Mobile Keyboard Input with Barcode and OCR Text Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing process of using a mobile device camera for image recognition, such as barcode decoding or OCR, is not intuitive and requires manual copying and switching between applications, affecting user experience.

Innovation Solution

A mobile device with integrated camera, touch display, barcode scanning, and character recognition modules, enabling simultaneous display of a virtual keyboard and image conversion input method, allowing direct input of character strings from images through barcode scanning or character recognition without manual copying.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the camera is used for image recognition to convert images into text, then text input capability is improved, but the operation becomes complex requiring manual copying and application switching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetext input capabilityVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the camera function with the keyboard input function by integrating the image recognition result directly into the text input field. The controller superimposes the recognized text over the virtual keyboard, allowing users to input text through image recognition without leaving the keyboard interface, thus combining two previously separate functions into one unified operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The controller acts as an intermediary that receives the image recognition result and automatically transfers it to the text input field. This intermediary function eliminates the need for manual copying by automatically bridging the gap between the camera capture and the text input destination, simplifying the user's interaction flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If manual copying and application switching is required, then text input accuracy is maintained, but user experience and input efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetext input accuracyVSAvoidinput efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary recognition of the text content through image processing before the user needs to input it. By pre-converting the captured image into text and preparing it for input, the system eliminates the need for manual typing or copying, thus improving input efficiency while maintaining accuracy through automated recognition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically transferring the recognized text from the image processing module to the text input field without requiring user intervention for copying or pasting. This self-service mechanism improves productivity by eliminating repetitive manual operations while maintaining text input accuracy through automated text transfer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the virtual keyboard and image conversion input method are displayed simultaneously, then input method versatility is improved, but display complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput method versatilityVSAvoiddisplay complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the display complexity by transitioning from a horizontal arrangement of separate input methods to a vertical layering approach. The image conversion input method is superimposed over the virtual keyboard in the vertical dimension, allowing both input methods to coexist without competing for horizontal screen space. This dimensional change enables versatile input options while maintaining a clean, organized display layout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4474969B1Mobile device and input method
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 GETAC TECH CORP
  • EP4474969B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4474969B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4474969B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mobile device includes a general camera module (12), a touch display module (15), a barcode scanning module (11), a character recognition engine (13), and a control module (14). The general camera module (12) is configured to generate an image (P). The touch display module (15) is configured to display a text input field (CIF) and an overlapping window (OW) with a virtual keyboard (VK) of a system default input method and a preview pane (PW). The barcode scanning module (11) is configured to scan one or more first barcodes to obtain one or more first character strings (S1). The character recognition engine (13) is configured to perform a character recognition on the image (P). The control module (14) is configured to activate one of the barcode scanning module (11) and the character recognition engine (13) and control the touch display module (15) to display one of the one or more first character string (S1) and the one or more second character string (S2) in the text input field (CIF).