Virtual Keyboard Phonetic Input with Language Bar
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional computer keyboards are too large for portable devices, and virtual keyboards face challenges in inputting characters with accent options and multi-language environments, leading to difficulties in typing and error correction.
Innovation Solution
A method is presented where a virtual keyboard is displayed on a touch-sensitive display, allowing users to input phonetic strings, which are then converted to characters, with error correction and word prediction techniques applied, particularly for East Asian languages, enabling efficient text input on portable devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a virtual keyboard is used on portable devices, then the device size is reduced, but typing efficiency and accuracy deteriorate due to limited key options and lack of physical feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual keyboard is designed to support multiple languages and character sets (English, French, German, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean) within a single interface, allowing users to access diverse character options without requiring multiple specialized keyboards or devices
Solution Approach 2:
A language bar is introduced as an intermediary component between the virtual keyboard and the character input system. This language bar displays available languages and character options, enabling users to navigate and select from multiple character sets without cluttering the keyboard interface itself
2Volume of moving object
If a virtual keyboard with multi-character keys is used, then device size is reduced, but input accuracy deteriorates due to difficulty in selecting correct characters with accents or special options
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard interface is segmented into distinct functional areas: the main virtual keyboard for phonetic input and a separate language bar for character selection. This segmentation allows users to first input phonetic sounds using the keyboard, then review and select the precise character representation from the language bar, improving accuracy without adding physical size
Solution Approach 2:
The language bar acts as an intermediary display that shows all possible character interpretations of the phonetic input. Users can review these options and select the most accurate representation, ensuring precise input even for characters with multiple possible meanings or accent variations
3Adaptability or versatility
If phonetic string input is required for multi-language support, then language versatility is improved, but input time increases due to the need for phonetic string-to-character conversion
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary processing by automatically converting phonetic strings to candidate characters before the user needs to select them. The language bar pre-displays multiple possible character interpretations, so users don't need to manually look up or search for the correct character representation
Solution Approach 2:
The language bar provides immediate visual feedback showing all possible character interpretations of the phonetic input. This feedback mechanism allows users to quickly review options and make selections without additional delays, as the system has already prepared and displayed the conversion results in real-time
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for inputting text. A virtual keyboard is presented in a first region of a touch sensitive display of a device. An input representing a phonetic string is received on the virtual keyboard. The entered phonetic string is presented in a second region of the touch sensitive display. One or more candidates are identified based on the phonetic string. At least a subset of the candidates is presented. An input selecting one of the candidates is received. The entered phonetic string is replaced with the selected candidate.