Virtual Keyboard Layout Optimization for Chinese Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patients with severe motor dysfunction face inefficiencies and fatigue when using English virtual keyboards to input Chinese characters due to the time-consuming and labor-intensive process of spelling characters with large movement distances between keys.
Innovation Solution
A virtual keyboard configured using a cost function-based search algorithm to optimize the layout of initial and final keys for Chinese syllables, reducing movement distance and operation times by setting initials and finals based on appearance frequencies and minimizing weighted distances, with a geometric layout that includes function keys for efficient input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an English virtual keyboard is used to input Chinese characters by spelling phonetic letters, then Chinese characters can be input using existing keyboard systems, but the movement distance among keys is large and input speed is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of key layout arrangement from conventional English keyboard patterns to an optimized configuration where high-frequency syllables are positioned at centrally-located keys. This parameter change reduces the average movement distance for input operations while maintaining compatibility with virtual keyboard systems, thereby improving input speed without sacrificing adaptability
2Adaptability or versatility
If an English virtual keyboard is used to input Chinese characters by spelling phonetic letters, then Chinese character input can be achieved, but the number of operation times is large and users feel fatigued
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the operational parameters by repositioning high-frequency syllable keys to central locations and optimizing the spatial distribution of all keys. This reduces the number of operations required and minimizes movement distance, directly decreasing user fatigue while preserving the full capability to input Chinese characters through phonetic spelling
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional keyboard layouts are used for Chinese character input, then implementation is simple, but the weighted distance for spelling syllables is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and pre-arranging the optimal key layout based on syllable frequency data before actual use. The high-frequency syllables are predetermined to be placed at centrally-located keys, and this optimized configuration is prepared in advance, eliminating the need for complex real-time calculations and maintaining implementation simplicity while dramatically improving input efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a virtual keyboard for inputting Chinese characters and a configuring method thereof, an input method, and a Chinese character input system. The configuring method includes the following steps: setting a geometric layout of the virtual keyboard; and setting initials and finals on available keys of the virtual keyboard respectively using a cost function-based search algorithm so as to obtain an optimal layout of initial keys and final keys, wherein the initial keys and the final keys in the optimal layout are set based on a minimum cost function value for spelling all Chinese syllables, and the minimum cost function value is a minimum sum of weighted distances of the initial keys and the final keys for all the Chinese syllables. When the Chinese characters are input by the virtual keyboard obtained by this method, the number of operation times and the movement distance can be reduced effectively and thus the input efficiency of the Chinese characters and the usability of the virtual keyboard are greatly improved.