Graphical Keyboard Search Query Suggestion Interface

Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile computing devices can only present a graphical user interface (GUI) of a single application at a time, requiring users to switch between applications for multiple tasks, making interactions tedious and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A computing device is configured to display suggested search queries near the keys of a graphical keyboard, allowing users to interact with multiple applications without switching by analyzing user input and context to provide relevant search suggestions within the keyboard, enabling search operations without leaving the current application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users switch between applications to perform multiple tasks, then they can access different application functionalities, but interaction time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication switching capabilityVSAvoidinteraction time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the search application functionality directly into the keyboard application by displaying search query suggestions within the keyboard's graphical user interface. This allows users to access search functionality without switching applications, combining multiple tasks into a single application interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The keyboard application is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a text input tool and a search interface. By displaying and allowing selection of search query suggestions within the keyboard, it becomes a multi-functional application that eliminates the need to switch between keyboard and search applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If users switch between applications to perform multiple tasks, then they can access different application functionalities, but operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication switching capabilityVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the search application functionality directly into the keyboard application by displaying search query suggestions within the keyboard's graphical user interface. This allows users to access search functionality without switching applications, combining multiple tasks into a single application interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The keyboard application is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a text input tool and a search interface. By displaying and allowing selection of search query suggestions within the keyboard, it becomes a multi-functional application that eliminates the need to switch between keyboard and search applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If users perform multiple input operations to switch applications and execute tasks, then they can complete diverse tasks, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetask completion capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the search application functionality directly into the keyboard application by displaying search query suggestions within the keyboard's graphical user interface. This allows users to access search functionality without switching applications, combining multiple tasks into a single application interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The keyboard application is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a text input tool and a search interface. By displaying and allowing selection of search query suggestions within the keyboard, it becomes a multi-functional application that eliminates the need to switch between keyboard and search applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3408733B1Keyboard with a suggested search query region

Publication Date: 2020.04.29 GOOGLE LLC

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AI summary

A computing device is described that includes a presence-sensitive display component, at least one processor, and a memory. The memory stores instructions that when executed cause the at least one processor to output, for display, a graphical keyboard comprising a plurality of keys and a search element, and determine, based at least in part on a selection of one or more keys from the plurality of keys, a query suggestion. The instructions, when executed, further cause the at least one processor to receive an indication of input selecting the search element, and responsive to receiving the indication of input, output, for display, an updated graphical keyboard that includes a selectable link associated with the query suggestion.