Text Speller System with Dynamic Input Control Expansion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing user interfaces for text entry in systems like vehicle navigation systems face challenges in efficiently allowing users to input text, particularly in narrowing down options based on context and recent entries, which can lead to user frustration and errors.

Innovation Solution

A text speller system that includes a display, user input device, memory, and processor, which displays user input controls in separate regions, allowing users to select single or multi-character inputs, and dynamically adjusts the display to accommodate selections, using recent and possible entries to predict and suggest text inputs based on context and user history.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a traditional text input interface is used, then users can enter text character by character, but the process is time-consuming and prone to errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetext entry speedVSAvoidtime required for text entry
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-loads and displays a list of possible entries (e.g., contact names, addresses, destinations) before the user needs to input text. As the user types, the system proactively filters and updates the list in real-time, presenting likely matches before the user completes their input, thereby anticipating user needs and reducing input time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors user input and provides immediate feedback by updating the list of possible entries in real-time. This dynamic feedback loop allows users to see how their partial input matches available entries, enabling them to confirm selections with fewer characters typed, thus improving productivity while reducing time loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the system displays all possible entries, then users have complete options, but the interface becomes cluttered and difficult to navigate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of entry optionsVSAvoidinterface navigability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the complete list of possible entries into multiple pages or groups. Instead of displaying all entries simultaneously, it shows a manageable subset (e.g., first page of results) and allows users to navigate between segments using pagination controls or by scrolling, maintaining interface cleanliness while preserving access to all options

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The display of possible entries is dynamic rather than static. The system automatically adjusts the visible list based on user input, filtering entries in real-time and reordering them by relevance. This dynamic adaptation allows the interface to maintain simplicity while comprehensively presenting options as users type, improving both navigability and adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the system provides contextual suggestions, then text entry becomes faster, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetext entry efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a universal text processing engine that handles multiple types of entries (contacts, addresses, destinations, notes) through a single unified interface and algorithm. This multi-functional approach provides contextual suggestions across different data types without requiring separate complex systems for each function, thereby improving productivity while controlling system complexity through code reusability and standardized processing logic

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2051158B1System for text entry
Publication Date: 2018.05.02 HARMAN INT IND INC
  • EP2051158B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2051158B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2051158B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus may generate a text entry with a user interface. The apparatus may include a display, a user input device, a memory and a processor. The apparatus may display single character user input controls and multi-character user input controls on the display. Each of the single character user input controls and the multi-character user input controls may be buttons selectable with the user input device. A single character user input control may correspond to a single character and a multi-character user input control may correspond to a group of characters. The apparatus may display one of the multi-character user input controls in a display region and other user input controls outside of the display region. If the multi-character user input control is selected, the apparatus may replace the multi-character user input control with a second set of single character user input controls in an expanded display region.