyboard management unit (12), an input character string management unit (13), a predicted candidate management unit (14), and a character candidate detection unit (16). The input character string management unit (13) manages an input character string. The predicted candidate management unit (14) estimates predicted character string candidates based on the input character string, and manages the predicted character string candidates. The character candidate detection unit (16) compares the input character string with the predicted character string candidates, and detects one or more character candidates that are to be selected next. The operation receiving unit (11) receives an input direction that is input with the D-pad (22). The keyboard management unit (12) executes refined input, in which a cursor is moved only to a character candidate present in the input direction with respect to the character on which the cursor is placed.