Keyboard Input Disambiguation via Signal Parameter Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing touchscreen keyboards face challenges in efficiently combining shape-writing and radial entry inputs, often requiring substantial user skill acquisition and maintenance to realize performance gains.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that include a keyboard engine operating a keyboard accepting shape-writing and radial entry inputs, with an intention disambiguation engine enabling simultaneous use of both input types by disambiguating input data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the keyboard accepts both shape-writing input and radial entry input, then the versatility and efficiency of text entry are improved, but the complexity of disambiguating between the two input types increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput method versatilityVSAvoidinput disambiguation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes parameters of the input signal such as stroke length, curvature, speed, and pressure to distinguish between shape-writing and radial entry inputs. By analyzing these parameter variations, the keyboard engine can automatically disambiguate the input type without requiring additional hardware or complex user instructions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If advanced text entry techniques are implemented, then text entry speed and accuracy are improved, but the skill acquisition time and user training requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetext entry speedVSAvoidskill acquisition time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The keyboard system automatically adapts to the user's input style and provides intelligent disambiguation without requiring explicit training. The system learns from usage patterns and automatically adjusts to distinguish between shape-writing and radial entry, eliminating the need for users to invest significant time in learning complex techniques.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If multiple input modalities are supported simultaneously, then the efficiency and flexibility of text entry are improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring input intent increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetext entry efficiencyVSAvoidinput intent detection difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides continuous feedback during the input process by analyzing intermediate stroke characteristics and adjusting the interpretation of input intent in real-time. This feedback mechanism allows the keyboard engine to accurately distinguish between shape-writing and radial entry even as the user is still forming the input gesture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3686727B1Disambiguation of keyboard input
Publication Date: 2025.02.12 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3686727B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3686727B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3686727B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5B

AI summary

An apparatus includes a keyboard engine that operates a keyboard that accepts shape-writing input and radial entry input. A keyboard input module obtains input data from at least one input sensor of the keyboard. An intention disambiguation engine enables simultaneous use of the shape-writing input and the radial entry input acceptance for a user of the keyboard.