METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENHANCING INTERACTION OF A VIRTUAL KEYBOARD PROVIDED THROUGH A SMALL TOUCH SCREEN
First Claim
1. A method for enhancing interaction of a virtual keyboard associated with a small touch-sensitive display screen, said method comprising:
- providing a virtual keyboard represented in a touch-sensitive display screen of at least one block, wherein said virtual keyboard includes a plurality of virtual keys associated with an individual representative position in said touch-sensitive display screen;
sensing a three-dimensional position of a physical selector over said touch-sensitive display screen utilizing a plurality of proximity sensors associated with said touch-sensitive display screen before said physical selector contacts said touch-sensitive display screen; and
enlarging at least one of said virtual keys and said at least one block of said virtual keyboard when the physical selector is close to said touch screen without making contact.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for enhancing interaction of a virtual keyboard in a small touch screen. The virtual keyboard includes multiple virtual keys and can be divided into more than one block. Proximity sensors associated with the touch screen can sense the 3D position of a physical selector (e.g., user'"'"'s finger or stylus) before it contacts the touch screen. When the physical selector is close enough to the touch screen, a block of the virtual keyboard or group of characters nearest the physical selector can be enlarged for selection by physical contact of the physical selector with the touch screen. The virtual keyboard can also be enlarged according to the position of the physical selector in a continual manner, wherein the extent of the enlargement is proportional to the proximity of the physical selector to the screen. Further, a character immediately under the physical selector can also be enlarged in order to determine intent with high reliability.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for enhancing interaction of a virtual keyboard associated with a small touch-sensitive display screen, said method comprising:
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providing a virtual keyboard represented in a touch-sensitive display screen of at least one block, wherein said virtual keyboard includes a plurality of virtual keys associated with an individual representative position in said touch-sensitive display screen; sensing a three-dimensional position of a physical selector over said touch-sensitive display screen utilizing a plurality of proximity sensors associated with said touch-sensitive display screen before said physical selector contacts said touch-sensitive display screen; and enlarging at least one of said virtual keys and said at least one block of said virtual keyboard when the physical selector is close to said touch screen without making contact. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A touch-sensitive display system, comprising:
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a plurality of proximity sensors integrated with and throughout a touch-sensitive display screen and adapted to sense a user'"'"'s finger in close proximity with portions of said touch-sensitive display screen; and a program module adapted to enable an area of a virtual keyboard displayed on said touch-sensitive display screen and virtual keys associated therewith to become enlarged when a physical selector is sensed in close proximity to proximity sensors assigned within the area of said touch-sensitive display screen. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for enhancing interaction of a virtual keyboard associated with a small touch-sensitive display screen, said method comprising:
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providing a virtual keyboard represented in a touch-sensitive display screen having a surface and including a plurality of proximity sensors co-located throughout said touch-sensitive display screen, wherein said virtual keyboard includes a plurality of virtual keys; sensing a three-dimensional position of a physical selector over said touch-sensitive display screen with said proximity sensor before said physical selector contacts the surface of said touch-sensitive display screen; and enlarging at least one of said virtual keys of said virtual keyboard when the physical selector is in close proximity to the surface of said touch screen without making physical contact with the surface. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification