Alternative Gesture Mapping for Graphical Keyboards
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Gesture keyboards on computing devices require long, continuous gestures to select keys that are far apart, leading to user discomfort and inefficiency, especially on larger screens.
Innovation Solution
The computing device determines a second group of keys based on an alternative set of locations derived from the original gesture, using an alternative mapping ratio, and outputs a virtual path to provide visual feedback, allowing for a smaller-sized gesture to select keys that are further apart.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a gesture keyboard uses a one-to-one mapping ratio between gesture locations and key locations, then the gesture input is simple and direct, but the gesture length becomes excessively long when selecting keys that are far apart
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing an alternative mapping ratio (e.g., 2:1 or 3:1) that differs from the conventional one-to-one mapping. This changes the spatial relationship parameter between gesture locations and key locations, allowing a shorter physical gesture to correspond to a longer logical key traversal path, thereby reducing finger travel distance while maintaining key selection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtual path as an intermediary element that mediates between the user's physical gesture and the logical key selection. The virtual path is displayed on the screen to show the mapped key locations, serving as a visual intermediary that bridges the discrepancy between the shortened gesture and the actual key distances, providing feedback and confirmation to the user
2Quantity of substance
If the gesture keyboard is made larger to accommodate more keys, then more keys are available for selection, but the gesture length increases and causes user discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mapping ratio parameter to decouple the physical gesture length from the logical key distance. By using ratios like 2:1 or 3:1, the system allows a consistent, manageable gesture length to traverse varying distances between keys, enabling a larger keyboard layout without proportionally increasing gesture requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adaptation by allowing the mapping ratio to be adjusted based on keyboard size, gesture speed, and user preferences. The system can dynamically switch between different mapping ratios or adjust the virtual path display to optimize the balance between keyboard comprehensiveness and gesture ease, making the gesture keyboard adaptable to different usage scenarios
3Illumination intensity
If the gesture keyboard uses a larger size to improve visibility, then key locations are more visible, but the gesture distance increases and requires more user effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the virtual path display as a visual intermediary that enhances key visibility without requiring increased physical keyboard size. The virtual path highlights the traversal route and destination keys, providing visual feedback that compensates for the reduced physical distance, maintaining visibility and user confidence while reducing gesture effort
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical relationship between finger movement distance and key selection with a visual information system. Instead of relying on large physical distances for visibility, the system uses visual feedback through the virtual path display to provide spatial awareness and key location information, replacing mechanical visibility with optical information presentation
Data Source
AI summary
A computing device is described that outputs a graphical keyboard comprising a plurality of keys. Responsive to receiving an indication of a gesture that traverses a first group of keys of the plurality of keys, the computing device determines a second group of keys of the plurality of keys. At least one key of the second group of keys is different from at least one key of the first group of keys. The computing device outputs, for display, a virtual path traversing a respective location of each respective key of the second group of keys.