Gesture Completion Path for Touchscreen Keyboard Input
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Continuous-gesture graphical keyboards on computing devices face challenges such as increased input time and error probability when entering longer words or phrases, as users struggle to select keys while simultaneously navigating predicted word lists, leading to reduced text entry speed.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that displays a graphical keyboard with a gesture completion path extending from the last character key, allowing users to select a candidate word by tracing this path, which is displayed adjacent to the keyboard, facilitating quicker and more accurate text input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users perform gestures to select each character key individually on a continuous-gesture graphical keyboard, then text input can be achieved through gesturing, but the amount of time needed to select corresponding keys increases for longer words or phrases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by displaying a gesture completion path that predicts the remaining gesture trajectory needed to complete a word or phrase. This path is shown before the user finishes their gesture, allowing them to anticipate the completion point and adjust their gesture accordingly, thereby reducing the time needed to select all character keys.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback by displaying the gesture completion path in real-time as the user performs their gesture. This visual feedback shows users where their gesture is heading and what characters will be selected, enabling them to make mid-gesture adjustments and complete their input more efficiently.
2Productivity
If users perform gestures to input longer words or phrases, then continuous-gesture input is maintained, but the probability of input errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gesture completion path provides continuous visual feedback during gesture execution, showing users the predicted path and resulting character selections. This allows users to detect and correct errors mid-gesture, improving input accuracy while maintaining continuous-gesture productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
By showing the completion path in advance, the system allows users to mentally verify the intended word or phrase before finalizing their gesture, reducing the likelihood of input errors for longer words or phrases.
3Adaptability or versatility
If users simultaneously select the next letter and determine whether to select from predicted word lists, then text input options are available, but text entry speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the decision-making process from the gesture selection process by displaying the gesture completion path separately from the predicted word lists. Users can focus on completing their gesture along the displayed path while predicted words are shown as reference, eliminating the need to switch attention between gesture selection and word list evaluation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates the gesture trajectory dimension from the word selection dimension by displaying the completion path as a visual guide on the keyboard layout while showing predicted words in a separate area. This spatial separation allows users to process both pieces of information simultaneously without cognitive conflict.
Data Source
AI summary
A computing device can be configured to receive an indication of a first input gesture, a first portion of the first input gesture indicating a first character key of a plurality of character keys of a graphical keyboard and a second portion of the first input gesture indicating a second character key of the plurality of character keys. The computing device also can be configured to determine, based at least in part on the first character key and the second character key, a candidate word. The computing device can be configured to output, for display at a region of a display device at which the graphical keyboard is displayed, a gesture completion path extending from the second character key. Further, the computing device can be configured to select, in response to receiving an indication of a second input gesture substantially traversing the gesture completion path, the candidate word.