Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TOUCHSCREEN KEYBOARD PROVIDING WORD PREDICTIONS AT
LOCATIONS IN ASSOCIATION WITH CANDIDATE LETTERS
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to input methodologies
for
electronic devices, such as handheld electronic devices, and more
particularly, to
methods for receiving predictive text input and generation of a set of
characters for
electronic devices.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Increasingly, electronic devices, such as computers, netbooks,
cellular
phones, smart phones, personal digital assistants, tablets, etc., have
touchscreens
that allow a user to input characters into an application, such as a word
processor
or email application. Character input on touchscreens can be a cumbersome task
due to, for example, the small touchscreen area, particularly where a user
needs to
input a long message.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] Fig. 1 is an example block diagram of an electronic device,
consistent
with embodiments disclosed herein.
[0004] Fig. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example method for
predicting a
selected set of characters, consistent with embodiments disclosed herein.
[0005] Figs. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D show example front views of a
touchscreen,
consistent with embodiments disclosed herein.
[0006] Figs. 4A and 4B show example front views of a touchscreen,
consistent
with embodiments disclosed herein.
[0007] Fig. 5 shows an example front view of a touchscreen, consistent
with
embodiments disclosed herein.
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[0008] Figs. 6A, 6B, and 6C show example front views of a touchscreen,
consistent with embodiments disclosed herein.
[0009] Fig. 7 shows an example front view of a touchscreen, consistent
with
embodiments disclosed herein.
[0010] Figs. 8A and 8B show example front views of a touchscreen,
consistent
with embodiments disclosed herein.
[0011] Fig. 9 shows an example front view of a touchscreen, consistent
with
embodiments disclosed herein.
[0012] Figs. 10A and 10B show example front views of a touchscreen,
consistent with embodiments disclosed herein.
[0013] Figs. 11A and 11B show example front views of a touchscreen,
consistent with embodiments disclosed herein.
[0014] Figs. 12A and 12B show example front views of a touchscreen,
consistent with embodiments disclosed herein.
[0015] Figs. 13A and 13B show example front views of a touchscreen,
consistent with embodiments disclosed herein.
[0016] Figs. 14A, 14B, and 14C show example front views of a touchscreen,
consistent with embodiments disclosed herein.
[0017] Fig. 15 shows an example front view of a touchscreen, consistent
with
embodiments disclosed herein.
[0018] Fig. 16 shows an example front view of a touchscreen, consistent
with
embodiments disclosed herein.
[0019] Fig. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example method, consistent
with
embodiments disclosed herein.
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[0020] Fig. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example method, consistent
with
embodiments disclosed herein.
[0021] Fig. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example method, consistent
with
embodiments disclosed herein.
[0022] Fig. 20 shows an example front view of a virtual keyboard for
display
on a touchscreen, consistent with embodiments disclosed herein.
[0023] Figs. 21 to 23 show example front views of a virtual keyboard for
display on a touchscreen, consistent with embodiments disclosed herein.
[0024] Figs. 24 and 25 show flowchart illustrating example methods
consistent with embodiments disclosed herein.
[0025] Fig. 26 shows an example front view of a virtual keyboard for
display
on a touchscreen, consistent with embodiments disclosed herein.
DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0026] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments,
examples of which are illustrated in. the accompanying drawings. Wherever
possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to
refer
to the same or like parts.
[0027] The present disclosure relates to an electronic device, including
wired
communication devices (for example, a laptop computer having a touchscreen)
and
mobile or handheld wireless communication devices such as cellular phones,
smartphones, wireless organizers, personal digital assistants, wirelessly
enabled
notebook computers, tablets, and similar devices. The electronic device can
also be
an electronic device without wireless communication capabilities, such as a
handheld electronic game device, digital photograph album, digital camera, or
other
device.
[0028] Basic predictive text input solutions have been introduced for
assisting
with input on an electronic device. These solutions include predicting which
word a
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user is entering and offering multiple suggestions for completing the word.
But
these solutions can have limitations, often requiring the user to input most
or all of
the characters in a word before the solution suggests the word the user is
trying to
input. Even then, a user often has to divert focus from the keyboard to view
and
consider all of the suggested words displayed elsewhere on the display of the
electronic device, and thereafter, look back at the keyboard to continue
typing.
Refocusing of one's eyes relative to the keyboard considering multiple
suggested
words while inputting information in an electronic device can be cumbersome,
distracting, and otherwise inefficient. Moreover, processing cycles are lost
and
display power wasted as the processor is idling while the user is focusing
attention
to the input area, and then back at the virtual keyboard.
[0029] The efficiency of predictive text input solutions, from the
perspective
of both device resources and user experience, sometimes depends on the
particular
user and the nature of the interaction of the particular user with the
touchscreen.
Virtual keyboard usage patterns can be broadly categorized as being of two
types:
"rapid" and "precise". Rapid typists are typically fast two-thumb typists
which rely
on auto-correction. This usage pattern corresponds most closely with
experienced,
frequent touchscreen users. Precise typists are typically careful typists who
are
inclined to use a single finger point to tap keys in the virtual keyboard, and
often
choose predictions as an input accelerator rather than auto-correction. This
usage
pattern corresponds most closely with novice/new touchscreen users as well as
potentially one-handed (thumb) use situations.
[0030] Accordingly, example embodiments described herein permit the user
of an electronic device to input characters while reducing the need to
consider
multiple suggested words. The example embodiments seek to reduce or eliminate
diversion of user attention from the keyboard and the subsequently refocusing
of
user attention. Example embodiments described herein also seek to accommodate
different user types, such as rapid typists and precise typists, and the
different
efficiency challenges presented by the different user types.
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[0031] Use of the indefinite article "a" or "an" in the specification and
the
claims is meant to include one or more than one of the feature that it
introduces,
unless otherwise indicated. Thus, the term "a set of characters" as used in
"generating a set of characters" can include the generation of one or more
than one
set of characters. Similarly, use of the definite article "the", or "said,"
particularly
after a feature has been introduced with the indefinite article, is meant to
include
one or more than one of the feature to which it refers (unless otherwise
indicated).
Therefore, the term "the generated set of characters" as used in "displaying
the
generated set of characters" includes displaying one or more generated set of
characters. References to orientation contained herein, such as horizontal and
vertical, are relative to the screen orientation of a graphical user interface
rather
than any physical orientation.
[0032] In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a method for
providing a virtual keyboard displayed on a display with visual cues,
comprising:
receiving an input of a character from the virtual keyboard; displaying one or
more
sets of predicted input characters in a prediction bar displayed on the
display,
wherein each set of predicted input characters is located within the
prediction bar at
a position corresponding to the key of a subsequent candidate input character
in
the set of predicted input characters.
[0033] In accordance with another embodiment, there is provided a method
for providing a virtual keyboard displayed on a display with visual cues,
comprising:
receiving an input of a character from the virtual keyboard; displaying one or
more
sets of predicted input characters in a prediction bar displayed on the
display; and
highlighting one or more keys in the virtual keyboard corresponding to a
subsequent candidate input character in the each of the one or more set of
predicted input characters.
[0034] In accordance with a further embodiment, there is provided an
electronic device is provided that comprises a display having a virtual
keyboard
displayed thereupon, and a processor. The processor can be configured to
perform
the methods described herein.
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[0035] In accordance with a further embodiment, there is provided a
keyboard displayed on a display of an electronic device is provided. The
keyboard
can include a plurality of keys, each key corresponding to one or more
different
characters of a plurality of characters. In response to receiving an input of
a
character, the keyboard is configured to perform the methods described herein.
[0036] In a further embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable
storage
medium is provided that includes computer executable instructions for
performing
methods described herein.
[0037] At least some of these example embodiments, as well as those
described below, permit the user of an electronic device to input a set of
characters
without diverting attention from the virtual keyboard and subsequently
refocusing.
Predicting and providing various options that the user is likely
contemplating, and
doing so at appropriate locations near the keyboard, allows the focus to
remain
near the keyboard, which enhances efficiency, accuracy, and speed of character
input.
[0038] Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device 100, consistent
with
example embodiments disclosed herein. Electronic device 100 includes multiple
components, such as a main processor 102 that controls the overall operation
of
electronic device 100. Communication functions, including data and voice
communications, are performed through a communication subsystem 104. Data
received by electronic device 100 is decompressed and decrypted by a decoder
106. The communication subsystem 104 receives messages from and sends
messages to a network 150. Network 150 can be any type of network, including,
but not limited to, a wired network, a data wireless network, voice wireless
network, and dual-mode wireless networks that support both voice and data
communications over the same physical base stations. Electronic device 100 can
be
a battery-powered device and include a battery interface 142 for receiving one
or
more batteries 144.
[0039] Main processor 102 is coupled to and can interact with additional
subsystems such as a Random Access Memory (RAM) 108; a memory 110, such as
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a hard drive, CD, DVD, flash memory, or a similar storage device; one or more
actuators 120; one or more force sensors 122; an auxiliary input/output (I/O)
subsystem 124; a data port 126; a speaker 128; a microphone 130; short-range
communications 132; other device subsystems 134; and a touchscreen 118.
[0040] Touchscreen 118 includes a display 112 with a touch-active overlay
114 connected to a controller 116. User-interaction with a graphical user
interface
(GUI), such as a virtual keyboard rendered and displayed on the display 112 as
a
GUI for input of characters, or a web-browser, is performed through touch-
active
overlay 114. Main processor 102 interacts with touch-active overlay 114 via
controller 116. Characters, such as text, symbols, images, and other items are
displayed on display 112 of touchscreen 118 via main processor 102. Characters
are inputted when the user touches the touchscreen at a location associated
with
said character.
[0041] Touchscreen 118 is connected to and controlled by main processor
102. Accordingly, detection of a touch event and/or determining the location
of the
touch event can be performed by main processor 102 of electronic device 100. A
touch event includes in some embodiments, a tap by a finger, a swipe by a
finger, a
swipe by a stylus, a long press by finger or stylus, or a press by a finger
for a
predetermined period of time, and the like.
[0042] While specific embodiments of a touchscreen have been described,
any
suitable type of touchscreen for an electronic device can be used, including,
but not
limited to, a capacitive touchscreen, a resistive touchscreen, a surface
acoustic
wave (SAW) touchscreen, an embedded photo cell touchscreen, an infrared (IR)
touchscreen, a strain gauge-based touchscreen, an optical imaging touchscreen,
a
dispersive signal technology touchscreen, an acoustic pulse recognition
touchscreen
or a frustrated total internal reflection touchscreen. The type of touchscreen
technology used in any given embodiment will depend on the electronic device
and
its particular application and demands.
[0043] Main processor 102 can also interact with a positioning system 136
for
determining the location of electronic device 100. The location can be
determined in
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any number of ways, such as by a computer, by a Global Positioning System
(GPS),
either included or not included in electric device 100, through a Wi-Fl
network, or
by having a location entered manually. The location can also be determined
based
on calendar entries.
[0044] In some embodiments, to identify a subscriber for network access,
electronic device 100 uses a Subscriber Identity Module or a Removable User
Identity Module (SIM/RUIM) card 138 inserted into a SIM/RUIM interface 140 for
communication with a network, such as network 150. Alternatively, user
identification information can be programmed into memory 110.
[0045] Electronic device 100 also includes an operating system 146 and
programs 148 that are executed by main processor 102 and are typically stored
in
memory 110. Additional applications may be loaded onto electronic device 100
through network 150, auxiliary I/O subsystem 124, data port 126, short-range
communications subsystem 132, or any other suitable subsystem.
[0046] A received signal such as a text message, an e-mail message, or
web
page download is processed by communication subsystem 104 and this processed
information is then provided to main processor 102. Main processor 102
processes
the received signal for output to display 112, to auxiliary I/O subsystem 124,
or a
combination of both. A user can compose data items, for example e-mail
messages,
which can be transmitted over network 150 through communication subsystem
104. For voice communications, the overall operation of electronic device 100
is
similar. Speaker 128 outputs audible information converted from electrical
signals,
and microphone 130 converts audible information into electrical signals for
processing.
[0047] Fig. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example method 200 for
predicting
a set of characters, consistent with example embodiments disclosed herein. As
used
herein, a predictor (such as a predictive algorithm, program or firmware)
includes a
set of instructions that when executed by a processor (for example, main
processor
102), can be used to disambiguate for example, received ambiguous text input
and
provide various options, such as a set of characters (for example, words or
phrases,
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acronyms, names, slang, colloquialisms, abbreviations, or any combination
thereof)
that a user might be contemplating. A predictor can also receive otherwise
unambiguous text input and predict a set of characters potentially
contemplated by
the user based on several factors, such as context, frequency of use, and
others as
appreciated by those skilled in the field. The predictor may predict a set of
characters which completes a received text input (known as auto-completion),
correct received text input (known as auto-correction), or a combination
thereof
(e.g., completing the text input while correcting previously entered text
input).
[0048] For example, in the predictor is a program 148 residing in memory
110 of electronic device 100. Accordingly, method 200 includes a predictor for
generating a set of characters corresponding to a subsequent candidate input
character based on inputted characters. It can be appreciated that while the
example embodiments described herein are directed to a predictor program
executed by a processor, the predictor can be executed by a virtual keyboard
controller.
[0049] Method 200 begins at block 210, where the processor receives an
input of one or more characters from a virtual keyboard displayed on a
touchscreen. As used herein, however, a character can be any alphanumeric
character, such as a letter, a number, a symbol, a punctuation mark, and the
like.
The inputted character can be displayed in an input field (for example, input
field
330 further described below in Figs. 3-9) that displays the character the user
inputs
using the virtual keyboard.
[0050] At block 220, the processor generates one or more sets of
characters
such as words or phrases, acronyms, names, slang, colloquialisms,
abbreviations,
or any combination thereof based on the input received in block 210. The set
of
characters includes, for example, a set of characters that are stored in a
dictionary
(for example, a word or an acronym) of a memory of the electronic device, a
set of
characters that were previously inputted by user (for example, a name or
acronym), a set of characters based on a hierarchy or tree structure, a
combination
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thereof, or any set of characters that are selected by a processor based on
defined
arrangement.
[0051] In some embodiments, the processor can use contextual data for
generating a set of characters. Contextual data considers the context of
characters
in the input field. Contextual data can include information about, for
example, set
of characters previously inputted by the user, grammatical attributes of the
characters inputted in the input field (for example, whether a noun or a verb
is
needed as the next set of characters in a sentence), or any combination
thereof.
For example, if the set of characters "the" has already been inputted into
display,
the processor can use the contextual data to determine that a noun¨instead of
a
verb¨will be the next set of characters after "the". Likewise, if the set of
characters
"Guy Lafleur played in the National Hockey" was inputted, based on the
context,
the processor can determine the subsequent set of characters is likely
"League".
Using the contextual data, the processor can also determine whether an
inputted
character was incorrect. For example, the processor can determine that the
inputted character was supposed to be a "w" instead of an "a", given the
proximity
of these characters on a QWERTY virtual keyboard.
[0052] Processor 102 can also include an affix as part of the set of
characters,
such as an adverb ending, an adjective ending, different verb tenses, and the
like,
or any other change to make a complete set of characters. Processor 102 can
also
use the received input to generate affixes, such as plural endings or plural
forms.
Any known predictive technique or software can be used to process the received
input and the contextual data in generating set of characters at block 220.
[0053] In some example embodiments, the set of characters generated at
block 220 can begin with the same character received as input at block 210.
For
example, if the characters "pi" have been received as input using a virtual
keyboard, these characters will be received by the processor as the input. In
these
embodiments, the set of characters generated at block 220 would all begin with
"p1", such as "please" or "plot." There is no limit on the length of a
generated set of
characters. Regarding affixes, if the user has input the characters "child",
for
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example, the affixes generated at block 220 could include "-ren", to make the
set of
characters "children", or "-ish", to make the set of characters "childish".
[0054] In some example embodiments, the set of characters generated at
block 220 can simply include the same characters received as input at block
210.
For example, if the received input is an "x," the processor may generate
"example"
or "xylophone" as the set of characters. Such sets of characters can be
generated
using the contextual data.
[0055] In another example embodiment, if input has not been received or a
delimiter (such as a <SPACE>) has been used, the generated set of characters
can
be placed on subsequent candidate input characters that correspond to the
first
letter of the generated set of characters.
[0056] Next, at block 230, the generated set of characters from block 220
can
be ranked. The rankings reflect the likelihood that a candidate set of
characters
might have been intended by the user, or might be chosen by a user compared to
another candidate set of characters.
[0057] In some embodiments, contextual data can be included in the
ranking
at block 230. In some embodiments, the electronic device can be configured to
rank nouns or adjectives higher based on the previous inputted set of
characters. If
the inputted set of characters is suggestive of a noun or adjective, the
processor,
using the contextual data, can rank the nouns or adjectives corresponding to
what
the user is typing tiigher at block 230. In an additional embodiment, set of
characters including adjective affixes (such as "-ish" or "-fur), phrases,
plurals, or
combinations thereof can also be ranked. Contextual data can increase the
likelihood that the higher ranked generated set of characters is intended by a
user.
In some embodiments, contextual data can include information about which
programs or applications are currently running or being used by a user. For
example, if the user is running an email application, then set of characters
associated with that user's email system, such as set of characters from the
user's
contact list, can be used to determine the ranking. N-grams, including
unigrams,
bigrams, trigrams, and the like, can be also used in the ranking of the sets
of
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characters. Alternatively, the geolocation of the electronic device or user
can be
used in the ranking process. If, for example, the electronic device recognizes
that a
user is located at his/her office, then sets of characters generally
associated with
work can be ranked higher in the list. If, on the other hand, the device
determines
a user is at the beach, then sets of characters generally associated with the
beach
can be ranked higher in the list.
[0058] At block 240, the processor determines which of the set of
characters
to display based on the ranking. For example, higher ranked sets of characters
are
more likely to be determined that they should be displayed. A ranker (such as
a
ranking algorithm, program or firmware) includes a set of instructions that
when
executed by a processor (for example, main processor 102), can be executed to
determine ranking in this regard. In some embodiments, the ranker is a program
146 residing in memory 110 of electronic device 100.
[0059] At block 250, the determined set of characters is displayed at a
location on the keyboard corresponding to a subsequent candidate input
character,
predicted as the next character in a word that the user might input. For
instance, if
a user inputs "p1", the word "please" would be displayed on the key for the
letter
"e"¨the subsequent candidate input character for that word. Similarly, the
word
"plus" would also be displayed on the key for the letter "u"¨another
subsequent
candidate input character. The subsequent candidate input character can be any
alphanumeric character, such as a letter, number, symbol, punctuation mark,
and
the like.
[0060] In some embodiments, the generated set of characters is displayed
at
or near keys on the virtual keyboard associated with the subsequent candidate
input characters. Its placement at or near a key can depend, for instance, on
the
size of the word or the number of nearby subsequent candidate input characters
and the size of their associated set of characters.
[0061] The set of characters can be displayed in a manner that will
attract the
user's attention. In some embodiments, a displayed set of character's
appearance
can be enhanced or changed in a way that makes the set more readily visible to
the
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user. For example, displayed sets of characters can be displayed with
backlighting,
highlighting, underlining, bolding, italicizing, using combinations thereof,
or in any
other way for making the displayed set of characters more visible.
[0062] When identifying the set of characters for display at block 240,
the
processor can limit the displayed set of characters to the top few or choose
among
the higher ranked sets of characters. For example, if two sets of characters
are
both ranked high, and these sets of characters would otherwise be displayed at
the
same key, the electronic device could be configured to display only the
highest
ranked generated set of characters. In other embodiments, both sets of
characters
could be displayed at or around the same key, or one set of characters is
displayed
at one key while the second set of characters is displayed at another key. In
some
example embodiments, the processor can take into account the display size to
limit
the number of generated sets of characters.
[0063] In some embodiments, the ranking could be used to choose between
two or more sets of characters that, when displayed on adjacent subsequent
candidate input characters, would overlap with each other (e.g., because of
their
respective lengths). In such a scenario, the electronic device could be
configured to
display the higher ranked set of characters on the keyboard. For example, if
the set
of characters "establishment" is ranked first in a list generated at block 240
after
the letter "E" is inputted, "establishment" could be displayed at the "S" key.
When
displayed on a virtual keyboard, however, its length might occupy some space
on
the "A" key and the "D" key, potentially blocking a set of characters that
would be
displayed on or around those keys. At block 240, it could be determined that
"establishment" would be displayed fully, and no other set of characters would
be
placed at the "A" or "D" keys ahead of the first ranked set of characters
"establishment." An alternative to displaying only the top ranked set of
characters
would be to use abbreviations or recognized shortened forms of the set of
characters, effectively permitting a long set of characters to be displayed
within or
mostly within the boundaries of a single key simultaneously with other sets of
characters on adjacent keys of a virtual keyboard.
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[0064] Figures 3-9 illustrate a series of example front views of the
touchscreen 118 having a virtual keyboard 320, consistent with example
embodiments disclosed herein. Starting with Fig. 3A, touchscreen 118 includes
a
virtual keyboard 320 that is touch-active. The position of the virtual
keyboard 320
is variable such that virtual keyboard 320 can be placed at any location on
touchscreen 118. Touchscreen 118 could be configured to detect the location
and
possibly pressure of one or more objects at the same time. Touchscreen 118
includes two areas: (1) an input field 330 that displays characters after a
user has
inputted those characters and (2) the virtual keyboard 320 that receives the
input
from the user. As described throughout this disclosure, a virtual keyboard
displays
a set of characters at a location on the keyboard corresponding to a
subsequent
candidate input character that might be received as input from the user.
[0065] The examples and embodiments illustrated in Figures 3-9 can be
implemented with any set of characters, such as words, phrases, acronyms,
names,
slang, colloquialisms, abbreviations, or any combination thereof.
[0066] As shown in Fig. 3A, touchscreen 118 displays a standard QWERTY
virtual keyboard 320; however, any conventional key configuration can be
displayed for use in the device, such as AZERTY, QWERTZ, or a layout based on
the
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) standard (ITU E.161) having "ABC"
on
key 2, "DEF" on key 3, and so on. Virtual keyboard 320 includes space key 350
as
well as other keys that can provide different inputs, such as punctuation,
letters,
numbers, enter or return keys, and function keys. While virtual keyboard 320
is
shown as having a square shape, it can have any other shape (such as an arch).
[0067] As shown in Fig. 3A, touchscreen 118 displays input field 330,
which
displays the characters the user inputs using virtual keyboard 320. Input
field 330
includes a cursor 340, which can be an underscore (as shown) or any other
shape,
such as a vertical line. Cursor 340 represents the character space where a
next
inputted character, selected character, or selected set of characters will be
inserted.
[0068] As shown in Fig. 3B, when a user inputs a character (in this
example,
"P"), this character is displayed in input field 330 and cursor 340 moves to
the
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character space where the next inputted character or word will be inserted.
After
the character is inputted, a predictor (such as, a predictive algorithm or a
circuit)
can generate set of characters 360 (for this embodiment) that all begin with
the
character "P", or characters if more than one character is input. The
generated set
of characters are displayed at a location on the keyboard corresponding to a
subsequent candidate input character that might be received as input from the
user. As mentioned, generated set of characters 360 can be displayed at or
near
the key corresponding to the subsequent candidate input characters (for
example,
under the respective A, E, H, and 0 keys of the virtual keyboard 320). Indeed,
slightly shifting the display location of the generated set of characters can
address
overcrowding of subsequent candidate input characters, effectively permitting
more
set of characters to be displayed.
[0069] In the example shown in Fig. 3B, "P" is received as input and a
predictor generates several set of characters 360, which are displayed at keys
corresponding to each generated set of characters' subsequent candidate input
character. As shown in Fig. 3B, "People" is placed at the "E" key because the
next
letter after "P" of "People" is "E"; "Paul" will be place at the "A" key
because the
next letter after "P" of "Paul" is "A"; "Phone" will be placed at the "H" key
because
the next letter after "P" of "Phone" is "H"; and so on. It should be noted
that any of
the letters in the set of characters can be upper case or lower case.
[0070] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3C, "L" is next input received by
touchscreen, and a predictor determines several generated set of characters
360,
which are displayed at a key corresponding to subsequent candidate input
characters (for example, under the respective A, E, and U keys of the virtual
keyboard 320), for the current position of cursor 340, which is in the third
character
position, as shown in input field 330. In another embodiment, a generated set
of
characters 360 can be presented such as to include the subsequent candidate
input
character. For example, the set of characters "Please" can be displayed so
that the
characters "Pl" are displayed before the "E" character on the "E" key, and the
characters "ase" can be placed after the "E" character on the "E" key.
Further, in
this or other embodiments, the displayed "E" can be presented in a manner that
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differs from the "Pl" and "ase", thereby enabling the user to still recognize
it as the
"E" key while also making it readily visible so that the user can either input
the
generated set of characters "Please" or input the character "E". The "E" can
be
capitalized or in lowercase. In other embodiments, an affix can be displayed
at the
key. Using the example of the set of characters "Please" above, the "ase"
could be
displayed at the "E" key so the set of characters fragment "-ease" or "-Ease"
would
appear.
[0071] If the user inputs a generated set of characters, that set of
characters
is placed in input field 330. This can be seen in Fig. 3D, where the user has
inputted
generated set of characters "Please," resulting in its placement in the input
field. A
space is inserted after the set of characters if the user wants to input a new
set of
characters. A user could input a generated set of characters in various ways,
including in a way that differs from a manner of inputting a character key.
For
example, to input a generated set of characters, a user could use a finger or
stylus
to swipe the generated set of characters. As used herein, swiping includes
swiping
the set of characters itself or swiping or touching near the set of
characters. For the
latter embodiment, the device can detect a swipe or touch near a set of
characters,
be it a generated set of characters or a predicted set of characters (to be
described
below), and through the use of a predictor, determine the set of characters
the user
intended to input. In another embodiment, the user could press a key for a
predetermined period of time, such as a long press. That key can be, for
example,
the key corresponding to the subsequent candidate input character of the set
of
characters. So, if the set of characters "Please" is intended to be inputted
instead of
"E", the electronic device 100 can be configured to require that the "E" key
be
pressed for a predetermined period of time to trigger the input of "Please".
[0072] After a generated set of characters 360 has been determined, as
shown in Fig. 3D, a predicted set of characters 380 can be displayed, shown
here at
space key 350. Predicted set of characters 380 can differ from generated set
of
characters 360 (as shown in Figs. 3A-3C) and is the system's attempt to
predict the
next set of characters a user might be contemplating. A predictor is used to
determine predicted set of characters 380. As with displayed generated set of
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characters 360, predicted set of characters 380 can be received as input in
any
number of ways, including receiving a swiping of the predicted set of
characters
with a finger or stylus or receiving a pressing of a key (such as the space
key or
another designated key) for a predetermined period of time (long press).
[0073] In Fig. 4A, electronic device 100 receives "C" as input from
virtual
keyboard 320. Again, a predictor determines generated set of characters 460
based
in part on the received input. In Fig. 4B, electronic device 100 receives "0"
as input
from the virtual keyboard and outputs the "0" in input field 330. As shown in
Fig.
4A, the set of characters "count" was displayed at the "0" key after the input
of the
"C" character was received. Since the "0" key was pressed in a manner to only
input the "0" character, as shown in Fig. 4B, an "0" is displayed as second
character of the currently inputted set of characters, and the set of
characters
"count" is not inputted by the user. Alternatively, if a user wanted to input
the
generated set of characters "count," the user can input the "0" key in Fig. 4A
in a
manner different from a manner of inputting the "0" key, such as by swiping
the
set of characters "count" or by a long press on the "0" key, as opposed to
tapping.
Returning to Fig. 4B, after the "0" is inputted, generated set of characters
460 are
displayed at the keys corresponding to subsequent candidate input characters,
as
shown in Fig. 4B.
[0074] Fig. 5 shows input field 330 displaying the set of characters
"contact"
followed by a space. In that instance, the user inputted the generated set of
characters "contact" 460 as was shown in Fig. 4B at the "N" key. Referring
back to
Fig. 5, a <SPACE> character is now automatically inserted after the generated
word
in the input field. Predicted word "me" 580 is now displayed on space key 350.
[0075] If the predicted word "me" 580 is received as input, the word "me"
580 is then displayed in input field 330 followed by a space as shown in Fig.
6A,
which then shows predicted word 680 "immediately" displayed on space key 350.
The predicted word is presented after a completed word and space have been
displayed in input field 330.
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[0076] Fig. 6B shows an example where touchscreen 118 has received the
"T"
character as input after the user has pressed the "T" key. In this scenario,
touchscreen 118 displays a "t" in input field 330. Generated set of characters
660
(for example, "Tuesday," "today," and "Thursday") are displayed at the keys of
the
subsequent candidate input characters. Fig. 6C shows an example where
electronic
device 100 has received the "o" character as input after the user presses the
"0"
key instead of inputting generated set of characters 660 "today" as was shown
in
Fig. 6B. Thus, "o" is now displayed in input field 330.
[0077] Fig. 7 shows an example where touchscreen 118 has received the
<SPACE> character as input after the user selects the space key. In this
scenario,
touchscreen 118 inserts a <SPACE> character, and then displays predicted set
of
characters "talk" 780 at space key 350.
[0078] Fig. 8A shows an example where touchscreen 118 has received the
"d"
character as input after the user presses the "D" key. In this scenario,
touchscreen
118 displays a "d" in the input field 330 and displays generated set of
characters
"discuss," "divide," and "dinner" 860 on keys corresponding to subsequent
candidate input characters. In this example embodiment, while the character
"I"
was never received as input, electronic device 100 determined that generated
set of
characters "discuss," "divide," and "dinner" 860 were the set of characters to
be
displayed on touchscreen. In this embodiment, because each of these set of
characters has "i" as its second letter, touchscreen 118 displayed generated
set of
characters using a further subsequent letter in the set of characters (for
example,
"discuss" under the "S" key, "divide" under the "V" key, and "dinner" under
the "N"
key). In other embodiments, generated set of characters "discuss," "divide,"
and
"dinner" 860 can be displayed at or near the "I" key.
[0079] Fig. 8B shows an example where touchscreen 118 has received the
set
of characters "discuss" as input after the user chooses generated set of
characters
"discuss" 860. In this example, touchscreen 118 displays predicted set of
characters "this" 880 at space key 350.
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[0080] Fig. 9 shows an example where touchscreen 118 receives the "this"
set
of characters as input after user selects "this" as a desired predicted set of
characters 880. In this example, touchscreen 118 displays predicted set of
characters "now" 980 at space key 350.
[0081] Touchscreen 118 can also receive punctuation as input at any time
during the typing of a message. If a user decides to use punctuation after
inputting
either a generated set of characters or a predicted set of characters, the
<SPACE>
character (for example, the <SPACE> character prior to cursor 940 of Fig. 9)
is
deleted and the inputted punctuation is inserted.
[0082] Figs. 10A and 10B show example front views of a touchscreen,
consistent with embodiments disclosed herein. Fig. 10A shows an example where
touchscreen 118 displays "The co" in a text bar 1030 and several generated set
of
characters 1060 are displayed at subsequent candidate input characters. In
this
example, touchscreen 118 displays generated set of characters "cottage" 1060
under the "T" key, generated set of characters "cook" 1060 under the "0" key,
generated set of characters "coat" 1060 under the "A" key, and generated set
of
characters "coffee" 1060 under the "F" key.
[0083] Fig. 10B shows an example where touchscreen 118 receives the set
of
characters "cook" as input after the user has selected the generated set of
characters 1060 "cook." The set of characters "cook" is inserted into input
field
1030 along with a <SPACE> character. In this example, set of characters
include
new predicted set of characters (such as words 1090, affixes 1092 (for
example, "-
ed" under the "E" key and "-ing" under the "I" key), and plurals 1094 (for
example,
"-s" under the "S" key)), all of which are displayed at subsequent candidate
input
characters. Each predicted word 1090, affix 1092, or plural 1094 is located on
respective subsequent candidate input characters that match the first letter
of the
predicted word 1090, affix 1092, or plural 1094. Now the user has the added
option
of inputting a predicted set of characters 1090, 1092, and 1094. Input is made
in
the same manner as described above. In some embodiments, when touchscreen
118 receives either affix 1092 or plural 1094 as an input, the <SPACE>
character
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between cursor 1040 and "cook" is deleted and the corresponding inputted affix
or
plural is added to the end of "cook."
[0084] Fig. 11A shows an example where touchscreen 118 displays "Did she
co" in a text bar 1130 and several generated set of characters 1160 are
displayed
at subsequent candidate input characters. In this example, touchscreen 118
displays generated set of characters "correct" 1160 under the "R" key,
generated
set of characters "copy" 1160 under the "P" key, and generated set of
characters
"contact" 1160 under the "N" key. While "co" is provided in the text bars of
both
Fig. 10A and Fig. 11A, touchscreen displays different generated set of
characters
based on the context of the characters in their respective text bars 1030 and
1130.
For example, in Fig. 10A, the characters "co" follows "The," which implies
that a
noun beginning with "co" should follow. In Fig. 11A, the characters "co"
follow a
pronoun, which implies that a verb beginning with "co" should follow. As
stated
above, contextual data can be used to determine when certain set of characters
are
more appropriate based on, for example, the set of characters in a text bar or
previous actions by a user.
[0085] Fig. 11B shows an example where touchscreen 118 receives the set
of
characters "correct" as input after the user has selected the generated set of
characters "correct" 1160. In this example, the set of characters "correct" is
inserted in input field 1130 and a <SPACE> character is also inserted.
Predicted set
of characters (such as words 1190 and affixes 1192) are now displayed at
subsequent candidate input characters. In this example, while affixes "-ing"
and "-
ily" both correspond to the "I" key, touchscreen 118 displays "-ing" with the
"I" key
and "-ily" with the "L" key. As stated above, the predicted affix may be
assigned to
a certain key based on a ranking, on contextual data, or a combination of
both. In
this embodiment, the "-ing" affix may have had a higher ranking than the "-
ily"
affix and was thus assigned to the "I" key. Accordingly, the "-ily" affix was
assigned
to the "L" key based on the corresponding "L" character being in the "-ily"
affix.
[0086] Fig, 12A shows an example where touchscreen 118 displays "The ch"
in a text bar 1230 and several generated set of characters 1260 are displayed
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subsequent candidate input characters. In this example, generated set of
characters 1260 include both "child" and "chimp." In this embodiment, while
the
third letter in both "child" and "chimp" are the same, touchscreen displays
"child"
under the "I" key and displays "chimp" under the "C" key. The determination on
which generated set of characters goes under which candidate input key can be
based on a ranking (as specified above). As illustrated in this embodiment,
touchscreen 118 can display a generated set of characters (in this case,
"chimp")
on a key even though that key may not be associated with any subsequent
characters of the characters in text bar 1230.
[0087] Fig. 12B shows an example where touchscreen 118 receives the set
of
characters "child" as input after the user has selected the generated set of
characters "child" 1260. The set of characters "child" is inserted in input
field 1230
and, in this example, a <SPACE> character is not inserted. Predicted set of
characters (such as words 1290 and affixes 1292) are now displayed at
subsequent
candidate input characters. In this example, while affixes "-ish" and "-ily"
both
correspond to the "I" key, touchscreen 118 displays "-ish" with the "I" key
and "-
ily" with the "L" key. As stated above, the predicted affix may be assigned to
a
certain key based on a ranking, on conventional data, or a combination of
both. In
this embodiment, the "-ish" affix may have had a higher ranking than the "-
ily"
affix and was thus assigned to the "I" key. Accordingly, the "-Hy" affix was
assigned
to the "L" key based on the corresponding "L" character being in the "-ily"
affix.
[0088] Fig. 13A shows an example where touchscreen 118 displays "The
texture and" in a text bar 1330 and several predicted set of characters (for
example, words 1390) are displayed at subsequent candidate input characters.
Fig.
13B shows an example where touchscreen 118 received the set of characters
"taste" as input after the user had selected the predicted set of characters
"taste."
In this example, a <SPACE> character was inserted after "taste." Consequently,
predicted set of characters (such as, words 1390 and affixes 1392) are
displayed at
subsequent candidate input characters.
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[0089] Fig. 14A shows an example where touchscreen 118 displays "The
hospital staff c" in a text bar 1430 and several generated set of characters
1460 are
displayed at subsequent candidate input characters. Fig. 14B shows an example
where touchscreen 118 received the set of characters "care" as input after the
user
had chosen the generated set of characters "care." Generated set of characters
"care" is now placed in input field 1430 along with a <SPACE> and predicted
set of
characters (such as, words 1490 and affixes 1492) are displayed at subsequent
candidate input characters. Fig. 14C shows an example where touchscreen 118
received the affix "-ful" as input (thereby modifying the set of characters
"care" to
"careful") after the user had chosen the predicted affix "-ful." Thus, the set
of
characters "careful" is now inserted into input field 1430. Note, in some
embodiments, inputting a word or affix can modify the input word or word
fragment. For example, if "spicy" was input by a user, and "ness" is a
predicted
affix and is inputted, "spicy" would change to "spiciness," dropping the "y"
and
adding "mess". In other embodiments, "happy" could change to "happiness" or
"conceive" could change to "conceivable".
[0090] Fig. 15 shows an example of an ambiguous keyboard 1520, which can
have multiple characters assigned to a key (for example, such as a telephone
keypad where "A", "B" and "C" are assigned to key 2; "D", "E" and "F" are
assigned
to key 3, and so on). For example, the characters "Q" and "W" can be assigned
one
key, and the characters "E" and "R" assigned to another key. In this example,
the
user has input the characters "01" by pressing the "op" key followed by the
"L" key.
Using a predictor, generated set of characters 1560 are displayed at
subsequent
candidate input characters. Since the first pressed key can input either an
"0" or a
"P" and the second pressed key inputs an "L", generated set of characters 1560
will
begin with "OL" or "PL", such as shown by generated set of characters 1560 in
Fig.
15.
[0091] Fig. 16 shows another example of an ambiguous keyboard 1620. In
this example, generated sets of characters "plum" and "olive" 1660 are
displayed
near the "ui" key. The sets of characters could also have been displayed at or
on
the "ui" key. Here, both sets of characters correspond to a particular input
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corresponding to a key, namely the third letter of plum is a "u" and the third
letter
of olive is an "i." Touchscreen 118 (via main processor 102) can differentiate
between the input of either set of characters based on the user's action. For
example, the user can swipe at or near the right of the "ui" key to input
"olive", or
swipe at or near the left of the "ui" key to input "plum".
[0092] The examples and embodiments illustrated in Figs. 17, 18, and 19
can
be implemented with any set of characters such as words, phrases, acronyms,
names, slang, colloquialisms, abbreviations, or any combination thereof.
[0093] Fig. 17 shows in flowchart form a method 1700 in accordance with
some embodiments. Method 1700 can be implemented with a processor, such as
main processor 102, and stored on a tangible computer readable medium, such as
hard drives, CDs, DVDs, flash memory, and the like. At block 1710, the
processor
receives an input of a character. At block 1720, the processor displays a
generated
set of characters at or near keys of subsequent candidate input characters on
the
touchscreen, such as described above.
[0094] At block 1730, the processor receives an input of the generated
set of
characters chosen by a user. If the user does not choose a generated set of
characters displayed at or near keys of subsequent candidate input characters,
the
method restarts at block 1710, where the touchscreen can receive an input of
another character. If a generated set of characters is received as input, at
block
1740 the generated set of characters and a <SPACE> character is inserted in an
input field (for example, input field 330 of Figs. 3-9). As mentioned
previously, the
user can choose the generated set of characters, for example, by swiping at or
near
it or by long pressing a key corresponding to the subsequent candidate input
character.
[0095] Continuing at block 1750, if the processor detects that
punctuation is
not to be inserted, the method restarts at block 1710. If punctuation is to be
inserted, the method continues to block 1760 where the <SPACE> character is
deleted and the appropriate punctuation is added to the input field. After
block
1760, the method starts over at block 1710.
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[0096] Fig. 18 is a flowchart illustrating example method 1800 in
accordance
with some embodiments. Method 1800 can be implemented with a processor, such
as main processor 102, and stored on a tangible computer readable medium, such
as hard drives, CDs, DVDs, flash memory, and the like. At block 1810, the
processor receives an input of a character.
[0097] At block 1820, the processor displays a generated set of
characters at
or near a location on the keyboard corresponding to a subsequent candidate
input
character on a touchscreen. At block 1830, the processor receives an input of
a
generated set of characters chosen by a user. If the user does not choose a
generated set of characters displayed at or near keys of subsequent candidate
input
characters, the method restarts at block 1810, where the processor can receive
an
input of another character. If a generated set of characters is received as
input, at
block 1840 the generated set of characters and a <SPACE> character is inserted
in
an input field (for example, input field 330 of Figs. 3-9). As mentioned
previously,
the user can choose the generated set of characters, for example, by swiping
at or
near it or by pressing a key corresponding to the subsequent candidate input
character for a predetermined period of time.
[0098] At block 1850, a predicted set of characters, different from the
generated set(s) of characters, is displayed on a space key of the keyboard
after
the input of the generated set of characters in block 1830. The predicted set
of
characters displayed in block 1850 is determined by using a predictor. In some
embodiments, the one or more predicted sets of characters can be placed on one
or
more keys other than the space key.
[0099] At block 1860, the processor can determine whether it has received
an
input of the predicted set of characters based on a user input. If the
touchscreen
has not received an input of the predicted set of characters because the user
has
not chosen the predicted set of characters, the method restarts at block 1810.
If
the processor has received the input of the predicted set of characters, the
method
continues to block 1870, where the chosen predicted set of characters and a
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<SPACE> character is inserted in the input field. From here, method 1800 can
return to either block 1810 or block 1850.
(0100] Even though method 1800 does not display the punctuation
illustration
as shown in method 1700, the punctuation illustration, as shown in blocks 1750
and 1760, can likewise be applied to method 1800.
[0101] Fig. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example method 1900 in
accordance with some embodiments. At box 1910, predicted set of characters is
displayed at corresponding subsequent candidate input characters. In these
embodiments, an input has not been received or a delimiter has been activated,
such as inputting a <SPACE>. Here, one or more predicted set of characters
(such
as, words, affixes, or a combination thereof) are placed on subsequent
candidate
input characters that correspond to the first letter of the generated set of
characters. Moving to box 1920, it is determined whether the touchscreen
receives
an input of the set of characters (such as, word or affix) based on a user's
selection. If an input is received, the method moves to block 1930 where the
predicted set of characters and a <SPACE> character are inserted into an input
field. Then the method starts over at block 1910. If the touchscreen does not
receive an input of the set of characters at block 1920, the touchscreen is
available
to receive an input of a character at block 1940 (as described by block 1710
of Fig.
17 or block 1810 of Fig. 18) and proceed through methods (such as methods 1700
of Fig. 17 or 1800 of Fig. 18 or even method 1900 of Fig. 19).
[0102] Fig. 20 shows another example of a virtual keyboard 2020 having an
input field 2030. The set of characters "Please con" are received as input by
the
touchscreen and displayed in the input field 2030 followed by a cursor 2040,
which
can be a vertical line (as shown) or any other shape, such as an underscore as
mentioned previously. A predictor determines one or more generated set of
characters 2060 based in part on the received input for the current position
of
cursor 2040 within the current word, which is in the fourth character position
of the
current word, as shown in input field 2030. The current word is the word in
which
the cursor is currently located. In the shown example, generated set of
characters
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2060 "cones", "contact", "construction" and "connect" are displayed. Each
generated set of characters 2060 is displayed at a key corresponding to a
subsequent candidate input character (for example, under the E, T, S and N
keys of
the virtual keyboard 2020, respectively), for the current position of cursor
2040,
which is in the third character position, as shown in input field 2030.
[0103] In the shown example, each generated set of characters 2060 is
displayed at or near keys on the virtual keyboard 2020 associated with the
subsequent candidate input characters. The display of a generated set of
characters 2060 at or near a key corresponding to a subsequent candidate input
character depends, for instance, on the size of the generated set of
characters 2060
and the size of generated set of characters associated with nearby keys of
other
subsequent candidate input characters. When the generated set of characters
associated with nearby keys in the same row of keys in the virtual keyboard
2020
are too large to be displayed at the same time without overlapping with each
other
or without a predetermined distance between the generated sets of characters,
the
processor 102 limits the generated set of characters which are displayed. The
processor 102 may limit the generated set of characters which are displayed
using
one or any combination of the rank of each generated set of characters, the
size of
each generated set of characters, and a distance between each generated set of
characters which are displayed so that a predetermined distance between the
generated set of characters is maintained. This may result in the display of
one or
more generated sets of characters which are larger than the associated key in
the
virtual keyboard 2020.
[0104] In some examples, if two generated sets of characters are both
ranked
high, and these sets of characters would otherwise be displayed at nearby keys
but
cannot be displayed and still maintain a predetermined distance between the
generated sets of characters at the display text size, the electronic device
could be
configured to display only the highest ranked generated set of characters.
This
results in the display of the most likely generated set of characters. In
other
examples, only the longest of the generated set of characters is displayed.
This
may be beneficial in that allowing faster entry of longer words saves time and
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processing cycles, thereby leveraging the predictive text input solution. In
yet
other examples, only the shortest generated set of characters is displayed.
This
may be beneficial in that shorter words can be more common, at least for some
users, thereby allowing faster entry of words which saves time and processing
cycles, thereby leveraging the predictive text input solution.
[0105] In some examples, the processor 102 may only limit the generated
set
of characters which are displayed in neighboring/adjacent keys in the same row
of
keys in the virtual keyboard 2020. In some examples, the processor 102 may
limit
the generated set of characters which are displayed in neighboring/adjacent
keys in
the same row of keys in the virtual keyboard 2020 so that a generated set of
characters is never displayed in neighboring/adjacent keys irrespective of the
size
of the generated set of characters or distance between each generated set of
characters. In such examples, the processor 102 uses the rank to determine
which
generated set of characters are displayed.
[0106] In other examples, the processor 102 can limit the generated set
of
characters which are displayed when the generated set of characters associated
with nearby keys in different rows of keys in the virtual keyboard 2020 are
too
large to be displayed at the same time without overlapping with each other or
without a predetermined distance between the generated sets of characters. In
other examples, the processor 102 can limit the generated set of characters
which
are displayed when the generated set of characters associated with nearby keys
in
the same or different columns of keys in the virtual keyboard 2020 are too
large to
be displayed at the same time without overlapping with each other or without a
predetermined distance between the generated sets of characters.
[0107] As mentioned previously, a user can use a finger or stylus to
swipe a
generated set of characters to input that generated set of characters. An
individual
letter, in contrast, can be input by tapping a respective key in the virtual
keyboard
2020 using a finger or stylus. The touchscreen differentiates between tap and
swipe
events using movement and duration of touch events, the details of which are
known in the art and need not be described herein. Each key in the virtual
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keyboard 2020 and each generated set of characters 2060 which is displayed has
an associated target area on the touchscreen. The target area associated with
each
generated set of characters can be larger than and/or overlap with the target
area
of the key corresponding to the subsequent candidate input character with
which it
is associated and possibly nearby keys, such as neighboring keys in the same
row.
A user need only swipe on or nearby a displayed generated set of characters to
input the generated set of characters. This permits faster input of a
generated set
of characters by creating larger and more accessible target areas, thereby
saving
time and processing cycles. In some examples, a generated set of characters
can
be input by detecting a swipe in any direction at or near the displayed
generated
set of characters. In other examples, a generated set of characters can only
be
input by detecting a swipe in a particular direction at or near the displayed
generated set of characters. The particular direction may be associated with a
direction in which the particular direction displayed generated set of
characters
(e.g., left or right in the shown example). In some examples, the swipe is at
or
near the displayed generated set of characters when the swipe has an initial
contact
point within the target area associated with the displayed generated set of
characters (which may be the same or larger than the displayed generated set
of
characters).
Prediction Bar
[0108] Fig. 21 shows another example of a user interface screen in
accordance with the present disclosure in which one or more generated sets of
characters are shown in a prediction bar 2170. The user interface screen has a
virtual keyboard 2120 and an input field 2130. A text entry toolbar 2150 is
displayed at the top of the user interface screen above the input field 2130.
In
some examples, the prediction bar 2170 is displayed proximate to the virtual
keyboard 2120. In the shown example, the prediction bar 2170 is displayed
above
the virtual keyboard 2120 and below the input field 2130. The prediction bar
2170
could be located elsewhere in other embodiments.
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[0109] The set of characters "Pl" are received as input by the
touchscreen and
displayed in the input field 2130 followed by a cursor 2140, which can be a
vertical
line (as shown) or any other shape, such as an underscore as mentioned
previously. A predictor determines one or more generated sets of characters
based
in part on the received input for the current position of cursor 2140 within
the
current word, which is in the third character position of the current word, as
shown
in input field 2130. The current word is the word in which the cursor is
currently
located. In the shown example, the prediction bar 2170 displays a number of
generated sets of characters 2160 "Placebo", "Please", "Plymouth" and "Plot".
The
displayed generated sets of characters 2160 may be all or a subset of the
generated sets of characters generated by the predictor, as described
elsewhere in
the present disclosure. In the described example, the generated sets of
characters
are words; however, the generated sets of characters could each be a number of
words, a phrase, acronym, name, slang, colloquialism, abbreviation, or any
combination thereof.
[0110] In the shown example, the displayed generated sets of characters
2160 are provided in a button within the prediction bar 2170. While the
prediction
bar 2170 is illustrated in Fig. 21 as a visible bar spanning the width of the
user
interface screen, in some examples, the prediction bar 2170 may not be
visible.
For example, the prediction bar 2170 may be a region in which one or more sets
of
characters may appear without rendering of a bar. In such examples, the
displayed
generated sets of characters 2160 may each be shown in a button or bubble
rendered and, displayed in a portion of the user interface screen assigned to
the
prediction bar 2170 without rending of a bar.
[0111] In some examples, each displayed generated set of characters 2160
is
located at a position corresponding to a position of a key of the subsequent
candidate input character for the respective generated set of characters. In
some
examples, one or more of the displayed generated sets of characters 2160 are
aligned such that the displayed generated sets of characters 2160 appear in
the
prediction bar 2170 at a position above the subsequent candidate input
character
corresponding to the respective generated set of characters. For example, in
Fig.
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21, after the characters "Pl" have been received, the generated set of
characters
"Please" is displayed on the prediction bar 2170 at a position above the input
character "e" which corresponds to the subsequent input character after "Pl"
in the
word "Please". Similarly, the generated set of characters "Placebo" is
displayed on
the prediction bar 2170 at a position above the input character "a" which is
the next
character in "Placebo". The generated sets of characters "Plymouth" and "Plot"
are
also displayed on the prediction bar 2170 above their respective subsequent
candidate input characters "y" and "o" respectively.
[0112] In other examples in which the prediction bar 2170 is displayed
below
the virtual keyboard 2120, the generated sets of characters may be displayed
on
the prediction bar 2170 at a position below their respective subsequent
candidate
input characters.
[0113] In the above described examples, each displayed generated set of
characters 2160 is generally aligned with a column in the virtual keyboard
2120 in
which a key of the subsequent candidate input character for the respective
generated set of characters is located, either above or below the virtual
keyboard
2120.
[0114] The size of the text in which the generated sets of characters are
displayed is typically fixed, but may be variable. When the size of text of
the
displayed generated sets of characters 2160 is fixed, the size of a displayed
generated set of characters 2160 increases with the length of the generated
set of
characters. A variable size of the displayed generated sets of characters 2160
may
reduce the number of the generated sets of characters 2160 which can be
displayed
in some instances. The use of a variable size of text of the displayed
generated set
of characters 2160 may permit a fixed number of generated sets of characters
to be
displayed, and may increase the number of generated sets of characters which
may
be displayed in some instances.
[0115] By positioning a generated set of characters at a position in the
prediction bar 2170 corresponding to the position of the respective subsequent
candidate input character, a user may only have to glance above (or below) the
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next key he/she is about to press to view any generated set of characters
which are
available. For example, in Fig. 21, if the user wishes to input the word
"Please",
the user would press the "e" key next; however, upon glancing above the "e"
key to
the prediction bar 2170, the user can recognize that the desired "Please"
generated
set of characters is available. In some examples, this may allow a user to be
able to
quickly determine whether the desired generated set of characters is available
without diverting his/her attention too far from the next letter he/she is
planning on
pressing. Furthermore, in some examples, this eliminates the need for the user
to
consider or even read any of the generated sets of characters which are not
positioned above the next letter the user was about to press. For example, in
Fig.
21, the user wishing to input "Please will have his/her focus on the "e" key
and will
only have to glance at the word directed above the "e" key to determine
whether
the desired set of characters is available. In this example, the user will not
have to
read any of the other words because they are not positioned above the
subsequent
candidate input key. In some examples, this reduction in the number of words
the
user has to read and consider may decrease the amount time expended
considering
undesired predictions. In some examples, this may reduce the amount of
movement and strain on the user's eyes.
[0116] The keys corresponding to the subsequent candidate input
characters
in each of the displayed generated sets of characters are displayed in a
second
format which is different from a first format in which other keys in the
virtual
keyboard 2120 are displayed. The second format in which the subsequent
candidate
input characters in each of the displayed generated sets of characters are
displayed
provides a visual indication associated with the generated sets of characters.
In
some examples, the keys corresponding to the subsequent candidate input
characters in each of the displayed generated sets of characters are
highlighted. For
example, in Fig. 21, the "a", "e", "y" and "o" keys, which correspond to the
subsequent candidate input characters in the four displayed generated sets of
characters 2160, are highlighted.
[0117] In some examples, the highest ranked generated set of characters
is
highlighted in the prediction bar 2170. For example, in Fig. 21, the highest
ranked
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generated set of characters is "Please" so it is highlighted in the prediction
bar
2170.
[0118] Examples of highlighting a key include changing a background
colour
of the key, backlighting the key, brightening the key, underlining the
character
displayed in the key, bolding the character displayed in the key, italicizing
the
character displayed in the key, changing the colour of the character displayed
in the
key, changing the size of the key, or any combination thereof, or in any other
way
making the key more visible. The highlighting may be applied to the entire key
or
to portions of the key, such as the edge around each key, the character
displayed
within each key, areas within each key, or areas surrounding each key.
[0119] In some examples, highlighting a key corresponding to the
subsequent
candidate input character provides a visual cue or hint that a generated set
of
characters exists and matches the input character(s) of the current word being
entered so that the user can choose to review the predictions in the
prediction bar
2170, if desired. Conversely, the absence of any highlighted keys provides a
visual
indication that the input character(s) do not match a generated set of
characters
and, therefore, there are no predictions to review in the prediction bar 2170.
This
allows the user to maintain focus on the virtual keyboard 2120 and only glance
up
at the prediction bar 2170, if desired, when the visual indication concerning
the
availability of predictions is provided. In some examples, this may reduce the
amount of movement and strain on the user's eyes.
[0120] The highlighting of the keys corresponding to the subsequent
candidate input characters also provides visual affordance to the user that
the input
characters match generated sets of characters and, therefore, likely match a
known
word or other generated sets of characters. The visual affordance increases
with
each input character which continues to result in one or more generated sets
of
characters. As the string of input characters grows and the string of input
characters still matches one or more generated sets of characters as indicated
by
the highlighting of keys corresponding to the subsequent candidate input
characters
in each of the displayed generated sets of characters, the user has increased
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assurance of the accuracy of the string of input characters. The highlighting
of keys
corresponding to the subsequent candidate input characters effectively
provides an
illuminated path of the matching predictions which assures the user of his or
her
typing accuracy. Thus, the user can limit glances at the prediction bar (if
desired)
to when a subsequent character he or she is about to input is highlighted.
Conversely, the absence of any highlighting of keys provides a visual
indication that
the input characters may contain an error, particularly when the user knows
that
the input string is a relatively common or known word or other generated sets
of
characters. This provides a hint or cue of a potential error in the input
characters in
the current word being input in the input field 2130.
[0121] As mentioned previously, in some examples a user can use a finger
or
stylus to tap a displayed generated set of characters 2160 in the prediction
bar
2170 to input the generated set of characters. In some examples, a user can
swipe
at or near the key corresponding to the subsequent candidate input character
for a
displayed generated set of characters 2160 to input that generated set of
characters. In yet other examples, a user can swipe at or near a portion of
the
virtual keyboard 2120 corresponding to a displayed generated set of characters
2160 in the prediction bar 2170 to input a generated set of characters. The
portion
of the virtual keyboard 2120 corresponding to a displayed generated set of
characters may be the button or bubble in which it is displayed, or possibly
anywhere on the virtual keyboard 2120 in the region above or below the portion
of
the prediction bar 2170. For example, in Fig. 21, to input the generated set
of
characters "Please", a user can tap the "Please" button of the prediction bar
2170,
or in some examples, the user may swipe the "e" key, or in some examples, the
user may swipe the "Please" button or the portion of the keyboard directly
above or
below the "Please" button of the prediction bar 2170.
[0122] An individual letter can be input by tapping a respective key in
the
virtual keyboard 2120 using a finger or stylus. The touchscreen differentiates
between tap and swipe events using movement and duration of touch events, the
details of which are known in the art and need not be described herein. Each
key in
the virtual keyboard 2120 and each generated set of characters 2160 which is
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displayed has an associated target area on the touchscreen. The target area
associated with each generated set of characters is typically the same size or
larger
than the displayed generated set of characters. A user need only tap or swipe
on
or near a displayed generated set of characters 2160 to input the generated
set of
characters. This permits relatively fast input of a generated set of
characters by
creating relatively large and accessible target areas, thereby saving time and
processing cycles. In some examples, a generated set of characters can only be
input by detecting a swipe in a particular direction. In some examples, the
particular direction is "up" such that only an up" swipe can input a generated
set of
characters. In some examples, the swipe is at or near the displayed generated
set
of characters when the swipe has an initial contact point within the target
area
associated with the displayed generated set of characters 2160 (which may be
the
same or larger than the displayed generated set of characters 2160).
[0123] In some examples, the generated sets of characters are only
displayed
in the prediction bar 2170 when a threshold number of characters have been
input
(e.g., 3 characters have been input), the generated sets of characters have a
predicted likelihood or rank which exceeds a probability threshold, a duration
of
time since a first character in the current word or input string in the input
field 2130
was input, or a duration of time since a last character was input in the input
field
2130. This avoids drawing the user's attention away from the virtual keyboard
2120 and toward the prediction bar 2170 when the likelihood that the
predictions
reflect the word intended by the user is low. In other examples, the generated
sets
of characters are displayed in the prediction bar 2170 but the virtual
keyboard 2120
does not highlight the keys corresponding to the subsequent candidate input
characters until a threshold number of characters have been input in the
current
word or input string in the input field 2130 (e.g., 3 characters in the
current word
have been input) or the generated sets of characters have a predicted
likelihood or
rank which exceeds a probability threshold.
[0124] The position of the generated set of characters in the prediction
bar
2170, in at least some examples, may be based on the rank of each generated
set
of characters, as described in connection with Fig. 22. Fig. 22 shows another
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example of a user interface screen having a virtual keyboard 2120 and an input
field 2130. The set of characters "Please remember to walk th" are received as
input by the touchscreen and displayed in the input field 2130 followed by a
cursor
2140, which can be a vertical line (as shown) or any other shape, such as an
underscore as mentioned previously.
[0125] The processor 102 determines a position in the prediction bar 2170
in
which a generated set of characters is to be displayed using the rank of each
generated set of characters. The generated set of characters having the
highest
rank is displayed in a position corresponding to the position of the key of
the
respective subsequent candidate input character of the generated set of
characters
having the highest rank. In the shown example, the generated set of characters
"the" has the highest rank and the subsequent candidate input character of the
generated set of characters is the letter "e". Accordingly, the generated set
of
characters "the" is located in the prediction bar above the "e" key.
[0126] The processor 102 then determines a position in the prediction bar
2170 for a generated set of characters having the next highest rank (i.e.,
second
highest rank). If this position is already allocated to a generated set of
characters
(e.g., the highest ranked generated set of characters, which in the shown
example
is allocated to the left side of the prediction bar), the generated set of
characters is
discarded. For example, if the generated set of characters "these" has the
second
highest rank, the prediction "these" would be discarded since the position in
the
prediction bar would overlap with the position allocated to the generated set
of
characters having the highest rank, "the". The processor 102 then determines
the
position in the prediction bar for a generated set of characters having the
next
highest rank (i.e., third highest rank). If this position is already allocated
to a
generated set of characters (e.g., the highest ranked generated set of
characters),
the generated set of characters is discarded. This process is repeated until
the
prediction bar has been filled or no generated set of characters remain. In
the
shown example, the generated set of characters "through" is displayed at a
middle
position in the prediction bar above the key corresponding to the subsequent
candidate input character "r", and the generated set of characters "those" is
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displayed at a right position in the prediction bar above the key
corresponding to
the subsequent candidate input character "o".
[0127] The number of generated sets of characters which are displayed in
the
prediction bar 2170 may be fixed or variable. For example, in Fig. 21, the
prediction bar 2170 displays four generated sets of characters; however, in
other
examples, three, five or any suitable number of generated sets of characters
may
be displayed. The number of generated sets of characters which are displayed
(i.e.,
the number of positions in the prediction bar 2170) may dynamically vary
depending on the rank and/or length of the generated sets of characters for a
given
text size (which is typically fixed). For example, if the highest ranked
generated
set of characters is long (either with respect to the number of characters in
the set
or with respect to the widths of those characters), fewer generated sets of
characters will fit on the prediction bar 2170. Conversely, if the highest
ranked
generated sets of characters are short, more space is available for more
generated
sets of characters on the prediction bar 2170. In some examples, if a next
highest
ranked generated set of characters does not fit on the prediction bar 2170,
that
generated set of characters is discarded and a subsequent highest ranked
generated set of characters is selected.
[0128] Fig. 23 shows another example of a user interface screen having a
virtual keyboard 2120 and an input field 2130. The set of characters "Please
remember to walk" are received as input by the touchscreen and displayed in
the
input field 2130 followed by a cursor 2140, which can be a vertical line (as
shown)
or any other shape, such as an underscore as mentioned previously. A previous
set
of characters "walk" has been input but the user has not input any characters
in a
current word or other set of characters. In this example, the processor 102
generated and displayed a number of generated sets of characters 2160 before
the
user has inputted any characters in the current set of characters. In this
example,
the subsequent candidate input character for the generated set of characters
"with"
is the "w" character; therefore, the "with" generated set of characters is
displayed
at a position in the prediction bar 2170 above the "w" key. Similarly, the
generated
set of characters "through" is positioned above the "t" key, and the generated
set
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of characters "on" is positioned above the "o" key. In the shown example, the
keys
corresponding to the subsequent candidate input characters are not highlighted
for
the generated sets of character 2160 because the user has not input any
characters
in the current set of characters (e.g., next word predictions). However, in
other
examples, the keys corresponding to the subsequent candidate input characters
may be highlighted even when the user has not input any characters in the
current
set of characters (e.g., next word predictions).
[0129] While the one or more generated set of predicted input characters
have been described in the context of the prediction bar 2170 in the above
described examples, in other examples the one or more generated set of
predicted
input characters may be displayed outside of the virtual keyboard 2120. For
example, the one or more generated set of predicted input may be displayed
inline
with the input characters in the input field 2130, or above or below the
cursor 2140
in the input filed 2130. It is also contemplated that the one or more
generated set
of predicted input characters may be displayed on an external display (not
shown)
connected, wirelessly or by wireless/cable connection, to the electronic
device 100.
For example, the virtual keyboard 2120 may behave in the manner previously
mentioned, whereas the contents of the prediction bar 2170 may be displayed on
an auxiliary display provided by a display of a computer or television to
which the
electronic device 100 is connected. The auxiliary display is external to the
display
(e.g., touchscreen 118) on which the virtual keyboard is rendered and
displayed.
Advantageously, this allows more space to be dedicated to the virtual keyboard
2120 and/or input filed 2130 on the electronic device 100 while providing a
larger
display area for the generated set of predicted input characters.
[0130] Fig. 26 shows another example of a user interface screen in
accordance with the present disclosure in which generated sets of characters
are
shown in a prediction bar 2670. The user interface screen has an input field
2630
including a cursor 2640, which can be a vertical line (as shown) or any other
shape,
such as an underscore as mentioned previously. The set of characters "Pl" are
received as input by the touchscreen and displayed in the input field 2630
followed
by the cursor 2640. A predictor determines one or more generated set of
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characters based in part on the received input for the current position of
cursor
2640 within the current word, which is in the third character position of the
current -
word, as shown in input field 2630.
[0131] The user interface screen has a two-part virtual keyboard having a
left
portion 2620A and a right portion 2620B. The keys of the virtual keyboard are
generally similar to the keys in the virtual keyboard 2120 described
previously;
however, the keys are split between the left portion 2620A and the right
portion
2620B and the "Space" bar key is duplicated so that a "Space" bar key appears
in
each of the left portion 2620A and the right portion 2620B. The size of the
keys
and spacing between the keys in the left portion 2620A and the right portion
2620B
may vary slightly from that of the virtual keyboard 2120 in Fig. 21. The
prediction
bar 2670 is displayed proximate to the virtual keyboard. In the shown example,
the
prediction bar 2670 is displayed between left portion 2620A and the right
portion
2620B. In the shown example, the generated sets of characters 2660 are shown
in
a button or bubble. The operation of the virtual keyboard and prediction bar
2670
are generally similar to that described above in connection with Fig. 21-23.
[0132] In the shown example of Fig. 26, the displayed generated sets of
characters 2660 are not located at a position corresponding to a position of a
key of
the subsequent candidate input character for the respective generated set of
characters as described above. However, in other examples, each displayed
generated set of characters 2660 may be located at a position corresponding to
a
position of a key of the subsequent candidate input character for the
respective
generated set of characters. For example, each displayed generated set of
characters 2660 may be generally aligned with a row in the virtual keyboard
2620A
or 2620B in which a key of the subsequent candidate input character for the
respective generated set of characters is located. More than one generated set
of
characters 2660 may be displayed per row in the virtual keyboard 2620, if
desired,
to increase the number of displayed generated sets of characters 2660.
[0133] Fig. 24 shows in flowchart form a method 2400 in accordance with
some embodiments. The method 2400 can be implemented with a processor, such
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as main processor 102, and stored on a tangible computer readable medium, such
as hard drives, CDs, DVDs, flash memory, and the like. At block 2402, the
processor receives an input of a character. At block 2404, the processor
generates
one or more sets of predicted input characters. Typically, each set of
predicted
input characters corresponds to a predicted word. Each set of predicted input
characters includes a subsequent candidate input character. A subsequent
candidate input character corresponds to a next letter of the predicted input
characters (e.g., predicted word), as mentioned previously.
[0134] At block 2406, the one or more generated sets of predicted input
characters is displayed. In some examples, the one or more generated set of
predicted input characters are displayed within the prediction bar as
mentioned
previously. The one or more generated set of predicted input characters may be
displayed at a location corresponding to a position of a key of the subsequent
candidate input character. The prediction bar may be located, for example,
above
the position of the key of the subsequent candidate input character.
[0135] In other examples, the one or more generated sets of predicted
input
characters are displayed elsewhere outside of the virtual keyboard 2120. The
one
or more generated sets of predicted input may be displayed inline, or above or
below the cursor 2140 in the input filed 2130. The one or more generated sets
of
predicted input characters may be displayed on an external display connected,
wirelessly or by wireless/cable connection, to the electronic device 100.
[0136] At block 2408, the key corresponding to the subsequent candidate
input character is highlighted.
[0137] Fig. 25 shows in flowchart form a method 2500 in accordance with
some embodiments. The method 2500 can be implemented with a processor, such
as main processor 102, and stored on a tangible computer readable medium, such
as hard drives, CDs, DVDs, flash memory, and the like. At block 2502, the
processor receives an input of a character. At block 2504, the processor
generates
one or more sets of predicted input characters. Each set of predicted input
characters includes a subsequent candidate input character. A subsequent
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candidate input character corresponds to a next letter of the predicted input
characters (e.g., predicted word), as mentioned previously.
[0138] At block 2506, the highest ranked set of predicted input
characters is
allocated to a first location of the prediction bar. The first location
corresponds to a
position of a key of the subsequent candidate input character for the highest
ranked
generated set of predicted input characters.
[0139] At block 2508, a location for the next highest ranked set of
predicted
input characters is determined. The location corresponds to a position of the
key of
the subsequent candidate input character for the next highest ranked generated
set
of predicted input characters.
[0140] If the determined location is not already allocated to a generated
set
of characters (decision block 2510), the determined location is allocated to
the next
highest ranked set of characters (block 2512). If the determined location is
already
allocated to a generated set of characters (decision block 2510), the location
for the
further next highest ranked set of characters is determined (block 2508).
[0141] At decision block 2514, it is determined whether any locations in
the
prediction bar remain unallocated, and if so, whether any generated sets of
predicted input characters remain. If so, the location for the next highest
ranked
set of characters is then determined (block 2508). If not, all locations in
the
prediction bar have been allocated or no next highest rank set of predicted
input
characters exists. Then, at block 2516, the generated sets of predicted input
characters allocated to locations in the prediction bar are displayed at their
allocated locations. At block 2518, the keys corresponding to the subsequent
candidate input characters for the generated sets of predicted input
characters
having allocated locations are highlighted.
[0142] While not shown in Figs. 24 or 25, a user can use a finger or
stylus to
tap or swipe a display generated set of characters to input that generated set
of
characters as discussed previously. In some examples, the user can swipe the
key
corresponding to the subsequent candidate input character to input the
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corresponding displayed generated set of predicted input characters. In some
examples, the user can swipe a portion of the virtual keyboard at or near
(e.g.,
above or below) the location of the generated set of characters to input those
characters.
[0143] An individual letter, in contrast, can be input by tapping a
respective
key in the virtual keyboard 2120 using a finger or stylus. In some examples,
the
method continues with operations of block 1750 and 1760 (not shown) as
mentioned previously in connection with the method 1700 and Fig. 17.
Continuing
at block 1750, if the processor detects that punctuation is not to be
inserted, the
method restarts at block 2510. If punctuation is to be inserted, the method
continues to block 1760 where the <SPACE> character is deleted and the
appropriate punctuation is added to the input field. After block 1760, the
method
starts over at block 2402 or block 2502.
[0144] It will be appreciated that the described embodiments present a
compromise between displaying the most highly ranked predictions and
displaying
the predictions in a manner which facilitates the use and selection of
predictions as
input. While the most highly ranked prediction will always be displayed, other
displayed predictions may not represent the next most highly ranked
predictions.
While less ranked predictions may not be the most highly ranked predictions,
the
predictions are still highly ranked predictions and the displayed predictions
are
located at set positions with the virtual keyboard 2120 rather than moving
around
the virtual keyboard 2120 based on the subsequent candidate input character.
This
facilitates the use and selection of predictions as input rather than the user
typing
out the entire word and ignoring predictions, thereby saving time and
processing
cycles and leveraging the predictive text input solution.
[0145] While the various methods of the present disclosure have been
described in terms of functions shown as separate blocks in the Figures, the
functions of the various blocks may be combined during processing on an
electronic
device. Furthermore, some of the functional blocks in the Figures may be
separated into one or more sub steps during processing on an electronic
device.
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[0146] While the present disclosure is described, at least in part, in
terms of
methods, a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the
present
disclosure is also directed to the various components for performing at least
some
of the aspects and features of the described methods, be it by way of hardware
components, software or any combination of the two, or in any other manner.
Moreover, the present disclosure is also directed to a pre-recorded storage
device
or other similar computer readable medium including program instructions
stored
thereon for performing the methods described herein.
[0147] The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms
without departing from the subject matter of the claims. The described example
embodiments are to be considered in all respects as being only illustrative
and not
restrictive. The present disclosure intends to cover and embrace all suitable
changes in technology. The scope of the present disclosure is, therefore,
described
by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes
that
come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to
be
embraced within their scope.
42
