Virtual Keyboard Predictive Character Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing predictive text input methods for electronic devices require users to divert attention from the keyboard to view suggested words, leading to eye strain, inefficiency, and wasted processing cycles, especially when composing long texts.
Innovation Solution
A method that generates and displays predicted input characters within the virtual keyboard at locations proximate to subsequent candidate input characters, allowing users to input characters without diverting attention, enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and speed by keeping focus on the keyboard.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If predictive text suggestions are displayed separately from the keyboard, then users can see predicted words, but users must divert attention from the keyboard causing eye strain and inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the predictive text display with the virtual keyboard by placing predicted character indicators directly on or near the relevant keyboard keys. This integration allows users to see predictions without diverting their gaze from the keyboard, eliminating the need to switch attention between separate display areas and maintaining continuous typing flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical space above or beside keyboard keys to display predicted characters, effectively using a second dimension (vertical placement) rather than requiring a separate horizontal display area. This dimensional approach allows prediction information to coexist with the keyboard layout without forcing users to shift their visual focus.
2Loss of information
If users divert attention to view suggested words, then they can see predictions, but processing cycles are wasted and typing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs prediction calculations and prepares suggested characters in advance, displaying them proactively on the keyboard before the user needs them. This preliminary action ensures predictions are ready and visible without requiring additional processing time during the typing flow, maintaining both accuracy and speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous typing action by keeping prediction information continuously visible on the keyboard throughout the typing process. Users can seamlessly integrate prediction selection into their natural typing rhythm without interrupting the continuous flow of character input, thereby sustaining high productivity.
3Loss of information
If predictive characters are displayed outside the keyboard area, then predictions are visible, but users experience eye strain from constant refocusing
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the prediction display with the keyboard interface, the patent eliminates the need for users to shift their visual focus between separate areas. The predicted characters are embedded within the keyboard's visual field, allowing users to maintain a fixed gaze point and reducing ocular strain from constant refocusing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent places prediction indicators locally at or near the specific keyboard keys relevant to the predicted characters. This localized placement ensures that prediction information appears exactly where users naturally look when typing, eliminating the need to divert attention to distant or separate display areas and thereby preventing eye strain.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method including receiving an input of a character from a virtual keyboard displayed on a display, generating one or more sets of predicted input characters based on the input character, wherein each set of predicted input characters corresponds to a subsequent candidate input character, and displaying a visual indication of at least some of the one or more sets of predicted input characters, wherein the visual indication is displayed at keys of the virtual keyboard associated with subsequent candidate input characters corresponding to the sets of predicted input characters.