Virtual Input Device (e.g., Virtual Keyboard) Patents (Class 715/773)
  • Publication number: 20140143703
    Abstract: Systems and methods for creating a configurable multi-language, research and application keyboard tool. A configurable keyboard system includes a font editor/generator for modifying and creating new characters, a language database for storing characters of one or more alphabets, a user interface for display outputs and accepting inputs from a user, and a layout generator for configuring a dynamic keyboard display and displaying the keyboard display on the user interface. Characters from one or more languages may be grouped in proximity to each other on the keyboard display based on common phonetic sounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventors: Sulaiman AlKazi, Syed Kamal H. Jaffrey
  • Patent number: 8730172
    Abstract: A character input method is implemented in a device with a plurality of keys. If a key is activated by a first operation matching a first input pattern, a first route is selected to traverse a plurality of characters corresponded by the key during presentation of the plurality of characters. If the first key is activated by a second operation matching a second input pattern, the plurality of characters corresponded by the first key are orderly retrieved and presented according to a second route in response to operations on the first key. The order for presenting two characters corresponded by the first key in the first route is reversed in the second route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Gold Charm Limited
    Inventor: Chi-Chang Lu
  • Publication number: 20140129972
    Abstract: Provided are techniques for configuring a keyboard model comprising techniques of receiving a keyboard model comprising a plurality of key definitions, each key definition defining at least key function, key location and key size, presenting an output generated from the keyboard model, receiving a user input comprising one or more changes to the keyboard model, updating the keyboard model according to the received user input, and saving the updated keyboard model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew J. Jarvis, David Sherwood
  • Publication number: 20140129933
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a touch screen for inputting text and hardware buttons for performing functions. A user inputs a sequence of letters and then actuates the hardware button which causes the system to perform an auto-correction if the input text is not recognized as a word and a space after the word. The hardware button can have multiple actuation modes including a touch actuation and a depression actuation. Each actuation mode can perform different system functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Syntellia, Inc.
    Inventor: Kostas Eleftheriou
  • Patent number: 8719724
    Abstract: Selected adaptive touch screen key pad characters not existing in a list of possible available character strings are removed from the touch screen key pad and the space occupied by the remaining characters on the key pad and their character size (font) are enlarged, making their recognition and selection by a user much easier. The method includes detecting selection of a button displaying at least one of the selectable characters; creating at least one character substring, one for each of the one or more selectable characters displayed on the selected button; identifying selectable characters on the touch screen not included in the one or more character strings; removing the identified selectable characters from the touch screen; and enlarging the selectable characters remaining on the touch screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Amit Nishikant Kawalkar
  • Patent number: 8719723
    Abstract: Users are often in environments that require specific inputs into a device. However, it can be advantageous to display a limited number of targets to a user for inputting information. Therefore, the can be a selection of a limited target set based on a user activity and/or environment. The limited target set can be display to a user through a display, commonly a visual display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Rath, Kristian Tørning
  • Publication number: 20140123052
    Abstract: A method is performed at a multifunction device with a touch screen display. The method includes displaying a text entry interface with a soft keyboard in a first area and a viewing area with a first size to display scrollable information. The method detects a finger gesture on the viewing area, and responds to the gesture. When the viewing area displays only a portion of the information, the response includes: (1) ceasing to display the soft keyboard, (2) expanding the viewing area to a second size, including at least some of the first area, and (3) scrolling the information in the expanded viewing area. When the viewing area with the first size displays all of the information, the response includes: (1) maintaining display of the soft keyboard, (2) keeping the viewing area at the first size, and (3) moving the information in the viewing area based on the finger gesture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Imran Chaudhri, Bas Ording
  • Publication number: 20140123048
    Abstract: An apparatus for a virtual input device for a mobile computing device is disclosed. In order to achieve higher throughput and accuracy of a virtual input system, the present invention is primarily characterized in that a system detects movement of a user's fingers on a work surface through at least one wearable sensor which wirelessly transmits the optical signal from the coupled transmitter to the optical receiver for processing and determining the corresponding user's input based on the predefined algorithm or pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventor: Kanit Bodipat
  • Publication number: 20140123049
    Abstract: The subject disclosure is directed towards a graphical or printed keyboard having keys removed, in which the removed keys are those made redundant by gesture input. For example, a graphical or printed keyboard may be the same overall size and have the same key sizes as other graphical or printed keyboards with no numeric keys, yet via the removed keys may fit numeric and alphabetic keys into the same footprint. Also described is having three or more characters per key, with a tap corresponding to one character, and different gestures on the key differentiating among the other characters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: William A. S. Buxton, Ahmed Sabbir Arif, Michel Pahud, Kenneth P. Hinckley, Finbarr S. Duggan
  • Publication number: 20140123050
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a controller, wherein said controller is arranged to receive input referring to a key and identifying a touch point; display a first set of candidates comprising a plurality of candidates arranged around the touch point; receive input referring to a first candidate being comprised in said first set; receive a select command of said first candidate; and input said selected candidate as text.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: ZIMPL AB
    Inventors: Mikael DANIELSSON, Imre ZVORINJI, Sven EKSTRÖM
  • Publication number: 20140123051
    Abstract: A graphical user interface apparatus for a computing device. A method to use, arrange and activate GUI components overlapped in a graphical user interface is provided. An overlap component includes an overlappable region associated with a predetermined position locating method and a predetermined activation criterion. The overlap component may also include a conventional region. An operation located in a region and meeting the activation criterion will activate corresponding component in the GUI. A virtual keyboard comprises a plurality of keys composed of overlap components is provided. The overlap component can be invoked by a directional swipe gesture or a tap. A web browser with the use of overlap components is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventor: Li Ni
  • Patent number: 8713464
    Abstract: A method of inputting a text word in a computerized system using a virtual keyboard, including, recording two or more strokes; wherein each stroke forms contact with the virtual keyboard and maintains contact forming a trace path as it traverses through multiple keyboard keys, each key representing a letter; identifying the word based on the recording; and wherein every distinct letter in the word is represented by a key in one of the trace paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Inventor: Dov Nir Aides
  • Patent number: 8712390
    Abstract: Techniques for providing a smart dial controller for enhancing a telephone voice call using a data connection. In an exemplary embodiment, a dial controller may be provided in a calling device for calling another user, and/or a called device for receiving a call from another user. Techniques are provided for both the calling device and the called device to access a content server storing profiles of the calling user and/or the called user, subject to user-determined privacy settings. Such profiles may include, e.g., multi-media information on the status, location, or preferences of the users. In an exemplary embodiment, the dial controller may delay the establishment of a voice connection pending user review and approval of the other user's profile. According to an advantage of the present disclosure, no modifications are required on the network side to implement the techniques described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Devarshi P. Shah, Patrik N. Lundqvist
  • Publication number: 20140115522
    Abstract: In one example, a method includes outputting, by a computing device and for display, a graphical keyboard comprising a group of keys. The method may further include receiving an indication of a first portion of a gesture to select a first key, and determining, based at least in part on the first key, one or more predicted next characters. The method may further include determining a path from a first location of the graphical keyboard to a second location of the graphical keyboard, the first location corresponding to the first key, the second location corresponding to one of the one or more predicted next characters. The method may further include comparing a second portion of the gesture with the determined path, and selecting, based at least in part on the comparison, the one of the one or more predicted next characters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventor: GOOGLE INC.
  • Publication number: 20140115523
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing a user interface, which provides a keyboard layout, is provided. A display portion of a user interface apparatus displays a portion of a plurality of keys that are included in the keyboard layout, and provides individual input keys of at least a predetermined size inside a display area that is limited by not displaying the portion of the plurality of keys. The keys which are displayed on the display portion comprise a first input key, which is allocated to a first character, and a second input key, which is allocated to a second character that differs from the first character.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventor: Jin Ho Seo
  • Publication number: 20140115520
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for secure data entry. In the method a virtual data entry interface is generated, and is outputted so as to be readable only by the user. The user then enters data using the interface. The apparatus includes at least one display, or optionally a pair of displays that output a 3D stereo image. It also includes a data processor, and at least one sensor, or optionally a pair of sensors that capture 3D stereo data. The data processor generates a virtual data entry interface, and communicates it to the display or displays. The displays output the virtual interface such that it is only readable by the user. The sensor or sensors receives data entered by the user's actions, and send signals representing those actions to the processor. The processor then detects the data from the signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Atheer, Inc.
    Inventor: Sleiman Itani
  • Publication number: 20140115524
    Abstract: An input method for an electronic device having a plurality of keys and a display screen is disclosed, wherein a menu having a plurality of character options arranged in an x, y-axis matrix with vertical columns and horizontal rows is displayed on the screen, wherein x-coordinate values of the character options are listed on the display screen to identify character options in each of the horizontal rows and an initial y-coordinate value is set in advance for selecting character options, wherein a desired character option can be selected by using keys for selecting horizontal character option rows and the x-coordinate value of the desired character option can be selected by using keys for selecting x-coordinate values, so as to input the desired character option, wherein all selectable character options are displayed on the display screen prior to the selection of the y-coordinate of the horizontal character option row.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventor: Yu-Chih Cheng
  • Publication number: 20140115519
    Abstract: An example method includes displaying, at a presence-sensitive device, a virtual keyboard, receiving an indication of input entered at a presence-sensitive device indicating a plurality of characters, determining a sequence of at least three character strings in the plurality such that the sequence does not include any space characters, modifying the characters by inserting at least two space characters to demarcate the at least three character strings, and determining at least two suggested character strings based on first, second, and third character strings of the sequence. The method further includes outputting, for display at the presence-sensitive device and at a text-suggestion area of the GUI, the at least two suggested character strings, receiving a selection that indicates a selected character string of the at least two suggested character strings, and outputting, for display at the presence-sensitive device and at the text-entry area of the GUI, the selected character string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventors: Yu Ouyang, Shumin Zhai
  • Publication number: 20140115521
    Abstract: In one example, a method includes outputting, by a computing device and for display, a graphical keyboard comprising a plurality of keys. The method may also include receiving, by the computing device, an indication of a gesture detected at a presence-sensitive input device. The method may also include determining, by the computing device and based on a plurality of features associated with the gesture, a degree of precision of the gesture. The method may also include modifying, by the computing device and based at least in part on the degree of precision, a probability that the gesture indicates at least one key of the plurality of keys. The method may also include outputting, by the computing device and for display, a candidate word that is based at least in part on the probability that the gesture indicates at least one key of the plurality of keys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Google Inc.
  • Patent number: 8704792
    Abstract: In one example, a computing device may receive an indication of a user input entered at a location of a presence-sensitive screen and defines a group of gesture events based at least in part on the indication. The computing device may determine a density of a portion of the group of gesture events. The density may indicate, for example, a quantity of gesture events associated with a region of the presence-sensitive screen over a time duration. In response to determining that the density satisfies a threshold, the computing device may modify the group of gesture events based at least in part on the density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Kataoka, Keisuke Kuroyanagi
  • Patent number: 8707195
    Abstract: An accessible electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface: displays a first plurality of user-selectable objects; detects a finger contact on the touch-sensitive surface; detects movement of the finger contact across the touch sensitive surface to an activation region that corresponds to a first user-selectable object; while detecting the finger contact at the activation region, initiates output of audible accessibility information associated with the first user-selectable object; detects termination of the finger contact while the finger contact is at the activation region that corresponds to the first user-selectable object; and, in response: performs a predefined operation associated with the first user-selectable object if the device has output at least a predefined portion of the audible accessibility information associated with the first user-selectable object when the termination of the finger contact is detected; and forgoes performing the predefined operation otherwise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Brian Fleizach, Reginald Hudson
  • Publication number: 20140108994
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method that models a user's interaction with a user interface. There is provided a data input system, comprising a user interface having a plurality of targets and being configured to receive user input. The system comprises a plurality of models, each of which relates previous user input events corresponding to a target to that target. An input probability generator is configured to generate, in association with the plurality of models, a probability that a user input event corresponds to a particular target. There is also provided a method of modelling a target of a user interface having a plurality of targets and being configured to receive input, by modelling for each target previous user input events which correspond to that target. Furthermore, there is provided a method of inputting data into a system comprising a user interface having a plurality of targets and being configured to receive input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: TOUCHTYPE LIMITED
    Inventors: Benjamin Medlock, Douglas Alexander Harper Orr
  • Publication number: 20140108992
    Abstract: A graphical keyboard including a number of keys is output for display at a display device. The computing device receives an indication of a gesture to select at least two of the keys based at least in part on detecting an input unit at locations of a presence-sensitive input device. In response to the detecting and while the input unit is detected at the presence-sensitive input device: the computing device determines a candidate word for the gesture based at least in part on the at least two keys and the candidate word is output for display at a first location of the output device. In response to determining that the input unit is no longer detected at the presence-sensitive input device, the displayed candidate word is output for display at a second location of the display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaojun Bi, Yu Ouyang, Shumin Zhai
  • Publication number: 20140108990
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to techniques for outputting a graphical keyboard comprising a group of keys, wherein each key in the group of keys is associated with a respective, different display region, receiving an indication of a gesture to select a sequence of keys that are each included in the group of keys of the graphical keyboard, determining that the selected sequence of keys corresponds to a character string that is identifiable by at least one format source, wherein the format source is associated with a syntax, determining, based at least in part on the syntax, that at least one separator character is associated with the character string, and in response to determining that the at least one separator character is associated with the character string, outputting the character string and the at least one separator character at a location proximal to the character string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: Shumin Zhai, Kurt Edward Partridge, Xiaojun Bi, Yu Ouyang
  • Publication number: 20140108993
    Abstract: In one example, a method includes outputting, for display at a presence-sensitive display, a graphical user interface comprising a graphical keyboard that includes a group of keys, wherein each key in the group of keys is associated with a respective, different region of the presence-sensitive display. The method further includes receiving an indication of a gesture to select a sequence of one or more keys in the group of keys of the graphical keyboard. The method further includes determining, based at least in part on the indication of the gesture, that the gesture includes at least one feature associated with a cancellation of the selected sequence of one or more keys. The method further includes, in response to determining that the gesture includes the at least one feature associated with the cancellation, omitting the selected sequence of one or more keys from entry to a text input field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Google Inc.
  • Publication number: 20140108989
    Abstract: Techniques are described for character deletion on a computing device that utilizes a gesture-based keyboard. The computing device includes a processor and at least one module operable by the processor to output, for display at a presence-sensitive display, a graphical keyboard comprising a plurality of keys and a text editor field. In response to receiving an indication of a gesture that comprises a first path, the module outputs a first character, based at least in part on the first path, associated with a first key and a second character associated with a second key. In response to determining that the gesture further comprises a second path that retraces at least a portion of the first path, the module removes the second character from the text editor field of the presence-sensitive display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaojun Bi, Kurt Edward Partridge, Yu Ouyang, Shumin Zhai
  • Publication number: 20140108991
    Abstract: In one example, a computing device includes at least one processor that is operatively coupled to a presence-sensitive display and a gesture module operable by the at least one processor. The gesture module may be operable by the at least one processor to output, for display at the presence-sensitive display, a graphical keyboard comprising a plurality of keys and receive an indication of a continuous gesture detected at the presence-sensitive display, the continuous gesture to select a group of keys of the plurality of keys. The gesture module may be further operable to determine, in response to receiving the indication of the continuous gesture and based at least in part on the group of keys of the plurality of keys, a candidate phrase comprising a group of candidate words.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: Shumin Zhai, Yu Ouyang, Ken Wakasa, Satoshi Kataoka
  • Patent number: 8701032
    Abstract: In one example, a computing device includes at least one processor that is operatively coupled to a presence-sensitive display and a gesture module operable by the at least one processor. The gesture module may be operable by the at least one processor to output, for display at the presence-sensitive display, a graphical keyboard comprising a plurality of keys and receive an indication of a continuous gesture detected at the presence-sensitive display, the continuous gesture to select a group of keys of the plurality of keys. The gesture module may be further operable to determine, in response to receiving the indication of the continuous gesture and based at least in part on the group of keys of the plurality of keys, a candidate phrase comprising a group of candidate words.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Shumin Zhai, Yu Ouyang, Ken Wakasa, Satoshi Kataoka
  • Patent number: 8701050
    Abstract: A computing device can be configured to receive an indication of a first input gesture, a first portion of the first input gesture indicating a first character key of a plurality of character keys of a graphical keyboard and a second portion of the first input gesture indicating a second character key of the plurality of character keys. The computing device also can be configured to determine, based at least in part on the first character key and the second character key, a candidate word. The computing device can be configured to output, for display at a region of a display device at which the graphical keyboard is displayed, a gesture completion path extending from the second character key. Further, the computing device can be configured to select, in response to receiving an indication of a second input gesture substantially traversing the gesture completion path, the candidate word.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Thad Eugene Starner, Nirmal Patel, Shumin Zhai
  • Publication number: 20140101594
    Abstract: In one example, a method includes outputting, at a presence-sensitive display operatively coupled to a computing device, a graphical keyboard comprising a plurality of keys and receiving an indication of a gesture to select a group of keys of the plurality of keys. The method may further include determining, in response to the indication, a candidate word based at least in part on the group of keys. The method may further include determining a group of alignment points traversed by the gesture and respective cost values for each of at least two keys of the plurality of keys. The method may further include comparing the respective cost values for at least each of at least two keys of the plurality of keys to determine a combination of keys having a combined cost value and outputting the candidate word that is based on the respective cost values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventors: Yu Ouyang, Shumin Zhai, Ciprian Ioan Chelba, Xiaojun Bi, Satoshi Kataoka, Ken Wakasa, Keisuke Kuroyanagi
  • Publication number: 20140101595
    Abstract: A system and method of providing a dynamic virtual keyboard having a QWERTY or randomized layout that is displayed on a user interface to allow a user to input authentication information into a selected field. A first character key and a second character key are exchanged from their respective actual positions to modified positions. Mapped information associated with the exchanged original and modified positions of the first and second character keys is stored in a memory. Selection by the user of at least the displayed first character key in the modified position by the user is detected and the stored mapped information is retrieved from the memory of the first character key, wherein the first character key is translated to the second character key based on the retrieved mapped information. An authentication array including the second character key is sent to a server to authenticate the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: INFOSYS LIMITED
    Inventors: Praveena Deviprasad Kumara, Raghavendra Bangalore Venkata Reddy
  • Publication number: 20140101596
    Abstract: A device disclosed herein comprises a touch screen interface configured to display a plurality of different keyboard configurations, each of the keyboard configurations representing a plurality of keys, receive an input from a user to select one of a plurality of keyboard selection inputs, and in response to the selection of the one of a plurality of keyboard selection inputs, displaying a selected keyboard configuration from the plurality of different keyboard configurations, wherein each of the plurality of keys related to the selected keyboard configuration represents a word.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Over The Sun, LLC
    Inventors: Kai Staats, Bruce Geerdes, Daniel Burcaw, Lindsay Giachetti, Ben Reubenstein, Matthew Crest
  • Publication number: 20140101553
    Abstract: A computing device may output a graphical user interface for display at a presence-sensitive screen including an edit region and a graphical keyboard. The computing device may receive an indication of a gesture detected at a location of the presence-sensitive screen within the graphical keyboard. In response, the computing device may output for display at the presence-sensitive screen, a modified graphical user interface including a media insertion user interface with a plurality of media insertion options. The computing device may receive an indication of a selection of at least one media insertion option associated with a media item. The computing device may output for display at the presence-sensitive screen, an updated graphical user interface including the media item within the edit region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventor: Jens Nagel
  • Publication number: 20140101593
    Abstract: A soft input panel (SIP) for a computing device is configured to be used by a person holding a computing device with one hand. For example, a user grips a mobile computing device with his right hand at the bottom right corner and uses his right thumb to touch the various keys of the SIP, or grips a mobile computing device with his left hand at the bottom left corner and uses his left thumb to touch the various keys of the SIP. The SIP comprises arced or slanted rows of keys that correspond to the natural pivoting motion of the user's thumb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy S. Paek, Dmytro Rudchenko, Bongshin Lee, Nikhil Devanur Rangarajan
  • Publication number: 20140096201
    Abstract: Techniques for improving security of transactions requesting user authentication data entry via mobile devices are described herein. The mobile device is configured to wirelessly communicate using a near field communications (NFC) standard used to communicate over very short distances. The mobile device includes a graphical user interface (GUI) configured to display a virtual keypad arranged in a randomly generated pattern, the pattern being configured to be changed in a random manner at each instance of displaying the virtual keypad. Security of transaction is improved by randomly changing positions of virtual keys of the virtual keypad configured to receive the user authentication data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventor: Arupratan Gupta
  • Patent number: 8686945
    Abstract: The invention relates to a data processing device input apparatus (1) for inputting characters, in particular graphics characters and/or commands, by—manual actuation, in particular finger contact with input field elements (3) of an input field (4), the input field (4) being divided into two input partial fields (5, 6), the individual input partial fields (5, 6) being arranged on a base (7) so as to be set apart from each other viewed in the axial direction, and the input surfaces (24, 25) of the input partial fields (5, 6) opposing each other in the working position and a reproduction component (8) for the visual detectability of the input surfaces (24, 25) of the input field (4) being associated with said input surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Alexander Jarczyk
  • Patent number: 8686955
    Abstract: A method of managing user interface content, including performing character entry without a keyboard, is disclosed. The method includes displaying a character entry area and a character selection indicia, wherein the character selection indicia is displayed at a first predefined location, and the character selection indicia includes locations corresponding to respective characters in a plurality of characters; detecting a point of contact over the character selection indicia; in response to detecting the contact over the character selection indicia, displaying at a second predefined location distinct from the first predefined location a temporary character that represents a character to be selected; while displaying the temporary character, detecting a character selection gesture; and, in response to detecting the character selection gesture, selecting a character corresponding to the temporary character for placement in the character entry area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery Theodore Lee, Benjamin Andrew Rottler
  • Publication number: 20140089839
    Abstract: A method of operating a multifunction device includes displaying a soft keyboard having a plurality of buttons including one or more unconditionally enabled buttons and one or more conditionally enabled buttons. The method further includes detecting a first input with a first button at a first time; detecting a second input with a second button at a second time after the first time, where the second button is a conditionally enabled button; and in response to the detecting the second input with the second button at the second time: in accordance with a determination that the period of time between the first time and the second time is above a predefined threshold, activating the second button; and in accordance with a determination that the period of time between the first time and the second time is below the predefined threshold, preventing the second button from being activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Kocienda
  • Publication number: 20140089838
    Abstract: An electronic device and a method for displaying content on a touch screen of the electronic device are provided. The electronic device includes a touch screen configured to selectively display a keypad and a search list area, wherein a search list present in the search list area is generated according to data entered via the keypad; and a processor coupled to the touch screen. The processor is configured to, in response to an input signal generated in the search list area and received by the touch screen, control the touch screen to hide the keypad that is currently displayed on the touch screen and enlarge the search list area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: HTC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuan-Mao TSUI
  • Publication number: 20140082545
    Abstract: In one example a computing device includes at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor may be configured to output for display, a graphical keyboard comprising a plurality of keys. The at least one processor may be configured to receive an indication of an input detected at a presence-sensitive input device operatively coupled to the computing device; and responsive to receiving the indication, determine an input posture of the input, wherein the input posture represents an orientation of the computing device in relation to an input unit used to provide the input. The at least one processor may be configured to select, based at least in part on the input posture, a spatial model that is used for determining a probability that at least one of the one or more of the plurality of keys has been selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Shumin Zhai, Yu Ouyang, Ying Yin
  • Publication number: 20140082546
    Abstract: An input method is provided by embodiments of the present invention, relating to the communications field, and invented to improve the input experience of a user. The input method includes: providing an input interface on a touch display screen, where the input interface includes a virtual soft keyboard distributed in a sector area around a lower left corner or lower right corner of the input interface; receiving an input instruction which is input by a user through the virtual soft keyboard; and displaying input information corresponding to the input instruction. An input apparatus and a terminal device are also provided by embodiments of the present invention. The present invention is applicable to a mobile device or a handheld device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: HUAWEI DEVICE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yun Yang
  • Publication number: 20140075367
    Abstract: Supplementing a virtual input keyboard is provided. A form and a virtual input keyboard are displayed in a display of a data processing system. An input is received selecting a particular field within the form. One or more character key sets are retrieved corresponding to previous data entries of the particular field selected. A delta set of character keys is determined based on character keys in the one or more character key sets that do not match displayed character keys on the virtual input keyboard. A set of delta character supplemental virtual input keyboards is generated based on the delta set of character keys. Then, the set of delta character supplemental virtual input keyboards are displayed in the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Tamer E. Abuelsaad, John E. Moore, JR., Rajeshkumar N. Singi, Robert R. Wentworth
  • Patent number: 8669957
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus accepts an input onto a display screen displayed on a display device. The information processing apparatus determines an input method of a first input using a first time and/or a first trajectory information from a start point to an end point of the accepted first input. The information processing apparatus stores the first trajectory information of the first input in a storage unit for storing therein the trajectory information of an input of which the input method has been determined. The information processing apparatus restores trajectory information of the input that was accepted by accepting, using the first trajectory information stored in the storage unit and trajectory information of a second input if a result of determination with respect to the second input accepted within a predetermined time since the first input is input is different from the input method of the first input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Akiyama, Koki Hatada
  • Patent number: 8671357
    Abstract: System and method for improving data input by using word frequency to text predict input. Other systems and methods include analyzing words already contained in a document (e.g. spell checking and OCR) and using word frequency to create a proxy system to reduce the space required to store data, allowing for more efficient usage of storage and enhancing the embedded content of matrix codes. The system displays the most common words in a language based upon the previously entered or displayed word(s), or the previously entered or displayed character or characters. Words with the most common frequency of use with the prior word(s) are displayed in a table to enable the user to quickly select one of the displayed words for rapid data entry. The input device can be a touch-sensitive display or non-touch sensitive type device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventor: Jeffrey R. Spetalnick
  • Patent number: 8669941
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for text input is provided. The method includes the steps of dividing the letters of a keyboard into a plurality of zones, each zone including one or more letters and designating a jumper key associated with each of the plurality of zones from the letters in each zone. A user indication of a selected jumper key is received, and all of the keys in the zone associated with the selected jumper key are then selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Nuance Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Santosh Sharan, Amnon Gavish, Greg Sigel, Gordon Kessler
  • Publication number: 20140068492
    Abstract: In general, this disclosure describes techniques for providing a mechanism for facilitating text entry by a user interacting with a graphical keyboard displayed at a presence-sensitive screen of a computing device. For example, a computing device having a presence-sensitive screen and a housing, the housing further having a plurality of touch sensors, receives touch input at the touch sensors. The computing device determines a usage mode, based on the touch input. The computing device also displays, based on the usage mode, a graphical keyboard at the presence-sensitive screen. If the usage mode is a one-handed usage mode, a unitary graphical keyboard is displayed. If the usage mode is a two-handed usage mode, a split graphical keyboard is displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Fan Yu, Huanjun Bao
  • Publication number: 20140068491
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method that allow for context and language specific data entry via a user interface. A user interface is displayed on a display device, where the user interface includes a data entry menu having one or more menu selections. A menu selection is activated. A data entry method is displayed, where the data entry method is context and language specific to the activated menu selection. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Kevin M. Corbett, Brian David Johnson, David Koste
  • Patent number: 8667413
    Abstract: A method, and apparatus is disclosed for input of information in an electronic device having a display, the apparatus comprising a graphic processor for displaying a plurality of objects on the display representative of the information to be input, each object of the plurality of objects arranged around the perimeter of a portion of the screen area of the display; a control interface for a user to control movement of a cursor generated in the display by the graphic processor and responsive to the control interface for scrolling through the plurality of objects and selection of an object for input of information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Kok Hoong Vincent Cheng, Teck Chee Lee
  • Patent number: 8667414
    Abstract: A computing device is operatively coupled to a presence-sensitive surface associated with a virtual keyboard. The computing device receives an indication of a gesture input on a portion of the presence-sensitive surface associated with the virtual keyboard. In response, the computing device defines a series of input points that represent a path of the gesture input across the virtual keyboard. In addition, the computing device defines anchor points for virtual keys of the virtual keyboard. The computing device then determines distance scores for the anchor points words based on distances on the presence-sensitive surface between the input points and the anchor points. The computing device identifies a word that corresponds to the gesture input based on the distance scores for the anchor points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Shumin Zhai, Kun Li
  • Patent number: 8665218
    Abstract: A portable device including a body, a panel display, a touch sensor, and a positioning determining element is provided. The panel display and the touch sensor are disposed at a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface of the body. The positioning determining element is disposed in the body for determining the locations of each finger when the body is hold and defining a conformal keyboard corresponding to the shape of hands, so the user can execute programs via the finger actions on the touch sensor conveniently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
    Inventors: Duan-Ruei Shiu, Jung-Hsing Wang