METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WORD PREDICTION USING THE POSITION OF A NON-TYPING DIGIT

• US 20140267056A1
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Research In Motion Limited (Blackberry Limited)
• Inventors: PASQUERO, Jerome, MCKENZIE, Donald Somerset McCulloch
• Granted Patent: US 9,348,429 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/169
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0227 Cooperation and interconnection of the input arrangement with other functional units of a computer G06F3/023 - G06F3/037 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0237 using prediction or retrieval techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/274 Converting codes to words; Guess-ahead of partial word inputs

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses are provided for improving word prediction in an electronic device. User input of one or more characters is received via a capacitive physical keyboard having a plurality of input members. Concurrently, the device determines the location of a non-typing digit, such as the user'"'"'s finger or a stylus. Word prediction candidates are generated and weighted, and candidates that have subsequent characters associated with the input member proximal to the location of the non-typing digit are given more weight. The word prediction candidates are displayed, a second user input is then received comprising a selection of one of the candidates, and the device displays the selected word prediction candidate on the display.

Claims

1. A method for operating an electronic device having a display and a keyboard having a plurality of input members for receiving inputs, comprising:

receiving an input of one or more characters by a first typing digit;

detecting a position of a non-typing digit that is different from the typing digit;

generating a set of word prediction candidates based on the input and the detected position of the non-typing digit;

weighting the word prediction candidates in the set;

adjusting weights for word prediction candidates with subsequent characters corresponding to input members proximal to the detected position of the non-typing digit; and

displaying select ones of the word prediction candidates.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting a position of the non-typing digit at the end of multiple time points; and

generating a movement vector for the non-typing digit based on the detected positions.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving selection of a word prediction candidate; and

responsive to detection of an input reflecting selection of one of the word prediction candidates, displaying in an input field on the display the selected candidate.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying visual indicia of the character within each displayed word prediction candidate corresponding to the input member proximal to the detected position of the non-typing digit.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein displaying visual indicia comprises displaying said character underlined.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein displaying visual indicia comprises displaying said character in a different color.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting a position of a non-typing digit that is different from the typing digit comprises:

detecting one or more X-Y coordinate pairs associated with the non-typing digit;

selecting one of the coordinate pairs; and

selecting an input member associated with the selected coordinate pair.

8. The method of claim 1,

wherein the non-typing digit is hovering above the keyboard and its position is sensed by capacitive sensors integrated with, situated above, or situated under the input members.

9. An electronic device having a display and a keyboard having a plurality of input members for receiving inputs, comprising:

a memory containing instructions; and

one or more processors configured to execute the instructions to;

receive an input of one or more characters by a first typing digit;

detect a position of an non-typing digit that is different from the first digit;

generate a set of word prediction candidates based on the input and the detected position of the non-typing digit;

weight the word prediction candidates in the set;

adjust weights for word prediction candidates with subsequent characters corresponding to input members proximal to the detected position of the non-typing digit; and

display select ones of the word prediction candidates.

10. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to execute the instructions to:

detect a position of the non-typing digit at the end of multiple time points; and

generate a movement vector for the non-typing digit based on the detected positions.

11. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to execute the instructions to:

receive selection of a word prediction candidate; and

responsive to detection of an input reflecting selection of one of the word prediction candidates, display in an input field on the display the selected candidate.

12. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to execute the instructions to:

display visual indicia of the character within each displayed word prediction candidate corresponding to the input member proximal to the detected position of the non-typing digit.

13. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein displaying visual indicia comprises displaying said character underlined.

14. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein displaying visual indicia comprises displaying said character in a different color.

15. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein detecting a position of an non-typing digit that is different from the first digit comprises:

detecting one or more X-Y coordinate pairs associated with the non-typing digit;

selecting one of the coordinate pairs; and

selecting an input member associated with the selected coordinate pair.

16. The electronic device of claim 9,

wherein the non-typing digit is hovering above the keyboard and its position is sensed by capacitive sensors integrated with, situated above, or situated under the input members.