Abstract: Described is a technology by which ambient data related to a vehicle is sensed and processed, for use in determining a state change related to external traffic awareness. Based upon the state change, an allowed level of interactivity with a user interface may be changed, and/or a notification may be output. Images and/or depth data may be sensed as part of determining whether a user who is interacting with a device in a stopped vehicle is to be made aware of the changed condition with respect to other vehicles, pedestrians and/or the like.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for providing feedback and guidance to touch screen device users to improve text entry user experience and performance by generating input history data including character probabilities, word probabilities, and touch models. According to one embodiment, a method comprises receiving first input data, automatically learning user tendencies based on the first input data to generate input history data, receiving second input data, and generating auto-corrections or suggestion candidates for one or more words of the second input data based on the input history data. The user can then select one of the suggestion candidates to replace a selected word with the selected suggestion candidate.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for providing feedback and guidance to touch screen device users to improve the text entry user experience and performance. According to one embodiment, a method comprises receiving a text entry, receiving input on a touch screen in the form of a first single touch input located over a word of previously entered text, and presenting the user with one or more suggestion candidates indicated possible replacement words related to the selected word. The user can then select one of the suggestion candidates using a second single touch input to replace the selected word with a word associated with the selected suggestion candidate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for providing feedback and guidance to touch screen device users to improve text entry user experience and performance by generating input history data including character probabilities, word probabilities, and touch models. According to one embodiment, a method comprises receiving first input data, automatically learning user tendencies based on the first input data to generate input history data, receiving second input data, and generating auto-corrections or suggestion candidates for one or more words of the second input data based on the input history data. The user can then select one of the suggestion candidates to replace a selected word with the selected suggestion candidate.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for providing feedback and guidance to touch screen device users to improve the text entry user experience and performance. According to one embodiment, a method comprises receiving a text entry, receiving input on a touch screen in the form of a first single touch input located over a word of previously entered text, and presenting the user with one or more suggestion candidates indicated possible replacement words related to the selected word. The user can then select one of the suggestion candidates using a second single touch input to replace the selected word with a word associated with the selected suggestion candidate.

Abstract: Described is a technology by which ambient data related to a vehicle is sensed and processed, for use in determining a state change related to external traffic awareness. Based upon the state change, an allowed level of interactivity with a user interface may be changed, and/or a notification may be output. Images and/or depth data may be sensed as part of determining whether a user who is interacting with a device in a stopped vehicle is to be made aware of the changed condition with respect to other vehicles, pedestrians and/or the like.

Abstract: An apparatus for communicating with a handheld device (e.g., a cellular telephone) is provided herein. A protective shroud is configured to enclose the handheld device and protect it against incidents that commonly cause damage to handheld devices. Integral to the protective shroud is at least one of an input component configured to receive user input and a wireless transceiver configured to transmit signals to and/or receive signals from the handheld device. In one example, where both the input component and the wireless transceiver are integral to the protective shroud, signals related to received user input (e.g., where the shroud serves as a keypad) may be transmitted to the handheld device even if the protective shroud is removed from the handheld device.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a display including a touch sensor, a contextual sensor configured to provide data indicative of an operating condition of the electronic device, one or more memories in which touch input instructions, touch event mapping instructions, and a touch event mapping model are stored, and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured through execution of the touch input instructions to obtain data indicative of an initial assessment of touch event position via the touch sensor. The touch event mapping model maps the initial assessment of touch event position to an adjusted touch event position as a function of the data indicative of the operating condition of the electronic device.

Abstract: Described is a technology by which ambient data related to a vehicle is sensed and processed, for use in determining a state change related to external traffic awareness. Based upon the state change, an allowed level of interactivity with a user interface may be changed, and/or a notification may be output. Images and/or depth data may be sensed as part of determining whether a user who is interacting with a device in a stopped vehicle is to be made aware of the changed condition with respect to other vehicles, pedestrians and/or the like.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer media for intent-based, dynamic generation and display of task icons within virtual keyboards are provided herein. A system can include a processor, an intent classifier, and a user interface generator. The intent classifier can be configured to determine user intent candidates based on contextual information. A user interface generator can be configured to generate the virtual keyboard for display and, upon receiving an indication of a user intent determined based on the user intent candidates, generate a task icon within the virtual keyboard. The task icon represents functionality associated with the determined user intent. Interaction with the task icon in the virtual keyboard can launch functionality associated with the determined intent. The user interface generator can also be configured to present a search interface upon receiving an indication of a user interaction with the virtual keyboard.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer media for intent-based, dynamic generation and display of task icons within virtual keyboards are provided herein. A system can include a processor, an intent classifier, and a user interface generator. The intent classifier can be configured to determine user intent candidates based on contextual information. A user interface generator can be configured to generate the virtual keyboard for display and, upon receiving an indication of a user intent determined based on the user intent candidates, generate a task icon within the virtual keyboard. The task icon represents functionality associated with the determined user intent. Interaction with the task icon in the virtual keyboard can launch functionality associated with the determined intent.

Abstract: Described herein are various technologies pertaining to shapewriting. A touch-sensitive input panel comprises a plurality of keys, where each key in the plurality of keys is representative of a respective plurality of characters. A user can generate a trace over the touch-sensitive input panel, wherein the trace passes over keys desirably selected by the user. A sequence of characters, such as a word, is decoded based upon the trace, and is output to a display or a speaker.

Abstract: An apparatus described herein communicates with a handheld device. A protective shroud is configured to enclose the handheld device and to protect it against incidents that commonly cause damage to handheld devices. Integral to the protective shroud is at least one of an input component configured to receive user input or a wireless transceiver configured to transmit signals to and/or receive signals from the handheld device. In one example, where both the input component and the wireless transceiver are integral to the protective shroud, signals related to received user input (e.g., where the shroud serves as a keypad) may be transmitted to the handheld device, even if the protective shroud is removed from the handheld device.

Abstract: Techniques for providing an arc layout for a soft input panel are described. In some examples, an electronic device can transition from providing a substantially straight and/or horizontal layout for the soft input panel to an arc layout for the soft input panel. The electronic device can display a graphical element at a location on the soft input panel. The electronic device can receive input corresponding to, for example, a swipe of the graphical element in a curved manner across the soft input panel. Based on the input, the electronic device can transition from displaying the soft input panel using the substantially straight layout to displaying the soft input panel using the arc layout.

Abstract: An apparatus for communicating with a handheld device (e.g., a cellular telephone) is provided herein. A protective shroud is configured to enclose the handheld device and protect it against incidents that commonly cause damage to handheld devices. Integral to the protective shroud is at least one of an input component configured to receive user input and a wireless transceiver configured to transmit signals to and/or receive signals from the handheld device. In one example, where both the input component and the wireless transceiver are integral to the protective shroud, signals related to received user input (e.g., where the shroud serves as a keypad) may be transmitted to the handheld device even if the protective shroud is removed from the handheld device.

Abstract: Techniques for customizing a design of a soft input panel are described herein. For instance, an electronic device can provide a keyboard customization interface to enable a user to specify a color, font, background image, and so on for the soft input panel. The user may provide input through the keyboard customization interface to customize the design (e.g., theme) of the soft input panel. In some instances, the user may provide an image to be used as a background for the soft input panel. The electronic device can analyze the image to determine a most prominent color of the image. A portion of the soft input panel can be set to a color that is based on the most prominent color of the image.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for providing feedback and guidance to touch screen device users to improve text entry user experience and performance by generating input history data including character probabilities, word probabilities, and touch models. According to one embodiment, a method comprises receiving first input data, automatically learning user tendencies based on the first input data to generate input history data, receiving second input data, and generating auto-corrections or suggestion candidates for one or more words of the second input data based on the input history data. The user can then select one of the suggestion candidates to replace a selected word with the selected suggestion candidate.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a display including a touch sensor, a contextual sensor configured to provide data indicative of an operating condition of the electronic device, one or more memories in which touch input instructions, touch event mapping instructions, and a touch event mapping model are stored, and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured through execution of the touch input instructions to obtain data indicative of an initial assessment of touch event position via the touch sensor. The touch event mapping model maps the initial assessment of touch event position to an adjusted touch event position as a function of the data indicative of the operating condition of the electronic device.

Abstract: An apparatus for communicating with a handheld device (e.g., a cellular telephone) is provided herein. A protective shroud is configured to enclose the handheld device and protect it against incidents that commonly cause damage to handheld devices. Integral to the protective shroud is at least one of an input component configured to receive user input and a wireless transceiver configured to transmit signals to and/or receive signals from the handheld device. In one example, where both the input component and the wireless transceiver are integral to the protective shroud, signals related to received user input (e.g., where the shroud serves as a keypad) may be transmitted to the handheld device even if the protective shroud is removed from the handheld device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for providing feedback and guidance to touch screen device users to improve text entry user experience and performance by generating input history data including character probabilities, word probabilities, and touch models. According to one embodiment, a method comprises receiving first input data, automatically learning user tendencies based on the first input data to generate input history data, receiving second input data, and generating auto-corrections or suggestion candidates for one or more words of the second input data based on the input history data. The user can then select one of the suggestion candidates to replace a selected word with the selected suggestion candidate.