Virtual Keyboard Supplementing for Mobile Data Entry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of mobile computing devices face inefficiencies when entering complex data, such as passwords, into forms due to the need to frequently switch between different virtual input keyboards for various character types, which is cumbersome on devices with limited display real estate.

Innovation Solution

A system that automatically supplements the virtual input keyboard with delta character supplemental virtual input keyboards based on character keys from previous data entries, displaying only the necessary keys for each form field, thereby reducing the need for user-switching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple different virtual input keyboards are provided for different character types (alphabetic, numeric, punctuation), then the completeness of character input capability is improved, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to frequent keyboard switching

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharacter input capabilityVSAvoidkeyboard switching operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple virtual input keyboards (alphabetic, numeric, punctuation) into a single unified keyboard interface. This unified keyboard displays all character types simultaneously, eliminating the need for users to switch between separate keyboards while maintaining complete character input capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The virtual keyboard is designed as a universal interface that performs multiple functions - it can input alphabetic characters, numeric characters, and punctuation marks without requiring separate keyboard instances. The single keyboard serves all input needs through contextual character selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple different virtual input keyboards are provided for different character types, then the completeness of character input capability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to managing multiple keyboard interfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharacter input capabilityVSAvoidkeyboard interface management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple keyboard interfaces into a single unified virtual keyboard that displays all character types (alphabetic, numeric, punctuation) simultaneously. This consolidation reduces the number of keyboard interfaces from multiple separate keyboards to one integrated keyboard, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining complete character input capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the full virtual input keyboard is displayed, then all character keys are available for input, but the display real estate is excessively used and cluttered on mobile devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharacter key availabilityVSAvoiddisplay area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by displaying different character types in specific localized areas of the keyboard interface. The keyboard is organized with alphabetic characters in one region, numeric characters in another region, and punctuation marks in a third region, allowing all characters to be available without requiring a single large cluttered display area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The virtual keyboard is segmented into distinct sections for different character types (alphabetic, numeric, punctuation). Each segment contains only the relevant characters for that category, allowing the full keyboard to be displayed in a compact, organized layout that utilizes display space efficiently while maintaining character availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If frequent keyboard switching is required for complex passwords, then security requirements are met, but the productivity and ease of operation deteriorate during data entry

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepassword securityVSAvoiddata entry efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple character type keyboards into a single unified keyboard that provides all necessary keys for complex password creation (alphabetic, numeric, special characters) simultaneously. This eliminates the need for frequent keyboard switching while maintaining password security requirements, thereby significantly improving data entry efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10564846B2Supplementing a virtual input keyboard

Publication Date: 2020.02.18 KYNDRYL INC

AI summary

A method and system. A first computer device determines one or more candidate character keys based at least on previous data entries of a form field in a web page received by the first computer device from a second computer device displaying a virtual keyboard with character keys displayed on a display screen in the second computer device. The first computer device removes one or more matching character keys from the one or more candidate character keys that match the displayed character keys in the virtual keyboard. The first computer device determines one or more supplement character keys of a supplemental keyboard based on character keys of the one or more candidate character keys that remain after the matching character keys have been removed from the one or more candidate character keys. The first computer device communicates the one or more supplement character keys to the second computer device.