Gesture-Based Text Input Error Correction on Small Screens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current text input methods on small devices like smartphones and smart watches are inefficient for correcting errors, as they require multiple actions to delete and re-enter incorrect characters, which can be difficult due to the small screen size and limited key display.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows users to correct text input by dragging their finger from an incorrect character to the correct character on a virtual keyboard, enabling direct replacement of errors without the need for backspacing and re-typing, using a gesture-based error correction mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional text input correction methods are used on small devices, then text can be corrected, but the process requires multiple actions (moving cursor, pressing backspace, re-typing, moving cursor back) which is difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple correction actions (cursor movement, deletion, re-typing, cursor repositioning) into a single drag gesture operation. When a user drags from one location to another on the virtual keyboard, the system automatically performs all necessary corrections in one continuous motion, eliminating the need for separate cursor movements and key presses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a drag gesture as an intermediary mechanism between the user's intent to correct text and the actual correction execution. This gesture-based intermediary abstracts away the complex sequence of traditional keyboard operations, allowing users to correct text through a natural, intuitive motion that the system translates into the appropriate correction actions.
2Area of stationary object
If a virtual keyboard is used on small screens, then text input is enabled, but the number of displayable keys is limited by the small screen size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the virtual keyboard beyond the traditional two-dimensional grid layout by allowing drag gestures to access characters in additional spatial dimensions. Users can drag from their current position to any location on the screen, effectively accessing a larger character space than would be visible in a standard keyboard layout, thus increasing adaptability without requiring more screen area.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-transitory program storage device having stored computer instructions that when executed cause one or more programmable control devices to: receive an input signal having at least one character to provide an erroneous string having at least one incorrect character; display the erroneous string having at least one incorrect character; accept an input signal which corresponds to a drag on a virtual keyboard from a key corresponding to an incorrect character on the virtual keyboard to a key corresponding to a corrected input on the virtual keyboard; replace the at least one incorrect character in the erroneous string with the corrected input to provide a corrected character string; and display the corrected character string.