METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR GENERATING A VISUAL USER INTERFACE

• US 20090132917A1
• Filed: 11/19/2007
• Published: 05/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Red Hat, Inc. (International Business Machines Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Red Hat, Inc. (International Business Machines Corporation)
• Inventors: LANDRY, Robin J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,839,123 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/702
• 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 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• 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

An interface engine is configured to generate a user interface on a display coupled to an electronic device. The interface engine is configured to display characters, in the user interface, that may input into the electronic device. The interface engine is configured to generate the user interface to include character sections. The interface engine is configured to associate a sub-set of the characters with each character sections. The sub-set of characters included in each character section can be based on the frequency that the characters are used and/or the patterns in which the characters are used. Additionally, the sub-set of characters associated with each character section can be selected by the user.

Claims

1. A method of providing for input into an computing environment, comprising:

receiving a request to initiate input into the computing environment;

providing an visual interface to a display, the interface comprising character sections, wherein the character sections are associated with sub-sets of characters available for entry into the computing environment, the sub-sets arranged in circular data structures; and

receiving signals from the display related to the visual interface, wherein the received signals represent physical actions performed on the display.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

translating the received signals into operations related to the character sections.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the operations comprise changing at least one character of the sub-sets to be displayed in the character sections.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the operations comprise transferring a selected character associated with one of the character sections to an application residing in the computing environment.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the operations comprise comparing selected characters from the interface to frequently used words and providing a completed word when the selected characters match a portion of the completed word.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving additional signals from an input device;

translating the additional signals into the operations associated with the interface.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the interface comprises instructing the display to display the character sections near an edge of the display.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating a configuration interface for selecting characteristics of the interface, wherein the characteristics comprises at least one of characters to be associated with the character sections, the operations associated with the physical actions, and a location on the display to display the character sections.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the character sections are associated with sub-sets of characters based on a frequency of use of the characters.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the character sections are associated with the sub-sets of characters based on a pattern of use of the characters.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the control module is further configured to instruct the display to display the character sections near an edge of the display.

11. An system for providing input into a computing environment, the system comprising:

an application interface configured to couple with a plurality of applications and a display;

a control module configured to couple with the application interface and the repository, wherein the control module is configured to receive a request to initiate input into the computing environment;

to provide a tactile interface to the display, wherein the interface comprises character sections and wherein each character section is associated with a sub-set of characters available for entry into the computing device, the sub-set arranged to be rotably displayed in the character section;

to receive signals from the display representing tactile actions on the display; and

to translate the signals into operations related to the sub-sets of characters rotably displayed in the character sections; and

a repository configured to couple to the control module, the repository storing the sub-sets associated with the character sections and the operations associated related to the sub-sets.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the control module is further configured to translate the received signals into a first operation to rotate the sub-set of characters to display new characters from the sub-set in the character section.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the control module is further configured to translate the received signals into a second operation to transfer a selected character from the sub-set of characters to at least one application of the plurality of applications.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the control module is further configured to receive additional signals from an input device and translate the additional signals into the operations associated with the interface.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the control module is further configured to generate a configuration interface for selecting characteristics of the interface, wherein the characteristics comprises at least one of characters to be associated with the character sections, the operations associated with the physical actions, and a location on the display to display the character sections and to store the selected characteristics in the repository.

17. A device, comprising:

device capable of displaying data and generating signals representing tactile actions performed on the display; and

an interface engine coupled to the display, wherein the interface engine is configured to receive a request to initiate input into the device;

to provide an tactile interface to the display, wherein the interface comprises character sections and wherein each character section is associated with a sub-set of characters available for entry into the device, the sub-set arranged to be rotably displayed in the character section;

to receive the signals from the display; and

to translate the signals into operations related to the sub-sets of characters rotably displayed in the character sections.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the interface engine is further configured to translate the received signals into a first operation to rotate the sub-set of characters to display new characters from the sub-set in the character section.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the interface engine is further configured to translate the received signals into a second operation to transfer a selected character from the sub-set of characters to an application residing on the electronic device.

20. The device of claim 17, further comprising an input device coupled to the interface engine, wherein the interface engine is further configured to receive additional signals from an input device and translate the additional signals into the operations associated with the interface.

21. The device of claim 17, wherein the interface engine is further configured to instruct the display to display the character sections near an edge of the display.

22. The device of claim 17, wherein the interface engine is further configured to generate a configuration interface for selecting characteristics of the interface, wherein the characteristics comprises at least one of characters to be associated with the character sections, the operations associated with the physical actions, and a location on the display to display the character sections.