Touchscreen Keyboard Visual Cues for Typing Efficiency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touchscreen keyboards for electronic devices are inefficient due to the need for users to divert attention from the keyboard to view suggested words, leading to eye strain and reduced typing speed, especially when inputting long messages.
Innovation Solution
A method that predicts and displays sets of characters on the virtual keyboard based on user input, allowing users to select options without leaving the keyboard, using visual cues and a processor to generate and rank potential inputs, and display them at appropriate locations on the keyboard.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If suggested words are displayed separately from the keyboard, then users can see input options, but users must divert attention from the keyboard causing eye strain and reduced typing speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the suggested words display with the keyboard layout by integrating predictive text options directly into the keyboard interface. The suggested words are displayed at specific locations on the keyboard (e.g., above or near relevant keys) rather than in a separate location, allowing users to access both the keyboard and suggestions simultaneously without moving their eyes or hands between different areas of the touchscreen.
2Area of stationary object
If touchscreen area is small, then device is portable, but character input becomes cumbersome especially for long messages
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by predicting and displaying likely words or character sequences before the user completes typing them. As the user inputs characters, the system proactively generates and displays suggested completions in advance, allowing users to select from pre-computed options rather than typing out entire words, thereby reducing the number of keystrokes required on small touchscreens.
3Loss of information
If visual cues are displayed away from the keyboard, then users can see feedback, but eye movement increases reducing typing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning visual cues and feedback locally at or near the relevant keyboard keys rather than in a centralized location. Different regions of the keyboard display different types of feedback (e.g., suggested characters, predicted words, or confirmation indicators) positioned according to their functional relevance, allowing users to receive localized feedback without moving their eyes across the entire screen.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing visual cues rendered on a display is provided. The method comprises: detecting a touch input associated with a user interface element rendered on the display; determining an input direction of the touch input; and displaying on the display a visual cue associated with the user interface element, wherein the visual cue is located at a position based on the input direction of the touch input.