Dynamic keyboard
First Claim
1. In a computer system having a graphical user interface, a method of providing keys to a user for data input, comprising the steps of, displaying a representation of a keyboard having a fixed set of character keys that do not change in response to characters that are input and a dynamic key thereon with a first meaning, receiving input information from the user, obtaining a predicted key from a prediction engine based on the input information received from the user, and automatically changing the dynamic key to have a second meaning in response to the predicted key.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved method and system for receiving user input data into a computer system having a keyboard with a dynamic key that changes its meaning and appearance in response to a predicted need of a user. The dynamic key is preferably provided on a displayed keyboard of a touch-sensitive input panel. Characters are provided to a prediction engine which returns a prediction comprising a likely next character, such as a punctuation symbol. The meaning and appearance of the dynamic key may change based on the prediction, whereby a user may more efficiently enter data via a fixed number of keys.
435 Citations
21 Claims
- 1. In a computer system having a graphical user interface, a method of providing keys to a user for data input, comprising the steps of, displaying a representation of a keyboard having a fixed set of character keys that do not change in response to characters that are input and a dynamic key thereon with a first meaning, receiving input information from the user, obtaining a predicted key from a prediction engine based on the input information received from the user, and automatically changing the dynamic key to have a second meaning in response to the predicted key.
- 11. A user data input mechanism, comprising, a display having a representation of a keyboard displayed thereon, a sensor for detecting user-activity corresponding to the keyboard, a conversion mechanism for converting detected user-activity on the keyboard to character input, a fixed set of character keys on the keyboard that do not change in response to characters that are input, a dynamic key on the keyboard having a current meaning and another meaning distinct therefrom, and a dynamic key determination mechanism for supplying character input to a prediction engine and receiving a predicted next character therefrom, the dynamic key determination mechanism deciding whether to change the meaning of the dynamic key from the current meaning to the other meaning in response to the predicted next character.
-
21. In a computer system having a display and a sensor for detecting user-activity corresponding to the display, a user data input mechanism, comprising, a representation of a keyboard for displaying on the display, a conversion mechanism for converting detected user-activity corresponding to the keyboard to character input, a fixed set of character keys on the keyboard that do not change in response to characters that are input, a dynamic key on the keyboard having at least two distinct meanings, and a dynamic key determination mechanism for deciding whether to change the meaning of the dynamic key in response to a predicted need therefor.
Specification