Dynamic Keyboard Layout Transformation on Touch Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable electronic devices with touch-sensitive displays face limitations in efficiently adapting keyboard layouts for user convenience, particularly in limited space, where current solutions do not effectively transform virtual keypads based on user input gestures.
Innovation Solution
A method and electronic device configuration that detects user touch gestures on a keyboard displayed on a touch-sensitive display, allowing keys to move along predefined paths to change the keyboard layout dynamically, adding or removing rows and columns based on user input, thereby optimizing key placement and size for improved usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed keyboard layout is used on a touch-sensitive display, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the keyboard cannot adapt to different user input needs and display spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard layout is transformed from a static configuration to a dynamic one that can change based on user interaction. The controller detects touch gestures and dynamically repositions keys along predefined paths, allowing the keyboard to adapt its layout in real-time while maintaining a simple overall device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The keyboard layout parameters (key positions, rows, columns) are changed in response to user input. The system modifies the spatial parameters of keys by moving them along predefined paths, transforming the keyboard from a fixed parameter state to a variable parameter state that adapts to user needs
2Adaptability or versatility
If more keys are added to the keyboard to increase character input capability, then the keyboard functionality is improved, but the display space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard utilizes the temporal dimension by allowing keys to move and transform over time in response to user input. Instead of displaying all possible keys simultaneously in space, the system provides additional character input capability through dynamic key transformation, effectively adding functionality without increasing the static display area
Solution Approach 2:
The keyboard dynamically reconfigures its layout to provide more character input options when needed. Keys are moved along predefined paths to create additional rows or columns temporarily, allowing expanded functionality while maintaining compact display space when the expanded layout is not in use
3Ease of operation
If the keyboard layout is transformed frequently to adapt to user needs, then user convenience is improved, but the processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
Predefined paths for key movement are established in advance, so when transformation is needed, the system only needs to execute movements along these pre-planned trajectories rather than calculating new positions from scratch. This reduces processing time while still providing convenient keyboard transformation
Solution Approach 2:
The keyboard transformation is executed efficiently by moving keys along predefined paths in a streamlined manner. The system skips unnecessary intermediate calculations and directly implements the transformation, reducing the time penalty associated with frequent layout changes
Data Source
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AI summary
A method includes displaying a first keyboard on a touch-sensitive display of an electronic device, detecting a touch on the first keyboard, and when the touch is associated with a keyboard transformation function, changing the first keyboard into a second keyboard by moving keys of the first keyboard relative to other keys of the first keyboard, from first locations, along respective key paths, to second locations on the touch-sensitive display.