Intent determination using geometric shape input

• US 8,878,785 B1
• Filed: 10/05/2012
• Issued: 11/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Nordstrom, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Feild, Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): GUPTA, PARUL H
• Application Number:
  US13/646,650
• Time in Patent Office: 760 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 345/157
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

Abstract

Computer-implemented methods for identifying a requested action using a geometric input are provided. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a geometric pattern input associated with user-selectable content displayed on the device, and receiving an identifier of a referent entity, the referent entity selected based on the geometric pattern input from a list of suggested entities identified from user-selectable content displayed on the device. The method also includes identifying, based on a shape of the geometric pattern input, at least one action to be executed that is associated with the referent entity based on the shape of the geometric pattern input, and providing an identifier of the at least one identified action to the device for selection. Systems, graphical user interfaces, and machine-readable media are also provided.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for identifying a requested action using a geometric input, the method comprising:

receiving a geometric pattern input associated with user-selectable content displayed on the device;

receiving an identifier of a referent entity identified as a specific person, specific place, specific physical object, or specific concept, the referent entity selected based on the geometric pattern input from a list of suggested entities identified from user-selectable content displayed on the device;

identifying, based on a shape of the geometric pattern input, at least one action to be executed that is associated with the referent entity that is identified as the specific person, specific place, specific physical object, or specific concept; and

providing an identifier of the at least one identified action to the device for selection.

2. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein a subset of the user-selectable content is selected based on the geometric pattern input.

3. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the shape of the geometric pattern input comprises at least one of:

a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially oval shape, a substantially oval shape followed by a substantially straight line shape, a plus shape, a question mark shape, and a star shape.

4. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the geometric pattern input is provided using at least one of a touch input device and a pointing device.

5. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the at least one action to be executed is further identified based on a context in which the geometric pattern input associated with user-selectable content is received.

6. The computer implemented method of claim 5, wherein the context comprises at least one of a current location of the device, a past location of the device, the type of the device, a previous action associated with the referent entity taken by the user or another user, a search query, information on the user or another user associated with the user, the file from which the user-selectable content was selected, and the remaining content from which the user-selectable content was selected.

7. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the at least one action is selected from a list of actions.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the at least one action comprises providing directions, adding contact information, identifying an entity, providing a price, identifying a location, and identifying a physical location.

9. A system for identifying a requested action using a geometric input, the system comprising:

a memory comprising user-selectable content; and

a processor configured to;

receive a geometric pattern input associated with user-selectable content displayed on the device from a user;

receive an identifier of a referent entity identified as a specific person, specific place, specific physical object, or specific concept, the referent entity selected based on the geometric pattern input from a list of suggested entities identified from user-selectable content displayed on the device;

identify, based on a shape of the geometric pattern input, at least one action to be executed that is associated with the referent entity that is identified as the specific person, specific place, specific physical object, or specific concept; and

provide an identifier of the at least one identified action to the device for selection by the user.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the processor is configured to select a subset of the user-selectable content based on the geometric pattern input.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the shape of the geometric pattern input comprises at least one of:

a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially oval shape, a substantially oval shape followed by a substantially straight line shape, a plus shape, a question mark shape, and a star shape.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the geometric pattern input is provided using at least one of a touch input device and a pointing device.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the processor is configured to further identify the at least one action to be executed based on a context in which the geometric pattern input associated with user-selectable content is received.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the context comprises at least one of a current location of the device, a past location of the device, the type of the device, a previous action associated with the referent entity taken by the user or another user, a search query, information on the user or another user associated with the user, the file from which the user-selectable content was selected, and the remaining content from which the user-selectable content was selected.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one action is selected from a list of actions.

16. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one action comprises providing directions, adding contact information, identifying an entity, providing a price, identifying a location, and identifying a physical location.

17. A graphical user interface for identifying a requested action using a geometric input, the graphical user interface comprising:

a content selection interface configured to receive, from a device, a geometric pattern input associated with user-selectable content displayed on the device; and

an action selection interface configured to receive an identifier of a referent entity identified as a specific person, specific place, specific physical object, or specific concept, the referent entity selected based on the geometric pattern input from a list of suggested entities identified from user-selectable content displayed on the device, to identify, based on a shape of the geometric pattern input, at least one action to be executed that is associated with the referent that is identified as the specific person, specific place, specific physical object, or specific concept, and provide an identifier of the at least one identified action to the device for selection.

18. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium comprising machine-readable instructions for causing a processor to execute a method for identifying a requested action using a geometric input, the method comprising:

receiving a geometric pattern input associated with user-selectable content displayed on the device;

receiving an identifier of a referent entity identified as a specific person, specific place, specific physical object, or specific concept, the referent entity selected based on the geometric pattern input from a list of suggested entities identified from user-selectable content displayed on the device;

identifying, based on a shape of the geometric pattern input, at least one action to be executed that is associated with the referent entity that is identified as the specific person, specific place, specific physical object, or specific concept; and

providing an identifier of the at least one identified action to the device for selection.