Virtual Keyboard Prediction Candidate Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of touch-sensitive displays in electronic devices for character input is cumbersome due to the need to frequently switch focus between the virtual keyboard and an input area for predictive text suggestions, leading to eye strain and inefficiency, especially when composing long texts.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for displaying predictive character sets within the virtual keyboard, allowing users to select and remove or replace suggestions using gestures, thereby keeping the focus on typing without diverting attention from the keyboard.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If predictive text suggestions are displayed in a separate input area, then users can see character predictions, but users must frequently switch focus between the keyboard and input area, causing eye strain and reducing input efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the predictive text display area with the virtual keyboard by displaying prediction candidates directly on or near the keyboard keys. This integration allows users to see both the keyboard and predictions simultaneously without switching focus, resolving the contradiction between visibility and input efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical space above or below keyboard keys to display prediction candidates, adding a new dimensional layer to the keyboard interface. This allows predictive text to be visible without occupying horizontal keyboard space, enabling simultaneous viewing of keyboard and predictions.
2Productivity
If predictive text suggestions are displayed within the virtual keyboard, then users can maintain focus on typing, but the keyboard layout and key visibility may be obscured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by displaying prediction candidates selectively on or near specific keys rather than uniformly across the entire keyboard. This localized approach ensures that predictions appear only where relevant to the current typing context, maintaining keyboard clarity while providing predictive assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic behavior where prediction candidates are updated in real-time based on user input, and their display positions and visibility are adjusted dynamically. This allows the keyboard to adapt to user needs, showing predictions only when they assist typing without permanently obscuring key labels.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple prediction candidates are displayed on the keyboard, then users have more text options, but the keyboard interface becomes cluttered and harder to use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by displaying only a limited number of top prediction candidates (e.g., 1-3 suggestions) rather than showing all possible predictions. This selective display provides sufficient text options without overwhelming the user or cluttering the keyboard interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the prediction display by organizing candidates into hierarchical levels or groups based on relevance. This segmentation allows multiple predictions to be displayed in an organized manner, with primary suggestions prominently shown and secondary suggestions available on demand, reducing interface complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and electronic devices are provided for processing prediction candidates in connection with virtual keyboards and touch-sensitive displays. A display area of the touch-sensitive displays a virtual keyboard. Within the virtual keyboard is a plurality of keys, each of at least some of the keys corresponding to one or more different characters of a plurality of characters. The methods and devices may detect a selection of one or more of the keys. The methods and devices may generate one or more sets of characters based on the one or more characters corresponding to the selected key. The methods and devices may display the sets of characters within or substantially within the virtual keyboard. The methods and devices may detect a gesture associated with one of the displayed sets of characters, and, in response to detecting the gesture, remove the one of the displayed sets of characters from the virtual keyboard.