Image based keyboard for a small computing device
First Claim
1. In a computer system having a memory, a method for mapping keys of a virtual keyboard displayed on a computer display to an input point generated by a pointing device comprising:
- a) storing key coordinates corresponding to the keys on said virtual keyboard in a key coordinate array in said memory;
b) comparing the coordinates of said input point to the key coordinates stored in said key coordinate array in a predetermined sequence until a matching key is found or the end of the key coordinate array is reached;
c) for each given key coordinate, determining whether the coordinates of said input point satisfy a predetermined bounding criteria; and
d) if said bounding criteria is satisfied, assigning the corresponding key to said input point.
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Abstract
A virtual keyboard displayed on a computer display is used to emulate a conventional keyboard. The coordinate position of the keys on the virtual keyboard are stored as an array in the computer'"'"'s memory. The key coordinates are ordered in the array based on their frequency of occurrence. A pointing device is used to select keys on the virtual keyboard. The input points generated by the pointing device are compared to the key coordinates stored in the key coordinate array one at a time. A predetermined bounding criteria is applied to determine whether the input point matches that key. If so, then the key is assigned to the input point and the search is discontinued. The search for a matching key continues until a match is found or until the end of the array is reached.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. In a computer system having a memory, a method for mapping keys of a virtual keyboard displayed on a computer display to an input point generated by a pointing device comprising:
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a) storing key coordinates corresponding to the keys on said virtual keyboard in a key coordinate array in said memory; b) comparing the coordinates of said input point to the key coordinates stored in said key coordinate array in a predetermined sequence until a matching key is found or the end of the key coordinate array is reached; c) for each given key coordinate, determining whether the coordinates of said input point satisfy a predetermined bounding criteria; and d) if said bounding criteria is satisfied, assigning the corresponding key to said input point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. In a computer system having a memory, a method for mapping keys of a virtual keyboard displayed on a computer display to an input point generated by a pointing device comprising:
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a) storing key coordinates corresponding to keys on said virtual keyboard in a key coordinate array in said memory; b) ordering at least some of the key coordinates in said key coordinate array based on the frequency of occurrence of the corresponding keys; c) determining the coordinates of said input point; d) comparing the coordinates of said input point to the key coordinates stored in said key coordinate array in a predetermined sequence until a matching key is found or the end of the key coordinate array is reached; e) for each given key coordinate, determining whether the coordinates of said user input point satisfy a predetermined bounding criteria; and f) if said bounding criteria is satisfied, assigning the corresponding key to said user input. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. An input system for a computer comprising:
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a) a display for displaying a keyboard image comprising a plurality of keys; b) a pointing device for generating input points having coordinates referenced to the image displayed on said display; c) a memory for storing key coordinates corresponding to the keys in said keyboard image; and d) a logic device for; i) comparing the coordinates of said input point to the key coordinates stored in said memory in a predetermined sequence until a matching key is found; ii) for each key coordinate, determining whether said input point satisfies a predetermined bounding criteria; iii) if said bounding criteria is satisfied, assigning the corresponding key to said input point. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. An input system for a computer comprising:
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a) a display for displaying a keyboard image comprising a plurality of keys; b) a pointing device for generating input points within said keyboard image; c) a memory for storing key coordinates corresponding to the keys in said keyboard image; and d) bound check means for sequentially comparing the coordinates of said input point to said key coordinates stored in memory and applying a predetermined bounding criteria to determine whether the key corresponding to said key coordinate is the selected key, until a matching key is found. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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Specification