Virtual Keyboard Extension Bar for Application Function Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face inefficiencies in switching between function interfaces within applications, requiring multiple steps to find and access desired functions, especially when these functions are hidden or at deeper interaction levels.
Innovation Solution
An interface display method and apparatus that incorporates a virtual keyboard control and an extension bar control, where the extension bar displays character strings based on input operations, allowing quick access to target functions by selecting from the displayed strings, and updates its location and content dynamically with keyboard layout changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If users follow traditional multi-step navigation to access functions, then function accessibility is maintained through standard interface protocols, but operation steps increase and interaction efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by displaying predictive strings before the user completes full input. The extension bar shows predicted function names or search terms based on partial input, allowing users to select from pre-computed options rather than typing complete function names. This reduces operation steps while maintaining accurate function access.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension bar serves as an intermediary between the virtual keyboard and the function interface. It captures partial input, generates predictive results, and presents selectable options that bridge the gap between simple text input and complex function navigation, reducing the steps required to access hidden or deeply nested functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If function portals are hidden or placed at deeper interaction levels, then application interface organization is improved, but user access to functions becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring user input in the virtual keyboard and dynamically updating the extension bar with predictive strings. As users type even partial function names, the system provides immediate feedback by displaying matching function portals in the extension bar, making hidden functions detectable and accessible without deep navigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension bar performs preliminary action by pre-displaying function portal options based on partial input before the user completes their query. This allows users to see and select from available functions early in the input process, improving accessibility to organized but hidden function portals without requiring complete interface navigation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the extension bar displays multiple predictive strings, then user choice and function discovery are enhanced, but interface complexity and display space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The extension bar implements multi-functionality by serving multiple purposes within a single interface element: it displays predictive strings, shows input feedback, provides function portal access, and maintains dynamic updating. This consolidates multiple functions into one component, enhancing versatility without proportionally increasing overall interface complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension bar applies dynamics by continuously adapting its content based on user input. It dynamically updates predictive strings as the user types, adjusting the displayed options in real-time. This dynamic behavior allows the interface to remain relatively simple in structure while providing rich, adaptive functionality that enhances function discovery.
Data Source
AI summary
This application discloses a method of displaying information in a program interface of an application performed by a computer device. The method includes: displaying a virtual keyboard control and an extension bar control in the program interface; in response to an input operation in the virtual keyboard control, displaying at least one character string in the extension bar control, the at least one character string being determined according to the input operation in the virtual keyboard control; and in response to a select operation on a target string among the at least one character string in the extension bar control, displaying a function interface of applying a target function to the target string. This embodiment allows a user to quickly switch between function interfaces when using an application, thereby reducing operation steps of the user and improving human-computer interaction efficiency.