Multi-Layer Virtual Keyboard Overlay for Touchscreen Typing Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Virtual keyboards on small touchscreen devices are not optimized for limited screen sizes, leading to small and closely arranged keys, making them difficult for users to type accurately.
Innovation Solution
A multi-layer keyboard image is displayed on the touchscreen, with a virtual keyboard in a lower layer and a text-box in an upper layer, allowing the virtual keyboard to expand across the entire screen while displaying typed text, using distinguishable colors and gestures to differentiate between layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the virtual keyboard uses the layout of a desktop computer keyboard, then the keyboard structure is familiar to users, but the keys become small and closely arranged on small screens, making them difficult to type accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a traditional single-layer keyboard layout to a multi-layer overlay interface. The virtual keyboard is placed in a first layer while a text-box is placed in a second layer that overlays the first layer, allowing users to view and input text simultaneously without switching between different keyboard layouts or sizes.
2Volume of moving object
If the virtual keyboard is displayed on a small touchscreen screen, then the device portability is maintained, but the keyboard occupies limited screen space, reducing key size and making typing difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes multiple display layers to overcome the limitation of small screen real estate. By placing the keyboard in a first layer and the text-box in a second overlay layer, the system effectively doubles the functional display area, allowing the keyboard to occupy the entire screen while simultaneously displaying typed text.
Solution Approach 2:
The text-box is nested within the overlay layer that sits on top of the keyboard layer. This nesting arrangement allows both the keyboard and text display to coexist in the limited screen space by utilizing the vertical stacking of display layers rather than competing for horizontal or vertical screen real estate.
3Area of stationary object
If the virtual keyboard keys are arranged close together to fit the screen, then the keyboard fits within the display area, but the keys become too small for accurate touch input
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing a second overlay layer for text display, the patent allows the keyboard in the first layer to be displayed at full size across the entire screen without needing to reduce key sizes to accommodate text display. The text-box in the second layer handles text viewing, freeing the keyboard layer to optimize for large, easily-tapped keys.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method in an electronic device comprises: receiving a request to display a keyboard; in response, causing a touchscreen display to display, a multi-layer image comprising a virtual keyboard in a first layer and a text-box in a second layer; receiving a selection of a key from the virtual keyboard; and causing a character associated with the selected key to be displayed in the text-box. A keyboard module comprises one or more processors configured by programming instructions encoded on non-transient computer readable media and is configured to: provide a multi-layer image for display on a touchscreen display of the electronic device, the multi-layer image comprising a virtual keyboard in a first layer and a text-box in a second layer; receive a selection of a key from the virtual keyboard made via the touchscreen display; and cause a character associated with the selected key to be displayed in the text-box.