Shape-Based Keyboard for Complex Scripts Using Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current touch screen keyboard designs are inadequate for languages with higher volumes of letters, such as Arabic, and for cursive scripts, as they do not accommodate the visual connections and varying shapes of letters in these languages, leading to user difficulties in selection and error correction.
Innovation Solution
An enhanced shape-based keyboard that adapts to the user's input by displaying initial, medial, and final base shapes of letters, allowing for a compressed keyboard layout that minimizes key count while enabling access to accented characters through a pop-up menu, and incorporating an autocomplete algorithm to suggest candidate words based on user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the keyboard displays all letters of a high-volume alphabet (e.g., Arabic with 39+ letters) on a single board, then the user can access all letters upfront without shifting, but the increased number of keys causes cognitive overload and makes keys cramped and difficult to select
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard is segmented into multiple pages, with each page displaying a subset of letters (e.g., 6-8 keys per page). Users can navigate between pages to access different letter groups, reducing the visible key count from 39+ to a manageable 6-8 keys per view while ensuring all letters remain accessible through page navigation.
2Ease of operation
If the keyboard displays all letters of a high-volume alphabet on a single board, then the user can access all letters upfront without shifting, but the individual keys become cramped making it difficult for users with larger fingers to select their desired letter
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the 39+ letter alphabet across multiple pages with only 6-8 keys visible at a time, each key can be displayed at a larger, more comfortable size that is easier to select, eliminating the cramping issue that would occur if all 39+ keys were forced onto a single view.
3Ease of operation
If the keyboard displays all letters of a high-volume alphabet on a single board, then the user can access all letters upfront without shifting, but the condensed key display challenges some users' vision
Solution Approach 1:
Segmenting the keyboard into multiple pages with fewer keys per page allows each key to be displayed with sufficient size and spacing for clear visibility, preventing the visual crowding that would occur in a condensed single-page layout of 39+ keys.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the keyboard uses a two-part design to accommodate cursive Arabic script, then the user can access different halves of the alphabet, but this design is highly inconvenient and requires frequent use of the shift key
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a two-part design that requires shift key manipulation, the patent segments the alphabet into multiple pages that can be navigated directly. This allows all letter variants to be accessed without requiring the user to hold down the shift key, significantly improving typing convenience while maintaining full alphabet coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The keyboard dynamically adapts its layout based on the user's input context. When a user types a letter that has multiple forms (initial, medial, final, isolated), the keyboard automatically switches to display the appropriate variant, eliminating the need for manual shift key usage and making the system responsive to the user's needs.
5Device complexity
If the keyboard shows letters in isolated form only, then the keyboard layout is simplified, but users cannot visualize the shape of letters when typed, making it difficult to select letters and correct mistakes
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard dynamically changes the visual representation of letters based on the typing context. When a user types a letter, the keyboard displays that letter in its appropriate contextual form (initial, medial, final, or isolated) rather than always showing isolated form, allowing users to visualize the actual shape and make accurate selections and corrections.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for providing an enhanced shape-based keyboard to computing devices with an integrated touch screen display. In an implementation, the computing device displays a first keyboard such that the first keyboard comprises keys that correspond to initial base shapes of an alphabet. Next the computing device receives a first user input comprising a selection of one of the keys of the first keyboard. In response to the first user input, the computing device displays a second keyboard such that the second keyboard comprises keys that correspond to medial base shapes of the alphabet.