Virtual Keyboard Predictive Character Highlighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current predictive text input methods on electronic devices require users to divert attention from the keyboard to view suggested words, leading to eye strain, inefficiency, and resource wastage, as they often need to input most characters before suggestions are offered and require refocusing to confirm inputs, especially when typing long messages.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device method that displays predicted characters on the virtual keyboard, allowing users to review inputted characters without leaving the keyboard, providing real-time feedback on key presses and potential errors, with highlighting to indicate correct or incorrect key presses, thus maintaining focus on the keyboard for enhanced efficiency, accuracy, and speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If predictive text suggestions are displayed separately from the keyboard, then users can see suggested words, but users must divert attention from the keyboard causing eye strain and inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the predictive text suggestions with the virtual keyboard by displaying suggested characters directly on the keyboard keys themselves. When a user types, the next suggested character appears on the relevant key, merging the suggestion display with the input interface. This eliminates the need to shift focus between separate suggestion areas and the keyboard, resolving the contradiction between visibility and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical space above the keyboard to display suggested characters, creating a new dimensional layer for information display. Instead of placing suggestions to the side or below (horizontal/linear arrangement), the suggestions appear in the vertical dimension directly above their corresponding keys, allowing users to perceive both the keyboard and suggestions within the same visual field without refocusing.
2Reliability
If users must input most characters before suggestions are offered, then predictive accuracy can be maintained, but time is lost and processor cycles are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary predictive analysis after each character input rather than waiting for multiple characters to be entered. The system proactively calculates and displays the next suggested character immediately, performing the predictive action in advance before the user needs it. This maintains accuracy by using available context while improving productivity by eliminating waiting time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous feedback by displaying suggested characters on the keyboard after each input, allowing users to immediately see and utilize predictions. This feedback loop provides real-time guidance without requiring users to input extensive text first, balancing predictive reliability with input speed by adjusting suggestions based on ongoing input patterns.
3Measurement precision
If users refocus to confirm inputted characters, then input accuracy can be verified, but eye strain increases and processing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the verification function with the keyboard display by showing inputted characters and their corresponding key presses in the same visual area. Users can confirm their input by observing the highlighted keys and displayed characters within the keyboard interface itself, eliminating the need to shift focus to separate verification areas and reducing both processor idle cycles and user eye strain.
Data Source
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AI summary
A virtual keyboard providing an indication of received input and method of controlling the same is provided. The method comprises receiving an input of a character from a virtual keyboard displayed on a display, and highlighting a key in the virtual keyboard which corresponds to the input character when the input character belongs to a current set of characters which is incomplete.