Dynamic Predictive Keypad for Swype Text Entry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional Swype text entry methods on touch-screens require navigating 26 keys, lack direction and ordering in swipe actions, and pose challenges on small screen devices due to fixed key positions and small key sizes.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of dynamically changing predictive character keys at the top and bottom of the virtual keypad, which adapt based on the user's input to reduce touch points and introduce a sense of direction and ordering in swipe actions, allowing for easier entry of words by swiping between predictive character sets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a traditional QWERTY keyboard with 26 keys is used for Swype input, then complete character coverage is achieved, but the number of touch points increases and key size decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of touch pointsVSAvoidkey size

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The virtual keyboard is segmented into multiple rows (alphabetic row, numeric row, and predictive character rows). This segmentation allows the system to display only relevant characters in each row context, reducing the effective number of touch points the user needs to navigate while maintaining comprehensive character coverage across all rows.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The keyboard layout is made dynamic through predictive character keys that change content and position based on the user's input context. Predictive characters are dynamically inserted at relevant positions (top or bottom of the keyboard) based on language model predictions, reducing the number of touch points needed for common character sequences while adapting to different input contexts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If fixed key positions are used in the virtual keyboard, then layout consistency is maintained, but swipe direction becomes unordered and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekey position consistencyVSAvoidtext entry efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

While maintaining the stable QWERTY layout for the main alphabetic row, the system dynamically adjusts key positions by inserting predictive character keys at the top or bottom of the keyboard based on language model predictions. This dynamic repositioning creates an ordered swipe pattern where users can efficiently access predicted characters without disrupting the fundamental keyboard layout consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by predicting upcoming characters and positioning them in advance at the top or bottom of the keyboard. This allows users to swipe to predicted characters before they would naturally appear in the sequence, creating an ordered and efficient input flow that anticipates user needs while maintaining layout stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If all 26 characters are displayed on the keyboard, then complete character access is available, but navigation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharacter coverageVSAvoidnavigation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The character set is segmented into the main QWERTY alphabetic row and separate numeric/predictive rows. This segmentation allows the system to maintain complete character coverage across all rows while reducing navigation complexity by organizing characters into logical groups and using context-aware predictive insertion to highlight relevant characters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Predictive character keys act as intermediaries between the user's current input and the full character set. By inserting predicted characters at strategic positions (top or bottom of the keyboard), the system mediates between complete character availability and simplified navigation, allowing users to access common characters through fewer swipe actions while maintaining access to the full character set when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Quantity of substance

If small key sizes are used to fit more characters on the screen, then complete character set is displayed, but usability on small screens deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of visible keysVSAvoidusability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The keyboard implements dynamic row visibility and predictive character insertion that adapts to screen size constraints. By dynamically inserting predictive characters at the top or bottom and adjusting row visibility based on input context, the system reduces the number of keys users need to interact with at any given time, improving usability on small screens while maintaining access to the complete character set across all rows.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9152319B2Method for simplifying a Swype based touch-screen keypad for fast text entry

Publication Date: 2015.10.06 AVAYA INC

AI summary

A method, apparatus and computer program product for entering text on a touch-screen device is presented. Entry of at least one letter of a word on a virtual keypad of a touch-screen device is detected. In response to the detection of an entry of least one letter of a word on a virtual keypad of a touch-screen device a first row of keys is displayed on the virtual keypad, the first row of keys comprising a predictive character set of keys based on the entry of at least one letter of a word.