Predictive Radial User Interface for One-Handed Text Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current user interfaces for portable electronic devices are inefficient for text and complex input, requiring multiple button presses, are difficult to use with languages having many characters, and often require two hands or limited space, making them unsuitable for one-handed operation and integration with various devices.
Innovation Solution
A user interface that displays entities in a radial pattern, allocating more space and using visual cues to entities with higher selection probabilities, determined by comparing input sequences with commonly used sequences, allowing for quick and efficient input of text and non-text data across different writing systems and languages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a virtual keyboard is displayed on screen with cursor manipulation, then text input capability is provided, but input speed becomes very slow requiring many button presses per letter
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and predicts the user's intended input by comparing the sequence of entities selected against a database of commonly selected sequences. This preliminary action allows the interface to anticipate user intent and reduce the number of selection steps required, transforming a sequential letter-by-letter input process into a more efficient predictive completion process.
Solution Approach 2:
The radial pattern dynamically adjusts the allocation of space to entities based on their selection probabilities. As the user inputs text, the interface reconfigures the display in real-time, allocating more space to entities that are more likely to be selected next. This dynamic adaptation optimizes the input process by making frequently selected entities easier to reach, thereby reducing input time while maintaining ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If a thumb keyboard is designed for one-handed operation, then portability is improved, but the device becomes too large for many portable electronic devices and requires two hands
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a traditional linear or grid-based keyboard layout to a radial pattern arrangement. This dimensional change allows entities to be organized around a central point, creating a compact circular interface that fits within the constraints of portable devices while maintaining one-handed operability. The radial structure reduces the overall footprint compared to conventional keyboard designs.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the radial pattern are allocated different amounts of space based on the selection probability of entities in that region. Entities with higher selection probabilities are allocated more space and positioned for easier access, while less frequently selected entities occupy smaller portions of the interface. This local differentiation optimizes the limited space available while maintaining ease of one-handed operation.
3Area of stationary object
If telephone keypad mapping is used with multiple letters per key, then space is reduced, but text entry becomes very slow requiring multiple button presses and long pauses
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of the input sequence by comparing it against a database of commonly selected sequences. This allows the interface to predict the user's intended input before the user completes the full sequence of key presses. By anticipating the desired output, the system can reduce or eliminate waiting periods and minimize the number of button presses required, thereby maintaining compact size while significantly improving text entry speed.
4Productivity
If T9 predictive text is implemented, then number of button presses per letter is reduced, but the interface is limited to text input and difficult to use with languages having large character sets
Solution Approach 1:
The radial pattern interface serves multiple functions beyond traditional text input. It can display and select from entities representing characters from different writing systems, icons representing applications and data files, and other complicated inputs. The predictive algorithm is designed to work with sequences of entities rather than being limited to alphabetic characters, enabling support for languages with large character sets while maintaining fast input speeds through reduced button presses.
Data Source
AI summary
A user interface enables the input of text and other complicated inputs by identifying entities having an increased likelihood of being selected and decreasing the precision needed to select these entities. The user interface displays a set of entities in a radial pattern. The user manipulates a pointer with a joystick or other input device to select entities. The entities having a higher selection probabilities are allocated more space in the pattern than the other entities. The entities having a higher selection probabilities may also be emphasized with visual cues. Selection probabilities may be determined by comparing a sequence of entities previously selected, such as a partially input word, with a set of commonly selected sequences of entities, such as a set of words commonly used by users. The user interface can display a list of words corresponding with a sequence of selected entities, including characters from different writing systems.