Soft Keyboard Input Accuracy via Nested Candidate Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face challenges in accurately selecting characters on a soft keyboard due to the small key size on terminal devices with touch screens, leading to frequent reselection of incorrect characters.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that detect the location of a touch point on a soft keyboard, determining if candidate characters are needed, and presenting them with larger areas on a secondary soft keyboard when the touch is off-center, allowing users to accurately select the target character.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the screen size is enlarged to increase key size, then input accuracy is improved, but device portability and compactness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested interface structure where a secondary soft keyboard with enlarged candidate characters is overlaid on top of the primary soft keyboard. The secondary keyboard contains a subset of characters from the primary keyboard but displays them at larger sizes, allowing users to accurately select characters without needing a larger physical screen. This nesting approach resolves the contradiction by providing large, easy-to-select characters within the constrained screen area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the character selection process into two stages: first, users interact with the primary soft keyboard to initiate character selection; second, a secondary soft keyboard with enlarged candidate characters is presented for accurate selection. This segmentation allows the system to maintain both compactness (primary keyboard fits on small screen) and input accuracy (secondary keyboard provides large, easy-to-select characters).
2Measurement precision
If the key size is increased on the soft keyboard, then input accuracy is improved, but the number of keys that can be displayed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional layout constraint to a layered three-dimensional interface structure. Instead of trying to fit all keys at large sizes in a single plane, the system creates a secondary layer (overlay) that presents only the necessary candidate characters in enlarged form. This dimensional transition allows large key sizes without reducing the total number of accessible keys, as the full keyboard remains accessible through the primary interface while the secondary interface provides enhanced selection accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If a physical keyboard is used instead of soft keyboard, then input accuracy is improved, but device integration and portability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of a physical keyboard with a software-based solution that mimics and enhances physical keyboard functionality. The secondary soft keyboard with enlarged candidate characters provides tactile-like selection accuracy through visual feedback and larger touch targets, eliminating the need for mechanical components while maintaining or improving input accuracy. This substitution preserves device integration and portability while achieving physical keyboard-level input precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, device and storage medium for inputting characters are provided. The method includes: presenting a user interface on the touch screen, the user interface comprising a soft keyboard; identifying a location of a first touch point upon detection of a first touch acted on the soft keyboard; judging, based on the location of the first touch point, whether it is needed to select a plurality of candidate characters from the soft keyboard; when it is needed to select the plurality of candidate characters, presenting the plurality of candidate characters on a currently provided user interface, wherein a first area occupied by each of the candidate characters on the currently provided user interface is larger than a second area occupied by each of the candidate characters on the soft keyboard; and determining a target character from the plurality of candidate characters.