Automatic software input panel selection based on application program state
First Claim
1. A system configured to provide user input to an application program, comprising:
- a plurality of software input methods that are independent of the application program, each software input method having an input panel configured to receive user input based on user interaction therewith; and
a software input method manager, the software input method manager configured to select one of the input methods based on a state of the application program, to enable user interaction with the input panel of the input method to provide input to the application program.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for automatically selecting a software input method and/or adjusting the keys displayed on a software input panel of a software input method based on the state of an application program, such as corresponding to the currently focused field in which data is to be entered. An application communicates with a software input method manager to provide the software input method manager with information related to a desired input method, or the manager otherwise obtains the state information. Based on the state, an input panel is displayed that automatically changes its keyboard layout and key meanings based on what the user is likely to need, thereby increasing convenience and/or usability of the input system. The keys'"'"' appearances and/or their underlying meanings can be dynamically configured based on previously-entered user data, such as maintained and sent by the application program or maintained by the software input method manager.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A system configured to provide user input to an application program, comprising:
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a plurality of software input methods that are independent of the application program, each software input method having an input panel configured to receive user input based on user interaction therewith; and
a software input method manager, the software input method manager configured to select one of the input methods based on a state of the application program, to enable user interaction with the input panel of the input method to provide input to the application program. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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- 3. The system of claim 3, further comprising, a component external to the application program that determines the state of the application and communicates the state to the software input method manager.
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11. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
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receiving, from an application program, application program state data at a software input method manager;
selecting a selected input method from a plurality of software input methods, each software input method being independent of the application program and having an input panel configured to receive user input based on user interaction therewith; and
returning data to the application program corresponding to user interaction with the input panel, the input panel having at least one displayed key that when actuated returns a string of at least two characters to the application program. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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14. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
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receiving application program state data at a software input method manager;
selecting an input panel based on the application program state data, the input panel independent of the application program;
displaying keys on the input panel to enable user interaction with the input panel; and
returning key data to the application program corresponding to user interaction with the input panel. - View Dependent Claims (13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification