Abstract: Lack of physical display space on a mobile computing device complicates the entry of data since the input elements (usually “keys” on a virtual keyboard) are too small to accurately touch. Using on-screen virtual keyboards usually requires placing the virtual keyboard on the screen so that it does not obscure the underlying input field which further reduces the size of the input “keys”. As described herein, a semi-transparent layer is created representing a virtual on-screen keyboard with the specification of “areas of interest” (areas or bounded portions of the screen) which typically will contain the most important screen content. These areas of interest are given enhanced visibility by increasing the transparency of the virtual keyboard in those bounded areas.

Abstract: Lack of physical display space on a mobile computing device complicates the entry of data since the input elements (usually “keys” on a virtual keyboard) are too small to accurately touch. Using on-screen virtual keyboards usually requires placing the virtual keyboard on the screen so that it does not obscure the underlying input field which further reduces the size of the input “keys”. As described herein, a semi-transparent layer is created representing a virtual on-screen keyboard with the specification of “areas of interest” (areas or bounded portions of the screen) which typically will contain the most important screen content. These areas of interest are given enhanced visibility by increasing the transparency of the virtual keyboard in those bounded areas.