Dynamic Touch-Screen Keyboard Layout for Symbol Input

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current input methods for symbols on portable consumer devices in mobile communication networks, such as those using reduced key keyboards or touch-screens, are cumbersome and inefficient, requiring multi-tapping or relying on prediction algorithms like T9 or WordWise, which do not provide intuitive handling.

Innovation Solution

A graphical user interface that divides the symbol set into subsets, displaying the most commonly used symbols and dynamically changing secondary symbols based on the last input, using a linguistic database to predict the next intended symbol, thereby reducing user effort and improving input speed and intuitiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a reduced key keyboard is used in portable devices, then device portability is improved, but symbol input efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidsymbol input efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The keyboard layout dynamically adapts based on the last input symbol, automatically displaying the most relevant next symbols in prominent positions. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the reduced keyboard to provide efficient access to frequently needed symbols without requiring physical expansion of the device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-positions the most likely next symbols in prominent keyboard locations based on linguistic analysis and usage patterns. By anticipating user needs before they occur, the system reduces the time and effort required for symbol input while maintaining a compact keyboard layout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If multi-tapping is used to input different symbols with one key, then symbol variety is improved, but input time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesymbol varietyVSAvoidinput time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-positions the most likely next symbols in prominent keyboard locations based on linguistic analysis and usage patterns. By anticipating user needs before they occur, the system reduces the time and effort required for symbol input while maintaining access to a wide variety of symbols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously analyzes the sequence of input symbols and adjusts the keyboard layout in real-time based on linguistic patterns and predicted next symbols. This feedback mechanism allows the system to optimize symbol access dynamically, reducing input time while maintaining symbol variety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If prediction algorithms like T9 or WordWise are used, then input speed is improved, but handling intuitiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput speedVSAvoidhandling intuitiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The keyboard layout dynamically adapts based on the last input symbol, automatically displaying the most relevant next symbols in prominent positions. This dynamic reconfiguration provides intuitive visual feedback that matches user expectations, making the input process both fast and natural.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system visually distinguishes prominent symbols from other symbols on the keyboard, likely through size, position, or visual emphasis. This visual differentiation makes it immediately clear which symbols are most relevant, enhancing intuitiveness while maintaining input speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP2400372B1Inputting symbols into an electronic device having a touch-screen
Publication Date: 2017.11.15 VODAFONE HOLDING GMBH
  • EP2400372B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2400372B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2400372B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a graphical user interface for inputting symbols into an electronic device, especially a portable consumer device like a terminal for use in a mobile communication network according to GSM, GPRS, UMTS and/or LTE standard, comprising display means for representing a plurality of selectable keys of a keyboard on the touch-screen, said plurality of keys associated with at least one subset of symbols of a symbol set, and mapping means for selecting a symbol in response to a user input using a one of said plurality of keys associated with at least one subset of symbols of a symbol set. The present invention further relates to a method for inputting symbols into an electronic device having a touch-screen, especially a portable consumer device like a terminal for use in a mobile communication network according to GSM, GPRS, UMTS and/or LTE standard, comprising: representing a plurality of selectable keys of a keyboard on the touch-screen, said plurality of keys associated with at least one subset of symbols of a symbol set, and mapping for selecting a symbol in response to a user input using a one of said plurality of keys associated with at least one subset of symbols of a symbol set. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an electronic device, especially a portable consumer device like a terminal for use in a mobile communication network according to GSM, GPRS, UMTS and/or LTE standard, comprising a graphical user interface for inputting symbols into said electronic device according to the present invention, preferably with a method according the present invention.