Dynamically-generated selectable option icons

• US 9,285,954 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2013
• Issued: 03/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/29/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Yang, Fan, Yuan, Feng
• Primary Examiner(s): ABDUL-ALI, OMAR R
• Application Number:
  US13/778,760
• Publication Number:
  US 20150160792A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,112 Days
• Field of Search: 715/812, 715/816
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• 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

Systems and techniques are provided for dynamically generating a list of selectable options based on one or more applicable factors, which include visual representations of input components that can be used to select from among the options. For example, an icon corresponding to an input component may be displayed proximate to a respective selectable option such that activating the input component elects the selectable option. Additionally, each icon may be visually similar to its respective input component.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, at a computing system via a physical input device associated therewith, a text input to a software application;

in response to receiving the text input, dynamically generating a plurality of selectable options based on the text input and a type of the software application; and

subsequent to dynamically generating the plurality of selectable options;

assigning a first physical input component on the physical input device to a first selectable option;

assigning a second physical input component on the physical input device to a second selectable option; and

displaying a list comprising two or more of the plurality of selectable options, the list comprising;

the first selectable option; and

an image visually resembling the first physical input component proximate to the first selectable option.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the image corresponding to the first physical input component is not selectable independent of the first selectable option.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of selectable options is a translation or a transliteration for a received text input.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the selectable options correspond to a language selected by a user.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the plurality of selectable options is performed by a service remote from a user to whom the selectable options are presented.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the physical input device is a physical keyboard, and wherein the first and second physical input components are first and second physical keys of the physical keyboard.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the image is at least one of (i) raised, (ii) embossed, and (iii) shaded.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the physical input device is one of a touch-sensitive device, a numerical pad, and a wireless controller comprising a plurality of buttons.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of selectable options are generated further based on a user interface display associated with the processor.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the software application is a word processing software application, and wherein at least one of the plurality of selectable options is a thesaurus option for the text input.

11. A system comprising:

a database; and

a processor in connection with the database and associated with a physical input device, the processor configured to;

receive, via the physical input device, a text input to a software application;

in response to receiving the text input, dynamically generate a plurality of selectable options based on the text input and a type of the software application; and

subsequent to dynamically generating the plurality of selectable options;

assign a first physical input component on the physical input device to a first selectable option;

assign a second physical input component on the physical input device to a second selectable option; and

display a list comprising two or more of the plurality of selectable options, the list comprising;

the first selectable option; and

an image visually resembling the first physical input component proximate to the first selectable option.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of selectable options is a translation or a transliteration for a received text input.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the step of generating a plurality of selectable options is performed by a service remote from a user to whom the selectable options are presented.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the physical input device is a physical keyboard, and wherein the first and second physical input components are first and second physical keys of the physical keyboard.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the image is at least one of (i) raised, (ii) embossed, and (iii) shaded.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the physical input device is one of a touch-sensitive device, a numerical pad, and a wireless controller comprising a plurality of buttons.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of selectable options are generated further based on a user interface display of the computing system.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the software application is a word processing software application, and wherein at least one of the plurality of selectable options is a thesaurus option for the text input.

19. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing program instructions, which when executed by a processor associated with a physical input device, cause the processor to:

receive, via the physical input device, a text input to a software application;

in response to receiving the text input, dynamically generate a plurality of selectable options based on the text input and a type of the software application; and

subsequent to dynamically generating the plurality of selectable options;

assign a first physical input component on the physical input device to a first selectable option;

assign a second physical input component on the physical input device to a second selectable option; and

display a list comprising two or more of the plurality of selectable options, the list comprising;

the first selectable option; and

an image visually resembling the first physical input component proximate to the first selectable option.

20. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the physical input device is a physical keyboard, and wherein the first and second physical input components are first and second physical keys of the physical keyboard.

21. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the image is at least one of (i) raised, (ii) embossed, and (iii) shaded.

22. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the physical input device is one of a touch-sensitive device, a numerical pad, and a wireless controller comprising a plurality of buttons.

23. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the plurality of selectable options are generated further based on a user interface display associated with the processor.

24. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the software application is a word processing software application, and wherein at least one of the plurality of selectable options is a thesaurus option for the text input.