Touch Input Distance Detection for Text Entry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices with touch-sensitive displays face challenges in efficiently facilitating input due to limited space and the need for improved user interaction methods, particularly in entering text with precision and speed.
Innovation Solution
The method involves detecting touches on a touch-sensitive surface to determine distances associated with character lengths, identifying candidate objects in reference data that match initial and final characters, and displaying the most probable object, allowing for intuitive and efficient text entry by adjusting the distance between touches to select desired word lengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a virtual keyboard is displayed on the touch-sensitive display, then text input functionality is provided, but the display area available for content viewing is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the virtual keyboard from the display area by utilizing the proximity sensor's detection capability. Instead of displaying a full keyboard on the touchscreen, the system uses the sensor to detect finger proximity and trigger keyboard appearance only when needed, thereby preserving display area for content viewing while maintaining text input functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of finger proximity using the proximity sensor before displaying the virtual keyboard. This preliminary action allows the keyboard to appear proactively when the user approaches with their finger, eliminating the need for a permanently visible keyboard and maximizing display area utilization.
2Measurement precision
If traditional text input methods are used on small screens, then input accuracy is maintained, but input speed and user comfort are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using the proximity sensor to detect finger proximity and provide real-time information about the user's input intentions. The system adjusts keyboard appearance and character selection based on this feedback, allowing users to input text faster and more accurately by predicting their intended characters before they complete the input action.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of finger proximity and character intent before the user completes their input action. By detecting the approach of the finger and anticipating the intended character, the system can pre-select or highlight relevant characters, significantly improving input speed while maintaining accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of facilitating input at an electronic device includes detecting a first touch at a first touch location on a touch-sensitive device; the first touch being associated with a first character; detecting a second touch at a second touch location on the touch-sensitive surface, the second touch being associated with a second character; when movement of one of the first touch and the second touch is detected, determining a distance between the first touch location and the second touch location, the distance being associated with a number of characters of an object; identifying candidate objects in reference data that match the number of characters and include an initial character that matches the first character and a final character that matches the second character; and displaying at least one candidate object.