Predictive Sensitized Keypad

• US 20110074704A1
• Filed: 09/30/2009
• Published: 03/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Howard, Jeffrey Norbert, Causey, Mark Edward, Smoak, Andrew Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 9,122,393 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0237 using prediction or retrieval techniques
• 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

Devices and methods are disclosed which relate to improving the efficiency of text input by generating a dynamic virtual keyboard. Disclosed examples display a soft keyboard on a touchscreen of a text-entry device. The touchscreen works with the soft keyboard as a form of text input. Keyboard logic on the text-entry device is programmed to change the sensitivity of the footprint of keys surrounding a predicted key or keys, based upon the prior entry. The keyboard logic assigns a prediction value to each key based on a statistical probability that the key will be entered next. The touchscreen displays a dynamic virtual keyboard based on these prediction values. Enhancements include reducing the sensitivity of the footprint of keys relative to their prediction value. For instance, if a key is very unlikely to be the next intended key pressed, the footprint of the key will only respond to a key press of greater force than a key which is likely to be entered next.

Claims

1. A text-entry device for generating a dynamic virtual keyboard comprising:

a processor;

a memory in communication with the processor;

a touchscreen in communication with the processor; and

a keyboard logic stored on the memory;

wherein the keyboard logic;

displays a dynamic keyboard having a plurality of visible keys and respective footprints responding to substantially the same force on the touchscreen;

assigns a prediction value to each key after a user enters a key; and

adjusts the sensitivity of at least one footprint relative to the assigned prediction value.

2. The device in claim 1, wherein the keyboard logic enhances the dynamic keyboard by adjusting the sensitivity of each footprint to a proportion of its prediction value.

3. The device in claim 1, wherein the keyboard logic assigns a prediction value to each key by referencing a language database.

4. The device in claim 3, wherein the language database includes a dictionary and a plurality of statistical data.

5. The device in claim 1, further comprising a transceiver.

6. The device in claim 5, wherein the transceiver uses one of cellular RF, BLUETOOTH, and WiFi.

7. A method of enhancing a dynamic virtual keyboard comprising;

displaying a dynamic keyboard having a plurality of visible keys and respective footprints responding to substantially the same force on the touchscreen;

assigning a prediction value to each key after each key entry; and

adjusting the sensitivity of at least one footprint relative to the assigned prediction value,

wherein the dynamic keyboard is displayed on the touchscreen of a text-entry device.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the enhancing further comprises adjusting the sensitivity of each footprint to a proportion of its prediction value.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the enhancing further comprises referencing a language database.

10. The method in claim 9, wherein the language database includes a dictionary and a plurality of statistical data.

11. The method of claims 7, further comprising resetting a dynamic keyboard to a display of visible keys and footprints responding to substantially the same force on the touchscreen.

12. A computer program stored on a computer readable medium for enhancing a dynamic keyboard comprising;

a first code segment for displaying a dynamic keyboard having a plurality of visible keys and respective footprints responding to substantially the same force on the touchscreen;

a second code segment for assigning a prediction value to each key after each key entered; and

a third code segment for adjusting the sensitivity of at least one footprint relative to the assigned prediction value,

wherein the dynamic keyboard is displayed on the touchscreen of a text-entry device.

13. The computer program of claim 12, wherein the third code segment enhances the dynamic keyboard by adjusting the sensitivity of each footprint to a proportion of its prediction value.

14. The computer program of claim 12, wherein the second code segment assigns a prediction value to each key by referencing a language database.

15. The computer program of claim 14, wherein the language database includes a dictionary and a plurality of statistical data.

16. The computer program of claim 12, further comprising a fourth code segment for resetting a dynamic keyboard to a display of visible keys and footprints responding to substantially the same force on the touchscreen.