Space optimizing micro keyboard method and apparatus

• US 20160034181A1
• Filed: 03/18/2014
• Published: 02/04/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Andrew Berks, Iii, Forbes Holten Norris
• Original Assignee: Andrew Berks, Iii, Forbes Holten Norris
• Inventors: NORRIS, Forbes Holten III
• Granted Patent: US 10,235,042 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0236 using selection techniques to select from displayed items
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0237 using prediction or retrieval techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04897 Special input arrangements or commands for improving display capability
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/274 Converting codes to words; Guess-ahead of partial word inputs

Abstract

A method and apparatus is disclosed for entering text on a computer screen with a virtual keyboard and limited space, such as would be found on a mobile device such as smartphone, tablet, handheld computer or an automobile dashboard, or an appliance with a small screen. The method requires a sequence of events in which text is selected on the virtual keyboard, and a last key selected generates a new limited set of responsive keys, potentially based on word completion word fragments, for display on the screen, allowing responsive keys to be dynamically larger, variable in shape, or positioned on the virtual keyboard based on priority and availability of adjacent space to maximize the ease of use of the highest priority responsive keys. The user selects one of the responsive keys to partially complete or complete text entry.

Claims

1-22. -22. (canceled)

23. A user interface for word completion during text input by a user on a computer apparatus comprising a virtual keyboard, wherein said user interface has limited screen space to display the virtual keyboard and any other information, said interface comprising in sequence:

a. the user entering text by selecting keys on the virtual keyboard for one or more letters comprising a partial word, wherein each partial word has a last letter key comprising the last key selected by the user;

b. a computer generated means for presenting the user with a set of keys on the virtual keyboard in response to said last letter key, wherein said set of responsive keys is prioritized;

c. a computer generated means to adjust the appearance of said set of responsive keys into uniform or non-uniform shapes dynamically variable in size, shape, or position on the virtual keyboard based on priority and availability of adjacent space to maximize the ease of use of the highest priority responsive keys; and

d. wherein the user selects one of the responsive keys to partially complete or complete a word.

24-33. -33. (canceled)