Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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SPACE OPTIMIZING MICRO KEYBOARD METHOD AND
APPARATUS
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to provisional applications No.
61/799,004, filed March 15, 2013, and 61/853,575 filed April 6, 2013, the
entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention pertains to the entry of text on computer screens
having a virtual keyboard and limited screen space, for example as would be
found on a handheld computer, smartphone, or automobile dashboard.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Virtual keyboards are a text input method employed on computer
screens used as computer user interfaces, in which the computer renders an
image of a keyboard, and the user selects "keys" directly from image of the
key. Virtual keyboards may rely on touch screens, in which the user touches
the screen with a finger or a stylus, but other virtual keyboards are
possible,
relying on mouse key selections, eye movements, or other actions taken by a
user to select a key on a virtual keyboard. Thus, virtual keyboards do not
have actual physical keys with a physical switch, as in a conventional
computer keyboard, but rely entirely on the touching of the screen or other
selection method to select the key desired by the user. Each "key" on a
virtual
keyboard is nothing more than a region on a screen that is selectable.
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[0004] Virtual keyboards are commonplace in a plethora of devices, including
smartphones, tablet computers, automobile dashboards, industrial
equipment, and home appliances.
[0005] Virtual keyboards are often presented in the traditional "QWERTY'
format, but alternative keyboard layouts have been developed, and can be
readily implemented using a virtual keyboard.
[0006] A typical feature of virtual keyboards, regardless of the device, is
that
virtual keyboards are usually employed in situations involving devices with
rigid space limitations. Prime examples are smartphones or other handheld
computers, in which small physical size is a critical attribute. Such small
size
creates challenges in entering and displaying text and graphics.
[0007] A common issue with virtual keyboards on small screens is that the
small keys are hard to see and accurately select, make typing slow, tedious,
difficult, and highly error prone.
[0008] However, even if a virtual keyboard is not presented on a highly space
constrained device, typing and data entry on a virtual keyboard is usually
more difficult than a conventional full size keyboard. There is a lack of
tactile
feedback and other cues present on conventional keyboards, which makes
typing even on a larger virtual keyboard slow, difficult, and error prone.
[0009] Computer makers on devices such as smartphones have addressed
this issue with various methods for predictive word completion systems. One
such method is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,886,233, (the '233 patent)
which discloses various menus that appear when text is typed that guesses
what the user might want to say.
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[0010] Typically, such systems start with two computer screen regions. A
lower region displays the virtual keyboard, and an upper region displays edit
content, such as a text message, email message, or other document.
[0011] The '233 patent discloses a typical prior art embodiment for predictive
word completion in which a third region is rendered between the virtual
keyboard and edit content regions of the screen that displays (typically in a
single line) several word completion options. See, for example Fig. 10 in the
'233 patent. The '233 patent itself discloses word completion candidates or
fragments thereof that appear in the area that would otherwise be used by
the virtual keyboard space bar (Fig. 11 and col. 9, 1 40).
[0012] Another prior art approach is shown in U.S. Patent No. 6,002,390, in
which substantial menus showing word completion candidates are displayed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] This invention discloses methods and apparatus that transform
normal keyboards into highly dynamic menu systems where keyboard layouts
and key labels are high flexible and can change and adapt to provide users
the largest possible keys on a keystroke by keystroke basis. A limited set of
keys is generated dynamically to generate keys optimizing the space, size,
and visibility of each key.
[0014] Traditional keyboards display full and extensive sets of letters and
symbols, creating significant usage problems on small screens; by contrast,
this invention filters and strips these down to bare essential keys, thus
creating a dynamically changing keyboard menu system, designed to
selectively optimize size and ease of use of each menu of keys.
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[0015] Thus, in an embodiment, this invention provides a method and
apparatus for word completion during text input by a user on a computer
apparatus having a virtual keyboard user interface, in which the user
interface has limited screen space to display the virtual keyboard and any
other information. The method and apparatus employ a sequence in which
the user enters text by selecting keys on the virtual keyboard for one or more
letters comprising a partial word, wherein each partial word has a "last
letter
key," which is the last key (in time) selected by the user. This last key need
not be the final key in a word, or word fragment. Thus, the last letter key
includes letter that are embedded within a word or word fragment.
[0016] The next step in the sequence of this embodiment is that the user is
presented with a computer generated set of keys on the virtual keyboard in
response to the last letter key, called "responsive keys." The responsive keys
are prioritized by some method, which may include statistical occurrence of
such letters, or may be based on some other rational context, such as
locations of nearby features on a map.
[0017] There may be a computer generated means to adjust the appearance
of the responsive keys into uniform or non-uniform shapes dynamically
variable in size, shape, or position on the virtual keyboard based on priority
and availability of adjacent space to maximize the ease of use of the highest
priority responsive keys.
[0018] A final step of the method or apparatus in this embodiment is that the
user selects one of the responsive keys to partially complete or complete a
word.
[0019] In another embodiment, a computer implemented menu generation
system is provided, based on word trees.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Figure 1 shows the inventive word tree systems.
[0021] Figure 2 shows variable size keys resized in their approximately
normal QWERTY location.
[0022] Figure 3 shows a sequence of typing examples illustrating the variable
reduced key set menus.
[0023] Figure 4 shows circular menu formats.
[0024] Figure 5 shows single row mode of operation.
[0025] Figure 6 shows key menus overlapping with edit content.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] This invention describes methods and apparatus that are particularly
adapted for use on space constrained virtual keyboards, such as are used on
smart phones, compact handheld computers, automobile dashboards, and
other applications where cost or physical limitations (for example, the need
to
hold a device in a human hand) limit the screen space available. Such space
constrained devices present challenges in the efficient entry of text and
data.
However, the inventive methods and apparatus are not limited to space
constrained keyboards, and can also be valuable in larger devices to expedite
text entry in certain situations.
[0027] Traditional prior art keyboards typically have these features:
= Static layout ( e.g. QWERTY )
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= Relatively single mode of operation
= display of the entire alphabetical letter set at all times
= single letter keys
= uniform key size and symmetric shape.
= Few if any additional modes of operation, which if present, generally
require manual switching
[0028] In an embodiment, the instant invention provides modified keyboards,
particularly suited to virtual keyboard computer interfaces, in which word
fragment keys can be rendered showing one or more letters, in non-standard
shapes and modified locations on the region of the screen used as the virtual
keyboard. Additionally, this invention may only display keys relevant to
specific word completion scenarios. In another embodiment, key size and
shape can be dynamically determined. In another embodiment, various
modes of operation can changed automatically based on the appropriate
context. By the phrase "modes of operation," it is meant that different modes
can be displayed as the context requires, for example, switching from a
standard QWERTY display to a spring loaded mode displaying a limited
number of keys, as is more fully described herein.
[0029] All features of this invention can be dynamically responsive to very
specific word completion scenarios on a keystroke by keystroke basis.
[0030] During text entry, words can be constructed from a sequence of word
fragments, where a word fragment is defined in this context as one or more
letters, which function as building blocks of longer words, where fragments
themselves can even be complete words.
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[0031] Traditional keyboards, such as having a "QWERTY' layout, use a
static layout of single letter (fragment) key input to construct words, thus
requiring an entire alphabet of keys. However, word fragments longer than
one letter reduce the number of key presses required to enter desired text,
and require fewer keys and less space.
[0032] In the inventive method, a database is constructed comprising trees of
words emanating from a root word fragment. This database is constructed in
advance. Such databases actually exist, and can be accessed for example, at
httj:./iwww.scrabbiefinder.com/starts-with/xxxI (where "xxx" represents a root
word fragment). A root word fragment can be a complete word, like "main."
But even a complete word like "main" can also be a root fragment for longer
words, for example "maintain."
[0033] Each branch in the word tree database terminates in a node that is a
suffix fragment that can be combined with the root word fragment. In some
cases, the combined root and suffix make a complete word. Regardless of
whether the combined root and suffix make a complete word, the combined
root and suffix can be used as a child root fragment in the word tree database
that leads to a subset of branches, narrowing the choices of complete words
that can be generated as the root grows in size.
[0034] In the inventive method, the typing (data entry) of words can be
visualized as navigating or walking down the branches of a word completion
tree, via a menu of fragment choices.
[0035] A much more compact form of this type of tree has branch leaf nodes
representing word fragments, where "word fragment" or just "fragment" is
defined in this context as one or more letters, which function as pieces or
building blocks of longer words, where fragments themselves can even be
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complete words. For example the word "MAINTAINING" can be formed from
the fragment sequence "MAIN" "T", "AIN", "ING".
[0036] An example is seen in Fig.XX, where the fragment "MAINT" has
branch node fragment completion options "AIN," "ENANCE," "OP," and
"OPS" (element 100).
[0037] The starting fragment of each word forms the root parent node of a
word completion tree, with branch leaves represented by child fragment
nodes.
[0038] Each node can be the parent of child nodes extending downwards
another branch level. This branching pattern is repeated downwards until
all possible words deriving from the starting root node fragment are
represented, where terminal nodes (those lacking child nodes) represent the
final fragments of complete words.
[0039] Thus each letter or fragment in a word represents a node in a word
completion tree, where each node represents a fragment building block suffix
that is incrementally added to a prefix of prior fragments in the node branch
navigation path. Each partial node path forms a new incremental word
fragment representing the start or root building block of still longer words.
[0040] As words are typed, each additional letter or fragment entered greatly
reduces the number of relevant next letters or fragments choices, particularly
after just the first 3 starting letters of most words.
[0041] Each node's child node group effectively represents a set of unique
menu keys, each providing a potential building block suffix to the current
word being edited.
WORD TREE DATABASE
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[0042] This invention requires a computer method and database containing
the entire vocabulary of words derivable from a common word fragment
prefix. Any possible word fragment, or database node, may be connected by
branches to other word fragments, or child nodes. The only instances in
which there is no further child node connection is at the termini of branches,
where no child nodes are possible. In such cases, the terminal nodes are
complete words that are not fragments of other longer words. The
combination of a parent node and a child node is either a complete word (at
the terminus of a branch), or a longer valid word fragment that gives rise to
a
subset of further children branches and nodes.
[0043] In a preferred word completion tree embodiment, each fragment's
child node fragments, where possible, are chosen for maximum flexibility,
meaning factors like brevity and minimum character length, resulting in
fewer non-terminal nodes, and bigger trees with richer branch structure.
[0044] In a preferred embodiment of each word completion tree, each node
fragment is a suffix added to the sum of all ancestor node fragments
traversed in a descending path starting from the tree root node fragment.
[0045] Each node fragment can be the end of a branch from which no
additional child nodes with that parent node fragment embedded are
possible. Alternatively, a node has a set of one or more branches emanating
from it leading to unique child node fragments from which longer words can
be built.
[0046] Node fragments preferably have maximum flexibility, based on
factors such as brevity and minimum character length. This results in fewer
non-terminal nodes, providing fragments which tend to provide word
completion building blocks, rather than full word completion endings.
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[0047] Thus trees are built from a set of the most common intermediate step
fragments, resulting in a rich branch structure, which compared to
conventional methods, provides faster, more convenient branch navigation to
every possible word derivable from any root or node fragment anywhere in
the tree.
[0048] For example "MAIN" is both a word, but also the beginning root word
fragment of approximately 35 other words, all deriving from any of the letters
F, L, M, S, T appended to the end of "MAIN."
[0049] For example, if the letter T is selected as the next letter in the
sequence, a new parent word fragment root is "MAINT," from which about
nine possible child words may be derived from any of just four letter/word
fragments menu choices: "AIN," "ENANCE," "OP," and "OPS."
[0050] An important benefit of this approach is that it allows maximum
flexibility in constructing long and complex words from small fragment
building block suffixes.
[0051] Another important benefit to this approach is a greatly reduced key
set required, particularly within just 2 to 3 starting letters of most words,
which allows fewer characters to appear on screen at any one time, allowing
for fewer, but larger keys, which are easier to see and use.
[0052] Another advantage of this method over prior art approaches is that
the individual tree branches can be built out in a more dynamic and
incremental fashion as the user starts typing (thus walking deeper down a
particular branch completion path).
[0053] Another benefit is this approach allows fewer characters to appear on
screen at any one time, allowing for larger key and key label sizes, which are
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easier to see and use. This is a critical advantage on small virtual keyboard
screens.
[0054] Another advantage over prior art is that the individual tree branches
can be built out in a more dynamic and incremental fashion as the user starts
typing, thus walking deeper down a particular branch completion path.
[0055] By contrast, as shown in the '233 patent, menus are provided of
generally full length terminal word completion endings, similar to
conventional word completion methods. So instead of providing menus of
suggested completion word endings, only entire words are shown in prior art
approaches. This greatly limits the flexibility of the word completion method,
and requires too many options than are possible to be displayed efficiently,
especially in a space constrained keyboard.
[0056] The inventive tree building approach is subtly but importantly
different in that it constructs words from shorter length intermediate word
fragments, which can potentially take a more keystrokes, but allows for fewer
larger keys on average.
[0057] For example when the inventive system receives the word "MAIN"
(Fig. 1, no. 100), the next key menu may be "F, L, M, S, T" (Fig. 1, no. 102).
By contrast, the method disclosed in the '233 patent would show full
(terminal fragment) completion options like "TAIN," or "TENANCE," rarely if
ever single letter fragments except perhaps at end of words.
[0058] The invention allows keys to display word fragments in place of
normal single letters, but retaining familiar, relative keyboard layout
position based on the initial fragment letter. An example is seen in Fig. 2C,
element 112 showing key "ENANCE" in the normal QUERTY layout `E' key
position.
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[0059] Following the entry of every new letter or fragment, the invention
runs a priority determination algorithm to ascertain which potential
subsequent letters and fragments (keys) are likely to be most and least
relevant and assigns a relative priority value to each key with the goal of
providing more space for the most important keys, making them easier to use
on small screens.
[0060] Keys representing totally irrelevant fragments are hidden or shown
de-activated (grayed out in the background), and remaining keys are allowed
to expand in size to fill resulting vacant spaces, thus becoming easier to
use.
[0061] For example in Fig. 1, following entry of letter N, creating MAIN,
(100) the letters "F, L, M, S, T" are displayed in menu row 102, become the
only relevant next additional letter/key entry options , thus the rest of the
keys can be hidden, allowing much more space for relevant keys.
[0062] Key size is determined by multiple factors such as the layout format
mode, but is generally a function of relative priority, the higher priority
the
larger the relative size, the lower the priority, the smaller the relative
size.
[0063] Larger keys also permit the clearer display of significantly more data
in each key, such as word fragments, helpful functionality notably lacking in
prior art word completion mechanisms.
[0064] For example in Fig. 1, as letter T is entered creating "MAINT" (110),
word fragment "AIN" ( element 114) then becomes a possible word fragment
ending option; larger keys allow the full display of "AIN" text in normal
keys,
which can also be positioned in familiar keyboard locations; for example the
"AIN" key can be displayed in the normal keyboard layout location of its
starting letter 'E', shown in element XX of Fig. 3H.
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[0065] As the user starts typing a new word, there may little or no context
information to help guide the key filtering process, thus a potentially large
number of keys may need to be efficiently displayed. Off screen
keyboard/keyboard menu display can be navigated into view via
scrolling/swiping type gestures, or the use of control keys, etc. But even so,
word and letter frequency can be used to control the relative size, position
and accessibility of keys.
DETERMINING LETTER/FRAGMENT KEY PRIORITY
[0066] Letter/key priority can be based on multiple factors, such as potential
word completion trees, and the most common word, letter frequencies and
usage patterns, but can also factor in contextual data from myriad sources,
such as GPS location, and building, vehicular or biomechanical device
sensors, etc.
[0067] Word completion trees can include custom, personalized vocabulary,
including shortcuts, slang and abbreviations, etc.
[0068] Work completion options can include both single letters and word
fragments of variable length, where a word fragment is defined as 1 or more
letters.
DETERMINATION OF RESIZED KEY SHAPE
[0069] Given adequate space, for example due to extremely few keys being
shown, all displayed keys will normally expand in size to occupy available
space vacated by hidden or de-activated keys.
[0070] In some cases keys with varying priorities can share uniform size and
also shape; an example is seen the alternating menus of Fig. 3C.
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[0071] However, if keys have significantly different priorities, higher
priority
keys can be given relatively larger size and lower priority keys relatively
smaller size, particularly when there's limited screen real estate. This is
illustrated in Fig. 3F.
[0072] A static keyboard layout can constrain the size and shape of larger
keys because of the need to retain the original layout relative key
positioning.
This can cause some keys to expand in size to a more rectangular shape seen
in Fig 3E, the R key has expanded more horizontally resulting in a
rectangular shape; the D key has also expanded unevenly, but in downward
direction, creating a vertically oriented rectangular shape.
[0073] Non-uniform key shapes are permitted to achieve sizing objectives,
e.g. more rectangular. The general rule is that keys can expand to fill
adjacent vacant spaces; such expansion usually happens in the normal
column/row orientation of most keyboards.
ALTERNATING MENUS MODE
[0074] Alternating menus is a mode that shows two rows of menu keys that
appear above and below each other, thus conserving space. This mode is
more appropriate when key menus have a relatively similar number of keys
which fit comfortably into a single onscreen row, a circumstance more
common when editing closer to the end of a word.
[0075] Menu and submenu display can occur in alternating directions, with a
repeating vertical pattern of up/down style, or a side to side left/right
style
(exact pattern determined by the first direction of menu display). This allows
the user to navigate into indefinitely deep submenu levels while using a
maximum screen area equivalent to just two submenus, since the menu
screen space is constantly reused.
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SPRING LOADED ALTERNATING MENUS
[0076] Spring loaded functionality works very well as a driver of alternating
menus as it allows next menus to open when a menu key region is not
selected, but merely touch activated, thus providing extremely rapid
navigation through a complex branching tree of options, making it well suited
to word completion trees.
[0077] It also provides rapid "look ahead" previewing of possible next menu
key options without requiring specific key selection, which is a huge help
with word completion. Another advantage is that the user doesn't need to
move a finger or pointer device off the screen at any stage.
[0078] Another big advantage is that the 'bread crumbs' of the user's pointer
navigation path through the key menus can be used to automatically enter
text associated with each key thus not requiring explicit key selection. This
can be extremely helpful in many tricky situations, for example single hand
device usage, etc.
COMBINING MULTIPLE KEYBOARD MENU STYLES AND MODES
[0079] This invention permits the use of multiple keyboard menu styles that
can change mid-word literally with every keystroke.
[0080] For example in Fig. 3B, the user begins typing the word
"MAINTAINING" starting with the letter 'M', triggering display of vowel
menu key set "A,E,I,O,U,Y', the only word completion fragments that
generally apply in this situation.
[0081] Next a sizing algorithm determines that there is adequate space and
common enough priority for all vowel keys to be resized in larger uniform
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shape, with keys positioned in row fashion above and adjacent to the just
triggered 'M' key, shown in Fig. 3B.
[0082] In an alternate menu embodiment, the layout algorithm produces a
more circular layout pattern of "A,E,I,O,U,Y" in Fig. 3C, designed to bring
the next key menu options closer to the previously triggered 'M' key, which
can reduce pointer travel distance to the next key selection.
[0083] Note how the vowel key menus are displayed above a de-activated full
QWERTY keyboard.
[0084] Next the user selects the letter 'A', which triggers a new cycle of
prioritization, sizing and layout algorithms, resulting the in the QWERTY
compatible keyboard menu seen in Fig. 3D, which combines with key hiding
with key re-sizing, with many keys morphing from uniform square to non-
uniform rectangular shapes.
[0085] Next the user selects the "I" key, creating "MAT", resulting in the new
key menu set seen in Fig. 3E.
[0086] Fig. 3F optionally shows a more limited key set for "MAT", hiding very
low priority keys, available however via an "ALT" control key, resulting in
much larger keys, with the "S, N" being good examples.
[0087] Next the user selects the "N" key, creating "MAIN" in Fig. 3G, then
displaying the "F,L,M,S,T" key menu. Because subsequent key menus are so
small, the system can switch to an alternating menu mode, including spring
loaded action, illustrated in Fig 3H.
ALTERNATING MENUS EXAMPLE
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[0088] Figs. 3G, 3H, and 31 illustrate a mechanism where menu selections
are shown bolded.
[0089] In Fig 3G, the "N" is selected appending "N" to end of "MAT" forming
word fragment "MAIN" in the editing display area, which triggers display of
the next word completion menu keys, "F,L,M,S,T", displayed in alphabetical
order from left to right, making it much easier to find the next key.
[0090] Fig 3H shows selection of "T", building "MAINT", then displaying the
next menu key set "AIN, Enance, OP, OPS" in a downward alternating
direction. To conserve space, "Enance" is shown with a larger "E" and smaller
following letters. Note how word fragment keys are display in alphabetical
order.
[0091] Figure 31 shows a similar pattern with the selection of "AIN", hiding
the "F,L,M,S,T" menu, then displaying the child menu key options of the
"AIN" fragment, "S, ER, ED, ING".
DYNAMIC KEY RELATIVE SIZING
[0092] The invention circumstantially makes the most relevant letter/key
options easier to use by temporarily increasing relative size and/or
highlighting, while optionally de-emphasizing less relevant keys via any
combination of decreased relative size, disabling, un-highlighting, graying
out, or hiding, etc.
[0093] If the user prefers a static display mode, e.g. QUERTY, the invention
requires all resized keys to remain positioned as close as possible to the
user's
normal keyboard layout location, thus retaining continuity with a familiar
layout, eliminating or substantially reducing learning curves.
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[0094] Fig. 2A illustrates how the typing of "main" dynamically results in
larger, highlighted "F, L, M, S, T" keys, which retain their relative QWERTY
keyboard locations, particularly relative to each other; and how they overlap
and in some cases hide irrelevant keys.
[0095] Fig 2B illustrates how overlapped keys underneath can also be
displayed via translucence to further help retain layout familiarity and thus
guide the user.
[0096] Space permitting, keys can display any combination of relevant single
letters and/or word fragments, including just partial fragments, or even
entire complete words.
[0097] For example, in Fig 2C, after typing "maint" the possible word
fragment completions, "am", "enance", "op", are displayed as key labels.
[0098] Word fragments are always positioned in the same approximate
normal keyboard locations as their optionally highlighted starting letter; for
example in Figure 2C, "am" is displayed approximately where the "A" key is
normally positioned, with the letter A capitalized for highlight purposes.
[0099] If a letter has multiple associated word fragment completions, they
can be displayed using multiple keys or via popup menu.
[0100] If a letter has multiple associated word fragment completions, they
can be displayed, space permitting, using multiple contiguous keys,
illustrated in Figure 2C
[0101] Starting letter highlighting can take any form, for example font type,
style, size, color, graphic embellishments, etc.
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[0102] Overlapped keys can, if desired, remain selectable by gestures such as
longer and/or harder (variable pressure and/or duration) key press, or sliding
motion into the overlapped key region.
[0103] Within the limited subset of word completion choices, relative
sizing/highlighting can also be applied, reflecting the most and least likely
choices, thus helping guide the user. For example in Figure 28, the most
likely choice "enance" has a much larger relative key size and font, compared
to the other completion key options.
CIRCULAR DISPLAY FORMATS
[0104] The system can optionally display each key menu in circular layout
formats, containing a center area displaying the currently selected key,
surrounded outside by the center selection's next key menu options, arranged
concentrically radiating out from the center.
[0105] Layouts can be in concentric pie slice format (Figs. 4A and 4C), or
just
traditional keys (Fig. 4B)
[0106] Traditional key press type selection can be used, or a semi spring
loaded alternating menu style is possible.
[0107] In non-traditional mode, user can select the next menu item by
moving the pointer from the center into a key selection area. Selection can
occurs only after the pointer has moved outwards far enough to remove any
possible ambiguity of choice when a heavily populated menu selection is
presented, or selection can involve a gesture like longer key press or a small
pointer movement pattern, etc.
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[0108] The center area displays the menu item currently selected - whenever
the pointer is over the center, the key regions display the selected items
child
branch menu items.
[0109] For example if the starting word fragment is "main" and the user
selects "T" as the next letter, the center will display "T" and the outer pie
slices will display the menu choices of "AIN, ENANCE, OP, OPS."
[0110] Normally each key area region represents a single menu item;
however if there are more menu items than can easily, conveniently fit, then
each menu item can be represented as buttons arranged in either concentric
circular rows surrounding the center area, or in spoke fashion.
[0111] The more likely high priority key fragments will normally be placed in
the innermost rows or spoke locations.
[0112] Buttons can be irregular in shape and size to better accommodate and
optimize varying button label requirements, and also take advantage of
greater space availability, for example farther away from the center.
[0113] Figs 4A to 4G illustrate circular menu operations
[0114] Fig. 4D shows keyboard selection of "N", triggering a display of keys
arranged in a circular fashion, showing the new word fragment "MAIN", also
showing newly selected "N" in center, surrounded by the next menu of
possible word completion options;
[0115] Fig. 4E also shows the next selected menu item "T" in bold, triggering
a new menu of word fragments in a circular arrangement around the central
letter T. In a spring loaded menu embodiment, "T" is selected by sliding the
pointer from center ("N") into "T" and back into the center again to complete.
CA 02941832 2016-09-06
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PCT/US2014/031121
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Alternatively, "T" can be simply tapped or selected by pointer location pause,
or mouse click.
[0116] Figs 4F and 4G continue the same pattern resulting in the terminal
word completion of "MAINTAINING".
KEYBOARD OVERLAP WITH EDIT CONTENT
[0117] Tiny screens often lack space for display of more than a single row of
keys large enough to be truly usable. This invention solves this problem by
allowing keyboards and keyboard menus to temporarily overlap and float on
top of text display content editing areas.
[0118] For example either one or both rows of alternating menus can overlap
edit content areas. An example is illustrated in Fig. 6.
SINGLE ROW KEYBOARD MENUS
[0119] Sequential word completion menus can also be shown in single row
mode if extremely limited space. When a key is selected, the current menu
row disappears and the next row menu sequence appears in its place ¨ this
can be accomplished with slide/scroll/dissolve effects if desired. For example
in Fig. 5A, key 'T' is selected, creating "MAINT", next causing key menu "F,
L, M, S, T" to be replaced by key menu "AIN, ENANCE, OP, OPS", seen in
Fig. 5B. Next "AIN" is selected, creating "MAINTAIN", triggering
replacement of current key menu with "S, ER, ED, ING" in Fig. 5C.
