Touch Screen Thai Keyboard Segmentation for Fast Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch screen keyboards for Thai character input on terminals are inconvenient due to small key sizes and require repetitive key presses, reducing input speed and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A touch screen apparatus and method that displays Thai characters in groups, using a first key set for consonants and a second key set for vowels and tone marks, allowing for pop-up displays of vowel and tone mark groups upon selection, facilitating easier and faster character entry with minimized key presses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a conventional touch screen keyboard is used for Thai character input, then the keyboard can be displayed on the touch screen, but the key size becomes small and inconvenient for users to view and touch
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard is divided into a first key set for consonants and a second key set for vowels and tone marks. By segmenting the keyboard layout and displaying only the currently needed key set, the patent enlarges the visible key size while maintaining comprehensive Thai character input capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to the keyboard display by switching between different key sets based on input context. Instead of displaying all keys simultaneously in a fixed layout, the system transitions between consonant keys and vowel/tone mark keys, effectively utilizing the time dimension to provide larger keys without increasing screen real estate.
2Productivity
If a conventional 3×4 layout is used for Thai character input, then all Thai letters can be mapped to each key, but the same key must be repeatedly pressed a maximum of 20 times to enter one Thai letter, reducing input speed
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting Thai characters into consonants (first key set) and vowels/tone marks (second key set), the patent reduces the number of presses needed. Users first press a consonant key, then press the corresponding vowel or tone mark key, eliminating the need for multiple repetitive presses of the same key required in conventional layouts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares the second key set (vowels and tone marks) to be displayed immediately after a consonant is selected. This preliminary preparation of the next needed key set allows users to continue input without searching or repeatedly pressing keys, thereby increasing input speed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a full keyboard layout is displayed on a limited size touch screen, then all Thai characters can be accessed, but the key size decreases making character entry difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complete Thai keyboard into functional groups (consonants in the first key set, vowels and tone marks in the second key set). This segmentation allows the system to display only the relevant key set at any given time, maintaining access to all Thai characters while enlarging the size of displayed keys for easier interaction.
Data Source
AI summary
A character input apparatus and method in a terminal are provided, in which a touch screen displays a first key set and a second key set. The first key set includes first letter keys with all consonants and a second letter key with symbols indicating Tone Marks (Tms) and positions of predetermined vowels, for inputting all vowels and Tms. The second key set includes the predetermined vowels or Tms. Upon selection of a symbol by the second letter key, the controller controls the touch screen to display the second key set and receives at least one letter by the first key set and the second key set.