SYSTEM, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR A VIRTUAL KEYBOARD

• US 20100020033A1
• Filed: 07/04/2009
• Published: 01/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Obinna Ihenacho Alozie Nwosu
• Original Assignee: Obinna Ihenacho Alozie Nwosu
• Inventors: Nwosu, Obinna Ihenacho Alozie
• Application Number:
  US12/497,649
• Publication Number:
  US 20100020033A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus

Abstract

A method and a system for a virtual keyboard utilizing a computer input device includes defining at least first, second and third bounded areas associated with the input device. A set of nine characters is assigned to each of the bounded areas. Contacts and movements associated with the input device within the bounded areas are detected. A one of eight of the nine characters assigned to a bounded area is selected upon detection of a continuous contact during a movement from a beginning position to an end position associated with the bounded area. The selecting is determined by a linear direction from the beginning position to the end position. A ninth character of the nine characters assigned to the bounded area is selected upon detection of a momentary contact associated with the bounded area.

Claims

1. A method for a virtual keyboard utilizing a computer input device, the method comprising steps of:

defining at least first, second and third bounded areas associated with the input device;

assigning a set of nine characters to each of said bounded areas;

detecting contacts and movements associated with the input device within said bounded areas;

selecting a one of eight of said nine characters assigned to a bounded area upon detection of a continuous contact during a movement from a beginning position to an end position associated with said bounded area, wherein said selecting being determined by a linear direction from said beginning position to said end position; and

selecting a ninth of said nine characters assigned to said bounded area upon detection of a momentary contact associated with said bounded area.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of assigning a different set of nine characters to each of said bounded areas upon detection of a continuous contact during a generally circular movement associated with a bounded area.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of assigning a different set of nine characters to each of said bounded areas upon detection of a continuous contact for a predetermined time without movement.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the computer input device comprises a touch input of a display screen and said bounded areas are defined adjacently.

5. The method as recited in claim 4, further comprising a step of selecting a space character upon detection of a continuous contact during a movement from said first bounded area through said second bounded area to said third bounded area.

6. The method as recited in claim 4, further comprising a step of selecting a backspace character upon detection of a continuous contact during a movement from said third bounded area through said second bounded area to said first bounded area.

7. The method as recited in claim 4, further comprising a step of selecting a return character upon detection of continuous contact during a movement passing through said bounded areas twice.

8. The method as recited in claim 4, further comprising a step deactivating said detection upon detection of continuous contact during a movement passing through said bounded areas three times.

9. A method for a virtual keyboard utilizing a computer input device, the method comprising:

steps for defining bounded areas associated with the input device;

steps for assigning characters to each of said bounded areas;

steps for detecting contacts and movements within said bounded areas;

steps for selecting characters upon detection of a continuous contact during a movement; and

steps for selecting characters upon detection of a momentary contact.

10. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising steps for assigning different characters to each of said bounded areas.

11. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising steps for selecting a space character.

12. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising steps for selecting a backspace character.

13. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising steps for of selecting a return character.

14. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising steps for deactivating said detection.

15. A computer program product for a virtual keyboard utilizing a computer input device, the computer program product comprising:

computer code for defining at least first, second and third bounded areas associated with the input device;

computer code for assigning a set of nine characters to each of said bounded areas;

computer code detecting contacts and movements associated with the input device within said bounded areas;

computer code for selecting a one of eight of said nine characters assigned to a bounded area upon detection of a continuous contact during a movement from a beginning position to an end position associated with said bounded area, wherein said selecting being determined by a linear direction from said beginning position to said end position;

computer code for selecting a ninth of said nine characters assigned to said bounded area upon detection of a momentary contact associated with said bounded area; and

a computer-readable medium for storing said computer code.

16. The computer program product as recited in claim 15, further comprising computer code for assigning a different set of nine characters to each of said bounded areas upon detection of a continuous contact during a generally circular movement associated with a bounded area.

17. The computer program product as recited in claim 15, further comprising computer code for assigning a different set of nine characters to each of said bounded areas upon detection of a continuous contact for a predetermined time without movement.

18. The computer program product as recited in claim 15, wherein the computer input device comprises a touch input of a display screen and said bounded areas are defined adjacently.

19. The computer program product as recited in claim 18, further comprising computer code for selecting a space character upon detection of a continuous contact during a movement from said first bounded area through said second bounded area to said third bounded area.

20. The computer program product as recited in claim 18, further comprising computer code for selecting a backspace character upon detection of a continuous contact during a movement from said third bounded area through said second bounded area to said first bounded area.

21. The computer program product as recited in claim 18, further comprising computer code for selecting a return character upon detection of continuous contact during a movement passing through said bounded areas twice.

22. The computer program product as recited in claim 18, further comprising computer code for deactivating said detection upon detection of continuous contact during a movement passing through said bounded areas three times.

23. A system for a virtual keyboard utilizing a computer input device, the system comprising:

means for defining bounded areas associated with the input device;

means for assigning characters to each of said bounded areas;

means for detecting contacts and movements within said bounded areas;

means for selecting a characters upon detection of a continuous contact during a movement; and

means for selecting a characters upon detection of a momentary contact.

24. The system as recited in claim 23, further comprising means for assigning different characters to each of said bounded areas.

25. The system as recited in claim 23, further comprising means for selecting a space character.

26. The system as recited in claim 23, further comprising means for selecting a backspace character.

27. The system as recited in claim 23, further comprising means for of selecting a return character.

28. The system as recited in claim 23, further comprising means for deactivating said detection.